yet another blog

ISRAELI LAW PREVENTS ME FROM CALLING THE EXTERMINATION OF AN ENTIRE PALESTINIAN FAMILY A ‘NAZI ACT’ OF AGGRESSION « Desertpeace
It is forbidden by law in Israel to call somebody a nazi or call any government action a nazi action. Is there any other way to describe the brutal elimination of an entire family in occupied Palestine by the Israeli Air Force…. as they slept in their beds at home? Rather than stopping such crimes against humanity, they make it a crime to compare it to a war crime of the nazis…Forbidden as I am, as an Israeli citizen, to use such words, I will allow my friend Khalid Amayreh, who is a Palestinian, describe the situation and use the ‘n’ word that I’m not allowed to use…..

More…

Reuters AlertNet - US judge dismisses Rumsfeld torture lawsuit

WASHINGTON, March 27 Reuters - A U.S. federal judge dismissed on Tuesday a lawsuit seeking to hold former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other high-ranking military officers liable for the torture and abuse of Afghan and Iraqi prisoners, including some at Abu Ghraib prison.In throwing out the lawsuit, U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas Hogan ruled in the 58-page opinion that the defendants are entitled to immunity.

The plaintiffs had said they were stabbed, sexually abused, dunked in freezing water, and beaten while being hung upside down from the ceiling in Iraqs notorious Abu Ghraib prison and other U.S.-run facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his opinion, Hogan cited other court rulings that rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution generally do not extend to foreign citizens in other countries. The plaintiffs have no right to sue in U.S. court, he said.

Hogan said that allowing money damages against military officials during a war “would invite enemies to use our own federal courts to obstruct the armed forces ability to act decisively and without hesitation in defense of our liberty and national interests.”

more…

In other words, to act in contravention of international law without fear of reprisal. Hmm… wonder how he’d feel about the so-called “insurgents” in Iraq (in reality resistance fighters opposing an occupying force) using similar arguments?

Newsvine - Britain Admits Awareness of CIA Prisons

The British foreign secretary admitted Friday that her government was aware of a secret CIA prison network before President Bush acknowledged its existence in September.

Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett made the admission in a written response to a parliamentary question.

A a recent speech, Bush included a reference to the “existence of a detention program operated by the CIA.” Bush said 14 high-value detainees — including the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Sheik Mohammed — had been transferred from clandestine centers to the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“Prior to this speech, we were aware of the existence of a secret U.S. detention program only in general terms,” Beckett said in response to a lawmaker’s question.

more…

VIRTUAL CITIZENS - War on the World

On 10 January 2007, G. W. Bush announced his new “strategy” to “change America’s course in Iraq.”[1] The highlights are as follows:

(1) The new strategy for Iraq is an old set of tactics for policing Baghdad;

(2) Bush declared that American troops have been stupid and incompetent;

(3) Bush declared war on Iran (Iran has already attacked us); and

(4) Bush is not going to put up with sneaky, conniving, two-faced Muslims anymore.

read the full article…

» The Unmentionable Hypocrisy: Hussein Hanged, Bush and Blair Remain in Power

Saddam Hussein was hanged a week ago, today, for executing 148 people. Yet, even by conservative estimates, George W. Bush and Tony Blair are responsible for hundreds, or thousands, of times more deaths due to their war of aggression - the supreme international crime - in Iraq.But, while Saddam Hussein is hanged, Bush and Blair remain in power with apparent impunity.

Why the double standard?

Read the full post here…

Land of Enchantment and Impeachment | AfterDowningStreet.org

There is a decent chance that within the next month or two the New Mexico State Legislature will ask the U.S. House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Cheney. And there is the definite possibility that a Congress Member from New Mexico will take up the matter when it gets to Washington. The Jefferson Manual, rules used by the U.S. House, allows for impeachment to be begun in this manner. It only takes one state legislature. No governor is needed. One Congress Member, from the same state or any other, is needed to essentially acknowledge receipt of the state’s petition. Then impeachment begins.

read the full article…

Comment is free: Confronting the playground bully

Once upon a time, George Bush said: “All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: The United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.” Somalia was probably the last place he had in mind when he made this announcement.

It was only a matter of time before the mask slipped and the US played its hand. Only a matter of time before the Ethiopians refused to abide by the status quo and carry out deeds hatched and plotted in Washington.

The president of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, made his loyalty clear by laying his cards face up on his marble table. A spokesman said the air strike was based on “credible intelligence”, which in human speak means, was flawed beyond measure and obtained through nefarious means. Not seeming to care whether there have been civilian fatalities, Mr Ahmed spoke of his support of the American AC 130 bombing from his presidential palace in Mogadishu, claiming “America has the right to hunt down and air bombard wherever those who were responsible for bombing its embassies in East Africa are staying or hiding.”

And of those who are dead? Have they been identified as an al-Qaida cell? Rest assured that this is a message, coming through loud and clear: do as we say, not as we do. Anyone guilty of not toeing the line will be dealt with precisely and without discrimination. And that is what the US has done. The employment of air strikes by American forces that are employed to kill or maim hundreds has again signalled a complete lack of value for human life. And above all, has anybody mentioned that another fantastic recruiting ground has just been created, courtesy of Washington? Unless matters cease, this will most certainly turn into another Iraq.

more…

US INVADES IRAN territory Today Jan 11- An Underreported Story - Indian-American Org Sam Rao

US troops stormed into an Iranian consulate in Kurdish part of Iraq and seized equipment, computers and personnel. about 6 people were detained as US troops reportedly entered the Consulate of Iran.
As is well known and accepted by International law, Consulates and Embassies etc are over in territory and diplomatic immunity extends to the countries’ representatives & officials.

In a semantic sense, ” the War of Terror” is something most sane people will agree with. However, in the name of the War on Terror, its amazing how international and domestic laws are being totally bypassed.

This act of entering a consulate is definitely an act of War against a sovereign nation.
The “bending of rules” for the war on terror against Al Qaeda- a non government, unofficial entity- doesnot apply as Iran is a Republic and a nation state.

Interesting that this news has been under-reported!

Amanecer :: US double standards and hypocrisy in the United Nations

Israel´s war crimes are the result of the hypocrisy of the international community and the total alignment of the US government with the Zionist state. This US policy grants the Israelis permission to kill Palestinian people and destroy its legitimate rights by means of an oppressive economic and military siege. Whenever Israel commits a massacre, the US typical and cynical response is that Israel has the right “to defend itself”. Thus, Washington throws the blame on victims, that is, the Palestinians. Actually, it is the Palestinians who have the right to defend themselves as their struggle is a legitimate reaction to the illegal Israeli occupation.

Read the full article…