COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Friday, December 13, 2013

Remember our Go-To allies in Syria? The noble rebels that the US , UK and the Amen Chorus in the Conga Line had to go to war over? The UK and US public stopped it. Guess who is cutting off supplies to the Noble Syrian Rebels



PBS Transcript

GWEN IFILL: Now to Syria.
In the past week, we have taken a close look at the weakening of the Free Syrian Army and the rise of Islamist fighters in the war-torn country.Now, as the U.S. and Britain pull back, there are serious questions about whether moderates fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad can survive.
DEFENSE SECRETARY CHUCK HAGEL: What has occurred here in the last couple of days is a clear reflection on how complicated and dangerous this situation is and how unpredictable it is.
GWEN IFILL: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel summed things up today after the U.S. and Britain cut off non-lethal aid to Western-backed rebels in Northern Syria.
The action came after other insurgents from the Islamic Front seized weapons warehouses in Bab al-Hawa, near the Turkish border.Hagel said U.S. military gear, from supply trucks to communications equipment, must not fall into the Islamists' hands.
CHUCK HAGEL: This is a problem, I mean, what has occurred here, a big problem.And we're going to have to work through it and manage through it with General Idris and moderate opposition.

GWEN IFILL: General Salim Idris commands the Western-backed rebels, but he's been forced to flee Syria in recent days.Today, though, his supporters insisted he invited the Islamic Front to intervene and take the warehouses back from an al Qaeda group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS.
KHALED SALEH, Syrian National Coalition:The Islamic Front came in, managed to push ISIS back.And they're waiting for General Salim Idris' group to come and take control over the warehouses.
GWEN IFILL: The internal splintering among rebel groups has made it increasingly difficult for the U.S. to find a reliable partner to force Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from office.
Arizona Senator John McCain said today the Obama administration is to blame, saying in a statement: "This catastrophe is a direct result of the absence of American leadership.The deteriorating conflict in Syria continues to grow into a threat to U.S. national security interests, and, unfortunately, the administration has no realistic policy to address it."
The latest developments come just one month before a Syria peace conference is scheduled to begin in Switzerland.
So, might evidence of a weakened opposition derail those Geneva peace talks?
For that, I'm joined by Murhaf Jouejati, an opposition activist and professor of Middle East studies at the National Defense University in Washington.He was born in Syria.And Joshua Landis, director of the center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma and editor of the website Syria Comment.
Mr. Jouejati, was the administration, was the Obama administration wise to pull back?
MURHAF JOUEJATI, National Defense University:It wasn't wise to pull back.It should reverse the trend that has been taking place for some weeks now, which is the weakening of the moderate rebel forces and the rise of the extremist forces.
And the way to reverse this is to support the moderate forces.These are the allies of the United States.These are the democratic forces calling for democracy in Syria.So, again, it is an unfortunate decision that was taken by the United States, although it may be understandable, given the nervousness of the U.S. with regard to the extremist groups in Syria.
GWEN IFILL: With the splintering within the opposition forces themselves?
MURHAF JOUEJATI: Correct.
The opposition forces are moderate to less moderate to radical.And it is the moderate forces we should concentrate on and support in view of democratizing Syria.
GWEN IFILL: Joshua Landis, what is your take on the administration's action?
JOSHUA LANDIS, University of Oklahoma:Well, I think it is vindication of Obama's policy of careful -- trying to stay out of Syria, because there are now many factions in Syria fighting.
And we see this as not just a war between Assad and rebels.It's between Islamists, al-Qaida, some moderate factions.The Kurds have the northeast, known the northeast.If the United States picks -- tries to pick a side and make a winner, it is going to have to fight many different -- on many different fronts.
This is something the American public doesn't have the energy or the money to spend on.And most of your show here is about budget problems in Washington.This is a very expensive and difficult endeavor.America's not -- and cannot do it.
GWEN IFILL: Well, pardon me, but you heard what John McCain said, which is the problem here is that the United States didn't bring enough to this fight.
JOSHUA LANDIS: You know, this is what -- this is -- look it, we went into Iraq, and in three weeks we destroyed Saddam Hussein, criminalized the Baath Party, got rid of the army, and handed over the country to the rebels that we were supporting, or the opposition we were supporting, without them having to fire a shot.
And what happened?Over the next three years, the country split into civil war.Everybody radicalized.And the American army was strained to its very core trying to hold that country together.We spent over $3 trillion to do it.And it's barely -- 6,000, 7,000 people were killed in political violence in Iraq last year.
You know, everybody told us Iraq would be a cakewalk, people would kiss us.And, you know, the pundits got Iraq totally wrong.And I think they're getting Syria wrong too.Syria was going to lead towards Islamism, just the way every other Arab spring country has led toward Islamism.It is the dominant...
(CROSSTALK)
GWEN IFILL: I have to let Professor Jouejati respond to that.
MURHAF JOUEJATI: If the United States doesn't support the moderates in Syria, yes, the Islamists will gain the upper hand.And it will be a battle between a dictator who has killed 126,000 of his people, who has gassed his people.
It will be a battle between him and the extremists.At any rate, the United States, if it doesn't support the democratic forces in Syria, the moderate forces, that means it is going to have to intervene later on, but a time not of its choosing.
GWEN IFILL: Do you assume that, in pulling back this non-lethal aid -- there is still humanitarian aid that is going on.Apparently, there is a small covert arms sales or arms transit that is still going on.Do you interpret that as the first step to the United States getting out of the way and letting Assad stay in office?
MURHAF JOUEJATI: Well, look, that would be very dangerous for a United States who has been calling for the ouster of Assad, for him to go, that has drawn red lines because of the chemical weapons he has used to suddenly reverse its position.
It would tarnish the credibility and the reputation of the United States.The United States has national security interests to advance here, its own.And it can only do that through the democratic forces in Syria, not allowing Assad to rule anymore.He is a dictator that has killed 126,000 of his people.
He is a man who has made seven million refugees.And in proportion to the United States, that is 100 million American refugees.
GWEN IFILL: So, Joshua Landis, why -- why would this -- why -- first of all, do you think that this first step is the first of several -- of a permanent step away of U.S. involvement, leaving Assad in power?And what is the other option for the U.S. here?
JOSHUA LANDIS: Well, you know, most people in Washington, most of the official Washingtonians, are saying that Assad has to step down, but there's going to be a political solution.
And yet no one has a plan to make Assad step down.He says he's not going to do it.Who is going to make him step down?Nobody is going to do it, unless it's going to be American Marines.And I don't think that Obama -- everything points that Obama is not going to do that.
So, if you are going to get a cease-fire in a country, you are going to have to have people from Assad's side and people from the rebel side sitting down together.And that's going to require at Geneva that the Saudis and the Iranians, the Russians and the Americans and the Turks all come together and decide that they're not going to fund their factions and begin to come up with some kind of road map that they can see for how they can limit the damage, stop arms from flowing in, stop money from flowing in on both sides, both to Assad, to the rebels.
And they're going have to be cease-fire lines.And what that ultimately means, I don't know.But it's to the going to be democrats winning in Syria.They have shown themselves to be way too weak.And there is going to be a messy process that, hopefully, over time one can develop towards a happier constitutional Syria.But, in the meantime, we're going to have to deal with a lot less than that.
GWEN IFILL: Joshua Landis, Professor Jouejati, just said this has to be worked out at the negotiating table in Geneva.
Does today's withdrawal , not only of the U.S., but British involvement, does that make that more or less likely to happen?
MURHAF JOUEJATI: Less likely.
It sends the wrong message to everybody.It sends the message to Assad that the Americans are weak and are not going to supply their allies.It sends a message to the radicals of the same thing.And it sends a message to the democratic forces that the United States is not going to be the ally we thought it was in pursuing democracy.
What is going to happen in Geneva is that Assad, given today and today's decision, is going to make even less concessions that he would have had otherwise.
GWEN IFILL: Murhaf Jouejati and Joshua Landis, thank you both very much.

JOSHUA LANDIS: Thank you.

REMEMBER MY GUY, Mac ABBADABBA?

166 comments:

  1. As I once wrote on this blog, there are no good guys in Syria. It is like a fugue - "variations on a theme". In the instance, the theme is Islam.

    I will be interested in the response of Turkey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I once said and was vilified for... Both sides are nazis.

      Delete
    2. Sure, the Islamoids and the Zionists, both sides of the Middle Eastern conflict are NAZI like. That both sides are comparable to NAZI, that has been well established.

      “To me the Zionists, who want to go back to the Jewish state of A.D. 70 (destruction of Jerusalem by Titus) are just as offensive as the Nazis.

      With their nosing after blood, their ancient "cultural roots," ...
      their partly canting, partly obtuse winding back of the world they are altogether a match for the National Socialists.


      That is the fantastic thing about the National Socialists,...
      that they simultaneously share in a community of ideas with Soviet Russia and with Zion.”


      ― Victor Klemperer, I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, 1933-1941

      Delete
    3. What you had said, which was despicable, was that the Christians in the region were NAZI, and they not deserving of Humanitarian aid.

      Delete
    4. I see the coward of the blog is up and cutting and pasting...

      LOL

      Delete
    5. WiO,

      Do you read that stuff?

      I have a prepared response I stick in after him every chance I get. But I don't read his
      paste-work. His footprints tell me its him beforehand. He is predictable - comical.

      Delete

    6. ANONYMOUS: WARNING WE ARE IN AN OBAMA POLICE STATE ...

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN7KWZwqFw4

      Delete

    7. To prejudge other men's notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put out our own eyes.

      Delete
  2. Stay tuned for simultaneous "Death To America" flag-burning rallies in Riyadh and J'Lem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the above blogger is NOT me, in any way shape or form.

      Delete
    2. Teresita Redinger Tue Nov 19, 02:31:00 PM EST

      Yeah, uh, after about another half hour or so, if you ever again see someone named "Teresita" posting here, it's WiO. I'll be over at Wretchard's place.

      Delete
    3. allen has already done started the chant ...

      "Death to Western Civilization"

      right here at .The Libertarian

      Delete
  3. .

    People who throw around words like Nazi for affect usually are vilified. Get used to it.

    And the theme isn't Islam, the theme is people getting fucked over.

    It appears Assad will survive and that IF there is any settlement he will still play a role. That is probably the best we can hope for there given the alternative. The US and the West jumping at the chemical weapons life line they were offered pretty much guarantees that the extremes on both sides will survive in one form or another and that it will be the people in the middle that continue to suffer.

    All we can say is Lord forgive them for they know not what they do. Of course, this will require divine patience since they have been proving they know not what they do for decades now.

    .

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s worse: They do know what they are doing and there is no forgiveness, deserved or to be given.

      Delete
    2. QuirkFri Dec 13, 09:21:00 AM EST
      And the theme isn't Islam,

      The press today would disagree, as do I. As usual, the media like to qualify with the phrase, "Fundamentalist Islam"; I do not draw such a distinction.

      Delete

    3. Ash - Fri Dec 13, 09:40:00 AM EST

      allen, either you have trouble understanding written English or you purposely lied. Which is it?


      Delete
    4. .

      There is a drive for hegemony in the ME by a variety of countries, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Israel and it is always the people at the bottom who suffer. In Egypt, whether it is the army or the MB in charge, the people suffer.

      The ME is a cesspit.

      .

      Delete
    5. Re: cesspit

      Why, yes, it is.

      Delete
  4. GOP frosh: Where's my health care?
    11/15/10

    A conservative Maryland physician elected to Congress on an anti-Obamacare platform surprised fellow freshmen at a Monday orientation session by demanding to know why his government-subsidized health care plan takes a month to kick in.

    Republican Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist who defeated freshman Democrat Frank Kratovil on Maryland's Eastern Shore, reacted incredulously when informed that federal law mandated that his government-subsidized health care policy would take effect on Feb. 1 - 28 days after his Jan. 3rd swearing-in.

    "Harris asked if he could purchase insurance from the government to cover the gap," added the aide, who was struck by the similarity to Harris's request and the public option he denounced as a gateway to socialized medicine.

    ReplyDelete

  5. Israel’s apartheid isn’t just political, it’s ideology wrapped in history and religion
    Marc H. Ellis

    http://mondoweiss.net/2013/10/apartheid-political-religion.html

    You don’t have to make a life of Jewish identity deconstruction like Shlomo Sand to realize that Jewish history isn’t 4,000 years old.  The likelihood of Abraham being a historical figure is next to zero.  Abrahamic history is for the synagogue.

    When you have a state, synagogue history won’t do. 
    Otherwise you end up with state theologies like those European Jews experienced.   
    State theologies are for self-appointed guardians of all that is good and precious in the universe.  They’re not for citizens of a state in their ordinariness and diversity.

    Netanyahu’s history sounded like the South Africa’s Afrikaners of previous times. 
    Jews as the latest – and last? – Afrikaner Calvinists doesn’t bode well for anyone.

    South Africa’s apartheid wasn’t only a political system. 
    It was an ideology wrapped in history and religion.

    Israel’s apartheid isn’t only a political system. 
    It’s an ideology wrapped in history and religion.

    Every nation has a civil religion.  That’s how a national ethos is evoked. 
    Civil religion starts out with those who dominate the political landscape but, like the political process itself, evolves over time. 

    Civil religion expands as the nation expands its view of national history.
    Israel’s civil religion was on display in Netanyahu’s address – in a primitive form. 

    It excluded the Palestinian citizens of Israel and left out millions of Palestinians, Israel occupies. 

    Netanyahu reduced Jewish history in and outside Israel to a series of myths that serve unjust political power.

    The (not so) new Israeli historians like Ilan Pappe are seen primarily as insurgents because they address Palestinian displacement in the formation of Israel.  They’re also progenitors of a more accurate and inclusive history of the state of Israel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Żegota" (Polish pronunciation: [ʐɛˈɡɔta] ( listen)), also known as the "Konrad Żegota Committee",[1][2] was a codename for the Polish Council to Aid Jews (Polish: Rada Pomocy Żydom), an underground organization of Polish resistance in German-occupied Poland active from 1942 to 1945.
      The Council to Aid Jews operated under the auspices of the Polish Government in Exile through the Government Delegation for Poland, in Warsaw. Żegota aided the country's Jews and found places of safety for them in occupied Poland. Poland was the only country in occupied Europe where there existed such an organization.

      Delete
    2. Lech Wałęsa - Former President of Poland

      Lech Wałęsa is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer,
      philanthropist and human-rights activist.

      Delete

    3. U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm (R-C-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Staten Island) and other members of congress attended a special viewing on Dec. 4 of “Walesa. Man of Hope.” The new film about Walesa’s life and his fight against Communism is Poland’s official entry at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

      Walesa was also in attendance at the screening. Grimm, US Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Illinois) and US Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) greeted Walesa at a reception following the film. They were joined by Polish Ambassador to the US Ryszard Schnepf.

      Grimm and Lipinski are co-chairs of the Congressional Poland Caucus.

      http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/grimm-welcomes-lech-walesa-capitol-hill-2013-12-12-203000


      Delete
    4. Re: Marc H. EllisFri Dec 13, 09:28:00 AM EST

      Whether the myth of Abraham is literally true is arguable. What is not arguable is its longevity. From Manetho to CONTRA APION, the story goes back to a time before the printed word.

      Since literacy took hold (2500 BCE, more or less), the story of Abraham has been in print. Indeed, as we speak it is being printed in bulk. What other literary work can make that claim. I believe well over a billion copies have been printed. The Abraham, Jewish story is, indeed, The Greatest Story Ever Told.

      Mark Ellis will have to live with that, because we are not going away.

      Delete


    5. "Jewish Law"

      This year, the rabbis cited
      “the extreme seriousness involved in killing fetuses, which is like actual murder.”

      Delete
    6. "Żegota" (Polish pronunciation: [ʐɛˈɡɔta] ( listen)), also known as the "Konrad Żegota Committee",[1][2] was a codename for the Polish Council to Aid Jews (Polish: Rada Pomocy Żydom), an underground organization of Polish resistance in German-occupied Poland active from 1942 to 1945.
      The Council to Aid Jews operated under the auspices of the Polish Government in Exile through the Government Delegation for Poland, in Warsaw. Żegota aided the country's Jews and found places of safety for them in occupied Poland. Poland was the only country in occupied Europe where there existed such an organization.

      Delete

    7. If you are going o leave the footnote references in the paste, at least include the link.

      if you are not going to include the link, you should delete the footnotes.

      Makes you look as if you are really as dumb, it is comical.
      Laughable in all reality.

      You do not understand the game, ye.

      Keep trying, you will get there, someday.


      bobbo

      Delete
    8. What is comical? the arabs that live in Israel are FREE to leave if they wish.

      But NO they will not leave...

      899/900th of the OTHER middle east is arab controlled/dominated

      Go now!!

      Delete
  6. Good post. Mark Ellis is an honest man, for which he pays a price.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States.
      -Teddy Roosevelt

      Delete
    2. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States.
      -Teddy Roosevelt

      As spoken to the Order of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic-American charity, known for "promoting Catholic education and actively defending Catholicism in various nations" by Teddy in praise of it's work.

      Just like AIPAC.

      Pope John Paul II referred to the Order as a "strong right arm of the Church.

      Delete
  7. 2.5 Million Americans now have health insurance as a result of Obamacare.

    Link

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Rufus, i looked at the link, can you differentiate who has signed up and who has actually selected a coverage and paid? Thank you in advance

      Delete
    2. Nope. Different states seem to report it somewhat differently.

      Delete
    3. So, Mr. Rufus
      Your statement, 2.5 Million Americans now have health insurance as a result of Obamacare, is not accurate. Thank you.

      Delete

    4. MOME, what do you think the most efficient crop dusting aircraft is?
      In general terms ...
      A specialized, design specific one like the Agcat, or planes modified to the purpose, those with larger payload capacities, like the DHC-2 ?

      And then, more specifically, what aircraft is your preference that type of work?


      Delete
    5. Mr, Anon
      My company sprays mostly corn fields and prefers a slow moving plane such as my older Thrush. Not a big fan of the Ag Cat, although some like it, as Grumman makes a good plane. I have a newer Air Tractor, which is very easy to handle, but not fuel efficient. My OH-58 copter is the most enjoyable, but we only use it for precision spraying. Please identify yourself to continue this conversation. Thank you.

      Delete
    6. .

      Mr. MOME.

      If it would make it easier on you, you can just call him dipshit.

      The rest of us do.

      .

      Delete
  8. Californians Continuing To Flock To New Insurance Exchange

    By Anna Gorman

    December 13th, 2013, 6:34 AM

    Enrollment in California’s new health insurance marketplace is picking up speed, with more than 156,000 signed up for coverage through last week, officials announced Thursday.


    Nearly a third of the enrollees – 49,700 – ­­­ completed their applications during the first week of December.

    ReplyDelete
  9. .

    With the holidays coming up, I wonder what Trish and Melody are up to these days.

    From the days of Good Trish, the days of stories of new shoes, camping trips, and family, with a pleasant amount of wit and snark added in, a song she said she liked.

    Objection Tango

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      And a song she didn't especially care for

      Old Love

      But which I like.

      .

      Delete
  10. allen,

    I try to give you the benefit of the doubt in what you write but you make it hard to take it seriously. Yesterday you wrote:

    "The Iranian president stated that now and forever Iran would never recognize the Zionist entity"

    That just didn't smell right to me. I wondered if something might have been lost in translation or something so I asked for a link. You suggested I dig on my own but bent low enough to provide one for which I thank you. The link you provided was:


    "Iran dismisses Peres's offer to meet with Rouhani
    http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Iran-dismisses-Peress-offer-to-meet-with-Rouhani-334565"

    Unfortunately nothing in the article supports your very clear and plain statement. In fact it wasn't Rouhani that made a statement anywhere close to what you claimed but rather a "Foreign ministry spokeswoman" In fact the article you posted implies the opposite of what you wrote:

    "On Sunday, Peres said in an interview he would have no problem meeting with Rouhani.

    “Why not?” he said in an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest at the Globes Israel Business Conference in Tel Aviv. Israel and Iran are not enemies, he added.

    The important factor was not the man in question, but his policies, and the goal was to turn enemies into friends, the president said. Peres compared the decision to Israel’s choice to meet with deceased Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ahead of the Oslo Peace agreements.

    The fact that structural players in Iran opposed Rouhani’s perspective complicated the matter, Peres said.

    “If it was only him I’d take it with greater assurance, but there are other structures, other people,” he said. “The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, half army and half organization, spreads terror all over the world and I’m not so sure they support the president. We have to see the balance of the situation.”"

    allen, either you have trouble understanding written English or you purposely lied. Which is it?


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ash,

      You left out the Iranian quotes. That would be duplicitous, in my opinion. That would be sort of a lie. Allow me to insert what you omitted.

      She said President Shimon Peres’s offer was aimed at helping Iran’s arch-foe Israel out of its isolation after its outspoken opposition to the nuclear deal clinched last month in Geneva.

      But the foreign ministry spokeswoman said her country would never recognise the Jewish state or change its stand.

      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime” in Israel, Afkham said.

      “Iran does not recognise Israel. Our position regarding this oppressive and occupationist regime — which is completely illegitimate and has been created to occupy the lands of the Palestinians — is clear,” she added.

      Iran dismisses Peres offer to meet Rohani

      (AFP) / 10 December 2013

      Foreign ministry says Israel president's offer is a propaganda ploy to ease Israeli isolation over a nuclear accord.
      http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2013/December/middleeast_December94.xml&section=middleeast


      The source, I hope, is sufficiently anti-Jewish for your taste.
      Keep doing your homework.

      Delete
    2. Ash the very fact that you question that Iran (under the current Mullah's authority) would ever have diplomatic relations or recognize it's legitimacy is hilarious.

      Delete
    3. Theodore RooseveltFri Dec 13, 09:57:00 AM EST

      "Our allegiance must be purely to the United States.
      We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance.

      “But if he is heartily and singly loyal to this Republic, he is just as good an American as any one else.”

      ….

      The man who calls himself an American citizen and who yet shows by his actions that he is primarily the citizen of a foreign land, plays a thoroughly mischievous part in the life of our body politic.

      He has no place here; and the sooner he returns to the land to which he feels his real heart-allegiance, the better it will be for every good American.”

      Theodore Roosevelt 

      Delete

    4. allen you did not answer the question

      Ash - Fri Dec 13, 09:40:00 AM EST

      allen, either you have trouble understanding written English or you purposely lied.
      Which is it?

      Delete
    5. . . .purposely lied . . .

      Seems the most likely.
      Fits your character, best.

      :):):):):):)

      Delete
    6. and between us, allen, the whole article is now posted.

      It is not, as you claimed, a statement made by the President.

      Delete
    7. Actually, DR, I did answer. You just cannot keep up. Get some coffee. It won't make you a better man but it can't hurt.

      Delete

    8. . . .purposely lied . . .

      Delete
    9. Ash,

      The president did not give his rebuttal in English; hence, the statement from his office for folks like you. You are not claiming that his spokeswoman was lying? That would be absurd. I do give him credit for omitting "pigs and monkeys" etc

      Delete

    10. For political Zionism to come to fruition –

      - for a Jewish state to be created in Palestine -

      it was necessary to carry out as large a scale as possible ethnic cleansing of the country’s unwanted Arab natives.

      But even in 1948, and especially in 1967, Israel was unable to fully ‘cleanse’ the land of the Palestinians. As a result, Israel’s fallback position was to implement an apartheid regime of exclusion and discrimination.

      Where the dispossession had been most effective – inside Israel’s pre-1967 borders –apartheid could be less explicit.

      But in the OPT, home to a vast majority of Palestinians, Israeli apartheid had to be overt and iron-fisted.

      Delete
    11. You are dissembling allen. The President did not state it as you claimed but rather the Foreign spokeswoman. On top of that, the very article you used to support your false claim, has the President of Israel, Peres, suggesting that Rouhani is a 'good guy' fighting against those 'bad' elements in Iran.

      Delete
    12. Hardly.

      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.

      “Iran does not recognize Israel.

      Delete
    13. You purposefully omitted the derogatory quotes from your response. That's not nice. Find someone else's time to waste.

      Rohani:

      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.

      “Iran does not recognize Israel.

      Delete

    14. The president of Iran is named Afkam?

      When did she take over?

      Delete
    15. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States.
      -Teddy Roosevelt

      As spoken to the Order of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic-American charity, known for "promoting Catholic education and actively defending Catholicism in various nations" by Teddy in praise of it's work.

      Just like AIPAC.

      Pope John Paul II referred to the Order as a "strong right arm of the Church.

      Delete
  11. http://www.pensitoreview.com/

    Right-wing radio talker Mark Levin said he was surprised that Pres. Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro didn’t “swap spit” when they shook hands at Nelson Mandela’s funeral this week. He must have been thinking about this incident from 2005 when George Bush laid a big sloppy wet one on Prince (now King) Abdullah, the autocratic ruler of Saudi Arabia, a Muslim kingdom where laws are in part based on the dreaded Shariah Law. After their smooching, Bush took the king for a romantic, hand-in-hand walk through the blue bonnets at Bush's "ranch" in Texas.

    ReplyDelete
  12. “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.

    “Iran does not recognize Israel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A statement you falsely attributed to the President of Iran.

      Delete
    2. No big surprise there, he "quotes" me as saying the N word.

      Delete
    3. AshFri Dec 13, 10:18:00 AM EST
      A statement you falsely attributed to the President of Iran.

      Hardly.

      The statement was published three days ago. Iran has not denied its accuracy.

      The better question, Ash, do you agree with the Iranian position on the Zionist entity?

      Delete
    4. Teresita RedingerFri Dec 13, 10:23:00 AM EST
      No big surprise there, he "quotes" me as saying the N word.

      You have omitted the "Y" word...Hmm...I am told that Romanian caroling is big this season, you might give it a go.

      :-)

      Delete
    5. Rohani:

      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.

      “Iran does not recognize Israel.

      Delete
    6. No, not "Hardly" but explicitly allen:

      "allenThu Dec 12, 07:25:00 PM EST

      Several days ago, President Peres was asked if he would meet with his Iranian counterpart (that is the new "liberal" president). Peres answered affirmatively.

      Yesterday, a press conference was broadcast from Iran across the ME, wherein Mr. Peres's token offer was scornfully derided. The Iranian president stated that now and forever Iran would never recognize the Zionist entity and would continue to work toward its destruction. "

      http://2164th.blogspot.ca/2013/12/israeli-spying-and-espionage-against-usa.html?showComment=1386894307052#c6789902174699473220

      You could have simply responded 'oh, right, it was the foreign spokeswoman who made the statement, I was wrong' but you haven't. Instead you have dissembled and further dug yourself into a hole. It is clear that your problem is not one of understanding English but rather you are purposely misrepresenting facts. Your are lying. Sad, but apparently, true. I have tried to give you the benefit of the doubt but there you go.

      Delete
    7. as further evidence your post directly above mine where you try to make the false attribution again:

      "allenFri Dec 13, 10:58:00 AM EST

      Rohani:

      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.

      “Iran does not recognize Israel. "

      Delete

    8. The president of Iran is named Afkam?

      When did she take over?

      Delete

    9. Was there a secret election, in Iran, one that only the allen has knowledge of?

      Delete


    10. Feminism has really taken root in Iran, according to allen.

      He states their new President - Marzieh Afkham -
      is a woman that denies the government of Israel's legitimacy.

      As well she should.

      Delete
    11. The reality, which you may well know.

      The General Assembly passed on 29NOV1947 - Reslution 181, which RECOMMENDED that the ...

      Recommends to the United Kingdom, as the mandatory Power for Palestine, and to all other Members of the United Nations the adoption and implementation, with regard to the future Government of Palestine, of the Plan of Partition with Economic Union set out below;

      Requests that

      The Security Council take the necessary measures as provided for in the plan for its implementation;


      The Security Council consider, if circumstances during the transitional period require such consideration, whether the situation in Palestine constitutes a threat to the peace. If it decides that such a threat exists, and in order to maintain international peace and security, the Security Council should supplement the authorization of the General Assembly by taking measures, under Articles 39 and 41 of the Charter, to empower the United Nations Commission, as provided in this resolution, to exercise in Palestine the functions which are assigned to it by this resolution;

      The Security Council determine as a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression, in accordance with Article 39 of the Charter, any attempt to alter by force the settlement envisaged by this resolution;

      The Trusteeship Council be informed of the responsibilities envisaged for it in this plan;

      Calls upon the inhabitants of Palestine to take such steps as may be necessary on their part to put this plan into effect;

      Appeals to all Governments and all peoples to refrain from taking any action which might hamper or delay the carrying out of these recommendations, and

      Authorizes the Secretary-General to reimburse travel and subsistence expenses of the members of the Commission referred to in Part 1, Section B, Paragraph I below, on such basis and in such form as he may determine most appropriate in the circumstances, and to provide the Commission with the necessary staff to assist in carrying out the functions assigned to the Commission by the General Assembly.


      The "Plan" was never voted upon, by the Security Council, and the inhabitants of the area did not sign on, either.
      The Resolution was ignored by all the parties.

      The Israeli UNILATERALLY declared itself an independent state on 15MAY1948

      Seems that no one accepted Resolution 181, concurrent to its passage, the Plan was never implemented..

      Delete
    12. Ms t selectively throws firebombs and then tries to focus in on someone's response that may or may not be correct as the point.

      her original "YIDS" remark becomes mute...

      Just like the OJ defense, if the glove doesn't fit you must acquit. Ignoring the other 350 pieces of evidence that did convict him.

      Ms T has made HUNDREDS of anti-jewish, anti-israel, anti-judaism, anti-zionist remarks, for which she is never held accountable for, but let someone fire back at the person your posts are deleted or censored. Or she tries to distract and mislead.

      Delete
    13. The Israeli UNILATERALLY declared itself an independent state on 15MAY1948

      Wow who would have thought that JEWS were allowed to have SELF-DETERMINATION?

      LOL

      One standard for Jews, no standards for anyone else.

      Delete

  13. allen ...

    . . . purposely lied . . .

    and continues to dissemble.

    ReplyDelete
  14. From the Fletcher School:

    Impediments to Normalized U.S.-Iranian Relations

    by DR. SHIREEN HUNTER on MARCH 5, 2013

    For nearly four decades after the 1940s, the United States and Iran were close allies and friends. This period of friendship turned to enmity following the Islamic Revolution in February of 1979 and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Since then, successive efforts, initiated by both Iran and the U.S., have failed to normalize relations between the two. The reasons for these failed attempts can be attributed to the dynamics of domestic politics in Iran and in America, the interests and influence of regional and international actors, and deep-seated psychological factors. Combined, these elements have been responsible for the continued hostility between Washington and Tehran.

    After the Islamic Revolution, Iranian politics became highly ideological as the state and the ruling elites’ legitimacy became closely linked with a number of ideological principles. Paramount among these was the Islamic government’s commitment to the so-called “anti-imperialist struggle” and its opposition to Israeli policies in Palestine. As viewed from Tehran, any compromise on these principles could undermine the basis of the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy and thus could potentially endanger its survival as an Islamic state.

    Similarly, the question of relations with the U.S. has become inextricably linked with intra-elite ideological differences and power struggles among Iran’s leaders. The beginning of this linkage dates back to the American hostage crisis in November of 1979. At the time, the more extreme elements of the new Islamic system engineered the hostage crisis both to eliminate the more moderate forces from the Iranian political scene and to prevent the continuation of normal diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States. This trend continues to the present day because once the crisis ended, competing factions continued to use the issue of relations with the U.S. as a means for undermining their political rivals. Thus any attempt at resuming normal ties or even talking to the U.S. has been portrayed as a betrayal of the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.

    Further complicating the issue has been the paradoxical fact that main political factions in Iran have wanted to be the one to unlock the closed door of U.S.-Iran relations, if and when that should become possible. The end result has been continued diplomatic paralysis as competing factions have blocked each other’s efforts to achieve normalization.

    In the U.S., the 1986 arms-for-hostages deal known as the Iran-Contra Affair made the question of normalized relations with Iran a subject of partisan politics. Additionally, after this event, key U.S. allies in the Middle East—notably Saudi Arabia, Egypt under Mubarak, some Persian Gulf Arab states, and Israel—began to oppose improved U.S.-Iranian relations and actively lobbied against such a policy. This opposition stemmed from the perception that Iran’s return to a position of power would undermine their own strategic importance in the region.

    The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR in 1991 further reduced incentives for the U.S. to pursue improved relations with Iran as Washington no longer feared Soviet inroads into Tehran. Moreover, U.S. policy in the Middle East after its victory in the 1991 Gulf War became focused on changing the nature of those governments unfriendly towards Washington. This policy was reflected in the Dual Containment Strategy of the Clinton Administration in the 1990s and the more interventionist policy of the Bush presidency in the 2000s. In short, regime change has been the ultimate goal of U.S. diplomacy in Iran since 1993.


    {...}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. {...}

      Psychological factors have also complicated U.S.-Iranian relations and so far have prevented any improvement in ties between the two countries. For Iran, the main psychological impediment has been how to come to terms with a power its leaders have characterized as “the Great Satan” without appearing to have compromised its principles. Iranian leaders, irrespective of their ideological tendencies and factional loyalties, have found it difficult to make concessions under U.S. pressure out of fear that this would undermine their legitimacy in addition to wounding national pride.

      From the U.S. perspective, the wounds of the hostage crisis and the memory of what Washington saw as the humiliation of a superpower are still fresh. The U.S. has found it difficult to accept the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic without its leaders renouncing their past misdeeds and changing those policies deemed unacceptable by America. In short, neither the U.S. nor Iran have been willing to risk appearing as having been the loser or having succumbed to pressure by the other side.

      Finally, Iranian and U.S. efforts at bridging differences and moving towards some kind of settlement have suffered from a lack of synchronicity. Put simply, this means that whenever Iran has felt the need to reach out to the U.S., America has felt that it does not need Iran and can wait for a regime change. This was the case in the mid-1990s, during the presidency of Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and also during Muhammad Khatami’s presidency in 2001 and 2003. Meanwhile, when the U.S. has been willing to reach out to Iran, as was the case during the 1991 Gulf War and later as the second Gulf War dragged on, the Iranians were reluctant to deal with the U.S.

      In order to end the current stalemate, which has served neither country’s interests, both sides must try to separate, to the extent possible, the question of mutual relations from their domestic politics. Moreover, the Iranian leadership must realize that, in light of the considerably negative fallout stemming from the lack of relations with the U.S., the current situation might entail more risk for the regime’s survival than would normalized relations. America, meanwhile, should not look at Iran through the prism of its regional allies, who have their own concerns and ambitions. In addition, the U.S. should not impose conditions on the Iranian government which would be politically impossible for the Ayatollah’s to accept. And both sides must overcome their psychological blind spots and recognize that both would benefit from improved relations. Finally, Washington and Tehran must realize that the status quo entails significant risks for them both, including the possibility of another cataclysmic war in the Persian Gulf. Such a realization might prompt them to put aside excessive pride and the desire to appear the winner, and instead settle for a solution which guarantees each other’s most important interests without humiliating the other. Only in this way could a return to the normal relations of pre-1979 be realized.

      Print Friendly
      Be Sociable, Share!

      Delete
    2. Common Sense and self interest - What is good for the US is not the same as it what is good for Saudi Arabia and Israel

      America, meanwhile, should not look at Iran through the prism of its regional allies, who have their own concerns and ambitions. In addition, the U.S. should not impose conditions on the Iranian government which would be politically impossible for the Ayatollah’s to accept.

      Delete

    3. quit
      leave (a place), usually permanently.

      halt
      a suspension of movement or activity, typically a temporary one.

      Ash - Fri Dec 13, 09:40:00 AM EST

      allen, either you have trouble understanding written English or you purposely lied.

      Which is it?




      Delete

  15. "Jewish Law"

    This year, the rabbis cited
    “the extreme seriousness involved in killing fetuses, which is like actual murder.”



    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Why is it that the state of Israel violates "Jewish Law"?

      Delete
    2. Rohani:
      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.
      “Iran does not recognize Israel.

      Delete

    3. The fact that the Zionists have abandon Judaism,
      in favor of a secular and socialist state is proof of its illegitimacy.

      The defenders of Israel will not engage that issue.

      Delete
    4. The fact that you lied, that you continue to lie, render your statements meaningless allen. Your statement the other day that the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that all Jews are Israeli if, given your track record, also false.

      You are not helping yourself or your cause. In fact, quite the opposite.

      Delete
    5. Ash,

      I do not care about your opinion.

      Rohani:
      “There has not been nor will there be any change on Iran’s stance and views regarding the Zionist regime,” Afkam said.
      “Iran does not recognize Israel.

      Delete
    6. AnonymousFri Dec 13, 12:05:00 PM EST

      The fact that the Zionists have abandon Judaism,

      You silly man, most of the early Zionists were Communists and, therefore by definition, atheists.

      Would you please find a subject about which you have some knowledge?

      Delete
    7. Allen,

      You dissemble, prevaricate and lie. If you wish any of your statements to be considered as true I suggest you offer up a link or links which actually contain information that supports what you write.

      With respect to the topic at hand there is nothing that you have presented that actually suggests the spokeswoman was quoting Rohani. It is simply a feeble attempt by you to get out of your false attribution.

      Delete
    8. Ash please sniff the toilet water...

      Iran, in it's currently Mullah controlled state has made it clear. " the Zionist entity" shall not be recognized as legitimate. It should be removed, erased and or destroyed.

      They cannot even say the word "Israel".

      If you are arguing that they hold less than that position?

      Please provide ANY documentable statement showing Iran's acceptance of the Jewish state's existence as a recognized Nation of the UN.

      Please?

      Otherwise? You are just one dumb moron.

      Delete
    9. WiO, your post indicates the level of your intelligence for you have totally misunderstood what happened.

      It is really quite simple, and maybe even someone of your intelligence could rise to grasp and understanding.

      allen asserted that the President of Iran, Rouhani made the statement.

      I asked for a link. He provided one. According to the link allen provided it was NOT Rouhani who made the statement. allen has made numerous posts trying to weasel out of his false attribution.

      Delete
  16. Normal relationships with Iran and giving the Iranians two aircraft carriers, would save the US $100-200 billion per year.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Iran quits nuclear talks protesting US blacklist move
    http://news.yahoo.com/iran-halts-nuclear-talks-us-blacklist-move-063122680.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You mean it went according to the Netanyahu and AIPAC plan?

      Delete

    2. quit
      leave (a place), usually permanently.

      halt
      a suspension of movement or activity, typically a temporary one.

      Ash - Fri Dec 13, 09:40:00 AM EST

      allen, either you have trouble understanding written English or you purposely lied.

      Which is it?


      Delete
    3. Deuce,

      The West went through this for years with Iran, if you will recall. This is just another round.

      Delete
    4. Anon. Re: allen the liar

      allenFri Dec 13, 11:46:00 AM EST
      Iran quits nuclear talks protesting US blacklist move
      http://news.yahoo.com/iran-halts-nuclear-talks-us-blacklist-move-063122680.html

      It was the lead into a story. I did not write it. Get your bifocals adjusted, old man.

      Delete
    5. DeuceFri Dec 13, 11:52:00 AM EST
      You mean it went according to the Netanyahu and AIPAC plan?

      How did this tar baby become mine? I linked to a "big" news story, according to media. Having not thought through the matter, viscerally it looks like the same sort of games Iran has played before.

      Delete

    6. You posted it, allen, under your avatar.

      There were no italicized words.

      You 'OWN' it..

      Ash - Fri Dec 13, 09:40:00 AM EST

      allen, either you have trouble understanding written English or you purposely lied.
      Which is it?


      You are stating you were not lying, but that your command of English is deficient.
      Is that the current 'sanitized' version of your story?




      Delete
    7. Maybe Israel and AIPAC were correct that Iran sucks?

      Delete
  18. I wonder why Iran would question this?

    Y: Adam Kredo
    December 12, 2013 10:55 am

    The Treasury Department on Thursday tightened the economic screws on Iran by sanctioning a range of companies and individuals for their efforts to bolster Iran’s nuclear and WMD programs.

    The crackdown comes as the Obama administration pushes Congress to hold off on passing a new round of economic sanctions on Iran that it argues could destroy a recently reached nuclear accord meant to temporarily freeze Tehran’s uranium enrichment program.

    The additional sanctions will “target entities and individuals involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related materiel and attempts to evade international sanctions against Iran,” the Treasury Department announced in a statement.

    “The conduct of these entities and individuals demonstrates Iran’s extensive efforts to conceal its evasive activities by using front companies in foreign countries to deceive foreign suppliers to support its illicit proliferation and evasion activities.”

    Senior Treasury Department officials say that they will not hold off on sanctioning Iran.

    “The Joint Plan of Action reached in Geneva does not, and will not, interfere with our continued efforts to expose and disrupt those supporting Iran’s nuclear program or seeking to evade our sanctions,” David S. Cohen, the department’s under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.

    “Today’s actions should be a stark reminder to businesses, banks, and brokers everywhere that we will continue relentlessly to enforce our sanctions, even as we explore the possibility of a long-term, comprehensive resolution of our concerns with Iran’s nuclear program,” Cohen said.

    “These sanctions have isolated Iran from the international financial system, imposed enormous pressure on the Iranian economy, and motivated the Iranian leadership to make the first meaningful concessions on its nuclear program in over a decade,” he added.

    The latest round of designations target oil tanker companies that have been illegally carrying Iranian crude oil in a bid to help the regime skirt current sanctions.

    Several Iranian front companies and officials working for “designated nuclear and weapons proliferation companies” also were targeted in the latest round of sanctions.

    The new designations were issued at a critical juncture in the Iranian-U.S. relationship.

    {...}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. {...}

      Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been fighting for months to pass a new Iran sanctions measure aimed at crippling Tehran’s economy and forcing it to make nuclear concessions.

      The White House has fought against the measure and enlisted its Democratic allies to stall through at least the end of 2013.

      Iran has said on multiple occasions that any new sanctions would kill the interim nuclear deal that was reached several weeks ago in Geneva.

      The move by Treasury is being viewed by some as a way for the Obama administration to appease lawmakers anxious for more sanctions.

      “This appears to be an olive branch by the executive to Congress, demonstrating their seriousness in enforcing existing sanctions while asking members to hold off on a new tranche of sanctions against Iran while the Geneva deal plays out,” said Jonathan Schanzer, a former terrorism finance analyst at the Treasury Department.

      “These kinds of decisions are approved at the highest levels of the executive, through an inter-agency process,” Schanzer said. “This is, in other words, green lit by the president.”

      While the latest designations by the Treasury Department will pressure Iran, they are not as powerful as a new round of sanctions, said Schanzer, vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

      “The problem here is that we are merely plugging leaks in our existing sanctions regime,” he said. “We are not, however, able to deal with systemic shortcomings that could be addressed by a new round of sanctions from the legislative branch.”

      At least five of those entities targeted by the Treasury Department’s latest sanctions have been found to be aiding Iran’s rogue weapons programs.

      Each has been “engaged in providing the Iranian government goods, technology, and services that materially contribute to or pose a risk of materially contributing to Iran’s ability to enrich uranium, construct a heavy water-moderated research reactor, and develop its ballistic missile capabilities, all of which are prohibited by United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” Treasury said in its statement.

      Delete
  19. Chinese Naval Vessel Tries to Force U.S. Warship to Stop in International Waters
    Landing ship sailed dangerously close to U.S. guided missile cruiser
    http://freebeacon.com/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-u-s-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Henric Ştefan Streitman was a Romanian Jew, a journalist, translator and political figure,
      who traversed the political spectrum from socialism to the far right.

      He was a physicist, social commentator and publisher,
      known for both his polemical stances and his erudition.

      Streitman turned to Nazi collaborationism during World War II,
      serving the NAZI cause becoming president of the Central Jewish Office.

      Henric Ştefan Streitman was a Fifth Columnist.

      Delete
    2. Belgium: Senate Approves Measure Allowing Doctors to Euthanize Children

      Delete
    3. Prof Michel ChossudovskyFri Dec 13, 12:44:00 PM EST


      Belgium or Iran, Where’s The Nuclear Threat?
      Europe’s Five “Undeclared Nuclear Weapons States”

      Are Turkey, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy Nuclear Powers?

      By Prof Michel Chossudovsky

      http://www.globalresearch.ca/europe-s-five-undeclared-nuclear-weapons-states

      Delete
  20. US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was born in New York City. He attended New York City public schools, graduating from Forest Hills High School. His father was a lawyer and rare-book dealer who came to the United States from Poland as a child. Lew attended Carleton College in Minnesota where his faculty adviser was Paul Wellstone, who eventually represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate. He graduated from Harvard College in 1978 and the Georgetown University Law Center in 1983. Mr. Lew is an Orthodox Jew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Re: Lew and "Treasury said in its statement."

      Would you say that the statement from Treasury accurately reflects the views of its head?

      Delete
    2. Re: Lew and Treasury

      “These kinds of decisions are approved at the highest levels of the executive, through an inter-agency process,” Schanzer said. “This is, in other words, green lit by the president.”

      Delete
    3. Re: Lew the Jew

      President Obama is not an Ortho- or orthodox Jew.

      Delete

    4. You are correct, allen.

      Mr Obama is the "First Jewish President".

      Delete

    5. What we in the Community refer to as an 'Affinity Jew'.

      Delete

    6. 1.2 Million American Non-Jews Feel 'Jew-ish'

      By Tia Ghose

      Despite having no direct familial or religious ties to Judaism, about 1.2 million Americans feel they have a "Jewish affinity," with many reporting an attachment to Israel and a strong draw to Judaism's cultural practices, according to new research.

      A survey of American Jews, conducted by the Pew Research Center, also analyzed the nearly 0.5 percent of the U.S. population that consider themselves to be Jewish in some way, even though they belong to a religion other than Judaism and most have no Jewish ancestors or family members.

      http://www.livescience.com/40373-non-jews-feel-jewish-connection.html

      Delete
    7. allenFri Dec 13, 12:10:00 PM EST
      Re: Lew and "Treasury said in its statement."

      Would you say that the statement from Treasury accurately reflects the views of its head?

      Delete

      ________

      Anyone that has a staff knows that information and decisions go in both directions. Of, course Obama was in on the decision, but this decision has Israel llc in high gear against it.

      Delete
    8. Let’s face it. Obama was all in on Libya and going to war on Syria until he wasn’t.

      Delete
    9. You will get no argument from me about the mishandling of Libya, Egypt, and Syria.

      The news from China today ought to be getting some play, but I am finding little. China did not mess around, it went right after an American ship of the line...troubling...

      Delete
    10. You are not a Jew if momma was not a Jew. "Tribal" affiliation comes through the father.

      An "affinity" Jew would be about as Kosher as a ham and cheese on rye.

      Delete

    11. You mean like the secular Ashkenazi?

      Delete
    12. Anyone that has a staff knows that information and decisions go in both directions. Of, course Obama was in on the decision, but this decision has Israel llc in high gear against it.


      Now that is one loaded statement if ever there was one.

      Delete
    13. What is a Semite?Fri Dec 13, 01:22:00 PM EST

      You mean like the secular Ashkenazi?



      I love how rat refuses to question the 1/2 of Israel that is Jewish and not Ashkenazi?

      Do they have the right to live in Israel? After all they were ethnically cleansed by the arabs of the middle east (and Iran).

      What of them?

      millions and millions of non-Ashkenazi Jews now are citizens of Israel.

      Do they have no rights? No redress from the fascist arab dictators and their brownshirted henchmen that drove those Jews out and into Israel>????


      Inquiring minds want to KNOW...

      Delete
    14. Well, dimwit, let's do the numbers.

      data set provided by:
      http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/jewpop.html

      Historic Jewish Population
      Worldwide - 2012 ... 13,746,100.

      Jewish Population - (2012) - By Country
      Israel ... 5,901,100 . % of Jewry = 42.9%
      United States ... 5,425,000 . % of Jewry = 39.5%

      Wiki tells us ...
      Ashkenazi as making up approximately 83-85 percent of Jews worldwide
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jews

      83% of 5.9 million = 4.9 million.

      There are not , as you claim ...
      millions and millions of non-Ashkenazi Jews now are citizens of Israel.

      There are one million of them.

      And what of them?

      They will be able to live in a multi-cultural Palestine along with the Arabs, Christians, Secularists, Muslims and Ashkenazi that choose to remain there.

      Jerusalem becomes an International City, as prescribed in UN Resolution 181.

      Back to the future, back to UN Resolution 181.

      Delete
  21. http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Intel-analyst-offers-expert-testimony-to-Obama-on-Pollard-334886
    Intel analyst offers expert testimony to Obama on Pollard

    "Pollard received a boost earlier this week when former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, a close ally of Obama, called upon him to commute Pollard’s sentence when he commutes others ahead of Christmas."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. “A murderer is less loathsome to us than a spy.
      The murderer may have acted on a sudden mad impulse; he may be penitent and amend; but a spy is always a spy, night and day, in bed, at table, as he walks abroad;
      his vileness pervades every moment of his life"

      ― Honoré de Balzac

      Delete
    2. You will have to hope the President has read Balzac. I would not count on it though.

      Delete
    3. .

      Israel has begged and threatened for Pollard's release for years. To date, the US hasn't caved to either their pleas or their demands for ransom. Pollard will become eligible for parole in 2 years. Hopefully, the US policy to keep him in prison will continue.

      The alternative would be to have this slimy cur returned to Israel and feted as a hero, the same as the spies who received letters of recognition for their part in the Lavon affair, the same as the crews of the PT boats that received commendations for the attack on the Liberty in what was and still is described by Israel as a 'terrible mistake'. Israel just can't help themselves. In the end they must brag of their perfidy.

      .

      Delete
    4. QuirkFri Dec 13, 01:45:00 PM EST

      Could you get your hands on a new CD?

      If WiO wants to engage, that is his call. My perfidious rear-end has other matters in mind.
      It just is not worth the time and energy to beat a dead jackass.

      Delete
    5. Re: Pollard

      I do not care if the money grubbing moron spends the rest of his life in jail...Tell it to the Chaplain, Johnny.

      Delete
    6. The only one who would have pardoned Pollard was John McCain, but US Jews voted for Obama by 74 percent in 2008, and 70 percent in 2012, so I guess it isn't that important.

      Delete
    7. .

      You are the one who put up the post. I merely responded to it.

      .

      Delete
    8. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    9. Mcabbadabba can’t do math.

      Take 4% x .26% and you have a whale of a number, 1% with a rounding.

      Delete
    10. QuirkFri Dec 13, 01:45:00 PM EST
      .

      Israel has begged and threatened for Pollard's release for years. To date, the US hasn't caved to either their pleas or their demands for ransom. Pollard will become eligible for parole in 2 years. Hopefully, the US policy to keep him in prison will continue.

      The alternative would be to have this slimy cur returned to Israel and feted as a hero,



      You mean like the palestinians/arabs, with American and or Jewish blood on theirs hands that the Obama administration demand that Israel release for "good will" towards the peace process????

      Delete
    11. .

      That Israel gives in to US demands is their problem. It was a stupid move on Israel's part, IMO, but I am sure they had their own reasons. You and I and everyone but John Kerry know the 'peace process' is kabuki, a farce. Israel certainly knows it. Netanyahi definitely knows it. We have it in his own words that their will never be peace with the Palestinians unless they cave to every Israeli demand. Israel released the Palestinians for their own reasons, political reasons. The US may have asked them to do, may have demanded they do it, but don't blame the US. Bibi did it for his own reasons.

      All I am interested in is what affects the US and our interests. I could give a damn about what Israel does except in those instances where it affects America.

      .

      Delete
    12. We have it in his own words that their will never be peace with the Palestinians unless they cave to every Israeli demand.

      You have that backwards Sherlock.

      There will be no peace until the Palestinians accept the validity of a Jewish Nation/State called Israel.

      They have turned down actual statehood a number of times.

      Delete
    13. Onward Christian soldiers
      Marching as to war
      With the Star of David
      Going on before.

      Delete
  22. allenFri Dec 13, 12:00:00 PM EST
    Chinese Naval Vessel Tries to Force U.S. Warship to Stop in International Waters
    Landing ship sailed dangerously close to U.S. guided missile cruiser
    http://freebeacon.com/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-u-s-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

    ReplyDelete


    Part of my reasoning to normalize relations with Iran. The Iranians are the only country that has the stones to take a role in protecting the oil transit. It is self serving but takes great military and financial pressure of the US burden. It discourages China from beefing up its blue navy role in that area to be there because the US is there. Get rid of four US carriers. Give them to Australia, India and a normalized Iran.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only objection I have at the moment (reserving the right to extend remarks) is that Iran is the only country in the region to threaten the closure of the straight of Hormuz. Our naval presence in the region is to prevent that. The main beneficiaries of our costly guard duty are the EU, China, and Saudi Arabia et al on the peninsula.

      It is my understanding that India has a carrier in the works. Given Australia's recent strategic ascent via gas and oil, it had better think about beefing up its navy.

      I remain confused by the inscrutable Chinese. What are they doing and why? I see that Chinese bond yields are up.

      Delete
    2. Józef Andrzej Szeryński. was a Polish-Jewish police-colonel inspector.
      Working in the Lublin district and as the commander of the Jewish Ghetto Police during the Second World War.
      Born Józef Szenkman to a Jewish family.
      Becoming a collaborator with the Nazis following the invasion of Poland.
      In August 1942, Szeryński survived being shot twice in an assassination attemptS

      Józef Andrzej Szeryński was a Fifth Columnist.

      Delete
    3. Belgium: Senate Approves Measure Allowing Doctors to Euthanize Children

      Delete

    4. Audacious France ousts Belgium

      If luck favours the brave, France clearly is the bravest team in the fray here.

      The surprise quarterfinalist rode on luck and audacity to reach its maiden semifinal in the hockey junior World Cup, defeating European champion and title favourite Belgium

      http://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/audacious-france-ousts-belgium/article5452650.ece

      Delete
  23. Confirmed: A man arrested in Wichita Airport explosion plot (Fox)
    Suspect was airport employee and was arrested trying to explode a car bomb around 5 a.m. today.
    Drudge

    ReplyDelete
  24. "Despite high-profile shootings, the AR-15-style rifle is not found at many murder scenes. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, of the 8,855 homicides committed with firearms in 2012, only 322 were known to have been committed with any type of rifle. The report does not describe the type of rifles used in slayings."

    The most loved, and hated, gun in America
    http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/13/21876180-the-most-loved-and-hated-gun-in-america?lite

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sebelius 'Urging' Insurers to Cover People Who Haven't Paid
    http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/sebelius-urging-insurers-cover-people-who-havent-paid

    ReplyDelete
  26. As if Israel does not have enough problems, some officious bureaucrats have turned a blood donation into a national racially charged scandal, insulting a female member of the Knesset of Ethiopian heritage. The Jerusalem Post editorial board, among a growing body of public and political opinion makers are not amused. (this is my editorial comment)

    Blood scandal
    http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Blood-scandal-334892 (nothing italicized)

    " It is patently illogical to reject the blood of people who have been citizens of Israel for almost 30 years and who are no more likely than average to have blood-born diseases." (this is a quote from the paper)

    Since first joining The LIbertarian, I have NEVER italicized, used bold type, or made a direct link. There is a completely non-nefarious reason: I do not know the prompts for such things on this site.


    ReplyDelete
  27. Since first joining The LIbertarian, I have NEVER italicized, used bold type, or made a direct link. There is a completely non-nefarious reason: I do not know the prompts for such things on this site.

    Since first joining <a href="http://2164th.blogspot.com">The LIbertarian</a>, I have NEVER <i>italicized</i>, used <b>bold type</b>, or made a direct link. There is a completely non-nefarious reason: I do not know the prompts for such things on this site.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now going forward we will see the difference between ignorance and stupidity. Ignorance has a cure.

      Delete
    2. I showed a courtesy. A snark reply falls into which category, ignorance or stupidity?

      I owe you a personal apology. Attempting to provide an object lesson, I used a racial slur. No matter what I may have thought at the time, I was inexcusably wrong. The word does not reflect my opinion of you or the people of the Philippines, for whom I have the highest regard.

      Delete
    3. Do good in this moment and you are good.

      Apologies and forgiveness don't amount to much if the underlying behavior don't change. I can account for my own actions. So going forward, I will try to refrain from ethnic slurs. One time in 2006 Deuce took me to task for using "kraut", but I didn't (don't) think that's too bad, there's a genre of music called Krautrock.

      Delete
    4. Sorry but being a polite jew hating, israel bashing, Judaism trashing person still makes you a anti-semite. Like the "gentleman" bank robber, the underlying behavior is still what defines you.

      And I doubt just be because you have learned not to use "slurs" your distain towards the subject at hand will change.

      Delete


    5. “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one:
      Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.
      And God granted it."

      (Letter to Étienne Noël Damilaville, May 16, 1767)”

      ― Voltaire

      Delete
    6. WiO, look at all the fucks I give about what you think of me:

      Sound-of-music.jpg

      Delete
    7. Thanks for sharing your kinder and gentler witch like persona...

      Delete
  28. Replies
    1. Put my Windows 98 toy away, now I'm back on actual, you know, Linux.

      Delete
    2. oy, what a luddite.

      I just finished building an new Win 8 box - man is it fast!!

      Delete
    3. I might get a Win 8.2 lappy next spring if they run Metro apps in a window on the Desktop without having to download a third party shell.

      Delete
    4. My one very brief experience with a metro app wasn't very pleasant so far...

      Delete
  29. Borderland Beat Reporter ValorxTruthFri Dec 13, 05:55:00 PM EST


    This is the fourth of twelve biographies of defenders of the security system
    and indigenous justice system of the state of Guerrero; 12 posts put in the

    “12 Days in Defense of Our Lives and Freedom” campaign.

    Day 4: Eleuterio García Carmen. - Director of the Regional Coordinator of Community Authorities- Community Police (CRAC-PC) of the House of Justice of El Paraíso.

    Eleuterio, a Na Savi youth, has two sons and a daughter who are studying; he,
    however, now sleeps in a prison far away from them.

    In the Montaña Alta and part of the Costa Chica region,
    the CRAC-PC originated within the society of the indigenous people.

    Despite the endemic violence and death trail that extends throughout the state,
    the people and communities continue to stand, resist,
    and are looking for ways to defend themselves against organized crime;
    how to compel the authorities in fulfilling their responsibilities.

    The indigenous people and farmers have appealed to their community organization to effectively defend their territories. They know that the best way to ensure their collective rights is to exercise control over their heritage, by implementing a system of monitoring and defending their territory.

    Their motto is only the people can defend the people.

    Read more at -
    http://www.borderlandbeat.com/

    ReplyDelete
  30. Borderland Beat Reporter ChivisFri Dec 13, 06:04:00 PM EST

    Guerrero: 8 Family Members Slaughtered, 3 Females Taken

    Eight family members were executed in the town Mextitlán municipality of Teloloapan, Guerrero,
    by an armed group last Friday, and 3 family members were kidnapped, two young women and an eight year old girl, reported the Mayor Ignacio Valladares Salgado.

    In a telephone interview PRD mayor explained that on Thursday gunmen arrived Mextitlán-
    a community of about 600 residents located north of the state, 180 kilometers from Chilpancingo,
    the state capital, and terrorized the small community.

    He said eight bodies had been found in black plastic bags on Friday night,
    they were dismembered, gagged, hands tied and exhibited signs of torture,
    the bodies had been left on the banks of the Pachivia-Ixcateopan highway.

    Next to the remains had cardboard with the initials “FM”.

    As of yesterday, the whereabouts of the three sisters is unknown.
    Melisa, Elizabeth and Sandra Bastian Salgado, 8, 21 and 22 years, respectively

    “We have coordinated with members of the Mexican Army,
    which informed us that they had knowledge of the facts, and it was being ‘investigated’.”


    The dead persons were identified as
    Yolanda Bastian Arroyo, 40,
    Gabriel Garrido Bastian, 18,
    Jesus Salgado Marias, 18,
    Fernando López Arroyo, 25,
    Moises Barrera Bastian 22,
    David Bastian,16,
    Rozo Bastian, 40,
    and Paz Albertano Meza, 45.

    The governor of Guerrero Angel Aguirre Rivero PRD,
    said he was unaware of the details of killing eight people in Teloloapan.

    “I'm on a working trip (in Chilpancingo), and I have no information” , he said.

    http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2013/12/guerrero-8-family-members-slaughtered-3.html

    ReplyDelete


  31. Mayo Zambada's Son Captured in Nogales, Az

    The son of a top-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel was arrested Wednesday in Nogales.

    The arrest of Serafin Zambada, son of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada,
    was confirmed by Department of Justice spokesman Cosme Lopez on Friday morning.

    Serafin Zambada is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.
    He is scheduled to appear in court in Tucson on Monday, Lopez said.

    Zambada and his wife, Yameli Torres, (daughter of Manuel Torres aka M1)
    were attempting to cross in the Nogales pedestrian crossing when they were stopped.

    (The Nogales International News website reports he has already appeared yesterday afternoon in US District Court in Tucson and is scheduled to appear again on Monday. at 10:30AM).

    It is expected he will be transferred to San Diego after his Monday appearance.

    “Sera” is a US citizen born in San Diego and is 23 years old.
    His attorney, Saji Vettiyil says his client is looking forward to fighting the charges.

    His indictment was filed in San Diego and was filed under seal on September 27th of this year.
    All that is known is he is charged with brining in at least 500 grams of methamphetamine
    and 5 kilograms of cocaine to the U.S.

    “El Mayo” Zambada reportedly controls the Sinaloa Cartel
    along with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Mexico’s most wanted man.

    Citing official sources, the Mexican news weekly Rio Doce reported on its website Thursday that Serafin Zambada was detained at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry shortly after 5 p.m. on a warrant to face federal drug-trafficking charges in California.

    Rio Doce reported that he was traveling with his wife Yameli Torres at the time of his detention,
    but that she was not arrested.
    -RioDoce and Nogales International News-

    http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2013/11/mayo-zamabads-son-captured-in-nogales-az.html

    ReplyDelete
  32. Bravo!

    VoltaireFri Dec 13, 06:29:00 PM EST


    “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one:
    Oh Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.
    And God granted it."

    (Letter to Étienne Noël Damilaville, May 16, 1767)”

    ― Voltaire

    ReplyDelete