rapsheet-122409-links

Update on Our Brave New Slavery: Yes, It Applies to American Citizens, Too
--- http://www.chris-floyd.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1893-update-on-our-brave-new-slavery-yes-it-applies-to-american-citizens-too.html
Must Read - A quote...."I wrote a piece here a few days ago --- http://www.chris-floyd.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1887-dred-scott-redux-
obama-and-the-supremes-stand-up-for-slavery.html --- on a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, in which the justices agreed with the passionate plea of the Obama Administration to uphold -- and establish as legal precedent -- some of the most egregious of the Bush Administration's authoritarian perversions. This was the gist of the ruling:"

"The Supreme Court acquiesced to the president's fervent request and, in a one-line ruling, let stand a lower court decision that declared torture an ordinary, expected consequence of military detention, while introducing a shocking new precedent for all future courts to follow: anyone who is arbitrarily declared a "suspected enemy combatant" by the president or his designated minions is no longer a "person." They will simply cease to exist as a legal entity. They will have no inherent rights, no human rights, no legal standing whatsoever -- save whatever modicum of process the government arbitrarily deigns to grant them from time to time, with its ever-shifting tribunals and show trials."

"One of the attorneys involved in the case rightly likened the ruling to the infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision, in which the Court declared that any person of African descent brought to the United States as a slave -- or their descendants, even if they had been freed -- could never be citizens of the United States and were not protected by the Constitution. They were non-persons under the law; sub-humans."
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Iran Nuke Document Was Forged - Just Like Iraqi "Yellow Cake" Document
--- http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/2009/12/iran-nuke-document-was-forged.html
More on AIPAC's, Rupert Murdoch's and the NYT's propaganda fiasco. - mpg -- A quote...."Former CIA official Philip Giraldi says ---
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49833 --- that:"

"U.S. intelligence has concluded that the document published recently by the Times of London, which purportedly describes an Iranian plan to do experiments on what the newspaper described as a "neutron initiator" for an atomic weapon, is a fabrication."

Like the Nigerian "yellow cake" forgery, U.S. intelligence had to have known the Iranian document was a forgery, and yet failed to debunk either."
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Saudi army 'kills' 50 civilians in Yemen --- http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=114887&sectionid=351020205
A quote...."Houthi fighters in Yemen said Tuesday a dozen airstrikes carried out by Saudi warplanes have left more 50 civilians dead in the northern villages. -- Based on a report released by the fighters, Saudi forces hit the northern villages with "hundreds of rockets", killing at least 50 civilians overnight. -- The report said the Saudi army also used its ground forces to push into a district inside Yemen on Monday."
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More on the US-NRE's attempted "lap-bomber" false-flag fiasco

Source: CIA failed to circulate report about bombing suspect --- http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/29/airline.terror.cia/
A quote...."(CNN) -- The father of terrorism suspect Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab talked about his son's extremist views with someone from the CIA and a report was prepared, but the report was not circulated outside the agency, a reliable source told CNN's Jeanne Meserve on Tuesday. -- Had that information been shared, the 23-year-old Nigerian who is alleged to have bungled an attempt to blow up a jetliner as it was landing in Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day might have been denied passage on the Northwest Airlines flight, the source said." -- But than we couldn't have AIPAC's butt-kisser "Bombs Away O-Bomb-a" murder hundreds (soon to be tens of thousands) of Houthis....now could we? - mpg
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Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by U.S.
--- http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/northwest-flight-253-al-qaeda-leaders-terror-plot/story?id=9434065
A quote...."American officials agreed to send the two terrorists from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia, where they entered into an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and were set free, according to U.S. and Saudi officials. ABC News described their enrollment in the art therapy program in a January report. (See video to the left.)" -- bold/underline by website editor - Oh My Goodness, they were Saudi citizens! What a surprise! Who would have thunk it! Pretty soon the Saudi Royals will even get them to confess on que....think of that folks! - mpg

For more on this sort of issue see....US-False Flag Ops - Detroit's "Lap-Bomber" ---
http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/weblists/falseflagops-weblist-mpg-082006#LAPBOMBER --- Updated!!
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Lithuanian Parliamentary Commission Confirms Presence of CIA Prisons --- http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=16685
A quote...."The parliamentary enquiry into the CIA’s activities in Lithuania commenced its investigations following a US media report in August revealing that the agency had organised a secret facility near the capital of Vilnius. It now emerges that at least two sites were established on Lithuania soil—the first of which was already operational in 2002. This admission by Lithuania parliamentarians is the first official confirmation by a European country that it housed such CIA detention centres."
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Israel fails to calm Dutch anger over 'nerve gas' crash
--- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/israel-fails-to-calm-dutch-anger-over-nerve-gas-crash-1176130.html
A quote...."IT WAS around Songs of Praise time on a Sunday evening. The residents of the Bijlmermeer flats would probably have been pottering around at home, getting dinner, thinking about the week ahead, watching TV. There was a good football match on; top Dutch clubs Eindhoven and Feyenoord were playing."
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Pimco CEO: We're Trained to Think the "Farther You Fall, The Higher You'll Bounce Back. We're Hostage to the V"-Shaped Recovery Model
--- http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/2009/12/pimco-chief-executive-were-trained-to.html
Chart -- A quote...."Barton Biggs and Marc Faber think that investors should move out of bonds and back into stocks. - On the other hand, the chief executive officer of bond giant Pimco - Mohamed El-Erian - says that most financial managers, investment officers and economists are erroneously assuming this will be a V-shaped recovery because they are "fighting the last war" instead of looking at what is really happening in the economy:" -- also posted at ZeroHedge
--- http://www.zerohedge.com/article/pimco-ceo-were-trained-think-farther-you-fall-higher-youll-bounce-back-were-hostage-v-shaped
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A third of Florida banks `problematic' or `troubled' --- http://www.miamiherald.com/business/economy/story/1395256.html
A quote...." About 36 percent of all Florida banks are ``problematic'' or ``troubled'' -- three times the national average -- according to a report released by BauerFinancial, a Coral Gables research firm. - BauerFinancial reported that the number of banks headquartered in the state that received two stars or less grew from 99 in the second quarter to 106 in the third quarter."
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You Fail at Failed Treasury Auctions --- http://www.zerohedge.com/article/you-fail-failed-treasury-auctions
A quote...."For some reason Zero Hedge is prone to take a great deal of heat (both directly radiated and reflected) whenever we opine on the (rather obvious to us) prospect that interest rates might actually (quelle surprise) rise in this environment. Today, rather than engage in "we told you so" gloating, or endure the repetitive pleadings of commentators that this or that Treasury auction was really a success if you just look a little deeper at the figures, we'll just quote Bloomberg quoting other fixed income observers on today's auction of two years, in an article "ambiguously" titled "U.S. 2-Year Yields Highest Since October After $44 Billion Sale."
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As US power dwindles, Middle East politics will continue to shift
--- http://mondoweiss.net/2009/12/as-us-power-dwindles-middle-east-politics-will-continue-to-shift.html
Must Read - A quote...."I believe the Middle East is experiencing broad strategic political realignments, with insurgent forces gaining in strength, and entrenched forces entering a period of stagnation. Unsurprisingly, the regional flux is being driven by the decline of empire, and the attendant regional state opportunism. If current trends continue, the next decade will likely see a regionally diminished Egypt, an increasingly isolated Israel, and eventually less American interventionism and sponsorship. Concurrently, Syrian power and prestige will increase, Lebanon will consolidate Hezbollah’s moral authority, and Turkey will increasingly emphasize its Eastern and Islamic roots to enhance its regional role. What happens in Iran depends in large part on whether America and Israel attack, I believe. The assumption that the American empire is in decline is crucial to this analysis, so it’s worth spending time explaining its basis."
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Fighting for the Family of Man --- http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24272.htm
Contains Video - (previously posted) --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akm3nYN8aG8 --- A quote...."December 28, 2009 "Information Clearing House" -- The American people are slowly waking-up to what we are. We are a Nation that has surrendered our right to determine our own destiny for the promise of a job, a nice home, or healthcare that we can afford. We think that we are still the same people who volunteered to fight a war against an obvious evil because it was the right thing to do, but that is no longer who we are."
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One Day We’ll All Be Terrorists --- http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/one_day_well_all_be_terrorists_20091228/
posted at Truth Dig --- https://truthdig.wiredforchange.com/o/5225/t/3899/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2264
A quote...."This corruption of our legal system, if history is any guide, will not be reserved by the state for suspected terrorists, or even Muslim Americans. In the coming turmoil and economic collapse, it will be used to silence all who are branded as disruptive or subversive."
also posted at ICH --- http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24273.htm
& AmericanEveryman --- http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/one-day-we-will-all-be-terrorists/
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Can We Rescue the Republic Before the Dark Politics Take Over? - posted at Alternet --- https://www.alternet.org/donate/09GEN/
--- http://www.alternet.org/politics/144809/can_we_rescue_the_republic_before_the_dark_politics_take_over_?page=entire
A quote...."Those captivated by the cult of celebrity do not examine voting records or compare verbal claims with written and published facts and reports," Hedges writes. "The reality of their world is whatever the latest cable news show, political leader, advertiser, or loan officer says is reality. The illiterate, semiliterate, and those who live as though they are illiterate are effectively cut off from the past. They live in an eternal present. They do not understand the predatory loan deals that drive them into foreclosure and bankruptcy. They cannot decipher the fine print on credit card agreements that plunge them into unmanageable debt. They repeat thought-terminating clichés and slogans. They seek refuge in familiar brands and labels. ... Life is a state of permanent amnesia, a world in search of new forms of escapism and quick, sensual gratification."
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More on the US-NRE's attempted "lap-bomber" false-flag fiasco

The Lap Bomber Mystery --- http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2009/12/27/the-lap-bomber-mystery/
A quote...."It just wouldn’t be Christmas in the age of terror if we didn’t have a visitation, ostensibly from al-Qaeda, now would it? ‘Tis the season, and all that. Recall Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber," arrested on December 22, 2001, for trying to blow up American Airlines flight 63, coming into Miami from Paris. As in the current case involving one Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian, the explosive used was PETN, also known as pentaerythritol: Reid, like Umar, was subdued by passengers and airline attendants, and, to add yet another touch of déjà vu, Reid’s stunt led to the imposition of the take-off-your-shoes rule at airport security, just as Umar’s midair antics have now inspired the Transportation Safety Authority to inaugurate a spate of new regulations: nothing in your lap, please, and no getting up from your seat for a solid hour before landing."
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The Boogieman Comes to Detroit for Christmas --- http://careandwashingofthebrain.blogspot.com/2009/12/boogieman-comes-to-detroit-for.html
Just when an article comes out showing nearly ALL US intelligence agencies played for a bunch of fools about hidden messages, an 'al Qaeda' type sneaks onto an airliner and tries to ignite some firecrackers. -- The 'Cartoon News Network' and FUX have been running non-stop with this story for the last three days. -- The Swine Flu thingee didn't scare us enough and the ruse to use the climate as an excuse to throttle the world with one government kinda blew up, so it's back to the old 'al Qaeda' made me do it to put the cattle into the proper mindset: FEAR."
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Did Northwest Atempted Bomber Mutallab Get On Plane Without Passport?
--- http://chattahbox.com/world/2009/12/28/did-northwest-atempted-bomber-mutallab-get-on-plane-without-passport/
A quote...."(ChattahBox) — This could turn into a shocking security lapse if true. A Michigan man Kurt Haskell, who flew on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit believes he witnessed alleged terrorist bomber, Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, trying to board the plane earlier in the day without a passport. Haskell said he was sitting with his wife playing cards directly in front of the check in counter in Amsterdam, when an Indian man in a nicely dressed suit around age 50 approached the counter with who he believes to be Mutallab. He noted the two of them were an odd pair and the older Indian man said referring to Mutallab: -- This man needs to get on this flight and he has no passport.” The ticket agent said “you can’t board without a passport”. The Indian man then replied, “He is from Sudan, we do this all the time.” The ticket agent then said “You will have to talk to my manager”, and sent the two down a hallway. Haskell said, I never saw the Indian man again as he wasn’t on the flight."
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US investigates why jet bomb suspect still had visa --- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8432934.stm
A quote...."The US homeland security secretary has demanded to know how the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a jet had a visa despite being on a watch list." -- also posted at WarInIraq --- http://www.iraq-war.ru/article/214026
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Terror suspect was on UK, US watch list --- http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=114828&sectionid=3510203
A quote...."The Nigerian terror suspect, who made a failed attempt to detonate a bomb on a plane on Christmas day, has been on UK and US terrorist watch lists." -- See also....
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Flight 253 passenger: Sharp-dressed man aided terror suspect Umar Farouk - posted 12-27-09
--- http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/12/flight_253_passenger_says_at_l.html
Alt --- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/cachedfiles/flight253passenger-sharrison-mlive-cached-122709
Northwest Bomb Plot 'Oddities' - posted 12-27-09
--- http://www.legitgov.org/northwest_bomb_plot_oddities.html
The FBI Says This “Ball-Bomber” is Proof that Obama Was Right to Kill Innocent Civilians.... - posted 12-26-09
--- http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/the-fbi-says-this-ball-bomber-is-proof-that-obama-was-right-to-kill-innocent-civilians-in-yemen/
Instant Karma: New US War Target Gets Its Own Terror Icon - posted 12-26-09
--- http://www.chris-floyd.com/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1891-instant-karma-new-us-war-target-gets-its-own-terror-icon.html
Al-Qaeda Wannabe Kept ‘Bomb’ on His Lap - posted 12-26-09
--- http://news.antiwar.com/2009/12/26/flight-253-attacker-kept-explosive-device-on-his-lap/
So Why Did President Obama Try to Kill a Witness in Yemen - posted 12-26-09
--- http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/so-why-did-president-obama-try-to-kill-a-witness-in-yemen/
Airline bomber was barred from Britain - posted 12-26-09
--- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6968539.ece

For more on this sort of issue see....US-False Flag Ops - Detroit's "Lap-Bomber" --- Updated!!
   --- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/weblists/falseflagops-weblist-mpg-082006#LAPBOMBER
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FBI's polite NO for extradition of Headley to India --- http://www.ptinews.com/news/442336_FBI-s-polite-NO-for-extradition-of-Headley-to-India
Special Note - Full quote...."New Delhi, Dec 27 (PTI) The FBI has politely turned down India's request for extradition of terror suspect David Headley to this country on the ground he will have to first undergo a sentence which could be imposed on him in the US for the offences committed if convicted. -- Indian officials were told there was no realistic possibility of the Pakistani-American being handed over since the sentence could range between 200 and 300 years of imprisonment. -- The US stand was conveyed to the Indian investigators by the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) officials during their regular interaction to discuss the case related to Headley, whose links with the banned Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) were being probed by the two countries, official sources said here today."
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Headly, the CIA, Nariman House, False Flag Ops --- http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2009/12/headley-cia-nariman-house-false-flag.html
Alt --- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/cachedfiles/headleythecianarimanhousefalseflagops-aangirfan-cached-122809
Special Note - A quote...."It could be argued that the Mumbai attacks of 2008 were carried out by the CIA and its friends. -- Attacks of this kind are normally the work of the security services. (False flag operations from Amman to Zambia) ---
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2008/09/false-flag-operations-from-amman-to.html

For more on this issue see....Just Give it a Rest OK!! - 11-27-09 - mpg
--- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/blotterminiblogs/justgiveitarestok-mpg-reficultnias-112709
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Obama Continues to Privatize America's Imperial Wars
--- http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/obama-continues-privatize-americas-imperial-wars
posted at BAR --- http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/happy-holidays-bar-needs-your-help
Must Read - Contains Audio - A quote...."The Pentagon has methodically insulated its wars from most of U.S. civil society. “For the United States, war has devolved to a matter of contracts, a multi-trillion dollar cash cow for corporations, a self-perpetuating financial bubble that feeds the planet’s most dangerous and nonproductive, useless classes.” The mercenary is the ideal corporate warrior."
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Joe Lieberman: How About Another War? --- http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/509825/joe_lieberman_how_about_another_war
A quote...."Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who began openly and aggressively angling for a war with Iraq just weeks after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, is using the thwarted Christmas Day attack on a Northwest Airlines flight as an excuse to open a new discussion about a new war." -- also posted at CommonDreams --- http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/28-7
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Arab Dictatorships Take 4 of Top 5 Spots in Purchase of U.S. Weapons and Services
--- http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Arab_Dictatorships_Take_4_of_Top_5_Spots_in_Purchase_of_US_Weapons_and_Services_91228
A quote...."Most of the leading buyers of American military hardware in 2008 had two characteristics in common: they speak Arabic and their governments are opposed to democracy and basic freedoms. Information compiled by the Congressional Research Service revealed that the biggest recipients of U.S. arms sales last year were (in order): the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Egypt. With the exception of the popularly-elected government in Baghdad, all of these American military partners are ruled by autocratic or theocratic regimes." -- also posted at BLN
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Israeli Role in Desroying Iraq --- http://nebuchadnezzar-ii.blogspot.com/2009/12/israeli-role-in-desroying-iraq.html
Must Read - A quote...."This is a speech by Former Israeli Security Minister Avi Dechter on 4th, September 2008 at the Research Institute of the Israeli national Security." - also posted at Uruknet --- http://www.uruknet.de/index.php?p=m61543&hd=&size=1&l=e --- For more on this issue see....It Will Happen Every Single Time - 01-01-08 - mpg --- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/rapsheetarch/mpgrap-122407-010108#EVERY_TIME
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U.S. Intelligence Found Iran Nuke Document Was Forged --- http://ipsnorthamerica.net/news.php?idnews=2758
Must Read -- A quote...."WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (IPS) - U.S. intelligence has concluded that the document published recently by the Times of London, which purportedly describes an Iranian plan to do experiments on what the newspaper described as a "neutron initiator" for an atomic weapon, is a fabrication, according to a former Central Intelligence Agency official." - also posted at AftrDwngSt --- http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/48781
& CommonDreams --- http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/28-6 --- For more on this sort of issue see....US Fake Intel / Propaganda
   --- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/weblists/fakeintell-weblist-mpg-090206
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Afghanistan's Karzai slams killing of 10 civilians --- http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE5BR1GX20091228
A quote...."ASADABAD, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday condemned the killing of 10 civilians in an attack in the remote northeast on Saturday night and promised an investigation."
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The massacre at Kunduz and the policy of targeted killings --- http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/dec2009/pers-d28.shtml
A quote...."The massacre which took place at the beginning of September in Kunduz, Afghanistan, taking the lives of up to 142 people, continues to dominate the German media. But while considerable attention is given to what happened and the cover-up which followed, barely anything has been said about the political, historical and international implications of the bloodiest military strike ordered by a German commander since 1945."
also posted at Uruknet --- http://www.uruknet.de/index.php?p=m61532&hd=&size=1&l=e
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US missiles mow down 13 in Pakistan --- http://www.iraq-war.ru/article/213993
A quote...."US drone attacks continue to claim lives in the Pakistani border area of North Waziristan amid Washington's failure to push Islamabad into major offensives on the area. -- The surveillance aircraft on Saturday attacked the Saidgi village in the tribal area reportedly killing 13 people, AFP reported. The raid marked the third of such attacks over the past ten days." - From PressTV --- http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=114759&sectionid=351020401
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Iran crackdown on protesters leaves 15 killed --- http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=36384
A quote...."TEHRAN - Eight people were killed during anti-government protests in Tehran, the state-run English language Press TV said Monday quoting a senior security official. -- Iranian state television earlier gave a contradictory toll of at least 15 killed."
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Russia Warns of Oil Cut-Off to Europe Over Dispute With Ukraine
--- http://www.businessweek.com/news/2009-12-28/russia-warns-of-oil-cut-off-to-europe-over-dispute-with-ukraine.html
A quote...."Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) — Russia warned it may cut off oil supplies to Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic because of a dispute with Ukraine over transit of the commodity, the Slovak government said. -- Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko notified the European Union of the possible stoppage, the Slovak government said in a statement today, citing an official letter it received from the European Commission, the EU’s executive body. -- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called an emergency meeting of the country’s Security Council to discuss the warning. He and Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek will speak in a press conference later today, the statement said." - From Bloomberg --- http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ai4A1SCtG4vo&pos=6
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Oil crisis: uprisings from Nigeria to Peru --- http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/06/oil_crisis_uprisings_from_nige_1.html
A quote...."In the past few days, the wars over the world’s natural resources have been rekindled from the Amazon to the Niger Delta. -- This week, a landmark legal settlement brought a decisive, though partial, end to a bloody chapter in the history of Nigeria’s Ogoni people."
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

A cold, lonely place called dishonour --- http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/84937
Must Read - A quote...."On December 27 2008 Israel launched a murderous air assault against 1.5 million men, women and children in the most overcrowded piece of land on Earth - the Gaza Strip. -- Starved, besieged, yet unbowed, they could do nothing except endure as the bombs and missiles rained down, targeting hospitals, schools, civic buildings, homes, police stations and even UN compounds where people had sought sanctuary. -- Israel's bombs sought and found their victims, incinerating and blowing to smithereens young and old alike, while Tel Aviv attempted to convince the world that every effort was being made to avoid civilian casualties in what it described as a military operation to root out terrorism and provide security for its citizens. -- Yet as Albert Camus once warned, the welfare of the people has always been the alibi of tyrants." -- also posted at Uruknet --- http://www.uruknet.de/index.php?p=m61544&hd=&size=1&l=e
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Palestinian Journalist Remembers Israel’s Assault on Gaza --- http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/28/crackdown_in_iran_up_to_12
A quote...."One year ago this weekend, Israel began its twenty-two-day assault on the Gaza Strip. Dubbed “Operation Cast Lead,” 1,400 Palestinians and thirteen Israelis were killed in what was Israel’s deadliest attack on Palestinians. We look back on Operation Cast Lead with Palestinian journalist Sami Abu Salem, who was in Gaza during the assault. [includes rush transcript]"
|| Real Video Stream || --- http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2009/dec/video/dnB20091228a.rm&proto=rtsp&start=00:22:24
|| Real Audio Stream || --- http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2009/dec/audio/dn20091228.ra&proto=rtsp&start=00:22:24
|| MP3 Download || --- http://media.libsyn.com/media/democracynow/dn2009-1228-1.mp3
|| More… || --- http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/28/stream
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“The world’s largest Open Air Prison:” Gaza’s Shrinking Borders
--- http://rupeenews.com/2009/12/27/%E2%80%9Cthe-world%E2%80%99s-largest-open-air-prison%E2%80%9D-gaza%E2%80%99s-shrinking-borders/
A quote...."Forty-two years of military occupation and sixteen years of the Oslo Process have made Gaza a smaller place. Already one of the most densely-populated strips of land in the world, its population has grown during this period from less than 360,000 in 1967 to 1.5 million today. Meanwhile, its borders have not only become more impermeable, but they have been progressively closing in on what some have called “the world’s largest open air prison.”
also posted at BLN --- http://www.blacklistednews.com/news-6820-0-25-25--.html
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Viva Palestina Heading to Syria --- http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com/2009/12/viva-palestina-heading-to-syria.html
They have now decided after Turkish intervention with Egypt to travel to Syria in an attempt to enter as Egypt as supposedly "offered." We will see if Egypt keeps it's word, don't hold your breath on this one:
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Israel Suffering Withdrawal Symptoms --- http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com/2009/12/israel-suffering-withdrawl-symptoms.html
Like a heroin addict, Israel, unable to quench their need for murder, the ZOF crossed the border into Palestine and committed crimes against the citizens. Destroying land, farms, and shooting and killing civilians. And...........no world power gives a sh-t."
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The Occupied West Bank Latroun Villages --- http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2009/12/28/the-occupied-west-bank-latroun-villages
A quote...."On June 6, 1967, when Israeli forces invaded Gaza and the West Bank, on the second day of the so-called Six-Day War (June 5 - 10, 1967), they entered three Palestinian villages in the Latroun salient - Imwas, Yalo and Beit Nouba, forcibly expelling the residents, numbering over 10,000 at the time. By the next day, most were gone while Israel began razing village lands and erasing their memory in an area well-known for its water resources and fertility, located northwest of Jerusalem along the Green Line. One soldier at the time explained that they:"
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Israeli tanks invade areas in northern and southern Gaza Strip --- http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=57485
Related Article - A quote...."In two separate attacks, Israeli tanks invaded on Monday areas close to the northern and southern Gaza Israeli borders. - The first invasion took place on Monday morning when tanks and bulldozers rolled into farm lands near Khan Younis town southern Gaza. - Witnesses said that tanks opened fire at resident homes while bulldozers damaged crops. No injuires were reported."
also posted at Uruknet --- http://www.uruknet.de/index.php?p=m61533&hd=&size=1&l=e
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[Press TV] Protests in Turkey, Commemorating 1st Anniversary of Gaza War - (YuTb - 2m24s - 12/28/09)
--- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqLHIl7vQNg&feature=sub
PTV-Video - Action Update - A quote...."Protests in Turkey commemorating the first anniversary of the 22 day Gaza War where the weak and cowardly Zionist Stormtroopers murdered over 1400 innocents, many of them women and children. The protests were also in solidarity with the Palestinians. Aired on 28th December 2009"
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Portuguese activists fight state water company deal with Israel's Mekorot --- http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10971.shtml
posted at Electronic Intifada --- http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10951.shtml
Action Update - A quote...."In October, EPAL, Portugal's state water company, announced a deal with Mekorot, Israel's state water company. An intern who responded to the news by informing colleagues of Mekorot's role in Israel's discriminatory water policies and assistance in its violation of international law was immediately sacked. News of the firing has inspired Palestine solidarity activists to campaign to end the deal. Similarly, the EPAL workers' committee has denounced management's decision."
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More on the US-NRE's Honduran Coup....

Another young member of resistance Renán Fajardo Argueta found dead
--- http://hondurasresists.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-young-member-of-resistance.html
A quote...."The Committee of Family Members of the Detained and Dsiappeared in Honduras, COFADEH, denounces the crime committed Teusday afternoon against the young man Edwin Renán Fajardo Argueta (22), an active member of the Resistance. His body was found this past December 23rd in the afternoon after a constant search by family members and friends worried about his absence as he was supposed to travel on Wednesday to Roatán, Islas de la Bahía, for Christmas with his family." -- For more on this issue see....Hideous Hillary's New Death Squads --- http://www.reficultnias.org/#HHNDS
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Compulsory Private Health Insurance: Just Another Bailout of the Financial Sector? --- http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=16674
More on Obama's health non-care disaster. - mpg -- A quote...."Rather than focusing on making health care affordable, the bills focus on how to force people either to buy health insurance if they don’t have it, or to pay more for it if they do. If you don’t have insurance and don’t purchase it, you will be subject to a hefty fine. And if you do purchase it, premiums, co-pays, co-insurance payments and deductibles are liable to keep health care cripplingly expensive. Most of the people who don't have health care can't afford to pay the deductibles, so they will never use the plans they are forced to buy. " -- For more on this issue see....Double Indemnity - 12-21-09 - mpg --- http://www.reficultnias.org/mikesfiles/blotterminiblogs/doubleindemnity-mpg-reficultnias-122109
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Wall Street's 10 Greatest Lies of 2009 --- http://www.alternet.org/media/144776/wall_street%27s_10_greatest_lies_of_2009
posted at Alternet --- https://www.alternet.org/donate/09GEN/
A quote...."Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner patted himself on the back for making the "difficult and necessary” decisions of fronting Wall Street boatloads of money to cover its losses and capital crunch last fall. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (a Bush-Obama favorite) was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for saving the free world as we know it. And Congress is talking "sweeping reform" about a bill that leaves the banking landscape intact, save for some minor alterations. For starters, it doesn’t resurrect the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which separated risk-taking (once non-government-backed) investment banks from consumer oriented (government-supported) commercial banks. -- Meanwhile, Wall Street is restructuring (the financial equivalent of re-gifting) old toxic assets into new ones, finding fresh ways to profit from credit derivatives trading, and paying itself record bonuses -- on our dime. Despite recent TARP payback enthusiasm, the industry still floats on trillions of dollars --- http://www.nomiprins.com/bailout.html --- of non-TARP subsidies and certain players wouldn’t even exist today without our help."
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Feds probe banker Allen Stanford's ties to Congress --- http://www.miamiherald.com/460/v-fullstory/story/1399470.html
A quote...."The ties between indicted banker Allen Stanford and members of Congress -- including millions in contributions and weekends in five-star Caribbean resorts -- are now the subject of a sweeping federal investigation."
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The Economic Crisis Ends; [not really] the Political Crisis Begins [for sure....] --- http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24271.htm
A quote...."December 28, 2009 "Information Clearing House" -- First Iceland, then   Ireland, now Greece. Much of   Europe is mired in inescapable debt and bankrupt nations, the result of crashing banks, bank bailouts, and soaring unemployment. The U.S. and U.K. watch from a distance, knowing their turn is next."
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Home equity lines have dried up across U.S. --- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34601242/ns/business-personal_finance/
A quote...."At the peak of the housing boom in 2006, banks made $430 billion in home equity loans and lines of credit, according to the trade publication Inside Mortgage Finance. From 2002 to 2006, such lending was equal to 2.8 percent of the nation's economic activity, according to a study by finance professors Atif Mian and Amir Sufi of the University of Chicago. -- For the first nine months of 2009, only $40 billion in new home equity loans were made. The impact on the economy: close to zero."
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Still Trying to Monopolize the Arabian Peninsula
Must Read - A lesson for the US-NRE's parasitic class, which of course they will utterly ignore. - mpg -- A quote...."When President Barack Obama personally issued the order for U.S. air strikes against Yemeni rebels, which killed numerous civilians, including women and children, it was not the first time a foreign power has tried to politically and militarily subdue and dominate the Arabian Peninsula. During the early 16th century, and fueled with dreams of expanding its Christian kingdom and amassing great power and riches, Portuguese naval commander Afonso de Albuquerque was determined to defeat the Muslim rulers who controlled the profitable Indian Ocean spice trade."
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Just a Reminder: Condi Rice (formerly of Chevron) had Afghanistan Invasion Plans Finalized 2 Days Before 9/11 -- Must Read - A quote...."Condi Rice (formerly of Chevron) had Afghanistan Invasion Plans Finalized 2 Days Before 9/11 and those plans just HAPPENED to include the “turn over bin Laden or we attack” ultimatum. The plans were used in the attack following Sept. 11th 2001."

9/11 Truth: the Challenge to the Peace Movement - Alt/Vid#1 - Alt/Vid#2 - Alt/Vid#3 - Alt/Vid#4
Must View Videos - (YouTube - 10 min - December 06, 2009) -- A quote...."On September 13, 2009, Dr. Graeme MacQueen presented a speech titled, 9/11 Truth: the Challenge to the Peace Movement, at the conference, "We Demand Transparency! For Peace, Truth, and a New Economics." -- posted by UW911ResearchGroup

Cutter Charges Identified in the Critical Corners of WTC - Alt - (YouTube - 34 min 06 sec - Dec 25, 2009
Must View Video - A quote...."Small explosive ejections focused on a corner column of WTC1 (The North Tower of the World Trade Center) are evidence of cutter charges used to cut the corner columns. One of these occurs at the 98th floor at the onset of the demolition of the building. The other occurs lower in the building at the instant the column enters free fall." -- For more on the three articles shown above see....Reficultnias's 9/11 Central
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The Joys of Airstrikes and Anonymity
Must Read - A quote...."Each time the U.S. bombs a new location in the Muslim world, the same pattern emerges. First, officials from the U.S. or allied governments run to their favorite media outlet to claim -- anonymously -- that some big, bad, notorious, "top" Al Qaeda leader "may have been" or "likely was" killed in the strike, and this constitutes a "stinging" or "devastating" blow against the Terrorist group. These compliant media outlets then sensationalistically trumpet that claim as the dominant theme of their "reporting" on the attack, drowning out every other issue. "

The FBI Says This “Ball-Bomber” is Proof that Obama Was Right to Kill Innocent Civilians In Yemen
Special Note - A quote...."Right on time, right after the Peace Prize President’s attempt to assassinate Anwar al-Awlaki, the controversial cleric who communicated with Ft. Hood shooting suspect Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, this new “terror” attack has connections not only to Yemen, but possibly right back to the same guy President Obama tried to kill. And apparently, the “ball bomber” (as I like to call him) was “radicalized” … wait for it… via THE INTERNET…. guess we had better hurry up and let Joe Lieberman pass that “Homegrown Terrorist” bill of his."

Instant Karma: New US War Target Gets Its Own Terror Icon
Special Note - Wow, that didn't take long at all. Scant days after the American war machine took the cloaking device off its direct military involvement in Yemen, we have an alleged attempted terrorist attack by an alleged attempted terrorist who, just scant hours after his capture, has allegedly confessed to getting his alleged attempted terrorist material from ... wait for it ... Yemen! -- Yemen-trained terrorists on the loose in American airplanes! At Christmas! Great googily moogily! It's a good thing our boys are on the case over there right now, pounding the holy hell outta some of them Al Qaeder ragheads! And to think, a few pipsqueaky fifth columnists had been starting to wonder why we were killing dozens of innocent civilians on behalf of an authoritarian regime embroiled in a three-way civil war on the other side of the world."

Special Note - "CLG: Northwest Bomb Plot 'Oddities' By Lori Price, www.legitgov.org Updated: 27 Dec 2009 Bogosity reaches critical mass! In 2008, the ACLU estimated the 'No Fly List' to have grown to over 1,000,000 names --heck, even Cat Stevens and the late Senator Ted Kennedy was on it -- and continues to expand. And yet... suspected terrorist Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was curiously able to obtain military-grade high explosives -- 80 grams of PETN (gee, where'd he get that?), managed to escape airport security and set off his underwear bomb! In April 2009, American authorities reportedly refused an Air France flight from Paris to Mexico entry into US airspace because a left-wing journalist writing a book on the CIA was on board. Got it? Write a book critical of the CIA --you cannot fly. Carry explosives on board when the US is trolling for an excuse to invade and occupy Yemen for oil --you can!" -- Paragraph quoted from CLG

Al-Qaeda Wannabe Kept ‘Bomb’ on His Lap
A quote...."Details continue to trickle in about 23 year old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s would-be attack on a Detroit-bound airplane, Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam." -- Also posted at WarInIraq

So Why Did President Obama Try to Kill a Witness in Yemen
Special Note - A quote...."Up until now, there has only been speculation as to who was the real target in the most recent U.S. backed attack in Yemen that killed a reported 34 people. But today it is being reported that the target was in fact, Anwar al-Awlaki, the controversial cleric who communicated with Ft. Hood shooting suspect Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. This most recent attack comes on the heels of another one, just a week ago, in which 17 women and 23 children were slaughtered in order to protect the investments of “U.S. assets” in Yemen (namely, Kuwait Energy and the IMF and World Bank). As bad as that was, Obama’s killing of innocent civilians to protect pipelines and IMF’s investors, this most recent assassination attempt may be even more troubling."

Airline bomber was barred from Britain
A quote...."THE son of a prominent Nigerian banker, who allegedly attempted to blow up a transatlantic flight over America, was barred from returning to Britain earlier this year."

US bombs Sa'ada governor's house, Houthis say
A quote...."A US fighter jet has carried out multiple airstrikes on the home of a senior official in Yemen's northern rugged province of Sa'ada, Houthi fighters say. -- The Yemen-based Houthi fighters say the warplane struck the home owned by the governor of Sa'ada province, Hassan Mohammad Manna in five blitzes. There were no reports on possible casualties in the attacks."

Saudi bombers attack Yemen border
A quote...."Saudi warplanes reportedly mount a dozen air attacks on the Yemeni side of the common border, as Riyadh continues to reinforce Sana'a's anti-Shia campaign."

Americans to land only in Islamabad
Special Note - A quote...."Intelligence agencies have been reporting about increasing anger and agony against Americans among the general public, as the US nationals don’t abide by the laws. On many occasions, US nationals publicly didn’t abide the law of the state, as four times in Lahore and six times in Islamabad they were stopped on various police checkpoints and illegal weapons were recovered from them, but still they were allowed to move freely. This raised many questions about the integrity of Pakistan, and political parties, civil society and media were openly protesting against this discrimination." -- For more on this issue see....

US Security Firm Bribes Pakistani Officials, Top Interior Ministry Officer Arrested - posted 12-12-09
Pak Security Agencies catch US Consulate emp taking pictures of a sensitive checkpost bridge... - posted 12-12-09
Pakistan arrests 3 US embassy employees - posted 12-12-09
Blackwater behind Pakistan bombings: Ex-intel chief - posted 12-12-09

Iran Willing to Perform Nuclear Exchange in Turkey
A quote...."In yet another indication that the third party enrichment scheme isn’t quite dead, the Iranian government indicated today that it would be willing to transfer its nuclear material to Turkey and make the exchange there."

THE ROVING EYE -- China plays Pipelineistan
Oil & Gas Geo-Political Analysis -- A quote...."BEIJING - For all the rhapsodies on the advent of the New Silk Road, it may have come into effect for good last week, when China and Central Asia got together to open a crucial Pipelineistan node linking Turkmenistan to China's Xinjiang. -- By 2013, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong will be cruising to ever more dizzying heights courtesy of gas supplied by the 1,833-kilometer Central Asia Pipeline from Turkmenistan - operating at full capacity. The pipeline will even help China achieve its goals in terms of curbing carbon emissions."

China resets terms of engagement in Central Asia
Oil & Gas Geo-Political Analysis -- A quote....."Nursultan Nazarbayev has a way of drawing lines in the sand. The president of Kazakhstan recently told global oil and metal majors that new laws would allow only those foreign investors that cooperate with his industrialization program to tap his nation's mineral resources."

India keeping up with the neighbor
A quote...."BANGALORE - China and India engaged in a heated war of words in October and November, when India permitted the Dalai Lama to visit Tawang - territory in India's northeast over which China lays claim. A little over a month later, the two were coordinating their strategies at the Copenhagen climate summit, signaling there are areas where they can join together. -- Will conflict or cooperation define the Sino-Indian relationship in the coming decades?"

Chevron Using Six Public Relations Firms to Discredit Indigenous Groups In $27.3 Billion Environmental Case In Ecuador -- A quote...."Washington, DC – Chevron has retained at least twelve public relations firms and lobbyists to discredit claims of Amazon indigenous groups on the eve of an expected multi-billion dollar judgment against the oil giant in an environmental lawsuit in Ecuador, according to representatives of the tribes in the U.S." - also posted at DProgram

Israel summons envoys from all over the world
War Alert - They're gathering for the feast of the dead....other people's soon to be dead. - mpg -- A quote...."(PressTV) – Israel’s ambassadors and consuls generals from all over the world have been summoned to attend a conference to be held over global challenges facing Israel. -- The meeting to be attended in Jerusalem Al-Quds on December 27-31 is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the ministry reported on its website." -- From Press TV
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More On The Palestinian Situation....

One Year On: Gaza Steadfast and Defiant amidst a World that has lost its Humanity
Must Read - Contains Photos - A quote...."Today we commemorate the first anniversary of one of the most horrific Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and against humanity in general. On this day last year, the Zionist entity with all its advanced and sophisticated weapons, paid for by the US and the EU, launched a 23-day “war” on the unarmed and besieged civilian population of the Gaza Strip. -- While wars are fought between armies, Occupied Palestine has no army, not in the West Bank and not in Gaza. This “war” was more of an aggression, a slaughter, a series of massacres committed within the spam of 23 days, it was genocide." - also posted at Uruknet

Best of the Web: The Truth About the 2009 Gaza Massacre
Must View Video - A quote...."Eye opening montage of news clips and photos that tell the truth about the events in Gaza."

Video: Gaza 2009 – We Will Never Forget - Alt - (YouTube - 8 min 58 sec - January 24, 2009)
Must View Video - A quote...."Montage documenting the genocide commited by Isreal in "Operation Cast Lead"."-- For more on this issue see....Gaza Invasion of 12/27/08

Gaza 2009: Operation Cast Lead
Must View Video - From the history file - April 14, 2009 -- A quote...."Some things you may not know about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the actions of the Israeli government. Please spread the link around- the truth can't be stopped."

Israel/Gaza: Operation ‘Cast Lead’ – 22 Days of Death and Destruction
Must Read - Just a few points, there are many more....mpg

Some 1,400 Palestinians were killed, including some 300 children, and hundreds of other unarmed civilians, including more than 115 women and some 85 men aged over 50 during the 22-day Operation “Cast Lead”.
Many Palestinian civilians were killed in attacks by high-precision weapons which are capable of pinpoint strikes and can hit within a meter of their targets and which have exceptionally good optics allowing those carrying out or directing the strikes to see the targets in detail.
Many other Palestinian civilians were killed in indiscriminate and reckless attacks using imprecise weapons which should never be used in densely populated civilian areas. - From Amnesty International

Prepare for Outrage and Silence
A quote...."When is 3 worth more than 1400? On the Anniversary of the Gaza Genocide we should prepare for both outrage and silence from the United States Government and officials. The “silence” will pertain to the nearly 1000 civilians and over 300 children who were mass murdered by the 4th largest army in the world, using tanks, DIME missiles and White Phosphorous. Along with the additional 366 who have died over the course of this year due to the illegal siege."

U.S. shipped 989 munitions containers to Israel week before Gaza invasion
From the history file - April 11, 2009 -- A quote...."In the dying days of the Bush administration, and a week before Israel launched an aerial bombing campaign, followed by a land invasion of the Gaza Strip, the U.S. military shipped 989 containers of munitions to Israel. -- Each container was 20-feet long with a total estimated net weight of 14,000 tonnes. The shipment reportedly reached Israel last month at Ashod, 40 kiometres north of Gaza. The huge arsenal of munitions will replenish those expended in the Gaza War. -- According to Amnesty International in the UK, the shipment included white phosphorous." - bold by website editor

UN threatens sanctions on Israel
A quote...."Just days before the first anniversary of the Israeli Cast Lead military operation which cost the lives of 1,400 Palestinians, Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, has urged the Western powers to insist that Israel immediately end its blockade of the Gaza Strip, threatening to enforce economic sanctions." -- also posted at WarInIraq

‘Newsweek’ columnist endorses Goldstone Report
A quote...."I’m doing something good this Christmas; I’m reading the Goldstone Report. It’s amazing. I never did read it through. It’s the greatest work by a Jewish writer since Norman Mailer left town. No it’s not literary, but it’s a fervent effort to give dignity to the lives of Palestinian civilians gunned down in their homes because Israeli soldiers were pursuing a policy of frightening the population and "communicating" with bullets."

Viva Palestina Convoy Blocked from Entering Egypt - (PTV-YouTube - 2 min 59 sec - December 26, 2009)
PTV-Video - A quote...."The Viva Palestina aid convoy to Gaza which left London on December 6th has been blocked from entering Egypt, they are held at the Jordanian port of Aqaba. The convoy, which is made up of more than 200+ vehicles, planned to reach Rafah on December 27th."

Mubarak blows his big chance to behave decently
A quote...."Gee, thanks President Mubarak... Thanks for ruining Christmas for so many. -- But that’s par for the course in the cesspit of treachery that is the Middle East. -- The human tragedy of Gaza just gets worse and worse. Nobody seriously believed the Viva Palestina convoy would get through unmolested; and so it came to pass… It is stranded at Aqaba, and its precious cargo is spoiling in the heat, because Mubarak’s henchmen will not allow it to enter Egypt through the port of Nuweiba."

U.S. – Led World Community Fails, Palestinians on Brink of Explosion
Exactly what the Israelis and the US-NRE want!! - mpg -- A quote...."In the absence of all hope, we cry out our cry of hope,” Palestinian Christian leaders, representing churches and church-related organizations, meeting in Bethlehem on December 11, concluded in their 13-page document titled “Kairos Palestine – 2009: A Moment of Truth,” enlisting Christians worldwide in proactive efforts to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Their “cry” symbolizes the popular mood of their people as well as the political status quo."

Israel returns to Assassinations Policy
A quote...."Six Palestinians were killed in two separate incidents by the Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank. Three of the Palestinians were assassinated in Israel returns to Assassinations Policy 122 320x240 one of the palestinian victims Nablus at the West Bank. According to Israeli sources, Ghasan Abu Sharkh, Raed Sarkaji and Anan Suboh took part in the last attack which resulted in killing an Israeli settler in the West Bank." -- also posted at AlethoNews

Israeli Troops Kill 6 in West Bank, Gaza
A quote...."NABLUS, West Bank - Israeli troops killed six Palestinians on Saturday in two separate operations, including a raid in the West Bank targeting members of president Mahmud Abbas' Fatah movement."
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Something's Not Right Here -- By Bill Moyers - Mat Taibbi - Robert Kuttner - Alt
Must View Video - More on Obama's health non-care disaster. - mpg -- A quote...."One year after the great collapse of our financial system, Wall Street is back on top while our politicians dither. As for health care reform, you're about to be forced to buy insurance from companies whose stock is soaring, and that's just dandy with the White House." -- || Transcript || Mp3 Podcast || Vodcast ||

No Gain, Plenty of Pain, On Day One
Must Read - More on Obama's health non-care disaster. - mpg -- A uqote...."Obama's health care bill, the poisoned Kool-Aid making its way through the Senate, will not confer any of its supposed benefits on Americans until 2013. But they will find themselves chafing at its restrictions and paying its taxes immediately after the law takes effect."

For more on the two articles shown above see....Double Indemnity - 12-21-09 - mpg
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On Christmas Eve: Massive bailouts to Big Ins/Big Pharma by Senate AND to Freddie/Fannie by WH
A quote...."Many of us were unwilling witnesses to the giveaway to Big Health Insurance/Big Pharma, courtesy of the US Senate on Christmas Eve. -- But on the same day, the White House announced an unlimited credit line at the disposal of troubled Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. -- Some days are just spectacular for the chosen few, aren't they?"

Big Paydays For Fannie and Freddie Bosses
A quote...."Top executives at mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both of which have been under government control since last year, received millions of dollars in pay in 2009, according to documents filed by the companies Thursday." -- For more on this issue see....Having Fun With Your Tax Dollars

U.S. lifts $400 billion cap for Fannie, Freddie
A quote...."(MSNBC) – The government has handed its ATM card to beleaguered mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. -- The Treasury Department said Thursday it removed the $400 billion financial cap on the money it will provide to keep the companies afloat. Already, taxpayers have shelled out $111 billion to the pair, and a senior Treasury official said losses are not expected to exceed the government’s estimate this summer of $170 billion over 10 years."

Are Hedge Funds Responsible For The Missing Half A Trillion In Treasury Purchases?
According to the analysis, it's unlikely, which makes it more likely that these purchases are coming from the Fed. - mpg -- A quote...."Eric Sprott's most recent report has generated serious ripples within financial circles due to his unique interpretation of some rather nebulous data in the latest December Treasury Bulletin. Sprott raises a major question mark as to the constituency of the "Other Investors" as defined on page 48, which in his calculations, has accounted for $510 billion of Treasuries in the first three quarters of 2009. Could this be a "phantom purchaser" that is the Federal Reserve in all but name? Or is it something far more innocuous?"

Congress raises debt ceiling to $12.4 trillion
From the history file - Dec 24 11:07 AM US/Eastern -- A quote...."WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate voted Thursday to raise the ceiling on the government debt to $12.4 trillion, a massive increase over the current limit and a political problem that President Barack Obama has promised to address next year."

Japan unveils record $1 trillion budget
Japan is saying to dear old Ben Bernanke and ALL of Wall Street....what....you think we were just going to stand by and allow you to depreciate YOUR currency while causing our's to appreciate so YOU could spend your way to the New Roman Empire by destroying everyone's export capability? (This website editor rarely uses profanity, however this would be one of the few exceptions) -- Japan to the Wall Street Cabal and Ben Bernanke....Fuck You! -- A quote...."Japan has unveiled a record 92.29 trillion yen ($1 trillion) annual budget designed to revive its recession-hit economy. - Japan's three-month-old cabinet approved the budget for the next financial year that begins in April amid growing worries about its mounting debt."

China Unveils World's Fastest Train Link
A quote...."China on Saturday unveiled what it billed as the fastest rail link in the world -- a train connecting the modern cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan at an average speed of 350 kilometres (217 miles) an hour. -- The super-high-speed train reduces the 1,069 kilometre journey to a three hour ride and cuts the previous journey time by more than seven and a half hours, the official Xinhua news agency said."