They Want Us Out

In an article from Think Progress, Satyam writes an overview of the the British Parliamant’s Select Committee on Foreign Affairs report of 36 recommendations for changes that must be made in the Middle East. They urge the British government to consider the political implications of joining forces with the US and their 'surge' in Iraq.

Many worry that the war has only magnified judgments, international racsism, and hatred. In the same affect, British citizens are led by the propaganda surrounding the 'war on terror' and the 'oversimplifications' of the terms used to describe the war and the people.

"216. We conclude that the use by Ministers of phrases such as 'war on terror' and 'arc of extremism' is unhelpful and that such oversimplifications may lead to dangerous policy implications. We agree with the Minister for the Middle East that these phrases cause unnecessary resentment. We recommend that the Government should not use this or similar language in future. "

"We are concerned that the damage done to the Government's reputation in the Arab and Islamic world may affect its ability to influence the political situation in the Middle East. We recommend that, in its response to this Report, the Government set out what action it is taking to improve its influence and reputation in the Arab and Islamic world. "

Hopefully, the British government will begin to make changes and withdrawal from Iraq and show effort for 'political reconciliations'. This just might jump start US withdrawal. If the Brits get out of there, I doubt there will be any Bush supporters left. The British can admit that the 'war on terror' is failing miserably, why can't Bush?

The policies adopted by Tony Blair have proved to be more detrimental to the UK than before. Bush is not winning his propoganda war, and we have little homeland security. Approval rates are low, and people are getting anxious, for something to change because the current path is crumbling fast along with America's infrastructure.

Will it Take a Tet Offensive?

The Vietnam War was undoubtedly conflicted. Most people now understand that. We've all been shown the videos of protests in school. And we've all read about the social changes in history classes. Yet, despite the similar unpopularity of our current conflict, the youth of our country seem lounging.

The Tet Offensive was a major campaign by the Communist Vietnamese to retake land, and, "Although the offensive was not militarily successful for the Vietnamese Communists, it was a political and psychological victory for them. It dramatically contradicted optimistic claims by the U.S. government that the war had already been won." Will it take such an act of shock and awe to spark our current populous out of apathy?

Don't think there's nothing being done. There certainly is an effort. The digital roots movement is strong. There are thousands of websites that tout slogans against the war and its creators. But the Internet is nothing more than a canvas for us to shout at. And, unless those with the real ability to change the world and war's affect on it are reading sites like this, then a digital movement is faceless.

It's true that the Vietnam war did not end because of protests. Anyone looking at a time line can see that. But those protesters did have a face. They used their bodies to become symbols of what they believed in. And a body is always a better symbol than anything someone I or anyone else could type.

I know this is my first post. I know most readers don't know me. So I'll clarify a quick point about myself. I will never be the one to answer questions like the one I've posed in this entry's title. But I will do all I can to spur the idea that we can ponder such questions. And that we, the face-full, have the ability to make sure this and future wars don't require more casualties to stab us into using our bodies as weapons of example and our minds as fevers burning out the foolishness that creates war.

Source: http://www.reference.com/search?q=tet%20offensive

"No End in Sight" Shows How Wrong Iraq Has Gone

No End in Sight Director/Screenwriter Charles Ferguson takes us on a journey to further expose the devastation caused by U.S. foreign policy in Iraq. The film is based on over 200 hours of footage, and a retelling of events by high ranking U.S. officials, Iraqi civilians, American soldiers, and prominent analysts. No End in Sight took home the 'Documentary Special Jury Prize' from Sundance this year and opens in select theaters throughout the U.S. today. Watch trailer below...

Official Site

Flowchart to help war supporters understand whats been happening!

What Would George W. Bush Do? Check it out


Via Boing Boing

Iraq: The Hidden Story [video]

For everyone who agrees that the occupation of Iraq is good, I think you should watch this. I think everyone should watch this video, including those sheltered from the realities that others face day to day, because of the U.S., it's imperialistic ways, and Bush's lies.

As Nicole Belle says, "The Beltway media and politicians are insulated and isolated. It's going to take a huge tidal wave from outside the Beltway for them to wake up."

IOM Report: 1 million Iraqis may flee in 2007

Due to the non-stop USA violence-fest and insecurity in Iraq, as many as 1 million Iraqis could flee their homes this year alone.

"The numbers of people that are being displaced are increasing every day," said Jemini Pandaya, spokeswoman for the International Organization for Migration. "The security situation is not improving. It's not changing." Read [Yahoo News]

U.S. House tells Bush 'No More Troops'

From Yahoo News: "The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's decision to deploy more troops to Iraq on Friday, opening an epic confrontation between Congress and commander in chief over an unpopular war that has taken the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops."

The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182, and within minutes, Democrats said their next move would be to challenge Bush's request for $93 billion in new funds for the Pentagon.

Apparently, "Bush made no comment on the developments in the House, and his spokesman said the president was too busy to watch the proceedings on television."

BUT, the the Pentagon added another 1,000 troops to the surge, despite House disapproval.

N. Korea agrees to ditch nukes, Bolton wins Asshole of the Year

Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the lead American official at the talks, said the United States will give an unspecified amount of energy assistance to North Korea in exchange for North Korea freezing its production of plutonium.

Everything seems to be going great. Right? Until.... John Bolton (militant fuckhead imperialistic piece of shit) makes these remarks, calling the whole thing "a very bad deal."

From CNN: It makes the Bush administration "look very weak, at a time in Iraq and dealing with Iran that it needs to look strong," Bolton told CNN's Wolf Blitzer Monday.

"I'm hoping that the president has not been fully briefed on it and still has time to reject it," he said.

What the hell is wrong with this idiot? Hey, John Bolton, go continue to fuck yourself.

U.S. - Iranian waltz (dance of death) could trigger war?

"On Jan. 20, militants kidnapped and killed four American soldiers in a raid in Karbala, and a fifth was killed in the firefight. A U.S. defense official said one possibility under study is that Iranian agents either executed or masterminded the attack, a suspicion based on the sophisticated and unusual methods used in the attack, including weapons and uniforms that may have been American." What ? Based on what? Where's the real evidence here?

Also - "There has been speculation that the Karbala assault may have been in retaliation for the arrest of five Iranians by U.S. troops in northern Iraq." Really? Who would have thought?

A #2 U.S. general told USA Today that Iran was supplying Iraqi Shiite militias with a variety of powerful weapons. "We have weapons that we know through serial numbers ... trace back to Iran," Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno said. Give me a break. Haven't we heard this kind of bullshit before?

Journalist Seymour Hersh speaks of Bush

Based in D.C., Seymour Hersh is an American Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author. Regularly contributing to The New Yorker, Hersh is most known for his reporting on the My Lai massacre cover-up during the Vietnam War, and his 2004 reports on the the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

At last week's conference "The 'War on Terrorism': Where Do We Stand" Hersh gave us his feelings and thoughts on prez Bush and what may come.

To sum Bush up in about two sentences, Hersh says, "[Bush is] a total radical, probably the most radical president we've ever had in terms of his definition of the power of the presidency," he said. "There's nothing more dangerous than a radical who doesn't have information, doesn't learn from information and doesn't learn from the past."

Hersh also stated, "I'm completely sympathetic to our [soldiers] - the kids we send are as much victims as [civilians]..." I support this statement the fullest extent. I have no hate towards those who serve the armed forces. We shouldn't hate anyone.

One last thing said by Hersh, "You will not believe what's going to be happening in the next few years with returning vets." And I couldn't believe him more.

Tony Snow: Spits more mindless propaganda at United States

Tony Snow (a.k.a. bitch) says, "I don't think [Bush] really thought a lot bbout [the Iraq Protest] "

From The White House Press Briefing:

Question: "What did the President think of the march on Washington?"
Mr. Snow: "I don't think he really thought a lot about it."

Well, is that a surprise? Bush not thinking a lot about something?

Via Huffington Post

CBS Refuses to broadcast excellent journalism and Iraq footage

This is The Battle of Haifa Street, a grassroots story and example of selfless journalism by Lara Logan, CBS's chief foreign correspondent.

In an email to AlterNet, Logan asks them for help in getting the word out on "a story that is largely being ignored even though this is taking place every single day in Baghdad, two blocks from where our office is located."

Watch the video CBS is ignoring and will only publish online:

Tens of thousands march in Washington protesting war

The protest sponsored by United for Peace and Justice was held today in D.C. at the National Mall. There were tens of thousands of people there including Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Sean Penn and Jane Fonda.

"The rally on the Mall unfolded peacefully, although about 300 protesters tried to rush the Capitol, running up the grassy lawn to the front of the building. Police on motorcycles tried to stop them, scuffling with some and barricading entrances." (AP) More pictures

Video via AMERICABlog

Iran getting great deals at Pentagon 'yard sales' ; China too

Really now, is this a surprise? No. Not to me at least, just read up on the history of U.S. foreign relations/policy and you will see what I mean.

From GNN: "Wouldn’t it occur to someone not to sell F-14 Tomcat parts because the only country that uses those planes is Iran?"

Military gear bound for Iran, China traced to Pentagon [The Chron]
Iran gets army gear in Pentagon deal [AP]

Pentagon at it again - seeks to intimidate and taunt Iran

Remember the Pentagon's war games off the coast of Iran months back! Well, apparently that wasn't enough to try an make Iran attack us.

Well, According to the Associated Press, "The Pentagon is considering a buildup of Navy forces in the Persian Gulf as a show of force against Iran, a senior defense official said Tuesday."

Basically this is what the U.S. has done throughout history in a variety of situations, it's part of the imperial grand strategy of the United States. From Vietnam, to Saddam, to bin Laden, Cuba and so on. Taunting. It's essentially a game of chess, and the lives of people in any of these countries does not matter to the leaders who play.

Well that's not a very safe thing to do now is it? But what do I know, I'm just some libertarian asshole right? Image Credit: [Triniman's Blog]

Surprise! Bush will soon seek $100 Billion more for war.

SCREW YOURSELF BUSH!

Full article via Yahoo News

U.K. to stop using Bush phrase “War On Terror”

It seems someone must have heard one of my pleas to stop calling Bush's failed and unjust actions the "War on Terror", now we just need to stop pretending like there's a "War on Terror."

The Foreign Office in Britain has told Cabinet ministers to cease using the phrase 'War on Terror' and other terms that may anger British Muslims. How about stop using it because it's a fucking joke. It's a fraudulent disaster. A con.

"...officials believe that militants use a sense of war and crisis and a 'clash of civilisations' to recruit supporters, and thus the use of terms such as 'war', 'war on terror' or 'battle' can be counter-productive." Read the full article at The Observer.

Also read: There Is No War On Terror and The Fallacy of the War on Terror

The U.S. government has and is a major supporter of state-backed terrorism, favoring preemptive aggression over mediation in the world court, and avoiding accountability by excluding itself from the globally accepted definition of terrorism.

A U.S. Marine speaks out, says what others are afraid to say

Philip Martin has been a Marine for 2 years. He is 21-years old and spent 7 months in the al-Anbar province of Iraq. He was part of over 180 combat patrols in and outside of the city of Fallujah, where he saw heavy combat and the reality of war.

He is currently stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA, and due to return to Iraq for a second deployment in April 2007.

Martin says, "I'm sick and tired of this patriotic, nationalistic and fascist crap. I stood through a memorial service today for a young Marine that was killed in Iraq back in April. During this memorial a number of people spoke about the guy and about his sacrifice for the country. How do you justify 'sacrificing' your life for a war which is not only illegal, but is being prosecuted to the extent where the only thing keeping us there is one man's power, and his ego. A recent Marine Corps intelligence report that was leaked said that the war in the al-Anbar province is unwinnable. It said that there was nothing we could do to win the hearts and minds, or the military operations in that area. So I wonder, why are we still there? Democracy is not forced upon people at gunpoint. It's the result of forward thinking individuals who take the initiative and risks to give their fellow countrymen a better way of life."

I commend Philip for speaking out, I couldn't agree with him more. We all need to support people like him. Please take the time to read the rest of Philip's thoughts at Information Liberation.

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR): Bush’s Iraq Policy ‘May Even Be Criminal’

Really, Bush criminal? No...who would have thought? On Thursday night on the Senate floor of the 109th Congress, Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon stated, “I, for one, am at the end of my rope when it comes to supporting a policy that has our soldiers patrolling the same streets in the same way being blown up by the same bombs day after day.” Smith added, “That is absurd. It may even be criminal.”

My only complaint is that he is just another whore to the "War on Terror", I just want to find one politician that knows the "War on Terror" isn't a war, it's not even a battle, it's a fraudulent and complete waste of time - sort of like the "War on Drugs". When will people realize this.

U.S. tank crushes Iraqi civilian's car. He was a taxi driver.

So apparently these Iraqis were attempting to steal some wood. Why were they stealing wood? It could be because their nation is so fucked up from the U.S. invasion, that they needed the wood badly and had no money.

Ok, so lets 'pretend' (kind of like the U.S. soldiers in the video did) it was a threat . What were these dangerous Iraqi civilians going to do with this wood? Hit someone with the wood? Make a spear? Doubt it.

These are the kind of ignorant assholes that make the U.S. look like shit. It's disgusting. And we wonder why terrorists are spawning out of control? Our foreign policy is ridiculous and imperialist. Come on people. Wake up!

Via Minor Ripper