Burned Again?
A quote...."When an infant touches a hot stove, it learns a lifelong lesson: don’t touch a hot stove. The infant might grow into a thoroughly irresponsible person, might acquire a nasty heroin habit or provoke a barroom brawl with Mike Tyson. But never again will he or she touch a hot stove."

The problem with America
A quote...."The world has fallen out of love with America since the ‘war on terror’ declared by President George W Bush. Much of the sympathy and popular support witnessed after the 9/11 attacks have faded away, overtaken by stories about Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib and extraordinary rendition. It is surprising how soon the goodwill capital, and a strong economy, can be squandered."

Bush’s New Middle East
A quote...."The proclamation of “mission complete” that President George W. Bush made five years ago respecting Iraq was as arrogant as his actual affirmation that the “reinforcement” has “created a grand strategic victory in the war against terror,” The venture into Iraq not only is the largest and most expensive war in the history of the United States –the Nobel Prize of economics winner Joseph Stiglitz has calculated an overwhelming cost of three trillion dollars –but additionally the results are unclear."

Disturbing Stirrings - Ratcheting Up For War on Iran
A quote...."Led by Dick Cheney, Bush administration neocons want war on Iran. So does the Israeli Lobby, but it doesn't mean they'll get it. Powerful forces in Washington and the Pentagon are opposed and so far have prevailed. Nonetheless, worrisome recent events increase the possibility and must be closely watched."
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Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Monday roundup - 7 articles - [Day 6]

CHRONOLOGY - Hezbollah's showdown with Lebanese government
A quote...."May 12 (Reuters) - Clashes resumed in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli on Monday in fighting between Hezbollah and its pro-government opponents. - The drive by Hezbollah to take control of strategic locations has increased pressure on the governing coalition, supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia, to accept the opposition's terms for ending 18 months of political conflict. - Here is a chronology of events in Lebanon in the last 18 months."

Inside Story - Lebanon's army - 11 May 08 - Part 1 - (YouTube - 13 min 18 sec - Added:  May 12, 2008)
Inside Story - Lebanon's army - 11 May 08 - Part 2 - (YouTube - 9 min 17 sec - Added:  May 12, 2008)
Video - A quote...."May 12, 2008 -- The Lebanese army has taken control of Beirut and Tripoli to end fierce fighting between Hezbollah-led opposition fighters and supporters of the government. But the army has been accused of defying the country's government and bowing to Hezbollah's demands. Inside Story asks if the army is now playing politics and taking sides."

Fighting in Tripoli, but Lebanon's capital is calm
A quote...."05-12-08 -- BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Fighting between pro- and anti-government factions jumped to Lebanon's north Monday, but a grim calm hung over the nearly empty streets of Beirut — a capital crippled by roadblocks, suspicion and fear."

Lebanon’s Sleeping Giant
A quote...."Tuesday 13 May 2008  -- Over the last few days, the world has discovered the hand that rocks the cradle in Lebanon. Whether Hezbollah is designated by the US and its allies as a terrorist organization or not, it has shown, without a shadow of a doubt, that it’s in charge."

POLITICS:  Bush Tour Diminished by Hezbollah Show of Force
A quote...."WASHINGTON, May 12 (IPS) - While this week's trip by President George W. Bush to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt was never conceived as a triumphant "victory lap" around the region, the swift rout of U.S.-backed forces by Lebanon's Hezbollah Friday has provided yet another vivid illustration of the rapid decline in Washington's influence in the Middle East during his tenure." -- Also posted at AntiWar.

Hezbollah Leaves West Beirut After Beating Government Challenge
A quote...."May 11 (Bloomberg) -- Hezbollah, Lebanon's powerful Shiite Muslim party and militia, handed sections of Beirut to the Lebanese army after forcing pro-Western Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to abandon efforts to curb its military activities."

Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese airspace
A quote...."Sun May 11, 2008 -- TYRE, Lebanon (AFP) - Israeli jets on Sunday overflew southern Lebanon in violation of the country's airspace, a security official told AFP. - "More than four Israeli jets began overflying most of the southern part of the country at 0630 GMT," the official said."

Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Monday roundup - [Day 6]
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Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Monday round-up - 3 articles - [ Day 49 ]

Armed Truce: Surging Into Slaughter on Jerusalem Street
A quote...."Monday, 12 May 2008 -- Civilians are still streaming out of Baghdad's Sadr City, despite the announcement of a truce late last week designed to avert – or at least give the appearance of diverting – a major bloodbath from an all-out assault on the densely-populated area by U.S. forces and their local junior partners. Announced on Saturday, the deal was immediately eviscerated by U.S. forces, who bombed three neighborhoods in Sadr City that very afternoon, as dpa reports."

US troops battle militia in Baghdad despite deal
A quote...."05-12-2008, 09h16  -- American troops fought street battles with Shiite militia in Baghdad's Sadr City, killing three people on the first full day of a deal to end fighting in the area, a military official said Monday. -- US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stover said troops came under attack in three incidents on Sunday evening and Monday morning in Sadr City, stronghold of the Mahdi Army militia of anti-US cleric Moqtada al-Sadr."

Shiite Muslim factions sign Sadr City deal
A quote...."5:50 PM PDT, May 12, 2008 -- BAGHDAD -- Representatives of Iraq's main Shiite Muslim factions signed a deal Monday clearing the way for Iraqi soldiers to operate throughout Sadr City, a vast Baghdad slum that is largely under the control of militiamen loyal to firebrand cleric Muqtada Sadr."

Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Monday round-up - [ Day 49 ]
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Iran says to sue U.S., Britain over mosque blast
A quote...."TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's judiciary said on Monday it would file international lawsuits against the United States and Britain, accusing them of providing financial support to those behind a blast in a mosque that killed 14 people."

Meddlers!
A quote...."We've heard a lot recently about US allegations that Iran is interfering in Iraq, aiding insurgents with weaponry and training, but Iran has also long said that both the US and Britain back insurgents inside Iran and we hear rather less about that."

For more on the two articles shown above see....US Support of Terror - MEK - PKK - Others
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Iran Shows Potentials in Developing Oil Fields Alone
A quote...." TEHRAN (FNA)- At a huge oil field in southwest Iran, one building stands out among the pumps and maze of pipelines: On its roof in giant letters, big enough for satellites or pilots to see, are the words: "We can do it."

Ukraine bans Vanco from exploring shelf oil and gas
A quote...."KIEV, May 12 (RIA Novosti) - The Ukrainian government has pulled U.S. company Vanco International's license to develop and produce hydrocarbons on the country's Black Sea shelf, the government press service said on Monday."

Hamas condemns the Holocaust
A quote...."As the Palestinian people prepare to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nakba ("catastrophe") - the dispossession and expulsion of most of our people from our land - those remaining in Palestine face escalating aggression, killings, imprisonment, ethnic cleansing and siege. But instead of support and solidarity from the western media, we face frequent attempts to defend the indefensible or turn fire on the Palestinians themselves." -- Also posted at ICH

China's new naval base triggers US concerns
A quote...."China's new underground nuclear submarine base close to vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia has raised US concerns, with experts calling for a shoring up of alliances in the region to check Beijing's growing military clout."

Chavez To Sign $2 Billion Worth Of Military Deals In Moscow - Report
A quote...."MOSCOW (AFP)--Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will buy military equipment worth nearly $2 billion during a visit to Russia at the end of the month, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Monday. -- "Hugo Chavez will arrive in Moscow at the end of May to sign new Russian- Venezuelan agreements on military and technical cooperation," the paper reported."

Venezuela's Chavez to buy Chinese K-8 planes
A quote...."CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday the OPEC nation will buy Chinese military training planes, expanding recent arms purchases and further cementing a growing relationship with China."
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Survey: Gulf Between Democracy in Theory and Practice
A quote...."The basic democratic principle that "the will of the people should be the basis for the authority of government" is supported by overwhelming majorities throughout the world, according to a major new survey [.pdf] of more than 17,000 adults in 19 countries released Monday. -- Large majorities in most of those countries also believe that their own governments are not living up to that principle, according to the poll, which was conducted and published by WorldPublicOpinion.org (WPO)."
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A new inflationary epoch
Special Note - A quote...."I don't believe it is mere coincidence that crude has posted about a 30% year-to-date price surge at the same time as international reserve positions have expanded at about a 30% annualized rate - to a stunning $6.769 trillion."

Gasoline and diesel prices soar to records: EIA
A quote...."WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. drivers dug deeper into their pockets to fill up at the pump, as the average price for gasoline skyrocketed 10.9 cents over the last week to a record of $3.72 a gallon, the federal Energy Information Administration said on Monday."

HSBC writes off U$S 3.2 billion, totaling 15.6 billion
A quote...."Europe's biggest bank HSBC has written off 3.2 billion US dollars in the first three months of 2008 as a result of its exposure to the US sub-prime market. The write downs, which are lower than the total written off in the final quarter of 2007, are in line with what the bank had predicted."


Blowing Bubbles
Must Read - A quote...."Bill Maher recently pointed out that had we elected Colonel Sanders President, fried chicken would probably go to $100 a bucket.  But we elected Texas oilmen, and, hence, oil has quintupled since they took office.  But the barrel price of crude is a purely speculative game, and most of what the oil companies extract is paid for on long-standing royalty agreements.  ExxonMobil is most certainly not paying $126/barrel for the crude oil that they extract."

Hard numbers: The economy is worse than you know
Must Read - A quote...."Ever since the 1960s, Washington has gulled its citizens and creditors by debasing official statistics, the vital instruments with which the vigor and muscle of the American economy are measured. -- The effect has been to create a false sense of economic achievement and rectitude, allowing us to maintain artificially low interest rates, massive government borrowing, and a dangerous reliance on mortgage and financial debt even as real economic growth has been slower than claimed."
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Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Sunday roundup - 4 articles - [Day 5]

Hezbollah battles Druze east of Beirut
A quote...."11 May 2008 -- BEIRUT - Shia s loyal to Lebanese opposition group Hezbollah battled Druze supporters of the Beirut governing coalition east of the capital on Sunday, adding to the worst civil strife since the 1975-90 war. -- The fighting in Aley, a town in the mountains overlooking Beirut, and nearby villages was the latest violence between followers of Hezbollah, a group backed by Syria and Iran, and supporters of the U.S.-backed governing coalition."

LEBANON: Opposition continues military takeover, enforces siege
A quote...."BEIRUT, 11 May 2008 (IRIN) - Lebanon's worst sectarian violence since its 15-year civil war ended in 1990 has spread from Beirut to the Druze heartlands of Mount Lebanon and on to the second city of Tripoli in the north as Hezbollah and its opposition allies continued their military takeover of the country."

Lebanon: Hezbollah makes show of strength against Siniora government
A quote...."12 May 2008 -- Hezbollah has handed control back to the Lebanese army, but only after surrounding Beirut’s international airport and taking over much of West Beirut. The main opposition party’s show of strength followed an outbreak of sectarian fighting that left more than 38 people dead and many more injured. The army stood aside, reluctant to get involved.

Four days that changed the Middle East
A quote...."Monday, May 12, 2008 -- Events in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon continue to move erratically, with simultaneous gestures of political compromise and armed clashes that have left 46 dead in the past week. The consequences of what has happened in the past week may portend an extraordinary but constructive new development: the possible emergence of the first American-Iranian joint political governance system in the Arab world. Maybe."

Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Sunday roundup - [Day 5]
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Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Sunday round-up - 4 articles - [ Day 48 ]

Heavy bombardment on Sadr city despite ceasefire
A quote...."Baghdad, May 10, (VOI) – Three large parts of Sadr city were subjected to heavy bombardment that was continuously carried out by U.S. helicopters, starting from Saturday 3:30 p.m. until now, despite the Iraqi government and representatives of the Sadr movement having signed an agreement to stop confrontations in the city."

Maliki-Sadr Agreement on Sadr City; Al-Maliki Heads to Mosul
A quote...."Sunday, May 11, 2008 -- The al-Maliki government and the Sadrists pulled back from the brink in Sadr City on Saturday. PM Nuri al-Maliki had demanded that the Mahdi Army militia that serves as the Sadrist paramilitary give up its arms and dissolve itself. The compromise simply states that the Iraqi security forces would be allowed in to Sadr City to search for suspected medium and heavy weapons. The implication is that the Mahdi Army may continue to exist and may keep its light weapons (e.g. AK-47s), though it has to pledge not to walk with them in public. - The siege of Sadr City is to be lifted and the major roads in and out of it are to be unblocked, according to the agreement."

Sadrists and Iraqi Government Reach Truce Deal
Some quotes...."Published: May 11, 2008 -- BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government and leaders of the movement of the Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr agreed Saturday to a truce, brokered with help from Iran, that would end more than a month of bloody fighting in the vast, crowded Sadr City section of Baghdad." -- "The Iranians helped end the standoff by throwing their weight behind the government after a delegation of Shiite members of Parliament visited Iran earlier this month, according to three people involved in negotiating the truce."  --  "Mr. Sadr has long had a fraught relationship with Iran. A staunch Arab nationalist, he has eschewed close political ties to Tehran, making it unclear whether he would heed Iran’s requests." - bold by website editor

Editor's special note - The US has been bombing the heck out of the impoverished Shi'as in Sadr City and sacrificing many American lives in order to help Iran's ally, Maliki (who's also Cheney’s best buddy) defeat an indigenous quasi-anti-Iranian group of Iraqi militias, thereby strengthening Iran's position in Iraq.

That deserves repeating....Americans are dying and murdering innocent, oppressed Iraqis in order to strengthen Iran's position in Iraq.

You got that?  This website editor used to think the average American was a moron when it came to their knowledge regarding international affairs....that was a gross and undeserved over-estimation of their capabilities.

But for them to sacrifice their own sons' and daughters' lives, and worse than that, to let their own children commit murder so Cheney and his buddies can play power games in the Middle East, that's unspeakable, immoral and unforgivable.

Obviously Cheney thinks Maliki will betray his relationship with Iran for more money and additional promises of continued US support after Cheney attacks Iran (phase three), money and power being the only calculus that really matters to Cheney....

....and also apparently, to many "Americans" (a.k.a. Neo-Romans). – mpg

U.S. military hits a wall in Sadr City
A quote...."May 11, 2008 -- BAGHDAD -- In the glow of a full moon, a U.S. military convoy inched toward a strategic road in Sadr City. The goal: to add to a wall being built to carve out a haven in the Shiite Muslim militia stronghold."

Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Sunday round-up - [ Day 48 ]
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'Ghost city' Mosul braces for assault on last bastion of al-Qa'ida in Iraq
A quote...."Mosul looks like a city of the dead. American and Iraqi troops have launched an attack aimed at crushing the last bastion of al- Qa'ida in Iraq and in doing so have turned the country's northern capital into a ghost town. -- Soldiers shoot at any civilian vehicle on the streets in defiance of a strict curfew. Two men, a woman and child in one car which failed to stop were shot dead yesterday by US troops, who issued a statement saying the men were armed and one made "threatening movements"."

The Truth About Veteran Suicides
A quote...."Eighteen American war veterans kill themselves every day. One thousand former soldiers receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs attempt suicide every month. More veterans are committing suicide than are dying in combat overseas. -- These are statistics that most Americans don't know, because the Bush administration has refused to tell them. Since the start of the Iraq War, the government has tried to present it as a war without casualties."

Call for US to show evidence of Tehran weapons link
A quote...."There were calls today for the US either to show evidence of "high level Iranian government involvement in the supply of weapons to militias in Iraq" or to retract their allegations. The demand from the Westminster Committee on Iran, follows the cancellation of a plan to display alleged Iranian-supplied explosives to journalists in Karbala when it was discovered that none of them originated in Iran. It also follows a news briefing on 7th May 2008 in which Major General Bergner, the U.S. military spokesman, listed thousands of weapons and munitions uncovered in recent weeks during fighting with Shiite militiamen in Karbala, none of which were said to originate in Iran." -- For more on this issue see...Fake Intel/Propaganda - IED's & EFP's

"Bomb Syria" Woolsey advises McCain
Video - Special Note - A quote...."John McCain has recruited several members of "The Committee on the Present Danger" as foreign policy advisors, including former CIA head James Woolsey. Do Woolsey's viewpoints represent McCain's vision for America and the world?"

Hillary Clinton’s “Final Solution” to the Persian Problem
A quote...."To misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it . . . An evil unchecked is the prelude to genocide.” - *Dr. Mordechai*: The Ezekiel Option  ---  "There are over 70 million human beings living in Iran, 17.5 million of whom are under the age of fifteen. Hillary Clinton vowed to attack Iran and “totally obliterate” the majority of the Persian race in a furnace of primordial fire should the Iranian government attack Israel with nuclear weapons, which they do not now possess or are likely to for some time—if ever. -- Hillary’s “final solution” to the Persian problem bests Adolf Hitler by a magnitude of ten."

Shell pulls out of Iran gas deal under US pressure
A quote...."London: Oil major Royal Dutch Shell has pulled out of a planned gas project in Iran after coming under pressure not to participate from US lawmakers who were concerned about Iran's nuclear programme." -- Leaving more for Pakistan, China and India. - mpg

South Pars Phase to Come on Stream Soon
A quote...." TEHRAN (FNA)- A section of the huge South Pars gas field that is operated by StatoilHydro will start production soon, a senior Iranian energy official said on Sunday."

Pakistan, India to Sign Gas Transit Fee Agreement
A quote...." TEHRAN (FNA)- Pakistan Petroleum Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan and India will soon sign gas transit fee agreement for the transmission of gas to India under the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline deal."

The Fight to Fire, Disbar, and Try America's "Torture Professors" for War Crimes
A quote...."If cruelty is no longer declared unlawful, but instead is applied as a matter of policy, it alters the fundamental relationship of man to government. It destroys the whole notion of individual rights. The Constitution recognizes that man has an inherent right, not bestowed by the state or laws, to personal dignity, including the right to be free of cruelty. It applies to all human beings, not just in America -- even those designated as 'unlawful enemy combatants.' If you make this exception the whole Constitution crumbles.  --  *Alberto J. Mora*, former Navy General Counsel

The United States tortures prisoners in violation of international law - Carter
A quote...."Former President Carter says the U.S. "has abandoned the basic principle of human rights." -- "I don't think it. I know it," Carter told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. -- "Our country for the first time in my life time has abandoned the basic principle of human rights," Carter said. "We've said that the Geneva Conventions do not apply to those people in Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo, and we've said we can torture prisoners and deprive them of an accusation of a crime to which they are accused."

Defending Bolivia - Morales and the Red Ponchos
A quote...."The Bolivian oligarchy has initiated its plan to balkanize the country. Traditionally, the oligarchy controlled the oil, natural gas, and the best farmland in Bolivia; and, for the most part, it has never indicated a desire to share the wealth with the nation’s indigenous majority. That majority, 60 percent of the population, lives primarily in the Andean highlands of western Bolivia, although in recent decades, the Indians of those areas have begun moving down to the cities in search of jobs."

Brazil Won't Accept Separatism in Bolivia, Minister Warns
A quote...." Celso Amorim, the Brazilian Foreign minister said that South America would never accept "separatism in Bolivia" and underlined that any autonomy must be negotiated with La Paz, according to Rio's daily O Globo. -- Last Sunday Bolivia's richest province, Santa Cruz, held a referendum where an overwhelming majority voted for autonomy. Several other Bolivian provinces are on a similar track."

When did the US "lose" Latin America?
Video - Special Note - A quote...."The United States first lost its influence in Latin America because of deals it made during the Cold War to prop up any dictatorship as long as it was anti-communist. Even Bill Clinton with his "free-trade" and drug eradication projects was not open to South American autonomy from Washington."

Protest Camps Against American Military Bases in Japan and Italy
A quote...."The presence of the US military, 63 years after World War II, is a huge source of anger for the citizens of Japan, Korea, Germany and Italy. On the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, the US military uses an artillery firing range known as Yausubetsu. The range is small in comparison to ranges in the United States and Germany - only 30 kilometers by 10 kilometers - but the source of irritation to Japanese farmers whose land was taken for the range and for those who live near the range is large. The peaceful rolling hills and valleys of the area are the home of the dairy industry of Hokkaido. The Japanese have used a cartoon of an angry dairy cow with boxing gloves as their symbol of protest of the US military's use of the range."

Chavez says Colombia seeks war with Venezuela
A quote...."President Hugo Chavez said Sunday on his radio talk show that neighboring Colombia is trying to provoke Venezuela into a war so as to draw in and "justify" an armed intervention by the United States. -- "The government of Colombia is capable of provoking a war with Venezuela to justify a US intervention in Venezuela," Chavez said on his weekly program "Alo Presidente."
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Beijing and Riyadh will call the shots on ailing dollar's future
A quote...."Only a month ago the dollar slumped to an all-time low against the euro. And it's just five weeks since the greenback hit a 12-year low against the yen. -- But now, the US currency has started to strengthen - with the markets talking about a "turning point". On Wednesday, the dollar reached a six-week high against the European single currency, closing in on $1.53 - an improvement of more than 5 cents. And on the same day, the greenback climbed to a 10-week peak against the pound."

China inflation rises to 8.5 percent in April: govt
A quote...."China's inflation rate rose to 8.5 percent in April, remaining near 12-year highs, the government said Monday, warning tougher measures were needed to handle its most intractable economic problem. -- The figure, released by the National Bureau of Statistics, marked a reacceleration after the consumer price index momentarily weakened to 8.3 percent growth in March from 8.7 percent in February."


McCain, Obama and Clinton silent on Iraq exit - US presidents-to-be in denial
Must Read - A quote...."As soon as it was clear that the presidential primaries would be the news story of the year in the US, Iraq was dropped by the media. The occupation and the campaign for the presidential nominations were de-linked almost from the start. So we don’t know what the potential candidates would do in Iraq. But pulling troops out doesn’t seem to be an option for any of them."

Playing the Iraq Oil Card
Must Read - Special Note - Some quotes...."If anyone had any doubt that Iraq was a lot about oil, they shouldn't after the recent Capitol Hill appearance by our ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker. In a closed House hearing, Crocker put the fear of god in Congress. His message: If we leave Iraq, Iraq will destabilize the Gulf, and a destabilized Gulf equals unstable oil prices." -- "Today, Saudi Arabia either refuses or can't increase its production. The peak oil Cassandras are convinced the Saudis can't. Saudi Arabia's mega fields like Ghawar are depleted, they say. And we'd better get used to gasoline at $4 a gallon and up." - bold by website editor -- For more on this issue see....Ghawar is Dead - Long Live PNAC 03-07-07 - mpg & War Resource 9/11
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Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Saturday roundup - 4 articles - [Day 4]

Hezbollah seizes Beirut neighborhoods
A quote...."9:43 PM CDT, May 9, 2008 -- BEIRUT - In the space of just 14 hours, a Shiite militia backed by Iran had seized control of the Sunni heart of an Arab capital. -- In a development with profound implications for the future of Lebanon and the Mideast as a whole, the Hezbollah movement routed pro-government Sunni forces in the Muslim western half of Beirut on Friday in intense gun battles that killed a total of 14 people as the Lebanese army declined to intervene. -- The U.S.-backed Lebanese government called it a "bloody coup" and showed no sign that it was prepared to compromise on Hezbollah's demands, despite the defeat of the outgunned and outmaneuvered militia of the Sunni Future Movement, which went into battle for the first time and lost." - bold/underline by website editor.

The United States of America falsely accused the sovereign nation of Iraq of having connections to al-Qaeda, to 9/11 and of possessing WMD's.  It than illegally invades that nation without UN sanction unleashing over five years of bloody mayhem and murder in an attempt to control Iraq's government so it can take their oil, during which it has so far caused the deaths of over one million Iraqis, most of them civilians, displaced over five million more, has over fifty thousand Iraqis under it's control in various prisons throughout the country, has destroyed the country's infrastructure and cultural heritage through a massive non-stop campaign of bombing that continues to this day, has committed torture and war crimes and is still doing so while you read this article.

Hezbollah was attacked by the Siniora's pro-government militias whereupon it defended itself, defeated Siniora's militias within three days and now basically controls much of Beirut. A battle in which, when it's all said and done, may have resulted in the deaths of several dozen people.....most of them fighters.

The US helps kill over a million Iraqis and utterly destroys a country of over twenty seven million people for absolutely no other reason than to steal their oil....and we call it bringing them "freedom and democracy."

Hezbollah after being attacked engages and defeats their attackers within three days with the loss of a few dozen lives....and the US's allies in Lebanon call it a "bloody coup" and Secretary Rice states "....Hezbollah and its allies are killing and injuring fellow citizens, undermining the legitimate authority of the Lebanese government and the institutions of the Lebanese state".

The mass media and the entire top tier of US society are just a bunch of unspeakably sick, twisted, mentally deranged, morally degenerate, criminal sociopaths who do not know the difference between right and wrong, or good and evil, and have made it abundantly clear to the entire international community they could care less what the world thinks about their murderous rampage. - mpg

Hezbollah eases up and Beirut opens its shutters
A quote...."Saturday Afternoon May 10 2008 witnessed a pronounced easing of tension. -- Is a solution at hand? -- Based on a US Congressional source, the Siniora government is reportedly able, with US approval, to offer the following face-saving proposal to Hezbollah to end the current crisis:"

Lebanon: Opposition's Patience Wears Thin
A quote...."15:00 05/10/2008 -- If we wanted to stage a coup, you would have woken up this morning in prison, or in the middle of the sea. We do not want that. It is a political issue, with a political solution through early elections." - Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, in comments directed to the U.S.-backed Lebanese government, Al-Manar TV, 8 May 2008."

Al-Qaeda 'declares war on Hezbollah'
A quote...."Fri, 09 May 2008 19:19:35  -- Al-Qaeda has reportedly called on its operatives to go to Lebanon and defend what it called the Sunni community of the country." -- For more regarding this issue see....Al Qaeda - Always There for the US Elites - 03-09-08 - mpg

Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Saturday roundup - [Day 4]
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Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Saturday round-up - 3 articles - [ Day 47 ]

Troops Kill 25 Militants in Iraqi Slum, U.S. Says
A quote...."Published: May 10, 2008 -- BAGHDAD (Reuters) — American forces have killed 25 militants in the past two days in Sadr City, the Baghdad district that is a stronghold of the anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr, the United States military said Friday. -- The gunmen were killed in several clashes on Thursday and Friday, the military said in a series of statements. According to the statements, airstrikes and tanks were used to attack militiamen trying to launch rockets from the slum or shoot at American troops on patrol. -- At hospitals in Sadr City, officials said they had received four bodies and treated 51 wounded by Friday morning, but provided no further casualty figures after that. Among the wounded were children, the officials said."

Cleric spokesman: Cease-fire in Baghdad‘s Sadr City
A quote...."10 May, 2008 -- BAGHDAD - Shiite militants agreed on a ceasefire in Baghdad‘s embattled neighborhood of Sadr City, an aide to a high level cleric said Saturday, holding out hope that weeks of clashes in the capital could be at an end." -- "He said "the agreement stipulates that Mahdi Army will stop fighting in Sadr City and will stop displaying arms in public. In return, the government will stop random raids against al-Sadr followers and open all closed roads that lead to Sadr City." - "This document does not call for disbanding al-Mahdi Army or laying down their arms," al-Obeidi said, rejecting a previous call by al-Maliki."

JFO criticises closing the Sadr’s radio station
A quote...."Baghdad, May 9 2008 (VOI) -- Iraqi media organisation advocating journalists on Friday criticised closing Pro-Sadrist al-Ahad radio station without any judicial warrant in Baghdad. - “The government has no right to take such a decision without judicial warrant”, Hashem Hassan, the spokesman for Journalistic Freedom Observatory (JFO), told Aswat al-Iraq-Voices of Iraq(VOI). - The spokesman pointed out “the governmment has no authority to take such a decision against any journalist except through a judicial warrant”, adding “the judicial authorities is not permitted to take such measures except through consulting a committee of media experts and presenting the faulty documents to them to give its report”."

Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Saturday round-up - [ Day 47 ]
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Five million orphans in Iraq
Video - A quote...."We show this segment courtesy of www.aliveinbaghdad.org. -- The number of Iraqi orphans increased in the last few years due to the war. According to official Iraqi government statistics released in December 2007, the number of Iraqi orphans had reached at least five million over the last three years. Many due to the Sunni-Shia conflict. There are several social organizations caring for a small number of these Iraqi orphans, such as Child Aid International. There are approximately 26 orphanages that Alive in Baghdad has been able to locate around Iraq. Eight orphanages are in Baghdad and another 18 are distributed all over Iraq and generally they accept kids between the age of 6 and 18 years old."

Iraqi army launch Mosul offensive
A quote...."The Iraqi Army has launched a major operation in the northern city of Mosul against al-Qaeda and its allies. -- Around 10,000 Sunni tribesmen from Mosul who are loyal to the government are taking part in the operation with an armoured brigade of Iraqi troops. -- Reinforcements are due to move into the area in the coming days for what is being called Operation Lion's Roar."

Pro-Palestinian rally through London - (YouTube - 1 min 41 sec - Added:  May 10, 2008)
Video - A quote...."Al Jazeera's Mark Seddon reports on the Palestinian rally held in central London. - Thousands of people marched through the streets of London, to show their support for the Palestinian cause. - The demonstrators were calling for an end to the siege on Gaza, the right of return for Palestinians, and an end to Israeli occupation."

Only Two News Networks Willing To Explain Their Role In Pentagon Propaganda Program
A quote...."On April 20, the New York Times published a blockbuster exposé revealing a secret Pentagon program that used retired military analysts to “generate favorable news coverage of the administration’s wartime performance.” Though the analysts often had “ties to military contractors vested in the very war policies” they assessed on air, their potential conflicts of interest were “hardly ever disclosed to the viewers.” -- For more on this issue see....Fake Intel/Propaganda - NYT Article

Mary Tillman: ‘Pat’s death was a lie to the country’
video - A quote...."NBC’s Meredith Vieira talked with Mary Tillman about her new book “Boots on the Ground by Dusk: My Tribute to Pat Tillman.” Mary Tillman’s son, Pat Tillman, was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire. She believes the truth of her son’s death was covered up." -- For more on this issue see....Fake Intel / Propaganda - Pat Tillman

US war dead cremated in same facility as pets: Pentagon
A quote...."US Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered a review of the handling of the remains of US war dead and apologized after learning that some were cremated in a commercial facility that also cremates pets, the Pentagon said." --
Completely apropos and truly demonstrates the on-going actual relationship between this nation's wealthy MIOC elites.....and the men and women serving in the armed forces of the United States.  -- That of owner and pet. - mpg

What John McCain Told Me, and What it Says About How Far He's Fallen
A quote...."Original Post: At a dinner party in Los Angeles not long after the 2000 election, I was talking to a man and his wife, both prominent Republicans. The conversation soon turned to the new president. "I didn't vote for George Bush" the man confessed. "I didn't either," his wife added. Their names: John and Cindy McCain (Cindy told me she had cast a write-in vote for her husband)."


An oil-addicted ex-superpower
A quote...."Nineteen years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall effectively eliminated the Soviet Union as the world's other superpower. Yes, the USSR as a political entity stumbled on for another two years, but it was clearly an ex-superpower from the moment it lost control over its satellites in Eastern Europe."

The Silenced Majority - No one wants another war – so why does it seem inevitable?
A quote...."May 9, 2008 -- The first shots of what appears to be a renewed Lebanese civil war rang out three days ago as the U.S.-backed government cracked down on Hezbollah, the main opposition party, with a ban on the group's private telecommunications network and the attempted ouster of an alleged sympathizer, Brig. Gen. Wafiq Shuqeir, as overseer of the Beirut airport. This is plainly meant as a provocation: Hezbollah, which fought off the Israelis during the 2006 war, is not about to give up its communications infrastructure. After all, it was Hezbollah, not the Lebanese army, that resisted the Israelis when they rained bombs down on Lebanese civilians, killing and maiming thousands, destroying homes, factories, and houses of worship. The army stayed in its barracks while Hezbollah fought for Lebanon. But no matter. The Lebanese government – with the Americans and the Israelis behind it – clearly wants a fight."
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Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Friday roundup - 6 articles - [Day 3]

Hezbollah gunmen seize large areas of Beirut
A quote...."updated 3:40 p.m. ET, Fri., May. 9, 2008 -- BEIRUT, Lebanon - Shiite Hezbollah gunmen seized control of key parts of Beirut from Sunnis loyal to the U.S.-backed government Friday, a dramatic show-of-force certain to strengthen the Iranian-allied group’s hand as it fights for dominance in Lebanon’s political deadlock."

Lebanon opposition to keep Beirut blockades
Full quote...."BEIRUT, May 9 (Reuters) - Shi'ite Lebanese group Hezbollah and its allies control all of the mainly Muslim half of Beirut except for one district where pro-government gunmen are in talks to lay down their weapons, a security source said on Friday. -- The source said gunmen in Tarek al-Jadeedi, a Sunni Muslim area whose residents are loyal to the governing coalition, were in contact with Hezbollah to surrender."

Hezbollah tightens grip on Beirut
Video - A quote...."May 10 - Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah took control of the Muslim part of Beirut, tightening its grip on the city in a major blow to the U.S.-backed government after three days of intense fighting. -- The violence follows 17 months of political deadlock between the ruling US backed coalition and Hezbollah-led opposition, that demands a larger role in government."

Special Note - Judging by the three articles shown above, the Neocon's little plans for war in Lebanon may have ended before they even began.  It appears the difference between the Siniora/US/Israel operation in Lebanon (phase two) and the Maliki/Cheney operation in Iraq (phase one), is that there's over a hundred and forty thousand US troops in Iraq along with the US's air force, which is now cheerfully bombing the heck out of Sadr city and its civilians.  Given such prior behavior by the US, everyone should watch out for a sneak attack against Lebanon by the Israeli air force or the US's navy which is currently cruising around the Mediterranean. - mpg

Hezbollah Sec-General Hasan Nasrallah Address Lebanon
Video - A quote...."Broadcast 08/05/08 - Posted 09/05/08 -- He says that the news conference will deal with the issue of the telecommunications network; the issue of Brigadier General Shuqayr, director of Beirut Airport's security; and the "current sharp political crisis."

A Wild Day in Beirut - Street Notes from the Hamra District
A quote...."May 9, 2008 -- Where did they come from?", the desk clerk at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Rauche by the sea near Hamra wondered out loud. "I have been on duty all night and saw nothing. Suddenly they are everywhere!" -- Also posted at ICH

Death toll in Lebanon rises to 18 as clashes intensify across country
A quote...."Saturday, May 10, 2008 -- BEIRUT: Seven people were killed and several others wounded on Friday in fighting between opposition and pro-government supporters in different areas of Lebanon. The Friday casualties raised the doth toll to 18. Opposition fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut on Friday after three days of deadly street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war."

Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Friday roundup - [Day 3]
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Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Friday round-up - 4 articles - [ Day 46 ]

Fallujah Revisited: Bush, Petraeus Prepare 'Cleansing' of Sadr City
A quote...."Friday, 09 May 2008 -- George W. Bush and David Petraeus are preparing to make a new Fallujah in Sadr City, home to two million Shiites in Baghdad. Thousands of people are already fleeing the area before the full-scale slaughter and destruction begin. As in Fallujah, the multitudes who cannot escape will be trapped in a "free fire zone", subjected to ruthless bombardment and ground assault. Thousands -- perhaps tens of thousands -- of innocent civilians stand in the shadow of imminent death."

Sadr aide lashes out at Iraq's senior Shiite cleric
A quote....05-08-08 -- "BAGHDAD (AFP) — An aide to radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr lashed out on Friday at Iraq's most revered Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, for keeping silent over clashes that have killed hundreds in Baghdad.

Sheikh Abd al-Hadi al-Muhammadawi
A quote...."5/10/2008 07:16:00 AM -- said in his sermon at the Kufa mosque that the shedding of blood by the Occupation forces through air strikes on the people must cease. He said it was bizarre that these air strikes should take place with the acquiescence of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. "This is something that never was done by any dictator in the world." -- *Juan Cole*

Iraqi factions agree to end Baghdad fighting
A quote...."BAGHDAD, May 10 (Reuters) - Iraqi Shi'ite factions on Saturday reached a deal to end fighting between militia and security forces in the Baghdad bastion of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr that has killed hundreds of people, officials said."

Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Friday round-up - [ Day 46 ]
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Shoot, Kill, Lie, Repeat: America's New Moral Universe
A quote...."The story expands to talk more generally about the sniper program in Iraq, and is careful -- overly careful -- to emphasize that the snipers responsible for so many "questionable kills" are operating in very stressful conditions: sleep-deprived, sweltering in deadly heat, surrounded by potential "hostiles," at constant risk of attack. All true, of course, but it prompts this simple question: What the hell are they doing there in the first place? Why are they squatting and sweltering in "hides" in a foreign land, looking to kill people who never attacked the United States?"

The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
A quote...."There is direct evidence that President George W. Bush did not honorably lead this nation, but deliberately misled it into a war he wanted. Bush and his administration knowingly lied to Congress and to the American public — lies that have cost the lives of more than 4,000 young American soldiers and close to $1 trillion."
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CNN, the Pentagon's "military analyst program" and Gitmo
A quote...."The Pentagon has posted to its website the roughly 8,000 pages and audio tapes it was forced to provide to the New York Times regarding its "military analyst" program. Anyone who reads through them, as I've now done, can only be left with one conclusion (other than being extremely impressed with David Barstow's work in putting together this story): if this wasn't an example of an illegal, systematic "domestic propaganda campaign" by the Pentagon, then nothing is." -- Also posted at CommonDreams

Deafening' silence on analyst story
A quote...."Even with countless media outlets available these days, a Sunday New York Times cover story could always be counted on to send a jolt through the television news cycle. -- But apparently that’s no longer the case. Indeed, reporter David Barstow’s 7,600-word investigation of the Pentagon’s military analyst program — whereby ex-military talking heads, often with direct ties to contractors, parroted Defense Department talking points on the air — has been noticeably absent from television airwaves since the story broke on April 20."

The Military Analyst Scandal Dies -- Even on NPR?
A quote...."Two weeks ago, the New York Times revealed that the "military analysts" parading through network and cable newscasts for the past six years have been largely willing members of a Pentagon psy-ops program, used as "message force multipliers" to carry good-news messaging about the war to viewers. Today, the Politico runs a story about the deafening response from those networks, usually so eager to hop onto and run with a major New York Times scoop."

POLITICS-US: Lawmakers Seek Probe of 'Media Generals'
A quote...."NEW YORK, 8 May (IPS) - As U.S. television networks continue their silence about their use of retired military officers to 'sell' progress in Iraq, members of the U.S. House of Representatives are calling on the Defence Department Inspector General to investigate the Pentagon-sponsored public relations effort. "  --  Also posted at CommonDreams -- For more on the four articles shown above see....Fake Intel/Propaganda - NYT Article
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Four Years Later: Why Did It Take So Long for the Press to Break Abu Ghraib Story?
A quote...."Charles J. Hanley, Pulitzer winner for the Associated Press, uncovered abuses at the infamous prison months before the scandal really exploded. Why were so many others so slow to act?"

Al Qaeda in Iraq leader not captured - U.S.
A quote...."BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN)  -- Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the head of al Qaeda in Iraq, has not been captured, a senior U.S. military official told CNN on Friday.  Iraqi authorities said Thursday that al-Masri had been captured in Mosul."  --  Look what Cheney's newest pet canine (Maliki) went and did....he caught Abu Ayyub al-Masri (Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s successor), forcing Cheney and pals to quietly release him and come up with a cover story saying he was never caught in the first place.  Think that statement's a bit implausible gentle reader, well it's said half in jest, but only half.  See....US Support of Terror - al-Zarqawi

'I wanted to report on where the silence was'
Interview - Stephen Moss interviews Dahr Jamail -- A quote...."Texas-born Dahr Jamail was outraged that the US media were swallowing the Bush administration's line on Iraq and so, with just $2,000 and no previous journalistic experience, he set off to find out what was really happening in the country."

Philippe Sands - Bill Moyers Journal
Interview - Bill Moyers interviews Phillippe Sands -- A quote...."In his new book, "Torture Team: Rumsfeld's Memo and the Betrayal of American Values",*  Philippe Sands draws on official documents and interviews with key players to explain how the U.S. Military went from interrogations strictly regulated by the U.S. Army Field Manual 34-52 to enhanced interrogations that included sleep deprivation, nudity, stress positions, and water boarding." -- *link added by website editor -- || Watch  ||  Listen  ||  Transcript  ||  Comment  ||

Guantanamo detainees spead word to boycott trials
Website editor's note: These are NOT trials; these obscene, comical, propagandistic, Neo-Roman diversions, even make a mockery of kangaroo courts, much less the hallowed traditions of the Military Code of Justice the Geneva Conventions and the Constitution of the United States. - mpg -- A quote...."GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba -- The message travels among Guantanamo detainees in whispers between recreation areas and shouts through slots in cell doors: Don't trust the Americans. Boycott."

U.S. general's posting to Pakistan cancelled - report
A quote...."WASHINGTON, May 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has dropped plans to assign the former commander of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Pakistan, after sharp criticism of his Guantanamo command in Pakistani media, the New York Times reported on Friday."

US image
A quote...."SOME of the questions put to Ambassador Anne W. Patterson at a meeting with corporate leaders in Karachi could provide her an inkling of why a strong anti-US sentiment continues to persist in Pakistan. Among other things, she was asked to explain why Washington opposed Islamabad's cooperation with Iran in a gas pipeline project which was badly needed to fulfil the country's energy needs, why it discriminated against Pakistan by not agreeing to cooperate with it in civilian nuclear technology as it has already done with India, and insisted on retaining President Musharraf after an unambiguous verdict was delivered against him in the February polls. Ambassador Patterson reminded those gathered at a function that besides military cooperation, the US had provided Islamabad $1bn every year since 9/11 and the economic assistance had "changed the everyday lives of Pakistanis in real and positive ways." The implication was that Pakistanis were being simply ungrateful."  --  Why don't we all call it what it is to someone with Ms. Patterson's colonial viewpoint....how about "white man's burden." - mpg

Keeping Secrets From the CIA -- Why was Langley cut out of clandestine meetings with Iranian informants?
A quote...."The Senate Intelligence Committee is about to release a report that sheds new light on "inappropriate" back-channel contacts between Pentagon officials and a group of Iranian informants—including a key figure from the Iran-contra affair."

Iran Blames US-Backed Monarchists for Shiraz Blast
A quote...." TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran on Thursday blamed Western-backed monarchists, who oppose the Islamic Republic, for an explosion that killed 13 people at a religious center in the southern city of Shiraz last month."  --  For more on the article shown above see....US Support of Terror - MEK - PKK - Others

Shell, Repsol not to pull out of Iran
A quote...."Royal Dutch/Shell and Spain's Repsol reportedly intend not to capitulate to US pressure by backing away from an energy project in Iran." --  For more regarding this issue see....The US is After Europe Too! - 03-23-08 - mpg

Brazil sees no Iranian threat, despite US warning [intimidation]
A quote...."RIO DE JANEIRO, May 9 (Reuters) - Brazil sees no threat from Iran, despite U.S. concerns that the Tehran government is courting allies in Latin America, Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said on Friday."

Thinking globally, acting locally
A quote...."More than 7,000 miles separate Chicago and Tehran. But on May 14, the city council of the American city will consider whether to take a stand on an event that would have far reaching consequences for residents of both: a US attack on Iran."

Clinton’s remark on Iran may haunt her
A quote...."On primary election day in her do-or-die state of Pennsylvania, presidential contender Mrs Hillary Clinton was asked how she would respond in the event of a nuclear attack on Israel by Iran. It was largely a hypothetical question but Clinton gave a startling response. She would "totally obliterate them."

Russian reinforcements join peacekeepers in Abkhazia-2
A quote...."MOSCOW, May 9 (RIA Novosti) - Russian peacekeepers deployed in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict zone to strengthen the Collective CIS Peace Keeping Force have started performing their duties, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said on Friday."

Egypt to open border with Gaza May 10 - source
A quote...."GAZA, May 9 (RIA Novosti) - Egypt has agreed to open its border for three to four days on Saturday to residents of Gaza, currently on the brink of a humanitarian crisis over Israel's economic blockade, an informed Palestinian security source said on Friday."

Bolivians to hold confidence vote
A quote...."The people of Bolivia are to hold a vote of confidence in the rule of their leftist President, Evo Morales, as he struggles to enact radical reform."

Polarizing Bolivia
A quote...."A vote for autonomy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia was passed by approximately 82% of voters on Sunday, May 4th. The vote endorses a move by Santa Cruz to, among other things, gain more control of gas reserves in the area and resist the central government’s break up of large land holdings. Clashes during the vote in Santa Cruz left 35 injured. One man died from asphyxiation due to tear gas fired by police forces. The vote and conflict marks a new phase in the polarization of Bolivia, and a new challenge for the region."

Olmert defies calls to resign over bribe probe - posted at CLG
A quote...."JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert defied a barrage of calls to resign on Friday after he admitted taking cash from an American businessman at the centre of a police inquiry into allegations of bribery."

E-Mails Show Derogatory Banter at Secret Service - posted at CLG
A quote...."WASHINGTON — Secret Service supervisors shared crude sexual jokes and engaged in racially derogatory banter about blacks, and passed around an anecdote about a possible assassination of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, according to internal e-mail disclosed in a federal court filing on Friday by lawyers for black Secret Service agents." -- Just remember, these are the guys that let the two Kennedy brothers get assassinated - mpg
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Citigroup to shed more than $400B
A quote...."NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- After months of poring over Citigroup's various business holdings, CEO Vikram Pandit delivered the massive restructuring plan that shareholders had been bracing for, revealing that the beleaguered bank would unload more than $400 billion in assets over the next few years."

Mortgage crisis seeps to prime loans
A quote...."The first concrete evidence that delinquencies on mortgage bills have spread well beyond those with subpar credit shows that even prime borrowers have increasingly fallen behind on their house payments. -- The figures remain relatively small so far. But if they rise further, delinquencies on prime loans — given only to those with good credit — could prolong the housing crisis."

Trade gap narrows to $58.2 billion on fewer imports - Real trade deficit lowest since 2003 in sign of weaker global growth -- A quote...."WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- In a sign of weaker global growth, both imports and exports fell sharply in March, driving the U.S. trade deficit down to $58.2 billion, the Commerce Department reported Friday."

Brazil’s April annualized inflation climbs to 5.04%
A quote...."Brazilian Consumer Prices Index experienced its biggest increase in four months in April, 0.55% (up from March’s 0.48%) because of higher food costs, according to the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, IBGE."


Neocons and the truth: Bitter enemies to the end
Must Read - A quote...."In a July, 2006 article in Rolling Stone -- entitled "Iran: The Next War" -- the superb journalist James Bamford detailed the shady activities of numerous neoconservatives inside and out of the U.S. Government to plan an attack on Iran. Bamford focused on the role played by Michael Ledeen of the American Enterprise Institute and National Review, who created and began implementing an attack scheme in coordination with the Pentagon's then number-three official, Doug Feith, and Feith's deputy, Larry Franklin (subsequently convicted of felonies for passing classified information to AIPAC)." -- Also posted at CommonDreams & ICH - Check out the comments - mpg

Big Oil Wants to Attack Iran
Must Read - A quote...."I believe that the real goal of the United States war against Iraq is to return to the "good old days" when the U.S. and some European countries totally plundered the resources of the Middle East. Five of the twelve largest corporations in the United States are oil monopolies. Before the rise of Arab nationalism and the anti-feudal revolutions that swept out colonialist regimes in Iraq and other Middle Eastem countries in the 1950s and 1960s, U.S., British, and Dutch oil companies owned Arab and Iranian oil fields outright. Between 1948 and 1960 U.S. oil companies received $13 billion in profit from their Persian Gulf holdings. That was half the return on all overseas investment by all U.S. companies in those years."

Is the United States of America Addicted to War?
A quote...."Mikhail Gorbachev is not a frivolous man. He was the Soviet leader who introduced the conceptual breakthrough of "mutual security" to Soviet-American relations, as well as the man who did more than any other individual to bring the Cold War to a peaceful conclusion. (See http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011231/uhler/single ) In my opinion, he ranks as the greatest statesman of the twentieth century (something I was able to tell him personally, when we talked in St. Petersburg, Russia in May 2006)." -- Also posted at OpEdNews

An 'Interview' With Smedley Butler
A quote...."General Butler is no longer with us in body but his spirit and his popularity live on. He left us a legacy in deeds and words which we have used to construct this imaginary interview that includes his verbatim words and paraphrased quotations. Much of what follows comes from General Butler's book War Is a Racket."

Beware the Psychopath, My Son....
A quote...."I make the effort to share this information because it gives me, at last, a plausible answer to a long-unanswered question: Why, no matter how much intelligent goodwill exists in the world, is there so much war, suffering and injustice? It doesn't seem to matter what creative plan, ideology, religion, or philosophy great minds come up with, nothing seems to improve our lot. Since the dawn of civilization, this pattern repeats itself over and over again. -- The answer is that civilization, as we know it, is largely the creation of psychopaths.

The Republican Dictatorship
A quote...."Ever since Ronald Reagan famously declared in his 1980 inaugural address that "government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem," Republicans have masqueraded as the party of limited government. Its leaders reflexively pledge to keep government off the backs of regular, hardworking Americans. Homage is paid to the wisdom and insight of the American people, which, Republicans endlessly insist, is far superior to the judgment of government officials."

America's Occupation Trumps the "Surge" and Petraeus' Counterinsurgency Manual
A quote...."As three months of news reports of escalating violence in Iraq undercut widespread American propaganda about the "surge's" success, increasing numbers of Americans, once again, are reaching the conclusion that the Bush administration's illegal, immoral and incompetent invasion and occupation of Iraq is a war that never should have been fought. According to the results of CNN/Opinion Research Poll reported on 1 May 2008, 68 percent of Americans now oppose George W. Bush's war in Iraq."

Choosing Sides (II): Killing Truth and Hope -- The Fatal Illusion of Opposition
Must Read - A quote...."You desperately need to understand this: the next President of the United States, no matter who it is, will enter office knowing that he or she can systematically and regularly authorize torture, order mass murder, direct the United States military to engage in one campaign of criminal conquest and genocide after another, oversee uncountable acts of inhumanity and barbarity -- and he or she will never be challenged or called to account in any manner whatsoever. It may have taken the Bush administration two terms to bring us to the point where such evils are committed and even boasted about in broad daylight, while almost no one even notices -- but this will be where the next President starts."

And You Thought It Was a War on "Terror" - A Brief Exposé of a Fraudulent War
A quote...."The "War on Terror" is a fraud and a façade, a mere label concocted and trumpeted by an Administration known for its signature dishonesty.  The label conceals the Bush Administration's international crimes of unprovoked military aggression-the armed invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, two sovereign nations the Administration meant to attack from its first days in office.[1]"

Neocons Admit that "War On Terror" Is a Hoax
A quote...."Key war on terror architect Douglas Feith has now confirmed Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz and Wesley Clark in admitting that the so-called War on Terror is a hoax. -- In fact, starting right after 9/11 -- at the latest -- the goal has always been to create "regime change" and instability in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Lebanon so as to protect Israel. And the goal was never really to destroy Al Qaeda." -- Of course not, they need Al Qaeda. - mpg -- For more on this issue see....The Plan -- according to U.S. General Wesley Clark (Ret.) - (YouTube - 1 min 37 sec - Added:  March 17, 2007)
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Our New Foreign Policy: Blame Iran
A quote...."I don't believe a word this administration says about Iran. We hear the Iranians are just moments away from flipping the switch on a nuclear weapons program. Then a national intelligence estimate discredits that theory. We hear they are funneling arms to the Iraqi insurgency and "special groups" (by the way, can we please go back to calling them militias? "Special groups" sounds like Pentagon-speak). Yet, as Time magazine recently reported, "the U.S. allegations appear to be based on speculation, spurred by the appearance about a year ago of a new breed of roadside bomb in Iraq." We hear they are arming the Taliban, their longtime nemesis, in Afghanistan, with the interest of destabilizing that country. Again, on this latest charge, be very skeptical."

IRAQ: The elusive Iranian weapons
Special Note - The Pentagon gets it wrong (i.e. they lied), again! -- What a surprise. - mpg -- A quote...."There was something interesting missing from Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner's introductory remarks to journalists at his regular news briefing in Baghdad on Wednesday: the word "Iran," or any form of it. It was especially striking as Bergner, the U.S. military spokesman here, announced the extraordinary list of weapons and munitions that have been uncovered in recent weeks since fighting erupted between Iraqi and U.S. security forces and Shiite militiamen."

For more on the two articles shown above see....Fake Intel/Propaganda - IED's & EFP's
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Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Thursday roundup - 6 articles - [Day 2]

Hezbollah says Beirut government declares war
War Warning - A quote...."May 08, 2008 09:43 EST -- BEIRUT, May 8 (Reuters) - The Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah said on Thursday the U.S.-supported Beirut government had declared war by targeting its communications network. -- Hezbollah launched a new street campaign on Wednesday, piling pressure on the government after it declared the network illegal and removed the head of airport security, a figure close to the group, from his post."

Sectarian street clashes in Beirut boil up into gunbattles
A quote...."Running gunbattles raged in parts of Beirut on Thursday after the leader of Hezbollah accused Lebanon's Western-backed government of declaring war on his Shiite militant group. At least four people were killed and eight wounded in the capital."

Lebanon on brink of civil war
A quote...."Lebanon stands on the brink of all-out civil war. A general strike by the leading trade union to protest rising prices and demand an increase in the minimum wage has led to armed conflict between the pro-Western Sunni and Druze-based government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the Shia-based Hezbollah and its ally, Amal."

Robert Fisk: Lebanon descends into chaos as rival leaders order general strike
A quote...."Thursday, 8 May 2008 -- Burning tyres on the airport road, flights suspended, demands from the Druze leader Walid Jumblatt that Hizbollah moves secret cameras from runway 1-7 and end the militia's equally secret underground communications equipment. Across Corniche Mazraa, crowds of shrieking Sunni and Shia Muslims hurl abuse and stones at each other. A soldier comes up to my car at the crossroads. "Turn round," he shouts. "They're shooting." -- Also posted at CommonDreams

Hezbollah piles pressure on Lebanese government
A quote...."08/05/2008 15:02 -- BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iranian-backed Hezbollah tightened its grip on Beirut airport on Thursday, piling pressure on Lebanon’s U.S.-supported government on the second day of a protest campaign that has triggered gun battles."

Hezbollah seizes large parts of Beirut
A quote...."Fri May 9, 2008 7:02am BST -- BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hezbollah gunmen took control of large areas of Beirut on Friday in a third day of fighting between the pro-Iranian group and fighters loyal to the U.S.-backed governing coalition."

Special Note - Phase one was Cheney's go ahead to Maliki to launch their attack against Sadr's political party, phase two as detailed in the articles shown above is Fouad Siniora's attack, which he would only launch with approval from the US and Israel, against Hezbollah in Lebanon, phase three will be the long awaited attack against Iran....as such this new outbreak of violence in Lebanon is considered a War Warning. - mpg

Phase Two, Siniora's the US's and Israel's new war in Lebanon - Thursday roundup - [Day 2]
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Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Thursday round-up - 4 articles - [ Day 45 ]

Residents says Iraqi soldiers warn them to leave Sadr City
A quote...."BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi soldiers for the first time warned residents in the embattled Sadr City district to leave their houses Thursday, signaling a new push by the U.S.-backed forces against Shiite extremist who have been waging street battles for seven weeks."

Sadr City Residents Warned to Leave;
A Juan Cole round-up -  A quote...."Friday, May 09, 2008 -- The Iraqi military has warned civilians to leave the vast slum of Sadr City, apparently in preparation for a massive government assault on the Mahdi Army militia based there. Since slum dwellers notoriously lack the means to leave their slums, this call seems more likely to be for the sake of appearances than a realistic expectation. When thousands are massacred in the course of a military attack on a densely packed civilian area, the authorities will be able to say that they gave fair warning. Although the US demonizes the Mahdi Army, Many Sadr City residents view it as in part a charitable organization, and they also are often grateful for the security it provides. It is not as if the federal government is providing security."

UN officials urge swift passage of aid to Sadr City
A quote...."UN aid officials in Iraq yesterday expressed growing concern for the plight of civilians caught up in fighting between Shia militiamen and US and Iraqi forces in Baghdad's Sadr City area, saying they needed swift access to food, water and medicines."

Maliki closes Sadr radio station
A quote...."BAGHDAD, May 8 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered a halt Thursday to broadcasts from the al-Ahad radio station of Moqtada Sadr as residents flee escalating violence."

Phase One, Cheney's and Maliki's new war in Iraq - Thursday round-up  - [ Day 45 ]
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Pentagon Releases Propaganda Documents -- Will the Media Pay Attention?
A quote...."Eight thousand pages of documents related to the Pentagon's illegal propaganda campaign, known as the Pentagon military analyst program, are now online for the world to see, although in a format that makes it impossible to easily search them and therefore difficult to read and dissect. This trove includes the documents pried out of the Pentagon by David Barstow and used as the basis for his stunning investigation that appeared in the New York Times on April 20, 2008." -- For more on this issue see....Fake Intel/Propaganda - NYT Article

US judge orders CIA to turn over 'torture' memo-ACLU
A quote...."NEW YORK, May 8 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge ordered the Central Intelligence Agency on Thursday to submit to the court a 2002 memo said to specify harsh interrogation methods used on suspected terrorists held abroad."

Arizona Senator Karen Johnson: 'We deserve the full truth about 9/11'
A quote...."After three government investigations and more than six years, we still don't have answers on 9/11. -- Why, for example, did Building 7 collapse? It wasn't hit by a plane, as the towers were. The 9/11 Commission Report completely ignores Building 7. The Federal Emergency Management Agency report discounts fire as a cause and concludes that the reasons for the collapse of Building 7 are unknown and require further research. But when FEMA issued this report, it already cleared the site and disposed of the dust and steel (evidence from a crime scene), thus possibly committing a felony and complicating any "further research."
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9/11 - From The History File...Photographic Analysis of Damage to WTC7 and Critical Errors in NIST's Estimations
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To Understand Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Recall Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
A quote...."Today, Senator Barack Obama felt compelled to disassociate himself from his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Not only from the snippets of Rev. Wright's sermons - largely taken out of context by vile humans like Sean Hannity at FOX News, in order to smear Senator Obama - but also from his speech at the National Press Club yesterday, as well as from anything Rev. Wright might say in the future. It appears to be an irreparable breach."

Gaza improvises under siege
A quote...."JERUSALEM/GAZA, 6 May (IRIN) - Intense political divisions in the Gaza Strip have split people on most issues, except one: the situation has never been worse, nearly everyone agrees."

Russian parliament confirms Putin as prime minister
A quote...."Vladimir Putin was named prime minister of Russia Thursday after a fervent speech full of ambitious plans that overshadowed his low-key successor and suggested that he will keep a strong hand in ruling the country."

Medvedev takes over Russian presidency, nominates Putin as PM
Related Video - A quote..."Medvedev takes over Russian presidency, nominates Putin as PM"

The winds of Fascism blowing across Europe
A quote...."ROME -- I feel sick. -- She says I’m sick in the head. -- Actually I’m sick in the heart, sick in my viscera. My head reels, I feel chronic vertigo. -- She says it’s only paranoia. -- I tell her the old Polish joke popular during the military regime. He constantly felt spied on, tailed everywhere, his phone tapped, his mail read. His friends said he was nuts. His wife sent him to an analyst. As it turned out, his friends, his wife, his analyst were right: it was only the secret police."
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Autonomy Proposed in State Legislature of Venezuelan Oil State Zulia
A quote...."Mérida, May 8, 2008 (venezuelanalysis.com)-- On Tuesday, state legislators from the opposition political party A New Time (Un Nuevo Tiempo) in the oil-rich state of Zulia, Venezuela, proposed a feasibility study for potential autonomy from the federal government, which they compared to the autonomy efforts in Bolivia’s wealthiest province, Santa Cruz, last Sunday."

Leaders Warn of Autonomy Attempts in Venezuela, Ecuador
A quote...." CARACAS, May 6 (IPS) - Presidents Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and Rafael Correa of Ecuador warned of possible "contagion" in their countries by the autonomy movement in the eastern Bolivian province of Santa Cruz. -- "The central plan by the CIA (U.S. Central Intelligence Agency) and its lackeys in Venezuela is to take control of regional governments to carry out illegal referendums like the one held (Sunday in favour of autonomy) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. But we will defeat that plan!" said Chávez.

Uribe Would Be Involved in the “Final Offensive” Against Venezuela
A quote...."First published April 25, 2008 -- The so-called “final offensive” against Venezuela (the purpose of which is to take President Chávez out of power) is being planned presumably from Colombia, and would be executed by that country’s army, according to agreements between Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and “the known agent of the intelligence services of the United States,” William Brownfield.

Venezuela's oil reserves swell to 130 bln barrels
A quote...."Venezuela's proven crude oil reserves had swelled to 130 billion barrels as of late April, marking a rise of 30 billion from its prior estimate, energy and oil minister Rafael Ramirez said Thursday."

Regarding the four articles shown above....Hence the US's re-establishment of the "Fourth Fleet" - mpg
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Aping
A quote...."On good days, politics is 95% primate screeching and hooting. On bad days it's 100%. This is why I hate and fear politics so deeply. - In any case, the New York Times Freakonomics blogg has an interesting interview with Frans "Bonobo" de Waal that touches on primate politics:"

Euro zone and Bank of England leave rates unchanged
A quote...."The European Central Bank kept on Thursday interest rates for the 15-nation Euro bloc steady at 4% amid increasing signs that economic growth is winding down. ECB signaled that it was not in a rush to cut rates, as it forecast inflation would stay "high for a protracted period of time"."

Euro Falls to Eight-Week Low Against Dollar Before ECB Meeting
A quote...."The euro fell to an eight-week low against the dollar and had its biggest decline in almost two months versus the yen on speculation the European Central Bank will signal concern today that economic growth is slowing."
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Survey shows US honey bee deaths increased over last year
A quote...."A survey of bee health released Tuesday revealed a grim picture, with 36.1 percent of the nation's commercially managed hives lost since last year."

Agrobacterium & Morgellons Disease, A GM Connection?
A quote...."Preliminary findings suggest a link between Morgellons Disease and Agrobacterium, a soil bacterium extensively manipulated and used in making GM crops; has genetic engineering created a new epidemic? "