She had to know. Or is a total numb skull. Will she apologize? This is a very serious mistake (cough). Diane "rockets reigning down on Israel" No mention of the ratio of deaths, injuries. Silence. Diane is a hack
Prof Cole On Wednesday MSNBC's Ronan Farrow had Noura Erakat on with Aaron David Miller (who has been everywhere Andrea Mitchell, Diane Rehm, Chuck Todd, a panel that Jane (waddling on over to interfere in the Aipac Espionage investigation) Harman presented through the Woodrow Wilson Foundation). Noura's appearance on an MSNBC outlets was the very first Palestinian perspective on for over six days. Miller lost it and said to Noura "now back to Planet Earth" after she had gone through a list of facts on the ground seldom if ever heard on any MSM outlet. Worth the watch
Anyone else noticing how many of the Iraq war pushers are making it back on MSM outlets with amazing ease. Danille Pletka on Cspan's Washington Journal..she was beating the let's go get Iran drums, Kenneth Pollack on the Diane Rehm show (I made it on to ask a direct question about his push for the Iraq war and the consequences), Cheney on Sunday news programs, Bill Kristol all over the place. Why is it that that these deadly wrong war pushers still make it on these MSM outlets. They were deadly (and many of us believe they knew they were wrong) about WMD's in Iraq. Why is it that these outlets do not have the El Baradei's Prof Coles, Ray McGovern's, Leveretts, former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unit Micheal Scheuer, Dr. Zbig on their programs to discuss Iraq? These individuals warned about the validity of the so called intelligence before the invasion. These individuals were right about the invasion being wrong. Why are the war pushers who have the blood of hundreds of thousands all over them getting air time. Sick and absurd! Enough!
MSNBC's C hris Matthews did a segment on his release. He went bonkers about who the Obama administration had released. Matthews kept trying to point out that Berghdal had allegedly deserted...sort of a 'we should have left him there"attitude. This is the second time in a week that Chris Matthew's has been picking on Vets. He had a guest on from Vote Vets on and they were discussing the Shenseki resignation(that Matthews was basically pushing for for about a week) the man from VoteVets challenged Matthews and the absence of coverage about the VA until this latest issue hit the headlines. Chris Matthews really got huffy and puffed up about his alleged coverage of these issues (he has not) and began really putting the Vet down in many ways. Pathetic just as Matthews coverage was tonight of the Berghdahl release.
Israeli official described courts decision "ridiculous provocation" It's called accountability.. We all know Israel has no idea what accountability means when it comes to their ongoing horrendous human rights actions and those in the past. Too bad Turkey would allow economic compensation to wipe out any future accountability actions
The American people watched a President be held accountable for lying under oath about blow jobs. Yet we have not witnessed one war criminal out of the Bush administration be held accountable for a deadly intelligence snow job. So Rice is humiliated a bit...Cheney, Bush, Rice, Douglas Feith, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld etc should be dropped down butt ass naked in Baghdad and run for holes in the ground. War criminals...all of them
Anyone see Chris Hayes get rolled by Josh Block from the Israel Project. Chris allowed Block to get away with repeating a bucket full of false claims. A mountain of lies.
Chris Hayes knew he was getting rolled by Block and parsed his response with guilty looking restraint. link to msnbc.com
Wonder if Hayes will have anyone on like Noura Erekat to counter Block’s endless list of lies?. Block even said there was democracy in the West Bank. Hayes has the knowledge base to take Block’s lies and rip them to shreds but he did not http://www.msnbc.com/all
Just sent my thank you to Secretary of State Kerry for going as far as he has. While we know he was hesitant to say what we know Israel is an apartheid state…amazing that he has gone as far as he has. Please take the time to thank him
link to state.gov
Great piece. Accountability is huge. As a nation we watched our congress people hold a President accountable for lying under oath about blowjobs. Yet as a nation we have not witnessed our leaders held accountable for one of the most destructive intelligence snowjobs conducted. We have not witnessed anyone but underlings held accountable for torture. Those in the Office of Legal Counsel who changed torture laws like David Addington, Yoo. Cambone, Douglas Feith and team for creating, cherry picking and disseminating WMD false intelligence. All of these people Cheney and team..Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, Bush, Feith, etc should be on trial at the Hague for war crimes. Lie about bj's under oath= impeachment
Lie about WMD's, torture - no accountability. No need to wonder why few Americans have any faith in our alleged legal system.
McCain punched Kerry in the stomach . And no McCain the U.S. did not give Iran the right to enrich. Iran has the right to enrich up to 20% because they signed the IAEA's Non Proliferation Treaty unlike Israel. who has and continues to sign the NPT and the Chemical Weapons Treaty Israel sits on huge stockpiles of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that are not inspected by the international community. McCain you are such a hypocrite
AIPAC Threatens to Sue CODEPINK Over Controversial Video Clip
WASHINGTON – February 26 – On February 25th, an AIPAC member called a CODEPINK staffer threatening legal action in response to a controversial video clip that he alleges was made by the peace group CODEPINK. The video is a satirical version of an AIPAC policy conference promotional video.
In response, CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin commented, “It is absurd for AIPAC to threaten legal action over such an obviously satirical video. It is interesting that they are reacting so strongly to the clip, though. Perhaps it’s because the content is really an accurate reflection of AIPAC’s dangerous foreign policies. AIPAC does, in fact, advocate for bombing countries such as Iran and Syria; it fails to condemn Israel’s continued building of settlements and its human rights abuses against Palestinians; and it lobbies Congress to send billions of taxpayer dollars to Israel to continue the occupation of Palestine.” She added, “What are they trying to hide by silencing this video?”
CODEPINK activists have contacted legal representation and are available for interviews.
Certainly appears that when the U.S. and Israel do not like an elected leader in those parts we support a coup etc and then pretend to support the people in that country and play up the try try again until you pick someone we like song and dance. No wonder so many folks in that part of the world hate the U.S.
The group Camera’s efforts to close the I/P debate on Cspan’s Washington Journal or any sane positions on Iran has escalated over the last few yearshttp://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=35&x_article=1778
Hope folks will consider calling into C-Span’s Washington Journal this week during open phones and ask viewers to call their Reps and ask them to vote against any new efforts to push new sanctions against Iran or any legislation that moves the U.S. any closer towards a military confrontation with Iran. We know our Reps will be under tremendous pressure from Aipac attendees towards the end of the week through next week. Remember millions of people watch this program each week. You can influence and encourage many people this way.
The program runs from 7 a.m. -10 a.m. est
Washington Journal Phone Numbers
Our phone lines are typically divided by political affiliation, with a line for callers from outside the United States:
Democrats: (202) 585-3880
Republicans: (202) 585-3881
Independents: (202) 585-3882
Outside U.S.: (202) 585-3883
- See more at: link to series.c-span.org
Finally the MSM putting a crack in the wall of silence about Israeli abuse, torture of Palestinian children and sheds some light on how Israeli soldiers protect illegal settlers violence. A must watch
The Frightening Tactics The Israeli Army Uses On Palestinian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gWFRE8pZA8
Would folks say that the same investigative standards being applied to Christie's "bridge gate" have been applied to Clinton's Benghazi. Did the Senate Committee have access to all of Clinton's communications having to do with Benghazi?
I found then Secretary of State Clinton's attitude in front of the hearing committee dismissive and arrogant. That aside in the Lara Logan 60 minutes report (yes we know Davies was a fraud) but there were two other U.S. government officials who stated that they had made many request that the U.S. State Dept "beef up" security at Benghazi. When you have several officials demanding that security be "beefed up" that go against what Ambassador Stevens was asking or demanding that they not be "beefed up". Seems like that would line up in a category that would get special attention. We are watching fundamentalist so called progressive media outlets (Chris Matthews, Huff Po) go on a feeding frenzy for the truth in regard to Christie's "Bridge gate" fiasco but these same outlets were not making those demands when it came to Clinton and Benghazi. The disproportionate "feeding frenzy" makes Huff Po, MSNBC look more and more like Fox News just the other end of the spectrum. Prof Cole do you make excuses for Clintons 2002 Iraq war resolution too?
Quite honestly I do not see much difference between what Fox News will and will not cover any differently than what say Huffington Post will and will not cover. The Christie debacle has been front and center over at Huff Po for three days now. But when it comes to digging into the Clinton debacle with Benghazi (Ok I know 60 minutes Lara Login was duped by one fraudster but she did have two government officials on during that same program who said that they had repeatedly tried to get the Clinton run state dept to beef up security in Benghazi). Huff Po will not put up any comment criticizing Clinton based on facts...this is a fact..Yet will allow almost any comment bashing Christie and keep this Christie debacle up front and center at their site for three days running. Now tell me how this is any different than what Fox news does when it comes to bashing Clinton/Benghazi vs not mentioning the Christie debacle. Just do not see much difference when it comes to protecting their special people. Arianna Huffington and her team have all ready appointed Clinton and will not allow her to be criticized. What is the difference?
Driving from Ohio to Colorado about 8 years ago counted about 40 large new wind turbines just off of 70 in a western county of Kansas. Drive that same route just two years ago stopped counting at 450 wind turbines in same area. Then drove from Denver down to Lonewolf Oklahoma. Western Kansas and in part of Oklahoma wind turbines as far as the eye could see. Booming
"7. If Iran is widely viewed by the international community to have stepped back from nuclear ambitions, Israel’s own nuclear arsenal will come to the fore as a focus, since it is the only Middle Eastern country with an arsenal of warheads, and that arsenal clearly drives a regional arms race (starting with Iraq in the 1980s)."
Bringing Israel's massive stockpiles of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that go un inspected and Israel's unwillingness to sign the NPT into the light is a tough wall to get over in the U.S. MSNBC, CNN, Fox, NPR's walls of silence have been well constructed by the I lobby for decades. Can't even get those so called "liberals" like Rachel Maddow to whisper about this height of hypocrisy.
I have quotes around that statement those words about South Africa were from Prof Cole's piece. By the way Archbishop Tutu said that the situation in the occupied territories are worse than the situation was in South Africa
I have been hearing up close accounts about the humiliation, torture of prisoners, destruction of olive trees, Palestinian homes, checkpoints etc etc from several friends who had been living with Palestinians in the winters for two and a half decades
I always thought it was damn interesting that Sharon had a serous stroke not long after Arafat's assassination and has been in a coma ever since. I am not a karma believer...think it is a role of the dice but Sharon being in limbo so long is fascinating.
Prof Cole" Now, their land, water, oil and other resources are being daily claimed by Israelis as they are confined to closely-policed Bantustans far more brutal than those set up by South Africa in the heyday of Apartheid. There will be no Palestine, and the Palestinians are doomed to be a stateless people, a people without the right to have rights.
It wasn’t Arafat who was assassinated by radioactivity in 2004 but the Palestinian people."
Two state solution possibility passed by long ago. All will eventually know that the Greater Israel is now an apartheid state
"This, at a time when Israel and the Palestinians are supposedly engaged in good faith negotiations that might end in a Palestinian state. At this rate, where would you even put one? (Another 3,000 such Israeli squatter homes are planned)."
Where would you even put one. Bingo. Two state solution is over. Israel has slammed that door shut. One state, one person, one vote. Israel's apartheid state has become apparent to millions.
Applying pressure on Israel and the racist and discriminatory group Jewish National Fund who are having a conference in Denver Colorado this coming weekend by having a counter conference and protest. We will be protesting Colorado Governors’s luncheon that he is hosting for some of the JNF attendee’s. We are asking Governor Hickenlooper why he would as the top official of Colorado support such a racist group?
Come join our protest and come hear Rabbi Weiss who will be speaking at a Mosque on Thursday evening about how the Jewish State is in total contradiction to Jewish religious beliefs. How there is no separation between synagogue and state in the so called democratic state of Israel.
Please share with others
Rabbi Weiss will speak at Denver Mosque
I think about this a great deal and try to encourage others to think about the death and destruction that our country caused in Iraq, It is horrifying. Yet the so called "liberals" on MSNBC etc like Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Al Sharpton barely ever breath a word about the pain and suffering we have caused. The Lancet reported 650,000 dead/killed in 2006. The Bush administration and the US MSM basically swept those numbers under the rug. At a time when the U.S. can look at a fly on the ass of a camel from a drone being operated from a military site in Arizona so telling that the exact numbers of people dead as a consequence of our invasion is not common knowledge.
And not one person in the Bush administration was held accountable for any of this. Why have we not heard more of an outcry from the international community at the ICC?
Hopefully the war hawks will be buried. But with defense and intelligence technology economically dependent on wars and keeping people in a constant state of agitation...with James Woolsey, Feith and others having their own personal incomes dependent on these industries seems like they will figure out a way to keep banging on the war drums.
Prof Cole hope you do a post (have not scrolled through all the way) on Iranian President Rouhani asking Israel to sign the NPT again. How Iran has in the past pushed for a nuclear free zone and Israel refuses to co-operate
Prof Cole hope you go listen to Chris Matthews twisted information during the closing of his Tuesday show. While he was upbeat in his support for negotiations between the U.S. and Iran he kept repeating inaccurate and inflammatory comments about Iran's nuclear program. Claimed Iran had been in a "push to build nuclear weapons" Matthews seems to have had his head up where the sun does not shine on the facts about Iran. When will he have the Leveretts on or you to discuss Iran based on facts not a cheat sheet made up for him by oh I don't know Bill Kristol. When will MSNBC put up some facts about Iran or have guest on who can actually discuss the issue based on facts?
These direct talks more than a breath of fresh air.
Prof Cole all over the internet and on MSNBC and other so called liberal outlets it is repeated that former Iranian President has denied the Holocaust. Is this true. I thought he had questioned the numbers of people killed and asked that records be opened up so historians could access.
Over at the Leveretts place Going to Tehran they have written in the past that Iran had agreed to accessing their enriched uranium from Brazil I believe but the U.S. blocked this deal.
I thought that Iran has the legal right to enrich uranium up to 20% as signatories of the NPT. And who could blame them for wanting the capacity for this breakdown process. Look at what has been happening in their neighborhood because of U.S. and Israeli warmongering.
Colonel Wilkerson was on Chris Hayes program "All In" the other evening. Just after Hayes exclusive soft ball interview with Kerry. Wilkerson asked tell him the difference between a child who is killed with napalm (vietnam), a child killed by white phosphorus(Israel)and a child killed by sarin gas(Syria). Was pathetic to watch Hayes roll over to Kerry who was crying crocodile tears about the children in Syria a man who voted for the Iraq war. Anyone ever see any pictures of dead Iraqi people on our T.V. screens you know the hundreds of thousands that we are responsible for who have been killed as a direct consequence of our invasion. Could not believe Hayes did not ask him one challenging question about this height of hypocrisy or that most of the intelligence is from Israel. On Melissa Harris Perry's program this morning(Saturday) she spent a good segment on the Syrian dead. Have you ever witnessed Hayes or Perry spend any time showing Americans the dead, injured and displaced in Iraq? Hell no. Americans are going to know more about how many people in Syria have died and been displaced rather than what their own government is responsible for. Insanely absurd
Prof Cole you basically contradict yourself in your second paragraph. Claiming that "Aipac doesn't represent the views of most American Jews" then stating that "in polling, between a quarter and over a third say they don't feel a strong connection to Israel or that supporting it is not an important part of their Jewishness" I would say 65% to 75% of American Jews indicated in that poll who support do feel a strong connection is a large proportion.
And let's be real here the so called liberal Jewish Reps have not only voted for Israel in congressional legislation no matter what they do but have also promoted hard core pro - Israel legislation.
I have seen the enormously long lines of individual lobbyist during an Aipac convention in Washington. Lobbying either for pro Israel legislation or lobbying against Iran, Palestinians etc. Now we know the situation is shifting in the American Jewish population but let's no pretend that 65% to 75% is not a sizable proportion.
The question I keep asking is similar to some of the things Bacevich is saying. Who the hell does the U.S. think they are lecturing others about killing innocent people? Atomic bombs on Japan, Napalm in Vietnam, support for Saddam when he used chemical weapons on Iranians, U.S.invasion of Iraq hundreds of thousands died,injured, millions displaced(ever hear Andrea Mitchell, Melissa Harris Perry talking about that fact?), support for Israel when they used white phosphorus on Palestinians. Who do we think we are? Do our leaders think people around the world are as blind to these atrocities as some Americans? Let the international community deal with this.
Kerry an individual who voted for the Iraq war resolution as well as Biden have the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people's blood all over them even though they seem to not have noticed. How absurd that these warmongers are pointing at other warmongers.
Prof Cole what is the possibility that this could be a Mossad false flag operation? Why would Assad push the Obama stated "red line" just not logical.
So respect El Baradei's commitment to facts before the illegal and immoral invasion of Iraq. Clearly remember him coming out in early March of 2003 before the invasion and stating that the Niger Documents were forgeries..and bad ones at that. Thought the Bush administration's relentless push to invade would slow down but it did not. Still not one person held accountable for those false Niger Documents (Micheal Ledeen no one)) Still not one person held accountable for that horrific invasion.
El Baradei has come right out and said Israel should sign the IAEA's NPT. The man has some cajones. But did he support this Egyptian military coup? Is so...sad. So much for democratic elections in Egypt
Remember reading in several places that much of the false WMD intelligence was filtered through Israeli intelligence sources. And unless I missed it no one has been held accountable for the false Niger Documents or for that matter any of the false intelligence force fed to the American public by a complicit main stream media
She did say something about shorter time so now the Palestinians do not have to go through the illegal settlements and be constantly reminded of how their land continues to be stolen. How thoughtful of the Israeli's
"t is a little odd that the segregated buses should have caused an uproar whereas the Israeli illegal de facto annexation of the Palestinian West Bank and settling it with Jews-only colonies seems to be all right with people."
Was there even a mention of the illegal settlements? Have to listen again
My response to Colbert’s interview with Oren
Colbert played softball with Oren. Either his choice or he froze. I think choice. Would have been so easy to have had all of the efforts Bibi made to sway the election on a list. And would have been so easy for Colbert to have been ready for the Israeli talking points “there is no distance between the US and Israel” “we have the same interest” yada yada. Colbert could have so easily said “the US and Israel are so similar. Both stole land from native peoples, pretended they did not exist while systematically exterminating them. Both or our countries love to attack people before they have done anything to us, ignore the International criminal court, the UN. Both countries seem to love to torture” SO MUCH IN COMMON.
But the very worst thing Colbert did was allow Oren repeat the falsehood “Iran threatens Israel weekly and want to wipe Israel off the map” Colbert shout have been ready for that one and shut it down or at the very least have said sounds like you are describing Israel who threatens Iran weekly. Could not believe Colbert allowed him to repeat that bs. So disappointing. Ok he poked some fun at the “chosen people” hooey. Colbert played softball.
Colbert knows how to play hardball
Colbert Correspondent dinner roast of Bush
link to youtube.com
"Whatever one thought of Chavez, he did genuinely improve the lot of the Venezuelan working classes. He won elections and was genuinely popular for this reason. He appears not to have been able to imagine that Khamenei, Ghaddafi and al-Assad are rather less interested in an ideal like the public welfare."
Huge!
Otherwise he sounds as if he played the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" card. Or at least thought that was what he was doing
Prof Cole would be great if you would be willing to that Rehm show on Syria and dissect. The lack of diversity on the panel was disturbing. The Rehm show seems to be narrowing their scope even more narrow than it had all ready been.
Today the Diane Rehm show just did a one hour program on Syria. The lack of diversity of opinion on this program was astounding. The Rehm show seems to be promoting ever more narrow views on the middle east. The new screener seems to have been sent over from the American Enterprise institute or Aipac. Used to be able to get through on a regular basis with challenging questions. No longer. During this particular program the screener only allowed one challenging question of the panel who were all on the same page. I made every effort to get some of the things that I have read here about Syria, at Prof Cole’s and Micheal Scheuers about 50% of the Syrian people supporting Assad etc through to no avail. Dennis Ross was one of the quest. Robin Wright actually said that the situation in Syria has to do with “core morality” I could barely take it. They brought up Clinton, Kerry’s Ross’s, struggle with compassion for the Syrian people. What a bunch of horse shit. Who believes this hooey? These very same people supported the invasion of Iraq where hundreds of thousands died, millions displaced and somehow our MSM including the Rehm show can repeat how many thousands have died in Syria, how many refugees there are (and it is very sad) But now the MSM actually thinks they can convince us this is a humanitarian issue and that Ross, Kerry, Clinton care about Syrian lives. The show made me sick to my stomach. So with the Leveretts would take a program like this and dissect what was said statement by statement. When oh when will MSM outlets like the Rehm show have the Leveretts on or others who have different views on Syria, Iran etc? The MSM just seems hopeless no matter how hard some of us push
One of my comments. Most of my comments went up on Diane Rehms Facebook page. Nothing challenging made it through except one person who challenged Ross a bit
Former Bush administration officials Flynt and Hillary Leverett, Professor Juan Cole and former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit Micheal Sheuer have all written that 50% of the Syrian people support Assad.
Hillary Clinton and Kerry voted for the invasion of Iraq hundreds of thousands died, millions of Iraqi people became refugees. Dennis Ross supported the invasion of Iraq. And now we are supposed to believe that these people care about the people of Syria. Please this is absurd
And now the Diane Rehm Screener only allows people through to make comments supporting the war in Syria. Your new screener seems to have been sent from the American Enterprise Institute or Aipac. Come on allow some challenging questions through.
Thanks Juan you nailed the state of things and the attacks on Hagel. Last night on Chris Matthews Peter Beinart and Steve Clemons were on talking about the Hagel confirmation. Beinart thought that Hagel's "political clout" had been compromised. Clemons did not believe this at all (neither do I) Clemons said that those who had gone after Hagel will have to be coming to Hagel not the other way around. So glad Hagel made it through
News alert:
’5 Broken Cameras’ director detained in LAX on way to Oscars http://mondoweiss.net/
37 years ago Vanessa Redgrave spoke out when she was receiving her Oscar about how "Zionist thugs" were protesting her and her film Palestine. She was basically run out of Hollywood. Now a Palestinian's film 5 Broken Cameras up for an Oscar but the film maker detained at the LAX airport. America and the I lobby
ot but a must watch. A SNL skit that was not aired about the Hagel hearing and how so many Senators were sucking up to the I lobby and Israel. SNL nails it. Keep in mind that this is totally new for SNL. Lorne Micheals has made sure that on his show there has never been any criticism of the government of Israel or of the I lobby. A start with this skit that was cut instead they had a very boring but non offensive skit that opened the show this past Saturday about the Superbowl black out. This is a must watch. Please pass on http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/10/snl-takes-on-chuck-hagel-israel-comments_n_2657770.html
But today during the Senate Committee hearing Graham went all soft on Hagel nothing like the ass he was at the last hearing. I don't think he even mentioned Israel. He did mention Iran numerous times. Several of the other Republican Senators called Hagel "cozy" with Iran. Senators Nelson and McCaskill did a take down in response to that hooey
I have watched this skit about five times and every time I laugh harder. SNL nailed it and this is a breakthrough even though it did not make it on and some boring skit on the Superbowl blackout did. This is huge for Lorne Micheals who has made sure that Israel or the I lobby have never been criticized in a humorous way on his show for 40 years. Daily Beast has one up about how the ADL is spitting nails about this skit even making it up on the internet. The times are a changin
Give me a break. How in the hell can this organization even put a stamp on how many children have been killed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan the US government does not even count them or acknowledge these deaths and if it is indeed 6661 (which has to be much higher) how horrific that this has taken place with little to no MSM coverage of these numbers. What did our government and our military learn from Vietnam, don't count their dead, never show pictures and just act like it did not happen. And the majority of the American public seem to love not knowing. It would seem that it would be far more appropriate to compare children killed by firearms in that period of time in individual countries. Odd comparison. Some weird twist put on the value of American children killed by guns vs children killed by the American military. Really odd
Does the US have any idea who they are supplying with arms? Is this just one more bloody step in Israel and the Deadly Clean Break, Securing the realm planned by Perle, Feith, Wurmsers?
It was so exciting to watch all of the speeches. The Israeli rep was a fool repeating all of the Bible says it belongs to Jews, ancient homeland 4000 years ago yada yada all of the usual baloney. Abbas was outstanding "last chance for a two state solution" and Roger Waters "seize the moment" just nailed the history and called the US and Israel bullies. Jolly good for him. Rice seemed like an apartheid protector thug afterwards. He demeanor etc looked foolish too.
And of course the very next day Israel announces more expansion of illegal settlements. Israel trying to destroy Israel based on the 67 border..they just keep proving that. Closing the corridor to a two state solution. Leaving only ONE STATE ONE VOTE. They are going to self implode
Petraeus out of the way and an Aipac spy on the list. Jane "waddling on over to interfere in the Aipac espionage investigation and trial" Harman a contender for head of the CIA. Now we know that Holder and Obama almost as soon as they took office dismissed the Aipac espionage trial. This just can not be so.
Clearly you do not think Kelley is Mata Hari but what about Broadwell? Why is it that she had anything to say about Benghazi in Denver let alone that the CIA were holding Libyan prisoners there. Email's in Broadwell's files about National security issues that she should not have had. Something is up here more than sex. Emptywheel.net has been doing a great job covering this story. But what is up with no front page story here or at Emptywheel's about what is going on right now in th Gaza
I remember Maher referring negatively one time in that movie about something having to do with Judaism. But light and airy no real poking fun. Or as sharp of criticism as he applied to Catholicism, other Christian fundamentalist or Islam. Not even close comparisons. So obviously disproportionate. If you are going to criticize, poke fun all should be on the table. Even his now precious Judaism
I actually think Maher is funny. But his prejudices towards Islam were so apparent in his movie Religulous and his unwillingness to criticize Judaism was loud and clear. Jon Stewart and his team have come along way the last few years. Israel, Israeli leaders, the I lobby and Judaism were way off limits for Stewart and his team for as long as he has been on up until the last few years.
Hope Maher turns his index finger back on himself and looks at his own racism and unwillingness to criticize Judaism, Israel, the I lobby.
Maher never ever makes fun of Judaism. Never. Did you see his stupid and racist film Religulous? Filled with Islamophobic leanings. Did you ever hear his interview with former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unit Micheal Scheuer? Telling
How long did it take the Obama administration to condemn that hideous piece of trash movie? Maybe Morsi was waiting for Obama and Clinton to do the right thing first.
So since Israel is a U.S. ally and they choose to preemptively attack Iran is the U.S. obligated to have their back and front?
Beautiful indeed. What the world needs now and will always need. Thanks for remembering Hal... and all that he gave us. Reaching for the stars...real stars
Thank you Archbishop Tutu for taking a principled stand. Obama would be way out in front if he had just attempted to hold those who created, cherry picked and disseminated false WMD intelligence ACCOUNTABLE. No one in the U.S. believes it when any of our leaders say NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. As a nation as the world watched congress hold a President accountable for lying under oath about blow jobs and then watched congress allow an administration get away with an intelligence snowjob that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, injuries and millions displaced. No need to wonder why the U.S. is often the laughing stock of the world and why only 9% of U.S. citizens have any faith in our Reps and for that matter in the Obama administration on the issue of ACCOUNTABILITY
As Professor Cole and Hillary and Valerie Mann Leverett have been pointing out the Obama administrations approach with Iran has been all wrong. When they are led around by Israel and the I lobby no surprise.
Prof Cole hope you dig into the Navy analyst Todd story more. Not getting much attention unless that is the intention. Someone or someone's trying to shut that story down.
The recently released BREAKING THE SILENCE REPORT about IDF soldiers talking about the abuse they have participated in towards Palestinian children is a must read
That move by Bremer sure seemed focused on creating more chaos and violence in Iraq. Dear friend Peggy Gish who spent close to six years in Iraq before and after the invasion with the Christian Peace Maker team said many Iraqi people believe that the Bush administration wanted chaos, creating the environment for hatred between Sunnis and Shiites to explode. Too few troops, protect oil industry but not Iraq's treasures, disband the Iraqi army. Feith and those Office of Special Plan folks seem to have another agenda up their sleeves and it was not a peaceful Iran. Bremer privatized the oil industry..I believe. Anyone watch Iraq for Sale, and NO End in Sight?
Don from this article it sounds like Fallon was going along with the more aggressive Neo con Iran plan and then covered his ass when this analyst spilled the beans
That move by Cheney was the move of a lunatic and the war criminal has never been held accountable for any of his crimes against humanity. No need to wonder why a whopping 9% of the American public have any faith in our Reps. Not one prosecution of the sub prime fraudsters either Attorney Eric (helped get Marc Rich off) Holder. What was up with Obama appointing that change we can believe in.
Prof Cole have you pressed charges for these actions against you?
Keep thinking about how former weapons inspector Scott Ritter went down. Clearly he was in the wrong but who went hunting for him?
In that New York Bloody Times article "The experts said it might not be unlawful for the CIA to provide the White House with open service material-from public data bases or published material about an American citizen" This takes me back to Carl Cameron's four part report on Fox News soon after 9/11 about private Israeli communication companies (Comverse Infosys and Amdocs) who he reported had access to 95% of American phone calls. That four part report was very interesting
Prof Cole Rachel Maddow has had you on a few times but have not seen you anywhere else in the MSM. Been a long time since Rachel has had you on for your views. Think the White House kept MSM outlets from having you on like the Leveretts seem to be off limits guest on our MSM outlets.
I was one of the folks who not only stood against the invasion of Iraq but the invasion of Afghanistan. I had read that the government of Afghanistan had demanded that the Bush administration provide hard evidence that OBL had his fingerprints on the 9/11 attacks. That the Bush administration could not provide that hard evidence. Several years after the invasion I had the honor of getting to know a young man from Afghanistan who was studying on a Fulbright scholarship at Ohio University. He missed his parents, wife and children so much. We would spend hours talking about them and what they were doing. How his family worked etc. We literally spent hundreds of hours talking about his deep faith, his scholarly studies and the history of Afghanistan. He had been born in Kabul and grew up in a family compound part of the time and in Peshawar, Pakistan. Had 12 brothers and sisters. His 34 years at that time had been spent living with war in his country. After Russia invaded Afghanistan his father (the equivalent to a General in the US) had fought with the Mujahadeen.”
The Russians bombed his family compound and he remembers his mother picking up his oldest sisters body parts. His father then walked, trucked his family to Peshawar and went back to fight the Russians. My friend explained how during the war with Russia fruit and nut orchards had been destroyed by the Russians. How the wobbly infrastructure that Afghanistan had was completely wiped out. Creating a perfect situation for the illegal and violent drug industry (poppy growing) to prosper. How Afghanistan needs to replant these orchards, poppy growers supplemented while rebuilding the legal agricultural industry that they had had. How Afghanistan needs the infrastructure say to process pomegrante into pomegrante juice. Almonds into almond butter. Possibly find ways for the poppy industry to sell opium for legal medical use. The people of Afghanistan have suffered so long. I have and continue to learn from my friend in Afghanistan
.
JUST AFTER OBAMA'S SPEECH I EMAILED MY FRIEND IN AFGHANISTAN AND ASKED ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH
He is now back in his country He tells me I can use his name when referencing what he says. But I do not. Last night after President OBama's speech about Afghanistan I contacted my friend about our role in his country and President Obama's speech:
HIS RESPONSE:
"Regarding the Obama speech, we are glad for the signing strategic partnership agreement with the US. Afghanistan is located in a very sensitive region with two main regional powers, Pakistan and Iran, always want to keep Afghanistan politically and economically weak country in the region. Suppose Afghanistan rejects to sign strategic partnership with the US based on its moral obligation to care of the regional political sensitivities, but the Pakistan and Iran would not understand and appreciate this sacrifice. The only point they know is to fight for their political powers at the region. Therefore, Pakistan tries to use Taliban as a political tool in the region to put forward their internal interest in the region. We need a strong country like US to protect us from the regional distablizers.
However, Afghanistan still needs to fight for its political and economical better condition in the future. The desired outcomes will not be gained soon. It needs decades."
"Not only are high officials and former officials of the Israeli security establishment pushing hard back against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s seeming rush to war with Iran, they appear actually to be attempting to unseat him, as it becomes possible that Israel may go to early elections in September."
Hope they succeed.
Israel gets away with more crimes against humanity
Damn "slow jam the news" Students deserve at least the same interest rates that congress gave the sub prime loansters when they brought the US economy to the edge of a cliff. What was that interest rate 0% for the 1%. Students deserve the same deal
"Obama is mainly just doing to Iran what the American Right wing, including Frum, want done to Iran. But it is that clear, unambiguous policy that is helping drive up prices. The embargo may be causing Iran to export a couple hundred thousand barrels fewer per day than it would otherwise. The embargo, and sabre rattling toward Iran, are driving prices higher.
Frum helped beat the drums for war with Iraq, and maybe he favors another war, this time with Iran."
David "axis of evil" Frum started beating on the strike Iran militarily drums at least 8 years ago along with Reuel Marc Gerecht, Cheney, Micheal Rubin, Feith, Bolton, etc etc on every MSM outlet that welcomed more warmongering. Hell on many MSM outlets the same cast of invade Iraq characters did not have to push the unsubstantiated claims about Iran many host would do it for them. Terri Gross and Rachel Maddow two of the worst repeaters of these false claims
The Daily show has really opened up the last two years on this issue. Stewart would not touch it for over a decade John Oliver and writers brilliant on this issue. They nailed it
More lies about Iran
During a conversation on Chris Matthews Hardball last evening about oil prices and production Congressman Markey closing statement was blaming Iran for rising prices. He said “Iran as they rattle the markets” Essentially blaming Israel’s endless saber rattling and threat to attack on Iran and oil speculation taking place as a result on Iran. Markey kissed Israel right on the ass last night.
On MSNBC’s Rachel Maddows she did a one hour show on non proliferation and Mexico agreeing to take out all nuclear weapons grade fuel. Good show. But when Rachel and her team put up a map of countries with nuclear weapons Russia, China, US, France, UK, Israel, India, Pakistan and NOrth Korea. She and her team chose to put up Iran as having nuclear weapons on the map. Talk about irresponsible, inaccurate and dangerous. Fueling the endlessly repeated and unproven claims that Iran not only has a nuclear weapons plan but they have nuclear weapons. Rachel Maddow needs to be pounded for doing this. Shameful and dangerous
Noticing on all and I generally do not say ALL MSM outlets this week when they are talking about the massacre of 16 individuals 9 of them children in Afghanistan they are always focused on the soldier who allegedly committed the massacre. They start by saying “there are no excuses” for the massacre..and then they spend the next 5 minutes bringing attention to numerous deployments, his character before he was in the service, dissapointments in his life etc etc. They all seem to be helping this man build an insanity plea. NEVER EVER AND I MEAN NEVER EVER HAS ONE MSM HOST OR GUEST FOCUSED ON WHO THE PEOPLE AND THE CHILDREN ARE THAT THIS MAN ALLEGEDLY MASSACRED. NOT ONCE HAVE I HEARD A HOST OR GUEST FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE IN AFGHANISTAN WHO WERE KILLED. No pictures of the children massacred. Nothing TELLING. Not MSNBC’s Al Sharpton, not Ed Schultz, not Mika of Joe Scarborough, not Diane Rehm, not CNN, not Fox etc. NO one. Talk about dehumanization in our military….dehumanization in the US media. Focus on the children killed, the adults, no names. Total absence
Anyone else who watches, listens, reads MSM outlets noticing this?
Great piece Prof Cole. Having been brought up Catholic 12 years of Notre Dame nuns (some of them amazing examples of compassion and justice in action). Have always been amazed by candidates like Santorum other alleged religious candidates like Palin, Gingrich, Boehner who parade these alleged religious beliefs across the nation's stage while they hide selfish and anti life stances behind little crosses around their necks. Anti life against health care for all, equity in education, fair wages. For unnecessary wars that kill innocents. These people are not pro life they are pro fetus.
It drives me nuts when the MSM often take shots at Biden. As if he is some type of idiot. The man knows more about US foreign policy than most is so smooth with blue collar workers. I just think it is easy and a lazy stupid habit when the MSM hits Biden below the belt at every turn.
When then Senator Biden was hammering on John Bolton during his UN nomination hearings for being part of the group that would not release the NSA intercepts that allegedly had to do with Bolton and team alleged wiretaping of Colin Powels negotations with Iran and other countries. Biden brought this up again at the Bolton nomination hearing I thought Senators Kennedy, Kerry, Lincoln Chaffee, Boxer, even Voinovich looked like they were going to jump over some Senate tables and kick Boltons smug and arrogant ass.
Sydney Blumenthal wrote about this alleged wiretaping of Powell by Bolton in his article "Generals Revenge" at Salon. Unable to link. Must read article
Such a double standard. Israel refuses to sign the Non Proliferation Treaty. While Iraq, Iran signed. Israel demands that their neighbors abide by the signed treaties while they snub the treaty. Absurd...and the whole world sees the double standard. The last President to demand that Israel open up Dimona to international inspections was President Kennedy.
What is taking place in Syria is a tragedy. But listening to Secretary of State Clinton calling it a "tragedy" is absurd. Clinton is almost as guilty as those in the Bush administration who knowingly created, cherry picked and then dessiminated false intelligence about Iraq. And why is it that images of the horrific images of what is going on in Syria are making their way onto MSM outlets far more than the horrific images of what was going on Iraq as a direct consequence of the US's unnecessary and immoral invasion of that country. Why is it that Americans now know the numbers of dead killed by the Assad regime but do not know the numbers of dead, injured and displaced in Iraq since the invasion? Why is it that MSNBC's Morning Joe team member Willie Geist expresses horror about the women and children being killed in Syria but we have never heard one of those MSM members on that show express horror or even cover the numbers dead in Iraq. Sickening the double standards are just sickening and complicit in the crimes that have been committed in Iraq
Professor Juan Cole great post. And as is always the case you point out facts and peoples voting records etc. Just took your post over to MSNBC's Ed's radio show. Maybe he will use some of your points on his show.
Just where the hell is the evidence that Iran is enriching uranium above levels that they are legally able under the NPT? When will we hear just one MSM host whisper that Israel continues to refuse to sign the NPT and open up to inspections
And more innnocent people would be killed.
Folks should go watch and listen to Chris Matthews segment on Syria, Iran last night. absurd. He said that the "Un guys playing games" As if US administrations have not played very serious games at the UN.
Secretary of State Clinton calling the situation in Syria a "tragedy" . That warmonger is almost as guilty as those in the Bush administration who lied this nation into Iraq based on a "pack of lies" Clinton is covered with the Iraqi people and American soldiers blood.
He ends that segment by saying " is there something worse than Iran having nuclear weapons". Think about that. If there isn't anything worse. Strike them."
"Strike them" Chris Matthews is as bad as the rest of the warmongers. Sure hope he does not try to spin this promotion for an attack on Iran after the fact as he did on the Iraq invasion. Don't try to pretend after an attack on Iran that he played hardball by asking tough or challenging questions of those repeating unsubstantiated claims about Iran on his program. And sure hope he does not pretend that he helped inform the American public with facts about Iran by having experts and former Bush administration officials Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett on or Professor Juan Cole on his program . This is more MSM complicity
Chris Matthews "is there something worse than Iran having nuclear weapons. Think about that. If there is not anything worse. Strike them"
When Abraham (Palestinian American) asked his question I cheered. Then for the next several minutes both Romney and Gingrich said their pledge of allegiance to Israel. Basically punching Abraham in the gut. A far cry from the stance of Republican Bush 41 who at least attempted to restrict aid as illegal settlements were and continue to be built. Notice they did not give Rep Paul an opportunity to speak about this issue. Too bad Abraham did not direct that question to Rep Paul. Blitzer knew exactly what he was doing by keeping that question away from Paul.
With the history of the JA and control of the land stolen, Israeli supreme court validating illegal activities. Israel looking more and more like they are going to pre-emptively attack things are not looking so good for Israel, for Iran and for Obama being re-elected. More than likely just what the radical right wing Israeli lobby and Israel want.
Dr. Zbig has been everywhere this week promoting his new book "Strategic Vision" He had a great deal to say about Israel attacking Iran any time from "now to the election" That if the US is drug in how this not only drags the US even further into economic, and moral woes. Zbig has been on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Diane Rehm, Charlie Rose, and tomorrow will be on CSpans Book TV (Sat).
The racism.classism and sexism that exist in South Carolina is not subtle. I have pounded the pavement and red dirt in South Carolina during several Dem campaigns. Most recently in 2008. That woman who stood up at one of the Gingrich events and said"thank you Speaker Gingrich for putting Juan Williams in his place" Summarized the feelings of lots of white rich and poor in South Carolina,
Lots of evangelicals and others hiding racist, sexist attitudes behind alleged religious beliefs in that state. Gingrich played that card and it worked
Mean Ging played four aces in South Carolina
1. Racism/Food stamps "thank you Mr. Speaker for putting Juan Williams in his place" Mixed in with poor white working class who are more than likely receiving food stamps to make ends meet but buy the white rich Republican "you can be one of us" hogwash
2. "elite media" when King called him out on his hypocritical behavior but then King totally choked. Wondering if this was on purpose. He had to know Gingrich would flip the script. Gingrich's pattern. Blame his work, the media etc etc
3. More Classism...we don't want unions in South Carolina no way no how
4. Sexism...my behavior is not my fault
It worked
In Florida he will add the Sheldon Adelson radical right wing Jewish vote as well as the right wing Cuban vote (I have lived in Florida..not that different from South Carolina)
But the MSNBC crew really slammed Romney while almost promoting Gingrich before South Carolina. They kept repeating that Santorum had won in Iowa...Bashir too. Instead of focusing on the voted missing from 8 precincts in Iowa. Why the host of these shows would not simply say that it was undetermined in Iowa was telling about MSNBC's agenda. Heard lawrence O'Donnell, Al Sharpton, Bashir, Ed all repeat Santorum had won in Iowa. Heard Rachel dig into the missing precincts more than anyone of ther colleagues
I have spent a good amount of time in South Carolina working for Dems. There is clearly a racist, sexist, classist element that mean Ging completely played to. The types like the woman who stood up and said "thank you Mr. Speaker for putting Juan Williams in his place". The racist who howled and applauded after Juan asked about Newt "belittling the poor" CNN's King either purposely fumbled after Newt immediately flipped the script (King had to be expecting this) and blamed the media for his immoral and hypocritical (pointing at Clinton while he was having an affair). Mean Ging blamed his work, the media, his second wife. King either wanted to give him the bump or can not think while he is sitting on his ass. Would have been so easy to respond..rationally 'so Speaker Gingrich you seem to be blaming the media for your immoral behavior". King choked of wanted to give him a bump. Gingrich and that evangelical vote that he drew from like to hide rascist, sexist, classist attituded behind their alleged religious beliefs. Those votes had nothing to do with the economy. Christian hypocrisy is alive and well in South Carolina. They like to keep the poor poor in south Carolina. Few unions (longshoreman) huge disparity in income, no health care, most white kids in private schools. Have talked with lots of African American women in Charleston and surrounding area who make pathetic wages cleaning wealthy white folks homes. Some of these women have been cleaning for these families for decades for below minimum wages, no health care etc. Go check out who gets the wait jobs in Charleston...white folk...then go look in the kitchens (blacks and now hispanics also) find out how many low income folks have been hired at Boeing, if they have health care, what are their wages. Go look at the tourist advertisements for those along the shore communities..white folk on golf courses on land that had been large African American communities. Racism, Classism and sexism is alive and well in that state. The bombastic bully Gingrich played to that crowd. The passed over a Romney who actually seems to try to practice his religious beliefs.
And now they move to Florida and not much changes except that they add the right wing radical Jewish vote (which Gingrich is being supported by) and the right wing Cuban vote.
learn so much here. Will of course have to read several tim.es. Professor Cole in the documentary "No end in Sight" individuals inferred that the goal of the Bush administration (Feith, Wolfowitz others) in Iraq was to destabilize. Hence to few troops, protect the oil sites while allowing Iraqi treasures to be looted, Bremer disbanding the Iraqi army etc etc. I have heard that same opinion from a CPT member Peggy Gish who was in Iraq before the invasion and after collecting documentation on torture in Abu Gharib etc. She has spent close to six years in Iraq since the invasion. She has said that many Iraqi people believe that the mistakes made were not mistakes at all. That the goal was to destabilize. Hillary Flynt Leverett has also indicated the same thing. Is that the goal of the Us to destabilize the region?
Where is Ahamad Chalabi? I know my questions are a bit basic but hope you will take the time to answer. Share your site with many.
Also it is so odd that say for instance that the Diane Rehm show has not yet had Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett on about Iran. (they did a show on Iran today and had the warmongering Mcheal Rubin on and yesterday they had David "axis of evil" Frum on to discuss the Iowan caucuses. Why do you think the MSM seems opposed to having guest on who were right about Iraq and the questionable WMD intelligence on their programs instead of the people who were deadly wrong about Iraq and have over the last 8 years been promotoing more confronations with Iran?
Is it true that some in the Bush administration blocked you from being on MSM programs before the invasion? Could such a boycott be going on when it comes to the fact based Leveretts?
I think these Iran sanctions will cost Obama the election. And if Israel attacks Iran Obama loses and they know it. Think they are concerned that Obama is going to apply more pressure on the illegal settlement issue in the next four years. Israel and the I lobby will be in a better position if Romney wins. The dual loyalty I lobby in the Dem party does not care if Obama loses. Israel's welfare no matter what Israel does is first on their list.
Know that I will not be putting in the hundreds of free hours for OBama (and I had plenty of questions about him after watching him for two years in the Senate) and will absolutely not vote for him if there is an attack on Iran and will actively work against him. Just what the I lobby may want
She had to know. Or is a total numb skull. Will she apologize? This is a very serious mistake (cough). Diane "rockets reigning down on Israel" No mention of the ratio of deaths, injuries. Silence. Diane is a hack
Prof Cole On Wednesday MSNBC's Ronan Farrow had Noura Erakat on with Aaron David Miller (who has been everywhere Andrea Mitchell, Diane Rehm, Chuck Todd, a panel that Jane (waddling on over to interfere in the Aipac Espionage investigation) Harman presented through the Woodrow Wilson Foundation). Noura's appearance on an MSNBC outlets was the very first Palestinian perspective on for over six days. Miller lost it and said to Noura "now back to Planet Earth" after she had gone through a list of facts on the ground seldom if ever heard on any MSM outlet. Worth the watch
Anyone else noticing how many of the Iraq war pushers are making it back on MSM outlets with amazing ease. Danille Pletka on Cspan's Washington Journal..she was beating the let's go get Iran drums, Kenneth Pollack on the Diane Rehm show (I made it on to ask a direct question about his push for the Iraq war and the consequences), Cheney on Sunday news programs, Bill Kristol all over the place. Why is it that that these deadly wrong war pushers still make it on these MSM outlets. They were deadly (and many of us believe they knew they were wrong) about WMD's in Iraq. Why is it that these outlets do not have the El Baradei's Prof Coles, Ray McGovern's, Leveretts, former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unit Micheal Scheuer, Dr. Zbig on their programs to discuss Iraq? These individuals warned about the validity of the so called intelligence before the invasion. These individuals were right about the invasion being wrong. Why are the war pushers who have the blood of hundreds of thousands all over them getting air time. Sick and absurd! Enough!
MSNBC's C hris Matthews did a segment on his release. He went bonkers about who the Obama administration had released. Matthews kept trying to point out that Berghdal had allegedly deserted...sort of a 'we should have left him there"attitude. This is the second time in a week that Chris Matthew's has been picking on Vets. He had a guest on from Vote Vets on and they were discussing the Shenseki resignation(that Matthews was basically pushing for for about a week) the man from VoteVets challenged Matthews and the absence of coverage about the VA until this latest issue hit the headlines. Chris Matthews really got huffy and puffed up about his alleged coverage of these issues (he has not) and began really putting the Vet down in many ways. Pathetic just as Matthews coverage was tonight of the Berghdahl release.
Israeli official described courts decision "ridiculous provocation" It's called accountability.. We all know Israel has no idea what accountability means when it comes to their ongoing horrendous human rights actions and those in the past. Too bad Turkey would allow economic compensation to wipe out any future accountability actions
The American people watched a President be held accountable for lying under oath about blow jobs. Yet we have not witnessed one war criminal out of the Bush administration be held accountable for a deadly intelligence snow job. So Rice is humiliated a bit...Cheney, Bush, Rice, Douglas Feith, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld etc should be dropped down butt ass naked in Baghdad and run for holes in the ground. War criminals...all of them
Anyone see Chris Hayes get rolled by Josh Block from the Israel Project. Chris allowed Block to get away with repeating a bucket full of false claims. A mountain of lies.
Chris Hayes knew he was getting rolled by Block and parsed his response with guilty looking restraint. link to msnbc.com
Wonder if Hayes will have anyone on like Noura Erekat to counter Block’s endless list of lies?. Block even said there was democracy in the West Bank. Hayes has the knowledge base to take Block’s lies and rip them to shreds but he did not http://www.msnbc.com/all
Just sent my thank you to Secretary of State Kerry for going as far as he has. While we know he was hesitant to say what we know Israel is an apartheid state…amazing that he has gone as far as he has. Please take the time to thank him
link to state.gov
Great piece. Accountability is huge. As a nation we watched our congress people hold a President accountable for lying under oath about blowjobs. Yet as a nation we have not witnessed our leaders held accountable for one of the most destructive intelligence snowjobs conducted. We have not witnessed anyone but underlings held accountable for torture. Those in the Office of Legal Counsel who changed torture laws like David Addington, Yoo. Cambone, Douglas Feith and team for creating, cherry picking and disseminating WMD false intelligence. All of these people Cheney and team..Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, Bush, Feith, etc should be on trial at the Hague for war crimes. Lie about bj's under oath= impeachment
Lie about WMD's, torture - no accountability. No need to wonder why few Americans have any faith in our alleged legal system.
Did Cartright blow this whistle to stop movement towards a military confrontation with Iran?
McCain punched Kerry in the stomach . And no McCain the U.S. did not give Iran the right to enrich. Iran has the right to enrich up to 20% because they signed the IAEA's Non Proliferation Treaty unlike Israel. who has and continues to sign the NPT and the Chemical Weapons Treaty Israel sits on huge stockpiles of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that are not inspected by the international community. McCain you are such a hypocrite
Is AIPAC trying to stop you from seeing this video?
Submitted by Ali Abunimah on Thu, 02/27/2014
http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/aipac-trying-stop-you-seeing-video
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2014/02/26-4
AIPAC Threatens to Sue CODEPINK Over Controversial Video Clip
WASHINGTON – February 26 – On February 25th, an AIPAC member called a CODEPINK staffer threatening legal action in response to a controversial video clip that he alleges was made by the peace group CODEPINK. The video is a satirical version of an AIPAC policy conference promotional video.
In response, CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin commented, “It is absurd for AIPAC to threaten legal action over such an obviously satirical video. It is interesting that they are reacting so strongly to the clip, though. Perhaps it’s because the content is really an accurate reflection of AIPAC’s dangerous foreign policies. AIPAC does, in fact, advocate for bombing countries such as Iran and Syria; it fails to condemn Israel’s continued building of settlements and its human rights abuses against Palestinians; and it lobbies Congress to send billions of taxpayer dollars to Israel to continue the occupation of Palestine.” She added, “What are they trying to hide by silencing this video?”
CODEPINK activists have contacted legal representation and are available for interviews.
Certainly appears that when the U.S. and Israel do not like an elected leader in those parts we support a coup etc and then pretend to support the people in that country and play up the try try again until you pick someone we like song and dance. No wonder so many folks in that part of the world hate the U.S.
The group Camera’s efforts to close the I/P debate on Cspan’s Washington Journal or any sane positions on Iran has escalated over the last few yearshttp://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=35&x_article=1778
Hope folks will consider calling into C-Span’s Washington Journal this week during open phones and ask viewers to call their Reps and ask them to vote against any new efforts to push new sanctions against Iran or any legislation that moves the U.S. any closer towards a military confrontation with Iran. We know our Reps will be under tremendous pressure from Aipac attendees towards the end of the week through next week. Remember millions of people watch this program each week. You can influence and encourage many people this way.
The program runs from 7 a.m. -10 a.m. est
Washington Journal Phone Numbers
Our phone lines are typically divided by political affiliation, with a line for callers from outside the United States:
Democrats: (202) 585-3880
Republicans: (202) 585-3881
Independents: (202) 585-3882
Outside U.S.: (202) 585-3883
- See more at: link to series.c-span.org
Finally the MSM putting a crack in the wall of silence about Israeli abuse, torture of Palestinian children and sheds some light on how Israeli soldiers protect illegal settlers violence. A must watch
The Frightening Tactics The Israeli Army Uses On Palestinian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gWFRE8pZA8
Would folks say that the same investigative standards being applied to Christie's "bridge gate" have been applied to Clinton's Benghazi. Did the Senate Committee have access to all of Clinton's communications having to do with Benghazi?
At one of Cole's links "That same month, 20 security incidents occurred in Benghazi." Ouch
I found then Secretary of State Clinton's attitude in front of the hearing committee dismissive and arrogant. That aside in the Lara Logan 60 minutes report (yes we know Davies was a fraud) but there were two other U.S. government officials who stated that they had made many request that the U.S. State Dept "beef up" security at Benghazi. When you have several officials demanding that security be "beefed up" that go against what Ambassador Stevens was asking or demanding that they not be "beefed up". Seems like that would line up in a category that would get special attention. We are watching fundamentalist so called progressive media outlets (Chris Matthews, Huff Po) go on a feeding frenzy for the truth in regard to Christie's "Bridge gate" fiasco but these same outlets were not making those demands when it came to Clinton and Benghazi. The disproportionate "feeding frenzy" makes Huff Po, MSNBC look more and more like Fox News just the other end of the spectrum. Prof Cole do you make excuses for Clintons 2002 Iraq war resolution too?
Quite honestly I do not see much difference between what Fox News will and will not cover any differently than what say Huffington Post will and will not cover. The Christie debacle has been front and center over at Huff Po for three days now. But when it comes to digging into the Clinton debacle with Benghazi (Ok I know 60 minutes Lara Login was duped by one fraudster but she did have two government officials on during that same program who said that they had repeatedly tried to get the Clinton run state dept to beef up security in Benghazi). Huff Po will not put up any comment criticizing Clinton based on facts...this is a fact..Yet will allow almost any comment bashing Christie and keep this Christie debacle up front and center at their site for three days running. Now tell me how this is any different than what Fox news does when it comes to bashing Clinton/Benghazi vs not mentioning the Christie debacle. Just do not see much difference when it comes to protecting their special people. Arianna Huffington and her team have all ready appointed Clinton and will not allow her to be criticized. What is the difference?
Driving from Ohio to Colorado about 8 years ago counted about 40 large new wind turbines just off of 70 in a western county of Kansas. Drive that same route just two years ago stopped counting at 450 wind turbines in same area. Then drove from Denver down to Lonewolf Oklahoma. Western Kansas and in part of Oklahoma wind turbines as far as the eye could see. Booming
Bingo
Thanks for this Prof Cole
"7. If Iran is widely viewed by the international community to have stepped back from nuclear ambitions, Israel’s own nuclear arsenal will come to the fore as a focus, since it is the only Middle Eastern country with an arsenal of warheads, and that arsenal clearly drives a regional arms race (starting with Iraq in the 1980s)."
Bringing Israel's massive stockpiles of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that go un inspected and Israel's unwillingness to sign the NPT into the light is a tough wall to get over in the U.S. MSNBC, CNN, Fox, NPR's walls of silence have been well constructed by the I lobby for decades. Can't even get those so called "liberals" like Rachel Maddow to whisper about this height of hypocrisy.
I have quotes around that statement those words about South Africa were from Prof Cole's piece. By the way Archbishop Tutu said that the situation in the occupied territories are worse than the situation was in South Africa
I have been hearing up close accounts about the humiliation, torture of prisoners, destruction of olive trees, Palestinian homes, checkpoints etc etc from several friends who had been living with Palestinians in the winters for two and a half decades
I always thought it was damn interesting that Sharon had a serous stroke not long after Arafat's assassination and has been in a coma ever since. I am not a karma believer...think it is a role of the dice but Sharon being in limbo so long is fascinating.
Prof Cole" Now, their land, water, oil and other resources are being daily claimed by Israelis as they are confined to closely-policed Bantustans far more brutal than those set up by South Africa in the heyday of Apartheid. There will be no Palestine, and the Palestinians are doomed to be a stateless people, a people without the right to have rights.
It wasn’t Arafat who was assassinated by radioactivity in 2004 but the Palestinian people."
Two state solution possibility passed by long ago. All will eventually know that the Greater Israel is now an apartheid state
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFM-P-l3BAI
"This, at a time when Israel and the Palestinians are supposedly engaged in good faith negotiations that might end in a Palestinian state. At this rate, where would you even put one? (Another 3,000 such Israeli squatter homes are planned)."
Where would you even put one. Bingo. Two state solution is over. Israel has slammed that door shut. One state, one person, one vote. Israel's apartheid state has become apparent to millions.
Applying pressure on Israel and the racist and discriminatory group Jewish National Fund who are having a conference in Denver Colorado this coming weekend by having a counter conference and protest. We will be protesting Colorado Governors’s luncheon that he is hosting for some of the JNF attendee’s. We are asking Governor Hickenlooper why he would as the top official of Colorado support such a racist group?
Come join our protest and come hear Rabbi Weiss who will be speaking at a Mosque on Thursday evening about how the Jewish State is in total contradiction to Jewish religious beliefs. How there is no separation between synagogue and state in the so called democratic state of Israel.
Please share with others
Rabbi Weiss will speak at Denver Mosque
Thursday, October 24th
6pm
Schedule of events
http://www.coloradobdscampaign.org/
I think about this a great deal and try to encourage others to think about the death and destruction that our country caused in Iraq, It is horrifying. Yet the so called "liberals" on MSNBC etc like Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Al Sharpton barely ever breath a word about the pain and suffering we have caused. The Lancet reported 650,000 dead/killed in 2006. The Bush administration and the US MSM basically swept those numbers under the rug. At a time when the U.S. can look at a fly on the ass of a camel from a drone being operated from a military site in Arizona so telling that the exact numbers of people dead as a consequence of our invasion is not common knowledge.
And not one person in the Bush administration was held accountable for any of this. Why have we not heard more of an outcry from the international community at the ICC?
Hopefully the war hawks will be buried. But with defense and intelligence technology economically dependent on wars and keeping people in a constant state of agitation...with James Woolsey, Feith and others having their own personal incomes dependent on these industries seems like they will figure out a way to keep banging on the war drums.
Prof Cole hope you do a post (have not scrolled through all the way) on Iranian President Rouhani asking Israel to sign the NPT again. How Iran has in the past pushed for a nuclear free zone and Israel refuses to co-operate
Prof Cole hope you go listen to Chris Matthews twisted information during the closing of his Tuesday show. While he was upbeat in his support for negotiations between the U.S. and Iran he kept repeating inaccurate and inflammatory comments about Iran's nuclear program. Claimed Iran had been in a "push to build nuclear weapons" Matthews seems to have had his head up where the sun does not shine on the facts about Iran. When will he have the Leveretts on or you to discuss Iran based on facts not a cheat sheet made up for him by oh I don't know Bill Kristol. When will MSNBC put up some facts about Iran or have guest on who can actually discuss the issue based on facts?
These direct talks more than a breath of fresh air.
Prof Cole all over the internet and on MSNBC and other so called liberal outlets it is repeated that former Iranian President has denied the Holocaust. Is this true. I thought he had questioned the numbers of people killed and asked that records be opened up so historians could access.
Over at the Leveretts place Going to Tehran they have written in the past that Iran had agreed to accessing their enriched uranium from Brazil I believe but the U.S. blocked this deal.
I thought that Iran has the legal right to enrich uranium up to 20% as signatories of the NPT. And who could blame them for wanting the capacity for this breakdown process. Look at what has been happening in their neighborhood because of U.S. and Israeli warmongering.
Colonel Wilkerson was on Chris Hayes program "All In" the other evening. Just after Hayes exclusive soft ball interview with Kerry. Wilkerson asked tell him the difference between a child who is killed with napalm (vietnam), a child killed by white phosphorus(Israel)and a child killed by sarin gas(Syria). Was pathetic to watch Hayes roll over to Kerry who was crying crocodile tears about the children in Syria a man who voted for the Iraq war. Anyone ever see any pictures of dead Iraqi people on our T.V. screens you know the hundreds of thousands that we are responsible for who have been killed as a direct consequence of our invasion. Could not believe Hayes did not ask him one challenging question about this height of hypocrisy or that most of the intelligence is from Israel. On Melissa Harris Perry's program this morning(Saturday) she spent a good segment on the Syrian dead. Have you ever witnessed Hayes or Perry spend any time showing Americans the dead, injured and displaced in Iraq? Hell no. Americans are going to know more about how many people in Syria have died and been displaced rather than what their own government is responsible for. Insanely absurd
Prof Cole you basically contradict yourself in your second paragraph. Claiming that "Aipac doesn't represent the views of most American Jews" then stating that "in polling, between a quarter and over a third say they don't feel a strong connection to Israel or that supporting it is not an important part of their Jewishness" I would say 65% to 75% of American Jews indicated in that poll who support do feel a strong connection is a large proportion.
And let's be real here the so called liberal Jewish Reps have not only voted for Israel in congressional legislation no matter what they do but have also promoted hard core pro - Israel legislation.
I have seen the enormously long lines of individual lobbyist during an Aipac convention in Washington. Lobbying either for pro Israel legislation or lobbying against Iran, Palestinians etc. Now we know the situation is shifting in the American Jewish population but let's no pretend that 65% to 75% is not a sizable proportion.
Donahue/Bacevich a royal flush.
The question I keep asking is similar to some of the things Bacevich is saying. Who the hell does the U.S. think they are lecturing others about killing innocent people? Atomic bombs on Japan, Napalm in Vietnam, support for Saddam when he used chemical weapons on Iranians, U.S.invasion of Iraq hundreds of thousands died,injured, millions displaced(ever hear Andrea Mitchell, Melissa Harris Perry talking about that fact?), support for Israel when they used white phosphorus on Palestinians. Who do we think we are? Do our leaders think people around the world are as blind to these atrocities as some Americans? Let the international community deal with this.
Letter to Obama from warmongers
http://www.foreignpolicyi.org/files/2013-08-27-Open%20letter%20to%20POTUS%20on%20Syria.pdf
The focus on the Egyptian military coup and how many protesters they have killed is sure taking a back seat now.
Kerry an individual who voted for the Iraq war resolution as well as Biden have the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people's blood all over them even though they seem to not have noticed. How absurd that these warmongers are pointing at other warmongers.
Prof Cole what is the possibility that this could be a Mossad false flag operation? Why would Assad push the Obama stated "red line" just not logical.
So respect El Baradei's commitment to facts before the illegal and immoral invasion of Iraq. Clearly remember him coming out in early March of 2003 before the invasion and stating that the Niger Documents were forgeries..and bad ones at that. Thought the Bush administration's relentless push to invade would slow down but it did not. Still not one person held accountable for those false Niger Documents (Micheal Ledeen no one)) Still not one person held accountable for that horrific invasion.
El Baradei has come right out and said Israel should sign the IAEA's NPT. The man has some cajones. But did he support this Egyptian military coup? Is so...sad. So much for democratic elections in Egypt
Remember reading in several places that much of the false WMD intelligence was filtered through Israeli intelligence sources. And unless I missed it no one has been held accountable for the false Niger Documents or for that matter any of the false intelligence force fed to the American public by a complicit main stream media
The U.S. hires private contractors to fight and kill. Are private contractors available to Assad?
She did say something about shorter time so now the Palestinians do not have to go through the illegal settlements and be constantly reminded of how their land continues to be stolen. How thoughtful of the Israeli's
"t is a little odd that the segregated buses should have caused an uproar whereas the Israeli illegal de facto annexation of the Palestinian West Bank and settling it with Jews-only colonies seems to be all right with people."
Was there even a mention of the illegal settlements? Have to listen again
ot but know Prof Cole likes to post Stewart and Colbert periodically
http://mondoweiss.net/2013/03/affability-colberts-brilliant.html/comment-page-1#comment-544970
Did Oren’s iron dome of affability stop Colbert’s brilliant strikes?
My response to Colbert’s interview with Oren
Colbert played softball with Oren. Either his choice or he froze. I think choice. Would have been so easy to have had all of the efforts Bibi made to sway the election on a list. And would have been so easy for Colbert to have been ready for the Israeli talking points “there is no distance between the US and Israel” “we have the same interest” yada yada. Colbert could have so easily said “the US and Israel are so similar. Both stole land from native peoples, pretended they did not exist while systematically exterminating them. Both or our countries love to attack people before they have done anything to us, ignore the International criminal court, the UN. Both countries seem to love to torture” SO MUCH IN COMMON.
But the very worst thing Colbert did was allow Oren repeat the falsehood “Iran threatens Israel weekly and want to wipe Israel off the map” Colbert shout have been ready for that one and shut it down or at the very least have said sounds like you are describing Israel who threatens Iran weekly. Could not believe Colbert allowed him to repeat that bs. So disappointing. Ok he poked some fun at the “chosen people” hooey. Colbert played softball.
Colbert knows how to play hardball
Colbert Correspondent dinner roast of Bush
link to youtube.com
"Whatever one thought of Chavez, he did genuinely improve the lot of the Venezuelan working classes. He won elections and was genuinely popular for this reason. He appears not to have been able to imagine that Khamenei, Ghaddafi and al-Assad are rather less interested in an ideal like the public welfare."
Huge!
Otherwise he sounds as if he played the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" card. Or at least thought that was what he was doing
Israeli Soccer Fans Give Muslim Player Zaur Sadayev Racist 'Welcome' After First Goal (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/israeli-soccer-fans-racist-zaur-sadayev_n_2822187.html
Prof Cole would be great if you would be willing to that Rehm show on Syria and dissect. The lack of diversity on the panel was disturbing. The Rehm show seems to be narrowing their scope even more narrow than it had all ready been.
Today the Diane Rehm show just did a one hour program on Syria. The lack of diversity of opinion on this program was astounding. The Rehm show seems to be promoting ever more narrow views on the middle east. The new screener seems to have been sent over from the American Enterprise institute or Aipac. Used to be able to get through on a regular basis with challenging questions. No longer. During this particular program the screener only allowed one challenging question of the panel who were all on the same page. I made every effort to get some of the things that I have read here about Syria, at Prof Cole’s and Micheal Scheuers about 50% of the Syrian people supporting Assad etc through to no avail. Dennis Ross was one of the quest. Robin Wright actually said that the situation in Syria has to do with “core morality” I could barely take it. They brought up Clinton, Kerry’s Ross’s, struggle with compassion for the Syrian people. What a bunch of horse shit. Who believes this hooey? These very same people supported the invasion of Iraq where hundreds of thousands died, millions displaced and somehow our MSM including the Rehm show can repeat how many thousands have died in Syria, how many refugees there are (and it is very sad) But now the MSM actually thinks they can convince us this is a humanitarian issue and that Ross, Kerry, Clinton care about Syrian lives. The show made me sick to my stomach. So with the Leveretts would take a program like this and dissect what was said statement by statement. When oh when will MSM outlets like the Rehm show have the Leveretts on or others who have different views on Syria, Iran etc? The MSM just seems hopeless no matter how hard some of us push
Hope folks especially the Leveretts listen to this show about Syria and share their opinions
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-03-06/syria-and-us-role-middle-east
One of my comments. Most of my comments went up on Diane Rehms Facebook page. Nothing challenging made it through except one person who challenged Ross a bit
Former Bush administration officials Flynt and Hillary Leverett, Professor Juan Cole and former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit Micheal Sheuer have all written that 50% of the Syrian people support Assad.
Hillary Clinton and Kerry voted for the invasion of Iraq hundreds of thousands died, millions of Iraqi people became refugees. Dennis Ross supported the invasion of Iraq. And now we are supposed to believe that these people care about the people of Syria. Please this is absurd
And now the Diane Rehm Screener only allows people through to make comments supporting the war in Syria. Your new screener seems to have been sent from the American Enterprise Institute or Aipac. Come on allow some challenging questions through.
Hope folks call their Senators and ask them to vote NO on the Graham/Menendez resolution which pushes the US even closer to a military strike on Iran based on unsubstantiated claims. Please contact your Senators
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/28/senators-press-to-green-light-israeli-attack-on-iran.html
Thanks Juan you nailed the state of things and the attacks on Hagel. Last night on Chris Matthews Peter Beinart and Steve Clemons were on talking about the Hagel confirmation. Beinart thought that Hagel's "political clout" had been compromised. Clemons did not believe this at all (neither do I) Clemons said that those who had gone after Hagel will have to be coming to Hagel not the other way around. So glad Hagel made it through
News alert:
’5 Broken Cameras’ director detained in LAX on way to Oscars
http://mondoweiss.net/
37 years ago Vanessa Redgrave spoke out when she was receiving her Oscar about how "Zionist thugs" were protesting her and her film Palestine. She was basically run out of Hollywood. Now a Palestinian's film 5 Broken Cameras up for an Oscar but the film maker detained at the LAX airport. America and the I lobby
ot but a must watch. A SNL skit that was not aired about the Hagel hearing and how so many Senators were sucking up to the I lobby and Israel. SNL nails it. Keep in mind that this is totally new for SNL. Lorne Micheals has made sure that on his show there has never been any criticism of the government of Israel or of the I lobby. A start with this skit that was cut instead they had a very boring but non offensive skit that opened the show this past Saturday about the Superbowl black out. This is a must watch. Please pass on
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/10/snl-takes-on-chuck-hagel-israel-comments_n_2657770.html
But today during the Senate Committee hearing Graham went all soft on Hagel nothing like the ass he was at the last hearing. I don't think he even mentioned Israel. He did mention Iran numerous times. Several of the other Republican Senators called Hagel "cozy" with Iran. Senators Nelson and McCaskill did a take down in response to that hooey
I have watched this skit about five times and every time I laugh harder. SNL nailed it and this is a breakthrough even though it did not make it on and some boring skit on the Superbowl blackout did. This is huge for Lorne Micheals who has made sure that Israel or the I lobby have never been criticized in a humorous way on his show for 40 years. Daily Beast has one up about how the ADL is spitting nails about this skit even making it up on the internet. The times are a changin
Give me a break. How in the hell can this organization even put a stamp on how many children have been killed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan the US government does not even count them or acknowledge these deaths and if it is indeed 6661 (which has to be much higher) how horrific that this has taken place with little to no MSM coverage of these numbers. What did our government and our military learn from Vietnam, don't count their dead, never show pictures and just act like it did not happen. And the majority of the American public seem to love not knowing. It would seem that it would be far more appropriate to compare children killed by firearms in that period of time in individual countries. Odd comparison. Some weird twist put on the value of American children killed by guns vs children killed by the American military. Really odd
Does the US have any idea who they are supplying with arms? Is this just one more bloody step in Israel and the Deadly Clean Break, Securing the realm planned by Perle, Feith, Wurmsers?
Bless his soul. What an inspiration!
It was so exciting to watch all of the speeches. The Israeli rep was a fool repeating all of the Bible says it belongs to Jews, ancient homeland 4000 years ago yada yada all of the usual baloney. Abbas was outstanding "last chance for a two state solution" and Roger Waters "seize the moment" just nailed the history and called the US and Israel bullies. Jolly good for him. Rice seemed like an apartheid protector thug afterwards. He demeanor etc looked foolish too.
And of course the very next day Israel announces more expansion of illegal settlements. Israel trying to destroy Israel based on the 67 border..they just keep proving that. Closing the corridor to a two state solution. Leaving only ONE STATE ONE VOTE. They are going to self implode
Petraeus out of the way and an Aipac spy on the list. Jane "waddling on over to interfere in the Aipac espionage investigation and trial" Harman a contender for head of the CIA. Now we know that Holder and Obama almost as soon as they took office dismissed the Aipac espionage trial. This just can not be so.
Clearly you do not think Kelley is Mata Hari but what about Broadwell? Why is it that she had anything to say about Benghazi in Denver let alone that the CIA were holding Libyan prisoners there. Email's in Broadwell's files about National security issues that she should not have had. Something is up here more than sex. Emptywheel.net has been doing a great job covering this story. But what is up with no front page story here or at Emptywheel's about what is going on right now in th Gaza
Are there accumulative numbers for how many people in Pakistan have been killed by the Obama administrations drone strikes?
U.S. "war crimes" so when will the U.S. ever be held accountable?
Bill who said it was only about oil? Please do not put words in my mouth. "oil, neo, theo cons merged"
I remember Maher referring negatively one time in that movie about something having to do with Judaism. But light and airy no real poking fun. Or as sharp of criticism as he applied to Catholicism, other Christian fundamentalist or Islam. Not even close comparisons. So obviously disproportionate. If you are going to criticize, poke fun all should be on the table. Even his now precious Judaism
Yes I watched the film. Islamophobia gone wild
James clearly the oil, neo, theo cons merged to push (lie) this nation into the immoral and illegal invasion of Iraq
I actually think Maher is funny. But his prejudices towards Islam were so apparent in his movie Religulous and his unwillingness to criticize Judaism was loud and clear. Jon Stewart and his team have come along way the last few years. Israel, Israeli leaders, the I lobby and Judaism were way off limits for Stewart and his team for as long as he has been on up until the last few years.
Hope Maher turns his index finger back on himself and looks at his own racism and unwillingness to criticize Judaism, Israel, the I lobby.
Maher never ever makes fun of Judaism. Never. Did you see his stupid and racist film Religulous? Filled with Islamophobic leanings. Did you ever hear his interview with former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unit Micheal Scheuer? Telling
How long did it take the Obama administration to condemn that hideous piece of trash movie? Maybe Morsi was waiting for Obama and Clinton to do the right thing first.
So since Israel is a U.S. ally and they choose to preemptively attack Iran is the U.S. obligated to have their back and front?
One of the best pieces about the Rachel Corrie verdict. Have alerted other folks to head over here and read. Thanks
Beautiful indeed. What the world needs now and will always need. Thanks for remembering Hal... and all that he gave us. Reaching for the stars...real stars
Thank you Archbishop Tutu for taking a principled stand. Obama would be way out in front if he had just attempted to hold those who created, cherry picked and disseminated false WMD intelligence ACCOUNTABLE. No one in the U.S. believes it when any of our leaders say NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. As a nation as the world watched congress hold a President accountable for lying under oath about blow jobs and then watched congress allow an administration get away with an intelligence snowjob that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, injuries and millions displaced. No need to wonder why the U.S. is often the laughing stock of the world and why only 9% of U.S. citizens have any faith in our Reps and for that matter in the Obama administration on the issue of ACCOUNTABILITY
As Professor Cole and Hillary and Valerie Mann Leverett have been pointing out the Obama administrations approach with Iran has been all wrong. When they are led around by Israel and the I lobby no surprise.
Prof Cole hope you dig into the Navy analyst Todd story more. Not getting much attention unless that is the intention. Someone or someone's trying to shut that story down.
The recently released BREAKING THE SILENCE REPORT about IDF soldiers talking about the abuse they have participated in towards Palestinian children is a must read
That move by Bremer sure seemed focused on creating more chaos and violence in Iraq. Dear friend Peggy Gish who spent close to six years in Iraq before and after the invasion with the Christian Peace Maker team said many Iraqi people believe that the Bush administration wanted chaos, creating the environment for hatred between Sunnis and Shiites to explode. Too few troops, protect oil industry but not Iraq's treasures, disband the Iraqi army. Feith and those Office of Special Plan folks seem to have another agenda up their sleeves and it was not a peaceful Iran. Bremer privatized the oil industry..I believe. Anyone watch Iraq for Sale, and NO End in Sight?
Many of these people in power are doing that heavy drinking for you. Don't go down that path.
Don from this article it sounds like Fallon was going along with the more aggressive Neo con Iran plan and then covered his ass when this analyst spilled the beans
That move by Cheney was the move of a lunatic and the war criminal has never been held accountable for any of his crimes against humanity. No need to wonder why a whopping 9% of the American public have any faith in our Reps. Not one prosecution of the sub prime fraudsters either Attorney Eric (helped get Marc Rich off) Holder. What was up with Obama appointing that change we can believe in.
Prof Cole have you pressed charges for these actions against you?
Keep thinking about how former weapons inspector Scott Ritter went down. Clearly he was in the wrong but who went hunting for him?
In that New York Bloody Times article "The experts said it might not be unlawful for the CIA to provide the White House with open service material-from public data bases or published material about an American citizen" This takes me back to Carl Cameron's four part report on Fox News soon after 9/11 about private Israeli communication companies (Comverse Infosys and Amdocs) who he reported had access to 95% of American phone calls. That four part report was very interesting
Prof Cole Rachel Maddow has had you on a few times but have not seen you anywhere else in the MSM. Been a long time since Rachel has had you on for your views. Think the White House kept MSM outlets from having you on like the Leveretts seem to be off limits guest on our MSM outlets.
Israel losing in the media. Israel responds "so what" Not stopping them from continuing to illegally expand settlements at an increasing pace
http://mondoweiss.net/2012/07/backer-of-ny-ads-exposing-palestinian-land-loss-says-response-has-been-astounding-and-news-coverage-is-pouring-in.html
So appreciate your focus. Hope folks take this elsewhere
I was one of the folks who not only stood against the invasion of Iraq but the invasion of Afghanistan. I had read that the government of Afghanistan had demanded that the Bush administration provide hard evidence that OBL had his fingerprints on the 9/11 attacks. That the Bush administration could not provide that hard evidence. Several years after the invasion I had the honor of getting to know a young man from Afghanistan who was studying on a Fulbright scholarship at Ohio University. He missed his parents, wife and children so much. We would spend hours talking about them and what they were doing. How his family worked etc. We literally spent hundreds of hours talking about his deep faith, his scholarly studies and the history of Afghanistan. He had been born in Kabul and grew up in a family compound part of the time and in Peshawar, Pakistan. Had 12 brothers and sisters. His 34 years at that time had been spent living with war in his country. After Russia invaded Afghanistan his father (the equivalent to a General in the US) had fought with the Mujahadeen.”
The Russians bombed his family compound and he remembers his mother picking up his oldest sisters body parts. His father then walked, trucked his family to Peshawar and went back to fight the Russians. My friend explained how during the war with Russia fruit and nut orchards had been destroyed by the Russians. How the wobbly infrastructure that Afghanistan had was completely wiped out. Creating a perfect situation for the illegal and violent drug industry (poppy growing) to prosper. How Afghanistan needs to replant these orchards, poppy growers supplemented while rebuilding the legal agricultural industry that they had had. How Afghanistan needs the infrastructure say to process pomegrante into pomegrante juice. Almonds into almond butter. Possibly find ways for the poppy industry to sell opium for legal medical use. The people of Afghanistan have suffered so long. I have and continue to learn from my friend in Afghanistan
.
JUST AFTER OBAMA'S SPEECH I EMAILED MY FRIEND IN AFGHANISTAN AND ASKED ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH
He is now back in his country He tells me I can use his name when referencing what he says. But I do not. Last night after President OBama's speech about Afghanistan I contacted my friend about our role in his country and President Obama's speech:
HIS RESPONSE:
"Regarding the Obama speech, we are glad for the signing strategic partnership agreement with the US. Afghanistan is located in a very sensitive region with two main regional powers, Pakistan and Iran, always want to keep Afghanistan politically and economically weak country in the region. Suppose Afghanistan rejects to sign strategic partnership with the US based on its moral obligation to care of the regional political sensitivities, but the Pakistan and Iran would not understand and appreciate this sacrifice. The only point they know is to fight for their political powers at the region. Therefore, Pakistan tries to use Taliban as a political tool in the region to put forward their internal interest in the region. We need a strong country like US to protect us from the regional distablizers.
However, Afghanistan still needs to fight for its political and economical better condition in the future. The desired outcomes will not be gained soon. It needs decades."
"Not only are high officials and former officials of the Israeli security establishment pushing hard back against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s seeming rush to war with Iran, they appear actually to be attempting to unseat him, as it becomes possible that Israel may go to early elections in September."
Hope they succeed.
Israel gets away with more crimes against humanity
Israel closes investigation of those responsible for al Samouni family massacre, no legal action taken
http://mondoweiss.net/2012/05/israel-closes-investigation-of-those-responsible-for-al-samouni-family-massacre-no-legal-action-taken.html
Damn "slow jam the news" Students deserve at least the same interest rates that congress gave the sub prime loansters when they brought the US economy to the edge of a cliff. What was that interest rate 0% for the 1%. Students deserve the same deal
THE UNITED STATES AND THE LOST ART OF GRAND STRATEGY–FLYNT LEVERETT AT PENN STATE
http://mediasite.dsl.psu.edu/Mediasite/SilverlightPlayer/Default.aspx?peid=295ec6ea408e47ca90c84d4d26ae7fbd1d
"Obama is mainly just doing to Iran what the American Right wing, including Frum, want done to Iran. But it is that clear, unambiguous policy that is helping drive up prices. The embargo may be causing Iran to export a couple hundred thousand barrels fewer per day than it would otherwise. The embargo, and sabre rattling toward Iran, are driving prices higher.
Frum helped beat the drums for war with Iraq, and maybe he favors another war, this time with Iran."
David "axis of evil" Frum started beating on the strike Iran militarily drums at least 8 years ago along with Reuel Marc Gerecht, Cheney, Micheal Rubin, Feith, Bolton, etc etc on every MSM outlet that welcomed more warmongering. Hell on many MSM outlets the same cast of invade Iraq characters did not have to push the unsubstantiated claims about Iran many host would do it for them. Terri Gross and Rachel Maddow two of the worst repeaters of these false claims
positive
We love you Israel and Iran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYjuUoEivbE
Ted Turner "the world does not need nukes"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_rBB4893uA
Damn hippies!
The Daily show has really opened up the last two years on this issue. Stewart would not touch it for over a decade John Oliver and writers brilliant on this issue. They nailed it
Such a sad sad story. More innocent people killed
More lies about Iran
During a conversation on Chris Matthews Hardball last evening about oil prices and production Congressman Markey closing statement was blaming Iran for rising prices. He said “Iran as they rattle the markets” Essentially blaming Israel’s endless saber rattling and threat to attack on Iran and oil speculation taking place as a result on Iran. Markey kissed Israel right on the ass last night.
On MSNBC’s Rachel Maddows she did a one hour show on non proliferation and Mexico agreeing to take out all nuclear weapons grade fuel. Good show. But when Rachel and her team put up a map of countries with nuclear weapons Russia, China, US, France, UK, Israel, India, Pakistan and NOrth Korea. She and her team chose to put up Iran as having nuclear weapons on the map. Talk about irresponsible, inaccurate and dangerous. Fueling the endlessly repeated and unproven claims that Iran not only has a nuclear weapons plan but they have nuclear weapons. Rachel Maddow needs to be pounded for doing this. Shameful and dangerous
Noticing on all and I generally do not say ALL MSM outlets this week when they are talking about the massacre of 16 individuals 9 of them children in Afghanistan they are always focused on the soldier who allegedly committed the massacre. They start by saying “there are no excuses” for the massacre..and then they spend the next 5 minutes bringing attention to numerous deployments, his character before he was in the service, dissapointments in his life etc etc. They all seem to be helping this man build an insanity plea. NEVER EVER AND I MEAN NEVER EVER HAS ONE MSM HOST OR GUEST FOCUSED ON WHO THE PEOPLE AND THE CHILDREN ARE THAT THIS MAN ALLEGEDLY MASSACRED. NOT ONCE HAVE I HEARD A HOST OR GUEST FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE IN AFGHANISTAN WHO WERE KILLED. No pictures of the children massacred. Nothing TELLING. Not MSNBC’s Al Sharpton, not Ed Schultz, not Mika of Joe Scarborough, not Diane Rehm, not CNN, not Fox etc. NO one. Talk about dehumanization in our military….dehumanization in the US media. Focus on the children killed, the adults, no names. Total absence
Anyone else who watches, listens, reads MSM outlets noticing this?
Great piece Prof Cole. Having been brought up Catholic 12 years of Notre Dame nuns (some of them amazing examples of compassion and justice in action). Have always been amazed by candidates like Santorum other alleged religious candidates like Palin, Gingrich, Boehner who parade these alleged religious beliefs across the nation's stage while they hide selfish and anti life stances behind little crosses around their necks. Anti life against health care for all, equity in education, fair wages. For unnecessary wars that kill innocents. These people are not pro life they are pro fetus.
It drives me nuts when the MSM often take shots at Biden. As if he is some type of idiot. The man knows more about US foreign policy than most is so smooth with blue collar workers. I just think it is easy and a lazy stupid habit when the MSM hits Biden below the belt at every turn.
When then Senator Biden was hammering on John Bolton during his UN nomination hearings for being part of the group that would not release the NSA intercepts that allegedly had to do with Bolton and team alleged wiretaping of Colin Powels negotations with Iran and other countries. Biden brought this up again at the Bolton nomination hearing I thought Senators Kennedy, Kerry, Lincoln Chaffee, Boxer, even Voinovich looked like they were going to jump over some Senate tables and kick Boltons smug and arrogant ass.
Sydney Blumenthal wrote about this alleged wiretaping of Powell by Bolton in his article "Generals Revenge" at Salon. Unable to link. Must read article
Such a double standard. Israel refuses to sign the Non Proliferation Treaty. While Iraq, Iran signed. Israel demands that their neighbors abide by the signed treaties while they snub the treaty. Absurd...and the whole world sees the double standard. The last President to demand that Israel open up Dimona to international inspections was President Kennedy.
Mordechai is a hero
It's not like the US/Mossad have not incited or lied before. You act as if there are no reasons to be suspect, question or wonder.
Did the Telegraph call the killing in Iraq a "genocide"
What is taking place in Syria is a tragedy. But listening to Secretary of State Clinton calling it a "tragedy" is absurd. Clinton is almost as guilty as those in the Bush administration who knowingly created, cherry picked and then dessiminated false intelligence about Iraq. And why is it that images of the horrific images of what is going on in Syria are making their way onto MSM outlets far more than the horrific images of what was going on Iraq as a direct consequence of the US's unnecessary and immoral invasion of that country. Why is it that Americans now know the numbers of dead killed by the Assad regime but do not know the numbers of dead, injured and displaced in Iraq since the invasion? Why is it that MSNBC's Morning Joe team member Willie Geist expresses horror about the women and children being killed in Syria but we have never heard one of those MSM members on that show express horror or even cover the numbers dead in Iraq. Sickening the double standards are just sickening and complicit in the crimes that have been committed in Iraq
Professor Juan Cole great post. And as is always the case you point out facts and peoples voting records etc. Just took your post over to MSNBC's Ed's radio show. Maybe he will use some of your points on his show.
Just where the hell is the evidence that Iran is enriching uranium above levels that they are legally able under the NPT? When will we hear just one MSM host whisper that Israel continues to refuse to sign the NPT and open up to inspections
And more innnocent people would be killed.
Folks should go watch and listen to Chris Matthews segment on Syria, Iran last night. absurd. He said that the "Un guys playing games" As if US administrations have not played very serious games at the UN.
Secretary of State Clinton calling the situation in Syria a "tragedy" . That warmonger is almost as guilty as those in the Bush administration who lied this nation into Iraq based on a "pack of lies" Clinton is covered with the Iraqi people and American soldiers blood.
He ends that segment by saying " is there something worse than Iran having nuclear weapons". Think about that. If there isn't anything worse. Strike them."
"Strike them" Chris Matthews is as bad as the rest of the warmongers. Sure hope he does not try to spin this promotion for an attack on Iran after the fact as he did on the Iraq invasion. Don't try to pretend after an attack on Iran that he played hardball by asking tough or challenging questions of those repeating unsubstantiated claims about Iran on his program. And sure hope he does not pretend that he helped inform the American public with facts about Iran by having experts and former Bush administration officials Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett on or Professor Juan Cole on his program . This is more MSM complicity
Chris Matthews "is there something worse than Iran having nuclear weapons. Think about that. If there is not anything worse. Strike them"
When Abraham (Palestinian American) asked his question I cheered. Then for the next several minutes both Romney and Gingrich said their pledge of allegiance to Israel. Basically punching Abraham in the gut. A far cry from the stance of Republican Bush 41 who at least attempted to restrict aid as illegal settlements were and continue to be built. Notice they did not give Rep Paul an opportunity to speak about this issue. Too bad Abraham did not direct that question to Rep Paul. Blitzer knew exactly what he was doing by keeping that question away from Paul.
With the history of the JA and control of the land stolen, Israeli supreme court validating illegal activities. Israel looking more and more like they are going to pre-emptively attack things are not looking so good for Israel, for Iran and for Obama being re-elected. More than likely just what the radical right wing Israeli lobby and Israel want.
Dr. Zbig has been everywhere this week promoting his new book "Strategic Vision" He had a great deal to say about Israel attacking Iran any time from "now to the election" That if the US is drug in how this not only drags the US even further into economic, and moral woes. Zbig has been on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Diane Rehm, Charlie Rose, and tomorrow will be on CSpans Book TV (Sat).
The racism.classism and sexism that exist in South Carolina is not subtle. I have pounded the pavement and red dirt in South Carolina during several Dem campaigns. Most recently in 2008. That woman who stood up at one of the Gingrich events and said"thank you Speaker Gingrich for putting Juan Williams in his place" Summarized the feelings of lots of white rich and poor in South Carolina,
Lots of evangelicals and others hiding racist, sexist attitudes behind alleged religious beliefs in that state. Gingrich played that card and it worked
Mean Ging played four aces in South Carolina
1. Racism/Food stamps "thank you Mr. Speaker for putting Juan Williams in his place" Mixed in with poor white working class who are more than likely receiving food stamps to make ends meet but buy the white rich Republican "you can be one of us" hogwash
2. "elite media" when King called him out on his hypocritical behavior but then King totally choked. Wondering if this was on purpose. He had to know Gingrich would flip the script. Gingrich's pattern. Blame his work, the media etc etc
3. More Classism...we don't want unions in South Carolina no way no how
4. Sexism...my behavior is not my fault
It worked
In Florida he will add the Sheldon Adelson radical right wing Jewish vote as well as the right wing Cuban vote (I have lived in Florida..not that different from South Carolina)
But the MSNBC crew really slammed Romney while almost promoting Gingrich before South Carolina. They kept repeating that Santorum had won in Iowa...Bashir too. Instead of focusing on the voted missing from 8 precincts in Iowa. Why the host of these shows would not simply say that it was undetermined in Iowa was telling about MSNBC's agenda. Heard lawrence O'Donnell, Al Sharpton, Bashir, Ed all repeat Santorum had won in Iowa. Heard Rachel dig into the missing precincts more than anyone of ther colleagues
I have spent a good amount of time in South Carolina working for Dems. There is clearly a racist, sexist, classist element that mean Ging completely played to. The types like the woman who stood up and said "thank you Mr. Speaker for putting Juan Williams in his place". The racist who howled and applauded after Juan asked about Newt "belittling the poor" CNN's King either purposely fumbled after Newt immediately flipped the script (King had to be expecting this) and blamed the media for his immoral and hypocritical (pointing at Clinton while he was having an affair). Mean Ging blamed his work, the media, his second wife. King either wanted to give him the bump or can not think while he is sitting on his ass. Would have been so easy to respond..rationally 'so Speaker Gingrich you seem to be blaming the media for your immoral behavior". King choked of wanted to give him a bump. Gingrich and that evangelical vote that he drew from like to hide rascist, sexist, classist attituded behind their alleged religious beliefs. Those votes had nothing to do with the economy. Christian hypocrisy is alive and well in South Carolina. They like to keep the poor poor in south Carolina. Few unions (longshoreman) huge disparity in income, no health care, most white kids in private schools. Have talked with lots of African American women in Charleston and surrounding area who make pathetic wages cleaning wealthy white folks homes. Some of these women have been cleaning for these families for decades for below minimum wages, no health care etc. Go check out who gets the wait jobs in Charleston...white folk...then go look in the kitchens (blacks and now hispanics also) find out how many low income folks have been hired at Boeing, if they have health care, what are their wages. Go look at the tourist advertisements for those along the shore communities..white folk on golf courses on land that had been large African American communities. Racism, Classism and sexism is alive and well in that state. The bombastic bully Gingrich played to that crowd. The passed over a Romney who actually seems to try to practice his religious beliefs.
And now they move to Florida and not much changes except that they add the right wing radical Jewish vote (which Gingrich is being supported by) and the right wing Cuban vote.
learn so much here. Will of course have to read several tim.es. Professor Cole in the documentary "No end in Sight" individuals inferred that the goal of the Bush administration (Feith, Wolfowitz others) in Iraq was to destabilize. Hence to few troops, protect the oil sites while allowing Iraqi treasures to be looted, Bremer disbanding the Iraqi army etc etc. I have heard that same opinion from a CPT member Peggy Gish who was in Iraq before the invasion and after collecting documentation on torture in Abu Gharib etc. She has spent close to six years in Iraq since the invasion. She has said that many Iraqi people believe that the mistakes made were not mistakes at all. That the goal was to destabilize. Hillary Flynt Leverett has also indicated the same thing. Is that the goal of the Us to destabilize the region?
Where is Ahamad Chalabi? I know my questions are a bit basic but hope you will take the time to answer. Share your site with many.
Also it is so odd that say for instance that the Diane Rehm show has not yet had Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett on about Iran. (they did a show on Iran today and had the warmongering Mcheal Rubin on and yesterday they had David "axis of evil" Frum on to discuss the Iowan caucuses. Why do you think the MSM seems opposed to having guest on who were right about Iraq and the questionable WMD intelligence on their programs instead of the people who were deadly wrong about Iraq and have over the last 8 years been promotoing more confronations with Iran?
Is it true that some in the Bush administration blocked you from being on MSM programs before the invasion? Could such a boycott be going on when it comes to the fact based Leveretts?
I think these Iran sanctions will cost Obama the election. And if Israel attacks Iran Obama loses and they know it. Think they are concerned that Obama is going to apply more pressure on the illegal settlement issue in the next four years. Israel and the I lobby will be in a better position if Romney wins. The dual loyalty I lobby in the Dem party does not care if Obama loses. Israel's welfare no matter what Israel does is first on their list.
Know that I will not be putting in the hundreds of free hours for OBama (and I had plenty of questions about him after watching him for two years in the Senate) and will absolutely not vote for him if there is an attack on Iran and will actively work against him. Just what the I lobby may want