Americas most wounded soldier to return to combat is going back to the front line to serve his country once more.
Captain D.J. Skelton will take charge of 192 men from his previous unit and fight in the dangerous plains of Southern Afghanistan. Friends said his achievement should have been physically impossible but he pushed through the pain because of his warrior spirit.
The inspirational story marks the end of a seven-year nightmare after Capt Skelton, 33, was blown up by rocket-propelled grenades in the Iraqi city of Fallujah in 2004. All he remembers is screaming the whole time and wanting to die then waking up at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C.
His injuries were horrific. Shrapnel had gone through his right cheek and torn apart his jaw and the roof of his mouth. He had also been shot in the chest and had a shrapnel tunnel through his body.
It has taken six years and more than 60 surgeries for him to recover but he still has a missing left eye, only has partial use of his left arm and limited use of his left ankle. The roof of his mouth has gone and he cannot eat or drink without a custom prosthetic.
A life-long rock climber, Skelton re-learned how to rock climb after combat injuries shattered his left arm. He has since hosted a rock-climbing clinic for other amputees. He has taught himself Chinese Mandarin at a language school, graduated from West Point military academy in New York where he allegedly illegally jumped off a 900-ft high bridge in a daredevil stunt.
His other achievements include completing 465 gruelling hours of punishment tours, which is one hour of walking back and forth with a rifle, and personally body-piercing the entire women's soccer team.
I can either dwell on what happened and be miserable and pissy and complain or I can look at what I do have left and figure out how to make the most of my new life... how to make what I have work while always looking for creative ways to make up the difference.
#4
and personally body-piercing the entire women's soccer team
Remember that bit from "Jose Chung's From Outer Space" with Jesse Ventura playing a MIB, and Mulder says something about how MIBs might deliberately act in a bizarre and unbelievable manner so that eye-witness accounts are self-discrediting? This detail makes me suspect the provenance of this story by its sheer lunacy.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
02/25/2011 15:41 Comments ||
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167 Americans have been waiting aboard the catamaran Maria Dolores at dockside in Tripoli since Wednesday. Rough weather prevented the ship from leaving sooner than it did at 0637 EST. Its ETA at the port of Valletta in Malta is 1500 EST.
President Obama has been under intense criticism for his muted response to the bloodshed in Libya, with speculation that Colonel Gaddafi had intimidated the White House into silence by blocking the evacuation of U.S. citizens. And last night, while the Dolores remained stranded, the president enjoyed a White House pop concert in celebration of Black History month.
Tony Munoz Editor of shipping magazine The Maritime Executive said: 'The U.S. needed to charter a bigger boat like the Greeks'
#2
US has suspended its embassy operations in Libya.
A U.S. charter aircraft departed Libya at 1:49 p.m. EDT with additional American and international citizens on board, bound for Istanbul.
Previous tweet: We do not anticipate scheduling another flight after Friday.
If the U.S. military were to intervene in an increasingly chaotic Libya, it would most likely be part of a NATO action in which Libyan bloodshed has reached a humanitarian crisis, analysts said Thursday. Gee, that shouldn't take long at all.
As reports emerged Thursday about deadly clashes between leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces and anti-government protesters in the town of Zawiya near Tunisia, analysts highlighted how Gadhafi has already pledged to fight a rebellion to martyrdom.
Military intervention "is something which I hope doesn't happen, but it looks as though at some point that it should happen," said Simon Henderson, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
"What's an acceptable number of civilian deaths? I don't know. Choose your figure," Henderson said. "At the very least, instead of having a casualty list certainly in the hundreds, possibly in the thousands, we don't want a casualty list numbering in the tens of thousands, or 100,000 or so." The numbers guarantee that Gadaffy will get away with it.
Now if I were in charge:
We would threaten Gadaffy's existence if he touched one hair on any foreigner's head. Some rented thug would touch a hair on a foreigner's head somewhere. We would overfly the country about a zillion times and plink every tank and heavy machine-gun site we could find, including any resources related to the elite guards or Gadaffy himself. We could use twitter to get folks to turn in places where they were getting shot at and go bomb anything that looks bad there, too.
#1
When the stories flowed out of Somalia to begin with I knew the media was trying to goad the US to intervene, I also knew that as soon as we'd been there a while their next move would be to get us out with shame. Do not let the media dictate the national interests, particularly in foreign affairs. We are no longer in the position to afford commitments anywhere at anytime. Choose wisely and, like every other friggin nation on this planet, in our own interests.
#2
ION PEOPLE'S DAILY FORUM > GADDAFI MAY USE CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AGZ ESCLAATING LIBYA UNREST.
and
* SAME > IFF THE SAUDIS PROTEST,THE WORLD IS IN TROUBLE.
big Big Big BIG B-I-G BBBIIIIIGGGG TRIBBLE.
* SAME > MIDDLE EAST UPRISINGS: AL-QAEDA'S MAKE-OR-BREAK MOMENT?
VERSIES
* PRAVDA > [US-controlled,armed] TERRORISTS TRYING TO DESTROY LIBYA, like it did YUGOSLAVIA.
ARTIC = LIBYUH is a SUCCESSFUL = WORKING SOCIALIST STATE under attack by the US via Proxies.
* WAFF > ISRAEL AND IRAN: A CALL FOR NEW PRIORITIES.
ARTIC = Author calls for IMMEDIATE, PREEMPTIVE, NATO-SANCTIONED AIR STRIKES AGZ IRAN'S NUCPROGS.
Abhorred or otherwise regarded as unnecessary or destabilizing during the US-Soviet Cold War, PREEMPTION = PREEMPTIVE MILSTRIKE may prove to be the method of first resort by the UNO + World Powers in the age of Globalism + Islamist Nuc Proliferation [advent of Regional, Global Nuclear, Other WMDS Militancy-Terror threat(s)].
[Ennahar] Unlike other Arab regimes, in Egypt, Tunisia or Libya, who have faced a wave of violent protests and demands for political and social change, President Bouteflika, ... 10th president of Algeria. He was elected in 1999 and is currently on his third term, which is probably why Algerians are ready to dump him... who is very aware of the aspirations of Algerian youth, responds to opposition claim by taking steps to appease the social front.
By the measures taken at the council of minister before yesterday, President Bouteflika has proved, despite the harsh criticism he has received, he was different from former Egyptian and Tunisian presidents, respectively Hosni Mubarak and Ben Ali, who had done nothing to calm the anger of their citizens. Bouteflika is also different from the Libyan leader Muammar Qadaffy who responded to his people by fierce repression to maintain power.
The first step taken by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was the lifting of the state of emergency imposed since 1993, in response to demand from organizations of human rights, ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... political parties and trade unions who saw this as a barrier to political liberties.
In addition, new measures to benefit the youth by the cancellation of interest on loans for young people and the ease in obtaining housing, granting of credits by banks, are a message to all the protesters who came out to ask for housing or work.
These measures come after those taken in response to riots against high living costs and rising food prices.
President Bouteflika, by these measures would have given a lesson in democracy to his detractors who are out in the streets to demand his departure, and even Arab leaders, facing the wrath of the street who have responded with repression and force.
Housing distribution before the end of June
President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika has ordered the distribution of housing completed in a fair and transparent manner before the end of June.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has already begun implementing the decisions of the president of the republic. Minister Noureddine Moussa services, according to informed sources, began preparing the texts in this direction and the conditions for social housing in order to facilitate access for youth category.
Completed housing will be distributed before the end of next June from March. Nearly 242,000 homes will be distributed all forms together in 2011, including 19,000 rural homes, 90,000 social homes and 31,000 Promotional homes (LSP).
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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[Ennahar] Minister of Interior and Local Government; Dahou Ould Kablia said that the regime in Algeria is not in danger of falling, like what happened in Tunisia and Egypt. The Algerian people are aware of the accomplishments made during the last ten years, he said.
In an interview with France 24, Algerian Minister of Interior and Local Government spoke about the latest events organized by the National Coordination for Change and Democracy (NCCD), unauthorized, which led to its ban, the minister added that the protesters provoked the police to make believe that the regime in Algeria is a repressive regime.
Ould Kablia said that the regime in Algeria is completely different from that in Tunisia or Egypt. Each nation, he said, has its peculiarities and its nature. If the investment programs in these countries were concentrated in specific regions, in Algeria, the investment policy is not built on regionalism; financial allocations were made available for remote areas, like southern and High Plateaus.
For the Algerian Minister of the Interior, what happens in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya could have negative consequences. If the people in these countries gain freedom, they will lose their independence in return because of the interests and ambitions of the West who will not hesitate to intervene to defend them. The example is instructive with transitional governments in Tunisia and Egypt.
Furthermore, concerning the fight against terrorism and the organization AQIM, the minister said that cooperation is very low because of the disproportionate means in these countries and cooperation of Mali and Niger with Western countries like the United States and France. A situation that irritates Algeria, the minister added, as this latter cannot cooperate with non-Muslims to fight Muslims.
"We fight Muslims against Muslims without any outside help. Seriously -- there used to be way more Al Qaeda in the Maghreb men around here, but now there aren't. We're pretty good at that, in fact."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
For those who have seen The Battle of Algiers (1966), I'm interested in your movie reviews, especially with our somewhat different perspectives today.
[Arab News] Morocco's foreign minister says the absence of a security crackdown against recent street protests in his country show it does not have the same tension as other Arab nations that are facing unrest.
Taieb Fassi Fihri says the demonstrations are a normal part of democratic life and will not force the government to change its course.
He said Wednesday during a trip to Lisbon that "reforms are under way ... and they will continue." Thousands of Moroccans marched Sunday to demand economic, social and political improvements. The government says five people died in scattered violence.
The main target of Sunday's rallies was parliament, though the protests also placed pressure on King Mohammed VI, who still holds absolute authority.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Morocco is the most "western" and capitalist of all the North African nations due to a long tradition as traders and artisans. This may have the same influence as a middle class elsewhere, which may explain the relative stability.
#3
Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came for the waters.
Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.
[Arab News] Egyptian state TV says a former prime minister and Cabinet minister have been banned from leaving the country, a move that is often the prelude to a criminal investigation and a possible trial.
It says Egypt's top prosecutor on Wednesday banned Atef Obeid, prime minister from 2001 to 2004, as well as long-serving Culture Minister Farouq Hosni from traveling abroad.
The ban also covers Osama El-Sheikh, the head of state TV and radio.
The attorney general also banned nine businessmen from leaving Egypt.
The bans are the latest move by Egypt's military rulers against stalwarts of the administration of ousted geriatric President Hosni Mubarak and businessmen associated with his regime.
Egypt's new Cabinet met for the first time on Wednesday with security high on its agenda and under attack from the Moslem Brüderbund and others who want it purged of ministers appointed by Mubarak.
In preparation for polls that military rulers have promised to hand over power to civilian rule in six months, activists announced the forming of a new political party on Wednesday.
The Brotherhood and other political groups have called for another million-man-march on Friday to fill Cairo's central Tahrir Square, which was the nerve center for opposition to Mubarak's 30-year iron rule, to call for a new Cabinet. Banned under Mubarak and playing an increasingly active role in Egyptian political life since the 18-day uprising that toppled Mubarak, the Brotherhood wants the lifting of emergency law, freeing of political prisoners and a purge of the cabinet.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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[Maghrebia] Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Monday (February 21st) inaugurated a long-awaited advisory body to the government. The creation of the Social and Economic Council (CES) is enshrined in the constitution but was delayed for years.
"We intend it to be a new, open space, capable of enhancing what the state can offer institutions in terms of structures and bodies which will foster constructive dialogue, responsible expression and a positive reaction to the aspirations of various social categories across different generations," the king said at the opening ceremony in Casablanca.
I'm not sure what that meant, but it sounds like fun.
The sovereign rejected calls for replacing the Chamber of Councillors with the CES or merging the two bodies.
"We are not inclined to allow this council to become some kind of third chamber," he said.
The new body comprises 99 members, including representatives of charities and union groups, as well as scientific experts and intellectuals. It aims to draw up a new social charter, based on major contractual partnerships.
The CES holds consultative powers and is tasked with proposing solutions to major socio-economic problems, such as the needs of the labour market.
"It is intended to serve as a permanent space for social dialogue and the best place for thinking across different fields of economic, social and environmental activity," Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi said in a press statement. "Before bringing draft bills before parliament, the government will seek the views of the council and take them into account."
Former Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa was appointed as the council chairman. The CES activities will make it possible to respond to the aspirations of the people, particularly young people, in terms of competitiveness, work, equal opportunities, governance and civil society, he said.
Through its judgments and proposals, the council will support the reforms upon which Morocco has embarked, Benmoussa pledged.
"The representation of business leaders, employees and civil society within the council is a guarantee of the effectiveness of its actions in the interest of everyone and the promotion of balanced economic development," said Moroccan Business Confederation chief and council member Mohamed Horani.
Another CES member, Abdelmaksoud Rachdi, commented that the body will open up new areas for consideration of the major economic and social directions taken by the country.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey opposes economic sanctions against Libya because it will hurt the Libyan people.
"It is wrong to act hastily in such situations. And it is not right at present to impose sanctions on Libya since such measures punish the people," Erdogan said on Wednesday.
Erdogan described the Libyan government crackdown on its people as "very worrying" and expressed hope that "those who govern Libya will eventually see the realities," AFP quoted him as saying.
"We are not supposed to meddle in Libya's affairs... and it is up to the Libyan people to decide their own fate," he added.
The remarks come, after the United States and the European Union announced they were considering the possibility of imposing economic sanctions against Libya over its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
Libya's pro-democracy protesters are bracing for the tenth day of revolution against the country's ruler, Muammar Qadaffy.
Militiamen loyal to Qadaffy clamped down in Tripoli, struggling to keep the capital under control.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini claimed Wednesday that 1,000 Libyan pro-democracy protesters have been killed in the North African nation during Qadaffy's brutal crackdown on civilians.
The latest report said a dozen more soldiers have refused to shoot the pro-democracy protesters on the 10th day of nationwide rage against the Libyan dictator.
The news comes a day after an amateur video showed the bodies of some 130 soldiers slain because they refused to open fire on the protesters.
A massive crackdown on civilians in crisis-hit Libya in the past nine days has drawn widespread condemnation in the world.
Following the European Union, the Arab Union, the United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society Security Council, and the United States, Spanish authorities have also slammed the brutal crackdown on Libya's pro-democracy protesters.
On Tuesday, Qadaffy pledged to fight the intensifying revolution against his four-decade-long grip on power.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Two observations:
Since Gaddafi lost of fear of Western reprisals Libya has shown zero respect for the freedom and sovereignty of Western countries (not that the Erdogan regime has shown much respect either.)
[Al Arabiya] Tunisia's revolution is unlikely to trigger Islamic militancy in the traditionally secular state, but Mohammedan leaders should avoid mixing religion with politics, the government's minister of religious affairs said.
North Africa's most developed country has been in flux since protests ended the 23-year rule of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali last month, sparking riots across the Arab world that analysts fear could play into the hands of al-Qaeda.
"After the Jan. 14 revolution, the country experienced change on every level, including the religious sphere," Aroussi Mizouri, minister of religious affairs in the caretaker government, told Rooters.
"Today, there is no restriction on speech in the mosques. But they should not become platforms for political ideology," he said in an interview this week. "We are counting on everyone to keep our society open and tolerant."
Religious tensions have been on the rise in the normally sleepy Mediterranean country, with anti-Islamist protests clogging central Tunis last weekend after a flurry of pro-Islamist demonstrations.
The murder of a priest and reports of threats against Tunisia's small Jewish community have also raised concerns among moderate Tunisians, worried that a post-revolution security vacuum could encourage religiously-motivated crime.
"I think that the coexistence of all religions in Tunisia will continue always, and the Jewish and Christian minorities will always have the respect of Tunisia," Mizouri said. "They have and always will be a part of Tunisian society."
Tunisian authorities last week quickly blamed the murder of Polish priest Marek Rybinski -- found with his throat slit -- on a terrorist cut-thoat group, only to recant later after evidence the murder was related to a personal vendetta.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
The headline tacitly acknowledges that mostly Islamic societies are closed and intolerant, no?
Posted by: Jack Salami ||
02/25/2011 9:34 Comments ||
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[Al Arabiya] North Korea's regime has tightened controls on outside information amid growing popular revolts against despots in the Arab world, South Korean sources and officials say.
But analysts say the Kim family is expected to retain its decades-long iron grip on power, in the absence of Internet access and a lack of institutions around which any revolt could coalesce.
"The regime appears to be taking (Middle East democratic movements) seriously. It is now trying hard to stop it from spilling over into the country," Yonhap news agency Thursday quoted a Seoul official as saying.
The hardline communist state has recently strengthened ideological control over its people and further tightened its blockade of outside information, the unidentified official said.
The South's Unification Minister Hyun In-Taek said in a Yonhap interview this week he expects the North to take steps to stop the turmoil spilling over to its 24 million people.
"I think the core of the leadership knows of the situation and sees it. From that viewpoint, it will obviously make efforts to keep the regime from being negatively influenced," Hyun said.
"I believe the North Korean people have yet to learn of the facts (about the Mideast) because the North's television does not report on them and the people can't use the Internet," the minister said.
"For now, the direct impact on the people will not be big."
The Daily NK, a Seoul-based Internet newspaper, said special riot squads have been set up in response to turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa.
Following a decree from leader Kim Dear Leader Jong-Il ... hereditary dictator of North Korea. His definition of reunification isn't the same as the definition in Seoul... , the squads are working to track down any hints of unrest, it quoted a source inside the country as saying.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
ION SPILLOVER, YONHAP > ARE EGYPT-STYLE UPHEAVALS POSSIBLE IN NORTH KOREA?
and
* SAME > ABSORPTION-BASED REUNIFICATION IS NOT AN OPTION: PRIME MINISTER [ROK PM Kim Hwang-sik].
The current Admin under ROK President LEE MYUNG-BAK FAVORS DPRK-ROK MUTUAL = BILATERAL CO-EXISTENCE + COOPERATION.
* WAFF > [Pravda]IS CHINA WORKING ON INTERVENTION IN NORTH KOREA?
Cold War "DETENTE'", ala US-VS-USSR???
Wehell, pragmatically RISING CHINA may be able to wait thru Year 2030-2050 to get its desired SOLE BASE RIGHTS VEE THE "FIRST ISLAND CHAIN" - IN THE ABSENCE OF MASSIVE ROUTINE INTERNATIONAL AID [per annum until???], i.e. A "MARSHALL PLAN" BY + SOLELY FOR NORTH-KOREA-N-ONLY-NORTH-KOREA, ITS DUBIOUS IFF STARVING NORTH KOREA CAN WAIT 2015-2020/2025 TO GET OUT OF FAMINE + ECON MORASS???
Again, from yestiddy, NORTH KOREA'S ECON = described as International Observers as akin to POOR AFRICAN = SUB-SAHARAN STATES, IIUC worse than contemporary East Asian States.
VERSUS
* PEOPLE'S DAILY FORUM > SOUTH KOREA DROPS LEAFLETS [info, food, medicine, radio packages]ON NORTH ABOUT EGYPT, TUNISIA [Mideast "Jasmine" protests, Mubarak, etc.].
I don't think Pyongyang is gonna like this development.
THE ROK LEAFLETS ARE ONE THING, BUT IMO WHATS REALLY GONNA RILE/ANGER NORTH KOREA IS BEING COMPARED TO POOREST-OF-THE-POOR AFRICAN STATES, as ITO it means NOKOR is a [unofficial = undeclared] FAILED STATE, + that the NOKOR COMMIE-SOC MOVEMENT is ditto a FAILED IDEO, MOVEMENT that has achieved little-iff-anything since the end of the first 1950-1953 Korean War.
* SAME > NORTH KOREA + IRAN HOLD TALKS TO FIGHT THE US [share a common front as per Nucprogs].
* TOPIX > NORTH KOREA BLASTS JAPAN, accusnig Nippon of planning to use KOREA(S) CLAIMED DOKKDO ISLE FOR MIL AGGRESSION = ATTACKS AGZ NORTH KOREA.
Dokkdo = South Kuriles? Senkakus/Daoyus?
----------
ION PEOPLES DAILY FORUM > RUSSIA "MAY SEND" WARSHIP TO KURILS ISLANDS, to deter + defend agz Japan.
The Probs wid "MISTRALS".
* SAME > GLOBAL BELT-TIGHTENING DROPS JAPAN'S HOPES [Nippon econ recovery vee various overseas foreign infrastructure investment projects].
* SAME > CHINESE TO BECOME AMERICA'S THIRD LARGEST MINORITY GROUP [by 2020].
* SAME > ARCTIC GAME CHANGER? Inter-State/Regional Challenges as per NE Asia + NE Asian MILPOLECON Security may shift focii away from the SOUTH CHINA SEAS + INDIAN OCEAN REGIONS.
[Iran Press TV] French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said Mohammedans have to assimilate into the French culture in case they want to be made welcome in La Belle France.
In a live-broadcast interview with French Channel One television, the French president condemned multi-culturalism and described it as a failure.
Sarkozy said La Belle France had been too concerned about the identity of people who came to live in the country.
He stated that Mohammedans should "accept to melt into a single community, which is the national community."
Sarkozy even went on to instruct the imams at French mosques on how to give their sermons.
La Belle France, home to some five million Mohammedan inhabitants, mostly of North African descent, takes pride in the "special relationship" it has with the Arab world, and its former colonies.
In the wake of revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, Sarkozy also warned the Middle Eastern countries of falling into what he calls "religious dictatorship."
The French president, who had been a long-time ally of Tunisia's ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, urged the Middle Eastern countries to help pave the way for democracy in Egypt and Tunisia.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#3
or you will be on trail for breaking the EU anti-Muslim censorship laws like Geert Wilders!
Has anybody heard/read anything since MP Wilders made his "The lights are slowly going out all over Europe" speech on the first day of the retrial earlier this month? I haven't been able to find anything, which no doubt reflects on my googling skills rather than a lack of information.
#4
What's the tipping point for the Euro-muzzies to start emulating their bretheren back home?
What would Sweden or Holland or France do if faced with mass protests of the kind seen in Egypt, Tunis, Libya, etc.?
Posted by: Alan Cramer ||
02/25/2011 12:33 Comments ||
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#5
I agree but given that Islam is completely incompatible with "Liberté" (Islam means submission and people are not free to leave it), Egalité (Shimmis have less rights tan Muslims and the sentence is halaved when a Muslim kills a non-Muslim), "Fratenité" ("Don't take Jews and Chrisitians as friends", calling themp apes and pigs) it means that integrating into French culture means leaving Islam.
[Iran Press TV] Weighing in on the latest developments in the Arab world, renowned American intellectual Noam Chomsky says the US policy of "stability" in the Middle East refers to "stable dictators." That's right. You thought Noam was dead, didn't you? C'mon, admit it. In a Wednesday interview with Press TV, Chomsky said the US and its allies have vested interests in stable dictatorships in energy-rich countries like Libya rather than real democracies.
"There is a reason why there is so much concern about the democracy uprising in the Arab world than in, say, the sub-Saharan Africa. This is where the major energy resources of the world are. There is quite a good reason why the US and its allies will pull out no stops to prevent any really functioning democracy from developing in the Arab world," the renowned professor said about the revolutions in Libya and Egypt.
He further added that US President Barack B.O. Obama hesitatingly supported the revolution in Egypt after several organizations and human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... groups wrote letters to the White House urging it to stop backing Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak.
"The US (President Barack Obama) was in fact continuing to back Mubarak dictatorship until (Campaign for Peace and Democracy in New York and several other rights groups) urged him to drop that stand and provide at least verbal support for the popular uprising," he continued to say.
Chomsky further added that the Arab world considers the United States and Israel "a real threat" to world security.
"For the Arab public, the major threat by overwhelming majority is the US and Israel," he noted.
The renowned author also added that former US President Dwight David Eisenhower had warned of anti-US sentiments in the Arab world; a prediction which has come true nowadays.
"Eisenhower was concerned about what he called the campaign of hatred against the US in the Arab world not among the governments that were mostly compiled but with the people," Chomsky said.
"There was an analysis at the same time by the National Security administration 'the highest planning body' which said yes, there is a campaign of hatred and the reason is that there is a perception that the US supports dictatorships and blocks democracy and development," he noted.
This comes at a time pro-democracy protesters prepare for the 10th day of revolution against ruler Muammar Qadaffy, despite the fact that a massive crackdown on civilians by Libyan forces has left as many as 1,000 dead.
A total of 130 Libyan soldiers have been executed for refusing to open fire on anti-Qadaffy protesters.
On Tuesday, Qadaffy pledged to fight the intensifying revolution against his four-decade-long grip on power.
The embattled ruler, who came to power 41 years ago in a bloodless military coup, delivered a televised address on Tuesday in which he vowed to fight on to his "last drop of blood" and called on his supporters to take to the streets to confront the pro-democracy protesters.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Someone explain to me why the opinion of a linguistics person has any merit at all in the realm of geopolitics? My trash man is just as qualified in that area.
#6
And supporting the North Vietnamese regime wasn't supporting dictators? The left demands perfection of others of which they fail miserably at. How about all those little red books and Mao jackets that were so 'in' during the 60s. And who's pressing for more open relations with Cuba. Go pander your little guilt trip elsewhere clown.
#8
Chumpsky further added that the Arab world [and the left and Obama] considers the United States and Israel "a real threat" to world security.
My humble opinion: Israel and the rest of us consider the Arab world a threat to the peace and stability of the Mideast region as well as the rest of the world.
#10
Chomsky on Cambodia: The few thousand who were killed by the Khmer Rouge were (like Nazi) collaborators. The "few thousand" turned out to be 2,000 thousands and 25% of the entire Cambodian population.
The Communist Noam Chomsky makes Walter Duranty seem like George (I cannot tell a lie) Washington in comparison. I can't think of a person, without actual blood on their hands, more deserving to burn in hell for eternity.
Posted by: Pearl Gleaper1127 ||
02/25/2011 14:18 Comments ||
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#11
American intellectual Noam Chomsky ...
I don't think that word means what you think it means.
Zachary Adam Chesser encouraged violent jihadists to attack "South Park" writers for an episode that depicted the false Prophet Mohammed in a pedo-bear suit, court documents said. The writers at CNN are so culturally insensitive. They forgot the "Piss Be Upon Him" after the false prophet's name.
He posted online messages that included the writers' home addresses and urged online readers to "pay them a visit," the documents said. I can only hope that your new roommate(s) pay you many visits, Zachary.
[Emirates 24/7] Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki called on Iraqis not to participate in massive planned demonstrations in Storied Baghdad on Friday, describing their organisers as bully boyz and loyalists of Saddam Hussein.
His remarks were markedly stronger than warnings issued by Iraqi security officials, who have claimed that the protests would be infiltrated by bully boyz bent on wreaking havoc.
"I call upon you ... not to participate in tomorrow's demonstration," Maliki said in Storied Baghdad on Thursday.
He insisted he was not preventing protesters from taking part in the rally, but cited security concerns and claimed that the protest's organisers were tied to the regime of ex-dictator Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda.
"You can hold these demonstrations at any time or place you want, except for the place and time of a demonstration which Saddamists, Islamic fascistiand Al-Qaeda are behind," he said.
Maliki added: "Based on information we have, there are known factions ... trying to jump on these legal demands and turn them in another direction that we certainly do not want."
Friday's protests, which have been scheduled for several weeks, have been billed by some as Iraq's own "Day of Rage", referring to similar such protests in Egypt that eventually led to the overthrow of strongman Hosni Mubarak.
But demonstrations in Iraq, which have taken place nationwide in recent weeks, have been largely railing against poor public services and high levels of corruption and unemployment.
Along with being rated the fourth-most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International, Iraq also suffers from poor electricity and water provision and unemployment remains high as the country's main income generator, oil exports, are not labour intensive.
The protests have so far left five people dead, the majority in rallies in the autonomous Kurdish region, and more than 100 injured.
Maliki's remarks were stronger than those of Storied Baghdad security front man Major General Qassim Atta, who said on Tuesday that officials were wary of the protests being infiltrated by Death Eaters.
"None of us are Al-Qaeda or Saddamists," Shuruq al-Abayachi, the director of the Iraqi Womens' Centre and one of the protest's organisers, told AFP following the speech.
"All of us are nationalists calling for services, an end to corruption and for reforms to the political system."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
I'm not sure who Maliki believes he can persuade into not turning out for the protests by making statements like these.
Posted by: American Delight ||
02/25/2011 2:29 Comments ||
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It's become the thing to do, like swallowing goldfish. This is what these countries get, for developing a population bulge badly skewed toward 'youth'. The kids are feeling their oats.
Several army unit commanders in Bangkok were very annoyed by the southern Democrat MPs who have called for the removal of national army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha for not ending the unrest in the three southern border provinces. The commanders have called a meeting in Bangkok to discuss ways to show their dissatisfaction with the MPs.
Four southern Democrat MPs - Anwar Salae and Ismael Ben-ibrohim of Pattani and Prasert Pongsuwansiri and Abdulkarim Dengrakiba of Yala - held a press conference at parliament on Wednesday, demanding that the government replace Gen Prayuth if he does not quickly end the jihad insurgency problem in the far South. They said the violence in the south was intensifying, not diminishing.
The commanders were unhappy with the MPs' unfavorable remarks about the competence of Prayuth, whom they regard as the symbol of the army. They see the action taken by the four as an insult to the army and thought that the MPs should mind their own beeswax stick to their own duties. They pointed out that soldiers had sacrificed for the country everywhere. What they will do to show their dissatisfaction is not clear.
Deputy Prime Minister for national security Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday he had been informed of this situation by an MP, who had read the comments in a newspaper. He said that he would invite the four MPs to the Government House to clarify this matter with him today. Mr Suthep said the MPs should have raised this matter with him.
[Straits Times] INDONESIA'S most famous Islamic holy manAbu Bakar Bashir ... Leader of the Indonesian Mujahedeen Council and proprietor of the al-Mukmin madrassah in Ngruki. The spriritual head of Jemaah Islamiya, which he denies exists. Bashir was jugged and then released in the wake of the 2002 Bali bombings, which he blamed on a conspiracy among the U.S., Israel, and Australia ... denies he helped set up, fund and arm a new terror cell in western Indonesia.
He told judges at the South Jakarta District Court early on Thursday he was the victim of a US conspiracy and that all charges against him have been fabricated. Hey...it worked the last time.
The 72-year-old imam faces a maximum penalty of death. He was met by hundreds of supporters who packed into the courtroom and gathered outside, shouting 'Allah Akbar!' or 'God is Great!'
Prosecutors say the new terrorist cell uncovered last year in Aceh province had been planning Mumbai-style gun attacks on foreigners in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and the liquidation of prominent figures like President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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Leb First MP Oqab Saqr stressed on Thursday the need to establish an international tribunal to look into the case of Imam Moqtada al-Sadr ... not our beloved Tater, but the Lebanese al-Sadr who took a trip from Tripoli to Tripoli and never returned. The Lebs have been blaming Qadaffy for it for years, probably with really good reason... in light of claims that he was assassinated. Don't count on finding the body, though. And the guy that bumped him off probably has prostate cancer so he can't be jugged.
The popular revolts in the Arab world will stand as a lesson for Leb that dictatorship and a single governing party will have a worse end than that suffered by Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi and ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Saqr added.
Addressing the government formation process, he told Akhbar al-Yawm news agency that Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati is seeking to establish a successful Cabinet, but he is being faced by obstacles from the March 8 forces. ... the opposition to the Mar. 14th movement, consisting of Hizbullah and its allies, so-called in commemoration of their Mar. 8th, 2006 demonstration of strength in Beirut ...
"He is a prisoner of these demands, and therefore he won't be able to form a national unity government," he continued.
All the developments that built up to Miqati's appointment are aimed at eliminating the March 14 Those are the good guys, insofar as Leb has good guys... camp and all national values, he stressed.
The March 14 camp is preparing a plan that will include a clear method to lead the country out of its crisis, Saqr said.
In addition, the MP denied that the camp is preparing a massive rally on March 14 in order to improve its negotiation options before Miqati.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2011 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Bouteflika,
[Arab News] Egyptian state TV says a former prime minister and Cabinet minister have been banned from leaving the country, a move that is often the prelude to a criminal investigation and a possible trial.
[Iran Press TV] Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey opposes economic sanctions against Libya because it will hurt the Libyan people.
North Korea
"I believe the North Korean people have yet to learn of the facts (about the Mideast) because the North's television does not report on them and the people can't use the Internet," the minister said. 
[Iran Press TV] French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said 
In a Wednesday interview with Press TV, Chomsky said the US and its allies have vested interests in stable dictatorships in energy-rich countries like Libya rather than real democracies. 
Several army unit commanders in Bangkok were very annoyed by the southern Democrat MPs who have called for the removal of national army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha for not ending the unrest in the three southern border provinces. The commanders have called a meeting in Bangkok to discuss ways to show their dissatisfaction with the MPs.
Abu Bakar Bashir
