FREEDOM NEXT TIME BY JOHN PILGER

Another Significant Step Toward A US War On Iran

Statement of Congressman Ron Paul on the floor of,

United States House of Representatives - Statement Opposing the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act

December 15, 2009 --- "I rise in strongest opposition to this new round of sanctions on Iran, which is another significant step toward a US war on that country. I find it shocking that legislation this serious and consequential is brought up in such a cavalier manner. Suspending the normal rules of the House to pass legislation is a process generally reserved for “non-controversial” business such as the naming of post offices. Are we to believe that this House takes matters of war and peace as lightly as naming post offices?

This legislation seeks to bar from doing business in the United States any foreign entity that sells refined petroleum to Iran or otherwise enhances Iran’s ability to import refined petroleum such as financing, brokering, underwriting, or providing ships for such. Such sanctions also apply to any entity that provides goods or services that enhance Iran’s ability to maintain or expand its domestic production of refined petroleum. This casts the sanctions net worldwide, with enormous international economic implications.
Recently, the Financial Times reported that, “[i]n recent months, Chinese companies have greatly expanded their presence in Iran's oil sector. In the coming months, Sinopec, the state-owned Chinese oil company, is scheduled to complete the expansion of the Tabriz and Shazand refineries -- adding 3.3 million gallons of gasoline per day.”

Are we to conclude, with this in mind, that China or its major state-owned corporations will be forbidden by this legislation from doing business with the United States? What of our other trading partners who currently do business in Iran’s petroleum sector or insure those who do so? Has anyone seen an estimate of how this sanctions act will affect the US economy if it is actually enforced?

As we have learned with US sanctions on Iraq, and indeed with US sanctions on Cuba and elsewhere, it is citizens rather than governments who suffer most. The purpose of these sanctions is to change the regime in Iran, but past practice has demonstrated time and again that sanctions only strengthen regimes they target and marginalize any opposition. As would be the case were we in the US targeted for regime change by a foreign government, people in Iran will tend to put aside political and other differences to oppose that threatening external force. Thus this legislation will likely serve to strengthen the popularity of the current Iranian government. Any opposition continuing to function in Iran would be seen as operating in concert with the foreign entity seeking to overthrow the regime.

This legislation seeks to bring Iran in line with international demands regarding its nuclear materials enrichment programs, but what is ironic is that Section 2 of HR 2194 itself violates the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to which both the United States and Iran are signatories. This section states that “[i]t shall be the policy of the United States…to prevent Iran from achieving the capability to make nuclear weapons, including by supporting international diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's uranium enrichment program.” Article V of the NPT states clearly that, “[n]othing in this Treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with articles I and II of this Treaty.” As Iran has never been found in violation of the NPT -- has never been found to have diverted nuclear materials for non-peaceful purposes -- this legislation seeking to deny Iran the right to enrichment even for peaceful purposes itself violates the NPT.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that many of my colleagues opposing war on Iran will vote in favor of this legislation, seeing it as a step short of war to bring Iran into line with US demands. I would remind them that sanctions and the blockades that are required to enforce them are themselves acts of war according to international law. I urge my colleagues to reject this saber-rattling but ultimately counterproductive legislation."

Original source:Another Significant Step Toward A US War On Iran

UNITED STATES ARMY MAJOR GENERAL ANTONIO TAGUBA CONFIRMS THAT THE PHOTOS DEPICT RAPE OF PRISONERS AT ABU GHARIB

From Reuters:
LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - "Photographs of Iraqi prisoner abuse which U.S. President Barack Obama does not want released include images of apparent rape and sexual abuse, Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Thursday.

The images are among photographs included in a 2004 report into prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison conducted by U.S. Major General Antonio Taguba.

Taguba included allegations of rape and sexual abuse in his report, and on Wednesday he confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that images supporting those allegations were also in the file.
"These pictures show torture, abuse, rape and every indecency," Taguba, who retired in January 2007, was quoted as saying in the paper.
He said he supported Obama's decision not to release them, even though Obama had previously pledged to disclose all images relating to abuses at Abu Ghraib and other U.S.-run prisons in Iraq.
"I am not sure what purpose their release would serve other than a legal one," Taguba said. "The sequence would be to imperil our troops, the only protectors of our foreign policy, when we most need them, and British troops who are trying to build security in Afghanistan.
"The mere depiction of these pictures is horrendous enough, take my word for it."

The newspaper said at least one picture showed an American soldier apparently raping a female prisoner while another is said to show a male translator raping a male detainee.
Others are said to depict sexual assaults with objects including a truncheon, wire and a phosphorescent tube.
The photographs relate to 400 alleged cases of abuse carried out at Abu Ghraib and six other prisons between 2001 and 2005. (Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Jon Boyle)"

The reason "Our Troops" are in peril in the 1st place, is because they are slaughtering people. The "War" was and is based on a bunch of Bloody Lies. Bring the Troops Home. Prosecute those who built and decimated the Lies that was used to justify the "War". Prosecute those who ordered the Rape and other forms of Torture. Prosecute those who performed the Torture. We need to face the Hard Facts. Continuing to deceive ourselves will only bring more Murder, Rape and Torture.

Peace. It's Possible.

Yeah things are bad just about all around.

Every day I meet someone who has lost their job in my small town. Steve the father of 2 children who lives 2 doors down had to take a $3.00 dollar an hour pay cut on his construction job. The Twins who grew up across the street have both been laid off from Grove Mfg. One of the twins is going for an interview at Letterkenny Army Depot today.

I guess the War Machine will have to float us for a while. Or maybe we will get what comes around.

At least we don't have to live in this girls' neighborhood.













That is the Iraq we created. This is Our Daily Bread.

I don't want to live like a Cannibal any more.

Impeachment Alert

Today the House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on Bush's Imperial Presidency. Chairman Conyers along with Speaker Pelosi have stalled Impeachment long enough. Now is the time to put the pressure on. If you are interested in bringing some measure of Justice to the Bush Regime's countless victims please call the Judiciary Committee today at 202-225-3951. Let Chairman Conyers know how you feel.

The witness lineup for today has prominent persons from Republican and Democratic sides. The most interesting for me is Rep.Walter Jones a Republican. He is the man who along with Rep. Ney(R) got the cafeterias serving Congress and Staff to change the name from French Fries to Freedom Fries. Later in 2005, Rep. Jones had a drastic turn around. He not only wants withdrawal, but knows the reasons for the American-Iraq War were based on lies. Rep. Jones represents North Carolina's 3rd District where the Marine Training center Camp Lejune is located. He was reelected after his opposition to the American-Iraq War became clear and widely known.

Another witness is Former 4 term Republican Rep. and now Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bobb Barr. Rep. Kucinich will also be there to see the facts put forward. I hope you call the House Judiciary Commitee at 202-225-3951 today, or even tommorow morning. Your voice is needed now more than ever.

Peace. It's possible.

NO MORE VICTIMS

As I have pointed out in a previous post, we American Adults all share Responsibility for the American-Iraq War. If you have not done your part in taking Responsibility, please start now. An appropriate way to do this is by clicking on No More Victims and start helping now.

There are over 1 Million Humans that have been killed in the American-Iraq War. Over 2 Million without a Home. The carnage continues. There are those that have survived horrific injuries to their bodies. Thousands and Thousands of Iraqi Children who have survived the initial assault on their bodies struggle everyday to to live. Plain and simple, they need help. And if you are able to do so, please do.

No More Victims attains Medical Care for the Children of Iraq that have been maimed. They also provide desperately needed Medical Supplies to Medical Facilities in Iraq.
My attention to this Humanitarian Organization was brought to me by her "Language Lessons" post by Dancewater. She has had 2 updates since then, here and here.

You too can help a child on the path to Healing, from this









To this.












"The most important question in the world is, 'Why is the child crying?'
Alice Walker.

Remembering The Deadly Lies of Tony Snow

Q "Tony, American deaths in Iraq have reached 2,500. Is there any response or reaction from the President on that"?

MR. SNOW: "It's a number, and every time there's one of these 500 benchmarks people want something". Press Briefing June 15, 2006

No, He was a real live Human.

Remember Corporal Michael Estrella Aged 22 years. 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. Killed during combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq, on June 14, 2006.

BRAVE NATION

EPISODE 4:PETE SEEGER AND MAJORA CARTER.

Losing The Internet

For the Human Family anyway. Today will be my last post for a while. At midnight Comcast Cable and Internet will be cast off. This along with the local phone disconnect will save the Human Family $150.00 a month. We now live in the Woods and shall be enjoying Spring and Summer to the fullest. There are many things I have to do to the Old Place to get it ready for sale. In between removing the dirt that has built up at the new place, for it has not been lived in a many a year, I shall try to stop at the Library and Blog when I can. I cannot play vids or other media there. To many pervies spoiled it for everybody else.

As for the Political Scene, I will rely on the 99% Solution. That is, anything I hear from the MSM by and by will be BS 99% of the time. On my peeks I see the MSM is still promoting the Rev. Wright crap, while ignoring Hillary's ties to extreme Right Wing Religious Groups. And as per Protocol not much about Armageddonist Rev. Hagee and other Blasphemers fully supporting McCain. I fear that the American Public will continue it's Sheep like behavior and fall for the Clinton/McCain MSM Launched BullShit. If Sen. Obama does not get the Nomination through the Dirty and Crooked means the Clinton/McCain Team will use, then I will revert to my 1st Choice, Rep. Ron Paul. Don't try to tell me any of that crap about throwing my vote away. Hillary and Sen. McNuts supporters are the one throwing there Vote away. And as for any Hillary supporters out there, You will be to blame for what comes down the line. And I save a Special Fuck You to all of Yous. Yous have repeated Lie for Lie what the Clinton/Mcain Team has said. Time to Growup And Face Reality.

Honestly, who do you think represents the Liberal Principles? Honestly, who stands a way better chance of Bringing The Troops Home? And since many seem to vote not on issues but for stuff the MSM wants you to focus on I ask Honestly, who has better Character? I ask Parents, Honestly, if you absolutely had to, which Family would you entrust your Child(ren) to?

These Two?




















This Family?











Or this Family?


I take my leave with this Poem that my Good Friend Roundearther sent me today -

"For Eli"

"Eli came back from Iraq
and tattooed a teddy bear onto the inside of his wrist
above that a medic with an IV bag
above that an angel
but Eli says the teddy bear won't live
and I know I don't know but I say, "I know"
cause Eli's only twenty-four and I've never seen eyes
further away from childhood than his
eyes old with a wisdom
he knows I'd rather not have
Eli's mother traces a teddy bear onto the inside of my arm
and says, "not all casualties come home in body bags"
and I swear
I'd spend the rest of my life writing nothing
but the word light at the end of this tunnel
if I could find the fucking tunnel
I'd write nothing but white flags
somebody pray for the soldiers
somebody pray for what's lost
somebody pray for the mailbox
that holds the official letters
to the mothers,
--------------fathers,
--------------------sisters,
and little brothers
of Micheal 19... Steven 21... John 33
how ironic that their deaths sound like bible verses
the hearse is parked in the halls of the high school
recruiting black, brown and poor
while anti-war activists
outside walter reed army hospital scream
100, 000 slain
as an amputee on the third floor
breathes forget-me-nots onto the window pain
but how can we forget what we never knew
our sky is so perfectly blue it's repulsive
somebody tell me where god lives
cause if god is truth god doesn't live here
our lies have seared the sun too hot to live by
there are ghosts of kids who are still alive
touting M16s with trembling hands
while we dream ourselves stars on Survivor
another missile sets fire to the face in the locket
of a mother who's son needed money for college
and she swears she can feel his photograph burn
how many wars will it take us to learn
that only the dead return
the rest remain forever caught between worlds of
shrapnel shatters body of three year old girl
to
welcome to McDonalds can I take your order?
the mortar of sanity crumbling
stumbling back home to a home that will never be home again
Eli doesn't know if he can ever write a poem again
one third of the homeless men in this country are veterans
and we have the nerve to Support Our Troops
with pretty yellow ribbons
while giving nothing but dirty looks to their outstretched hands
tell me what land of the free
sets free its eighteen-year-old kids into greedy war zones
hones them like missiles
then returns their bones in the middle of the night
so no one can see
each death swept beneath the carpet and hidden like dirt
each life a promise we never kept
Jeff Lucey came back from Iraq
and hung himself in his parents basement with a garden hose
the night before he died he spent forty five minutes on his fathers lap
rocking like a baby
rocking like daddy, save me
and don't think for a minute he too isn't collateral damage
in the mansions of washington they are watching them burn
and hoarding the water
no senators' sons are being sent out to slaughter
no presidents' daughters are licking ashes from their lips
or dreaming up ropes to wrap around their necks
in case they ever make it home alive
our eyes are closed
america
there are souls in
the boots of the soldiers
america
fuck your yellow ribbon
you wanna support our troops
bring them home
and hold them tight when they get here"

by Andrea Gibson

DO YOU WANT A SHITBAG AS YOUR PRESIDENT? (update at end Fri. March 28th)

This is the Combat Infantry Badge.







It is awarded to those Soldiers who have come under hostile fire from the enemy. Like my Father who had 3 Tours of Duty in the shithole that was Vietnam.

This is a Shitbag.





















That name is given by others in the Army to someone who doesn't pull their own weight and generally cares only for his or herself. They are only good for one thing. Carrying around their fecal matter in their bodies. Hence, "Shitbag". Shitbags often claim to have made great feats of Bravery and Valor while under fire.

This is what Troops look like when taking cover while under enemy fire.














This is Hillary Shitbag Clinton under fire and ducking snipers on the tarmac in Bosnia.













This is the CBS report on the subject by the reporter who was with Hillary Shitbag Clinton on her Bosnia trip.

This a followup report that exposes the Lies that Hillary Shitbag Clinton is using to coverup her original Lie. A Lie she had said at least 2 times previously. In prepared speeches.


The question I want to ask my fellow Pennsylvanians is, Do you want another Shitbag as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces?

Remember the Lie - "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members..." Senator Hillary Shitbag Clinton Oct. 10th 2002.

Remember the Cost of that Lie.















And no, the Baby Girl died. You see Hillary?, she came under fire.

Update - The Pilot of the C-17 that carried Hillary Shitbag Clinton into Bosnia tells about his recollections of that day. It includes clips of the Shitbag lying about other aspects of her story.
Related Post - "Stories from the Golden Toilet"

Is America a Great Country or What?

"Debbie Shank breaks down in tears every time she's told that her 18-year-old son, Jeremy, was killed in Iraq. Even though the 52-year-old mother of three attended her son's funeral -- she continues to ask how he's doing. When her family reminds her that he's dead -- she weeps as if hearing the news for the first time.Shank suffered severe brain damage after a traffic accident nearly eight years ago that robbed her of much of her short-term memory and left her in a wheelchair and living in a nursing home.
It was the beginning of a series of battles -- both personal and legal -- that loomed for Shank and her family. One of their biggest was with Wal-Mart's health plan." Click text for full article.

THE OBAMA DOCTRINE

"When Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama met in California for the Jan. 31 debate, their back-and-forth resembled their many previous encounters, with the Democratic presidential hopefuls scrambling for the small policy yardage between them. And then Obama said something about the Iraq War that wasn't incremental at all. "I don't want to just end the war," he said, "but I want to end the mind-set that got us into war in the first place." <--Clicky for full article.

I'm Liking Reverand Wright More and More

No wonder the MSM and Faux Christians are afraid of Barack Obama and Reverend Wright.

DINNER WITH AHMED CHALABI

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, I find myself thinking back on how we got ourselves into this predicament. Like many who played a direct role in the issues surrounding Iraq in the years leading up to the decision to invade, I have wrestled with the demons of history, wondering about the specific impact my actions (or inaction) may have had on the course of human affairs. I’ve also wondered whether or not I have been witness to any events that, if more fully reported, might enable others to have a better understanding of the events that shape our world today, for better or for worse. As I examine where we are today and contemplate our future and those who are positioning themselves to play a role in Iraq, it seems to me that there is at least one such incident, a dinner party I attended at the home of Ahmed Chalabi in June 1998 that is worthy of a more public illumination. <--- Click text to access full article.

SUPPORT AMERICA JOHN McCAIN

Vote Vets has a new ad out. Will the Senator answer the Lady?


Here is my take on the debate in Cleveland -
1)I found it Hefreakinglarious that Sen. Clinton complained of being asked the 1st question all the time. She even asked why. Which went unanswered.
The men knowing that Political Correctness is the watchword of the day could not answer honestly. The honest answer (or at least mine)would of went like this,
"Excuse me Senator Clinton, but I was born in 1961 and raised to let the Lady go 1st."

Sen. Clinton's attacks fell pretty flat.
The most effective attacks on Sen. Obama came from the questions on Farrakhan. I don't mean they had any merit. However as is the wont of a supporter to put words in a candidates mouth, I would have after they kept pressing the point, was to say, "You are trying to take the words of another and put them in my mouth. I don't think anybody's buying it, but good luck." In the end he did very well on it. Sen. Clinton's attack on "denouncing" or "rejecting" was pretty weak and Sen. Obama showed just how weak it was.
Sen. Clinton's most lame attack was her lie that Sen. Obama would "bomb Pakistan". He also handled that very well.
On persona, Sen. Clinton looked as bitter as ever.
Sen. Obama looked like he was, well a President(but I admit, I'm biased on that one).

Security - If one noticed the SS was real tight up on Sen. Obama after the debate when the candidates went to sign and greet the front row. One SS man almost grabbed the left arm of Sen. Obama as if he was ready to pull him back and shield. It seemed to me that Sen Obama was keeping that elbow available to grab. The 2 SS men closest were really looking at the crowd hard.

There was only one SS man that I could see near Sen. Clinton during the signing and greet. He hung back with hands crossed.

It was a good debate and though I'm sure we all had wished our respective candidates had said this or that or the "Moderators" were less invective towards our Man or Woman I think that it was more of a service to the American voting public than any other of the debates. And what the hey, at least there were not any, "Diamonds or Pearls" questions.
Peace.

'I Love the Army But I Can't Be Quiet Anymore'

For Uniformed Personnel who need help you can go here -> GI RIGHTS.ORG or call 800 - 394 - 9544

If you are Active Duty and would like to sign on to a formal protest against the American-Iraq War you can do so by adding your name to An Appeal for Redress.

Personal note: Fort Hood was my Father's 1st duty station. All my siblings were born in the Army Hospital there. I'm the only Yankee baby :)