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4.30.2007
THE THINKING PERSON'S BLOG
I was tagged by the Puppeteer who lives in the "Axis of Evil" vicinity, Damascus, Syria from the JOURNAL...OF AN AXIS OF EVIL CITIZEN. Somehow this is supposed to mean that my blog is thought provoking, this is a real honor for me that individuals think my ideas and writing has worth. In response I will post blogs that make me think, and the original rules from the THINKING BLOG. Should you choose to participate,
please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are
tagging. I thought it would be appropriate to include them with the
meme.The participation rules are simple:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme, 3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).
HERE ARE MY NOMINEES:
ANNOTATED LIFE, AN INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST PERSPECTIVE.The individual I met from here is Edie, on the I Cite blog. Indeed, here you will get a broad perspective of the alternatives available to us from a broad socialist perspective. Edie, and her co-writers have much to offer, and as you begin to read, you think of a world that just might work!
ELECTRIC POLITICS, REWIRING THE AMERICAN REGIME. This site takes an eclectic approach, bringing you thoughts and discussions from a variety of different authors. You may not agree with every post, but the choices certainly do not leave you mentally disengaged, but will cause you to consider many scenarios - some you might have a difficulty with, but will let you see the extent and variety available from many people of thought.FROM GAZA, WITH LOVE. Written by Dr. Mona El-Farra, in the belly of the beast - Gaza. A physician in Gaza, a human and woman's right activist by practice, in the occupied Gaza Strip. When I read this blog I can feel the harshness but taste the hope of the people, the frustration and the dream - it is well worth the read.
RADICAL LEFT I enjoy the sheer weight of this blog, and the subject matter it tackles - and when it sayd radical left, it means it. It blows the lid off of what is taking place to delude and suppress the American public and beyond, and poses a challenge rarely seen to the status quo.
SABBAHS BLOG This blog is a cross of historical narrative in the Occupied Territories, to a funnel for photography coming out of the Territories in current atrocities not available elsewhere. It is both informative and gives you a feel of what must take place in order to see Palestine free.
Posted at 08:03 pm by deadringer
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4.27.2007
MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - THE PLAY
 Who was Rachel Corrie? She was a young woman who learned the truth of the Occupation of the Palestinian People, and her government which supported it (United States) by indiscriminate "foreign aid." From a young girl who at an early age noted "if you do not feed the hungry, the lights will go out," to a young woman who stood between life and death, destruction and her yearning for a persecuted peoples deliverance, who gave her life in a mixture of love and agony, so that a people might inch closer to their rights and dreams.
This is a play which not only encompasses Rachel, but all who have given their lives, and sacrificed themselves in love for both truth and justice:
MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 1MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 2MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 3MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 4MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 5MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 6MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 7MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 8MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE - PART 9(APROX. 90 MINUTES) Published in defiance of those who use their power to suppress the truth. Where this play has been banned FOR NO REASON EXCEPT THAT THOSE WHO COMMIT CRIMES, THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, DO NOT WANT THEIR DEEDS TO COME TO LIGHT. ZIONISM IN ISRAEL REPRESENTED IN THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IS A SCOURGE ON HUMANITY, WORSE THAN SOUTH AFRICAN APARTTHEID, IT DESERVES TO BE CUT OFF IF THEY WILL NOT RELENT IN THEIR MURDEROUS OCCUPATION OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.
-------------------------------------------------------
I agonized for a long time debating whether I should write this or not, considered all the scenarios of how it might be seen or received. I am sure Rachel's parents have thought many times of how their childs life might have been, had she come back from Palestine. It is not right for me to speculate their inner feelings, I only want them to know how much I feel and appreciate their daughter Rachel.
I am not given to morbidity, and chose to celebrate the things that Rachel accomplished in her short life. It is almost beyond my comprehension the love and sacrifice she felt for the Palestinians. She gave everything, and I believe she deserved so much more in her life, which she selflessly gave to a cause greater than any one person can bear. If you mock what you read, attribute the scorn to me - for my weak and lisping words, and my presumption - it is to be understood in the third person sense . This is not meant in any way to detract from the meaning of her life and death - these are mysteries, why things should happen like they do, but her life and death will be instrumental far beyond what we know.
If Rachel had met a man that she wanted to share her whole life with, he should and would have loved her even if he would have sought her in a hundred lives, which would only be an expression of his love for her in every life, every instance. Words so many times are unworthy of what could have been, so in my stammering tongue of writ I pose, I write in faltering words what that love might have been - which in some dim fashion reflects the love Rachel felt for the Palestinians a hundred times over. I apologize for what I am writing in advance:
IT IS WRITTEN
In eternity before time ancient scribes divined what would be,
feathered pens did descend and never retreat,
writing of how we would meet - forever;
They wrote of a love so bold, which could never grow old,
this passionate odyssey, their pens bled with ink infallible,
upon the parchment of time, that you would be mine - constantly;
Thru the corridors of time I have sought to find, and have found you,
within my words is the infinite spark of their pens,
to set ablaze this fire, this burning desire - always;
I have found you in regions deep and dark, where you commanded
darkness to depart, and the light of your love which came from above,
has lightened our path - again;
This love grows each time, we follow the scribes design,
with tears of joy we do weep, so that foundations from old support,
if we experience pain we are further sustained - forward;
From olden time you have been mine, I have spied you in galleons,
and riding upon stallions, within the forest thick with trees,
I have bowed my knee to vow, that our love somehow would meet - complete;
I hear the sound of horns, whose musical tune adorns,
this feast of love, the clash of swords ring as I have fought to bring us together, to deliver this precious treasure - relentlessly;
I have forged raging rivers in order to deliver, my love for you,
wrestled beasts so we could be made complete, marched across
deserts till I almost died, so I could find you - every time;
Sitting in the early morning I have scorned time to find the words of love,
till the sun sets the next day I have despaired that I have not said enough, and yet words pour from above - timelessly;
The scent of your love on the wind, I see your eyes in the sky,
feel your closeness in the trees, even the flower speaks, yearning to be complete, the world turns on the axis of your grace - endlessly;
My desire, my life which drives away strife, you know how much I love
you, longing for you alone always, I know we will rest in each others arms
in time, which is nothing in your loving eternity - for it is written!
For Rachel, and unending love for the Palestinians.
Posted at 01:16 pm by deadringer
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4.26.2007
AS'AD ABUKHALIL - WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PALESTINIANS AND THEIR STRUGGLE
 What As'ad Abukhalil says in a few short moments, regarding the Palestinians, their culture and struggle, can be a transformation for anyone left in the dark of Western media. Facts roll off his tongue like water, most important, facts that have virtually been hidden from the view of the Western public by design, and his insight uncovers what is really taking place in the current conflict at the very heart of the Middle East. Known for his site The ANGRY ARAB NEWS SERVICE , and as an academic to contend with, having written several books, spoke at the Annual Chicago Palestinian Film Festival HERE. Maureen Clare Murphy and Ali Abunimah of EI HERE speak to As'ad in an interview with him regarding film, how Palestinian culture has influenced the Arab world, and current events in the Middle East as well as Lebanon his home country. My recommendation is that you get something to drink, pull up a chair, and listen carefully to what he has to say:
THE INTERVIEW (Chicago Palestinian Film Festival) VOICES SILENCEDPALESTINIAN CHILDREN USED AS HUMAN SHIELDS BY IOF LOOK INTO MY EYESI ONLY ASK GODI only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the suffering
That the very dried up death doesn't find me
Empty and without having given my everything
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the wars
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
People...people, people
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the injustice
That they do not slap my other cheek
After a claw has scratched my whole body
I only ask of God
He won't let me be indifferent to the wars
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
It is a big monster which treads hard
On the poor innocence of people
People...people...people
Solo le pido a Dios
Que la guerra no me sea indiferente
Es un monstro grande y pisa fuerte
Toda la pobre inocencia de la gente
Es un monstro grande y pisa fuerte
Toda la pobre inocencia de la gente
People...people...people
A WORLD APART WITNIN 15 MINUTESFLEE
Posted at 06:46 pm by deadringer
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4.25.2007
GHETTOIZATION OF THE WORLD
 (Warsaw, Poland Jewish Ghetto 1940 from Yad Veshem) Just in case you were not aware of it, America is famous for creating ghettos all throughout it's states. Now, this same process is being replicated all over the world. Granted, this is a picture of a Ghetto created by Nazi design in 1940 - but the same processes that created this one creates the present epidemic all over the world. 
Ghettos can be created in many ways, they can be mandated through a direct act of war, as found in the Nazi Ghettos of the 20th century. They can be created by a so-called liberation, which is just another war, reducing people to animalism through forced pauperism. They can be created through economic down swings through capitalistic design.
 Ghettos can come in the name of "progress" in any given nation. Where there were once factories that created little boom communities, these factories can disappear, so that the design of the corporation can be realized in a foreign country for cheaper labor - all blessed by those in the government through legislation, and exploitation stalks nations.
 Ghettos can suddenly appear through the application of international trade agreements. Where there were once farms run by families agri-corps rise up in their place. Where there were fishing villages refineries suddenly appear, or coastal homes for the rich and famous. The people are introduced to a new means of survival - drugs, and prostitution.
 Ghettos suddenly appear when a supposed government, set up by outsiders, opens it's resources to other more "financially viable" countries. An aristocracy is created in a day, and an entire population is displaced, while the rulers become rich beyond their imaginations (and their chosen circle) while others are disenfranchised.
 Ghettos expand when their is racial prejudice, and a system of apartheid rears it's ugly head without seeming remedy. When one people see themselves as better and more deserving of life and liberty than another. It comes through racial hatred, or when countries are based merely upon an ethnic preference.
 Ghettos proliferate when it is the design of a global elite to exploit a country or region for it's resources, whether they be material or human. They are the result of selfishness and greed, when humanity is seen as nothing more than chattel - a mere number, or when people are commodified by what they can contribute to an elite few.
 Ghettos appear when institutions which are supposed to be to the benefit of all become the sole province of the privileged few. When governments no longer chose to listen to their people, but to corporations which feed upon the poor. Ghettos thrive when there is merely equal opportunity in word but not in deed - when the educational tools for success are out of the reach of the needy.
INDEED, GHETTOS BEGIN TO APPEAR ALL OVER THE WORLD WHEN A GLOBAL ELITE ARE LED BY A NATION, LIKE THE UNITED STATES WHICH EXCELS IN GHETTO CREATION IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. WHEN THE WESTERN WORLD WHICH IS KNOWN FOR IT'S OWN APARTHEID PRACTICES SAYS IT IS GOING TO BRING THE REST OF THE WORLD PEACE AND PROSPERITY. STOP GHETTOS FROM SPREADING THROUGH THE DESIGN OF IMPERIALISM, WHOSE ENGINE IS CAPITALISM, THE COMBINATION OF WHICH IS FASCISM, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!
Posted at 08:58 pm by deadringer
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4.23.2007
PEOPLES WAR ON GLOBAL CLASS APARTHEID
 In a global sense, almost no matter where you go you find those who have almost everything regarding the comforts of life, and those who barely survive. I think it is time for people to wake up and understand that there is a systemic - worldwide movement. It does not need a formal "conspiratorial" cabal at the top directing all the activity, like the mythical Illuminati, it is merely small group of people unchecked enriching themselves to the detriment of the majority.
It is a system of such spread throughout the world, the setting up of "governments," by Western Hegemonic design, and a reproduction of an elite in any country which participates. This is all that capitalism can produce at it's apex, a world scourge.
 (From the beginning till now) This is not necessarily new, but it is growing in momentum and severity. You can see it descend on the world with world wide "trade agreements," and the movement of multinational corporations to the best area of bang for their buck.
Inevitably it is always the majority that are left out in the cold. You could call this the upswing of "class apartheid," and we need to deal with it just like South African apartheid and segregation were originally dealt with.
(Katrina, and the lack of response - is this what you want in your country?)
THEIR BEHAVIOR
"Their guilt
is not so very far from ours:
- who has not joyed in the arbitrary
exercise of power
or grasped for himself what might have been
another's
and who has not used superior force in the
moment when he could,
(and who of us has not been tempted to take
their things?) -
so, in their guilt,
the bare ferocity of teeth,
chest thumping challenge and defiance,
the deafening clamor of their prayers
to a diety made in the image of their prejudice
which drowns the voice of conscience,
is mirrored our predicament
but on a social, massive, organized scale
which magnifies enormously
as the private dehabille of love
becomes obscene in orgies."
by Dennis Brutus
In South Africa they have a holiday ON March 21st, it is called Human Rights Day. It is a commemoration of the 1960 protest against pass books in Sharpeville, south of Johannesburg where 69 people were killed by apartheid police men - shot in the back as they ran away.
This is the day when the African national Congress declared guerrilla war on apartheid. As time has passed South Africa has gone from no racial apartheid to "class apartheid," and has been set upon by these global vultures so that the people languish as if they had never freed themselves from racial apartheid.
What they chanted needs to be the cry of people around the world - "Izwe Lethu" - OUR LAND!! Those bastards fired into the crowd of men, women, and children - 69 dead and more than 300 wounded. Many died as the police put the breaks on medical assistance, and those taken to hospitals were watched like criminals, and were thrown into prison for a long period of time before they were formally charged. The words of the police commander, D.H. Pienaar showed they had no thought or twinge of conscience for what they did - "If they do these things, they must learn the lessons the hard way."
It was tossed off you say? Yes, yet the core of the financial wealth still was left in the hands of the white ruling and corporate elite, and they ran off with it. So they hand the husk of the means of production to the black population, and than hold them ransom to their poverty. Than, they shut the doors of trade in their elite club - and just like the Mafia they say - "oh, you want to play, we will lend you the money, but you must play by our rules.
"We will make you rich beyond imagination, you and whoever you chose to be the fat around you, but in order to get this prize you must sell the people out. You must commit all of your resources to our development, and before we lend you any money you must privatize your commons and open the doors to our corporations, along with a number of other laws which disenfranchise the people - than you are in the club!"
It is no different today anywhere, it is worldwide, and we all face class apartheid. They will continue to do these things, all over the world, until the people declare war upon them! A consciousness movement must arise, in order to rid the world of class apartheid, and it does not matter, even if violence erupts!
TALKIN ABOUT A REVOLUTION"Don't you know, they're talkin' about revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Don't you know, they're talkin' about revolution
It sounds like a whisper
While their standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion
Poor people gonna rise up and get their share
Poor people are gonna rise up and take what's their's
Don't you know, you better run, run, run
Oh I said you better run, run run
Finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' bout revolution"
Tracy Chapman
Now we face hundreds, thousands of instances of class apartheid all over the world - it is time for the people to shine a light on these situations. People are being killed all over the world as they stand against this systemic class apartheid.
Hard hitting economic sanctions need to take place against countries involved in aggressions like the United States and the UK, the strangulation of the people by this Euro-American alliance. Those who hold financial investments in these countries, and others, need to start to cash out - the people are not going to take this any longer! THE WAR NEEDS TO BE DECLARED ON GLOBAL CLASS APARTHEID, AND THE PEOPLE NEED TO RISE UP EVERYWHERE AGAINST THIS INSIDIOUS ALMOST SILENT INCURSION THAT IMPOVERISHES THE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!
Posted at 09:36 pm by deadringer
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4.22.2007
(The Tormentors - Philip Guston)
This is work in three parts that shows how individuals and groups bring art to the fore in the form of resistance. From this film I hope you get ideas of you own to show your resistance to the present course of this world, as represented in the current powers that be -
Posted at 08:19 pm by deadringer
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4.21.2007
ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND THE ASSAULT ON TENURE
 Today we are going to talk about academic freedom and the threat on an already endangered species - tenure. I chose to look at this battle today, between two professors, the freedom of academics from undo pressure because of political ideology. We are going to go from how the "empire" comports itself in the world at large (previous article), to how it tries to restrain and silence dissent within it's academic ranks - so the truth of what is taking place in the world is not exposed.
Strangely enough, tht manner in which Dershowitz proceeds against an excellent scholar Norman Finkelstein, are the very points which Alan Dershowitz makes against him. That is, for political ideology which he (Dershowitz) espouses, apparently at any cost (aka. The Cause, along with other personal issues which Noam Chomsky called a personal Jihad), and when this happens the first casualty is truth. This brings new meaning to the adage that there is no blindness so complete as that which is caused by ideology.
 (Depicting the CCNY struggle 1930's which ended with the dismissal of 50 faculty and staff)
However, before we get to this specific case I would like us to survey the current situation in let's say - a post 9/11 world, not that 9/11 needs to change the entire course of the world, but BECAUSE it has been used to change the course. Not that there have not been restrictions on academic freedom all along, but because it has been exponentially accelerated.
There has been a gradual pressure building in academia to hold the line on the dissent of the current course of the "empire," that has developed from skirmishes on campus to a concerted and organized effort to quash academic dissent. This should not be surprising, because the first line of defense in any country, whether it displays itself as the bastion of freedom (let freedom ring!) or not, is the ability to keep it's first line of educators under the thumb, so to speak, in order to carry out whatever mission it has both foreign and domestic.
THIS IS WHAT THEY FEAR
(here you can see some Zionist hecklers)
DR. NORMAN FINKELSTEIN AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY(You have to scroll down a little and prompt 3 video links)
There is nothing that is is not as sensitive to the empire than it's Middle East policy, which it has chosen to make the centerpiece of this current debacle. Central to this policy is the relationship of Israel to the United States, and the unflagging support for it's central player in this arena. Along with this paramount interest of which Israel is central, is the issue of the Israeli / Palestinian conflict.
I submit, that it is here, in the midst of this conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people that you have the key, or should I say, on a small scale what is the entire condition of the region in subservience to Western Hegemony. This conflict represents what is taking place in the entire region, so that, if the Palestinian people can be freed from their prison of despair than it is not untenable that the whole region can be freed from the dominance of the West!
 Now, interject if you will, this current conflict within the circles of academia in the United States. Within the very bosom of our institutions of higher education, in the Middle East studies there has been a raging battle (actually, there are battles in many disciplines, but we will concentrate on this one for now) which center around the illegal occupation of the Palestinians, where there have been plenty of rulings from the international community (via the UN, and the World Court) which say that this occupation must stop. Yet it continues with the full monetary and political support of the United States and it's allies.
Within the crucible there is an academic battle between those who want to maintain the current course, with the full support of Israel, and those who dissent siding almost virtually with the entire world (if you look at the rhetorical vote on the floor of the UN). It started with a grass roots campaign which started such questionable practices as students "monitoring" teachers in the classroom to see if they placed emphasis on the wrong being done to the Palestinian people, you see this with the Washington supported "Campus Watch" HERE. Which has developed into a full blown use of government service institutions that confound, or try to confound criticism of the State of Israel with antisemitism HERE., the main site being HERE. PEACE, PROPAGANDA AND THE PROMISED LANDNow we come full circle back to academic freedom and tenure as it relates to the case of Norman Finkelstein and his assailant Dershowitz. Along with all of the other labor issues which militate against tenure, that is a group of scholars that have no protection for speaking their mind (without tenure), you have a perfect example of why tenure is being eliminated from the major campus' of higher education - it is an element of control. I believe that this high profile case regarding Norman Finkelsteins tenure is meant to have a further chilling effect of professors voicing dissent according to the dictates of their conscience guided by truth.
Dr Finkelstein has been accosted throughout his career, although he has impeccable credentials, and produces sound scholarly works, as attested to by the distinguished academic community. He has full support of the tenure committee, and numerous testimonies of transformative experience as a result of his teaching, yet it has been blocked by the dean of the Liberal Arts and Sciences department HERE.. The reason for blockage? "Non-Vincentian values," but everyone knows the real reason is the outcry of the defenders of Israel's human rights record (which is quite abysmal).
 So, you have this defense and censorship of the empire taking place in it's own academic community. Specifically, if a professor decides to expose the facts (to a fact starved community in the US) regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict his/her future hangs in the balance, and will be found wanting (or, there will be a fierce battle to make this a reality).
If a professor wishes to unearth that in 1948 according to incontrovertible facts that there was a brutal ethnic cleansing committed against the Palestinian people, he is told to proverbially be silent. If he/she wants to expose the indiscriminate support of billions of dollars to Israel, which practices apartheid against the Palestinain people, beware. If he/she choses to expose that there is an illegal, murderous, occupation going on in the Occupied Territories, better think twice. If he/she choses to bifurcate a rapacious Zionism from all of the Jewish population, there is still the accusation of antisemitism "officially" sanctioned.
WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS ACADEMIC CENSORSHIP OF THE WORST SORT. WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IS THE IMPRISONING OF THE MIND, AND THE BURYING OF THE TRUTH BY A NATION THAT EVEN HAS PROBLEMS FACING UP TO IT'S QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES FROM THE BEGINNING. MOST OF ALL THERE IS THE FEAR THAT IF PALESTINE IS FREED IT WILL SEND A SIGNAL, AND THAT SIGNAL IS THAT THIS REGIONS PEOPLE MAY REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM WESTERN DOMINANCE. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, IF THERE IS ANY JUSTICE THE PLIGHT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE MUST BE EXPOSED, THE OCCUPATION MUST STOP, AND THEY MUST BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT OF RETURN, OTHERWISE THERE IS NO HOPE THAT ANY NATION MAY LIVE AND EXERCISE FREEDOM.
Posted at 11:17 pm by deadringer
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4.19.2007
THE EMPIRE HAS NO CLOTHES
 (Voracious appetite wrapped in a flag)
All this posturing about empire and ruling the world, as we see this red, white, and blue blur attempting to do everything everywhere and swift approaching an unceremonious end. The question is what is the damage done to the world in the process of this mad march of empire.
 (The madness of Caligula spreads)
There is an interesting poll, which was done by The Chicago Council On Global Affairs, it's entire framework would be amusing if it were not so sad. I would be interested in learning more about the demographics of where it was taken in each country. I was first made aware of this on The Angry Arab New Site HERE.
It was about the United States being the leader of the world in the present unilateral sense we see today. The United States has proven to be primarily interested in it's own preeminence, and a preservation of not only it's prominence but the present world order continuing unabated.
(The familiar refrain)
The reason why this is impossible is because dominance is no longer feasible nor desirable, in a world which is tired of the same old lines of demarcation and literally subservience. When seeing this current thrust of the United States violently on the world scene, it is apparent that it is too easily lead and influenced by destructive internal elements and given to unbridled lust for power.
What I am calling for essentially, whether we look at the United States or the Euro-American alliance, is dissolving this current world order which has been nothing but an exercise in undo dominance. It is amazing how the study just seems to assume how this is the prima facia structure of the present world, the dominant and the subservient, the super and the servile, the privileged and the pauperized.
(The Columbus syndrome)
Take the situation of the United States and its activity in the Middle East , you could say it was groomed from this position of world dominance during the World War years. You could also say the US was influenced (infected?) by all the bad colonial views regarding Islam, that it was merely seen as an object of dominating the "weak" and molding it into it's own image, as well as exploiting it to it's fullest, by any means necessary.
Yet, look at what has come from this brash pushing of itself upon the world. We have not only the enslavement of the people to puppet governments, subject to the unrest this would bring anywhere, but now an aggressive and unwarranted war-like attack upon the people of this region and the death toll swiftly reaching (if you count the sanctions and war on Iraq it has already reached 1 million dead) one million people slaughtered. However, all we are seeing is what was done in secret (all over the world, both directly in indirectly), so to speak, with major corporate media silence or diversion (complicity), a visual of what has been hidden - at least to the American public.
(Illusions of a "liberator")
In the Middle East, the US has not only been wrongly influenced, so that rather than a rich orientalism (that is, a good and full view of the people and the richness of the culture, due respect), it carries an even worse view than it's European counterpart that has planted this weed in the soil of American policy. When you look at anything that comes from the academic community regarding this part of the world you find little text (in the U.S.), and a boat load of "experts," who with a poor grasp of the "language(s)" (much from Army language schools) do not have a grasp of the people at all.
What you have are institutions (educational) that house myths and lies, you pack them with repetition to give a form of legitimacy, when all they are created for is to hoist a facade of acceptability, so that destructive dominance of the Euro-American alliance can accomplish it's goals for an engorged elite. Middle Eastern Studies is by far not the only discipline that is compromised - however, even in this relatively new department (to the U.S.) when the truth of what is taking place is exposed there has been fierce attacks upon those who, as it were, blow the whistle.
What takes place is a dehumanization process of the people into a whole (the "Arab Mind," etc.). Than all of this just becomes a sort of attack upon the general populations and the classic denigration that we see today - indeed, has been encouraged by those who prop themselves up as experts, but who really know nothing, or who push a truncated orientalism which seems to be the heritage of the Western world to new heights of shame and wanton destruction!
 (U.S. Imperialism and their orientalist experts)
(The sacrifice of their own sons/daughters on the alter of their delusions)
In the study (above, by The Chicago Council On Global Affairs), you can see the trepidation and fear in these countries, look at the results of those questioned as illustrated in charts (If you look at nothing else) - "as the sole remaining superpower, should the US be the preeminent world leader in solving international problems? - Is the US playing the role of world policeman more than it should be? - How much do you trust the US to act responsibly in the world? - Thinking of the long term military bases the US has overseas, do you think the US should have more bases over seas, fewer bases, or about as many as we have now?" The majority of answers are in the negative no matter what question you ask.
(The restriction of empire, a dead end prospect)
The terrible point about the survey is the assumption that the world in it's present state can be made right by a mere few adjustments, or that this view of the world is an non contrived reality. On other blogs the question has been asked - why is there no mention of nations in a state of equality?
There are those who are the advocates of maintaining the status quo, or even increasing the role of the US on it's current course. Of course, this thumbs up is given by those who have been the main beneficiaries of US aid with minimal interference in their own affairs (being mutually beneficial). To be more specific, they are interested in maintaining the status quo because they are the elite in these countries that have benefited at the expense of their people.
Whether you are aware of it or not, most foreign aid to the "third world" is to maintain military force of governments set up to the interest of imperial power, and to embark on projects that enrich foreign corporations to the detriment of the people of the "aid" receiving country. This is partially what I mean when I talk about the current status quo, and what seems to be taken for granted by those interviewed as well as the ones doing the interviewing.
The other side to the coin of this aid can be illustrated in the military aid given to "acquiescent and acceptable" regimes. Take Israel as an example, when money is poured in for the purpose of "self-defense" (aggression is more like it), it is US war profiteers who get the aid poured back into their pockets. It is a sweet deal, Israel gets to do the bidding of the US, oppress the Palestinians endlessly, and all of the aid goes back into the elite pockets of those who run the war machine in the US!
 The problem is apparent, there is too much supremacy, and to be frank what did you expect to come from the United States - or for any European "front runner" for that matter? The entire foundation of these nations are based on slavery and butchery, in many instances an almost complete genocide (to begin) with of their own population. What did you expect to be the thrust of this current world order? Look at the current disenfranchisement of their own populations.
Sure, they hold up their current capitalistic poster children, like (for instance) China and India. Yes, there has been industrialization and enrichment, but at a massive cost to the people of these countries as a whole - this is what capitalism ALWAYS produces. The gap between the rich and the poor, and the misery, yawns even wider - while you find the number of "billionaires" on the rise (it is even worse because there has been little democratic advance in many instances in these countries). Poverty stands starkly next to opulence, the commons are privatized, and the peoples anguish grows exponentially!
So, once again I opt for an entirely new world order, one which is based on the freedom and welfare of the people, not an elite few. Not one marked by war, colonialism, neocolonialism, or the maintaining of such - but the tearing down of these destructive divisions. SO I ASK, WHERE IS THE PEOPLES INPUT INTO THIS PROCESS? IS IT RELEGATED TO SURVEYS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO IMPRESS US, AND IMPLY THAT THERE IS SOMEONE LISTENING? OR, AS MOST POLLS IS IT A MERE PLACATION DEVICE? IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE TO PRESS THEMSELVES, ALL OVER THE WORLD INTO THIS DIALOG - OVER THE VOICES OF THE CHOSEN FEW, FOR WITHOUT THIS THERE WILL BE NO FUTURE.
Posted at 07:55 pm by deadringer
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4.17.2007
SACKING NATIONS AND CRIMINALIZING IMMIGRANTS
 If you look carefully at how the immigrant population in the United States and other European nations are being treated, you cannot help but see the connection to harassment and attributing the possibility of criminal acts to these people. Mainly, I speak of the people who are among us from the ME. It seems to be the seamless plan to cement terrorism and these people.
The entire Western world, Europe and the United States that has stolen trillions of dollars from these countries, treats their immigrants worse than second class citizens. Of course, they will exploit to the fullest their natural and human resources, but give something in return? Yeah right.... Citizenship in the United States and European countries seems to be at a premium, to say the least, these days.
The West not only steals the resources and enslaves the population in other countries, they are not satisfied with that - they must rig the ruling governments and destroy any hope for the future. When they have been totally degraded and unable to rise the Western countries disdain the peoples presence when they come to their shores in the hope of some future.
They give the impossible and oppressive task of languishing in dead end jobs so that they can barely survive to try to give their children something of value. Whether it is France that isolates the populations that they once exploited keeping them in squalor, with no hope for advance, trapped in the ghettos designed for them - or the United States, which wishes to portray them as worthless welfare cases, criminals, terrorists, and specifically that black and brown people that they love to hate - it's all the same.
Now, some will say "this is no different than immigrants in the past that had to pay their dues," they are sadly mistaken. During the times of inner Euro-American immigration their countries were not sacked nor their people enslaved by dictatorships set up by other Western entities. Nor were their people seen as "terrorists" until proven otherwise, and millions of their people were not exterminated by the edicts of foreign policy and "national security, or building democracies."
 The truth be told, the West is not done robbing these nations yet, and because this is the case they must continue to vilify these people - those who they wish to exploit they will vilify. Two prime case examples being the African continent and the Middle East, they are not done sacking them yet.
Considered very rich countries the West must make sure that their white population sees these people as worthless, trouble makers, terrorists, so that it gives them the "excuse" to make them into "democracies," which is a code word for enslavement, death, and destruction - or unresponsive governments that allow the people to rot.
Yet for a hundred years or more, the West has tirelessly exploited them and destroyed their hope for a future with puppet governments. It has forced the exploited, their populations, to work in torturous conditions, and has fed an elite in these countries with the largess that belongs to the people. It has eaten the substance which could by all rights sustain these people, because the countries are VERY RICH - it is just the people who are made poor.
So the elite devise these extra-national alliances, like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and various trade agreements which do nothing but feed capitalistic corporations to the dtriment of the people. So what these entities tout as hope is nothing but a charade as they further prey upon those people. What I have written here has to become common knowledge and expressed broadly.
It is almost a damned if you do, and damned if you don't situation with immigration. One thing is for sure, the Western world cannot continue it's present course of exploitation in these countries and expect to stop the tide of immigration. As long as you have suppression as a policy in other countries people will look for ways to escape - and they will migrate to areas where there are further developed democratic processes, regardless of the fact that it might be receding.
FURTHER ISOLATION AND EXPLOITATION OF IMMIGRANTS IN WESTERN COUNTRIES WILL PRODUCE CONSEQUENT UNREST - IT CAN EITHER BE DEALT WITH THROUGH GREATER SINCERE OPPORTUNITY, OR CRIMINALIZING THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION. WHICH WAY DO YOU SEE IT GOING? TO ME THE PROGNOSIS LOOKS DIM - IT WILL REMAIN LIKE THIS AS LONG AS WE HAVE VORACIOUS UNCHECKED CAPITALISM AND FURTHER EXPLOITATION OF OTHER COUNTRIES, FORCING PEOPLE TO LEAVE IN ORDER TO EVEN SURVIVE. UNTIL THE EURO-AMERICAN ALLAINCE STOPS THE DESTRUCTION OR EXPLOITATION, THEY WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT IMMIGATION AS A FORM OF COLLECTING A DEBT THAT THEY HAVE INCURRED!
Posted at 08:57 pm by deadringer
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4.15.2007
SORRY WE KILLED YOUR CHILD - HERE IS $500.00
 Yes, you read the title right - fully looked at "sorry, we shot your child, we thought is book bag was a bomb, here is $500.00." The story is found on the oldest journal covering the news paper industry, Editor and Publisher, written by Greg Mitchell. You can find the story HERE.On the Angry Arab site I found a link which actually has some of the official paperwork, where a journalist was shot (no doubt of ME origin), where a father of four and his wife were given $2,500.00 for shooting the bread winner. By the way, Iraq is the worst place for journalists, many killed by America's "finest."
(Found at the Friday-Lunch-Club HERE.) Most of the information has been unearthed by the ACLU's diligence in requesting FOIA realease of some of the details. The Editor and Journal found that there were 500 cases released and all deserve broad attention.
Ponder with me, if you will, compared to the pittance given, that there is now about $32,000,000 dollars that have been paid out - how many civilians have been needlessly killed? We are also officially told, there is no way to trace whether the soldiers involved have been disciplined. Here are some of the examples -
"Claimant alleges that her two brothers were returning home with groceries from their business, when U.S. troops shot and killed them, thinking they were insurgents with bombs in the bags. I recommend approving this claim in the amount of $5,OOO."
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Dec. 5 2005:
Claimant alleges that on the above date at the above mentioned location, the child was outside playing by their gate and a stray bullet from a U.S. soldier hit their son in the head and killed him. The U.S. soldiers went to the boy's funeral and apologized to the family and took their information to get to them, but never did. The child was nine years old and their only son.
I recommend approving this claim in the amount of $4,OOO.OO.
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April 15, 2005
Claimant alleges that on or about 24 February 2005, he was riding in a mini-bus with his nine-year-old son on his lap when Coalition Forces fired a round into the bus. The round allegedly hit his son in the head, causing the son's death later on. Xxxxx alleges that some Americans came to the hospital and apologized. He also states that one of the HMMWV's had "32" on the side. Claimant has enclosed an autopsy report.
Allow me to express my sympathy for your loss, however, in accordance with the cited references and after investigating your claim, I find that your claim is not compensable for the following reason: In vour claim you failed to provide suflicient evidence that U.S. Forces and not someone else is responsible for your damages. Accordingly, your claim must be denied.
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Incident occurred Jan. 6, 2005 at a bridge near Haifa Street
Claimant alleges that her husband, who was working as a journalist, was walking across the bridge when he was shot and killed by U.S. troops. She has documentation from CA confirming that US. troops were in the area at that time. Also, a medical report is attached stating that the round that killed the victim was a 5.56mm round. The claimant has submitted sufficient evidence.
I recommend approving this claim in the amount of $2,5OO.OO.
(She had asked for $5000)
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On 11 April 2005, Claimant's father was allegedly killed by CF forces near the Samarra Museum…Claimant says that his father was deaf and would not have heard danger nearby. The claimant did not personally witness the shooting and relies solely on eyewitnesses. Eye witnesses related that victim was shot by CF forces. The Claimant does not know if his father was shot by CF forces responding to an AIF attack, or whether CF fired directly on his father.
The claimant presented a claim in the amount of $4,000 on 21 November 2005.
RECOMMENDATION: this claim be denied.
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Dec. 5, 2004:
The issue presented is whether claimant may receive compensation for the death of his father, his mother, his brother and 32 sheeps.
In this case, the claimant has lost his entire family and his herd of sheep that provide a means of income. In addition, the claimant suffered gun shot wounds himself.
The claimant states that his family was sleeping when the shots were
fired that killed his family. He claims that the family had only one AK-47 that the father carried outside after his wife was shot in the head The coalition force may have been justified in shooting at another target where the claimant and his family would be collateral damage to that combat operation. However, the ROE require units to have positive identification of target before engaging. In this case, reports indicate that over one hundred rounds were fired that impacted around a flock of sheep and his sleeping family. Accordingly, it appears that the shooting, although not "wrongful", was conducted "negligently". It is therefore my opinion that there is sufficient evidence to justify compensation under the FCA.
I recommend that claimant be appoved in the amount claimed totaling $11,020.
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On 11 April 2005, at about 11:30 am, Claimant's 8 year old sister,
xxxx was allegedly killed by CF forces near the Al Khatib Secondary School, Samarra. xxxx says that his sister was playing near the school and was shot by CF. Deceased's death certificate ... she was killed by gunfire. The claimant did not personally witness the shooting and relies solely on eye witnesses. Eye witnesses related that victim was shot by CF forces by a "random shot." During the interview, it was impossible to clarify what the claimant meant by a "random shot." A SIGACTS investigation revealed no activity or incidents in Samarra on that date.
RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the investigation by this FCC, it is reasonable to conclude that the CF activity can be characterized as combat activity. I recommend this claim be denied.
-------------------------------------------- June 17, 2005
Claimant alleges that on the above date at the above mentioned location, his brother xxxxx was traveling in his car with rugs that he was taking to a rug store to sell. He was shot by U.S. soldiers, and the rugs and cash on his possession were never recovered...and his body left there.
I recommend approving this claim in the amount of $3,000.00
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April 23, 2006, Samarra
Claimant alleges that Coalition Forces fired upon his two sons as they were leaving the market. The claimants sons waived their shirts and their underwear as a sign of peace. The claimant provided death certificates, legal expert and witness statements to substantiate the
claim.
Opinion: There is not enough evidence to prove the claim.
Recommendation: The claim is denied.
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Greg Mitchell goes on to say - "In a column at that time, I asked: How common is the practice? And how many unnecessary deaths do the numbers seem to suggest?
It's necessary to ask because the press generally has been denied information on civilian killings and, in recent years, it has become too dangerous in much of Iraq for reporters to go out and investigate shootings or alleged atrocities."
Posted at 10:27 am by deadringer
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