LIBYA - DUELLING EMBASSIES IN MALTA

Monday, December 29, 2014, 11:39 Libyans hold protest outside Castille A small group of Libyan men this morning held a brief protest outside the Auberge de Castille in Valletta. [MALTA] The group, which supports the government installed in Tripoli, protested over the Maltese government's failure to recognise the Charge' d'Affairs operating from the embassy in Attard. [TRIPOLI GOVT = LIBYA DAWN = MISRATA = ATTARD, MALTA.] The Charge' d'Affairs supports the Tripoli government, which is based around Libya Dawn, a militant group from Misrata. Another charge' d'affairs, nominated by the recognised Libyan government - now based in Tobruk - is reportedly using consular offices in Ta' Xbiex. During the protest those who took part handed in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. They said they were surprised and hurt that the Maltese government had accepted an envoy of the 'illegal' Libyan Parliament as charge' d'Affairs of Libya. They insisted that this parliament had not achieved the 18% vote participation in the elections and lacked legal status in terms of the law, as confirmed by the Libyan Constitutional Court. [Tobruk] Those taking part in the protest carried placards reading: 'Respecting Libyan constitutional court sentence is respecting democratic rules and law.' Link:  http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141229/local/libyans-hold-protest-outside-castille.549981 OMG! Trying to get to grips with what's going on in these articles about Libya's embassies (I've read more than one) is doing my head in -- big time.  Intended to give up on trying to figure it out, but I can't not figure it out or I won't know what's going for next time. Made a mistake earlier.  Saw Castille and took it to be in Spain.  Couldn't quite figure why a letter was handed over to to the Maltese head of state (via the embassy), but I imagined it was to pass on and didn't question further.   Turns out Castille Valletta is in Malta.  Oops.  Might have to do some editing tomorrow.  So the article is saying that the 'internationally' recognised government hiding out in Tobruk is the government that didn't achieve sufficient votes (according to a Libyan Supreme Court decision), yet this government is accepted as a Libyan envoy by the Maltese government. Meanwhile, the Tripoli government (aka Libya Dawn, Mistata govt), composed of militants that were the anti-Gaddafi rebels (if I recall correctly), has appointed it's own charge' d'Affairs of Libya, operating from an embassy in Attard, Malta, which the Maltese government isn't recognising. ---------------------------------------- Further from another source: New head of the Libyan Embassy in Malta (and Charge d'Affairs of the Libyan internationally-recognised government (Tobruk), Al-Habib Al-Amin): Al-Habib Al-Amin, said: "I have also been asked to let you know that the man currently occupying the Embassy, Mr Misurati is doing so illegally as it is Mr Al-Habib Al-Amin [who is] the legal representative of the legitimate  government." At Libyan embassy in Attard [Malta] = Hussain Musrati (or Misurati) Libya's acting Charge d'Affaire. The acting Chargé d'Affaires at the Libya Embassy in Malta accused the Maltese government of interfering in Libyan affairs by accepting the appointment by the Thinni government of former culture minister Habib Al-Amin as Libya's ambassador to Malta. The Thinni government was illegal because of the 6 November decision by the Supreme Court which nullified the House of Representatives and therefore all its decisions were illegal, Hussin Musrati said. He has been acting Chargé for since 20 November. He claimed that Malta is supporting Mr Al-Amin who was appointed by the Libyan Parliament which has now been dissolved. In doing so, Mr Misrati said, Malta is not respecting the verdict of the Libyan Constitutional Court and this has created a serious precedent. Speaking at a press conference this morning, Mr Musrati said that the Supreme Court's ruling had to be accepted. Although Habib Al-Amin had not taken up the post - he has been in Tunisia where a close member of his family was reported to have been having an operation - Mr Musrati said that he had managed to take over the embassy's bank accounts and vehicles. This was theft, he said, and a complaint had been lodged with the Maltese police.  [Habib Al-Amin has Libya embassy bank accounts & vehicles *illegally* given Supreme Court ruling.] Mr Misrati further attacked Bank of Valletta which, he claimed, has allowed unauthorised persons to take control over the embassy's bank accounts. A court action will be lodged against the bank. Mr Musrati said that Omar Al-Hassi's "National Salvation Government" was in contact with several European and African states and would be recognised by them shortly as Libya's legitimate government.  The Salvation Government was currently in control of the area from Sidra Port on the east to the border of Tunisia and from the coastline in Tripoli all the way to the south. It was also in control of airport and military bases, he said. The Central Bank of Libya was also working with Hassi's government, he said. Saddek Elkaber, sacked as the Central Bank's governor by the HoR but still recognised by the Hassi administration, is now largely based in Malta.  http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-12-20/local-news/Libyan-claims-to-be-the-real-representative-of-the-real-Libyan-government-6736127653 What's the problem here?   Omar Al-Hassi / Tripoli (Mistrata, Libya Dawn) government has the territory and has the Central Bank, as well as recognition of European states and African states - as well as a Libya Supreme Court ruling that the Tobruk 'government' cannot make up a government, so where exactly the issue?   The Tripoli / Mistrata government sounds legit, so what right has Malta -- or anyone else -- to choose a government for Libya? ....................................................... On second thoughts, I'm wondering if I've got it straight after all.  Need to double-check the Central Bank detail.  Might have to return to this because I need to confirm who the National Salvation Government is and check on that al-Hassi guy's details.  Picked him up on a translated French Wiki, but there wasn't anything much there.   Don't have time for this right now.  Another crap, incomplete post.  LOL

Walter Lippmann

WALTER LIPPMANN Walter Lippmann b.1889-d.1974 Journalist, a media critic, amateur philosopher WWI - Capitan US army Served intelligence division of American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), France Spin-doctor / adviser to President Woodrow Wilson In terms of censorship, Lippmann was not an absolute defender of the free speech doctrine; although he considered that there were dangers of suppression and cautioned against permitting censorship by a censor who was not aware of those dangers or tolerant of free speech. Coined phrase  "cold war" (1947 book of that title).  Every time we hear that expression (and we hear it quite a lot now that the neo-cons are stirring up aggression against Russia), we can think of dear old proto neo-con, Walter Lippmann. Coined term:  "stereotype". News and truth were not synonymous (analogous, corresponding) to Lippmann. Lippmann:  "function of news is to signalize an event, the function of truth is to bring to light the hidden facts, to set them in relation with each other, and make a picture of reality on which men can act." Journalist's 'truth' is subjective.  It is also limited to how the journalist constructs his reality. So news is: "imperfectly recorded". Lippman did not consider news/journalism as:  "an organ of direct democracy” Gather he did not see it as playing a role in democracy, but it's hard to say without reading further. Lippmann believed that voters: = ignorant re issues & policies. = lacked competence to participate in public life. = cared little for participating in political process. Book 'Public Opinion' 1922, Lippmann wrote that: "a "governing class" must rise to face the new challenges." and he considered it "possible to sanitize polluted information". Lippmann contended that:  functioning on an unconscious 'seeing through stereotypes' basis resulted in our being subjected to partial truths. Therefore, according to Lippmann, the idea of the public being equipped (or competent) to direct public affairs is a "false ideal." Political savvy of an average man = "theatre-goer walking into a play in middle of the third act and leaving before the last curtain." On mass culture, in his book Public Opinion (1922), Lippmann said: mass man functioned as a "bewildered herd" mass man must be governed by "a specialized class whose interests reach beyond the locality" elite class of intellectuals and experts were to be a machinery of knowledge purpose of the elite class of 'experts':  to circumvent the main defect of democracy:  the "omni-competent citizen" ideal. Lippmann's attitude, by the standards of the 1920s, was considered liberal. Liberal because it was, according to Wikipedia, "endorsing the continuation of civil society rather than populist fascism."  Hmmmm, so compared to some whacky extreme where you have no rights, this is a 'liberal' stand ... if you don't mind not knowing that you have no say. 1946 -  Lippmann leading public advocate of: need to respect a Soviet sphere of influence in Europe versus containment strategy OMG!  Nothing's changed:  neo-cons are pushing for NATO 'containment' to this day. "Manufacture of Consent" was one of Lippmann's catch phrases (used by Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman, in their book of same name). Similar views to Gabriel Almond, American political scientist (and WWII war office analyst of propaganda). Almond-Lippmann consensus on these points: Public opinion is volatile, shifting erratically in response to the most recent developments ... Public opinion is incoherent, lacking an organized or a consistent structure ... Public opinion is irrelevant to the policy-making process. Political leaders ignore public opinion because most Americans can neither "understand nor influence the very events upon which their lives and happiness are known to depend." So that's Walter Lippmann.  Really detested him reading this. His only saving grace is that he wasn't on the 'containment' of Russia bandwagon. See Lippmann as the typical neo-con NGO, USG revolving door, spin doctor that tells us how to think today. ---------------------------------- Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Lippmann

Notes: Ukraine - Economy

UKRAINE ------------------------------- No Gold Gold reserves since govt overthrow have dwindled to almost zero. http://on.rt.com/cniueq ------------------------------- Russia Supports UKR Economy Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30278606 Russia supports UKR industry. But UKR trade to EU = raw materials & agricultural  products (subject to heavy EU quotas & tariffs). 2014 predicted fall in GDP @ 7% - if this decline continues, the Ukrainian state will face collapse. [BBC]  Western media & policy worlds have ignored or misrepresented key aspects of the Ukrainian-Russian economic relationship. [BBC] Ukraine Cheap Russian gas & lenient payment terms = Russia has been subsidising UKR economy @ BILLIONS yearly. [BBC] Russia subsidy of Ukraine economy = many times total of Western aid during this period. [BBC] 1) By ignoring Russia's subsidy of UKR economy in the billions, pundits & media avoided addressing ... 2) ... if Western countries would pay billions to take UKR into Western sphere of influence. [BBC] Russia supports UKR manufacturing sector & remains Ukraine's largest partner. Trade 2013 exceeding that with WHOLE of EU. [BBC] Ukraine Over 3 million UKR working in Russia & sending money to home to family - a vital contribution to economies of several UKR regions. All over the EU, right-wing parties are gathering strength - developments are driven above all by hostility to immigration. [BBC] In such case, the West is hardly in a position to integrate Ukraine's workforce & economy into the EU economy. ------------------------------- Uranium & Coal Australia's Tony Abbott's doing deals with fascist US puppet govt. - Uranium & coal. UKRAINE's Western 'support' always comes down to this: Western corporations making money. ------------------------------- Leaked Proposed Ukraine Budget: UKRAINE no more free food for children in school or for patients in hospitals [sovereignman] UKRAINE healthcare will no longer be completely state-funded [sovereignman] UKRAINE  government is also proposing to drastically reduce pension benefits [sovereignman] UKRAINE  Women will have to work 10 more years in order to qualify for a pension [sovereignman] UKRAINE  Men will have to work an additional 5 more years in order to qualify for a pension [sovereignman] UKRAINE proposed FREEZE pension benefits (ie. no longer adjusting them to the rampant inflation) [sovereignman]. UKRAINE  stripping other public services; they’ve proposed slashing the number of judges, prosecutors &  police [sovereignman] UKRAINE  proposed reducing the number of members of parliament from 450 to 150 [sovereignman] http://www.sovereignman.com/trends/leaked-document-ukraines-government-to-eliminate-everything-15717/ Ukraine IMF disbursements program buys UKR limited time. Significant risks of UKR defaulting. Poor outlook. [StreetInsider] COMMENT Above are just some notes on the Ukraine economy. It's just what grabbed my interest at the time, rather than a complete overview.

Support: Jeremy Hammond

FREE JEREMY HAMMOND Support:  https://freejeremy.net/take-action/five-easy-actions/ Jeremy Hammond's an American hactivist, currently serving a 10-year prison term. Latest (Christmas 2014) photos of Jeremy Hammond:  here. The prison garb is rather austere, so I thought I'd brighten things up. Anyone interested in supporting Jeremy Hammond may do so by making a donation, sending a book, writing to him (or other prisoners), or perhaps by supporting a campaign, as per details on his support site:  here.

VIDEO - The Fugs - 'CIA MAN'

THE FUGS 'CIA MAN' Source:  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW9cCWm53H4 USA - The Fugs band formed in NYC in mid-1963 Mentioned in the Doors FBI file - US govt link:  here.  "CIA Man" is featured in the movie 'Burn After Reading' by the Coen brothers. [Wikipedia]

VIDEO - Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992)

(1992, IMDB)   Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dzufDdQ6uKg      Watched this to the intermission.  Way long for me.  It could have done with some savage editing, or an edited version for people who just want the distilled message. Have notes somewhere.  So disorganised I can't recall where.   Found them.  Didn't number the pages.  Day's later, I can't tell beginning from end. Anyway, here's what I got out of it: The 'elite media' (eg New York Times, Washington Post) is agenda setting media.  What they draw attention to and what they ignore becomes the agenda of the wider news services.  Large media outfits also shape history. Further, NYT was creator of history as it had a massive archive of carefully collated news information. Reed Irvine - insinuates that press agenda-setting is a left-wing conspiracy.   There's appearances of left-wing bias and opposition to power.  If I recall correctly, this is not a genuine left-leaning press or opposition to the establishment:  this press is firmly entrenched in the system and is part of the establishment. Press ignoring atrocities in Timor, the Panama invasion and the Gulf War (ie in step with the US agenda). Bush stating 'aggressors can't be rewarded' seemed to really annoy Chomsky, I think.   If I remember correctly, it may have been the hypocrisy of the US totalitarian war state that was at issue for Chomsky. Anyway, in Panama US actions were ignored (and wherever else around the world), while the actions of those the US war state decides to vilify become hugely overblown and over-reported. 'Official enemy' is the term used for those the US stands against. Column inches were compared and what the US government didn't want you to know about went massively under-reported.  Only a fraction of that topic would even make the news, unlike the overblown news about events concerning those the US was in opposition to. News stories were also censored -- example of a UK article -- information gouged before it hit the press in the US. Pol Pot's 1975-78 genocide in East Timor wasn't deemed newsworthy. Try again: Pol Pot in Cambodia was deemed massively newsworthy (I think the notes should read.  Hard to make them out!  Sorry about this mess.  Don't have time to check or fix).  Khmer Rouge in Cambodia became the 'official enemy' and their actions were blown grossly out of proportion (if I recall correctly). Reporting in respect of the 'official enemy' is subject to: exaggeration outrage falsification (photos) lies frudulence compared to US atrocities. There is an interplay: Government does. Press says. People think. Press is therefore complicit in genocide by suppressing facts. East Timor involved an Indonesian invasion that was ignored.  UN voted against the resolution to invade.   If I recall correctly, it was profitable supplying weapons.  West was selling arms to Indonesians for profit. * Indonesians killed a couple of Australian journalists December 7, 1975. UN response was condemnations and sanctions, but US clearly not allowing intervention. Meantime there was outrage over what was going on in Cambodia (for which the US was responsible). Very hard to make out my scrawl or the order this is in.    ............................................. Democratic process is what violence is to totalitarian society. It is a case of the Big Stick (totalitarian) versus the Big Lie (democracy). Some mention of 'rationalist libertarian socialism', but (days later) I've no idea what this is about.  Might have to watch the video again.  Social action animated by visions of future society | challenge authority and domination. Control/Coercion require justification - there is seldom a justification. Mention made of exceptions - eg war, parent/child relationships Democracy requires free access to information -- including publishing, education --  and press scrutiny. Discussion of origins of democracy:  17th C. revolution - Royalists versus others. Multiple issues:  incl. master/servant Time of radical publishing - disturbed all elites on both sides of the war.  Manufactured consent:  technique of control of special class. View that decision requires cool observation & that stupidity of average man is guided by myth (beliefs). INDOCTRINATION is the essence of democracy. Fear of people not submitting to civil control  -- people contained by manufactured consent / propaganda (versus the totalitarian model of domination by military force). The state becomes the myth-maker. Propaganda targets:  1. Political class - about 20% educated. 2. The 80% that follow orders and pay the costs. Mentioned sports as indoctrination.  So pleased about that because I detest sports and have never understood the point of following who kicks a ball etc. Walter Lippmann got a mention.  Cannot recall why.   Will link him, but its the early hours of the morning and I can't take the time to do more than that. Richard Niebuhr got a mention regarding the 'cool observer' and stupid average man who follows faith.  Not absolutely certain I have the right person.  Guessing I have.  No time to double-check.  Might come back to this over the next few days. (: Thought it was funny that Chomsky referred to NYT as a 'lapdog'.  While discussing how the government doesn't like to be exposed as the 'emperor with no clothes', it reminded me of why the powers that be have targeted WikiLeaks and publisher Julian Assange. Anyway, this is a scrambled and sketchy summary of the first portion of the documentary.   Even though this isn't chronological (I notice I've reversed the order), I'm going to leave it and shut down as soon as I can because I've got Christmas obligations.   Have noticed that if you really push yourself and not sleep normally for extended periods, it seems to have a depressant effect.  Or maybe that's just on me. Have a nice holiday everyone. [In a rush, excuse any typos]

UKRAINE - NATION SCREWED & ABOUT TO BE SOLD

UKRAINE Foreign Bankers Rape Ukraine by F. William Engdahl The US-picked Ukraine President, billionaire oligarch Petro Poroshenko called “snap” elections at the end of August for October 26. He did so to make sure genuine opposition to his regime of murderers, gangsters and in some cases outright Nazis would be able to push an unprepared genuine opposition out of the Verkhovna Rada or Parliament. Because the parliament had significant opposition parties to the US-engineered February 22 coup d’Etat, they had blocked many key pieces of legislation that the Western vultures were demanding, from changing key land ownership laws to privatization of precious state assets. By law, the old parliament would have sat until its five year term ended in October, 2017. That was clearly too long for State Department neo-con Ukraine puppet-mistress Victoria Nuland and her backers in Washington. EXTRACT ONLY - SOURCE:  http://www.voltairenet.org/article186276.html Anyone interested in Ukraine really ought to have a read of this article.  Some good background information on the newly appointed foreigners in government:  Natalie Jaresko, Aivaras Abromavicius and Alexander Kvitashvili. Personal highlights: "blatant foreign takeover that followed, like a Wall Street vulture fund raid on a distressed debtor country of the Third World" "the age of no nation state, of private capital taking over the world for sake of profit. Looting über alles is the motto." "nation of Ukraine is being put on the auction bloc to be privatized anyway, so it makes sense that the auctioneers at the US State Department head-hunt the ones to do the inside job of preparing that auction" "What [Natalie] Jaresko did not say was that she had been sent to Ukraine 22 years before as a member of the US State Department." "former CIA spokeswoman Marie Harf has already denied Washington had any hand in her appointment. Of course she would never lie." "According to the official US Government propaganda site, Radio Free Europe—the old CIA Cold War propaganda news service still exists, with its old name as kind of a sick joke—" Another good article to check out is: Is Soros Paying the Salaries of Ukraine’s Foreigners-Ministers? If he isn't, his Renaissance Foundation found them and faciliated their hiring Not only did the Renaissance Foundation take on the head hunting and hiring activities, sources in the region are saying that the foundation is being kind enough to also take on the salaries of the newly minted Ukrainian Ministers. It is noteworthy in this context that the ministers will be paid their wages not from the Ukrainian budget but from a certain Western foundation (according to some reports, George Soros’ Renaissance foundation). It gets better. Not only is George Soros acting as head hunter, hiring manager, and apparently paymaster to the new ministers, but Soros foundation grants also helped the new Public Health Minister get his degree. EXTRACTS ONLY - SOURCE:  here. Foreign Hires don't stop with the abovementioned trio.  Ukraine's government has also appointed these foreigners: Catherine Zghuladze from Georgia - job as deputy Interior Minister. [here] Ronald W. Glensor (retired assist. chief of Reno Police Dept Nevada) to train patrol & traffic police. [here] Thought it was cool how there's a strong link between Aivaras Abromavicius (newly minted Economy Minister) and Sweden, which is at the forefront of the neo-con lobbying for European integration: Aivaras Abromavicius based in Kyiv Estonia + US educ. East Capital (investment management co), partner EC = 6 owners HQ Stockholm East Capital manages abt 31 billion in total of 21 funds. Carl Bildt served as an advisor to the East Capital to 2006 East Capital  award for the best Russian fund during 2000-2010  with a total return of 1261 percent (USD) Yes, it's a tenuous link.  But it is nontheless a link that I find quite interesting.   And would you check out the return on the Russian fund.  If Ukraine is getting raped, the return figure looks like Russia's been g*ng b*nged.

WIKILEAKS: Releases December 2014

WikiLeaks Releases - Dec 2014 To Improve Assassination Operations, CIA Studies Failures of Colonial Powers to Combat Resistance http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2014/12/18/to-improve-assassination-operations-cia-studies-failures-of-colonial-powers-to-combat-resistance/ WikiLeaks Releases CIA Manual Advising Undercover Agents on Travel & Avoiding ‘Secondary Screenings’ http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2014/12/21/wikileaks-releases-cia-manual-advising-undercover-agents-how-to-evade-secondary-screenings/ Articles in relation to the new WikiLeaks releases (above). Had a quickie look at the travel article.  Undercover travel doesn't sound fun at all.  Travel is crap as it is, without worrying about covering all bases when it comes to being picked up and questioned. Don't know what to make of the 'High Value Target' assassinations article.  Should this even be a legitimate agenda of any government? The French colonists supposedly made mistakes in Algiers and through their actions wound up with popular insurgents in the occupied territory, as well as losing domestic and international support.  But I'm inclined to think that it wouldn't matter what actions the French took:  they're foreign occupiers.  Of course, the occupied people are going to support their own kind.  Why would an occupier expect to have support, apart from the support of the few at the top that they may collude with to maintain control?  I haven't read the linked documents.  It's my first impression on that subject.  But who am I to argue with the experts? If CIA want to know about suppressing revolution, they should have a chat to the British.  Think WikiLeaks put out a military manual on that subject some time ago. Yep.  UK Counter Insurgency Operations 2007.  I started a summary of types of insurrections, but didn't get far.  Why?  Just something that seemed interesting at the time.  Became one of those things that I started and forgot about. Guerilla warfare. Rural insurgents versus own government: Only x3 achieved victory in open fighting against govt regular army: China – 1949 Cuba  – 1959 Nicaragua – 1979 Think that was more of an analysis of tactics of insurgents.  Couldn't find anything about elimination of leaders.  But I only did a quickie word search.  Went back to doc for another look.  Page 70, point 18, advocates physical destruction -- but limiting the numbers to what is required to achieve ends (rather than wholesale elimination of the insurgents).  Soft methods should prevail, to avoid negative consequences. It goes on to say that physical attrition course has blow-back and the consequence is that the costs lead to domestic displeasure.  Maybe that's why drones are so popular. "Hearts and Minds campaign" is a really sick phrase, when you consider that this is ultimately just a game of domination and exploitation. Almost all of the the population (90%) will be neutral, according to UK estimates.  At  the beginning of the campaign this mob will support whoever is strongest.  It is this bunch of sheep that need to be won over. Targeting the support networks is key to bringing down the insurgent -- it's vital, as it then exposes the insurgent group to vulnerabilities. Captured support network members make the best informants on the insurgent group. This is really fascinating, but I'm going to have to stop here.  Not up for over 200 pages of reading at the moment. No, wait. There's more.  Discovered 'neutralising' insurgents.  No wonder my word search didn't reap results.  I was looking for 'assassination'. Scrolling through, I must have missed the neutralising bits.  Couldn't be bothered persevering.  The propaganda section looks really interesting, though.  Black, grey, white, cohesive and divisive are the spin choices. Black - held out as being from some fake source (true source withheld). Grey - doesn't identify a source. White - source out in the open & acknowledged. Cohesive - targets the neutral / uncommitted. Divisive - targets the hostile. While checking out counter-insurgency strategies, it's hard not to be confronted by the might of the machinery that rules the masses.  People have no hope.  People can't resist armies.  Armies are there to control the people; to put a stop to any resistance.  Revolutions are seldom successful without the outside assistance of a sympathetic state.  So imagine the degree of planning and work that was put into the US backed Ukraine coup.

Israel - Palestine Conflict: Mads Gilbert & Noam Chomsky

ISRAEL / PALESTINE MADS GILBERT Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZzIf7Bk8CHM Talk to Al Jazeera - Mads Gilbert:  'People are questioning Israel' Mads Gilbert is a convincing voice for Palestine and it's worthwhile taking the time to view this video, which is from the perspective of a medical professional that has long been active in helping people in Palestine. Gilbert says that, according to international law, an occupied people have the right to take up arms to defend themselves.  That isn't something the mainstream media makes clear.  In fact, I think that's the first time I've ever heard anybody say that. It is also illegal to occupy a people!  Wow, I didn't even know that. During this interview, Gilbert calls into question the Israeli narrative of Israel as a people under attack. Gilbert goes on to say that the solution is a political one rather than a military one. NOAM CHOMSKY Which takes me back to another video that I watched about Palestine and Israel - Noam Chomsky's UN speech: Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2LNyZ6NNeE Noam Chomsky at UN (Oct 14th, 2014)  "Solutions To The Israel-Palestine Conflict" It's worthwhile taking the time to watch the Noam Chomsky video  because he explains the ways in which a political solution has been dodged. Watched this video some time ago and summarised some of the points Chomsky made during the first half hour or so of the video.   Summary below: Israel-Palestine conflict: general outlines of a diplomatic solution has been clear for at least 40 years. Resolution brought before UN 1976 called for two-state settlement internationally recognised border which guarantees rights of both states 1976 resolution brought to UN by 3 major Arab states -- Egypt, Jordan, Syria ('the Confrontation States') 1976 UN resolution -- Israel refused to attend the session. Resolution vetoed by US. 1976 UN Resolution> US veto typically DOUBLE-VETO  1) Non-implementation Resolution  2) Event vetoed from history .. 1976 UN Resolution> Israel refusal to attend + US veto of implementation of Resolution (& from history) SET PATTERN SINCE 1976 UN Resolution> most recent US VETO 2011 #Obama - vetoed implementation 4 official US policy / for opp. to expansion of settlements Opposition to expansion of settlements >*expansion* not issue / issue is illegal *settlements* + infrastructure projects for long time, overwhelming international consensus in support of a [illegal] settlement along these general lines UN pattern set 1976 continues to the present /Israel rejects settlement of terms with unremitting & decisive support of US UN pattern set 1976 continues with unremitting & decisive support of US -- military, economic, diplomatic & ideological pattern continues with support of US, establishing how conflict viewed & interpreted in US & within US sphere of influence pattern> ceasefire, Israel disregards >continues assault on Gaza, incl. continued siege, intermittent violence, settlement &  development. pattern> Hamas observe ceasefire until Israel escalation elicits Hamas response >Israel exercises 'mowing the lawn'  [ie military offensive against Palestinians] pattern > Israel 'mowing the lawn'  [ie military offensive against Palestinians] > each episode more fierce & destructive than the last -- in a series Agreement on Movement & Access Nov 2005, called for crossing between Gaza & Egypt (Rafah) 2005 Agreement > for export of goods & transit of people , continuous op of crossings between Israel & Gaza 4 import/export + transit of people 2005 Agreement > called for reduction of obstacles to movement w/in the West Bank, bus & truck convoys between West Bank & Gaza ... 2005 Agreement > called for the building of a sea port in Gaza, the reopening of airport in Gaza (that Israel had destroyed) Terms of 2005 Movement & Access Agreement are essentially terms of successive ceasefires, incl. one reached few weeks ago. 2005 Agreement timing significant > it was moment of Israel's disengagement from Gaza & removal several thousand Israeli settlers 2005 Israel disengagement stated goal was the FREEZING of the peace process to prevent establishment of Palestinian state 2005 Israel disengagement stated goal was to ensure that diplomacy has been removed indefinitely from agenda ... Israel-Palestine:'05 Israel disengagement reality:  ruined territory not released for even single day from Israel military grip or occupation '05 Israel disengagement stated reality - Israel left behind scorched earth, devastated services & people with no present or future 2005 Israel disengagement stated reality: settlements were destroyed in an ungenerous move by an unenlightened occupier 2005 Israel disengagement >occupier continues to control territory kill & harass inhabitants >means of formidable military might Oslo Accords established 20 years ago >> Gaza & West Bank are INDIVISIBLE TERRITORIAL UNITY > integrity cannot be broken up For 20 years US & Israel dedicated to separating Gaza & West Bank in VIOLATION of the ACCORDS they had ACCEPTED Separation of Gaza & West bank look at map explains why: Gaza offers only access to outside world to Palestine. if Gaza is separated from the West Bank whatever autonomy it might be granted in West Bank would be imprisoned. September. West Bank = Imprisoned; Israel on one side & hostile Jordan (ally of  Israel)  on other and Israel-US Jordan valley takeover Israel's slow & steady US-backed policy is to take over Jordan Valley, about 1/3 of West Bank & much of arable land Jordan Valley take-over is major geostrategic reason for Israel with US backing INSISTENCE on SEPARATING Gaza & West Bank Jan 2006 = first full free election in the Arab world (monitored & recognised) occurred> HAMAS won control of Parliament Hamas win election result in 2006 was not what US & Israel wanted 2006 Hamas win of Parliament good test of US 'democracy promotion' agenda > Fail: Palestine harsh siege instituted US/IS following 2006 Hamas win of Parliament, US began to immediately organise a military coup - as per standard US record post 2006 election, US organised military coup >> to its shame & discredit, European Union went along with this. sounds like the punishment, violence, US arranged coup (accepted by EU) led to Israeli escalation + end to Nov 2005 Agreement 2007 Hamas committed even greater crime than winning fair election; it pre-empted planned military coup & took over Gaza! 2007 elected Hamas PREVENTING US-arranged coup is described in West as Hamas taking Gaza over by 'force'. Hamas preventing planned & US-arranged military coup against the Hamas elected government led to substantial attacks on Gaza. Jan 2008 another. ceasefire reached. Similar to 2005 terms. Israel publicly rejected ceasefire. Hamas observed the ceasefire. one-sided ceasefire cont. to Nov 4, 2008 - day of US election - Israeli forces invaded Gaza & killed Hamas militants ... Nov 2008 Israel attack on Gaza led 2 rocket fire on Israel, a huge Israeli response, lots killings: Palestinians, as usual mid Dec 2008, Hamas offer to renew the ceasefire, Israeli doveish Cabinet rejected & launched next military op 'Cast Lead' 2008 Israel Op 'Cast Lead' >> horrible Op .. caused substantial international reaction, investigation: UN, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch 2008 Israel Op 'Cast Lead'  >> precisely timed to end before  #Obama inauguration .. so Obama didn't have to respond. no comment / let's forget about the past & look to the future is standard slogan for those engaged in serious crime Jan 8, 2009 >> UN Resolution passed (US abstaining) >> calling for immediate cease-fire with usual terms - NEVER OBSERVED > UN ceasefire Resolution of Jan 8, 2009 > broke down completely w. next episode of 'mowing the lawn' in Nov. 2012 >Nov. 2012 'mow the lawn' [ie military offensive against Palestinians] >> get good sense what going on looking @ casualty figures: 79 killed / 78 of them Palestinians The above points were summarised weeks ago, and this is one of the things I didn't get around to finishing.  Hopefully it makes sense. I thought the Chomsky UN video was amazing.  It explains in simple terms what's really going on, which was a revelation to me, as I'm new to politics and as you don't get this sort of information from mainstream media.  [Excuse any typos.  Another all-nighter, no sleep.  Getting to be a baaaaad habit.]

USA: Angola and Rawanda

Whenever I see that people have checked out the blog I get really anxious, because I'm aware that among my posts there's most likely a fair bit of crap conclusions I've drawn, particularly when I first began the blog ... with the zeal of a thousand manic bloggers. Seriously, I knew next to nothing about politics and I was forever confusing Libya and Syria.  The knowledge I have remains limited.  I know trivia from all over, but I don't have a good, solid understanding of any one country.  Feel a bit guilty about my not so pleasant posts about political figures (kind of like I do whenever I'm not nice on twitter), but I'm going to let things stand as they are rather than edit, even though I'll sound like a dick. Seem to be going nowhere with the posting.  Get some draft form thing happening, but I like to 'work' in one hit (it's never the same going back).  But as I leave the drafting until I'm just about ready to drop, there's not much drive left in me and it all sort of gets set aside for editing that somehow doesn't eventuate. Also, some things that I feel really strongly about at the time aren't that big a deal down the track.  Which is just as well. Spent the night fiddling with something , even though I was mean to get some zzz's.  Why is there never enough time in the day?  It is such a horrible feeling to feel time racing and slipping away like it seems to, while you remain at a sort of standstill feeling like you're striving for something -- but never getting anywhere. What's even worse than that?  Knowing it's a crazy-lady pursuit. Addiction to news information is a weird addition to have. What news did I find interesting? ANGOLA | RAWANDA #Angola Foreign Minister saw John Kerry to discuss Syria, Israel, Palestine, #Ukraine& 'challenges'  Angola to face as new member #UNSC. #Angola appears to have some role in peacemaking re 'Great Lakes crisis'/ Kerry brings up #Congo violence against women. Shared obligations. #Angola #Congo Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - No. 1 threat to stability in region [Kerry] - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html #Rawanda US supports ending threat of the FDLR, incl "demobilization & robust military efforts" [John Kerry] - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html Demobilisation =  process of standing down nation's armed forces from combat-ready status by (1) peaceful resolution OR  (2) victory in war. Democratic Forces for the Liberation of #Rwanda = has 6 months to surrender gracefully - expires January 2nd, 2015 #Rawanda If FDLR do not surrender 2/1/15: DRC military (ie Congo) & #UN 'peacekeeping' mission must act to end FDLR threat once & for all. #Angola - #USA "On issue after issue, our interests are aligning like never before" [John Kerry] - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html #Angola & #USA collaboration: >maritime security >combating piracy >combating illegal fishing >discussion: human trafficking [newsroomamerica] #Angola To join Chemical Weapons Convention, a 'treaty of conscience'; duration 100 years. [John Kerry] Kerry brings up #Syria & removal of 'chemical weapons' from Syria. Mentions Daesh. Removal ' providential choice'. MIRACLE! #Angola US investments improving business climate & integration AND "leveraging Angola’s leadership" [John Kerry] http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html Port of Luanda energy companies are presumably responsible for this 'leveraging' LOL ... Kerry mentions visit to execs. #USA African Growth & Opportunity Act /AGOA = trade preferences 4 quota & duty-free entry to US Criticism: dominated by oil & raw materials #Angola US sphere via AGOA (raw materials to US, primarily OIL) & TIFA (pre Free Trade Agreement) - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html 2013 #Angola produced 1.8 million barrels per day Total, Chevron, ExxonMobil & BP - deepwater fields http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=ao #Angola - economy dependent on oil production. Oil revenue accounted for almost 80% of total govt revenue 2011. [IMF] #Angola High dependence oil revenue (2011 @ 80%, IMF) = vulnerable to oil price volatility. Oil export revenues = $68 billion (2012) #Angola #Lucapa Interest = Chevron Chevron (& oil industry generally ) 'leveraging' Angola regional leadership. -- http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=ao What I see here is a state that is very much dependent on oil companies and appears close to USA, who seems to be (along with oil companies, most likely), promoting Angola as a regional leader. What has Angola got to do with Ukraine?  Nothing, aside from Angola being a member of the UNSC.  Hey, that's in favour of the US.  Angola can vote how the US votes and everybody's happy.  Well, US energy is. Chemical weapons and Syria got a mention, just to reinforce the US narrative.  Otherwise, it would have been enough to merely state that Angola's coming the Chemical Weapons Convention party. Sounds like there's a declaration of war against Rawanda.  Democratic Forces for the Liberation has until 2 January to disarm, or else.  Kerry says: 'peacekeeping' mission must act to end FDLR threat once & for all. So that sounds like an or 'else threat' to me and the 'once and for all' sounds ominous. This is the laziest blogging ever.  Really, should check to see who the group is that's being targeted.  It may not necessarily be a war on the country; it could just be a group of insurgents. No sleep and ready to drop, so I'm over look-ups.  It was just something I thought I'd quickly share.  Big day ahead of me, with no sleep.  Uh-oh.  This could turn out badly. ----------------------------------------------- ADDENDUM Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda Rwandan Hutu rebel group in east of Congo. aka FDLR after its original French name: Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. [Source:  Wikipedia]

Cuba's Going Down

Total overdose of information.  Winding down. Big news for a while has been the Sony Hack.  Don't know what the big deal is, save that it's amusing. CUBA Other big news is US moving towards being 'pals' with Cuba. US plans to reopen its embassy in Havana & US to significantly ease restrictions on travel and commerce. >> http://bernews.com/2014/12/cuba/ OBAMA: "today we are making these changes because it is the right thing to do". Anyone who believes the US does anything because it's the 'right thing to do' is an idiot.  There's got to be some agenda here. It appears the Vatican is still involving itself in politics. Vatican has long supported US-CUBA "normalisation of relations"  -- http://www.aleteia.org/en/world/article/the-churchs-long-standing-interest-in-normalizing-us-cuba-relations-5881514080337920 Sounds like USA getting foothold in Cuba through manipulation of religion / Catholic Church. US politicians speak out against closer ties with ‘Castro regime’ - http://on.rt.com/7wfprw Cuba Opposed US politicians: >John McCain >Lindsey Graham >Jeb Bush >Robert Menendez >Ted Cruz > House Speaker John Boehner also jumped on-board criticising US move to 'normalise' relations with Cuba >Florida Gov. Rick Scott is sharply criticizing Obama over his plans to normalise relations with Cuba --  http://www.bradenton.com/2014/12/17/5537543/gov-scott-rips-president-obama.html All this opposition is for show.  Don't be coy, guys, you know you want Cuba.  Meanwhile, Ecuador celebrates the decision to free x3 Cuban heroes from US prison & looks forward to new regional relations --  http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuador-Celebrates-Freedom-of-Cuban-5-20141217-0049.html Cuban5  >>  x3 released in exchange for the release of USAID contractor Alan Gross - http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuador-Celebrates-Freedom-of-Cuban-5-20141217-0049.html Obama's annual Hanukkah White House bash: small acts can make miracles ... Cuban5 -- Obama tied themes of Hanukkah to return of Alan Gross, a Jewish-American released by Cuba after five years in captivity.  >>   http://www.kjrh.com/news/national/obama-on-hanukkah-says-small-acts-can-make-miracles_06062097_ Call me cynical, but I think Obama might be hustling some Jewish votes for the Democrats.  UNNAMED US SPY: Cuba is releasing unnamed US spy imprisoned for nearly 20 years - http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20141217/ARTICLES/141219887?Title=Cuba-releasing-spy-for-US-in-move-to-restore-ties UNNAMED US SPY TO BE RELEASED: 1.  provided information:  identification & conviction of Ana Belen Montes (former senior analyst at the Defence Intelligence Agency).  Montes arrested in 2001 on charges of spying for Cuba -  serving a 25-year prison sentence. 2. helped prosecute:  retired State Department intelligence analyst Walter Kendall Myers & his wife, Gwendolyn, convicted in 2010 of spying for Cuba & are serving life in prison without parole. Unnamed US spy: Instrumental in US Cuba spy convictions: >Ana Belen Montes - 25yrs sentence >Walter Kendall Myers - 30yrs sentence >Gwendolyn Myers (wife) - 30yrs sentence Another Blogger's view (akahnnyc):  US goal in Cuba is eradication of Cuban Revolution & destruction of independent sovereign socialism. US embassy in Havana is a post for WA spooks to guide hand-picked neo-liberal "reformers" to seize control of a neutered Communist Party. Cuba be advised to stand by for a "sick, twisted Communist Disneyland" & no healthcare, education or social safety net. Will Cuba allow quicksand of imperialism & capitalism to envelop them, by not assuring future of socialism in Cuba? Slippery slope destruction of socialism:  US empire may count future successes as children beg in the streets outside Sheraton hotel in downtown Havana. USA - charge d’affaires: USA career foreign-service officer, at US mission Cuba -- Jeffrey DeLaurentis -- gets promotion to charge d’affaires   >>  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/18/our-man-in-havana-for-real.html Jeffrey DeLaurentis described as: >career foreign-service officer >measured & cautious diplomat >businesslike >Prior Cuba & UN experience. It looks as though "Democracy in the Americas" has been lobbying for US policy change, from a humanitarian angle  >>  http://www.democracyinamericas.org/cuba/ And it looks like CIA is all over Cuba: CIA - USAID's secret Cuban hip-hop project - http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7c275c134f1b4a0ca3428929fcece82d/us-co-opted-cubas-hip-hop-scene-spark-change US focus in Cuba is to continue to improve human rights & democratic reforms, with the stated aim of:   political, economic & social freedoms.  Same humanitarian pretext.  No word on any other aims, of course. Voice of America & Radio Marti  International Broadcasting Bureau - CIA spin-off Runs Voice of America & Radio Marti propaganda for subverting Cuba’s communist regime *Now operates under the Broadcasting Board of Governors Pando  -  http://pando.com/2014/07/16/tor-spooks/ PREVIOUSLY UNIDENTIFIED US SPY TRADED, NOW NAMED: Rolando “Roly” Sarraff Trujillo cryptography expert for Cubans - http://www.matthewaid.com/post/105516524231/our-man-in-havana-rolando-roly-sarraff-trujillo "only thing that saved him from execution was the fact that both his parents were retired senior intelligence officers" ... and maybe the fact that you can't trade dead spies. Although I'm curious why US would want him.  Not sure what practical use a busted spy is.  After 20 years in prison, the cryptography skills might be a bit rusty. Terrorism Obama has initiated review of  Cuba designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. [John Kerry] US Cuba Recipe: * NGO - Humanitarian Spin * Religious leverage * Media / Communications influence * CIA meddling * USAID spies So what does this mean?  Looks like this is the beginning of the end.  Che Guevara died for nothing.  No cause is worth dying for. [Excuse typos or if this doesn't make sense.  Sleep deprivation.  Totally wrecked.]