On March 31st, we published an article entitled Russian Intelligence Services State US Is Preparing For Attack On Iran. We were not the first to break the story, and in fact, were behind the curve and found the story posted on the Digg Community. The article was well received, however, we noticed that it was being read by an enormous amount of state governmental agencies as well as a “who’s who” of federal entities - many of whom followed every link and spent a substantial amount of time reading, and then making return visits to the same article. It ls unconscionable that our Mainstream News Media hasn’t followed-up on and reported facts that indicate the United States is on a clear path to war with Iran:
On April the 2nd, and again on April the 5th, Russian sources reported the US was gong to strike Iran within two (2) weeks, yet not a word is mentioned on the MSM or in the Halls of Congress:
Russia ‘Alarmed’ As US Readies April Nuclear Attack On Iran
By News Director on April 5th, 2008
Russian Foreign Ministry Officials are reported to be ‘alarmed’ today over a ‘presentation’ made by the United States War Leaders to President Putin at this weeks NATO summit in Romania and which details the Americans plan to begin a nuclear attack against Iran’s atomic facilities in the next two weeks.
Most disturbing of these reports, according to Foreign Ministry Analysts, are the United States ‘offers and threats’ towards Russia to ‘remain neutral’ in this conflict or face the combined weight of the American and EU central banks deliberate collapsing of the Western banking system, and US dollar, and which is estimated will cause the loss of nearly $800 billion of Russian foreign reserves.
To the ‘offers’ presented to President Putin for keeping Russia out of this war, these reports continue, will be NATO’s rejection of Ukraine and Georgia membership into the Western Military Alliance and the ending of the planned US Missile Shield being planned for Poland and the Czech Republic. MUCH MORE
The same information was reported on April 2nd at “War In Iraq”
The MSM is concentrating on the upcoming November elections and the economy in the US - essentially using it as cover for failing to warn us of an impending attack against Iran. When we are faced with an issue that affects every American here and abroad, it’s time to bombard the MSM with emails, letters to the various editors, and calls to Congress to demand answers. On an issue this serious, the least the MSM could do is to try and debunk what is stated on the news in other countries - tell us why it’s not a problem, and assure us that our military isn’t readying themselves to attack Iran. If Russia is stating that they have evidence an attack on Iran is imminent, I believe that it is not only newsworthy, but to ignore a threat as dire as an attack that could be a precursor to WW III, if the MSM refuse to uphold their responsibility to warn the people, they are as guilty as those who make the final decision to begin the attack.
I expected an answer, either vague or an outright denial from the MSM or Congress itself, similar to the response Congress made when thousands of Americans jammed-up their phones in regard S 1959; with the substantiation that was offered on this issue, it’s fair to say many Americans were making calls and demanding answers, none which I expected until the pressure began to mount-up - and for the first time, I was actually shocked when exactly the opposite occurred:
Conyers: “If Bush Goes Into Iran, He Should Be Impeached”
John Conyers just finished up a panel with John Cole and Christy Hardin Smith at Take Back America with words that were heartening to everyone made just a wee bit uneasy by the recent retirement of Admiral Fallon and the implications it might have for war with Iran:
“If Bush Goes Into Iran, He Should Be Impeached,” said Conyers. (Emphasis added.)
Conyers also said that with regard to FISA, the House was going into conference with the Senate. That the Senate wanted to give retroactive immunity to the telecoms, and that the House is saying “let a judge decide.” But he also made the point that it wasn’t just the Republicans who were the problem: LINK
After reading the above statement, it’s obvious that it isn’t just “conspiracy theorists” who believe Bush/Cheney are readying an attack against Iran. The timing of Mr. Conyer’s statement is remarkable, and while I believe his intentions are good - he, as well as the rest of the country need to wake-up and understand that if we attack Iran - soon thereafter the United States will fall under martial law! How will you impeach Bush when he assumes control of “all aspects of the government?” This is one time that Congress and the American people won’t get a second chance - and it’s up to us to apply the pressure to ensure that each and every member of Congress hears us loud and clear!
Why do I “assume” that an attack against Iran will be a precursor to Martial Law? Actually, when we look to past news reports and our own assessment of Iran’s “QUDS Force” - it’s an event that anyone in possession of the facts would suspect and expect to occur soon after Iran is attacked by the United States and/or Israel. The QUDS Force, which is Iran’s version of our own Special Forces, is a highly trained group of Iran’s most elite fighters - and some of them are already in the United States!
In 2006, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made this statement, and while he didn’t elaborate, US military analysts have indicated Iran’s QUDS force are capable of inflicting serious attacks on the continental United States. Obviously, to carry out attacks within our own borders would indicate the QUDS force has built-up it’s presence within our country, and unfortunately, there is evidence their efforts to infiltrate the United States have been successful:
AP: Iran threatens U.S. with harm & pain
By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer Wednesday, March 08, 2006
VIENNA, Austria - Iran threatened the United States with “harm and pain” Wednesday for its role in hauling Tehran before the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program.
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, waves to supporters in western of Iran, Wednesday, March. 8, 2006. Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran has made its decision to pursue a peaceful nuclear program and the world has to give in to Iran’s right for uranium enrichment. Ahmadienjad was apparently referring to the United States which has rejected a Russian proposal to allow Iran carry out research-scale uranium enrichment in return for suspension of large-scale enrichment. LINK
Again, I’m citing a report from 2006, and since then, our relationship with Iran has deteriorated dramatically. Ahmadinejad has made several threats against the United States based on Bush and Cheney’s constant rhetoric - threats which several military analysts take seriously. Even worse, there is now substantial evidence that the QUDS force has already successfully entered the United States, and no one is aware of what they brought with them to sabotage our country.
As Immigration Bill Stalls, U.S. Border Invites Terrorists
Along with Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy, the Arizona Republican co-sponsored immigration legislation currently stalled in the Senate. McCain should recognize that without a barrier or fence, the U.S./Mexican frontier will keep welcoming Islamic extremists pledged to America’s doom.
This is not hypothetical. (Emphasis added.)
“Members of Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based terrorist organization, have already entered the United States across our southwest border,” declares “A Line in the Sand,” a January report of the House Homeland Security subcommittee on Investigations, then-chaired by Texas Republican Michael McCaul.
The study cites FBI Director Robert Mueller’s March 2005 congressional testimony confirming that, “there are individuals from countries with known al-Qaeda connections who are changing their Islamic surnames to Hispanic-sounding names and obtaining false Hispanic identities, learning to speak Spanish, and pretending to be Hispanic immigrants.” (Emphasis added.)
Zapata County, Texas Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez told House members last July: “If smugglers can bring in tons of marijuana and cocaine at one time and can smuggle 20 to 30 persons at one time, one can just imagine how easy it would be to bring in two or three terrorists or their weapons of mass destruction across the river and not be detected.” MORE
You may ask yourselves what damage a few, or maybe even hundreds of QUDS force operatives in the United could inflict upon our country? Iran is a closed society, and while Bush and Cheney are constantly harping on Iran’s nuclear program, there are also reports that Iran is capable of and may be in possession of sophisticated biological weapons. A report from 1996 stated that Iran would be able to deliver biological agents via their military in approximately 10 years, which has already passed. There isn’t a lot of information available to ascertain whether or not Iran still has a covert biological weapons program, but based on tensions that have been building for years, I believe that if attacked, Iran will not hesitate to attack our nation with a ferocity that may take our war planners off-guard. (Again…)
We already know they are here, and several stories from the border indicate their efforts at infiltrating the US has been successful:
Texas Sheriffs: Terrorists Entering U.S. from Mexico
NewsMax.com Wires Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006
This article by Kevin Mooney originally appeared at CNSNews.com.
The chief law enforcement officers of several Texas counties along the southern U.S. border warn that Arabic-speaking individuals are learning Spanish and integrating into Mexican culture before paying smugglers to sneak them into the United States. The Texas Sheriffs’ Border Coalition believes those individuals are likely terrorists and that drug cartels and some members of the Mexican military are helping them get across the border.
Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez of Zapata County, Texas told Cybercast News Service that Iranian currency, military badges in Arabic, jackets and other clothing are among the items that have been discovered along the banks of the Rio Grande River. The sheriff also said there are a substantial number of individuals crossing the southern border into the U.S. who are not Mexican. He described the individuals in question as well-funded and able to pay so-called “coyotes” - human smugglers - large sums of money for help gaining illegal entry into the U.S. MORE
The evidence that the QUDS force and Al Qaeda have successfully entered our nation is undeniable, and even though we have evidence they are using the porous southern border as an entry point, the gaping hole in our national security is still open, an invitation to anyone that has the desires to covertly enter our country. Even worse than conventional methods for entering our country, the southern border offers potential terrorists an entry point that will also accommodate their weapons, and none of us knows what they might be. Below are several links that also indicate our country is being infiltrated by people who’s intention is to inflict as much damage upon the country as they can in the event of war:
Our nation consists of thousands of square miles of terrain and vital infrastructure, any which could be terrorist targets. From simple targets like oil terminals, pipelines, major power-grid switching stations, Dams, you name it, our infrastructure is laid out in a way that attacks could occur where least expected but would still create a lot of confusion, stress, and wondering where a “safe haven” exists, if there is one. If they have biological weapons, the way the bulk of our water supply is configured and other factors, spreading a deadly disease is much easier than you can imagine. We also have to understand the Iranian philosophy and the reputation of the QUDS force They are hand-picked and rival our own special forces in physical prowess and may surpass us in mental conditioning. As a military unit they are a formidable adversary on the battlefield, but left to their own devices in an open society, the havoc they could wreak upon this nation could be monumental. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be arrogant, speaks when silence would better serve his purpose, and seems intent on not giving an inch - but we must also remember that the Bush administration turned-down Iranian overtures for peace in 2003. Middle-East experts speculate that Bush ignoring previous peaceful initiatives from Iran is largely responsible for their current hard-line stance. While Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is abrasive and seems intent on making the US blink first, I don’t believe that he is stupid either!
He must know that he is treading on thin ice, and while he seems assured the US will not mount a preemptive strike against Iran, analysts believe that he has set in motion a “force” to avenge what he sees as an unprovoked attack against Iran. He has warned us, and I don’t take his threats lightly. It is especially disconcerting when you understand that members of the QUDS force are fiercely loyal and would not hesitate to lay down their lives to avenge America’s attack on their homeland. If we go to war with Iran, we will face a different type of well-organized Guerrilla fighters that by our standards, are fanatics and value no life whatsoever, including their own. Bring yourself back to the Iran/Iraq war and remember when teenage Iranians ran though Iraqi mine fields, sacrificing their lives so the tanks and other support vehicles could get through. That’s the mentality of Iran on a full-blown war footing - and for our troops sake, I hope they are spared from fighting people who resemble barbarians.
Then, we have our own Iranian population in the United Stares to consider; Wikipedia shows that we have a growing Iranian-American population that in 2000 was estimated to be 338,000. In 2004, that figure rose to 691,000; the last figure they show is 900,000, another substantial rise. Based on people that choose not to participate in Census and other governmental agencies, it’s probably safe to conclude that we are close to one million Iranian-Americans. To the best of my knowledge, our Iranian-American members of society have been productive and peaceful. If I have missed something, I’m sure it will be pointed out by the readership. There is violence in every community, but as it pertains to what we hear on the news and even on Blogs, I have not noted violence in the Iranian-American community that would suggest they are different than any other minority. In fact, I have heard so little it suggests to me that as a whole, they may be less prone to violence than several communities I could list.
Iranian immigration to the United States has been continuous since the 1980s. Today, the United States contains the highest number of Iranians in the world outside Iran not including a large and influential Iranian Zohrastrian community in India. The Iranian-American community has produced a sizable number of individuals notable in many fields, including medicine, engineering, and business. The community expanded predominantly in the early 1980s in the wake of the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the former regime. The majority of Iranian refugees are upper-middle class and others are wealthy[citation needed]. They have comparatively liberal political opinions and westernized lifestyles due in part to American acculturation. Iranian-Americans thus tend to practice moderate, less traditional forms of Shi’ism (some were forced into asylum or exile for disagreements over religion with the Islamic Republic of Iran) as well as liberal Judaism.
Many Iranian Americans are also members of the Azeri, Armenian, Kurdish, Assyrian or other ethnic groups, reflecting the diversity of Iran.
The 2000 US Census estimated that 338,000 Iranian-Americans reside in the United States. In 2004, the Iranian-American population was estimated at 691,000 according to Iranian studies group [4] at MIT [5]. Large concentrations of Iranian Americans live in the state of California, more than 500,000 of them live in Southern California particularly around Los Angeles, Orange County, La Jolla (San Diego), and San José. Other Iranian-American communities in California include the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Imperial Valley and the Coachella Valley. For this reason, the L.A area with its Iranian American residents is sometimes referred to as “Tehrangeles” or “Irangeles” among Iranian Americans, in allusion to Iran and its capital, Tehran, which is also a sister city of Los Angeles.[6] According to Ethnologue, there are at least 900,000 speakers of the Iranian dialects of the Persian language living in the US.[3] LINK
Of course, I’m speaking of the Iranian-American community as it exists today; tomorrow is too much of a toss-up, and as fast as events are transpiring today, the future remains unknown, uncertain, and unpredictable. Many American Iranian’s have family in Iran, communicate regularly, and certainly care about their families just as much as we care for our own. How much anger and outrage will be generated in America’s Iranian community if we launch an unprovoked first-strike targeting Iran? The Iranian nuclear program covers a lot of ground, and even if we don’t use tactical nuclear bunker-busting bombs, the causalities are likely to be enormous if our mission is to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability. What about the Islamic community within the United States? How large is America’s Muslim community?
Number of Muslims in the U.S.
Nobody knows.
This is a political hot-potato. Some non-Muslims have accused Muslims of exaggerating their numbers in order to obtain more political clout. Some Muslims have accused non-Muslims of releasing false, low numbers in order to “marginalize” Islam. In religion, as in war, truth is often the first casualty.
Estimates of the number of Muslims in North America range from a little over one million adults to seven million adults and children. One cause of the disagreement appears to be related to the percentage of Muslim immigrants: * Who have abandoned Islam since they arrived in the US, or * Who still consider themselves to be Muslims, but who do not participate in mosque activities. MORE
Further, if we attack Iran we are virtually certain they will retaliate. After an attack, we can expect huge protests and anger from both of the above communities - and then retribution if we face violent attacks within our own borders from QUDS force operatives that already exist within the country. In this author’s opinion, it’s a recipe for disaster and a subsequent declaration of martial law would be inevitable. Mr. Conyer’s statement was nothing more than symbolic; based on US troop and naval movements, recent preparations by Israel and Saudi Arabia, and Russia clearly stating it was our intention to attack Iran, a threat of impeachment “after the fact” is hollow and meaningless.
It’s about damn time that our Congress on both sides of the isle wake the hell up and take action to protect our nation as well as themselves and their own families. Our own military doesn’t discount threats from Iran of attacks against the US if we start a preemptive attack. and like it or not, our Congress is configured to include representatives from all fifty (50) states. I doubt if their families are bullet-proof, impervious to disease, or radioactive-resistant, however I’m guessing they are human too, and when you risk the rest of the citizenry, you also risk the welfare of your own families. None of us know where terrorists may strike in retaliation, and that “where” could include your own constituency(s).
Where is the Mainstream New Media on this issue? Several Blogs, including my own, have contained all of this information, and just a few days after the information was published, John Conyers issued a statement that Bush would face impeachment hearings if he attacked Iran. Hello??? Was this a coincidence, or was Mr. Conyers verifying that indeed, we are planning on attacking Iran?
PM declares ‘emergency’ in drill
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared a state of emergency Monday following “a barrage of hundreds of missiles from Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip,” as the country’s largest-ever emergency exercise, “Turning Point 2,” continues.
Dozens of Israeli civilians were “killed” on Sunday as Israel went to “war” with Syria, Hizbullah and Hamas on the first day of the exercise.
The five-day drill opened with an announcement by Olmert at the weekly cabinet meeting of an outbreak of hostilities following the firing of Katyusha rockets into northern Israel by Hizbullah in Lebanon. The simulated conflict quickly escalated and by the afternoon - representing the fourth day of the “war” - Israel was also “being hit by Syrian missiles and Hamas-fired Kassams and Katyushas.” MORE
For an investigative reporter, there is an abundance of evidence that suggests the United States is seriously considering, or is in the final planning stages of an attack on Iran. Don’t forget about Syria, because if we strike Iran, Israel will be up to their noses with instantaneous retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, the latter of whom Israel will likely attack first to gain the tactical advantage. What is being planned is not just an attack on Iran, but igniting the entire Middle-East in another one of Bush and Cheney’s wars; we can take it by remaining silent, or we can raise hell by unmercifully calling our Congressional Representatives with calls and emails, and don’t forget to include your local editors too; if enough of you send letters to the Editor, some are likely to be published, helping to bring awareness to the rest of our nation.
I’m sorry, but the MSM has let us down again. I’m hoping they won’t be forgiven so easily for this latest transgression, but if we act in unison and seek universal condemnation of this upcoming war, it’s possible we can raise the awareness of those who are still asleep at the wheel, including many of our own lawmakers. We did it on S 1959, and if we gain join in solidarity, we can make a difference on this issue too. Remember what Thomas Jefferson stated, and in this writer’s opinion, no truer words have ever been spoken before this great nation and we should ponder upon and take to heart his excellent advice:
“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”
“Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.”
International Olympic Committee Chairman Jacques Rogge continues to ignore the facts on the ground surrounding the continued human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government.
As representatives from Reporters Without Borders protested China's human rights violations at the official flame-lighting ceremony in Greece, a Chinese activist was sentences to the maximum five years in prison for writing a letter about human rights in China.
And if that wasn't ironical enough, as if to prove the protesters point, "China state television cut away to a prerecorded scene, blocking millions of Chinese views from watching the tumultuous start to the Games in their nation."
The crackdown in Tibet last week, where over 100 Tibetans have been killed, only underscored how human rights in China have NOT improved since the IOC awarded them the games in 2001. The Chinese government always counters that such episodes are domestic issues and are of no concern to other countries. Yet, when your country is hosting the world's games, then those issues are international issues. When your country supports a Sudanese government that's committing genocide, then that's an international issue.
For more, check out Human Rights Watch, which meticulously documents the continued human rights abuses in China.
After taking a few Chinese politics and cultural courses, as well as three levels of Mandarin, I had an inkling and understanding that the Beijing Olympics would stir things up for China.
Since focus has shifted towards the country in preparation for the games, China has taken heat on Darfur, Tibet and even Taiwan (to an extent) while the world watches. The AP-by-way-of-Los Angeles Times reports that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao accused Dalai Lama supporters of creating the violent instances of unrest that have occurred recently. The Dalai Lama has said he would resign if people perpetuated the violence.
It will continue to be interesting to see how China reacts to different pressures while the world's focus is on them. China's usual brand of force and retaliation will be more difficult to carry out, especially considering the U.S. dropped China from its list of top 10 human rights offenders.
I’ve already been exposed to quite a bit of Olympic buzz and it’s only January. From the Olympiad rings that float below NBC’s logo on TV to discussions of whether amputees with prosthetics should be allowed to compete, there’s been a lot of talk. However, leave it to Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times (recently returned from a five-month book leave) to use that buzz to put some focus back on Darfur.
In his second column since his leave, Kristof points out China’s responsibility for the genocide in Darfur and highlights an international campaign, one that most likely will find its way onto college campuses where Darfur activism abounds, is labeling this year’s summer Olympics in Beijing “The Genocide Olympics.”
China is often pointed to as ready to overtake the United States as the biggest polluter in the world, but news today suggests that China seeks to avoid that reputation. China has announced that they're outlawing the distribution of free plastic bags in stores and restaurants as well as banning the production of thin plastic bags. Instead, customers will be asked to use reusable cloth bags or baskets when shopping.
What's interesting about this is such a simple law that could really make sense in the United States has never gained momentum. What's holding us back? The thin plastic bag lobby? There are a lot of labor unions and businesses afraid of China cutting to the front of the line in the business world, but now, environmentalists may have to fear they're getting shown up by China as well.
We have all been watching the rhetoric build, beginning in earnest again this May when President Bush authorized new covert actions against Iran “to destabilize the Iranian government.”LINK On July 16th, Dick Cheney warned Iran publicly from the deck of a United States Aircraft Carrier stationed close to Iran that:
“With two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we’re sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike,” he said, according to remarks given to reporters. “We’ll keep the sea lanes open. We’ll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We’ll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We’ll continue bringing relief to those who suffer, and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom. And we’ll stand with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating this region.” MORE
So far this year, President Bush has leveled several charges against Iran, most of them centered around allegations that Iran is providing Iraqis training in special QUDS Force training camps in Iranian territory, and stating they would “face the consequences” for “providing EFPs, highly sophisticated IEDs, that kill Americans in Iraq.” So far, none of us are aware of what those “consequences” are - but with the MSM now actively ratcheting-up the visibility and rhetoric of a potential attack on Iran, the situation seems eerily similar to those days right before we attacked Iraq.
Fears of US attacks on Iran grow as media campaign heats up
Muriel Kane Published: Friday August 10, 2007
Cheney continues to urge Iran strike
At a press conference on Thursday, President Bush delivered an apparent threat against Iran, stating, “One of the main reasons that I asked Ambassador Crocker to meet with Iranians inside Iraq was to send the message that there will be consequences for people transporting, delivering EFPs, highly sophisticated IEDs, that kill Americans in Iraq.”
Neither Bush nor the State Department would elaborate on the meaning of “consequences.” However, McClatchy Newspapers reports that “the president’s top aides have been engaged in an intensive internal debate over how to respond to Iran’s support for Shiite Muslim groups in Iraq and its nuclear program. Vice President Dick Cheney several weeks ago proposed launching airstrikes at suspected training camps in Iraq run by the Quds force, a special unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to two U.S. officials who are involved in Iran policy.”
The Guardian reported in July that Cheney has been continuing to press for military action against Iran. When Larry King asked Cheney in an interview on July 31, “”Would you make an overt move on Iran?” Cheney said with a grin, “For what reason?” He then added, “I’m not going to speculate about prospective operations.”
Media campaign against Iran accelerates
For example, in Wednesday’s New York Times, Michael Gordon reported that “attacks on American-led forces using a lethal type of roadside bomb said to be supplied by Iran reached a new high in July, according to the American military. … Such bombs, which fire a semi-molten copper slug that can penetrate the armor on a Humvee and are among the deadliest weapons used against American forces, are used almost exclusively by Shiite militants. American intelligence officials have presented evidence that the weapons come from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, although Tehran has repeatedly denied providing lethal assistance to Iraqi groups.” MORE
Most of the Progressive and Liberal pundits have joined-in these last few weeks condemning Bush’s Iranian War Plans - and the belief that he will use the subsequent terror attacks against the continental United States in retaliation to an attack on Iran to declare Marital Law and “temporarily” disband Congress and the 2008 Presidential elections. All of his recent “Executive Orders,” some so secret that a Democratic member of the House Homeland Security Committee was denied access to Bush’s “Disaster Plan” LINK which supposedly was formed as a plan of action in case of a serious terrorist attack or a natural disaster of a magnitude that equals or is greater than that of New Orleans and Katrina. When a “Disaster Plan” is so secretive that Bush won’t even allow Democratic Member(s) of Congress and The Homeland Security Committee to view its contents - I’m quite comfortable speculating that it’s something that will have to be forced upon the people - and my gut tells me those FEMA ordered/Halliburton built “Internment Camps” won’t remain empty for too much longer…
What the White House is planning still evades most of us as far as the intricate details and when it will happen, but there are “signs” that must be addressed and melded into the larger view - as all of the smaller and seemingly insignificant details add-up to the whole, and it’s important to understand the possible significance of other seemingly unrelated incidents and why they contribute to - and may even hasten an attack against Iran.
The significance of the state of crisis in Pakistan has been woefully underplayed in the MSM; President Gen. Pervez Musharraf is desperately attempting to retain his hold on power and was close to declaring a “State of Emergency” - and missed an important meeting with President Karzai to attempt to iron-out a chilly alliance and discuss ways to stop the cross-border attacks of the Taliban and Al Queda against NATO and Afghanistan forces. LINK To miss a meeting this important speaks of intense pressures and an extremely fluid situation within Pakistan - and somehow Condi Rice was able to help in convincing President Musharraf hold-off on declaring a “State of Emergency.” Who knows exactly what was said, but it had to be significant - especially when you consider this latest breaking tidbit that add even more mystery as to why Musharraf held-off on declaring a State of Emergency - which would have given him some much needed time to attempt a reorganization or other means to re-solidify his power:
Sources: U.S. assessing Pakistan nukes if Musharraf falls
From Barbara Starr CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) — U.S. military intelligence officials are urgently assessing how secure Pakistan’s nuclear weapons would be in the event President Gen. Pervez Musharraf were replaced as the nation’s leader, CNN has learned.
Key questions in the assessment include who would control Pakistan’s nuclear weapons after a shift in power. The United States is pressuring Musharraf, who took control in a 1999 coup, not to declare a state of emergency as he faces growing political opposition.
Three U.S. sources have independently confirmed details of the intelligence review to CNN but would not allow their names to be used because of the sensitivity of the matter. MORE
The above story from CNN indicates the United States is gravely worried about the stability of the Pakistan government - even though the President himself and other are still making reckless remarks in regard Pakistan - and are fanning the flames rather than attempting to deescalate the situation. For more on how President Bush, presidential hopefuls, and a GOP Senator(s) have added to Mr. Musharraf’s troubles, read Pakistan is in Crisis – And the Dems Aren’t Helping! - and don’t forget to wonder why our diplomatic skills seem to have disappeared along with our civil rights, national wealth, and an economy and populace that falls deeper in despair every day! Wall Street’s getting a little nervous, as now it isn’t just the Middle-class that’s losing, but some of our most prized funds and portfolios are taking a dive as well - and that impacts even the wealthy of America!
I am one of the few Progressive/Liberal Bloggers that believes Iran is truly a danger to national security, which I’ll write about later - however, even though I’m more hawkish on Iran than most of those I choose to associate myself with - I’d rather see Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse plan and execute an attack on Iran and the subsequent can-of-worms that will immediately open once the first bomb drops… This administration hasn’t accomplished one damn thing of a positive nature, and when it comes to escalating tensions and fumbling through foreign policy as if though it were a Frat House joke, Bush and Cheney have brought the world closer to nuclear confrontation than ever before - and it gets progressively worse!
The White House is voicing alarm that China has been aggressively building-up their armed forces, land, air, nuclear, and sea - and now are beginning to challenge America’s role in the Far-east. Bush’s folly was to allow America’s corporations to outsource most of our manufacturing capability to China and other third-world countries - including but not limited to some of our essential military weapons and hardware. Greed has caused the Bush White House to brush away signs of an aggressive China emerging, too servile to corporate America, who are making a fortune while the Average American falls deeper into a financial pit with no end in sight, much the same as our mounting national debt. As always, profit and power have been the guiding force of this administration rather than the security and well-being of the people.
Wasn’t it just two days ago that Russia buzzed Guam with two Tupolev-95 warplanes? These are the nuclear workhorses of the Russian military - comparable to our Strategic Air Command. Russian bombers buzz US base in Guam Russia has also restarted and increased flying training sorties, obviously enhancing their military training and sending a message that once again - Russia is a force we dare not ignore!
As Bush and Cheney are greedily eying Iran and hoping for an excuse to begin their war, how much thought has been placed on Russia and China’s reaction - especially in consideration of the long-term energy contracts they’ve signed with Iran, and in Russia’s case - the added significance and construction of a Nuclear Power Plant in Iran by Russian workers?
Think about it, because as usual, the Bush/Cheney team of incompetent’s obviously haven’t, and their ineptitude and penchant for screwing-up everything they touch couldn’t be more visible or important as it pertains to the future of our country than it is today! Don’t forget wild card Israel - sitting in the background and preparing for a war with Syria, which would be almost a sure thing if the US attacks Iran. Olmert: Prepare for war with Syria Who knows, it may be Israel that makes the first strike against Iran, but more likely is that America knows that Israel is preparing for a strike - and might be readying their own, figuring a unilateral strike by Israel would pull the entire Middle-East into the conflict.
These are the factors that Bush and Cheney are attempting to deal with. We have all seen what they’ve done with a situation that was far less apt to escalate into a major international confrontation, and we’re still burying our dead from that war. If you let them start another war based on their current level of success - I’d suggest stocking-up on all of the essentials and preparing your family for the worst. Iran isn’t Iraq - and the world is angry with America, compliments of the Bush administration. Don’t you think it’s time to get these idiots out of office while we still can?
Call your Congressmen, and do anything else you can to raise heck. The life you save could be your own, or that of your family.
Ok, my first post in a long time is about Harry Potter. Sue me.
The New York Times reported yesterday that along with toxic toothpaste and deadly pet food, China struggles to regulate a growing corner of the fraudulent market: Harry Potter books.
Some are pretty straightforward, like photocopies or unauthorized translations of the American version. Others are far more creative--entire books written by citizens and distributed illegally by publishers. My favorite Chinese additions to the series: "Harry Potter and the Hiking Dragon" and "Harry Potter and the Big Funnel." Awesome.
Of course, this is part of a much larger piracy issue in China--literary infringements are often bypassed by the government, which prefers to "fight harder [against] banned publications, like pornography, political books, such as things written about the leadership, the government, and historical matters like the Cultural Revolution," says Wei Bin, editor of the Writers' Publishing House, which examines book piracy.
So to infiltrate the Chinese system, disguise your controversial propaganda as Harry Potter fodder. Look for "Harry Potter and the Unfiltered Google" or "Harry Potter and the Elusive Civil Liberties" on bookshelves soon.
Shortly after yesterday's tragedy made its way into the U.S. media, reports that the shooter appeared to be Asian appeared on television and online. Before authorities identified the man as 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, a South Korean national and English major at Virginia Tech, several news outlets including the Chicago Sun-Times (with a link from Drudge) and The Times of London reported that a suspect was Chinese.
Readers will note that both of the articles linked above now reflect the correct shooter. The papers apparently have used the same URL for their online story on the shooting, continually editing it. In this case, the Times has removed any mention of its previous statement regarding a Chinese suspect. (I'm trusting Josie Liu that the page did reflect this mistaken information before.) On the other hand, the Sun-Times includes the following statement in it's current story:
You've probably heard about the American parents who have their unruly teenagers kidnapped in the middle of the night and carted off to bootcamp. Sally Jesse Raphael or Maury Povich is always glad to film the subsequent humiliation. But now China has one-upped us on the tough-love. The government has created in-patient clincs to treat "internet addiction" in teenagers and young adults, and charges their parents $1,300 or more for the forced treatment. Some of the government's policies seem to make sense, like cutting off teens' access to networked games after five hours. Nobody needs to play Warcraft for longer than that, right? But electroshock treatments and IV drug drips for compulsive IM-ing? Isn't that a little extreme? Thankfully, at least one Chinese expert is willing to oppose the government's policies publicy in the Washington Post:
Guo [Tiejun] said he believes that the root of the problem is loneliness and that the most effective treatment is to treat the teens "like friends."
"Our conclusion is that kids who get addicted in society have some kind of disability or weakness. They can't make friends, can't fulfill their desire of social communication, so they go online," Guo said.
Guo is especially critical of the use of medications -- which include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and a variety of other pills and intravenous drips -- for Internet addiction because, he said, that approach treats symptoms, not causes.
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