The State of Disunion Address

{Reprint from February 2012 Salem-News}

The State of Disunion Address

by M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.com

A friend asked me to comment on the President’s State of the Union Speech so I thought I would reply here. To those who take exception to how I refer to the President, I ask that you respect my lack of formal address as it is my conviction that this man is a con artist and a murderer deserving no respect.

Taking President Obama’s State of the Nation speech in its most literal sense, one might easily lead one’s self to believe Obama’s intentions in the coming years, should he be re-elected, are to act both progressively and aggressively in taking on issues of the economy, infrastructure, lack of jobs (real jobs..the kind that one could support one’s self or a family), taxes, the obsessive greed of Wall St and the multitude of abuses heaped upon America and its citizens by corporations forever displaying entitlement while diminishing the job base, health care and overall welfare of a nation and economies, livelihood and lives of citizens of a plethora of nations. Yes, Obama is that talented as a speech maker. As a con artist, he knows his marks well.

Several years ago, if one recalls, Obama made pretty much the same hoopla.. only using such terms as “hope” and “change” (Change, he said, we could believe in). Carefully avoiding any of those terms in this year’s speech, Obama instead harped upon what he somehow considers his laudable successes.

Starting off this year’s speech with a strut and feather ruffle announcing, yet again, that he had killed Osama bin Ladin, to him, seemed an appropriate beginning. Of course he would make no mention of the thousands of innocent women, men, and children who he had also killed (and continues to kill) with his outlandish use of drones… all in violation of the sovereignty of those nations he illegally invades. He would also make no mention of the fact Osama had been essentially a vegetable for many years and it was only necessary to kill him, despite his lack of resistance to capture, so that the myth of his power could be used to full advantage after his death. Obama went on to lie directly to the Nation in stating no Americans remained in combat in Iraq and that a favor had been done to that nation and the world. This writer happens to know several Americans who are still in Iraq and are still fighting there. It is doubtful they represent a small number as there are literally hundreds of thousands of hired guns who have replaced the uniformed GI in Iraq. They protect embassies, government officials, corporate big wigs, and every manner of $$ making operation in that nation that so benefited from our incursions it looks like a scene from one of so many futuristic films about global war and destruction. Ask any Iraqi on the street if he appreciates the American invasion. A constant and sad refrain is that Iraq was better off before… not after. Death, displacement, destruction of over 80% of infrastructure, toxic air, land and water, deformed children, hundreds of thousands of innocents struggling to obtain care for themselves and their families.. many struggling just to find their families, constant sniper fire, bombings, threats, crime of all sorts… Yes, Obama can sell it like his predecessors.

On the economy, Obama said this: “In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.

It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hard-working Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly four million jobs. And we lost another four million before our policies were in full effect.

Those are the facts. But so are these. In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we’ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we’ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like that never happens again.” In 2008 we learned??? Apparently it slipped his mind that the fraud warnings had been going out before the S&L debacle and that the only outcome was a few pardons and meager fines and nothing, I repeat NOTHING in terms of reining in the banks and corporations (friends and relatives of George Bush and Company) who created that mess. Yes.. Americans were left holding the bag for that one, too, but government knows Americans have short term memories.. and should they have memories just a bit longer, Big Pharma, with offices IN the Whitehouse, and the revolving door between the FDA, NIH, CDC, would push enough dope around to severely impede upon those few. He implies the loss of approximately 8 million jobs. The actual losses hover around 15 million. I guess a few million here and there don’t really matter. Of course it looks better to say 8 million lost jobs with a gain of 3 million as opposed to 15 million lost with a gain of 3 million. I’m sure Obama expects America will quickly forget the numbers anyway along with everything he promised in his wind bag of tricks.

 

Yes, an agreement to cut the deficit was cleverly played out in front of America who walked away appropriately confused. In the end, all those cuts will be to the detriment of hard working Americans.. and NOT the criminals who put us in such disarray. OH! And those “new rules”.. the ones intended to “hold Wall St. accountable”?? Well, those rules, beyond the already applied no interest loans which were handed out in secret to corporations and firms who had already secretly been “bailed out” by other sources and used our money to continue paying their top criminals exorbitant bonuses and throw lavish “laugh at the fools” parties and the gifting of cabinet and advisor positions within his government, amount to absolutely no further protections to the American economy, the American worker or anyone other than the SCOTUS anointed Corporate Citizens… and Obama knows this. A majority of economists, despite Obama’s implying such economic devastation will never occur again, are warning all to brace for an even larger hit to the economy… and one not very far away. Obama, also knows this.

 

One thing Obama apparently does not know is the definition of “accountable”. While he tosses it out as if it had some serious weight within his administration, at no time in the past years and no where within his speech (or any of his speeches for that matter) is there any use of this word appropriately connected with its definition. Kowtowing to the $$ lobbies, the $$ backers, and the most obvious of criminals (really, Barack? Giving jobs to these scum fits in with your understanding of “accountable’?) An honest government would, rather than play games to save face or protect cabal heads, take the rightful hits and handcuff and fully expose the criminals and crimes, put real “toothed” regulations in place, and break up the monopolies that destroyed our economy in the most treasonous manner. Anything less is cowardice and/or complicity.

 

So Mr. Complicit goes on to say: “The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place. “ My interpretation of this malarkey is that the portion of our “union” that is getting stronger is the big $$ portion..Wall St and the bankers. The millions of jobs he speaks about (in the paragraph before this in his speech) being created by industry are sadly insufficient if they actually exist and none are subject to permanency. Apparently, there is permanency and even advancement if you are a criminal on Wall St. We have already seen how Obama fights obstruction.. whining to the public and cutting back room deals that benefit only his cronies and the Republican cronies. There is a difference between continuing bad policy and returning to it. Obama did nothing to interrupt bad policy and so it has continued. He has proposed NOTHING in this or any of his speeches that will halt bad policy. The snow job continues.

 

Attempting to foster belief that his “plan” (whatever it actually is) is working, he offers the tale of bailing out General Motors…a company that has notoriously been mismanaged and has had to be bailed out several times over the decades. With this latest bailout (thanks to both the US and Canadian govts), GM, Ford and the entire industry has hired close to 160,000. Not even close to the numbers who have lost their jobs at GM and the support industries that kept it afloat (est. 3 mil). These are primarily resurrected jobs as opposed to new jobs. With barely a few months of actual production and sale, Obama touts the robust resurrection of GM. Based on its history, it is way too early to claim anything about GM… but Obama knows Americans do not understand this. I love how Obama expressed this bailout: “We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back.” (But the horses have many miles to go before they reach the finish line and it can honestly be claimed that a winner has emerged. Based on the track stats, the odds are not in GM’s favor).

 

He continues: “ What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can’t bring back every job that’s left our shores. But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in fifteen years, Master Lock’s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity. “ Sure it can. Everyone can dream and pretend and project on the future the impossible or improbable and claim they are anything but. You best believe we cannot bring those jobs back. They are gone, gone, gone. Just how long does Obama think it will take before it becomes too expensive to outsource entire industries to China? Let’s not bring up the fact there are millions more in other nations ready to be exploited. Bill Clinton is working overtime to insure the sweatshops open again in Haiti. Now, it’s a good thing to hear about jobs returning to America.. and union jobs at that! However, the actual number is “about” 100 jobs. Obama didn’t mention that fact or the fact that there is nothing in place to insure those or millions of other jobs do not get outsourced. Sure, later in his speech he rattles off some garbage about creating tax disincentives and such but that is nothing more than soap box spit spewing from the “promise them anything but let them eat cake” kid.

 

Yup… In nothing flat from his “we can do it” spew, he offers…: “Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.” (To paraphrase in a most disingenuous manner, late President Kennedy..”Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”). My opinion? Bring the jobs back to America or pack up and live in China. Period. No tax breaks, no subsidies, no nothin’. How can you dare call this your country when you take every advantage of it while spitting all over it? No 1,2,3, no second chance, no time to think it over. Bring the jobs back or pack your bags…. and we seize your property!! Wanna sell your goods in the US? Sure…Pay the tariffs… BIG ONES.

 

Obama’s answer: Mangle the tax codes so nobody can figure anything out but by no means actually put your foot down on these greedy bastards who would sell out America in a heartbeat if it meant a few $$’s more in their pockets. Read, if you dare, Obama’s tax jelly.. http://goo.gl/uOXbM “My message is simple. It’s time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I’ll sign them right away. “ Some simple message, Obama! More than likely works out to over 10,000 pages of new tax code to confuse everyone and be bastardized and eventually subverted in favor of your big $$ buddies. This is the change America can believe in, right?

 

And then comes this drivel: “I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products. And I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules. We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration – and it’s made a difference. Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires. But we need to do more. It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidized.” After Obama bombs out a few more countries and blackmails a few more and extorts a few more, he will subsidize sales to those countries much the same way he pays Israel millions to buy American weapons.. It’s called corporate welfare. Both Republicans and Democrats hate welfare… when it goes toward helping troubled and abused families in the US… but when it comes to giving massive welfare to Israel and other countries so that US war manufacturers can profit egregiously, well, that’s different… really. Salesman that he is, Obama cannot miss a good lie.

 

I’ll address a bit more of the Obama Illusion in a few days. Please consider supporting genuine progressive candidates both locally and nationally. Time is short. (Please.. If you are a Ron Paul supporter, save your comments. He is a part of the problem, not the solution).

 

PS:

While many soldiers are being redeployed to other regions, some are coming home to no jobs, no prospects, broken families, and a life of PTSD hell with a VA that would be happy to draw a curtain around them and leave the theater. Offer them a smile, a hand shake, a meal or a place to stay and help them get back on their feet. The sooner they realize this is not a hostile territory for them, the sooner they will begin their journeys to recovery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Memory of David Edelstein

{This is from a note sent to a New England paper in response to the obituary and brief article about an old friend and mentor.  It was dated 11/27/2014}

 

When I was only 11-12 years old, there was a meeting house in town where “peaceniks” would gather to debate with the likes of the John Birch Society. We had speakers from all around the world who talked about war and poverty and hunger and capitalism and socialism and so many other isms. I would go to these meetings and try to get up the courage to debate the Birchers and other right wing characters. There was an older person, about 18, and his sister, who was a bit older if I recall, who noticed me, talked with me, listened to me and encouraged me to find my own voice and use it. The woman was Linda Edelstein and the man was David Edelstein. I looked for them at every meeting as if they were my brother and sister taking me on a great adventure. David had a wicked sense of humour and was never cruel or even critical about the thoughts and words I offered. He just encouraged me to think, think things through, question, ask questions, listen and speak my mind. Linda was little different. Sometimes David played guitar before the meetings or during breaks and he and Linda lead parts of the group in song. I remember how sad everyone was when we lost the space and the meetings came to an end. I knew that David and Linda were moving on with college and careers and I might never see them again or feel their support. Hard for a young kid. Today, so many feelings are flushing through me as I am informed that David passed away 2 weeks ago. Through all of it, I feel my voice and I know that what little time we had in knowing each other, it was he, above all others, who brought me  to realize it was my voice and I had the right to use it. I’ve never stopped using it. I feel his music and his laughter as if it were yesterday and the excitement I felt when he and Linda walked through that meetinghouse door. Everything begins somewhere… and then some part of it ends somewhere….but not all of it. Some gets carried through others and through them to still more. David lives.

Mightiest of mighties

Mightiest of mighties
Weren’t we the mighty mighties
as we walked circles around the city as it was
when we were young
and didn’t we ignore our own questions
and fears of how long the trek
and would we be home before dark

It was mostly woods then
and marsh and fields
small streams and the river and ponds
land being cleared for new homes to be crushed together
leaving little to nothing for forts or tree houses
tunnels and caves
where we could hide our magazines and sodas

and didn’t we walk those distances through brush and trails
through puddle and mud
how our shoes filled with water and silt
crushed leaves and twigs
and how they made those sounds of sloshing
and squeaking
and farts

weren’t we fearless on our treks
knowing the pack dogs and bobcats could smell us
and the fisher cats and fox eyed us
as we went to all those corners of the town where we had never been
kids we had never met watched us
sometimes asking

and didn’t we feast on the sandwiches we packed
box of raisans and peanut butter crackers stacked neatly in their wrappers
eating as we hiked
dodging branches between bits
swatting flies and mosquitoes

weren’t we the most mighty of mighties
as we explored like lewis and clark
making our own trails and leaving marks
in case we had to turn back
or came this way again

and didn’t we talk about everything
and laugh giggles and great guffaws
telling stories and jokes
repeating marx brothers and 3 stooges
cartoons and little rascals

weren’t we brazen in pushing our way
even with doubts we could make the distance
and knowing we would hear the voices of damnation
and maybe some threats of penence to come

not letting anyone know we had gone
or where we were going
when we’d return.. or if
finally dragging ourselves into foyers or
on to porches to remove the obvious evidence

weren’t we proud and pleased with ourselves
as we waited for the inevitable
knowing we would be the only ones who felt such pride
knowing we might also feel some hide

and we stood up to it
we were undaunted for we had traveled hard
like soldiers on a march to destiny
and in our stories some had fallen
left to the fates of battle

weren’t we tired and hungry but the mightiest of mighties
washing the journey from our bodies in warm and soapy tubs
counting the cuts and scratches
rubbing the bruises
and grinning

and didn’t we know that in a week
or even less
we would do it all again
maybe take a different route
perhaps travel further

weren’t we the mightiest of mighties
friends
conquering the world
together

ah yes

A Deck Firmly Stacked Against the People of Palestine

 

 

{Reprint from Sep-06-2010 Salem-News}

 
A Deck Firmly Stacked Against the People of Palestine

By M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.com
Prime Minister Netanyahu, no matter how he or anyone else attempts to spin it, is a brazen sociopath and there is nothing that comes from his lips that can be afforded any sincere regard or belief.

(WINDSOR, N.H.) – Seated at the table, before the first hand is dealt, the game operator (President Barack Obama) brazenly informs the players that he is not adverse to a little cheating by the Prime Minister of Israel (Binyamin Netanyahu) and that his opponent, the Illegitimate President of the West Bank of Palestine (Abu Mazen), has a lot of work to do if he thinks he can win a single hand at this table.

President Obama then shakes the hand of the Prime Minister and clumsily passes 4 palmed aces as he tells the PM his security is assured. The Prime Minister grins smugly, tucks the cards on his lap, checking first to insure that those cards are from the marked deck he had supplied the President during the pre-game talk.

Assured, he nods to Abu Mazen and thanks him for being a serious partner in this high stakes game then nods to the just arriving audience and expresses his conviction, to them, that they will witness the fairest game he has ever played. The President then takes the hand of Abu Mazen, squeezes it as hard as he can, and wiggles his middle finger against Mazen’s palm.

At this point, the President rises, announces the dealer (Hillary Clinton) who makes her way to the table, jokingly whispers between her and Abu Mazen, “Remember to deal from the top!” and exits. As he heads out the door a reporter asks, “Why are there no Hamas players today?”, to which he quickly responds, “They cheat… and, besides, we haven’t supplied them with a big enough stake. Hell, Mazen will just barely make the ante.”

The reporter scribbles on his pad, “The President states that Hamas would only try to undermine the game.”

Sounds cynical, doesn’t it? Let’s take a closer look.

Some months back, PM Netanyahu agreed to a freeze on settlements in illegally occupied Palestine. Like most every other agreement made by Israel since it’s inception, this freeze was ignored and settlements continue. Every week since the freeze supposedly began, reports in media (including Israeli media) point to settlements being expanded, Palestinian houses being demolished to prepare for new settlements, cemeteries being desecrated to make way for new construction, new construction, protesters (Palestinian, International and Israeli) gassed, beaten, kidnapped, tortured and shot. Almost satirically, Israeli officials weekly announce their intention to resume settlement construction immediately upon expiration of the freeze. How does President Obama respond to this? He doesn’t.

Both he and crony Clinton act as though Netanyahu and Israel are behaving admirably, talk about continuing the non-existent freeze and send more money and arms to Israel. At the same time, they also send a few dollars to Abu Mazen and only enough ammunition to keep Mazen’s Palestinian Authority police a threat to Palestinians.

Netanyahu demands that the talks come with no preconditions. Obama and Clinton agree.

Then Netanyahu declares under what conditions he will “negotiate” with Abu Mazen, such as ruling out the return by Palestinians to East Jerusalem, ruling out continuation of the “freeze”, and no talk of return to pre-1967 boundaries (let alone returning the land stolen between 1948 and 1967).

Netanyahu makes his point that the “negotiations” will be on his terms… “We are coming to the talks with a genuine desire to reach a peace agreement between the two peoples that will protect Israel’s national security interests, foremost of which is security.”
Obama and Clinton agree. Abu Mazen merely checks his pulse to determine if he is still alive. One can only believe that Obama threatened Mazen with an end to the meager funds and boxes of bullets for the PA cops that the US grants him if he continued to state there was no reason to enter face to face talks with the Israeli oppressor.

Under Netanyahu’s no precondition preconditions, there is even less reason for the talks. So what really brought Mazen to the table? It certainly wasn’t Obama’s repeated statements that Israel’s security was his utmost concern. It surely wasn’t Clinton’s or Obama’s passing mentions of the “stress” in Gaza where not a single mention of a single crime by Israel passed their lips. And it definitely wasn’t the promise of working out some “deal” for a two state solution that Mazen knows will not be acceptable to Palestinians whose “state” is already split up into tiny disconnected prison colonies surrounded by Israeli guards. Mazen enters these talks knowing he has absolutely nothing in the way of support from the US and nothing in the way of support from his own people. Mazen has twice denied his people a genuine election and his legitimate Presidency ended well over a year ago.

Prior to the start of the “talks”, an incident occurs where snipers shoot several illegal settlers. The response from both Clinton and Obama is to completely ignore the daily atrocities committed by Israeli settlers and the IDF and to blame Hamas for trying to undermine the process they have rigged. From the lips of Barack Obama: “I want everybody to be very clear,” he said. “The United States is going to be unwavering in support of Israel’s security and we are going to push back against these kinds of terrorist activities. And so the message should go out to Hamas and everybody else who is taking credit for these heinous crimes that this is not going to stop us from not only ensuring a secure Israel but also securing a longer lasting peace with the people throughout the region.”

Not a single reference is made to the assaults upon farmers, fishermen, women, school kids and infants daily emanating from these illegal settlers and Israeli soldiers. No mention of the Israeli court absolving an IDF soldier of the murder of a school girl just days before the “talks”. 17 bullets pumped into a child who posed absolutely no threat to the security of Israel. No mention of adult settlers beating a small child to within inches of death. No mention of the weekly assaults on peaceful protesters. No mention of the midnight kidnappings of Palestinians for the heinous crimes of organizing protests or tossing rocks at the soldiers firing thousands of rounds of gas and bullets at unarmed civilians. No mention of the young boys being threatened with rape or having car batteries attached to their genitals in order to coerce them to sign statements (in a language they do not understand) admitting that they threw stones at IDF soldiers. No mention of Bedouins forced at gun point to destroy their own homes. No mention of IDF soldiers setting fire to olive groves, pulling out irrigation systems and firing upon farmers and their families as they try to harvest their own fields. No mention of illegally held Palestinian prisoners, sick and wounded, being untreated and tossed into filthy cells. No mention of nine civilians murdered on a humanitarian vessel in international waters. Instead, from the lips of Netanyahu: “These people have no respect for human life and trample human rights into the dust and butcher everything they oppose.”
What chance do the Palestinian people have? No one, with any power to do so, is representing their needs and interests in these “negotiations. The individual posing as their representative sits, illegally, as their President, receives funding from both the US and Israel to maintain a police force that does the bidding of the Israelis in maintaining his illegal position, is not recognized in any capacity by Gaza and assists in undermining legitimate protests within his own country. The so-called mediators of this “peace process” make no bones about stating publicly their unwavering support of Israel, will not publicly acknowledge the atrocities and illegal actions of Israel despite the rest of the world witnessing these crimes, arrange and maintain financial support for these criminals and solicit financial support from them for furthering the candidacies of their party friends. They and their media puppets now spin the drama with negative slants against the un-represented Palestinians to insure that any failure in their farcical talks will be viewed as the fault of the Palestinians.

Even the so-called liberal Huffington Post promotes this slant through idiots like Sam Stein.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, no matter how he or anyone else attempts to spin it, is a brazen sociopath and there is nothing that comes from his lips that can be afforded any sincere regard or belief.

He and his Zionist cronies have, through history, made it abundantly clear they have no regard for, respect for, or desire to live peacefully with, Palestinians.

Truly, it is up to writers, unafraid to call a spade a spade, to point out the lies and deceptions of President Obama, Hillary Clinton, et al., the lies, deceptions and crimes of PM Netanyahu and his government, the illegitimacy and corruption of Abu Mazen, the fundamentalist insanity of Hamas, the criminality and hypocrisy of Tony Blair and the cowardice and corruption of the Quartet in creating and supporting this farce.

It is up to activists to continue the protests, continue the flotillas, continue the boycotts and encourage the Palestinians to stand up, declare Abu Mazen illegitimate, and demand new elections. They, and we, have to insure the world sees these talks as illegitimate, corrupt, and dangerous for the people of Palestine. Heads of State need to stand up and denounce Obama alongside Netanyahu and Mazen and demand the Palestinians have true representation before any talks about the future of Palestine take place. It must also be made clear that the bias of the US government toward Israel precludes its taking any part what so ever in negotiations.

Without genuine representation, the removal of biased and conspiratorial “interests”, removal of corrupted parties… and the loud and present voices of the people, the Palestinians have no chance. The deck is firmly stacked against them.
Israel’s Bogus Construction Moratorium by Stephen Lendman http://4v6d.sl.pt
Video: Declassified: Massive Israeli manipulation of US media exposed http://4v6f.sl.pt
UN report: IDF barring Gazans’ access to farms, fishing zones http://4v6g.sl.pt
1948 and Israel’s deceptive bargaining position http://4v6h.sl.pt
Palestine: Occupied, Divided, Isolated, Oppressed and Unaided by Stephen Lendman http://4v6i.sl.pt
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (12 -18 August 2010) http://4v6l.sl.pt
When Settlers Attack….today (and everyday) in the West Bank http://4v6o.sl.pt
Witnesses: Settlers beat 10-year-old Palestinian girl http://4v6q.sl.pt
Israel’s ‘John Hancock’ Means Nothing http://4v6w.sl.pt
Official: Settlers uproot 200 olive trees south of Nablus http://4v6y.sl.pt
Child Hospitalized After Being Attacked By Settlers In Hebron http://4v70.sl.pt
Those Poor Settlers and Those Darned Palestinians http://4v73.sl.pt
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (05 -11 August 2010) http://4v75.sl.pt
Israeli forces desecrate 200 graves in Muslim cemetery; injure Sheikh with bulldozer http://4v77.sl.pt
Complaints filed against Israeli army and police for sexual assault of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy http://4rqf.sl.pt
Israeli settlers burn agricultural crops in Jalud village http://4rqh.sl.pt
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (19 -25 August 2010) http://4rqm.sl.pt
Palestinian Authority intelligence forces shut down conference against negotiations in Ramallah http://4v7g.sl.pt
Jerusalem settlers assault 9 year old, parents say http://4v7h.sl.pt
Video: Palestinian Prisoners of Freedom http://4v7i.sl.pt
Israel expands 2 settlements ahead of direct talks with Palestinians http://4v7k.sl.pt
Ghoul: Transferring sick captives back to prison tantamount to execution verdict http://4v7l.sl.pt
Israeli Shin Bet electrocuted child prisoners to extract confessions http://4v7o.sl.pt
“Solidarity with the entire Palestinian people” http://4v7p.sl.pt
One hundred settlers gather to violate construction freeze; Israeli soldiers threaten besieged Palestinian family http://4v89.sl.pt
Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (26 Aug. – 01 Sep. 2010) http://4v8c.sl.pt
Mass arrests, clashes follow settler shootings http://4v8g.sl.pt
Israeli Settlement Construction Booms Despite Ban http://4v8l.sl.pt
Barghouthi: Settlement activity ongoing during talks http://4v8p.sl.pt
Settlers fire at teenage Palestinian farmers http://4v8u.sl.pt
Innocent Executioners: An Illustration of the Principles of Western Civilization in the Modern World 4v8v.sl.pt

Lions of Palestine… Review

{This is a final copy of a review for Salem-News submitted April 2012 and published shortly thereafter.  The recording is found here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1syAmjQvC2w  The narrator is Ken O’Keefe.  The review is located here:  http://www.salem-news.com/articles/april122012/lions-palestine.php  Two months later, this writer recorded an introduction to “Spirit Of The 99” by Agron Belica found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXxmYnjrnQ4 }

 

Hopefully this is something acceptable, Tim. I suggest filling in musician data and publishing data. Feel free to edit and otherwise alter to suit your needs. Thanks for the consideration. Health wise, I am taking life day by day. By years end, I hope to be with my Habibti in the UK, resting and working on my book… and, of course, articles for Salem-News.

Love to all

The Professor

=================

“Lions of Palestine” is a new music release by ACE (Boston area activist author and noted hip hop musician, Agron Belica) that pays homage to our slain brother, Vittorio Arrigoni (4 February 1975 – 15 April 2011) reporter, writer, pacifist and activist. Vittorio, more commonly known as “Vik” and greatly loved by the Palestinian families with whom he worked, deeply touched and inspired the many international volunteers of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in the Gaza Strip, with whom he also worked from 2008 until his death.

He was murdered by suspected members of Tawhid wal-Jihad, a Palestinian so-called Salafist group in Gaza. There is ample reason to believe that, much like the MEK in Iran, Tawhid wal-Jihad or “The Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammed bin Muslima,” (the faction, never before heard of, who posted claim for his capture on YouTube) is a group trained and financed by Israel and the US either directly or through an assortment of NGO front groups. Of note, the murder, 11 days earlier, of Juliano Mer-Khamis (‎29 May 1958 – 4 April 2011) an Israeli actor, director, filmmaker and political activist who, on 4 April 2011, was assassinated by a masked gunman in the Palestinian city of Jenin, where he had established the Freedom Theatre which continues to operate to this day. These murders “coincidentally” occurred shortly before a planned “Flotilla” of activists was to set sail in an international effort to break the illegal blockade of Palestine by Israel. Of further note, several of the “flotilla” craft were sabotaged in a most professional manor while the Israeli gov’t worked feverishly behind the scenes, politically ($$$) to sabotage the activists and a Law group of dubious character attempted to burden the activists, ship owners, and insurance companies with threats of lawsuits.

“Lions of Palestine” also pays tribute to noted Jazz Musician (saxophone), political activist, writer and brilliant author, Gilad Atzmon, whose recently published (and quickly going international) book, “The Wandering Who: A Study of Jewish Identity Politics” has greatly (and incorrectly) magnified criticism of him as an anti-Semite. Gilad’s book, in this writer’s opinion, represents what is perhaps the most introspective journey anyone of Jewish descent could, in honest pursuit, make and the most complete, to date, attempt to place critical perspective on the phenomenon of Jewish influence in global politics. Truly a seminal work that will find audience for generations throughout academia.

And lastly, but far from least, “Lions of Palestine” gives nod to surviving activist, Ken O’Keefe, who has literally, survived gun fire while at work in Palestine where he has been engaged in assisting families to create sustainability through trade, and assault and more gunfire while aboard the Mavi Marmara, part of a “Flotilla” attempting to break the illegal Israeli blockade of Palestine, on which were assassinated 9 fellow passengers and scores more injured. Ken, as many now are aware, is noted for having disarmed at least one Israeli assassin while helping to protect many of his fellow crew members. Ken, in recent months, has survived repeated verbal and written assaults by individuals from within the Free Palestine Movement and has seen his hard work co-opted and destroyed by same. Questions remain as to the genuine motives of these individuals who have spent so much effort maligning him, however, their actions and responses demonstrate a tragic reality of any movement. Infiltration by well placed agents of disruption, whether by forces of the opposition, egoistic pretenders or misguided activists supplicant to egoistic, and often sociopathic, pretenders within a movement, targets the creation of chaos which all to often harms those who the actors claim to support. Through it all, Ken continues to move forward, knowing in his heart that in the final analysis the work stands out before the person and lives on long after the person has met an end. Listen to the narrative in this musical piece by ACE and you will hear the steady and determined voice of Ken, a man not beat down… a man who, instead, continues to find ways in which he, and we, can address the crisis that long has been the burden of such a beautiful land…Palestine.

Open your ears, your minds and your hearts to this new release, “Lions of Palestine” and spread the words FREE FREE PALESTINE!!

Review by M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.com

 

 

Libya’s Revolution and the Open Air Market

{Reprint from June 2011 Salem-News}

Libya’s Revolution and the Open Air Market

M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.com

When Libya announced its “revolution” I was excited. Not only would this nation join in the Arab Spring, further promoting the fervor for freedom in that region, it signaled a coming end to the reign of one of the world’s most schizophrenic despots and a possible end to the stranglehold plans of the oil elite.

In the first few weeks, I reported on the advances and retreats, the gains and losses of a very small group of rebels who had sworn allegiance to each other, their families and their nation. It was extremely difficult to gather information from my sources as they were constantly on the run, initially evading snipers and skilled assassins. Soon, Gaddafi deployed his troops and bands of mercenaries. Handfuls of rebels began to bump into each other as they tried to resist overwhelming assaults from tanks and rocket launchers. NATO stepped in and the rebels were dodging their fighters and missiles all the while attempting to guide them from the ground. To say that it was chaotic hardly addresses the scurrying of these untrained and under-armed patriots.

One by one, my sources disappeared and I spent countless hours trying to trace their footsteps by phone, email and courier. Mohammed Nabbous (Bold voice for Libya) and Tim Hetherington (Restrepo) are reported killed and one after another my sources are found …dead… mutilated… defiled. Families asking for help as they are being hunted by Gaddafi “devils” and wanting their husbands and fathers to be remembered for their acts to free Libya. Listening to the gunfire and mortars as I dig for bits and pieces of what is really going on in Misrata and Benghazi and being told that unknowns are dropping weapons on the beaches and people no one seems to know are trying to direct the rebels and leading them into corners. Death tolls that in no way compare to the news reports. People said to have died showing up hundreds of miles away.

No body knows, really, how many rebels are fighting. The US pulled out as quickly as it came in and turned the new “war” over to NATO. Daily tons of bombs and rockets pound first this village and then that one. Reports of fighters.. friendly.. strafing rebels on the road. Medical supplies in constant shortage… bullets in seemingly endless supply as the rebels fire senselessly into the air before and after battles. It is a surreal “war”. Like the worst plot lines of a thousand Hollywood “B” war flicks all crunched together on a single reel and running on fast forward. Propaganda flying fast and furious. Gaddafi son and kids killed in Tripoli bombing and Berlesconi claiming it never happened and his warriors were not responsible and videos of Gaddafi mercenaries eating raw dog and feces to show their loyalty to the reject from “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home”. Nothing makes sense.

Then suddenly… it makes sense. Captured mercenaries, with bags of cash, admit they are hired by banks and others in bed with big oil. US admits to CIA “advisers” in pre-revolution Libya. NATO countries taking turns wasting dated munitions. Rebel factions (just how many are there?) rapidly form a commission and secure banks and other economic “Infrastructure”. Unofficial “Offices” for the Commission opening in “friendly” countries. Yes.. it all begins to make sense.

I do not question the sincerity of my friends who have died nor do I question that of their friends. They died for a cause and many are still fighting for that very same cause. NATO is not protecting them, however. NATO is protecting its “assets” who, using my friends as cover, are attempting to secure Libya for themselves… the banks and the oil elite. Gaddafi backtracked on some deals and the pipeline to the sea was not happening quick enough. The Arab Spring provided a great cover for his removal. And in the process, a lot of dated stock gets moved and the markets flourish.

This Sunday, Join Bechtel, EADS, MBDA, Thales Group, GE, Halliburton, Boeing, General Dynamics & a host of others in a National Prayer for Peace. Pancakes and sausages will be served.

HaDin Shurat Files Lawsuit Against Perceived Hamas Supporters

{Reprint from June 2011 Salem-News.  HaDin Shurat is the premier ambulance chaser of Israel which, despite contrary claims, takes target directions from the Israeli government. This article contains a letter from this writer to the then Attorney General of the US, Eric Holder.}

HaDin Shurat Files Lawsuit Against Perceived Hamas Supporters

by M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.com

On June 16, 2011, HaDin Shurat (SH), the Israeli Legal Center, an Israeli based “civil right” organization led by Nitsana Darshan-Leitner (who calls herself a Human Rights Advocate) and calling itself the “world leader in combating the terrorist organizations and the regimes that support them through lawsuits litigated in courtrooms around the world.” , filed a civil action, attempting to invoke the US Neutrality Act, to force seizure of all ships involved in the Freedom Flotilla II-Stay Human effort and prevent them from sailing.

The action http://k6.bp.sl.pt was filed in the United States District Court (Southern District) on behalf of Dr. Alan J. Bauer who, along with his son, was injured in a bombing back in 2002 in Jerusalem.

In order to characterize their lawsuit so that it conforms to the letter and intent of the Neutrality Act (a little used act from the 1800’s), (SH) has stretched common knowledge and reality to such an extent that their lies create a wishful fantasy rather than legally defensible “facts”.

Additionally, SH has sent letters http://k7.cy.sl.pt threatening major maritime insurance companies with civil litigation should they insure any of the Flotilla vessels and has levied the same threats against primary communications company, Inmarsat http://k8.6k.sl.pt . To date, only Lloyds of London has directly responded stating they will not insure any of the vessels. A France based company has implied that it is not insuring a vessel slated to leave a port in Marseilles. Inmarsat, essentially, told SH to pound sand as none of the vessels is registered to Hamas or any other named “terrorist” organization http://k8.6r.sl.pt . SH is asking the public to inform on the whereabouts of the Flotilla ships and to identify any insurance companies that may insure the vessels. It has provided sample letters to forward to Eric Holder, and Inmarsat.

For the sake of brevity, please read the cited materials. I have attached a copy of my personal letter to Mr. Holder which, I believe, responds to the distortions, false implications and purposeful deceptions employed by SH in characterizing their suit.

Dear Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.:

I am aware of recent lawsuits filed against the Freedom Flotilla II-Stay Human by HaDin Shurat on behalf of  Dr. Alan Bauer. As a Jewish-American citizen, I wish to express my hope that this suit be dismissed on the following grounds:

1. Precedents have been established in allowing humanitarian aid vessels into the port of Gaza, by Israel, in that Israel has previously allowed, 5 times, such vessels to dock, unrestricted, at said port and deliver their cargoes of humanitarian aid. These vessels and their crews were not falsely characterized as “violent and/or militant”, “anti-Israel”, or any other designation other than humanitarian.
2. Numerous investigations by UN commissions and NGO human rights groups have been completed which clearly find Israel to be in errant use of naval blockades so as to impose collective punishment against the Palestinian people of Gaza.
3. Israel claims that it no longer occupies Gaza which, in itself, poses numerous legal questions as to the legitimacy of the blockade.
4. Israel makes no claim defining its conflict with Gaza leaving it unclear as to the proprietary use of a blockade. From all appearances, it would seem that Israel is at some manner of conflict with Hamas, an organization without a recognized state, and is inflicting severe punitive damages against a people who are not member of Hamas.
5. In 2006, Dov Weisglass, then top advisor to then PM Ehud Olmert, stated, “The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger, “. A State Dept. memo, showing that the US was aware of Israel’s intent, stated, “As part of their overall embargo plan against Gaza, Israeli officials have confirmed to (US embassy economic officers) on multiple occasions that they intend to keep the Gazan economy on the brink of collapse without quite pushing it over the edge,”. These are clearly statements demonstrating collective punishment of the Gazan citizens. Human Rights groups and the UN report that the situation in Gaza has reached crisis point and that children are, in fact, suffering from malnutrition and the presentation of myriad diseases stemming from this. Despite claims from Israel about a “booming” Palestinian economy, the unemployment rate in Gaza remains over 40%, there is insufficient infrastructure to support any economy, and increased assault upon fisherman within the arbitrary 3 mile limit imposed by Israel prevent families from supplying food to themselves, let alone making a living from the sea. It must be noted that the 3 mile limit is insufficient for any form of commercial fishing as the habitat for such fish is beyond 6 miles and the severely damaged sewerage system of Gaza pours detritus directly into the limited fishing area. It should be further noted that Israel systematically destroys crops, planted and tended by Palestinians, at the time of harvest in a blatant attempt to deny them food and commerce.
6. Israel claims improved transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza through its crossing at Karem Shalom, however, the amount has yet to exceed ¼ of what is needed to sustain the population. Too, the inconsistency which has been noted since the beginning of the blockade persists. One day cans of goods are allowed and then they are barred. One day certain spices are allowed and then, they too, are barred. This applies to nearly every item that is slated to cross the border. Materials to rebuild the infrastructure of Gaza are, with very rare exception, always barred. Children, attempting to gather cement by crushing the rubble of destroyed buildings or rebar or metal tubing are fired upon by Israeli soldiers.
7. The latest claim of goods being able to cross at Rafah are false. I have personally been in contact with friends in Rafah who state it remains difficult to get people through the crossing, never mind getting any material or supplies through.
8. The Mavi Marmara has been withdrawn from the Flotilla.
9. I suspect there is little, if any evidence that will be brought forward in this suit showing US funding of all the ships named. This is, in my opinion, a feeble attempt to blanket all ships under a perceived US funding. There is, in fact, only one ship originating from the US.
10. In Statement of Fact Number 10, it states. “Thereafter, in order to limit Hamas’ ability to receive material support enabling it to carry out such attacks, the State of Israel imposed a maritime blockade on the strip.”. It is nowhere explained how food, clothing and medicine, medical equipment, agricultural tools, etc. fit in with this premise. This is a false statement in light of the reality of the blockade.
11. Further false statements are made in claiming the listed organizations as “anti-Israel”, “violent and/or militant”. This is political posturing absent any genuine fact. These organizations have made it clear from their charters and actions that they are opposed to the illegal occupation and blockade of Gaza and the abuses of the Palestinian people. Those are not statements of being “anti-Israel”, which is, I suppose, the attorney’s way of saying “anti-Semitic” . It is a fact that these organizations are committed to peaceful resistance to the impositions and illegal manifestations of the Israeli government. In can be demonstrated that it is, in fact, the Israeli government that is anti-Palestine, violent and/or militant through hours and hours of video footage showing the IDF firing upon and brutally beating unarmed protesters, beating children and pulling them from their homes in the middle of the night, assaulting media people and more.
12. The suit makes further far reaching statements in claiming that the efforts of these organizations are intended to assist and support Hamas. Their intentions are to assist and support the people of Gaza and are in no way intended to support Hamas. In fact, many within these organizations make no bones about their personal distaste and dissatisfaction with Hamas. Again, these statements are political attempts to blanket all under one banner to serve a false impression in characterizing this lawsuit.

It is my hope that you will consider the above in relation to this lawsuit, realize the political intent and false characterizations used to construct this lawsuit and, ultimately, see just cause to deny the plaintiff’s action. The Palestinian people do not deserve to be punished for the disputes between Israel and Hamas. It is enough that their lands have been systematically taken from them and that 1.6 million of them have been forced to live on such a small strip of land. The current situation does not allow them to minimally sustain themselves independently on that small strip. The blockade is inhumane and must be abolished.

This lawsuit serves only to support continued suffering.

Sincerely,

M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D.

Let me be clear here, Netanyahu Spokesperson Mark Regev Is A Highly Paid Liar

{Reprint from July 2014 Uprooted Palestinians}

Let me be clear here, Netanyahu Spokesperson Mark Regev Is A Highly Paid Liar

by M. Dennis Paul

On July 16, 2014, Israel wantonly murdered 4 young Palestinian boys, Mohammad, Ismail, Zwkaria, and Ahed, ages ranging from 9-11, all cousins in the extended Gaza City Bakr family of fishermen who kept their boats at the jetty where this incident took place. A fifth young boy remains in critical condition. From a short distance away at a hotel where numerous reporters and camera persons were staying, comments regarding this shelling indicated that the Israeli military appeared to have been chasing the boys with their explosives.

This from UK Guardian reporter, Peter Beaumont who both witnessed the incident and assisted in recovery of the bodies:

“The first projectile hit the sea wall of Gaza City’s little harbour just after four o’clock. As the smoke from the explosion thinned, four figures could be seen running, ragged silhouettes, legs pumping furiously along the wall. Even from a distance of 200 metres, it was obvious that three of them were children.

Jumping off the harbour wall, they turned on to the beach, attempting to cross the short distance to the safety of the Al-Deira hotel, base for many of the journalists covering the Gaza conflict. They waved and shouted at the watching journalists as they passed a little collection of brightly coloured beach tents, used by bathers in peacetime.
It was there that the second shell hit the beach, those firing apparently adjusting their fire to target the fleeing survivors. As it exploded, journalists standing by the terrace wall shouted: ‘They are only children.’
In the space of 40 seconds, four boys who had been playing hide and seek among fishermen’s shacks on the wall were dead. They were aged between seven and 11; two were named Mohammad, one Zakaria and the youngest Ahed. All were members of the extended Bakr family.”
After much outcry, Israel made an announcement that it would investigate the incident to uncover how the boys were killed and the other civilians injured. A typical pattern for Israel is to investigate itself and then exonerate itself. True to form, Israel claimed it was shelling legitimate targets, wiped its hands and offered nothing more. Later in the evening, British Channel 4 interviewed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s personal spokesperson, Mark Regev, who proceeded to deny everything possible while placing all blame on Hamas. Mr. Regev, in all the years he has been spinning stories for Israel, remains clueless about Hamas and no matter how or how many times his spinning is demonstrated to be undeniably false, Mr. Regev continues to spin. ( http://www.salem-news.com/articles/july012011/reev-time-mdp.php )

Jon Snow, interviewer on Channel 4, has had Mark Regev on in the past and personally decimated the ludicrous deceptions Mark invariably puts forward as the Israeli narrative each and every time. This outing with Mark was no different. Throughout the interview, Mark begins each mot of deception and spin with the phrase, “Lets make this clear” (with minor variation) as if his words are the fresh air that clears away the smoke. The exact opposite being true. Mark blows more smoke than any spinmeister in recent history.. and this includes the State Dept clowns and White House spokespeople such as Jen Psaki who has yet to perfect her dumb “I’m not sure I know what you mean”, act.

Notable, before proceeding, is the statement from the US State Dept. that Hamas is responsible for this incident because it refused the Israeli agreed upon cease-fire “brokered” by Egypt. Since the announcement of this so-called cease-fire, it was very clear that it was a staged media event to cast resistance movement Hamas in a negative light and demonstrate for all the world the magnanimous gesturing of Zionist Israel. No such cease fire was ever brokered between the warring parties. It was brokered between the instigator of this war and the Western and Western aligned allies.

Mr. Regev, of course, continues attempts to promote this fraud after exposure. Let me make this clear, Mr. Regev, you cannot have a “brokered” deal when only the instigating party and its allies are party to the “deal” you claim as brokered” and the opposition is neither consulted nor informed diplomatically. That, sir, is a blatant con job.
( http://uprootedpalestinians.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/to-call-the-egyptian-cease-fire-proposal-anything-but-a-deception-is-reprehensible/ )

President Barack Obama, otherwise known as the “Murderer in Chief” for the number of innocent civilians he has killed in his many illegal drone assassination attempts, today expressed being “heartbroken” over the 4 deaths. No mention of the other gut wrenching murders committed by Israel against women, children, the elderly, and handicapped over the past few weeks, months and years (66+). Mr. Regev, of course, also blames these deaths on Hamas… despite all evidence to the contrary.

Jon Snow, in his interview with Mark, exposes the inappropriate denials of Mr. Regev as he attempts to spin additional assaults on civilians, hospitals and other non-military facilities. Regev resorts to the very worn out claim that Hamas uses these facilities as cover for its rocket launching whereupon Jon slams the lid on his head. Jon could have gone further and questioned why Israel bombed one hospital twice and then sent word it intended to do so additional times or why Israel saw fit to tell a handicap facility that it had moments to evacuate before it, too, would be destroyed. Or why Israel chose to destroy a womens’ psychiatric facility. Obviously, it would be exceptionally difficult to quickly move severely disabled patients and obvious, also, that there is virtually nowhere for them to go.

Regev returns to the beach and further spins that reporters claimed they heard outgoing rockets from that location. There is no evidence available from any news source to back this obviously false statement that he further juggles with a claim that this wide open beach is an “urban” area. It is important to note that additional shelling in this same area wounded four more adults and 3 more children..none of whom were combatants.

Mr. Regev slips in the further worn out canard that Hamas tells its people to ignore warnings to evacuate and, in his words,” No, Don’t leave, Stay and be human shields for our rockets.”

Try as he might, and try as the media might to paint Hamas at fault for all things tragic in Gaza, Hamas and the other valiant resistance organizations serving Gaza are doing what they can to protect Palestine from the undeniably evil assaults from Zionist Israel. They do so with little to no assistance from the outside, unlike Israel who is backed by the all mighty US and its friends the UK, France, Germany, Egypt and Saudi Arabia (where the real 9-11 assassins were from).

Try as they may to paint Israel as a victim and needing to defend itself, the facts remain that Israel has long been the aggressor (66+years), has relentlessly stolen Palestinian land and resources, kidnapped its citizens and children, tortured, maimed and murdered its citizens, imprisoned and detained its citizens, physically and economically blockaded Palestine, arbitrarily altered fishing limits which force Palestinians to attempt feeding themselves in sewer infested waters, fires upon fishermen within these arbitrary limits, sets fire to their boats, degrades them by stripping them and forcing them to swim back to shore, denies access to medical care at whim sometimes forcing pregnant women to give birth in the dirt and others to die while they decide whether or not to allow them passage to a hospital, disallows ambulances to reach wounded civilians, shoots children on their way to or from school, shoots sports students in their feet to ruin their careers, destroys homes, forces families to destroy their own homes, ransacks homes stealing and destroying personal belongings, beating abusing and torturing children from age 6 and up, supporting illegal settlements filled with hateful Zionists who burn Palestinian crops, kill their flocks, uproot their trees, set fire to their homes and cars, beat and kill their children and.. the list is disgustingly endless.

Let me make this clear, Mr. Regev… You are a highly paid liar for a group of seriously mentally ill individuals with way too much power for an illegitimate state. Be prepared to try and spin away the growing consensus that it is time to place a physical and economic blockade around Israel. Walls around the asylum, if you will.

Jon Snow’s interview with Mr. Regev can be viewed at : http://www.channel4.com/news/the-israeli-military-does-not-target-civilians-video
mdp

 

Jonathan Pollard: Hero of the “Progressive Democrats”

{Reprint from October 2010 Salem-News.  This piece was a list of efforts by some “progressive” Democrats showing where their allegiance stood.}

Jonathan Pollard: Hero of the “Progressive Democrats”

by M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.Org

A few weeks ago, the news reported that, once again, a group of US elected representatives have called for clemency for convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard presently serving a life sentence. Barney Franks of Mass., Edolphus Towns of NY (veteran of the United States Army ), Anthony Weiner of NY, and Bill Pascrell of NJ

Edolphus Towns: co-sponsor H.CON.RES.260 Recognizing the 62nd anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, and reaffirming unequivocal support for the alliance and friendship between the United States and Israel.

Co-Sponsor: H.RES.677 Extending best wishes to the people of India as they celebrate the 62nd anniversary of India’s independence from the British Empire. (Had previously called India a “Terrorist State” http://5uql.sl.pt )

Co-Sponsor: H.CON.RES.154 Expressing the sense of Congress that African-Americans and Jewish-Americans share common historical experiences and a commitment to a society free from hatred and violence.

Co-Sponsor: H.RES.34 Recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Weiner

Sponsor H.RES.1440Recognizing and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

H.R.4406To render nationals of Israel eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors.

H.R.1288Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2009

H.AMDT.309Amendment strikes Presidential waiver authority on the blocking of aid to Saudi Arabia.

H.R.792Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2009

H.R.696Egyptian Counterterrorism and Political Reform Act

H.J.RES.87Limiting the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to a certain proposed sale of defense articles and defense services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

H.RES.1060Expressing condolences to the families of the eight people killed and nine people wounded in the library of the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem”s Kiryat Moshe quarter on March 6, 2008.

H.J.RES.76Disapproving the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to a certain proposed sale of defense articles and defense services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

H.R.2978To prohibit United States assistance for the Palestinian Authority and for programs, projects, and activities in the West Bank and Gaza, unless certain conditions are met.

H.R.2981To halt the issuance of visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia until the President certifies that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not discriminate in the issuance of visas on the basis of religious affiliation or heritage.

H.R.2985Arab Bank Accountability Act

H.R.2977Egyptian Counterterrorism and Political Reform Act

H.R.2976Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2007

H.R.2975To make unlawful the establishment or maintenance within the United States of an office of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

H.R.2986Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2007

H.AMDT.997An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill to finance any assistance to Saudi Arabia.

H.AMDT.379An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill for direct funding for Saudi Arabia.

H.R.2037Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2005

H.R.2036To make unlawful the establishment or maintenance within the United States of an office of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

H.R.1670Egyptian Counterterrorism and Political Reform Act

H.AMDT.61Amendment sought to prohibit the use of funds for assistance to the Palestinian Authority or for programs, projects, and activities in the West Bank or Gaza.

H.AMDT.56Amendment sought to prohibit the use of funds to finance any assistance to Saudi Arabia.

H.R.1143To prohibit United States assistance for the Palestinian Authority and for programs, projects, and activities in the West Bank and Gaza, unless certain conditions are met.

H.RES.124Congratulating Jewish communities on their seven year completion of the 11th cycle of the daily study of the Talmud.

H.R.604To halt the issuance of visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia until the President certifies that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not discriminate in the issuance of visas on the basis of religious affiliation or heritage.

H.R.505Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2005

CO=SPONSOR

H.RES.1532Urging an investigation into the role of the Insan Hak ve Hurriyetleri ve Insani Yardim Vakfi in providing financial, logistical, and material support to terrorists, and into the role of any foreign governments, including the Republic of Turkey, which may have aided and abetted the organizers of the recent “Gaza Flotilla” mission to breach Israeli coastal security and assault the naval defense forces of the State of Israel.

H.CON.RES.295Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 18, 1994, and for other purposes.

H.RES.1359Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit held captive by Hamas, and for other purposes.

H.RES.1285Condemning the Government of Syria for transferring Scud missiles to the Hizballah terrorist organization, and for other purposes.

H.RES.1277Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israeli people for their coordinated efforts to save lives and provide relief to the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation on January 12, 2010.

H.RES.867Calling on the President and the Secretary of State to oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration of the “Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict” in multilateral fora.

H.RES.588Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the trial by the Government of the Russian Federation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of Russia’s judicial system.

H.CON.RES.154Expressing the sense of Congress that African-Americans and Jewish-Americans share common historical experiences and a commitment to a society free from hatred and violence.

H.RES.493Recognizing the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United States and around the world.

H.CON.RES.29Expressing the sense of Congress that the United Nations should take immediate steps to improve the transparency and accountability of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Near East to ensure that it is not providing funding, employment, or other support to terrorists.

H.RES.34Recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

H.CON.RES.371Strongly supporting an immediate and just restitution of, or compensation for, property illegally confiscated during the last century by Nazi and Communist regimes.

H.RES.1249Urging the Government of the Republic of Iraq to recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist and to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, and for other purposes.

H.CON.RES.361Commemorating Irena Sendler, a woman whose bravery saved the lives of thousands during the Holocaust and remembering her legacy of courage, selflessness, and hope.

H.R.6079End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act

H.RES.1201Expressing the grave concern of the House of Representatives for Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran”s continued actions to undermine the legitimate Lebanese Government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, and their systematic violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, 1701, and 1747.

H.RES.1110Condemning Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization responsible for the murders of 26 United States citizens.

H.R.5814Free Speech Protection Act of 2008

H.CON.RES.322Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of close friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel.

H.RES.1069Condemning the broadcasting of incitement to violence against Americans and the United States in media based in the Middle East, calling for the designation of al-Aqsa TV as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity, and for other purposes.

H.RES.951Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations, and for other purposes.

H.CON.RES.262Expressing the sense of Congress regarding Saudi Arabia”s policies relating to religious practice and tolerance, including Saudi Arabia”s commitment to revise Saudi textbooks to remove intolerant and violent references. ***

H.CON.RES.255Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated. ***

H.RES.759Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Mass Movement for Soviet Jewish Freedom and the 20th Anniversary of the Freedom Sunday Rally for Soviet Jewry on the Mall in Washington, D.C. 10/18/07H.RES.758Urging Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is also Chairman of his Fatah party, to officially abrogate the 10 articles in the Fatah Constitution that call for Israel”s destruction and terrorism against Israel, oppose any political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and label Zionism as racism.

H.R.3713To ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by the heirs and survivors of such persons.

H.RES.690Expressing grave concern of the House of Representatives for Iran and Syria”s continued and systematic violations of UN Resolutions 1701 and 1559.

H.RES.674Expressing the unequivocal support of the House of Representatives for Israel”s right to self defense in the face of an imminent nuclear or military threat from Syria.

H.RES.624Congratulating the State of Israel on chairing a United Nations committee for the first time in history, and for other purposes.

H.RES.557Strongly condemning the United Nations Human Rights Council for ignoring severe human rights abuses in various countries, while choosing to unfairly target Israel by including it as the only country permanently placed on the Council”s agenda.

H.RES.467Condemning the decision by the leadership of the University and College Union of the United Kingdom to support a boycott of Israeli academia.

H.CON.RES.152Relating to the 40th anniversary of the reunification of the City of Jerusalem.

H.R.1746Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2007

H.RES.240Urging all member countries of the International Commission of the International Tracing Service (ITS) who have yet to ratify the May 2006 Amendments to the 1955 Bonn Accords Treaty, to expedite the ratification process to allow for open access to the Holocaust archives located at Bad Arolsen, Germany.

H.RES.235Supporting an upgrade in Israel”s relationship with NATO to that of a leading member of NATO”s Mediterranean dialogue and to that of a member of NATO”s Partnership for Peace.

H.RES.185Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the creation of refugee populations in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf region as a result of human rights violations. ***

H.R.1092Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Assistance Act

H.RES.137Honoring the life and six decades of public service of Jacob Birnbaum and especially his commitment freeing Soviet Jews from religious, cultural, and communal extinction.

H.CON.RES.21Calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and United Nations Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. ***

H.RES.1091Condemning in the strongest terms Iran”s commitment to hold an international Holocaust denial conference on December 11-12, 2006.

H.RES.1057Honoring, on the occasion of his eightieth birthday, the life and six decades of public service of Jacob Birnbaum and especially his commitment to freeing Soviet Jews from religious, cultural, and communal extinction.

H.R.5247Support for the Museum of the History of Polish Jews Act of 2006

H.RES.773Commending the American Jewish Committee for its century of leadership, and for other purposes.

H.RES.575Asserting that Hamas and other terrorist organizations should not participate in elections held by the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes.

H.RES.535Honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death.

H.R.4045Rabbi Arthur Schneier Congressional Gold Medal Act

H.CON.RES.248Honoring the life and work of Simon Wiesenthal and reaffirming the commitment of Congress to the fight against anti-Semitism and intolerance in all forms, in all forums, and in all nations. 09/20/05H.RES.438Urging member states of the United Nations to stop supporting resolutions that unfairly castigate Israel and to promote within the United Nations a more balanced and constructive approach to resolving conflict in the Middle East.

H.RES.413Expressing the concern of House of Representatives regarding the amount of United States foreign assistance provided to Egypt over the past 25 years without meaningful political reforms by the Government of Egypt, and for other purposes.

H.RES.368Congratulating the State of Israel on the election of Ambassador Dan Gillerman as Vice-President of the 60th United Nations General Assembly.

H.RES.279Condemning the recent vote by the British Association of University Teachers to boycott Bar-Ilan University and Haifa University.

H.CON.RES.149Recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

H.CON.RES.144Condemning attacks on United States citizens by Palestinian terrorists, and for other purposes.

H.R.865To amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify that persons may bring private rights of actions against foreign states for certain terrorist acts, and for other purposes. ***

H.R.588To take certain steps toward recognition by the United States of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

H.RES.54Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding anti-Semitism at the United Nations, and for other purposes.

H.RES.38Expressing support for the accession of Israel to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

It’s The End Of The World As They Knew It

{Reprint from June 2011 Salem-News}

It’s The End Of The World As They Knew It

M. Dennis Paul, Ph.D. Salem-News.com

Every so often, I, and others, use these videos http://io.on.sl.pt http://3a.25.sl.pt http://io.yr.sl.pt to remind people or encourage people to understand why we must never back down to the threats from bully governments and nations and why we must non-violently place ourselves in their way. The first is a strong, dramatically presented video with images that are hard on the heart, the mind and the stomach. The voice on this video, that of its creator, Dahlia Wasfi, delivers a shuddering performance that, even if one turns away from the video, creates mental images which never fail to capture the audience brilliantly. The second video is of Huwaida Arraf from ISM (International Solidarity Movement) and shows a courageousness and conviction that borders on heroic as she, unarmed, faces down heavily armed Israeli defense Forces as they shoot at children who are throwing rocks in defense against the daily harassment they are subjected to by Israel. Truly, the video speaks for itself. The final video is of Ken O’Keefe from 2003 speaking to arrogant reporters from CNN about both his human shield project and the insanity of war and aggression in general. It is an inspirational video demonstrating clarity in thought and action and expresses the genuine compassion that takes one beyond the sense of anger that can so easily overwhelm anyone who is sickened by war, the greed that fertilizes war, and the destruction war produces. It demonstrates someone who regained himself after initially surrendering to the forces of war.

I don’t often talk about, or write about my past as a rebel. I do so, now, for a very strong reason. It is not easy to talk about these times so please bear with me. I, and my friends, were maced and beaten in the late 60’s and early seventies as protesters and organizers against the war in Vietnam, the meddling in South America and the “crises” with Cuba. There was a time we were forced to kneel handcuffed at ages 14 to 30 (I was 14) for hours on end while agents berated us and pushed us around the floor for daring to present Venceremos to curious minds at our coffeehouse. Our homes were bugged. We were harassed daily, arrested and released repeatedly for no reason, photographed wherever we went. All because we asked for peace… for an end to a bloody oil war that took the lives of our friends or turned some of them into deranged killers who came home and destroyed their families and themselves. There were a great many incidences that I could recollect here but they are now just stories. Some, however, are important to retell.

I watched and could do nothing while one friend, my drinking buddy for a time, who had spent his military career, in a place the government claimed he never saw, burning huts and shooting every inhabitant as they scurried like ants into the open. Women, children, grandparents and dogs were no exception. If it moved, his “job” was to kill it. Together, our job was to try to kill the memories.. and we worked hard at this mission. He held it all inside for a while when he came home. Then, one fourth of July, the cracks started to widen and he sat in his father’s attic armed to the teeth and, having dropped 30 tabs of some incredible orange sunshine, proceeded to fire hundreds of rounds through his dad’s roof. He could hear the choppers. The local cops tried to be patient with him and tried to understand the hell he was reliving. He surrendered his weapons and was let go. A few months later, he torched a supermarket and then a school. Police weren’t sure, but they did suspect. Two weeks later, he set an electric company sub station on fire, went home, and while his wife and child were napping, set his own house on fire. Both escaped and after a short hunt, he was found. Still attempting to give him a break (we understood that the military had stepped in, not wanting a trial where info regarding his whereabouts in Cambodia might become open news) he was given a plane ticket to a far away island and hasn’t been heard from since. Other good friends, unable to continue plastering the cracks with alcohol or heroin, either blew their brains out or hung themselves. I have too many stories about then. Too many friends who gave their lives and their minds for the greed of corporations and nothing more.

No Vietnamese had ever tried to harm us. No Laotian had ever tried to kill us. No Cambodian ever attempted to search and destroy our home towns. And why did we bring Venceremos from Cuba? Because people needed to know why we were being taught to hate cane cutters. “Filthy Communists” defending their tiny island from the greedy US sugar manufacturers.. Yes.. a war on sugar! So hell bent on destroying America that they were willing to come here and… teach!!

It is important for people to find out what our colonialist, capitalist country and its partners are doing in the world and why they send us (then) and our children (now) to fight wars in which 95% of the casualties will be unarmed civilians and 1/3 of whom will be children. Where we trade with the enemies by day and fight them at night. Where we take a town and surrender it the next day. Where we are told to drop a strong box full of cash by the side of the road and then drive on where another box explodes and rips us to shreds. And where we bomb a continuous stretch of land leading from oil and gas fields to future ports (saves years of excavation). With all the insanity that surrounds our missions in other parts of the world, with all the insanity that surrounds us in our own country as we try to make sense of a President that pays corporations to steal from us rather than put them in prison, that sentences men to die without fair hearings…. sentences men to life in prison without charges or trial and ignores the daily rapes and assaults and other atrocities committed by another nation claimed to be our “best” friend… it is remarkably hard to envision peaceful resistance against it all. I cannot, however, stress enough how important it is to find those ways toward peaceful resistance and to put them into practice.

As 14, 15 and 16 year old kids, we had seen enough and experienced enough that we began to turn hard and spent many hours and days struggling over whether and when we would pick up the gun. Some of us did. Others, like myself, did other missions.. some of which, in some manner, may have contributed to violence. Still others tried to rein us in and bring us back to the peace movement. The internal struggles were many and the justifications were rapidly becoming thin. For myself, the decision came shortly after an attempted, and obviously failed, suicide. If I wanted to create a place in the world for peace, I had to first create it within myself. Here I am, many years later, still trying to create a place for peace in the world.

When I view these videos, I can feel the urgency and the angst that fueled my younger mind and body and I can feel the burning frustrations that turned my young head in the direction of a more violent revolution. It is so very difficult to not feel the intense anger that is natural witnessing such atrocities day in and day out. I think about how much of my youth was lost to struggles against nations and governments and corporations and then look behind the walls in Palestine and see the loss of so much more… and I am not afraid to admit that I spend many nights in tears for my brothers and sisters there. It is so very hard to not let the anger rule. These videos force me, and others I speak with, to work through our anger.

Today, I look at the work of ISM and IHH and the resilience and brilliance of Huwaida Arraf, Ken O’Keefe and Tim King (all of whom I believe history will note when Palestine is truly freed), and the dedication and hard work of Mazin Qumsiyeh, Alice Walker and Ann Wright, Ray McGovern and Greta Berlin and all the incredible military folks who have created a network of resistance around the world (and they, too, shall be noted as true friends of Palestine). I can’t name them all but each one brings back the faces of the past peace coalition folks, almost all passed on now (Many started with the Ban the Bomb movement). I look at all of them and all of the wonderful writers for Salem-News.com and the other journals that have and are emerging and I credit them with stimulating and educating a new generation. And I especially credit Huwaida, Ken and Tim for helping me stay focused so I can view these videos and not react from anger… instead to act from love and compassion. I remember when my master spoke to me about courage and said that it takes a mountain of courage and many weeks to climb it to let go and allow love to guide one’s actions. It takes but a single step and a moment of reaction to anger to destroy the mountain.. and the world.

Videos such as these, so full of raw truth, exist for all of us to view so as to challenge our inner selves. They are tools for bringing the passionate to the point of experiencing that inner conflict and, with the help and guidance of the compassionate (such as those mentioned above), to experience moving beyond reaction to the practice of peaceful action.

Today, we are witness to, and participants in, a massive display of peaceful action. From the roots of the Arab Spring to the yearly growing and now enormous solidarity with the peoples of Palestine, activists for peace are showing that we are capable of moving beyond reaction and we are capable of withstanding whatever assaults the world’s despots attempt to use against us. We are capable of diminishing them, and their illusions of power, in the eyes of the world. We are capable of overcoming.. and all without firing a single shot. That is a power that frightens them more than any weapon.

Please.. wherever you are.. in the coming weeks join us in demonstrating in solidarity with all of the people resisting oppression around the world. Join us in supporting Flotilla II-Stay Human. Bring these efforts to the attention of all your friends and family. Force your local media to report on it by staging protests directly in their paths. Write and Tweet and email your Congressional reps and the Whitehouse every day reminding them that PEACEFUL protesters are speaking to the world right now and they, especially, should stop whatever they are doing and listen. Write letters to the editors, hold vigils, workshops, lectures. Many of the people who will return from Gaza will be available to speak so generate openings for them. Prepare showings for the videos that will be created and are being created. Show these videos and talk about them. Write to networks and studios letting them know you want these speakers on air. Share your ideas with others and help them make ideas into realities. Sign petitions and start petitions. The pen is mightier so write letters, poems, songs, graffiti. Continue writing letters of support and friendship to the people of Palestine. If you genuinely think “Peace”, peaceful ways of action will flood in.

The process does not end when the boats and people return. That is the beginning. The process only ends when Palestine is truly free, when Egypt is truly free, when Tunisia is……