On New Year's Day, Mexico will enter the final stage of NAFTA agreements with the lifting of tariffs and quotas on corn, beans, milk and sugar. In 1993, at the signing of the free trade agreement, Mexico farmers were given limited and temporary protection from U.S. imports on these items. Come the new year these protections are gone and Mexican farmers will have to compete with U.S. subsidized agribusiness. This is a feat that the Mexican farm association says the nation's farmers are woefully unprepared to meet.
Mexico's Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) has called on President Felipe Calderon to renegotiate the final opening of Mexico's food market and remove corn and beans from the list of unprotected trade goods.
It doesn't take genius to see the cause and effect of such policies and an increase of immigration into the U.S. In the past the U.S. has seen that of the 400,00 Mexicans that enter the country, 80 percent are from rural areas as these tariffs have been gradually dissolving over the past 15 years.
In addition, there are indications of an uprising within Mexico if these trade goods do see a final lifting of tariff protection.
Is it not dumbfounding that the people of the U.S. continue to assume the role of the victim and or the rescuer of other nations while the administration continues to hammer these weaker nations with foreign policies that mercilessly strip them of their resources and flood their markets? Is it really so surprising that the people of other nations breed an animosity for the government of this country (and increasingly for the people of this country who too idly sit by and tolerate such policies, or worse, remain ignorant of them and their impact on poorer nations) that exploits them? Is it not time that we wake up at times such as this and notice that when a people cry out, as Mexico is and surely will be even louder in recent days to come, and begin asking tough questions? Begin seeing the bigger picture of the cause of free trade and affect of increased suffering and impoverishment of exploited nations? Begin understanding the rhetoric of our politicians for what it is when they speak of "free trade", bull shit.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
GOP Bigot Candidate Fred Thompson Links Mortgage Crisis and Immigrants
Well, there is ignorance and than there is ignorance. GOP candidate Fred Thompson delivered a nice performance of individual stupidity at its finest when at his Iowa Conservative Clear Choice appearance he stated that immigrants were, in part, responsible for the mortgage/sub prime loan crisis because of their limited command of the English language. Apparently, it didn't have anything to do with the motives of predatory loaners when it came to Spanish speaking immigrants, but their failure to speak and understand the English language sufficiently. Thompson also expressed his asinine opinion that it is imperative that immigrants learn to speak English. This was precipitated by the expressed hostility of Janice Easley who accused illegal immigrants of being a burden to U.S. taxpayers. She also expressed her disgust over having to hear Spanish when calling the power company. Thompson responded by saying, "You are so right..."
Unfortunately, this is just the kind of thinking that appeals to the constituents of the GOP. It appeals to those individuals who are forever looking for "the enemy" of which every administration is never short in producing for the American people. It is a classic case of blaming the victim. It both serves to take the focus off of the immoral activities of the mortgage and real estate companies and government for laxed regulations and to hold responsible those who are believed to be an enemy to the citizens of the U.S.
Lastly, it seems that with the slipping away of our freedom of speech as we continue to suffer the increasing loss of civil liberties, people are not only being threatened with detainment for what they say, but chastised for what language they say it in.
Thompson is a perfect choice for the GOP candidacy.
Unfortunately, this is just the kind of thinking that appeals to the constituents of the GOP. It appeals to those individuals who are forever looking for "the enemy" of which every administration is never short in producing for the American people. It is a classic case of blaming the victim. It both serves to take the focus off of the immoral activities of the mortgage and real estate companies and government for laxed regulations and to hold responsible those who are believed to be an enemy to the citizens of the U.S.
Lastly, it seems that with the slipping away of our freedom of speech as we continue to suffer the increasing loss of civil liberties, people are not only being threatened with detainment for what they say, but chastised for what language they say it in.
Thompson is a perfect choice for the GOP candidacy.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Iran Options For Retaliation: Hezbollah
The players: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which includes Quds Force and Special Unit of Martyr Seekers; Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS); Hezbollah.
During this critical time of talk about a potential military attack against Iran by the U.S. it still remains unclear just how intent the U.S. is on commencing an a strike. But there is much for the U.S. to consider in such an attack given that Iran is not a defenseless nation, as has been all the other nations that the U.S. has launched an attack against in the past 30 years (and there have been many).
Nonetheless, the U.S. military planners are reportedly busy gathering up intelligence, identifying Iranian military and infrastructure targets.
According to a Stratfor report, sources have it that Iran has a retaliation strategy in place that would include delivering attacks against troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as against other U.S. interests (which largely refers to U.S. corporate interests, not so much the people of the U.S.) in the region and globally.
Such attacks could be carried out by Hezbollah under the guidance of Imad Fayez Mugniyah, who according to Stratfor's citing of reports "has been training Shite militants from Arab Persian Gulf states in Lebanon's Bekka Valley for retaliatory attacks.
Now, Hezbollah we should note makes al Qaeda look like a Johnny-come-lately. Hezbollah has serious military might and has ties with the Iranian IRGC and MOIS from which it has received advanced military and intelligence training. There is a likely strong allegiance to Iran for this support, and it makes it doubtful that Hezbollah, despite seeing the fate of al Qaeda, which has been seriously broken by U.S. counterinsurgency operations, would refuse to aid Iran.
Stratfor notes, "The Hezbollah cadre also is experienced in skulduggery, having conducted scores of transnational terrorist operations before al Qaeda was even formed. In fact, al Qaeda has borrowed many pages from the Hezbollah operational playbook..."
This is a far more formidable force to deal with than al Qaeda. Certainly the military imbalance between the U.S. and Iran is profound, with the U.S. having capabilities of bombing Iran off the map. However, the costs could be so extreme in terms of the fatalities Iran is capable of producing through endless comparatively small terrorist operations, as compared to the massive terrorist operations such as we have seen perpetrated by the U.S. against Iraq and other weaker countries.
Now this is a tremendous moral consideration as well as strategic, though often the emphasis of such reporting is on the latter. The two tier moral considerations as I see it involve 1) looking at the motivations behind an action, such as in this case, the U.S. intent to prevent Iran from shifting petro-currency transactions to the Euro, and 2) the consequences of an action regardless of the justification for carrying it out.
In other words, we have first and foremost a responsibility to examine the "official story" being fed to us which aims to influence us, the people, to support more military action, and more massive destruction, and more untold deaths of civilians. To see the untold story is paramount, and then judge the legitimacy of wagging further war.
www.stratfor.com.
During this critical time of talk about a potential military attack against Iran by the U.S. it still remains unclear just how intent the U.S. is on commencing an a strike. But there is much for the U.S. to consider in such an attack given that Iran is not a defenseless nation, as has been all the other nations that the U.S. has launched an attack against in the past 30 years (and there have been many).
Nonetheless, the U.S. military planners are reportedly busy gathering up intelligence, identifying Iranian military and infrastructure targets.
According to a Stratfor report, sources have it that Iran has a retaliation strategy in place that would include delivering attacks against troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as against other U.S. interests (which largely refers to U.S. corporate interests, not so much the people of the U.S.) in the region and globally.
Such attacks could be carried out by Hezbollah under the guidance of Imad Fayez Mugniyah, who according to Stratfor's citing of reports "has been training Shite militants from Arab Persian Gulf states in Lebanon's Bekka Valley for retaliatory attacks.
Now, Hezbollah we should note makes al Qaeda look like a Johnny-come-lately. Hezbollah has serious military might and has ties with the Iranian IRGC and MOIS from which it has received advanced military and intelligence training. There is a likely strong allegiance to Iran for this support, and it makes it doubtful that Hezbollah, despite seeing the fate of al Qaeda, which has been seriously broken by U.S. counterinsurgency operations, would refuse to aid Iran.
Stratfor notes, "The Hezbollah cadre also is experienced in skulduggery, having conducted scores of transnational terrorist operations before al Qaeda was even formed. In fact, al Qaeda has borrowed many pages from the Hezbollah operational playbook..."
This is a far more formidable force to deal with than al Qaeda. Certainly the military imbalance between the U.S. and Iran is profound, with the U.S. having capabilities of bombing Iran off the map. However, the costs could be so extreme in terms of the fatalities Iran is capable of producing through endless comparatively small terrorist operations, as compared to the massive terrorist operations such as we have seen perpetrated by the U.S. against Iraq and other weaker countries.
Now this is a tremendous moral consideration as well as strategic, though often the emphasis of such reporting is on the latter. The two tier moral considerations as I see it involve 1) looking at the motivations behind an action, such as in this case, the U.S. intent to prevent Iran from shifting petro-currency transactions to the Euro, and 2) the consequences of an action regardless of the justification for carrying it out.
In other words, we have first and foremost a responsibility to examine the "official story" being fed to us which aims to influence us, the people, to support more military action, and more massive destruction, and more untold deaths of civilians. To see the untold story is paramount, and then judge the legitimacy of wagging further war.
www.stratfor.com.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Kucinich Separates From Others On Iraq, Iran and Impeachment
In tonight's debate my hats off to Kucinich who took a firm stand against the Bush administration for it's illegal actions in waging a war against Iraq and its planning for yet another against Iran.
Kucinich aptly noted how our countries democracy is (further) in peril by the lack of congress in standing up to this administration and holding it accountable for its illegal actions that constitute international crimes against humanity.
Kucinich: " Tim, we’re here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy. I want to know when this Democratic Congress is going to stand up for the Constitution and hold the president accountable with Article 2, Section 4 an impeachment act. I think that our democracy is in peril and unless the Democrats and the Congress stand up for the Constitution, we are going to lose our country.”
I concur.
Kucinich aptly noted how our countries democracy is (further) in peril by the lack of congress in standing up to this administration and holding it accountable for its illegal actions that constitute international crimes against humanity.
Kucinich: " Tim, we’re here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy. I want to know when this Democratic Congress is going to stand up for the Constitution and hold the president accountable with Article 2, Section 4 an impeachment act. I think that our democracy is in peril and unless the Democrats and the Congress stand up for the Constitution, we are going to lose our country.”
I concur.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Where Will Rummy Vacation?
So, there may be good reason to suspect that vacation spots may be hard for Donald Rumsfeld to come by where he can have confidence that he wont be picked up by French authorities. According to an article posted on Firedoglake, Rummy had to pull a Houdini and exit out a back door straight to the U.S. embassy in order to evade being arrested by French prosecutors acting on a complaint brought by the "Center for Constitutional Rights, the International Federation for Human Rights and several other NGOs."
He was quickly whisked out of the country.
He was quickly whisked out of the country.
This was the fifth time Rumsfeld had been charged with direct involvement in torture since 9/11. The complaint states that "Rumsfeld authorized interrogation techniques that led to abuses at US-run prisons in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay."
It is up to states like France, and any others who would dare, to prosecute human rights violations such as the one Rumsfeld and others are allegedly responsible for committing in Iraq. Despite a trail of documentation and memos that implicate Rumsfeld and other high ranking officials in torture, sometimes resulting in death, there has been no substantial investigation by U.S. or Iraqi authorities. Therefore, in accordance with the 1984 Convention Against Torture, which was ratified by both the U.S. and France, it is up to other states to carry out justice in order to determine which parties are to be held accountable for their crimes.
Let us implore the other nations of the world that they may carry out with integrity that which our own government has proven incapable of doing. However, it is more accurate to say that the U.S. government is really unwilling to carry out this justice, since to say incapable implies a lack of competence. But this is really more a case of collusion on the part of those who make up a system of checks and balances that is all but none existent within our current government.
Blackwater: Impunity and Immunity for all - Yea!!!
In the aftermath of 17 Iraqi citizens dead at the gun barrels of Blackwater's guards the State Department grants them immunity from prosecution, according to The Associated Press.
So, an investigation that aims to uncover the persons responsible for the killings takes a path that simultaneous exonerates those same persons for their crimes. And the Iraqi's are suppose to trust that what the U.S. administration has at heart is the interests of the Iraqi people. Sure.
Can you imagine what would happen if such an event was to occur on U.S. soil and the Iraqi government was to promise immunity to its private corporation's security guards. All hell would break lose, heads would fall and there would be no end to the bravado.
Does this not further set precedence for private contractors to act with reckless abandon as they are given every reason to believe that it is their interests, and in the interest of their corporations amassing greater profits, that the U.S. administration is concerned?
Detainees being abused and tortured, civilians being routinely killed and communities terrorized by private contractors. Somehow I can't but feel that the majority of the population of this country fails to comprehend the significance and horror of this fact.
Compliments for this link of Firedog Lake at http://www.firedoglake.com/
http://www.shadowcompanythemovie.com/
See Shadow Company to learn more about the facts about the outsourcing the War on Iraq.
So, an investigation that aims to uncover the persons responsible for the killings takes a path that simultaneous exonerates those same persons for their crimes. And the Iraqi's are suppose to trust that what the U.S. administration has at heart is the interests of the Iraqi people. Sure.
Can you imagine what would happen if such an event was to occur on U.S. soil and the Iraqi government was to promise immunity to its private corporation's security guards. All hell would break lose, heads would fall and there would be no end to the bravado.
Does this not further set precedence for private contractors to act with reckless abandon as they are given every reason to believe that it is their interests, and in the interest of their corporations amassing greater profits, that the U.S. administration is concerned?
Detainees being abused and tortured, civilians being routinely killed and communities terrorized by private contractors. Somehow I can't but feel that the majority of the population of this country fails to comprehend the significance and horror of this fact.
Compliments for this link of Firedog Lake at http://www.firedoglake.com/
http://www.shadowcompanythemovie.com/
See Shadow Company to learn more about the facts about the outsourcing the War on Iraq.
Remembering Dan Rather Running For Cover
Greg Palast wasn't alone in reporting back in 1999 how G.W.Bush avoided the draft when papa Bush, then in congress, had a phone call made that resulted in Ben Barnes getting George Jr. into the Texas Air Guard. For this to happen G.W. was placed before many who were on a waiting list well before himself. Many who consequently served on the ground and lost their lives while G.W. "protected" U.S. citizens from a Vietcong attack on our coasts. Let's forget about how G.W. went AWOL.
Now, despite the document that Greg has which found its way to him from the U.S. Department of Justice, some continue to deny the veracity of his story because of claims by CBS that there was information that shed doubt on the facts of the story. A story which was also told by Dan Rather in 2004 which he apologized for and then was supposed to be rewarded with a new contract, according to Palast's report. Greg offered $100,000 for this information to which he never received a response. Hmmm, why wouldn't CBS not want to provide this information and defend their claim and justify their punishment of Dan Rather for reporting this old story (for those who plug into non-corporate, uncensored media.)
But Greg gives us the bigger story that is as yet still untold about how G.W., while "serving" as Gov. of Texas gave a billion dollar contract to a company tied to Barnes, for which Barnes received 23 million dollars.
"Here was evidence of gross abuse of public office by Governor Bush to pay off a crony who kept silent while Bush ran for the presidency."
Now, where is the rest of the media on this one. Why aren't the tough questions being asked of our politicians for them to answer such suspicious activities?
Read the rest of Greg's story for more. http://www.gregpalast.com/
Now, despite the document that Greg has which found its way to him from the U.S. Department of Justice, some continue to deny the veracity of his story because of claims by CBS that there was information that shed doubt on the facts of the story. A story which was also told by Dan Rather in 2004 which he apologized for and then was supposed to be rewarded with a new contract, according to Palast's report. Greg offered $100,000 for this information to which he never received a response. Hmmm, why wouldn't CBS not want to provide this information and defend their claim and justify their punishment of Dan Rather for reporting this old story (for those who plug into non-corporate, uncensored media.)
But Greg gives us the bigger story that is as yet still untold about how G.W., while "serving" as Gov. of Texas gave a billion dollar contract to a company tied to Barnes, for which Barnes received 23 million dollars.
"Here was evidence of gross abuse of public office by Governor Bush to pay off a crony who kept silent while Bush ran for the presidency."
Now, where is the rest of the media on this one. Why aren't the tough questions being asked of our politicians for them to answer such suspicious activities?
Read the rest of Greg's story for more. http://www.gregpalast.com/
A Different Color Makes A Difference
Greg Palast says it all when he asks, "What color is your disaster? It makes a difference. A life and death difference."
He compares and contrasts these features of the disasters that hit New Orleans and Southern California:
Population of San Diego fire evacuation zone: 500,000
Population of the New Orleans flood evacuation zone: 500,000
White folk as a % of evacuees, San Diego: 66%
Black folk as % of evacuees, New Orleans: 67%
Evacuees in San Diego, in poverty: 9%
Evacuees in New Orleans, in poverty: 27%
Greg is kind enough to provide perspective on the response of power to these catastrophes as he reminds us of how George W. made his appearance in N.O. from 1,700 feet up, but was firmly on the ground in Southern Cal. with big man Arnold as he expressed his confidence in the big man to lead an effective response, unlike the Gov. of N.O. who he sought to scapegoat for the incompetent response to their disaster.
But what many don't know, thanks to the complicity of the media, is that G.W. and FEMA were well informed about the impending levee break at least 15 hours prior (recorded on video where Bush asks scant questions and demonstrates luke warm concern, which I personally saw.) Neither informed the Governor or the state police until well after the breaks were complete. In addition, Greg's research revealed that the Department of Homeland Security's FEMA privatized the evacuation planning, turning it over to a private company with limited experience in these matters for 1 million dollars. As Greg learned, "the crew of crony contractors...came up with a plan that came down to, If a hurricane comes, get in your car and drive like hell.”
"In California, plans were in place, money poured down with the flame retardant, and no one is suggesting that Mel Gibson move his swastika collection to a FEMA trailer."
It goes without saying that what is being addressed here is none other than a class war.
Class war as seen in disaster response is not new. As Greg points out the same prejudice was seen when Billy was administrator of the nation as he foot the bill for rebuilding the homes of Westhampton Dunes after the flood there.
Greg concludes:
"So let me not forget to report the war’s body count:
New Orleans flood deaths: 1,577.
California celebrity fire deaths: 11 (at time of posting)"
For the full story see: http://www.gregpalast.com/
He compares and contrasts these features of the disasters that hit New Orleans and Southern California:
Population of San Diego fire evacuation zone: 500,000
Population of the New Orleans flood evacuation zone: 500,000
White folk as a % of evacuees, San Diego: 66%
Black folk as % of evacuees, New Orleans: 67%
Evacuees in San Diego, in poverty: 9%
Evacuees in New Orleans, in poverty: 27%
Greg is kind enough to provide perspective on the response of power to these catastrophes as he reminds us of how George W. made his appearance in N.O. from 1,700 feet up, but was firmly on the ground in Southern Cal. with big man Arnold as he expressed his confidence in the big man to lead an effective response, unlike the Gov. of N.O. who he sought to scapegoat for the incompetent response to their disaster.
But what many don't know, thanks to the complicity of the media, is that G.W. and FEMA were well informed about the impending levee break at least 15 hours prior (recorded on video where Bush asks scant questions and demonstrates luke warm concern, which I personally saw.) Neither informed the Governor or the state police until well after the breaks were complete. In addition, Greg's research revealed that the Department of Homeland Security's FEMA privatized the evacuation planning, turning it over to a private company with limited experience in these matters for 1 million dollars. As Greg learned, "the crew of crony contractors...came up with a plan that came down to, If a hurricane comes, get in your car and drive like hell.”
"In California, plans were in place, money poured down with the flame retardant, and no one is suggesting that Mel Gibson move his swastika collection to a FEMA trailer."
It goes without saying that what is being addressed here is none other than a class war.
Class war as seen in disaster response is not new. As Greg points out the same prejudice was seen when Billy was administrator of the nation as he foot the bill for rebuilding the homes of Westhampton Dunes after the flood there.
Greg concludes:
"So let me not forget to report the war’s body count:
New Orleans flood deaths: 1,577.
California celebrity fire deaths: 11 (at time of posting)"
For the full story see: http://www.gregpalast.com/
Republican "Dirty Tricks" to steal the vote again
The "Electoral College Reform Initiative is back as a cabal of right-wing out-of-state Republican donors and consultants organize to steal 20 electoral college votes and the white house in 2008. This is a corrupt California initiative designed to undermine democracy and public mandate and unfairly deliver 20 electoral votes from California to the GOP presidential nominee and power to the republican party.
To see how you can help go to:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/
To see how you can help go to:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/
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