This was the forwarded e-mail sent to me the other day from a friend. The names have been removed out of courtesy for their privacy.
Begin forwarded message:
From: *Removed*
Date: May 14, 2010 12:58:38 PM EDT
To: *Removed*
Subject: Fw: Interesting..
Folks,
This is a very interesting article.
I'm certain that the Left and the Progressives/Socialists/Marxists and the Liberal Lap Dog Press will categorize anyone who believes this article as "Right Wing Nut Extremists" and "Tea Party Lunatics".
No matter how they categorize us, you must admit that this stuff is beginning to add up and it certainly passes the test of reasonableness.
Of course, all of these so-called accusations (no birth certificate; ineligible to be president) or conclusions could and should be easily vetted by a vigilant press, if such a press corps existed.
carlo
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: *Removed*
To: *Removed*
Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 11:18:46 AM
Subject: Fw: Interesting..
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
Abraham Lincoln
*Removed*
This may be the explanation for Obama's decisions.
From Shepard Smith, Fox News.
If you check Obama's last trip overseas, his wife left just after their visit to France as stated below. She has yet to accompany him to any Arab country. Think about it. This was sent to me from a very good and reliable friend. The pieces of the puzzle just keep on coming together!
Interesting...
Travel for Obama
I was at a Blockbusters renting videos, and as I was going along the wall, there was a video called "Obama". There were two men next to me. We talked about Obama. These guys were Arabs and I asked them why they thought Michele Obama headed home following her visit in France instead of traveling on to Saudi Arabia and Turkey with her husband. They told me she couldn't go to Saudi Arabia , Turkey or Iraq. I said "Laura Bush went to Saudi Arabia , Turkey and Dubai."
They said that Obama is a Muslim, and by Muslim law he would not be allowed to bring his wife into countries that accept Sharia Law. I just thought it was interesting that two Arabs at Blockbusters accept the idea that we're being led by a Muslim who follows the Islamic creed.
They also said that's the reason he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia. It was a signal to the Muslim world.....
Just thought you would like to know.
***************
When I received this it made sense to me, but there were also a couple blank spots. Thus, I sent it to a friend who is a Middle Eastern Scholar and expert, Dr. Jim Murk. Here is his explanation that states a little clearer what the Arabs at Blockbuster were saying.
"An orthodox Muslim man would never take his wife on a politically oriented trip to any nation which practices shari'ah law, which includes Saudi Arabia . This is true and it is why Obama left Michelle in Europe or at home when he went to especially Arab countries. He knows Muslim protocol; this included his bowing to the Saudi King.. Obama is regarded
as a Muslim in these countries simply because he was born to a Muslim father. Note that he has downplayed his Christianity--even spoke of his Muslim faith with George Stephanopoulus -- by not publicly joining a Christian church in D.C., but simply attending the chapel or services at Camp David. He also played down the fact that the USA was a Christian country and said, unbelievably, that it was one of the largest Muslim nations in the world, which is nonsense. He has also publicly taken the part of the Palestinians in the conflict with Israel. Finally, he ignored the National Day of Prayer.
He is bad news! He is God's judgment on America."
Jim Murk
Thus once again ACTIONS speak louder than words. Check out Obama's. Do they appear treasonous to you or is it just millions of us who think so?
God help us!
Have you wondered why Barack Hussein Obama has insisted that the U.S. Attorney General hold the trials for the 911 Murdering Muslims Terrorists in Civilian Courts as Common Criminals instead of as Terrorists who attacked the United States of America?
Think about this:
If the Muslim Terrorists are tried in Military Tribunals, convicted, and sentenced to DEATH by the Military Tribunal, BY
LAW of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, as President of the United States, would be required to SIGN their Death Warrants before they could be EXECUTED. He would not be required to sign the death warrants if sentenced to death by a Civilian Court. Think about the Muslim Jihadist, Major Hassan who slaughtered his fellow soldiers at Ft. Hood, Texas. Major Hassan did not want to go to Afghanistan and be a part of anything that could lead to the deaths of fellow Muslims. He stated that Muslims could not and should not KILL FELLOW MUSLIMS.
Is the motive for Barack Hussein Obama's decision to make sure he doesn't have to sign the death warrants for the Muslim Terrorists? Why would he, as President of the United States, not want to sign the death warrants for Muslim Terrorists who attacked the United States and MURDERED over 3,000 Innocent United States Citizens on 9/11? Could it be that he is FORBIDDEN BY HIS RELIGION to have anything to do with the execution of Muslims?
Think about that!!!
Join me in opening our ears, eyes and minds to what THEIR President is doing.
*Removed*
Attorney at Law
My Reply:
I'll reply in the order I see them.
1. Sharia Law isn't a " Muslim Law, Nor, Protocol Nor' an Islamic Creed", these are laws that were made by the states of those countries off of traditions, not the Qur'an.
The “Sharia law” that is practiced in the Middle East is un-Islamic. How so? Sharia law directly contradicts God’s Scripture in several ways. For starters, Islam shouldn’t be forced on others [1]; the Quran proclaims freedom as a gift of God while Sharia on the other hand restricts freedom [2]. Secondly, Sharia law relies on “religious scholar’s” opinions and interpretations rather than Quran [3]. In the third place, it is inconsistent and God’s path is not inconsistent [4]. Fourthly, God’s true religion is not brutal; murder and routine dismemberment are not Quranic [5]. For example the thief’s punishment in the Quran is not severing of the hand, and there isn’t a blanket instruction to kill non-Muslims [6].
Relavant Quran Verses: [1] 53:29, 2:256, 73:9-11, 6:106, 4:81, 7:199, 43:89; [2] 18:29, 2:193, 8:39, 3:195; [3] 12:111, 6:114-116, 5:15-16, 7:52, 5:48-49, 6:38, 31:6, 77:50, 9:31; [4] 4:82, 39:29, 39:23; [5] 4:94, 17:33, 17:28, 4:29-30, 17:31, 5:31-32, 6:120; [6] 5:38, 60:8, 3:113, 3:199, 5:69, 22:17, 29:46, Appendix 37 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.
Source
2. Bowing was a signal to who? Saudis maybe, In the Muslim world, he's still dropping bombs and sending drones out and enhancing Private contractors in Iraq, etc. I don't know what kind of mixed signal people see here.
3." An Orthodox Muslim Man would never take his wife on a politically oriented trip to any nation which practices Sharia Law"
Then someone needs to tell King Abdullah of Jordan and the other nations with Monarchies that ( They all bring their wives, uncovered to these places )
4. "He even spoke about his Muslim faith with George Stephanopoulus"
Where when George said "You mean your Christian faith?" He said "yes" he misspoke lol, this was in the clip itself.
5."Have you ever wondered why Obama wants to hold the 9-11 trial in civilian court"
Yes, because it actually is in the constitution to do so. There is no hard proof evidence that the men were responsible, doesn't matter what we assume, hence why there is a TRIAL. If it were stone cold fact, this discussion wouldn't be taking place.
6. "Muslim Jihadist Major Hassan who slaughtered his fellow soldiers at Ft. Hood"
Why don't you ask, or wonder, why this hasn't been brought up in the news again?
When the matter of "DEFENSE" comes into play, it doesn't matter what religion you are, defense is defense and God protects those that are righteous in their actions.
That is in any scripture so cut out the xenophobia crap, back it up with logical & factual statements, otherwise you are becoming what the U.S. once fought against, A Nazi.
There are many reasons why Obama's actions are treasonous, the ones mentioned aren't even close.
Beginning with the bailouts.
And get your heads out of the gutter with the left & right, conservative vs progressive non-sense, that has nothing to do with anything.
Bush began these policies
Obama continues every single once, and then some.
Because Obama uses different "Language" and tactics, the picture is exactly the same:
- Wars continue
- Policies Continue
- Bailouts Continue
- Patriot Act still in effect
I can go on and on... and until you break out of that mold of " Left & Right" you will never learn anything but to be easily manipulated, dancing to the fiddlers tune in ignorance.
Finally, I'll throw in a film that goes into even further detail that it really has nothing to do with the "Left & Right" but more about on who is behind "both sides"
This is my final post on here. I will be making a new blog on another location.
I will be posting the information here and where to find it.
Thank you...
- TPOC
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Shame on Everyone for Obamacare
The Democrats ushered in Obamacare but Republicans laid the groundwork in 2003, and were certainly no heroes in the lead up to this latest big government scheme.
*Note* I do realize I have been behind on posts, there is a reason for it and I will explain soon enough
- TPOC
*Note* I do realize I have been behind on posts, there is a reason for it and I will explain soon enough
- TPOC
Friday, March 12, 2010
Riz Khan - Jesse Ventura and US conspiracies
The controversial author reveals how much of the truth is left out of US history
*NOTE*Skip through to 8 minutes.
*NOTE*Skip through to 8 minutes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Five Minute Speech in Support of Kucinich's Afghanistan Resolution
Congressman Ron Paul speaks on the floor of the House in support of H Con Res 248 to bring the troops home from Afghanistan.
How Western anti-Muslim bigotry became respectable
The historic roots of a newly resilient ideology.
Geopolitics of the anti-Muslim campaign
Geopolitics of the anti-Muslim campaign
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Ron Paul speaks on non-intervention during Armenian Genocide Markup
During the House Markup of a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915 Ron Paul uses his 5 minutes to showcase his unwavering commitment to non-intervention and neutrality when it comes to foreign policy.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Ron Paul Vs. Bernake Round 3
Fed Chairman Bernanke is before the Financial Services Committee to testify on monetary policy and the state of the economy.
Explosive New Information On Joe Stacks Ties With Air Defense Systems
Video Following This Article
Austin suicide pilot jointly leased hanger with manager of air defense systems manager
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Austin suicide pilot Joe Stack kept some very interesting company as far as the client list for his software programming company is concerned, including a defense contractor with NSA and Homeland Security connections that ironically dealt with air defense systems.
The Georgetown Airport hanger in which Stacks ill-fated Piper Cherokee was kept was jointly leased by Stack and a man called John Podolak, records show.
The Of Goats and Men blog highlights the fact that Podolak was appointed in 2004 to manage L-3 Avisys Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Counter-MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems) initiative.
L-3 Avisys is a defense contractor with its main headquarters based in Austin Texas which sells products and works closely with the Department of Defense and unnamed U.S. Government intelligence agencies.
Podolak was hired to oversee a strong team of more than 10 IRCM defense suppliers who will perform research studies and lead the transition of the teams proposed CAPS (Commercial Airliner Protection System) technology to the airline industry.
L-3 was also a key client for Stacks software programming business. Stack helped develop a GPS-based Fight Management System for IEC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3.
L-3 was also investigated by the SEC for its role in the suspicious number of put options on United and American Airlines, speculation that a companys stock will fall, in the days before 9/11.
Read More
Austin suicide pilot jointly leased hanger with manager of air defense systems manager
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Austin suicide pilot Joe Stack kept some very interesting company as far as the client list for his software programming company is concerned, including a defense contractor with NSA and Homeland Security connections that ironically dealt with air defense systems.
The Georgetown Airport hanger in which Stacks ill-fated Piper Cherokee was kept was jointly leased by Stack and a man called John Podolak, records show.
The Of Goats and Men blog highlights the fact that Podolak was appointed in 2004 to manage L-3 Avisys Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Counter-MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems) initiative.
L-3 Avisys is a defense contractor with its main headquarters based in Austin Texas which sells products and works closely with the Department of Defense and unnamed U.S. Government intelligence agencies.
Podolak was hired to oversee a strong team of more than 10 IRCM defense suppliers who will perform research studies and lead the transition of the teams proposed CAPS (Commercial Airliner Protection System) technology to the airline industry.
L-3 was also a key client for Stacks software programming business. Stack helped develop a GPS-based Fight Management System for IEC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3.
L-3 was also investigated by the SEC for its role in the suspicious number of put options on United and American Airlines, speculation that a companys stock will fall, in the days before 9/11.
Read More
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Mosaic News - 2/22/10: World News From The Middle East *Bonus Following*
Alex Jones breaks down the top stories of today.
Ron Paul, James Carville on Larry King 02/22/2010 + Bonus Videos Following
Ron Paul and James Carville discuss CPAC straw poll and the GOP.
*Bonus* Ron Paul On Squawk Box Vs. Warmongering Squad.
*** BONUS 2 *** Southern Avenger On Ron Paul
Ron Paul's 2010 CPAC straw poll victory was a win for the real conservative movement.
*Bonus* Ron Paul On Squawk Box Vs. Warmongering Squad.
*** BONUS 2 *** Southern Avenger On Ron Paul
Ron Paul's 2010 CPAC straw poll victory was a win for the real conservative movement.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Muslim group wants government to call plane attack terrorism
A leading Muslim advocacy group is pushing government officials to call the suicide plane crash in Texas “an act of terror,” saying that if a Muslim had been flying the plane there would be no hesitancy to call it terrorism.
On Thursday, Andrew Joseph Stack III flew a small plane into the IRS's four-story office building in Austin, killing himself and at least one federal employee. Before the incident, Stack allegedly left a series of messages on a website expressing his disgust with the IRS, saying at one point that “violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer.”
“Whenever an individual or group attacks civilians in order to make a political statement, that is an act of terror,” said Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
“Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of the faith, race or ethnicity of the perpetrator or the victims,” said Awad, adding in a statement that “if a Muslim had carried out the IRS attack, it would have surely been labeled an act of terrorism.”
In the hours after the crash, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters that the incident looked to be “a criminal act by a lone individual.” And while Acevedo refrained from calling it an act of terror, he said the FBI, which is heading the investigation, would make the judgment call on how to categorize the crash.
A spokesman with the FBI’s San Antonio office on Friday said that the FBI was handling the case “as a criminal matter of an assault on a federal officer” and that it was not being considered as an act of terror at this time.
The White House had yet to make a public statement about how it viewed Thursday’s incident, other than to say that both President Barack Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had been notified and had asked to be kept apprised of the situation.
But two lawmakers from the area were quick to call the plane crash, which resulted in two seriously injured people and 13 people with minor injuries, an act of terror.
“Like the larger-scale tragedy in Oklahoma City, this was a cowardly act of domestic terrorism,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) in a statement.
And Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas), at a press conference following the crash, told a reporter that “it sounds like it [a terrorist attack] to me.”
McCaul, who is the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorist Assessment, added that he would be pushing the committee to look at how federal buildings can be made safer from plane attacks.
“This was obviously a deliberate, intentional attack on a federal building,” said McCaul “It’s something that I’ll be working with the police chief and the FBI to get to the bottom of this and to find out how we can better protect the American people.”
But some members - like the ranking Republican of the Homeland Security Committee Rep. Peter King (N.Y.) - are still on the fence as to whether the attack should be labeled as a terrorist act.
"I am reserving judgment to see whether he had any link whatever to any questionable group or organization," said King in a statement to The Hill on Friday.
By Jordy Yager
On Thursday, Andrew Joseph Stack III flew a small plane into the IRS's four-story office building in Austin, killing himself and at least one federal employee. Before the incident, Stack allegedly left a series of messages on a website expressing his disgust with the IRS, saying at one point that “violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer.”
“Whenever an individual or group attacks civilians in order to make a political statement, that is an act of terror,” said Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
“Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of the faith, race or ethnicity of the perpetrator or the victims,” said Awad, adding in a statement that “if a Muslim had carried out the IRS attack, it would have surely been labeled an act of terrorism.”
In the hours after the crash, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters that the incident looked to be “a criminal act by a lone individual.” And while Acevedo refrained from calling it an act of terror, he said the FBI, which is heading the investigation, would make the judgment call on how to categorize the crash.
A spokesman with the FBI’s San Antonio office on Friday said that the FBI was handling the case “as a criminal matter of an assault on a federal officer” and that it was not being considered as an act of terror at this time.
The White House had yet to make a public statement about how it viewed Thursday’s incident, other than to say that both President Barack Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had been notified and had asked to be kept apprised of the situation.
But two lawmakers from the area were quick to call the plane crash, which resulted in two seriously injured people and 13 people with minor injuries, an act of terror.
“Like the larger-scale tragedy in Oklahoma City, this was a cowardly act of domestic terrorism,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) in a statement.
And Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas), at a press conference following the crash, told a reporter that “it sounds like it [a terrorist attack] to me.”
McCaul, who is the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorist Assessment, added that he would be pushing the committee to look at how federal buildings can be made safer from plane attacks.
“This was obviously a deliberate, intentional attack on a federal building,” said McCaul “It’s something that I’ll be working with the police chief and the FBI to get to the bottom of this and to find out how we can better protect the American people.”
But some members - like the ranking Republican of the Homeland Security Committee Rep. Peter King (N.Y.) - are still on the fence as to whether the attack should be labeled as a terrorist act.
"I am reserving judgment to see whether he had any link whatever to any questionable group or organization," said King in a statement to The Hill on Friday.
By Jordy Yager
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Joe Stack Audio Manifesto
4409 had made this full audio transcript of Andrew Joseph Stacks manifesto. His final goodbyes to the American people.
Even though i do not agree with him on health care....I think this is very important so I had it read and professionally mastered by a man who has done countless commercials on radio and TV..MR Mike O'Conner... If anyone would like to utilize his services email me.
Joseph Andrew Stack was named as the pilot who crashed into the Echelon Building in Austin, Texas on February 18, 2010. Plane crashes into IRS/CIA complex.
Even though i do not agree with him on health care....I think this is very important so I had it read and professionally mastered by a man who has done countless commercials on radio and TV..MR Mike O'Conner... If anyone would like to utilize his services email me.
Joseph Andrew Stack was named as the pilot who crashed into the Echelon Building in Austin, Texas on February 18, 2010. Plane crashes into IRS/CIA complex.
Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden
Yusufzai: Pre-9/11 saw great tension between Taliban and al Qaeda, then US invasion created common enemy.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Listening Post - Media conflict of interest debate
This week on the Listening Post, we put the spotlight on a debate concerning the New York Times and its apparent conflict of interest in Israel. Also, we report on the tug of war for control of Kenya's media.
Western MPs return from Gaza with tales of horror
A large Western delegation of Parliamentarians recently visited Gaza and have now returned to their home countries to tell tales of horror, which they witnessed there. The British representatives held a press conference in London today.
Featuring
Robert Marshall Andrews
MP and Queens Counsel
Baroness Jennifer Tonge
House of Lords
Sir Gerald Kauffman
House of Lords
Martin Linton
Labour MP
Featuring
Robert Marshall Andrews
MP and Queens Counsel
Baroness Jennifer Tonge
House of Lords
Sir Gerald Kauffman
House of Lords
Martin Linton
Labour MP
Thursday, February 18, 2010
‘If Israel hits Beirut airport, we’ll hit Tel Aviv airport’
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has threatened if the Zionist regime of Israel bombs Beirut airport the resistance movement will retaliate by targeting Tel Aviv airport.
“I say to the Israelis that if you bomb the Rafik Hariri Airport in Beirut we will bomb Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport,” the Hezbollah leader told thousands of well-wishers in southern Beirut on Tuesday.
“If Israel strikes Dahiyeh, we will strike Tel Aviv,” Nasrallah said as the resistance movement held a ceremony to mark the death of Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in car bombing by Israeli agents in Damascus on February 12, 2008.
Nasrallah stressed that the resistance movement did not seek war but was ready to face any aggressions.
“It is untrue that we are giving Israel an excuse to launch an aggression on Lebanon. Israel does not need an excuse, and if it needs an excuse it creates one,” he explained.
However, the resistance leader added Israel was incapable of launching a new war.
Israeli suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Hezbollah guerrillas in the summer 2006. It lost 119 soldiers when its army invaded Lebanon’s territory.
“For Israel to launch a war, it requires a guaranteed victory rather than a potential one … Israel cannot afford another blow because it would mark the beginning of its end,” he said, according the Daily Star newspaper.
Nasrallah described the recent Israeli threats against Lebanon and Syria as a “psychological warfare” to frighten the Lebanese people.
PA/PA
END
MNA
Source
“I say to the Israelis that if you bomb the Rafik Hariri Airport in Beirut we will bomb Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport,” the Hezbollah leader told thousands of well-wishers in southern Beirut on Tuesday.
“If Israel strikes Dahiyeh, we will strike Tel Aviv,” Nasrallah said as the resistance movement held a ceremony to mark the death of Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in car bombing by Israeli agents in Damascus on February 12, 2008.
Nasrallah stressed that the resistance movement did not seek war but was ready to face any aggressions.
“It is untrue that we are giving Israel an excuse to launch an aggression on Lebanon. Israel does not need an excuse, and if it needs an excuse it creates one,” he explained.
However, the resistance leader added Israel was incapable of launching a new war.
Israeli suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Hezbollah guerrillas in the summer 2006. It lost 119 soldiers when its army invaded Lebanon’s territory.
“For Israel to launch a war, it requires a guaranteed victory rather than a potential one … Israel cannot afford another blow because it would mark the beginning of its end,” he said, according the Daily Star newspaper.
Nasrallah described the recent Israeli threats against Lebanon and Syria as a “psychological warfare” to frighten the Lebanese people.
PA/PA
END
MNA
Source
Hamas vows revenge for killing
Thousands of Hamas supporters have attended a rally in Gaza to honour assassinated commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.
The group has blamed his death last month in a luxury hotel in Dubai on an Israeli hit squad.
"The decision to avenge the martyr Mahmoud al-Mabhouh has been taken, and it will be equal to the crime," Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, told the crowd at Wednesday evening's rally in Gaza.
"All you killers can do now is wait," he said.
"We are the ones who will decide the tools suitable to carry out our promise. We will not tell you how or where or when, but only to prepare to receive the hellfire of our anger."
More Info...
The group has blamed his death last month in a luxury hotel in Dubai on an Israeli hit squad.
"The decision to avenge the martyr Mahmoud al-Mabhouh has been taken, and it will be equal to the crime," Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, told the crowd at Wednesday evening's rally in Gaza.
"All you killers can do now is wait," he said.
"We are the ones who will decide the tools suitable to carry out our promise. We will not tell you how or where or when, but only to prepare to receive the hellfire of our anger."
More Info...
Iran threat is too much for the Mossad to handle
By Ari Shavit, Haaretz Correspondent
In recent years the Israeli media have been in love with a government official by the name of Meir Dagan. Over and over, the press waxed emotional over the clandestine work of the head of the Mossad. Again and again it hinted, starry-eyed, at astounding feats carried out by Dagan's amazing boys (all attributed to foreign media reports, of course). Everything was cloaked in a glorious veil of secrecy. The rumormongers had it that since Dagan took over the espionage agency, it has gone back to being its true self. Now, they say, it is once again the Mossad that eliminates and assassinates, the Mossad that pursues and rescues, the Mossad that will redeem the State of Israel.
But after a single press conference in Dubai, that picture has been turned upside down. If Israel was behind the Dubai assassination of senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, as is being claimed in the foreign media, then all of a sudden, Dagan is no longer the nameless hero, but the national blunderer; no longer the people's darling, but a disgrace to his country. Some people are even demanding to see his head roll. That is unfair. Getting things done entails making mistakes.
If the operation in Dubai was not an Israeli one, Dagan had nothing to do with the subsequent imbroglio. If it was Israeli, it was presumably one of a series of many such operations. People who enthuse about the Mossad's successes (all attributed to foreign media sources, of course), should take into account that there will be failures too. There's nothing more contemptible than sports fans who cheer their team when it's doing well but boos when it starts looking like the losing side.
However, there is a lesson to be learned from the Dubai affair: Even the best of the world's spy organizations aren't perfect. There's a limit to what can be done. When you have an adversary that is determined and sophisticated, expect failures as well as triumphs. The belief that intelligence information can supply the solution to every predicament is dangerous. It can lull countries to sleep at fateful times.
It's convenient for the politicians to leave it up to James Bond to free them of the need to make tough decisions, and it's convenient for the public to believe that James Bond will overcome the enemy without any blood, sweat or tears. But the truth is that James Bond is flesh and blood. He works brilliantly and makes an enormous contribution, but it is not within his power to single-handedly provide the response to historic challenges.
The facts speak for themselves. Two prime ministers have relied on Dagan. They tasked him with thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions. To judge by the results, Israel has not readied itself in time to face the menace of a nuclear Iran or to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. The head of the Mossad does not bear the responsibility for this. The people who entertained impossible expectations of him are responsible.
The conclusion is unequivocal: With all due respect to the Mossad, Iran is too much for it to handle alone. The confrontation with Iran must not be limited to intelligence agencies; it has to include diplomacy and other means as well. In the early 1940s, the leaders of the Zionist movement foresaw the future: When World War II ended, the moment that would decide its fate would be upon them. Thus, for a decade they acted wisely and decisively so they would be ready for the test. The activity took place on many planes: diplomacy, security, settlement, education, intelligence, organization. Thanks to this preparatory activity, it was Zionism that triumphed in 1948. Thanks to the foresight of those leaders, the State of Israel arose and survived.
The Iranian challenge is not the challenge of 1948, but there are some similarities. This time too, the historical significance is far-reaching. This time too, preparations are required not only in the military and intelligence spheres, but also along diplomatic, educational and organizational lines. The nation must be readied and the state must organize itself to face a new situation, one we have never faced before.
If Israel mobilizes its resources and prepares properly, it will pass the test. But in order to do so, it must take its head out of the sand and stop believing that some magic spell invoked by Meir Dagan or Israel Air Force commander Ido Nehoshtan will do the job. Even if there is some magic, it won't be enough. Iran isn't only over there; it's also right here. The Iranian challenge obligates us to reorganize every facet of our lives.
Source
In recent years the Israeli media have been in love with a government official by the name of Meir Dagan. Over and over, the press waxed emotional over the clandestine work of the head of the Mossad. Again and again it hinted, starry-eyed, at astounding feats carried out by Dagan's amazing boys (all attributed to foreign media reports, of course). Everything was cloaked in a glorious veil of secrecy. The rumormongers had it that since Dagan took over the espionage agency, it has gone back to being its true self. Now, they say, it is once again the Mossad that eliminates and assassinates, the Mossad that pursues and rescues, the Mossad that will redeem the State of Israel.
But after a single press conference in Dubai, that picture has been turned upside down. If Israel was behind the Dubai assassination of senior Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, as is being claimed in the foreign media, then all of a sudden, Dagan is no longer the nameless hero, but the national blunderer; no longer the people's darling, but a disgrace to his country. Some people are even demanding to see his head roll. That is unfair. Getting things done entails making mistakes.
If the operation in Dubai was not an Israeli one, Dagan had nothing to do with the subsequent imbroglio. If it was Israeli, it was presumably one of a series of many such operations. People who enthuse about the Mossad's successes (all attributed to foreign media sources, of course), should take into account that there will be failures too. There's nothing more contemptible than sports fans who cheer their team when it's doing well but boos when it starts looking like the losing side.
However, there is a lesson to be learned from the Dubai affair: Even the best of the world's spy organizations aren't perfect. There's a limit to what can be done. When you have an adversary that is determined and sophisticated, expect failures as well as triumphs. The belief that intelligence information can supply the solution to every predicament is dangerous. It can lull countries to sleep at fateful times.
It's convenient for the politicians to leave it up to James Bond to free them of the need to make tough decisions, and it's convenient for the public to believe that James Bond will overcome the enemy without any blood, sweat or tears. But the truth is that James Bond is flesh and blood. He works brilliantly and makes an enormous contribution, but it is not within his power to single-handedly provide the response to historic challenges.
The facts speak for themselves. Two prime ministers have relied on Dagan. They tasked him with thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions. To judge by the results, Israel has not readied itself in time to face the menace of a nuclear Iran or to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power. The head of the Mossad does not bear the responsibility for this. The people who entertained impossible expectations of him are responsible.
The conclusion is unequivocal: With all due respect to the Mossad, Iran is too much for it to handle alone. The confrontation with Iran must not be limited to intelligence agencies; it has to include diplomacy and other means as well. In the early 1940s, the leaders of the Zionist movement foresaw the future: When World War II ended, the moment that would decide its fate would be upon them. Thus, for a decade they acted wisely and decisively so they would be ready for the test. The activity took place on many planes: diplomacy, security, settlement, education, intelligence, organization. Thanks to this preparatory activity, it was Zionism that triumphed in 1948. Thanks to the foresight of those leaders, the State of Israel arose and survived.
The Iranian challenge is not the challenge of 1948, but there are some similarities. This time too, the historical significance is far-reaching. This time too, preparations are required not only in the military and intelligence spheres, but also along diplomatic, educational and organizational lines. The nation must be readied and the state must organize itself to face a new situation, one we have never faced before.
If Israel mobilizes its resources and prepares properly, it will pass the test. But in order to do so, it must take its head out of the sand and stop believing that some magic spell invoked by Meir Dagan or Israel Air Force commander Ido Nehoshtan will do the job. Even if there is some magic, it won't be enough. Iran isn't only over there; it's also right here. The Iranian challenge obligates us to reorganize every facet of our lives.
Source
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Mosaic News - 2/17/10: World News From The Middle East
Segments
- Dubai Mossad Debacle
Al Arabiya TV, UAE
- Nasrallah warns Israel
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar
- Iran leader accuses U.S. of "war-mongering"
Press TV, Iran
- Russia delays delivery of missiles to Iran
Al Arabiya TV, UAE
- Netanyahu says world inching closer to Israel's position on Iran
IBA TV, Israel
- U.S. warns Iran over nuclear defiance
BBC - Arabic
Russia warns US against attacking Iran
The chief of Russia's General Staff, Nikolai Makarov, has warned the US against striking Iran over the country's nuclear program.
"The consequences, I believe, would be dreadful for Iran, as well as Russia, the entire Asia-Pacific community," Makarov said on Wednesday.
The Russian military chief further suggested that the United States might turn its military attention on the Islamic Republic once its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have been completed.
Amid a US campaign to drum up support for new anti-Iran sanctions, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Tuesday that world powers would "regret" any moves against the country.
"If anybody seeks to create problems for Iran, our response will not be like before," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Tehran.
"Something will be done in response that will make them (the world powers) regret [their action]," the Iranian chief executive added. "However, we prefer they steer towards cooperation [with Iran]."
President Ahmadinejad made the remarks as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was wrapping up her visit to the Middle East, where she stopped in Qatar and Saudi Arabia to seek the backing of the Arab world's heavyweights against Tehran's nuclear drive.
Tehran says its nuclear program is directed at the civilian applications of the technology and has called for the removal of all weapons of mass destruction around the globe.
The West, however, accuses the country of seeking military ends in its pursuit. The United States has spearheaded efforts to slap new UN Security Council sanctions against Iran, after the country announced the production of the first batch of 20 percent-enriched uranium to make fuel for a medical research reactor in Tehran.
Source
"The consequences, I believe, would be dreadful for Iran, as well as Russia, the entire Asia-Pacific community," Makarov said on Wednesday.
The Russian military chief further suggested that the United States might turn its military attention on the Islamic Republic once its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have been completed.
Amid a US campaign to drum up support for new anti-Iran sanctions, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Tuesday that world powers would "regret" any moves against the country.
"If anybody seeks to create problems for Iran, our response will not be like before," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Tehran.
"Something will be done in response that will make them (the world powers) regret [their action]," the Iranian chief executive added. "However, we prefer they steer towards cooperation [with Iran]."
President Ahmadinejad made the remarks as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was wrapping up her visit to the Middle East, where she stopped in Qatar and Saudi Arabia to seek the backing of the Arab world's heavyweights against Tehran's nuclear drive.
Tehran says its nuclear program is directed at the civilian applications of the technology and has called for the removal of all weapons of mass destruction around the globe.
The West, however, accuses the country of seeking military ends in its pursuit. The United States has spearheaded efforts to slap new UN Security Council sanctions against Iran, after the country announced the production of the first batch of 20 percent-enriched uranium to make fuel for a medical research reactor in Tehran.
Source
Mosaic News - 2/16/10: World News From The Middle East
Segments
- Passports faked in Hamas killing
BBC - Arabic
- Iran: Sanctions Or Military Strike?
Al Arabiya TV, UAE
- Ahmadinejad: Israel mulling a spring or summer war
Press TV, Iran
- Taliban denies arrest of Mullah Baradar
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar
- Sunnies will not boycott Iraqi elections
Dubai TV, UAE
- Baath dispute overshadows Iraqi elections
Abu Dhabi TV, UAE
- Arab Parliamentarians tour Gaza
Nile TV, Egypt
- New Tourists destination in Syria
Nile TV, Egypt
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
What Israel "Says" and what it "Does" are 2 different things.
Israel is continuing to build illegal settlements on Palestinian land, despite a 10-month suspension of new construction announced by the government.
Peace Now, an Israeli non-governmental organisation, says work is taking place at more than 30 settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Nour Odeh reports from Beit Sahour.
Peace Now, an Israeli non-governmental organisation, says work is taking place at more than 30 settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Nour Odeh reports from Beit Sahour.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Divine Book
I usually try to keep religion videos out of the posts but this one was way too important to pass up, especially since there are alot of "misunderstandings" on religion. In particular, Islam. This is probably one of the most explosive pieces you will ever see.
I encourage all people, Christian, Islam, all faiths to view this piece.
This 10 Part series will uncover shocking truths, as well as attempt to provide light, wisdom, guidance, and unity in an attempt to build Inter-Faith Dialogue and respect.
I encourage all people, Christian, Islam, all faiths to view this piece.
This 10 Part series will uncover shocking truths, as well as attempt to provide light, wisdom, guidance, and unity in an attempt to build Inter-Faith Dialogue and respect.
Mosaic News - 2-11-2010: World News From The Middle East
- Iran, Ahmadinejad & The Revolution
- Muslim Brotherhood & The Egyptian Elections
- Iraqi Elections
- Ethiopian Airplane Crash
- Israel Headlines & More...
Marc Faber: All The Developed Countries Will Default
*Bonus*
Marc Faber Discusses Global Financial Markets on Bloomberg
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Mosaic News: World News From The Middle East 2/9/10
Mosaic is a Peabody Award-winning daily compilation of television news reports from the Middle East, including Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, The Palestinian Authority, Iraq & Iran.
I will be posting these more often as they seem to be a good nutshell of multiple broadcasts from multiple sources, from the Middle East, in 1 convenient video.
Something us ( in the United States ) don't see on our mainstream media outlets.
In this segment:
Nigeria footage: uniformed men shoot unarmed men
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar
Israel increases racist policy towards Arab Israelis
Dubai TV, UAE
Evacuation orders nixed for controversial East Jerusalem building
IBA TV, Israel
"No need to apologize to Turkey"
BBC- Arabic
Internationals plant olive trees in the West Bank
Al Arabiya TV, UAE
Syrians demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners
Syria TV, Syria
Iran to launch home-built anti-missile system
Press TV, Iran
5th anniversary of Lebanese former prime minister Rafik Hariri
Future TV, Lebanon
I will be posting these more often as they seem to be a good nutshell of multiple broadcasts from multiple sources, from the Middle East, in 1 convenient video.
Something us ( in the United States ) don't see on our mainstream media outlets.
In this segment:
Nigeria footage: uniformed men shoot unarmed men
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar
Israel increases racist policy towards Arab Israelis
Dubai TV, UAE
Evacuation orders nixed for controversial East Jerusalem building
IBA TV, Israel
"No need to apologize to Turkey"
BBC- Arabic
Internationals plant olive trees in the West Bank
Al Arabiya TV, UAE
Syrians demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners
Syria TV, Syria
Iran to launch home-built anti-missile system
Press TV, Iran
5th anniversary of Lebanese former prime minister Rafik Hariri
Future TV, Lebanon
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
China’s hawks demand cold war on the US
MORE than half of Chinese people questioned in a poll believe China and America are heading for a new “cold war”.
The finding came after battles over Taiwan, Tibet, trade, climate change, internet freedom and human rights which have poisoned relations in the three months since President Barack Obama made a fruitless visit to Beijing.
According to diplomatic sources, a rancorous postmortem examination is under way inside the US government, led by officials who think the president was badly advised and was made to appear weak.
In China’s eyes, the American response — which includes a pledge by Obama to get tougher on trade — is a reaction against its rising power.
Now almost 55% of those questioned for Global Times, a state-run newspaper, agree that “a cold war will break out between the US and China”.
An independent survey of Chinese-language media for The Sunday Times has found army and navy officers predicting a military showdown and political leaders calling for China to sell more arms to America’s foes. The trigger for their fury was Obama’s decision to sell $6.4 billion (£4 billion) worth of weapons to Taiwan, the thriving democratic island that has ruled itself since 1949.
“We should retaliate with an eye for an eye and sell arms to Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela,” declared Liu Menxiong, a member of the Chinese people’s political consultative conference.
He added: “We have nothing to be afraid of. The North Koreans have stood up to America and has anything happened to them? No. Iran stands up to America and does disaster befall it? No.”
Officially, China has reacted by threatening sanctions against American companies selling arms to Taiwan and cancelling military visits.
But Chinese analysts think the leadership, riding a wave of patriotism as the year of the tiger dawns, may go further.
“This time China must punish the US,” said Major-General Yang Yi, a naval officer. “We must make them hurt.” A major-general in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Luo Yuan, told a television audience that more missiles would be deployed against Taiwan. And a PLA strategist, Colonel Meng Xianging, said China would “qualitatively upgrade” its military over the next 10 years to force a showdown “when we’re strong enough for a hand-to-hand fight with the US”.
Chinese indignation was compounded when the White House said Obama would meet the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, in the next few weeks.
“When someone spits on you, you have to get back,” said Huang Xiangyang, a commentator in the China Daily newspaper, usually seen as a showcase for moderate opinion.
An internal publication at the elite Qinghua University last week predicted the strains would get worse because “core interests” were at risk. It said battles over exports, technology transfer, copyright piracy and the value of China’s currency, the yuan, would be fierce.
As a crescendo of strident nationalistic rhetoric swirls through the Chinese media and blogosphere, American officials seem baffled by what has gone wrong and how fast it has happened.
During Obama’s visit, the US ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, claimed relations were “really at an all-time high in terms of the bilateral atmosphere ... a cruising altitude that is higher than any other time in recent memory”, according to an official transcript.
The ambassador must have been the only person at his embassy to think so, said a diplomat close to the talks.
“The truth was that the atmosphere was cold and intransigent when the president went to Beijing yet his China team went on pretending that everything was fine,” the diplomat said.
In reality, Chinese officials argued over every item of protocol, rigged a town hall meeting with a pre-selected audience, censored the only interview Obama gave to a Chinese newspaper and forbade the Americans to use their own helicopters to fly him to the Great Wall.
President Hu Jintao refused to give an inch on Obama’s plea to raise the value of the Chinese currency, while his vague promises of co-operation on climate change led the Americans to blunder into a fiasco at the Copenhagen summit three weeks later.
Diplomats say they have been told that there was “frigid” personal chemistry between Obama and the Chinese president, with none of the superficial friendship struck up by previous leaders of the two nations.
Yet after their meeting Obama’s China adviser, Jeff Bader, said: “It’s been highly successful in setting out and accomplishing the objectives we set ourselves.”
Then came Copenhagen, where Obama virtually had to force his way with his bodyguards into a conference room where the urbane Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, was trying to strike a deal behind his back.
The Americans were also livid at what they saw as deliberate Chinese attempts to humiliate the president by sending lower-level officials to deal with him.
“They thought Obama was weak and they were testing him,” said a European diplomat based in China.
In Beijing, some diplomats even claim to detect a condescending attitude towards Obama, noting that Yang Jiechi, the foreign minister, prides himself on knowing the Bush dynasty and others among America’s traditional white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant elite.
But there are a few voices urging caution on Chinese public opinion. “China will look unreal if it behaves aggressively and competes for global leadership,” wrote Wang Yusheng, a retired diplomat, in the China Daily.
He warned that China was not as rich or as powerful as America or Japan and therefore such a move could be “hazardous”.
It is not clear whether anyone in Beijing is listening.
Source
The finding came after battles over Taiwan, Tibet, trade, climate change, internet freedom and human rights which have poisoned relations in the three months since President Barack Obama made a fruitless visit to Beijing.
According to diplomatic sources, a rancorous postmortem examination is under way inside the US government, led by officials who think the president was badly advised and was made to appear weak.
In China’s eyes, the American response — which includes a pledge by Obama to get tougher on trade — is a reaction against its rising power.
Now almost 55% of those questioned for Global Times, a state-run newspaper, agree that “a cold war will break out between the US and China”.
An independent survey of Chinese-language media for The Sunday Times has found army and navy officers predicting a military showdown and political leaders calling for China to sell more arms to America’s foes. The trigger for their fury was Obama’s decision to sell $6.4 billion (£4 billion) worth of weapons to Taiwan, the thriving democratic island that has ruled itself since 1949.
“We should retaliate with an eye for an eye and sell arms to Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela,” declared Liu Menxiong, a member of the Chinese people’s political consultative conference.
He added: “We have nothing to be afraid of. The North Koreans have stood up to America and has anything happened to them? No. Iran stands up to America and does disaster befall it? No.”
Officially, China has reacted by threatening sanctions against American companies selling arms to Taiwan and cancelling military visits.
But Chinese analysts think the leadership, riding a wave of patriotism as the year of the tiger dawns, may go further.
“This time China must punish the US,” said Major-General Yang Yi, a naval officer. “We must make them hurt.” A major-general in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Luo Yuan, told a television audience that more missiles would be deployed against Taiwan. And a PLA strategist, Colonel Meng Xianging, said China would “qualitatively upgrade” its military over the next 10 years to force a showdown “when we’re strong enough for a hand-to-hand fight with the US”.
Chinese indignation was compounded when the White House said Obama would meet the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, in the next few weeks.
“When someone spits on you, you have to get back,” said Huang Xiangyang, a commentator in the China Daily newspaper, usually seen as a showcase for moderate opinion.
An internal publication at the elite Qinghua University last week predicted the strains would get worse because “core interests” were at risk. It said battles over exports, technology transfer, copyright piracy and the value of China’s currency, the yuan, would be fierce.
As a crescendo of strident nationalistic rhetoric swirls through the Chinese media and blogosphere, American officials seem baffled by what has gone wrong and how fast it has happened.
During Obama’s visit, the US ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, claimed relations were “really at an all-time high in terms of the bilateral atmosphere ... a cruising altitude that is higher than any other time in recent memory”, according to an official transcript.
The ambassador must have been the only person at his embassy to think so, said a diplomat close to the talks.
“The truth was that the atmosphere was cold and intransigent when the president went to Beijing yet his China team went on pretending that everything was fine,” the diplomat said.
In reality, Chinese officials argued over every item of protocol, rigged a town hall meeting with a pre-selected audience, censored the only interview Obama gave to a Chinese newspaper and forbade the Americans to use their own helicopters to fly him to the Great Wall.
President Hu Jintao refused to give an inch on Obama’s plea to raise the value of the Chinese currency, while his vague promises of co-operation on climate change led the Americans to blunder into a fiasco at the Copenhagen summit three weeks later.
Diplomats say they have been told that there was “frigid” personal chemistry between Obama and the Chinese president, with none of the superficial friendship struck up by previous leaders of the two nations.
Yet after their meeting Obama’s China adviser, Jeff Bader, said: “It’s been highly successful in setting out and accomplishing the objectives we set ourselves.”
Then came Copenhagen, where Obama virtually had to force his way with his bodyguards into a conference room where the urbane Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, was trying to strike a deal behind his back.
The Americans were also livid at what they saw as deliberate Chinese attempts to humiliate the president by sending lower-level officials to deal with him.
“They thought Obama was weak and they were testing him,” said a European diplomat based in China.
In Beijing, some diplomats even claim to detect a condescending attitude towards Obama, noting that Yang Jiechi, the foreign minister, prides himself on knowing the Bush dynasty and others among America’s traditional white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant elite.
But there are a few voices urging caution on Chinese public opinion. “China will look unreal if it behaves aggressively and competes for global leadership,” wrote Wang Yusheng, a retired diplomat, in the China Daily.
He warned that China was not as rich or as powerful as America or Japan and therefore such a move could be “hazardous”.
It is not clear whether anyone in Beijing is listening.
Source
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Occupation 101: Voice of the Silenced Majority
Probably the best documentary on the Israel/Palestinian Conflict to date. The film follows the synopsis below.
Synopsis
A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.
The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.
The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ehud Barak: Without Syria peace, we could be headed for all-out war
Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Monday that the stalled peace process with Syria could augur ill for the future of the Middle East.
"In the absence of an arrangement with Syria, we are liable to enter a belligerent clash with it that could reach the point of an all-out, regional war," Barak told senior Israel Defense Forces officers on Monday.
"Just like the familiar reality in the Middle East, we will immediately sit down [with Syria] after such a war and negotiate on the exact same issues which we are have been discussing with them for the last 15 years," the defense minister said.
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"A political arrangement is not the dream come true of the other side," Barak added. "This will be a choice of no choice. If the other side believes that it is possible to bring down Israel, to wage a battle of attrition against it, or lure it into a honey trap, then it will prefer to do so."
The defense minister has long called for a resumption of peace talks with Damascus, yet his warning of a regional war is significant in that it is uncharacteristically sharp and strident.
Barak said Israel's response to the Goldstone Report, which it submitted to the United Nations on Friday, was "very important."
"UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was very impressed with the presentation given to the UN by the Military Advocate General, and he even said so to me in private," Barak said. "It would be a mistake to establish a commission of inquiry over the Goldstone Report."
"There is no other army in the world that has probing and investigative guidelines like that of the IDF, and whoever would like to can check whether the government instructions to the IDF senior command stands up to norms and to international law," the defense minister said. "I have no doubt that both of these answers are in the affirmative."
As for Iran, Barak said the Islamic republic poses a threat to world peace and that, from Israel's standpoint, all options remain on the table. "The United States is supposed to lead the international drive for sanctions beginning next month," the defense minister said. "The Americans' chances for enlisting the Chinese and others in sanctions are not great given the recent events in China and the U.S."
Source
*UPDATE* Syria Responds To Barak
"In the absence of an arrangement with Syria, we are liable to enter a belligerent clash with it that could reach the point of an all-out, regional war," Barak told senior Israel Defense Forces officers on Monday.
"Just like the familiar reality in the Middle East, we will immediately sit down [with Syria] after such a war and negotiate on the exact same issues which we are have been discussing with them for the last 15 years," the defense minister said.
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"A political arrangement is not the dream come true of the other side," Barak added. "This will be a choice of no choice. If the other side believes that it is possible to bring down Israel, to wage a battle of attrition against it, or lure it into a honey trap, then it will prefer to do so."
The defense minister has long called for a resumption of peace talks with Damascus, yet his warning of a regional war is significant in that it is uncharacteristically sharp and strident.
Barak said Israel's response to the Goldstone Report, which it submitted to the United Nations on Friday, was "very important."
"UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was very impressed with the presentation given to the UN by the Military Advocate General, and he even said so to me in private," Barak said. "It would be a mistake to establish a commission of inquiry over the Goldstone Report."
"There is no other army in the world that has probing and investigative guidelines like that of the IDF, and whoever would like to can check whether the government instructions to the IDF senior command stands up to norms and to international law," the defense minister said. "I have no doubt that both of these answers are in the affirmative."
As for Iran, Barak said the Islamic republic poses a threat to world peace and that, from Israel's standpoint, all options remain on the table. "The United States is supposed to lead the international drive for sanctions beginning next month," the defense minister said. "The Americans' chances for enlisting the Chinese and others in sanctions are not great given the recent events in China and the U.S."
Source
*UPDATE* Syria Responds To Barak
Monday, February 1, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Empire - 'War on terror' through Muslim eyes
Empire looks at how al-Qaeda is perceived in the Muslim world. Does the US' so-called 'war on terror' serve only to alienate Muslims, driving them into the arms of extremist groups? Can the US reverse the tide of military intervention in the region and instead try to reach political solutions that involve all political parties, including repressed Islamic parties? We will also discuss whether the Arab world has an answer to the al-Qaeda challenge.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Al-Qaeda and the Palestinians
Osama bin Laden has warned Barack Obama that al-Qaeda will attack again. In an audio tape he said there will be more attacks if the situation in Palestine is not resolved. But has the Palestinian issue ever been part of al-Qaeda agenda? And does the group serve or scupper Palestinian dreams?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Ron Paul on CNBC's Squawk Box: Debate on Bernanke and the Fed
Congressman Ron Paul schools Pennsylvania congressman Paul Kanjorski and the Squawk Box talking heads on the "merits" of the Federal Reserve.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Haiti - A View From The Middle East
Did Arab countries come to their aid? Why was the U.S. & Israel Criticized?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
John Stossel On Obama's First Year
Catch John Stossel's new show on Fox Business every Thursday at 8pm EST / 5p PST!
*Bonus Below*
On John Edwards, Economy, Scott Brown,...And More
** Bonus ** On The View ( Note* They bombard him with so much, he doesn't even get a chance to finish 1 point lol )
*** Bonus *** - Global Warming
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Timothy P. Carney on "Obamanomics": Crony Capitalism as Progressive Reform
In his new book Obamanomics: How Barack Obama is Bankrupting You and Enriching His Wall Street Friends, Corporate Lobbyists, and Union Bosses, Timothy P. Carney explains that Barack Obama's "progressive" rhetoric masks good old-fashioned crony capitalism, in which the favored few and politcally well-connected get all sorts of benefits paid for with public dollars.
Whether the area is Wall Street, health care reform, union organizing, or K Street lobbying, the same pattern is everywhere: using the government's power to distribute goodies and rig markets.
A columnist at the Washington Examiner and a non-partisan reporter, Carney also lays into the Republican Party for its massive contribution to the problem when it wielded power.
Carney provides a game plan to take the country back and restore truly free markets that will benefit everyone.
Reason.tv's Nick Gillespie interviewed Carney in December 2009.
Whether the area is Wall Street, health care reform, union organizing, or K Street lobbying, the same pattern is everywhere: using the government's power to distribute goodies and rig markets.
A columnist at the Washington Examiner and a non-partisan reporter, Carney also lays into the Republican Party for its massive contribution to the problem when it wielded power.
Carney provides a game plan to take the country back and restore truly free markets that will benefit everyone.
Reason.tv's Nick Gillespie interviewed Carney in December 2009.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Israeli general Brigadier-General Uzi Eilam denies Iran is nuclear threat
A general who was once in charge of Israel’s nuclear weapons has claimed that Iran is a “very, very, very long way from building a nuclear capability”.
Brigadier-General Uzi Eilam, 75, a war hero and pillar of the defence establishment, believes it will probably take Iran seven years to make nuclear weapons.
The views expressed by the former director-general of Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission contradict the assessment of Israel’s defence establishment and put him at odds with political leaders.
Major-General Amos Yadlin, head of military intelligence, recently told the defence committee of the Knesset that Iran will probably be able to build a single nuclear device this year.
Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, has repeatedly said that Israel will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. Israeli forces have been in training to attack Iranian nuclear installations and some analysts believe airstrikes could be launched this year if international sanctions fail to deter Tehran from pursuing its programme.
Eilam, who is thought to be updated by former colleagues on developments in Iran, calls his country’s official view hysterical. “The intelligence community are spreading frightening voices about Iran,” he said.
He suggested that the “defence establishment is sending out false alarms in order to grab a bigger budget” while some politicians have used Iran to divert attention away from problems at home.
“Those who say that Iran will obtain a bomb within a year’s time, on what basis did they say so?” he asked. “Where is the evidence?”
He has just published Eilam’s Arc, a memoir in which he reveals that he opposed the Israeli attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981.
According to well-placed defence sources, Israel is speeding up preparations for a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. Last week its defence forces released footage that showed training to refuel F-15 jet fighters in mid-air. “This was a warning not to Iran but to the Americans that we’re serious,” said an Israeli defence source.
But Eilam argues “such an attack [against Iran] would be counter-productive”.
“One strike is not practical. In order to delay the Iranian programme for three to four years, one needs an armada of aircraft, which only a super-power can provide. Only America can do it.”
Source
Brigadier-General Uzi Eilam, 75, a war hero and pillar of the defence establishment, believes it will probably take Iran seven years to make nuclear weapons.
The views expressed by the former director-general of Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission contradict the assessment of Israel’s defence establishment and put him at odds with political leaders.
Major-General Amos Yadlin, head of military intelligence, recently told the defence committee of the Knesset that Iran will probably be able to build a single nuclear device this year.
Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, has repeatedly said that Israel will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. Israeli forces have been in training to attack Iranian nuclear installations and some analysts believe airstrikes could be launched this year if international sanctions fail to deter Tehran from pursuing its programme.
Eilam, who is thought to be updated by former colleagues on developments in Iran, calls his country’s official view hysterical. “The intelligence community are spreading frightening voices about Iran,” he said.
He suggested that the “defence establishment is sending out false alarms in order to grab a bigger budget” while some politicians have used Iran to divert attention away from problems at home.
“Those who say that Iran will obtain a bomb within a year’s time, on what basis did they say so?” he asked. “Where is the evidence?”
He has just published Eilam’s Arc, a memoir in which he reveals that he opposed the Israeli attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981.
According to well-placed defence sources, Israel is speeding up preparations for a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. Last week its defence forces released footage that showed training to refuel F-15 jet fighters in mid-air. “This was a warning not to Iran but to the Americans that we’re serious,” said an Israeli defence source.
But Eilam argues “such an attack [against Iran] would be counter-productive”.
“One strike is not practical. In order to delay the Iranian programme for three to four years, one needs an armada of aircraft, which only a super-power can provide. Only America can do it.”
Source
Tehran blast kills nuclear physics scientist
An Iranian nuclear physics scientist has been killed in a remote-controlled bomb attack in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi, a lecturer at the Tehran University and a staunch supporter of the Islamic Revolution, was killed in booby-trapped motorbike blast on Tuesday.
The explosion took place near the professor's home in Qeytariyeh neighborhood, in northern Tehran.
Iran's police and security bodies are investigating the terrorist case to identify those behind it.
Press TV correspondent Amir Mehdi Kazemi, reporting from the scene of the assassination, quoted security officials as saying that the equipment and system of the bomb used in the attack had been related to a number of foreign intelligence agencies, particularly Israel's Mossad.
Meanwhile, Tehran's Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi confirmed the assassination of the university lecturer on Tuesday morning and said that he taught neutron nuclear physics at the University of Tehran.
"No suspect has been arrested yet," he told the Iranian Students News Agency.
He added that Ali-Mohammadi was killed when a motorbike parked near his car exploded.
The terrorist attack came as Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist, went missing in the Saudi holy city of Medina while on a pilgrimage visit in June 2009.
In December, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tehran had information that authorities in Riyadh had delivered Amiri to the United States.
He added that Amiri is among eleven Iranian nationals held in detention in US prisons.
It seems the kidnap and assassination of Iranian scientists is on the agenda of the United States.
Source
Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi, a lecturer at the Tehran University and a staunch supporter of the Islamic Revolution, was killed in booby-trapped motorbike blast on Tuesday.
The explosion took place near the professor's home in Qeytariyeh neighborhood, in northern Tehran.
Iran's police and security bodies are investigating the terrorist case to identify those behind it.
Press TV correspondent Amir Mehdi Kazemi, reporting from the scene of the assassination, quoted security officials as saying that the equipment and system of the bomb used in the attack had been related to a number of foreign intelligence agencies, particularly Israel's Mossad.
Meanwhile, Tehran's Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi confirmed the assassination of the university lecturer on Tuesday morning and said that he taught neutron nuclear physics at the University of Tehran.
"No suspect has been arrested yet," he told the Iranian Students News Agency.
He added that Ali-Mohammadi was killed when a motorbike parked near his car exploded.
The terrorist attack came as Shahram Amiri, an Iranian nuclear scientist, went missing in the Saudi holy city of Medina while on a pilgrimage visit in June 2009.
In December, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said Tehran had information that authorities in Riyadh had delivered Amiri to the United States.
He added that Amiri is among eleven Iranian nationals held in detention in US prisons.
It seems the kidnap and assassination of Iranian scientists is on the agenda of the United States.
Source
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Israeli air raids kill one in Gaza.
Israel has launched air strikes against at least seven targets in the Gaza Strip, killing one man and wounding two others, Palestinian medics say.
The casualties in the early hours of Friday occurred near Gaza's border with Egypt where Israeli jets bombed two tunnels, which Palestinians use to smuggle goods into the blockaded coastal strip, medics and Hamas security officials said.
The air raids came after Israel said a dozen mortar bombs and rockets were fired from the Hamas-run territory into Israel. No casualties were reported from those attacks.
Israeli aircraft also hit three targets near Gaza City and two near the southern town of Khan Younis, striking empty buildings and open spaces, according to witnesses and Hamas officials.
Israeli media reports said Israel had targeted a weapons factory in Gaza City but the military had no immediate comment.
Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Gaza, said since Israel's war on Gaza ended last January, the Israelis have responded to mortar attacks from the Palestinian side with air strikes on various parts of the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, Israeli jets dropped thousands of leaflets over northern Gaza and Gaza City ahead of the attack, warning many of the 1.5 million residents to stay clear of the heavily-secured border, after the mortars and rockets were fired into Israel.
The leaflets, in Arabic, said anyone within 300m of the border "will be in danger".
The casualties in the early hours of Friday occurred near Gaza's border with Egypt where Israeli jets bombed two tunnels, which Palestinians use to smuggle goods into the blockaded coastal strip, medics and Hamas security officials said.
The air raids came after Israel said a dozen mortar bombs and rockets were fired from the Hamas-run territory into Israel. No casualties were reported from those attacks.
Israeli aircraft also hit three targets near Gaza City and two near the southern town of Khan Younis, striking empty buildings and open spaces, according to witnesses and Hamas officials.
Israeli media reports said Israel had targeted a weapons factory in Gaza City but the military had no immediate comment.
Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Gaza, said since Israel's war on Gaza ended last January, the Israelis have responded to mortar attacks from the Palestinian side with air strikes on various parts of the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, Israeli jets dropped thousands of leaflets over northern Gaza and Gaza City ahead of the attack, warning many of the 1.5 million residents to stay clear of the heavily-secured border, after the mortars and rockets were fired into Israel.
The leaflets, in Arabic, said anyone within 300m of the border "will be in danger".
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Ron Paul On Rachel Maddow "Dems. & Rep. Are The Same!"
Rachel tries to make the issue, around the middle, about Dem Vs. Rep., typical mainstream media views, and what Paul does in return just.....well... you gotta see it for yourself. : )
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Is Ron Paul An Anti-Semite?
I made this mini video for YouTube earlier today. I will probably be making more to reveal truths behind popular topics, we'll see.
*Truth Series*
Recently, Ron Paul was on Larry King with Ben Stein discussing U.S. Foreign Policy. Stating how it is a major cause for terrorism towards the United States, in return, Ben Stein called his words "Anti-Semetic". This video will take, not the view points of just Ron Paul's, but the C.I.A., F.B.I., UNSCOM & A Former Israeli Minister. Let's see if Ron Paul is in the wrong, shall we?
*Truth Series*
Recently, Ron Paul was on Larry King with Ben Stein discussing U.S. Foreign Policy. Stating how it is a major cause for terrorism towards the United States, in return, Ben Stein called his words "Anti-Semetic". This video will take, not the view points of just Ron Paul's, but the C.I.A., F.B.I., UNSCOM & A Former Israeli Minister. Let's see if Ron Paul is in the wrong, shall we?
Great, a New War to get into..... Yemen.
US warns of global Yemen threat
The US has offered to support the Yemeni government's fight against al-Qaeda, saying instability in the country could have "global implications".
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said on Monday that the US sees "global implications from the war in Yemen and the ongoing efforts by al-Qaeda in Yemen to use it as a base for terrorist attacks far beyond the region".
But Yemen's foreign minister ruled out direct US military intervention to tackle al-Qaeda fighters operating in his country.
"Yemen is going to deal with terrorism in its own way, out of its own interests and therefore I don't think it will counter fire," Abu Baker al-Qirbi told Al Jazeera on Monday.
Al-Qirbi said Yemen was happy to receive "development assistance" but not military intervention, adding: "The negative impact on Yemen is if there is direct intervention of the US and this is not the case."
'Not satisfied'
In her first comments since the attempted attack, she said the US administration was "not satisfied" with the Christmas Day incident.
Clinton told reporters after a meeting with Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, the visiting Qatar prime minister, that she would discuss additional steps with other US administration members this week.
"[We] will be meeting with the president tomorrow to go over our international reviews, to hear what others in our government also have concluded and to take whatever additional steps are necessary."
She said a meeting on Yemen planned to be held in London this month would give the international community a chance to assess both the threat in the Middle East country and the world's response.
Read More
The US has offered to support the Yemeni government's fight against al-Qaeda, saying instability in the country could have "global implications".
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said on Monday that the US sees "global implications from the war in Yemen and the ongoing efforts by al-Qaeda in Yemen to use it as a base for terrorist attacks far beyond the region".
But Yemen's foreign minister ruled out direct US military intervention to tackle al-Qaeda fighters operating in his country.
"Yemen is going to deal with terrorism in its own way, out of its own interests and therefore I don't think it will counter fire," Abu Baker al-Qirbi told Al Jazeera on Monday.
Al-Qirbi said Yemen was happy to receive "development assistance" but not military intervention, adding: "The negative impact on Yemen is if there is direct intervention of the US and this is not the case."
'Not satisfied'
In her first comments since the attempted attack, she said the US administration was "not satisfied" with the Christmas Day incident.
Clinton told reporters after a meeting with Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, the visiting Qatar prime minister, that she would discuss additional steps with other US administration members this week.
"[We] will be meeting with the president tomorrow to go over our international reviews, to hear what others in our government also have concluded and to take whatever additional steps are necessary."
She said a meeting on Yemen planned to be held in London this month would give the international community a chance to assess both the threat in the Middle East country and the world's response.
Read More
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
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