Government Secrecy May Lead to New Trial In Va. Terrorism Case

"U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema in Alexandria said her skepticism in the case of Ali al-Timimi stems from government misinformation in another major terrorism prosecution: that of convicted Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui. Federal prosecutors recently revealed that the CIA had told Brinkema that the interrogations of enemy combatant witnesses in Moussaoui's trial had not been audiotaped or videotaped, when they had. The judge called the factual error "a mess" yesterday but indicated it probably would not affect Moussaoui's guilty plea or life prison term."

Okay, so the government lied about evidence and God knows what else in the Moussaoui case - so much so that it may be cause for a mis-trial in another terror case. But, in the case of Moussaoui, the case in which the government was directly implicated, it won't make a difference ~ I don't get it. Do you?

Racism on Israeli Airwaves

"A radio interview between an extreme right wing Israeli and a Palestinian journalist, resulted in the 'true colours' of racism coming out loud and clear..."

US withdraws Mideast resolution at UN (at Israel's request)

"In an about face, the United States on Friday withdrew a U.N. resolution endorsing this week's agreement by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to reach a Mideast peace settlement by the end of 2008, apparently after Israel objected."

Less than a week after the conference the back-tracking begins. Which proves that Israel really doesn't want peace.

Treasury close to subprime aid plan: sources

"The Treasury Department is finalizing a plan with mortgage industry leaders that will hold interest payments steady for many subprime borrowers facing higher rates and possible foreclosure."

Castro: US could assassinate Chavez

"The Cuban President warns his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, that the US could assassinate him or wage a civil war in Venezuela."

Russia signs Europe arms pact suspension into law

Russia's President Vladimir Putin enters the hall in Moscow's Kremlin to meet foreign ambassadors, November 28, 2007. (RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Reuters)

"President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Friday suspending Russia's participation in a key post-Cold War arms treaty, a move which could allow it to deploy more forces close to western Europe."

Boy dies after refusing transfusion over religion

"A few hours after a judge ruled that a 14-year-old Jehovah’s Witness sick with leukemia had the right to refuse a blood transfusion that might have helped him, the boy died, a newspaper reported."

There are extremists in ALL religions...

Citing statistics, Giuliani misses time and again

"In almost every appearance as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination, Rudolph W. Giuliani cites a fusillade of statistics and facts to make his arguments about his successes in running New York City and the merits of his views..... All of these statements are incomplete, exaggerated or just plain wrong. And while, to be sure, all candidates use misleading statistics from time to time, Mr. Giuliani has made statistics a central part of his candidacy as he campaigns on his record."

American Muslim Student Wins Rhodes Scholarship

"Graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago in 2006 with degrees in economics and near eastern languages and literature, Isra is currently a student at Yale Law School. In Chicago, Isra chaired the city’s inner-city Muslim Action Network and worked as a translator for detainees at Guantanamo Bay."

Analysis: Queries Giuliani Doesn't Want

Republican presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, speaks during the CNN/YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Fla. Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

"The revelation that security costs for Rudy Giuliani's trysts with Judith Nathan were spread to obscure New York accounts exposes the former mayor to harsh questions his campaign wanted badly to avoid - about character, truthfulness and a penchant for secrecy."

Sacramento Jewish Federation newspaper on the defensive for barring Jewish author

"Apparently, it’s now OK for Jewish institutions to ban other Jews. As we reported earlier, the editors of Sacramento’s Jewish newspaper, the now ironically named The Jewish Voice, a project of the Sacramento Jewish Federation, refused to run a simple book reading notice for Dr. Alice Rothchild’s book “Broken Promises, Broken Dreams: Stories of Jewish and Palestinian Trauma and Resilience,” on the grounds that it would not support their mission to “enrich those of the Jewish community who support and identify with Israel.”"

Apartheid Israel

"When Ehud Olmert warns that the world could impose a "South African solution" on Israel if two states are not created, side by side, he is tacitly admitting that expansion of the settlements is making Israel look increasingly like an apartheid regime."

Anger and dismay as Sudan court jails teacher for 15 days

"Ali Ageb, a member of Gibbons' defence team, said he was "very unhappy" with the verdict and would appeal. "She did this as part of her profession as the teacher," he told reporters outside the court. "She did not intend to insult anybody.""

Christian teacher, Christian school, Muslim country ~ and, they couldn't come up with a better name than Muhammad? I can think of a thousand Christian names for the Teddy that would be more appropriate than Muhammad. Ms. Gibbons probably didn't intend to insult anyone, but she is incredibly ignorant and culturally insensitive.

U.S. wants to have it both ways on Iranian nonintervention pact

"President Bush and leading Democratic presidential candidates have said a military attack on Iran is a viable option. According to the president, Iran's pursuit of nuclear technology puts the Middle East "under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust." Yet the 1981 Algiers Accords, backed by Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, prohibit such an attack."

Richard Perle Grooming Future Ahmad Chalabis For Syria and Iran

"In an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, Alan Weisman — the author of a biography on Richard Perle — writes that the neoconservative architect of the Iraq war “is again propping up regime-toppling Mideast dissidents who lack credibility.” Prior to the Iraq war, “Perle used his Pentagon position to lobby both for war and for turning postwar power in Iraq over to Ahmad Chalabi, the long-time Iraqi exile.”"

So much for the war on terror

"Local intelligence-sharing centers set up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks have had their anti-terrorism mission diluted by a focus on run-of-the-mill street crime and hazards such as hurricanes, a government report concludes."

20 Nigger Laws and other difficult truths

"Offended yet? You should be. But, I'll bet you didn't know that every Confederate State passed "20 nigger laws" intended to exempt men from military service when they oversaw 20 or more slaves. I'll also bet that you never learned that no less than 1/3 of the South's military was stationed in areas with large slave populations, just to prevent slave uprisings. (pg. 194)"

Ten Reasons Why "Save Darfur" is a PR Scam to Justify the Next US Oil and Resource Wars in Africa

"The star-studded hue and cry to "Save Darfur" and "stop the genocide" has gained enormous traction in U.S. media along with bipartisan support in Congress and the White House. But the Congo, with ten to twenty times as many African dead over the same period is not called a "genocide" and passes almost unnoticed."

Is Africa the Next Cold War Theater?

"Africa's failure to move towards creation of a "United States of Africa" - Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's vision when he assumed the presidency of newly independent Ghana, 50 years ago - has exposed the continent to "a new form of colonialism.""

Annapolis Meant Little for Dying Gazans Being Denied Medical Care by Israel

Palestinian cancer patient Laila Elewah taking part in a protest as she is not being allowed to get into an Israeli hospital for medication. - Image Credit: Mohammed Omer

Residents in Gaza in need of medical care are facing a "severe crisis" with forty-four Palestinan deaths due to Israeli border closures and denial of medical care since July. With Gaza all but ignored during Annapolis, only rights groups are making a dent in letting the world know what is going on in the open air prison known as the Gaza Strip.

Iran Holocaust drama is a big hit

"The film tells the story of a Jewish woman saved by an Iranian diplomat."

"Let's be absolutely clear about this. We sympathise just as much with those innocent Jewish victims of the Nazis, as much as we do with the Palestinian victims of Zionism," Mr Fathi insists."

Sounds like an excellent movie. Unfortunately, a movie like this, which dispels the lies being perpetrated against Iran, won't be shown in the US anytime soon.

A language for the world

"The "war on terror" is not everybody's language, nor for that matter is "globalization", says 1998 Nobel Prize economics laureate Amartya Sen. Nor is anyone right to think that religious radicalism is really an Islamic problem, he says."

Selling the US by the dollar

"Citigroup's rescue did not come cheap. The deal was structured in the form of convertible securities that will require the company to pay junk-bond levels of coupon interest, reported by Barron's to be close to 11%, for the privilege of selling part of America's premier consumer financial institution into foreign hands."

If Iran's Guards strike back ...(and they will)

"In the event of a US attack on Iran, it's a cinch that the "terrorist" Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps will fiercely retaliate with a volatile mix of sophisticated conventional forces and unconventional means. One thing is certain, however: US thinking has ignored the highly complex relationship between post-Ba'athist Shi'ite militias in Iraq and the Guards."

Biden: Impeachment if Bush bombs Iran

Presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden speaks about his foreign policy plans at a forum held at Seacoast Media Group in Portsmouth, Thursday afternoon. - Scott Yates photo

"Presidential hopeful Delaware Sen. Joe Biden stated unequivocally that he will move to impeach President Bush if he bombs Iran without Congressional approval."

Hagel: Bush administration is 'incompetent' and he would consider joining a Dem ticket

""This is one of the most arrogant, incompetent administrations I've ever seen personally or ever read about," the always blunt and frequently quotable Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said yesterday during an appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York."

The Torture Compromise of 2007

"Torture, they said, cannot be a policy, and a law that permits torture cannot be on the books. What is wanted is a leader who will break the law selectively, in a way we can trust. Torture should be allowable, but only by the right people and for the right reason. To a man and woman, the guests who held this view were supporters of Hillary Clinton."

Blowback From Moscow

"Our next president will likely face a Russia led by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, determined to stand up to a West that Russians believe played them for fools when they sought to be friends."

McCain's Mangled Metaphor

"The War Party hates Ron Paul because he takes them on without euphemism or hesitation: it is worth it having Ron up there if only to bask in the uneasiness he causes, which is all too visible on the faces of the other contenders, who would rather not have to deal with his iconoclasm. That's why the Stuart Rothenbergs and the Sean Hannitys would much prefer to exclude him from participating in the debates, but it's too late for that now: the Ron Paul Revolution is shaking up the GOP Establishment, and it sure is fun to watch."

Halt US aid, bin Laden urges Europe

Bin Laden said that Europe should leave Afghanistan and not do the US' bidding.

"Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, has called on Europeans to stop their political leaders helping the US in the Afghan war."

Most Europeans would probably agree....

TSA plan to gather more personal data protested

"A government proposal to start collecting birth dates and genders of people reserving airline flights is drawing protests from major airlines and travel agencies that say it would be invasive, confusing and "useless.""

Pope invites senior Muslims to Vatican meeting

"Pope Benedict XVI invited a delegation of senior Muslim personalities, who signed an appeal for greater dialogue between religions, to a meeting at the Vatican, according to a letter released Thursday. The pope praised the "positive spirit" behind the October 11 message signed by 138 top Muslims from around the world and sent to Christian leaders, said Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in the letter sent in Pope Benedict's name."

The Zionists' worst nightmare ~ a meeting of the minds between Christians and Muslims...

Giuliani's Mistress Used N.Y. Police as Taxi Service

"Well before it was publicly known he was seeing her, then-married New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani provided a police driver and city car for his mistress Judith Nathan, former senior city officials tell the Blotter on ABCNews.com."

The Judaization of East Jerusalem

A view of the Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem, December 2006. (Magnus Johansson/MaanImages)

"Interestingly, millions of dollars of US money have been poured into the growing Jewish settlements in this area. Without any complaints from the Bush administration, real estate developers openly advertise homes in the West Bank -- heavily subsidized by the Israeli government -- to Jews in the United Kingdom and the United States."

Palestinians Threaten Zionism's Supremacists

Robert Fisk: A different venue, but the pious claims and promises are the same

"For more than two years, the Saudis have been offering Israel security and recognition by Arab states in return for a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories. What was wrong with that? Mr Olmert promised that "negotiations will address all the issues which thus far has been evaded". Yet the phrase "withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories" simply doesn't exist in the text."

Rabbi: Cleanse country of Arabs

""We must cleanse the country of Arabs and resettle them in the countries where they came from," head of the Yesha Rabbis Council, Rabbi Dov Lior, declared Monday, adding that, "If this means we have to pay them, we will. Without doing so, we will never enjoy peace in our land.""

Bahrain bans ties with Israel

"Bahrain's parliament has passed a law banning any interaction with the Israeli government. Violators of this law will face prison time and fines."

Musharraf sworn in as president

"Pervez Musharraf is sworn in as Pakistan's president for a second term in a ceremony in Islamabad, his first term as a civilian leader."

“Thousands” Illegally Rendered By Bush Administration for Interrogation, Torture

"In violation of international and U.S. law, “thousands” of alleged terrorists have been victims of “extraordinary rendition” by the Bush Administration since 9/11, two legal scholars say. “Instead of working to bring those committing crimes against the United States to justice in U.S. courts, the Bush Administration seems intent on doing exactly the opposite---keeping such individuals away from U.S. courts, hidden in a web of secret prisons, underground interrogation cells, and in the hands of cooperative governments,” write Margaret Satterthwaite and Angela Fisher. Satterthwaite is an assistant professor of clinical law at NYU School of Law and Fisher served as assistant research scholar with the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice."

Two State Solution or Israel is Finished

""If the day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights (also for the Palestinians in the territories), then, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel is finished," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Haaretz Wednesday, the day the Annapolis conference ended in an agreement to try to reach a Mideast peace settlement by the end of 2008."

Even a "Two-State" solution won't save Israel. Israel cannot long endure as a "Jewish" state.

Rice compares segregated U.S. South to Palestinians in Israel

"The Dutch representative to the Annapolis Conference, Franz Timmermans told the Washington Post that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told a closed-door meeting of 16 Arab representatives and the Israeli envoys at the conference on Tuesday that her childhood in the segregated U.S. South helped her understand the situation of Palestinians in Israel."

What Is This? Rice identifying with the Palestinians? Must be a mis-print.

When the Roadmap is a One Way Street

"Two weeks before Annapolis was to convene, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a law that a majority of two-thirds would be required to approve any change in the status of Jerusalem, an impossible threshold."

Christians And Muslims Coexist in Gaza

"Sighing, Musallam corrects the misconception. "If Christians emigrate," he states resolutely, "It's not because of Muslims. It is because we suffer from Israeli siege. We seek a life of freedom. A life different from the life of the dogs we are currently forced to live.""

1973 U.S. Cable on Mideast Mirrors Current Events

"A March 1973 State Department cable released yesterday by the National Archives recounts a promise by Saudi Arabia's King Faisal that terrorist threats to U.S. interests could be resolved as soon as Washington pressed Israel to withdraw from territory it had seized."

But, they haven't learned yet...

Report: "Islamofascism" blinds U.S.

"The term also "creates the perception that the United States is fighting a religious war against Islam, thus alienating moderate voices in the region who would be willing to work with America towards common goals.""

Which is exactly what the Zionists and Islamophobes want to do.

Distorting Fascism to Demonize Iran

"In their frantic drive to pave the way for a military strike against Iran, leading figures in the neoconservative pro-Israel lobby have embarked on a vicious campaign of demonizing that country by comparing it with the early years of Nazi Germany and its President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with Hitler."

The Algebra of Occupation

"Israeli psychologist Nofer Ishai-Karen and psychology professor Joel Elitzur interviewed 21 Israeli soldiers who served in the Occupied Territories. They found that the soldiers routinely engaged in murder, assault, threats and humiliation, and many of them enjoyed it. "The truth is that I love this mess – I enjoy it. It is like being on drugs," one soldier told them. Another said, "What is great is that you don't have to follow any law or rule. You feel you are the law, you decide. Once you go into the Occupied Territories, you are God.""

In the Fox’s Lair

"The Sunday, November 18 New York Times made passing mention of a possible clue. It suggested that the Mahdi Army and some other Shi'ites have backed away from confronting the U.S. because Iran asked them to."

Foes Use Obama's Muslim Ties to Fuel Rumors About Him

"Since declaring his candidacy for president in February, Obama, a member of a congregation of the United Church of Christ in Chicago, has had to address assertions that he is a Muslim or that he had received training in Islam in Indonesia, where he lived from ages 6 to 10. While his father was an atheist and his mother did not practice religion, Obama's stepfather did occasionally attend services at a mosque there."

Which shows that racial and religious intolerance is still alive and well in America. I agree with Ibrahim Hooper, Communications Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, "It's good for America to have a president who has diversity at many levels in his background. That would be a benefit in reaching out to the rest of the world, particularly the Islamic world."

Jump on the Peace Train

"After subverting diplomacy in his first term, now W. does drive-by diplomacy, taking a playboy approach to peace. He wants to look like he’s taking the problem of an Israeli-Palestinian treaty seriously when his true motivation is more cynical: pacifying the Arab coalition and holding it together so that he can blunt Iran’s sway."

Bush’s Mideast Diplomacy: What if ...

"Imagine what might have happened if, after the attacks of Sept. 11, President Bush had dedicated his administration to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians with the vigor he is displaying now."

Israel’s Nuclear Arsenal Vexed Nixon

Tensions over Israel’s nuclear weapons cast a shadow over talks between Richard M. Nixon and Golda Meir in 1969.

"The Nixon White House’s concerns over Israel’s weapons were detailed in documents from the Nixon Presidential Library that were released on Wednesday by the National Archives under an executive order that requires that classified documents be reviewed and possibly declassified after 25 years."

John Ashcroft: I’m Willing To Be Waterboarded

"During the speech, Ashcroft caused an uproar when he declared Guantanamo Bay was a “good place” for detainees. In addition, he defended the torture tactic of waterboarding. Ashcroft also responded to questions from the audience. The first question came from a woman who asked if Ashcroft would be willing to be subjected to waterboarding. “The things that I can survive, if it were necessary to do them to me, I would do,” he said."

Good, lets take him up on that ~ NOW!

GWU professor forced to quit for pro-Israel bias

"Here’s an excellent (if not also unintentionally humorous) article about a university instructor coming under fire– and quitting– because students found her overwhelmingly Israel-centric in her teaching of a course about the Arab-Israeli conflict. In what we are to believe is pure coincidence, one of the two texts she used is a relentlessly anti-Palestinian propaganda text, by-lined by the head of the organization which provided funding for her position."

Now, this is a first ~ But, I LIKE IT!

Iran launches stealth sub

"Iran’s second domestically produced submarine, equipped with an anti-sonar system, was launched in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Wednesday."

Ahmadinejad: Israel will not survive

"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Zionist regime will not survive as it is established based on atrocities and tyranny."

Hillary's poster buckles under pressure of unfavorable poll

"Penn mischaracterized this latest online Zogby poll as our first interactive survey ever – a bizarre contention, since we have been developing and perfecting our Internet polling methodology for nearly a decade (Zogby Intreractive Methodology), and since Penn’s company has been quietly requesting the results of such polls from Zogby for years."

A Muslim belongs in the Cabinet

"Imagine how a qualified American Muslim FBI director, sensitized to the genuine concerns among Arab and Muslim communities about civil rights violations, would be able to ensure that FBI actions and policies target the real bad guys, not communities as a whole. Imagine how an American Muslim CIA director or defense secretary whose understanding of cultural differences in places that breed Islamist violence would ensure that intelligence was not biased by bigotry or lack of understanding and that defense strategies were constructed on data acquired from authentic sources."

Writer Exposes Romney's Church of Latter-Day Hypocrisy

"The author of a much-discussed op-ed in the Christian Science Monitor -- which charged that former Gov. Mitt Romney said he would likely not appoint a Muslim-American to his presidential cabinet - says Romney's explanation for the comment is a flat out lie."

Oil Scandal, Larry Flynt Investigation Led to Trent Lott's Early Exit

"Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) refuses to say why he is retiring from Congress. Many in the media have reported that Lott likely wants to enter the lucrative world of K Street before "tougher restrictions in a new lobbying law" take effect. But the right-wing American Spectator magazine speculates that brewing corruption scandals may have contributed to Lott's decision."

US wages covert war on Iraq-Iran border

"Iran accuses Washington of backing the group (PJAK), and while the US denies this, local and foreign intelligence sources say the accusation is most likely true. According to a former US Special Forces (SF) commando currently based in Iraq who spoke on condition of anonymity, Special Forces troops are currently operating inside Iran, working with insurgent forces like the PJAK. "That's what the SF does," he said. "They train and build up indigenous anti-government forces.""

Palestinian right of return still a fundamental demand

"Like all great struggles, it has had many twists and turns, and will have many more. But the root cause of the conflict — the forcible expulsion of a people from their homeland—is neither ambiguous nor confusing. Sixty years ago, this is precisely what happened to the Palestinians in "The Catastrophe," known as "Al-Nakba" in Arabic."

Is what the US has been doing in Iraq genocide?

"Dr. Douglas states that the United States began its genocide in Iraq 17 years ago and notes, “The 2003 US invasion of Iraq was the culmination and intensification of a consistent US policy of destroying Iraq as a national and state entity.” Having figured out that around 1.5 million people, most them children and women, died because of the 13-year UN-led embargo on Iraq, which was enforced as a result of heavy pressure from the US, Dr. Douglas adds that the number of people killed in the war since 2003 has exceeded 1 million."

Calling Israeli-Palestinian struggle a 'conflict' misses basic inequities between two countries

"What's happening between Israel and Palestine is most often, and most erroneously, referred to as a conflict."

Initial Thoughts on Annapolis

"When listening to the speech of President Bush versus that of both Olmert and Abbas, one cannot help but be struck by how jarring, divisive and dangerous Bush continues to be, with his Star-Wars-esque narrative of good versus evil -"

The Camp David tragedy and Annapolis farce

"Does history repeat itself, after all? Recent developments in the Middle East suggest that the answer is "yes," because the situation at the end of President George Bush's tenure increasingly resembles that of Bill Clinton's final year in the presidency."

Dear Americans, PLEASE, don't stop to think!

"Yes, Iran is after a nuclear bomb that is why the IAEA has released a report saying Tehran has been truthful about its nuclear activities. And of course the US government is against nuclear bombs and would never think of using them. Ask any Japanese about Hiroshima and Nagasaki and they will tell you all about it."

Bush will be held responsible for world war if Iran attacked

"On the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran, Ahani said, “We are prepared to face the worst scenarios. In that case, the U.S. president will have to claim the responsibility for a conflict that will influence the entire world.”"

Musharraf retires as Pakistan army chief

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, right, reviews a guard of honor at the armed forces' headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. Musharraf visited troops to bid them farewell, a day before standing down as military chief to become a civilian head of state in a move aimed at easing the country's political crisis. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

"President Pervez Musharraf stepped down Wednesday from his powerful post as Pakistan's military commander, a day before he was to be sworn in as a civilian president in a long-delayed pledge not to hold both jobs."

Beaten and Abandoned: Israel does little to help battered women

"In Israel, over ten thousand battered women seek the aid of social services each year, and hundreds escape to shelters."

Strange, according to US media, Israel is the perfect society.

U.K. Jewish school told to cut ethnic admissions criteria

"The Jewish Free School (JFS) in London has removed from its admissions criteria a clause favoring ethnically Jewish children after the school was accused of breaking state anti-discrimination laws, The Guardian reported on Wednesday."

But, we're Jews ~ we're allowed to discriminate!

Who's in favor of ending Israeli terrorism?

"Such distinctions may give cause for a giggle, but the declaration contains two elements that will serve the Israeli right wing in attacks it is expected to make on the prime minister. The first is the comparison the declaration makes between "terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis." Translation: Olmert agreed that Israel too is responsible for terrorism and incitement against the Palestinians, and that America will decide in every case who is inciting and who is a terrorist."

Jewish numan rights group's new push to find Nazis in South America

"Among those still believed to be alive and living in Argentina or Chile is 93-year-old Aribert Heim, known as "Doctor Death," who has a $450,000 bounty on his head."

And, what would the Jews do with a 93 year old man? Hang him?

The Myths of Military Progress

"Making occupation and calling it peace. Killing fewer and calling it progress. Rotating troops and calling it a withdrawal. Setting up new death squads and calling them allies. Lowering standards and calling it opening new opportunities."

Rudy or Hillary: Pick Your Poison

"Americans are unable to connect their dissatisfaction with the current political leadership with their choice of new leaders. All polls show that Hillary Clinton is far in the lead for the Democratic presidential nomination and Rudy Giuliani is far in the lead for the Republican nomination These are the only two candidates guaranteed to be worse than Bush/Cheney."

IDF soldier arrested for stealing 200 shekels ($50) from Palestinian car

"Soldier charged with looting – an offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment - for pocketing bill found during search of Palestinian car at West Bank checkpoint. Defense attorney says soldier used stolen money to pay off family debts."

IDF Soldiers ordered to return money stolen from Palestinian

"Soldiers who took money and gold from West Bank Palestinian whose home they searched ordered to return the stolen property."

Israeli "right-wingers" denounce Olmert as "sell-out"

"The Likud right-wing opposition has denounced Ehud Olmert for selling out Israel's interests without receiving anything in return from the Palestinians."

Oil Producers See the World and Buy It Up

"Flush with petrodollars, oil-producing countries have embarked on a global shopping spree."

The 'Triumphant' Neocons

"Citing signs of military progress in Iraq, America’s neoconservatives are reasserting their vision of the United States as an imperial power that can reshape the Muslim world in a way favorable to the interests of Washington and Tel Aviv."

Six Questions for Douglas Macgregor on Iraq and the “Surge”

"The situation on the ground has definitely changed, but not for the reasons the Bush Administration and its generals claim. The main reasons include cash-based deals with Sunni leaders and Shiite leader Muqtada al Sadr’s independent decision earlier this year to temporarily restrain his Mahdi army from attacking U.S. forces."

Is Rudy Running for Editor of the Weekly Standard, or President of the United States?

"Lest one worry that Rudy Giuliani’s campaign consists of little more than repeating “9/11″ over and over again, it’s worth having a look at his appearance yesterday at the “Politics and Eggs” event in New Hampshire to see what he’s up to. It appears he’s most focused on currying favor with the couple dozen or so die-hard neoconservatives who buzz around Washington complaining that President Bush isn’t hawkish enough."

Is Annapolis Hopeless?

"There's little reason to hope for a breakthrough at the Middle East peace summit in Annapolis, unless there is a fundamental shift in U.S. policy in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And there's little evidence to suggest such a change is forthcoming."

Road to Empire

"An illegal treaty with Iraq seals our fate."

Attorney: Informant in Fort Dix plot a felon

"A paid government informant who infiltrated a group of men accused of plotting an attack on soldiers at a New Jersey military installation was an Egyptian national on probation for bank fraud, an attorney in the case said Tuesday."

Israel, Palestinians OK negotiating plan

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (L) shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the Israel-Palestinian Peace Conference at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, November 27, 2007. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)

""We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis.""

The African Lakes Plateau is an Israeli water playground

"Some Egyptian parliamentarians and commentators have recently raised the issue of the crisis between Egypt and the Nile basin States, some of whom such as Kenya and Uganda, signatories of the Nile source agreement, expressed their intention to withdraw from it and use the Nile waters as they desire. This brought to attention the dangers of the "Israeli" infiltration in the Nile basin States, which does not cover only Ethiopia as some may believe. This infiltration was extended to cover the rest of the basin States, the relations of which grew to a considerable extent with the Zionist entity since the mid nineties. Researchers believe that these relations reached a stage equal to that between Ethiopia and the Zionist enemy."

US Army reports rising desertion rates

"According to the US Army, 4,698 soldiers—about 9 in every 1,000—deserted in the fiscal year ending September 2007. Over the same period, the Department of Defense reported 1,163 total US deaths and 8,190 wounded. Overall, desertion is the largest cause of personnel attrition—over fatalities and injuries—serious enough to result in military discharge."

S&P: 3Q Home Prices Fall by 4.5 Percent

"U.S. home prices fell 4.5 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, the sharpest drop since Standard & Poor's began its nationwide housing index in 1987 and another sign that the housing slump is far from over, the research group said Tuesday."

Citigroup to sell $7.5 billion stake to Abu Dhabi

"Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C - News) is selling up to 4.9 percent of itself for $7.5 billion to the Gulf Arab emirate of Abu Dhabi, giving the largest U.S. bank fresh capital as it wrestles with the subprime mortgage crisis and the resignation of its chief executive."

Consumer Confidence Tumbles in November

"With Christmas only a month away, American consumers became more pessimistic about the economy in November, sending a widely watched barometer of confidence to the lowest level in two years."

Iraq : Looking Back : 'Internationally Sponsored Genocide'.

"Editors have a mantra, do not look back, move on, write what is current. But sometimes looking back is vital. Those who ignore even the recent past are doomed to understand nothing, sink deeper into quagmires - and bleat again : 'Why do they hate us'?"

Just tell them you are a Christian

"I was recently informed that a certain tour company (U.S. based btw) which operates throughout the Middle East has informed the Muslim guides working for them in Israel to tell their clients that they are Christians if anyone asks. What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Alleged Trainer Of 9/11 Hijackers a CIA Informant

"The man who claims to have trained six of the 9/11 hijackers is a paid CIA informant according to Turkish intelligence specialists, who also assert that Al-Qaeda is merely the name of a secret service operation designed to foment a strategy of tension around the world."

Flight School Head Admits Neither He Nor 9/11 Hijackers Could Fly 9/11 Planes

"According to the owner of a flight school at which 2 of the 4 accused 9/11 hijack pilots trained on simple aircraft with questionable ... all » competence, neither he nor the 9/11 hijackers implicated in the attacks, could pilot the 757 and 767 aircraft that they are alleged to have flown into targets on September 11, 2001."

Report: Foreclosures to hit metro areas

"Rising foreclosures will lead to billions of dollars in lost economic activity next year in the nation's major metropolitan areas, but homeowners and financial institutions have the ability to work together to contain the effects, according to a report compiled for the U.S. Conference of Mayors."

Iran develops new long-range missile

Defense Minister Brigadier General Najjar has announced that Iran has developed a new missile with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).

Where the warmongers champion peace

"In short, by controlling the actions of the US Congress and the Presidency, the Zionists have achieved their goal. They have no incentive to resolve the conflict as long as they can continue to expropriate land from the Palestinians, and a careful reading of the maps over these years demonstrates clearly the Israeli expansion to approximately 86% of former Palestine."

White House Releases "Principles" for Permanent Iraqi Presence

"So it begins. After years of obfuscation and denial on the length of the U.S.'s stay in Iraq, the White House and the Maliki government have released a joint declaration of "principles" for "friendship and cooperation." Apparently President Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed the declaration during a morning teleconference."

More About the Re-creation of the United States National Identity

"I recently sent a copy of John Pilger's article "Lest We Forget" that can be read at the website http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18726.htm and Anwaar Hussain's article "I am Become Death, The Destroyer of Worlds" at the website http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7389.htm to Monica Benderman the wife of Sgt. Kevin Benderman, a ten-year Army veteran who served a combat tour in Iraq and a year in prison for his public protest of war and the destruction it causes to civilians and to American military personnel. In response, Monica wrote back, "Americans spend too much time looking outward - so they don't have to see how little there is inside themselves.""

Apartheid in Israel Palestine: Viability in Annapolis?

""In the end, the Palestinians may get 80-90% of the West Bank, but they do not get a viable state. They will have sterile swatches of territory whereas Israel retains control of the borders, movement of people and goods both within the Palestinian state and between it and the countries around, much of the country's arable land, almost all its water, the Palestinians' airspace and even control of their communications. The Palestinian state is deprived of a viable economy. Given that 60% of Palestinians are under the age of 18 and that mini-state must absorb hundreds of thousands of refugees, its prospects for being a viable, stable and truly independent state are nil given the unspoken parameters outlined in the Bush letter."

People who hate the very idea of peace

"You know them. The people who come out every time there's any chance of anything resembling a move toward peace between Israel and the Palestinians. You know their simmering rage, their triumphant condescension, their propensity to call anyone who opposes them, at best, a wishful thinker, at worst, a dangerous traitor."

Bush - Groupie of Israel

"Unlike President Carter, a devout Christian from the South who was not a supporter of Israel, and who applied atomic pressure on Begin to give up all of Sinai and its settlements and made him sign a document recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, President Bush is a fan - even a groupie - of Israel."

ANALYSIS: To have successful talks, PA delegates lower hopes

"Ahmad Qureia (Abu Ala), Saeb Erekat and Akram Haniyeh arrived at the Mandarin lobby Sunday evening for a meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and her team. But apart from members of the media, nobody was waiting for them. The Palestinian officials looked at each other in confusion. A few minutes later someone from the Israeli team apparently remembered to come and take the Palestinians to the meeting."

Jewish, Christian leaders to U.S.: No compromise on Jerusalem

"Representatives from Orthodox Jewish organizations and Christian organizations met with President Bush's National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley along with other senior White House officials Monday, and raised concerns regarding the diplomatic meetings in Annapolis."

Beinisch: Israel is swarming with harrowing violence

Supreme Court Justice Dorit Beinisch. (Daniel Bar On)

"Beinisch spoke against violence and trafficking in human beings for purposes of prostitution and slavery. "These trends are dreadful and it's hard to believe we have yet to do away with them.""

Prostitution and slavery in Israel? Nooooo.....

A footnote in history

"Bush's beliefs are steadfast, and they reflect little understanding of Palestinian realities: On the one hand, Bush seeks mileage out of the false claim that he is the first US president to call for the creation of a Palestinian state, and he emphasises his plans to "lay the foundation" for the said state."

West Bank wall divides neighbours

"As international politicians prepare for a summit in Annapolis aimed at restarting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, ordinary people in Israel and the Palestinian territories remain as divided as ever."

Q&A: Annapolis

"Representatives from nearly 50 nations and international groups will also be present, but expectations of the conference are low."

Short on peace, long on process

"Judging from its high attendance and low expectations, Annapolis is more likely to help three sitting ducks, Olmert, Abbas and Bush, than advance the cause of peace in the Middle East."

America's Days of Reckoning

"Overnight the US became a tyranny in which people could be arrested and incarcerated on the basis of unsubstantiated accusation. Both US citizens and non-citizens were denied habeas corpus, due process, and access to attorneys and courts. Congress gave Bush legislation establishing military tribunals, the procedures of which permit people to be condemned to death on the basis of secret evidence, hearsay, and confessions extracted by torture. Nothing of the like has ever been seen before in the US."

Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America

"As Iraqi leaders confirmed in their Communiqué signed on August 26, 2007, and endorsed by President Bush, the Governments of Iraq and the United States are committed to developing a long-term relationship of cooperation and friendship as two fully sovereign and independent states with common interests."

How to Control the Story, Pentagon-Style

"From the beginning of the American occupation in Iraq, air strikes and attacks by the U.S. military have only killed "militants," "criminals," "suspected insurgents," "IED [Improvised Explosive Device] emplacers," "anti-American fighters," "terrorists," "military-age males," "armed men," "extremists," or "al-Qaeda.""

The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act

"One would have thought that the systematic dismantling of the Constitution of the United States would have been enough to satisfy even the most Jacobin neoconservative, but there is more on the horizon, and it is coming from people who call themselves Democrats."

Being pushed by those who call themselves Zionists.

Blackwater probe stifled by conflicts

"The State Department's acerbic top auditor wasn't happy when Justice Department officials told one of his aides to leave the room so they could discuss a criminal investigation of Blackwater Worldwide, the contractor protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq."

Arabs doubt prospects for peace parley

Protestor Helene Storch demonstrates at a gate to the U.S. Naval Academy prior to the Israeli-Palestinian peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, November 26, 2007. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

"Despite deep doubts back home about what they can accomplish, senior Arab officials from countries like Saudi Arabia and Syria agreed to sit down here with Israel to show their commitment to an Arab peace initiative, shore up the Palestinians and, in some cases, simply because they felt they could not say no."

Stop supporting Bin Laden

"When intellectuals in the west descend to Islam-bashing, they play straight into the hands of Osama."

Conflict resolution

"Is it just a coincidence or was someone at the US state department indulging himself in a nerdish jape with the timing of the Annapolis peace conference this week? Thursday sees the 60th anniversary of UN Resolution 181, which divided Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state. It was a bitterly contested vote, whose consequences have reverberated down the decades."

Defining Racism

"Kay presents herself as a defender of Jews from racism. Jews should be defended from racism. All peoples should be defended from racism. Racism is a scourge that should be obliterated. Yet, in essence, Kay exposes her own racism by ignoring or minimizing the terrible crimes perpetrated on Palestinians by Jews."

Britain wants more non-white spies, laments 007 image

"The nation's secret services want to recruit more non-white and Muslim agents, a top official said Monday, dismissing the "myth" of British spies resembling 007 agent James Bond."

Definitely a move in the right direction. Now, if only the Zionists in America would let US Intelligence agencies do the same.

Israeli Seige of Gaza Resulting in Huge Humanitarian Crisis

"Israel's siege is not only creating a living Hell for the 1.4 million living in the Gaza Strip: the dead are also affected. In addition to the very vital food and medical supplies which Israel is preventing from entering Gaza, cement and building materials are also being denied entry. As a result, those who die, an increasing number of who are killed by invading Israeli forces or border closures, will have no burial place. Without the cement for graves, it isn't possible to adequately construct gravesites."

Annapolis Talks About Anything But Peace

"All the claims by Condoleezza Rice that Annapolis will not be a "photo-op" have been contradicted by columns appearing in major Israeli media, with the bottom line being there will be no change in Israeli policy, no peace agreement, and the occupation of Palestine will continue."

U.S. Financial Aid To Israel: Figures, Facts, and Impact

"Although Israel is an "advanced, industrialized, technologically sophisticated country," it "receives more U.S. aid per capita annually than the total annual [Gross Domestic Product] per capita of several Arab states." Approximately a third of the entire U.S. foreign aid budget goes to Israel, "even though Israel comprises just…one-thousandth of the world's total population, and already has one of the world's higher per capita incomes.""

Israel and Sex Trafficking

"Dubai is of course not the only place in the Middle East famous for sex-trafficking; it faces stiff competition from Israel. BBC reports, in 2006 ‘the United Nations named Israel as one of the main destinations in the world for trafficked women; it has also consistently appeared as an offender in the annual US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (Tip) report.’"

We Have to Keep Pressing Hard Against an Attack on Iran

"We've got to keep pressing hard against an attack on Iran: The security of the United States, as well as the Middle East, is hanging in the balance."

120 War Vets Commit Suicide Each Week on Average

"The military refuses to come clean, insisting the high rates are due to "personal problems," not experience in combat."

Israel's Sacred Terrorism

"It is our considered opinion that Sharett's Personal Diary, is a very important historical resource that sheds much light on Israel's policy towards the Arab world, particularly for all of us in the United States who have such a large stake in Middle Eastern developments and the eventual outcome of the conflict."

Did McClellan Accuse Bush of Lying to Federal Prosecutors?

"The text reads: “not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy this Pres. asked to stick his head in the meat grinder because of the incompetence of others.” However, the words “this Pres.” Have been struck through and replaced with “that was.” Thus in the original text, Cheney appears to be implicating Bush directly in a cover-up plan. And so does the McClellan disclosure."

The Future Iraq: Can't stay forever

"Not long after visiting the University of Washington in October, Blix was in Australia, where the former U.N. weapons inspector received the Sydney Peace Prize and raised the bases idea. Associated Press and AFP news reports quoted him as saying, "One fear I would have is that the U.S. has a hidden thought to remain in Iraq. One reason why they wanted in was that they felt they must leave Saudi Arabia.""

Evidence on Iran doesn't seem to matter

"Apart from the eight nuclear weapons powers (the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel), four other countries already have plants on their territory for "enriching and reprocessing uranium" under IAEA safeguards: Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil. Argentina, Australia and South Africa are also building or actively considering uranium enrichment facilities, again under IAEA safeguards. So there was some rapid back-pedaling at the White House when a journalist inquired if all these countries are also seeking nuclear weapons."

American Majority Sees Iraq War as a Mistake

"Most adults in the United States question their federal government’s decision to launch the coalition effort, according to a poll by Knowledge Networks released by the Associated Press and Yahoo. 62 per cent of respondents think the U.S. made a made a mistake in going to war in Iraq."

New Australian PM signals Iraq pullout

"AUSTRALIA’S new prime minister Kevin Rudd will mark his arrival on the international stage by announcing the withdrawal of his country’s combat troops from Iraq and signing the Kyoto treaty on climate change."

Iraqi Shiite leader defends Iran

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, welcomes leader of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, front center, for a meeting in Tehran, Iran, seen in this Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, file photo. Al-Hakim, Iraq's most influential Shiite politician, disputes U.S. claims that Iran is fomenting violence in this country, underscoring a wide gap between Washington and Baghdad over Tehran's role. (AP Photo)

"Iraq's most influential Shiite politician said Sunday that the U.S had not backed up claims that Iran is fueling violence here, underscoring a wide gap on the issue between Washington and the Shiite-led Baghdad government."

Saudi crown prince meets Putin, foresees arms deal

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz(R) is greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. The two leaders held talks expected to pave the way for the first purchase of Russian weapons by the kingdom.(AFP/POOL/Dmitry Astakhov)

"Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz held talks here Friday with President Vladimir Putin expected to pave the way for the first purchase of Russian weapons by the kingdom, a close US ally."

The Saudis may have some short-comings but they are not stupid.

Bush’s Twenty-Billion Dollar Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia (at risk)

"The Zionist Power Configuration Defeats Big Oil, the Military Industrial Complex, the White House and the Pentagon."

The Mystery of Minot: Loose nukes and a cluster of dead airmen raise troubling questions

"The unauthorized Aug. 29/30 cross-country flight of a B-52H Stratofortress armed with six nuclear-tipped AGM-29 Advanced Cruise missiles, which saw these 150-kiloton warheads go missing for 36 hours, has all the elements of two Hollywood movies. One would be a thriller about the theft from an armed weapons bunker of six nukes for some dark and murky purpose. The lead might be played by Matt Damon. The other movie would be a slapstick comedy about a bunch of bozos who couldn't tell the difference between a nuclear weapon and a pile of dummy warheads. The lead might be played by Adam Sandler, backed by the cast of "Police Academy III.""

PA-Israeli document liquidating Right of Return unveiled

"Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees were forced out of their homes at gunpoint at the hands of Jewish gangs in 1948 and after the 1967 war, however, those refugees along with their children and grandchildren who were born in the diaspora remain holding to their right of return to their homes, and vowing to reject all financial compensations offered to them."

Ron Paul's growing poll numbers vex mainstream press

"Practically written off as an incendiary, racist and even plain old kook by prominent reporters for organizations like the AP, FOX and CNN, GOP hopeful Ron Paul keeps going and going; his supporters are seemingly impervious to the barbs that paint them as disenfranchised and off the grid malcontents."

The world continues to look away. Don't

"Some stories, as horrific as they are, need to be read by everyone. This is one of them. Brian O'Connell reports."

While the volunteer Army struggles, the business of war booms.

"“There are many questions as to how a myriad of heavily armed private armies can serve the purpose of the US military and foreign policy,” writes Robert Young Pelton, in Licensed to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror."

Conservative Revisionists and Hiroshima

"When Paul Tibbets, pilot of the plane that dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima 62 years ago, died earlier this month, conservative commentators responded true to form. They declared Tibbets to be a hero. They stridently defended the use of the atomic bomb. And they took the opportunity to denounce any and all critics of the atomic bombing of Japanese cities as "left-wingers," "self-haters," "wacko communists," "ultraliberal Americans," "idealistic fools," and (one of our favorites) "peace-at-any-pricers and ban-the-bombers.""

Giuliani's Culture Of Corruption

"Why did an Israeli billionaire hand $250,000 to Giuliani protégé Bernie Kerik?"

Was It The Oil, All Along?

Yes, and Israel. Or, more precisely, Oil FOR Israel.

In Case You Miss It: Mystery of "Israeli Spies" in America: The Ecstasy Factor

"In May 2001, the Israeli mastermind of this operation, Oded Tuito, was arrested by Spanish police in Castelldefels outside Barcelona. His capture triggered a plethora of extradition requests from around the world, including the United States, and on Aug. 15, 2001, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted him and 11 alleged associates for running an international drug trafficking ring that smuggled an estimated 100,000 pills a month into that city."

Developing Countries protest Israeli attacks on IAEA

"Developing nations have protested to the International Atomic Energy Agency's governing board over Israel's accusations that IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei was showing complacency over Iran's nuclear ambitions."

Bringing the War on Terrorism Home: Congress Considers How to 'Disrupt' Radical Movements in the United States

"Under the guise of a bill that calls for the study of "homegrown terrorism," Congress is apparently trying to broaden the definition of terrorism to encompass both First Amendment political activity and traditional forms of protest such as nonviolent civil disobedience, according to civil liberties advocates, scholars and historians."

Rice in diplomatic flurry ahead of Mideast talks

"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Sunday as part of last-ditch efforts to bridge differences with the Palestinians ahead of key Middle East peace talks."

Iran to launch homemade submarine

"Iranian Naval Commander Admiral Habib Sayyari said Saturday that the navy would launch a homemade destroyer called Jamaran and a submarine called Ghadir on November 28."

US is‘worst’ Imperialist: Archbishop

"THE Archbishop of Canterbury has said that the United States wields its power in a way that is worse than Britain during its imperial heyday."

In Case You Missed It: Penetrating the Defenses at Defense – and State

"They Dare to Speak Out: The diplomat offers an example from his own experience. “I received a call from a friend of mine in the Jewish community who wanted to warn me, as a friend, that all details of a lengthy document on Middle East policy that I had just dispatched overseas were ‘out.’” The document was classified “top secret,” the diplomat recalls. “I didn’t believe what he said, so my friend read me every word of it over the phone.”"

Reject the False Peace Conference at Annapolis

"Is peace the intent? It is natural to wonder if the persons representing the well-funded Israeli Zionists on one side, and the persons representing the homeless and hungry Philistines, insultingly called “Palestinians,” have any options to which they can agree."

Ron Paul – Just Like Ronald Reagan – But Without All the Acting

"The "problem" with Ron Paul is that he is honest and transparent. He is Not acting. What you see is what you get."

Israel in Darfur and Arab National Security

""Israel's Success in developing its relations with western African states – especially these falling south of the Great Sahara region bordering Arab African states – shall achieve very important strategic gains for it, which shall overcome areas of its strategic weakness due to the tight band of Arab States surrounding it, to reach to the open Arab back in a place Arabs do not expect"….this is the resume of words ex Israeli chief of staff, General Hayem Laskoff, described his country's policy in relation to the African continent, that policy in which the Israel role becomes more apparent whenever conflicts comes to the open in its different arenas, especially after the discovery of natural resources such as oil and uranium in the continent."

You were wondering why there's suddenly so much trouble in Darfur?

The Bush Rules of Evidence

"When the Bushes are involved in dirty deals or even criminal activity, standards of evidence change. Instead of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that would lock up an average citizen, the evidence must be perfect."

Arab League: Normalization only in framework of Arab peace plan

"Arab officials departed for the United States on Sunday to attend the U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace talks in Annapolis, warning that there would be no normalization with Israel without a comprehensive peace."

Demands of a thief

"The public discourse in Israel has momentarily awoken from its slumber. "To give or not to give," that is the Shakespearean question - "to make concessions" or "not to make concessions." It is good that initial signs of life in the Israeli public have emerged. It was worth going to Annapolis if only for this reason - but this discourse is baseless and distorted. Israel is not being asked "to give" anything to the Palestinians; it is only being asked to return - to return their stolen land and restore their trampled self-respect, along with their fundamental human rights and humanity."

Forecast: U.S. dollar could plunge 90 pct

"We are going to see economic times the likes of which no living person has seen," Trends Research Institute Director Gerald Celente said, forecasting a "Panic of 2008."

Banks Gone Wild

"“What were they smoking?” asks the cover of the current issue of Fortune magazine. Underneath the headline are photos of recently deposed Wall Street titans, captioned with the staggering sums they managed to lose."

Noam Chomsky on U.S. Policy Towards Iran

Excellent Video

""Suppose it was true that Iran is helping insurgents in Iraq. I mean, wasn’t the United States helping insurgents when the Russians invaded Afghanistan? Did we think there was anything wrong with that? I mean, Iraq's a country that was invaded and is under military occupation. You can't have a serious discussion about whether someone else is interfering in it. The basic assumption underlying the discussion is that we own the world.""

Moussaoui judge questions government

Zacarias Moussaoui is shown in an undated police photograph. The CIA erred in twice telling a court in the case of September 11 conspirator Moussaoui that it did not have any recordings of interrogations of 'enemy combatants,' when in fact it had three video or audio tapes, according to a letter released on Tuesday. (Sherburne County Sheriffs office/Handout/Reuters)

"A federal judge expressed frustration Tuesday that the government provided incorrect information about evidence in the prosecution of Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui and raised the possibility of ordering a new trial in another high-profile terrorism case."

Okay, hang on. If the judge who presided over the Moussaoui trail is concerned that the government provided "incorrect information about evidence," wouldn't that be grounds for a mis-trail?

Tough Iran sanctions to hit Germany hard: report

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy address a news conference after a meeting in Berlin November 12, 2007. Germany, Britain, France and the United States called this week for the United Nations to consider more severe sanctions because they say Iran has failed to allay concerns about its atomic work. (Tobias Schwarz/Reuters)

Merkel is still pushing for tougher sanctions against Iran when implementing those sanctions would cost her government 2 billion Euros per year ~ that can only mean one thing. Bush has promised to off-set any damages Germany incurs as a result of the sanctions.

A Time to Kill, And a Time to Heal

Yuval, a 40-year-old major in the air force, lives with his wife and three children on Palmachim air base, some 20 miles north of Gaza. After the second intifada, Yuval flew targeted killing missions over Gaza, shooting missiles that killed some fifteen intifada leaders. - Laura Blumenfeld - The Washington Post

There's something "Jekyll and Hyde-ish" about this story. During the day he cures children and at night he kills them. But, notice how the story makes him out to be some kind of a hero by saying he "killed some fifteen intifada leaders," as if they are certain that ALL fifteen killed were actually "leading" the intifada and that there were absolutely no "collateral" damage ~ meaning no innocent men, women and children were killed. Of course, when helicopter gunships fire missiles at apartments and homes filled with sleeping women and children "collateral" damage is bound to occur. So, in my book, Dr. Jekyll here is no hero, he's actually a schizophrenic murderer.

In Case You Missed It: Excerpt from DEA report on Israeli spying

"Investigators within the DEA, INS and FBI have all told Fox News that to pursue or even suggest Israeli spying ... is considered career suicide." - -- Carl Cameron, as quoted in The Spies Who Came In From The Art Sale