American car maker General Motors is set to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This will buy time for GM to reorganize its agencies.
GM will be split into two companies. One will contain all the good assets. It will be called New GM. The bad parts will be dealt with later. The US government will give GM another $30.1 billion (of tax payer money, of course). That is on top of the $20 billion already given to GM. The US government will also own 60% of GM now.
Conservatives, like the morons they are, will cry about how this is socialism. The fence-sitters and bourgeois liberals will simply call it a mixed-economy. What it really is, and this time we mean it, is fascism! The US government is now using Mussolini-style economics (corporativism/corporatism). Just check out this quote from Mussolini.
"State intervention in economic production arises only when private initiative is lacking or insufficient, or when the political interests of the State are involved. This intervention may take the form of control, assistance or direct management." - Benito Mussolini, 1935, Fascism: Doctrine and Institutions
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Hamas and Fatah Clash, Unity Talks Imperiled
Hamas militants and Palestinian Authority forces clashed in the West Bank on Sunday, leaving six dead. This was the deadliest of such fights in the past two years.
The violence came days after the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, told American President Barack Obama that his troops were bringing about order in the area. In Gaza, Hamas reacted by arresting pro-Fatah activists and hinting of further attacks on Fatah. Hamas threatened that unity talks will stop unless their men in prison in the West Bank were released.
Both Fatah and Hamas have said that the Egyptian-mediated unity talks are imperiled. Palestinian unity is needed for Palestinian statehood.
A spokesman for the West Bank forces said that a patrol had come under fire from Hamas militants on Saturday in the city of Qalqilya. Palestinian Authority forces killed two Hamas militants, including one of its leaders, during that fight.
Unsurprisingly, the USA and European Union are training Abbas' soldiers in hopes of preventing Hamas from challenging the status-quo in the West Bank and possibly getting Fatah back in Gaza. Israeli soldiers control the West Bank and coordinate operations with the Palestinian security forces.
These are truly sad times for Palestine, possibly the saddest seen in a while. On the one hand there is Fatah, who is obviously collaborating with the imperialists. On the other hand there is Hamas, a quasi-fascist group with a childish outlook.
Fatah, if they aren't doing so already, will soon put the interests of foreign capital before the people of the West Bank. Hamas will only hinder Palestine's quest for statehood as long as they control only Gaza. Unfortunately for Hamas, they will have to learn the hard way that "it's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got."
Lenin said that sometimes we must make concessions to the imperialists in order to prevent them from taking more of what we already have. Certainly one of the goals of any good Leninist group would be to help the proletarian revolution regain the territories ceded to the imperialists once it's possible. Hamas should calm down and take a slower, sneakier path to regaining all of Palestine from the Israeli imperialists. In short, they should learn a lesson from Leninist theory.
Right now Hamas doesn't have the strength to fight both Israel and Fatah, and they know this, but they still continue with their suicidal battle cries. This will only end in their demise and a Fatah resurgence. Of course, even if Hamas did win their war, what makes you think they wouldn't sell out to foreign capital? What makes you think a Hamas-run Palestine won't be easily defeated by foreign capital? History provides many examples of ex-liberation, sell-out groups.
I'll end this with a quote from Irish rebel James Connolly. The quote speaks of European conditions, but the concept is universal. "If you remove the English army to-morrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain." - James Connolly, 1897
The violence came days after the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, told American President Barack Obama that his troops were bringing about order in the area. In Gaza, Hamas reacted by arresting pro-Fatah activists and hinting of further attacks on Fatah. Hamas threatened that unity talks will stop unless their men in prison in the West Bank were released.
Both Fatah and Hamas have said that the Egyptian-mediated unity talks are imperiled. Palestinian unity is needed for Palestinian statehood.
A spokesman for the West Bank forces said that a patrol had come under fire from Hamas militants on Saturday in the city of Qalqilya. Palestinian Authority forces killed two Hamas militants, including one of its leaders, during that fight.
Unsurprisingly, the USA and European Union are training Abbas' soldiers in hopes of preventing Hamas from challenging the status-quo in the West Bank and possibly getting Fatah back in Gaza. Israeli soldiers control the West Bank and coordinate operations with the Palestinian security forces.
These are truly sad times for Palestine, possibly the saddest seen in a while. On the one hand there is Fatah, who is obviously collaborating with the imperialists. On the other hand there is Hamas, a quasi-fascist group with a childish outlook.
Fatah, if they aren't doing so already, will soon put the interests of foreign capital before the people of the West Bank. Hamas will only hinder Palestine's quest for statehood as long as they control only Gaza. Unfortunately for Hamas, they will have to learn the hard way that "it's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got."
Lenin said that sometimes we must make concessions to the imperialists in order to prevent them from taking more of what we already have. Certainly one of the goals of any good Leninist group would be to help the proletarian revolution regain the territories ceded to the imperialists once it's possible. Hamas should calm down and take a slower, sneakier path to regaining all of Palestine from the Israeli imperialists. In short, they should learn a lesson from Leninist theory.
Right now Hamas doesn't have the strength to fight both Israel and Fatah, and they know this, but they still continue with their suicidal battle cries. This will only end in their demise and a Fatah resurgence. Of course, even if Hamas did win their war, what makes you think they wouldn't sell out to foreign capital? What makes you think a Hamas-run Palestine won't be easily defeated by foreign capital? History provides many examples of ex-liberation, sell-out groups.
I'll end this with a quote from Irish rebel James Connolly. The quote speaks of European conditions, but the concept is universal. "If you remove the English army to-morrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain." - James Connolly, 1897
Saturday, May 30, 2009
WRVA Radio Uses Fear-Mongering and is Overly Paranoid
The folks at the WRVA radio station in Richmond are always going on about how the liberal "socialist" government wants to limit your freedoms in all sorts of insane manners. Just check out this quote.
"...but your right to choose whether or not to eat a cheeseburger, they want to take away!" - Doc Thompson during Lobby Day 2009 speaking about liberal government control.
Doc Thompson is one of their afternoon radio personalities. He is always going on about how the government wants to limit your freedom in some crazy way. The above quote shows just how childish he is. The police aren't going to come crashing through anybody's door just because they have cheeseburgers. Even WRVA's worst enemy and supposed "socialist" ring-leader, Barack Obama, likes cheeseburgers. Just ask Sean Hannity, who recently mocked Obama for wanting Dijon mustard on his burger. Doc Thompson is nothing but a loud-mouthed fear monger who only has the ability to convince idiots and children that he is right.
One of their morning personalities, Jimmy Barrett I think it was, was talking about how the government might try to force Americans to paint their roofs white and put a limit on the number of times they can flush their toilets. Now I'll admit, the white roof thing might be possible(keyword being might, as in maybe), but only to a smaller extent than Barrett would have you believe. However, it's just crazy to assume that the government is going to be banging on your door just because you flush your toilet too much, or because you don't have a device that limits your flushes. If they were going to do that, then they would probably shut down water parks too, which I know they won't do because the decadent petty-bourgeoisie would be up in arms. Besides, that would put too many people out of work.
I can't help but laugh when I imagine a police officer or two standing at someone's front door yelling, "Open up in the name of the law, we have a warrant for your arrest," but the person doesn't let the cop in so he kicks down the door and draws his taser, pointing it at the supposed criminal. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to wipe, pull up your pants, and step away from the toilet or else I'm going to tase you."
"Don't tase me bro," says the habitual toilet flusher. Sadly, the cop doesn't listen and tasers the man within an inch of his life. All because he flushed the toilet twice in a row.
Of course, the far-right wackos at WRVA actually believe scenes like that will become common if they don't whine and cry over the radio about it every day. Seriously, the folks at WRVA need to grow up and realize we don't live in an episode of Mad TV.
WRVA is nothing more than a biased, ultra-right, fear-mongering station.
Please check out my other entry on this radio station for more information (Click here).
"...but your right to choose whether or not to eat a cheeseburger, they want to take away!" - Doc Thompson during Lobby Day 2009 speaking about liberal government control.
Doc Thompson is one of their afternoon radio personalities. He is always going on about how the government wants to limit your freedom in some crazy way. The above quote shows just how childish he is. The police aren't going to come crashing through anybody's door just because they have cheeseburgers. Even WRVA's worst enemy and supposed "socialist" ring-leader, Barack Obama, likes cheeseburgers. Just ask Sean Hannity, who recently mocked Obama for wanting Dijon mustard on his burger. Doc Thompson is nothing but a loud-mouthed fear monger who only has the ability to convince idiots and children that he is right.
One of their morning personalities, Jimmy Barrett I think it was, was talking about how the government might try to force Americans to paint their roofs white and put a limit on the number of times they can flush their toilets. Now I'll admit, the white roof thing might be possible(keyword being might, as in maybe), but only to a smaller extent than Barrett would have you believe. However, it's just crazy to assume that the government is going to be banging on your door just because you flush your toilet too much, or because you don't have a device that limits your flushes. If they were going to do that, then they would probably shut down water parks too, which I know they won't do because the decadent petty-bourgeoisie would be up in arms. Besides, that would put too many people out of work.
I can't help but laugh when I imagine a police officer or two standing at someone's front door yelling, "Open up in the name of the law, we have a warrant for your arrest," but the person doesn't let the cop in so he kicks down the door and draws his taser, pointing it at the supposed criminal. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to wipe, pull up your pants, and step away from the toilet or else I'm going to tase you."
"Don't tase me bro," says the habitual toilet flusher. Sadly, the cop doesn't listen and tasers the man within an inch of his life. All because he flushed the toilet twice in a row.
Of course, the far-right wackos at WRVA actually believe scenes like that will become common if they don't whine and cry over the radio about it every day. Seriously, the folks at WRVA need to grow up and realize we don't live in an episode of Mad TV.
WRVA is nothing more than a biased, ultra-right, fear-mongering station.
Please check out my other entry on this radio station for more information (Click here).
Nepal Update for May 30, 2009
Maoist chairman Prachanda said his party, the UCPN (Maoist), will now launch protests in the cities. The protests are supposed to help pressure the new Nepali government into nullifying the President's illegal decision to reinstate the Army Chief.
The Maoist Chairman also claimed that the new government will cause a national disaster and is trying to restore the monarchy. He cited the government's decision to relocate the republic monument as a step in that direction.
The Maoists have also made some transfers and promotions with officers in their People's Liberation Army. They also reshuffled Prachanda's security squad. This is a normal process that takes place every few years.
The Maoists have rejected the new Prime Minister's request that the Maoists join his government. They went on to say that the peace process has been derailed and cannot be put back on track until the unconstitutional move of the President has been corrected.
The Maoist Chairman also claimed that the new government will cause a national disaster and is trying to restore the monarchy. He cited the government's decision to relocate the republic monument as a step in that direction.
The Maoists have also made some transfers and promotions with officers in their People's Liberation Army. They also reshuffled Prachanda's security squad. This is a normal process that takes place every few years.
The Maoists have rejected the new Prime Minister's request that the Maoists join his government. They went on to say that the peace process has been derailed and cannot be put back on track until the unconstitutional move of the President has been corrected.
Friday, May 29, 2009
North Korea Update
North Korea tested a short-range missile on Friday. This was the sixth time it had done that since it began testing on Monday. South Korea is now saying that the North will probably be testing another long-range missile some time soon.
North Korea has faced international condemnation for the nuclear test it conducted on Monday. Not even China, their closest friend, approved of the nuclear test. The imperialist US even said it would search North Korean vessels that are suspected of carrying nuclear material or parts. American Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that North Korea's actions could start a regional arms race.
The main question in the West is, "How do we stop North Korea?" What it should be, if the imperialists actually want North Korea to calm down, is, "What does North Korea want?"
North Korea wants to talk to President Obama. They withdrew from the six-party talks, saying that South Korea and Japan only hinder the negotiations. Washington is the only player that is important to North Korea. Mr. Obama, get off your imperialist high-horse and have a one-on-one talk with Kim Jong Il. It can't be any harder than trying to talk to the Taliban!
North Korea has faced international condemnation for the nuclear test it conducted on Monday. Not even China, their closest friend, approved of the nuclear test. The imperialist US even said it would search North Korean vessels that are suspected of carrying nuclear material or parts. American Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that North Korea's actions could start a regional arms race.
The main question in the West is, "How do we stop North Korea?" What it should be, if the imperialists actually want North Korea to calm down, is, "What does North Korea want?"
North Korea wants to talk to President Obama. They withdrew from the six-party talks, saying that South Korea and Japan only hinder the negotiations. Washington is the only player that is important to North Korea. Mr. Obama, get off your imperialist high-horse and have a one-on-one talk with Kim Jong Il. It can't be any harder than trying to talk to the Taliban!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Nepali Crisis Update 5/26/09
The new Nepali Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, has invited the Maoists to join his government. He said their participation was needed to protect the peace process.
"This is not the time to stop the path of consensus, reconciliation and unity," the new prime minister said. "I appeal to the Maoists to join the present government and help in taking the peace process forward."
Senior Maoist leader Dr. Bhattarai has recently said that his party will form local governmental bodies to continue the programs that were started when Maoist leader (and former Prime Minister) Prachanda was in office. He said the local bodies should be formed immediately based on a proportional system of votes in the Constituent Assembly . The Maoists accused the CPN (UML) of disrupting the formation of local bodies.
"This is not the time to stop the path of consensus, reconciliation and unity," the new prime minister said. "I appeal to the Maoists to join the present government and help in taking the peace process forward."
Senior Maoist leader Dr. Bhattarai has recently said that his party will form local governmental bodies to continue the programs that were started when Maoist leader (and former Prime Minister) Prachanda was in office. He said the local bodies should be formed immediately based on a proportional system of votes in the Constituent Assembly . The Maoists accused the CPN (UML) of disrupting the formation of local bodies.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Text to "American Heroes" video on YouTube
This is the full text to all parts of the "American Heroes" video that I uploaded to YouTube. I like to post the text to my videos here because some people find it faster and easier to read rather than listen. It's also easier for people who are on really, really slow connections.
I’ll start with George Washington. Washington was the first president of the USA and arguably the most important and influential general during the American Revolution.
Washington told frontier settlers living near the Iroquois Confederacy’s territory to use local militias for protection. Washington never sent any substantial military aid to the frontier before the Iroquois attacked the settlements. This was a stupid move because he knew that most Iroquois nations sided with the British, which meant there would be a high possibility of the settlements being attacked. In 1779, Washington made up for his idiotic mistake by invading Iroquois villages and destroying them. Then the Americans forced the Iroquois to give up some of their land.
His actions were not only imperialist. They would be war crimes by modern standards. Washington’s actions count as two different methods of genocide according to Articles 6(a) and 6(c) of the International Criminal Court’s document called “Elements of Crimes.” They also count as crimes against humanity according to Articles 7 (1) (a), (b), and (k) of the same document. There are more crimes I could find him guilty of, but we don’t have time for that. In case you were wondering, no, I’m not saying the British or Iroquois’ actions were somehow nicer.
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln is only known for the good things he did, like free the slaves. What most people aren’t told is that Lincoln was a big hypocrite. If you read his earlier speeches, then you’ll see he was obviously a supporter of state secession. That is right, the same man who made war to restore the union supported secession! Just look at these quotes.
“Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better.” - A. Lincoln
Later, Lincoln hypocritically went on to say…
“No state, upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get out of the Union. Plainly, the central idea of secession, is the essence of anarchy.” -A. Lincoln
Some people say the Civil War was over slavery, and it was to an extent, but that wasn’t the main reason the war happened. Lincoln was too racist to let thousands of whites die for black slaves. Furthermore, he let slave states exist in the Union. In 1836, Lincoln voted against black suffrage. In 1847, as an attorney representing a slave-owner, he asked two judges to send a black mother and her four children back into slavery. In September 1861, Lincoln revoked General Fremont’s blanket emancipation of all the slaves in Missouri. In 1862, when General Hunter decreed that all slaves in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida should be freed, Lincoln revoked it, re-enslaving one million people! In 1865 he showed support for the Louisiana constitution which gave the vote to Confederate veterans but not to black veterans of the U.S. Army. Lincoln volunteered three times for the war to ethnically cleanse Illinois of Indigenous Americans. He maintained the brutal treatment of black soldiers and their unequal pay. When William Walker, a black soldier, protested, Lincoln condemned him to the firing squad. Lincoln made sure 38 American Indians were killed for rebelling against his administration’s genocidal strategy. But when Confederates massacred hundreds of blacks, women and children at Fort Pillow, Lincoln did nothing.
Lincoln’s reconstruction plans aimed to leave former slaves at the mercy of their former owners, and would have expanded wage slavery.
He invaded the Confederate States for company profits and government tariff revenues. Northeastern manufacturers supported the Republicans back then, and they favored protective tariffs that would harm the South and benefit the manufacturers. He also wanted to expand the wage slavery of the Northeastern manufacturers. So Lincoln was also a puppet of the rich business owners.
Both blacks and whites suffered because Lincoln let his army use the criminal “Total War” method. They burned entire cities to the ground, killed civilians, took civilian hostages, raped women, and stole from both white and slave civilians. A biographer of General Sherman, John Marzalek, writes, "[his soldiers] entered residences, appropriating whatever appeared to be of value . . .”
In 1862 Union General Sherman wrote to his wife and said his purpose in the war would be "extermination, not of soldiers alone…but the people."
Sherman destroyed most of Atlanta and forced it’s residents to leave the area. They also destroyed the Georgian food supply. By the standards of the Geneva Convention of 1863, as well as the modern ICC document I brought up just for fun, that is a crime. Lincoln and his generals committed multiple war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and God only knows what else according to those two documents’ standards. Sherman learned at West Point that he could be executed for the things he did, but he didn’t care and neither did Lincoln. Lincoln didn't care about Sherman's war crimes, and Lincoln was the only man who could have stopped him.
I know the Southern cause was bad, but the North was wrong too.
General Patton
Even before WWII was over, General Patton dreamed of shifting alliances and attacking the USSR. Former secret servant Cookridge said Patton planned on rearming a few divisions of the Waffen SS and incorporating them into the US Third Army to fight the Soviets. As you should know, the SS was condemned as a criminal organization. Patton wanted to use these criminals to betray an ally. So Patton was a backstabber and fond of war criminals.
During WWII, American soldiers murdered 73 Italian prisoners because Patton ordered his men to do it in a speech. The US Army tried to have these soldiers court-martialed, but they dropped the charges because they didn’t want Patton charged with war crimes.
Patton once physically attacked a shellshocked American private for no reason. He also hit another enlisted man. Striking a fellow soldier is a court-martial offence.
Patton was made governor of Bavaria, and he let many Nazi officials remain in office. I guess he didn’t really care about liberating Germany or stopping Nazism. Patton was a criminal and shouldn’t be admired at all.
Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower
Ike refused to give the American 761st tank battalion a Distinguished Unit Citation award for its actions in WWII, even though they captured over 100,000 prisoners, including 20 German generals, and staid longer on the front line than any other battalion. Why did he refuse to reward them? Probably because they were black. Eisenhower was more racist than you think.
Eisenhower planned to have the Cuban government, the headed by Fidel Castro, overthrown. American intelligence reported that popular support for Castro was very high, but Eisenhower wanted to topple Castro anyway. Ike didn’t want to mind his own business, and he thought he knew what was best for the Cuban people but the Cuban people themselves somehow didn’t.
French rule was hated in Vietnam, and Eisenhower knew this, but he continued to aid the French and go against the will of the Vietnamese people. How undemocratic!
"The enemy had much popular sympathy, and many civilians -aided them by providing both shelter and information. … guerrilla warfare work two ways; normally only one side can enjoy reliable citizen help...the French could not win the war because the internal political situation in Vietnam. … badly weakened their military position.”- D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower also forced British, French, and Israeli leaders to back down when their 1956 invasion of the Suez Canal threatened potential U.S. control in the Middle East. What a bully!
Eisenhower protected American imperialist interests in Lebanon by sending in troops to ensure control over oil pipelines. He also asserted that the US had a right to intervene in the affairs of some parts of the Middle East, again sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. He also opposed Algerian independence. That is imperialism!
Eisenhower rejected Khrushchev’s proposal for the US and USSR to reduce their offensive military capabilities. So Eisenhower favored worsening the Cold War and adding to the threats against world peace, the same threats that filled the nightmares of people worldwide.
I don’t like Ike.
John F. Kennedy
Kennedy also rejected Khrushchev’s proposal for the US and USSR to reduce their offensive military capabilities. So JFK, like Eisenhower, favored worsening the Cold War and adding to the threats against world peace.
Kennedy was overly paranoid about Cuba, and he waged a terrorist campaign against it using bombings among other things. He tried to set up collective security against Cuba with America’s neighbors. The Mexican ambassador rejected this plan, and correctly said, “if we publicly declare that Cuba is a threat to our security, forty million Mexicans will die laughing.” So Kennedy was either paranoid, a bully, or both.
Kennedy once showed his ignorance of his regime’s actions and history in a meeting with his high-level advisers. Here is how the dialogue went.
JFK: “It’s just as if we suddenly began to put a major number of [ballistic missiles] in Turkey…. Now that’d be Goddam dangerous.”
McGeorge Bundy: “Well, we did, Mr. President.”
JFK: “But that was five years ago.”
Unfortunately for Kennedy the missiles were actually put in Turkey about one year before he said that. It was under his administration too. See, I told you JFK was ignorant.
Kennedy also tried to transform the Colombian military, and some others, into death squads similar to those of Heinrich Himmler. During the Vietnam War he herded many Vietnamese civilians into what amounted to be concentration camps, and he used harmful chemicals to destroy Vietnamese food crops.
Richard Nixon
Terrorist activities against Cuba intensified under Nixon. Nixon’s terrorists attacked fishing boats, overseas offices, and even bombed an airliner killing 73 passengers. Even the FBI regarded these acts as criminal.
I’m sure you know about all of the other trouble he caused.
As the George H.W. Bush administration reached its final days, Nixon and Reagan were ranked as the least popular living ex-presidents.
Ronald Reagan
Under Reagan, real wages stagnated and declined, worker benefits declined, working hours increased, and employers were allowed to ignore laws about labor organizations.
Reagan wanted to use the traditional power structures of the countries he tried to change. He did this because the US was traditionally allied with, and often in control of, these structures. Unfortunately, this resulted in fake democracy and governments being run from the top down. He purposely did this to avoid popular change, something very important in real democracy.
Reagan used heavy propaganda on the American people. For example, the Reaganites claimed the revolutionary Nicaraguan leaders wanted to conquer the world because they once used the phrase “revolution without borders.” What Nicaragua really wanted was to inspire other countries with their accomplishments. That is what they meant by “revolution without borders,” but leave it to the Reaganites to take things out of context.
Reagan backed groups to fight proxy-wars for the US in South America. These groups murdered, tortured, and terrorized the populations. These human rights violations were widely reported by human rights organizations, church groups, Latin American scholars, and many others.
The World Court and many members of the international community condemned the crimes Reagan was committing in Nicaragua, but he ignored this. What Reagan had the Nicaraguan Contras do ended up reversing all of the economic gains that were made after Somoza was overthrown, and made Nicaragua the poorest country in its hemisphere. The Contras killed civilians and bombed harbors. When Nicaragua took its case to the World Court, the Court ruled against the US and condemned its use of international terrorism (funding the Contras, etc). They said the Reagan administration’s actions were illegal.
At one point Reagan even used Argentine neo-Nazis to carry out his work in Latin America.
Reagan’s support of anti-Soviet jihadists in Afghanistan lead to two decades of civil war in Afghanistan. Under Reagan, the CIA-backed Afghan guerrillas went into Soviet territory and nearly caused a major Soviet-American war. Again, a Soviet-American war filled the nightmares of billions of people worldwide, and not many people wanted to see a war that big, but Reagan and his administration didn’t care and acted irresponsibly.
Reagan’s support for the Islamo-fascist groups like Al-Qaeda eventually led them to be strong enough to carry out some of their more recent and well-known attacks. The jihadists also brought the Middle East to the brink of nuclear war more than once. Just what the world needed! Thanks Reagan!
Reagan, the great anti-communist, supported the pseudo-communist tyrant Ceausescu of Romania for a while. Vice President Bush expressed admiration for him in 1983, and Reagan’s Secretary of State Shultz praised Ceausescu as a “good communist.” The Reagan administration visited Romania and granted them economic favors. In case you didn’t know, the Romanian people lived in fear of Ceausescu’s security forces. The Romanian people hated him so much they overthrew him. Only after that happened was he called a tyrant by Washington.
I bet you didn’t know Reagan supported Saddam Hussein. He wasn’t called evil until he got too unruly for the US in the 1990’s.They removed a ban on loans to Iraq, and they removed Iraq from a terror-supporting blacklist in 1982. Why? So they could provide aid to their puppet tyrant, Saddam Hussein.
Reagan kept the US allied to South Africa during the apartheid era.
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton’s efforts to increase NATO credibility weren’t appreciated worldwide. Even leading military analysts in Israel, one of the USA’s closest allies, criticized Clinton’s foreign policy as “a danger to the world.”
Clinton supported Algeria and was influenced by the way it fought against “terrorists.” Defectors of the Algerian military gave witness-accounts for the crimes their government committed. “If Algeria is the US model for countering Islamic Fundamentalism, heaven help us all.” - Lisa Marlowe
Under Clinton, the USA was the only country to insist on exemptions and a separate set of rules for itself when dealing with the Chemical Weapons Convention (1997). So other countries that agreed to the Convention should be restricted, but the US should get special treatment? How hypocritical!
Clinton pushed for George H.W. Bush to increase pressure on Cuba. Clinton eased sanctions against “terrorist states,” but not for Cuba. The embargo effectively barred food and medicine from Cuba too. How can America claim it wants to free the Cuban people, and then kill them with embargos? Clinton was an imperialist. American actions against Cuba have been condemned in almost every international forum, and declared illegal by the Judicial Commission of the Organization of American States. The EU even called on the WTO to speak out against the embargo.
In defiance of the UN, Clinton bombed Iraq in 1998. The US also attacked a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan in 1998. This attack killed thousands of people and had terrible effects on the Sudanese economy.
Under Clinton, the CIA backed the Kosovo Liberation Army. The KLA specifically stated their goal was to kill Serbs and start ethnic tensions. Then British Defense Minister George Robertson, who later became the secretary-general of NATO, testified before the House of Commons that, until mid-January 1999, “the Kosovo Liberation Army had been responsible for more deaths in Kosovo than Serbian authorities had been.” The Clinton administration also supported Emmanuel Constant, leader of the paramilitaries that killed thousands of Haitians. Clinton flew Al Qaeda and Hezbollah operatives to Bosnia to support the US side in the wars over there. However, it was the Clinton administration that designated Hezbollah as terrorists. From all of this, we can conclude that Clinton was a terrorist.
George W. Bush
Studies in 2003 showed that fear of the US reached an all time high worldwide. Polls revealed increasing discontent with the Bush administration’s social and economic policies.
Bush called to reverse court decisions upholding the Alien Tort Claims Act. The ATCA would allow victims of human rights abuses by American corporations to sue their abusers in American courts.
Bush claimed Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were allies, but they were actually bitter enemies. The invasion of Iraq only increased Al Qaeda recruitment. The FBI, the head of Homeland Security, allied intelligence, and the leading military-intelligence journal said that the invasion of Iraq would create anti-American feelings and increase the threat of terrorism. Bush ignored this.
The Bush administration blocked UN efforts to ban the militarization of space and stopped international negotiations to end biological warfare.
Human rights groups said an invasion of Iraq would cause a humanitarian catastrophe, and American plans for humanitarian relief in Iraq were lacking in detail and money, but Bush ignored this. Polls from Gallup International, and local sources from Europe, showed that support for the invasion of Iraq didn’t rise above eleven percent in any country.
Since Bush is still fresh in the world’s mind, I think I can stop this section here due to time constraints.
Barack Obama
US Admiral William Fallon called Obama's plan to talk with Taliban members "shortsighted." Taliban leaders laughed at Obama.
Economists at the University of Massachusetts did a study, and this study showed that military spending is one of the worst ways of creating jobs. Obama, however, supports increased military spending at a time when thousands of Americans need jobs.
At the time when Obama announced he would cut ties with the Blackwater mercenaries, there were two other groups just like Blackwater operating in Iraq. So cutting ties with one company was just a publicity stunt.
Civil rights groups begged President Obama to stop wiretapping and repeal the Patriot Act. However, the Attorney General said the Obama administration would defend the acts that protect companies who were involved with the Bush Administration’s illegal wiretapping.
Obama supports Mikheil Saakashvili, one of Georgia’s most hated presidents. Obama appointed Larry Summers as Finance Adviser.
"He [Summers] tried to force on us a model that turned out to be suicide for the Russian economy," said Russian economist and former State Duma Deputy Sergey Glazyev. Summers has also been called a sexist.
Obama has also been close to Z. Brzezinski, who is the author of the Carter Doctrine. This doctrine states that the US will use force to secure Persian Gulf oil. Anthony Lake is also one of Obama's war-pig advisors. Lake is responsible for the US invasion of Haiti.
According to doctored government figures, at least 1.7 million jobs have disappeared on Obama’s watch as of April 2009.
Obama’s bailout of Citigroup, AIG & Co. further exposes his true class loyalty. It wipes out shareholdings that include workers’ pensions and 401Ks, but guarantees billions — via AIG’s bailout money — to creditor banks like Goldman Sachs.
Sources:
“Another View of Stalin” by Ludo Martens
“Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance” by Noam Chomsky
“Forced Into Glory” by Lerone Bennett Jr.
“The Iroquois in the American Revolution” by Barbara Graymont
“Elements of Crimes” by the ICC
http://www.lizmichael.com/warcrimi.htm
http://www.lewrockwell.com/dilorenzo/dilorenzo8.html
http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/njh/CivWar/Oppose/mapbig.htm
http://www.plp.org/cd03/cd0709.html
http://www.plp.org/vietnam/vn2.html
http://www.plp.org/pamphlets/electionpamph0904.html
http://www.plp.org/cd08/cd0917.html#%E2%80%98Lincoln%E2%80%99%20Review%20Lacked%20Historical%20Context
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWpatton.htm
http://progressivelabor.890m.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1011:obama-ups-body-count-afghan-deaths-us-jobless&catid=54:editorial&Itemid=80
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/20093124324631918.html
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/4/2/obamas_blackwater_jeremy_scahill_on_triple
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/06/obama/index.html
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=3311
http://russiatoday.com/Top_News/2008-12-01/Obamas_teammate_with_shady_Russian_past.html
http://www.plp.org/pamphlets/election_pamphlet_2008.pdf
I’ll start with George Washington. Washington was the first president of the USA and arguably the most important and influential general during the American Revolution.
Washington told frontier settlers living near the Iroquois Confederacy’s territory to use local militias for protection. Washington never sent any substantial military aid to the frontier before the Iroquois attacked the settlements. This was a stupid move because he knew that most Iroquois nations sided with the British, which meant there would be a high possibility of the settlements being attacked. In 1779, Washington made up for his idiotic mistake by invading Iroquois villages and destroying them. Then the Americans forced the Iroquois to give up some of their land.
His actions were not only imperialist. They would be war crimes by modern standards. Washington’s actions count as two different methods of genocide according to Articles 6(a) and 6(c) of the International Criminal Court’s document called “Elements of Crimes.” They also count as crimes against humanity according to Articles 7 (1) (a), (b), and (k) of the same document. There are more crimes I could find him guilty of, but we don’t have time for that. In case you were wondering, no, I’m not saying the British or Iroquois’ actions were somehow nicer.
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln is only known for the good things he did, like free the slaves. What most people aren’t told is that Lincoln was a big hypocrite. If you read his earlier speeches, then you’ll see he was obviously a supporter of state secession. That is right, the same man who made war to restore the union supported secession! Just look at these quotes.
“Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better.” - A. Lincoln
Later, Lincoln hypocritically went on to say…
“No state, upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get out of the Union. Plainly, the central idea of secession, is the essence of anarchy.” -A. Lincoln
Some people say the Civil War was over slavery, and it was to an extent, but that wasn’t the main reason the war happened. Lincoln was too racist to let thousands of whites die for black slaves. Furthermore, he let slave states exist in the Union. In 1836, Lincoln voted against black suffrage. In 1847, as an attorney representing a slave-owner, he asked two judges to send a black mother and her four children back into slavery. In September 1861, Lincoln revoked General Fremont’s blanket emancipation of all the slaves in Missouri. In 1862, when General Hunter decreed that all slaves in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida should be freed, Lincoln revoked it, re-enslaving one million people! In 1865 he showed support for the Louisiana constitution which gave the vote to Confederate veterans but not to black veterans of the U.S. Army. Lincoln volunteered three times for the war to ethnically cleanse Illinois of Indigenous Americans. He maintained the brutal treatment of black soldiers and their unequal pay. When William Walker, a black soldier, protested, Lincoln condemned him to the firing squad. Lincoln made sure 38 American Indians were killed for rebelling against his administration’s genocidal strategy. But when Confederates massacred hundreds of blacks, women and children at Fort Pillow, Lincoln did nothing.
Lincoln’s reconstruction plans aimed to leave former slaves at the mercy of their former owners, and would have expanded wage slavery.
He invaded the Confederate States for company profits and government tariff revenues. Northeastern manufacturers supported the Republicans back then, and they favored protective tariffs that would harm the South and benefit the manufacturers. He also wanted to expand the wage slavery of the Northeastern manufacturers. So Lincoln was also a puppet of the rich business owners.
Both blacks and whites suffered because Lincoln let his army use the criminal “Total War” method. They burned entire cities to the ground, killed civilians, took civilian hostages, raped women, and stole from both white and slave civilians. A biographer of General Sherman, John Marzalek, writes, "[his soldiers] entered residences, appropriating whatever appeared to be of value . . .”
In 1862 Union General Sherman wrote to his wife and said his purpose in the war would be "extermination, not of soldiers alone…but the people."
Sherman destroyed most of Atlanta and forced it’s residents to leave the area. They also destroyed the Georgian food supply. By the standards of the Geneva Convention of 1863, as well as the modern ICC document I brought up just for fun, that is a crime. Lincoln and his generals committed multiple war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and God only knows what else according to those two documents’ standards. Sherman learned at West Point that he could be executed for the things he did, but he didn’t care and neither did Lincoln. Lincoln didn't care about Sherman's war crimes, and Lincoln was the only man who could have stopped him.
I know the Southern cause was bad, but the North was wrong too.
General Patton
Even before WWII was over, General Patton dreamed of shifting alliances and attacking the USSR. Former secret servant Cookridge said Patton planned on rearming a few divisions of the Waffen SS and incorporating them into the US Third Army to fight the Soviets. As you should know, the SS was condemned as a criminal organization. Patton wanted to use these criminals to betray an ally. So Patton was a backstabber and fond of war criminals.
During WWII, American soldiers murdered 73 Italian prisoners because Patton ordered his men to do it in a speech. The US Army tried to have these soldiers court-martialed, but they dropped the charges because they didn’t want Patton charged with war crimes.
Patton once physically attacked a shellshocked American private for no reason. He also hit another enlisted man. Striking a fellow soldier is a court-martial offence.
Patton was made governor of Bavaria, and he let many Nazi officials remain in office. I guess he didn’t really care about liberating Germany or stopping Nazism. Patton was a criminal and shouldn’t be admired at all.
Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower
Ike refused to give the American 761st tank battalion a Distinguished Unit Citation award for its actions in WWII, even though they captured over 100,000 prisoners, including 20 German generals, and staid longer on the front line than any other battalion. Why did he refuse to reward them? Probably because they were black. Eisenhower was more racist than you think.
Eisenhower planned to have the Cuban government, the headed by Fidel Castro, overthrown. American intelligence reported that popular support for Castro was very high, but Eisenhower wanted to topple Castro anyway. Ike didn’t want to mind his own business, and he thought he knew what was best for the Cuban people but the Cuban people themselves somehow didn’t.
French rule was hated in Vietnam, and Eisenhower knew this, but he continued to aid the French and go against the will of the Vietnamese people. How undemocratic!
"The enemy had much popular sympathy, and many civilians -aided them by providing both shelter and information. … guerrilla warfare work two ways; normally only one side can enjoy reliable citizen help...the French could not win the war because the internal political situation in Vietnam. … badly weakened their military position.”- D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower also forced British, French, and Israeli leaders to back down when their 1956 invasion of the Suez Canal threatened potential U.S. control in the Middle East. What a bully!
Eisenhower protected American imperialist interests in Lebanon by sending in troops to ensure control over oil pipelines. He also asserted that the US had a right to intervene in the affairs of some parts of the Middle East, again sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. He also opposed Algerian independence. That is imperialism!
Eisenhower rejected Khrushchev’s proposal for the US and USSR to reduce their offensive military capabilities. So Eisenhower favored worsening the Cold War and adding to the threats against world peace, the same threats that filled the nightmares of people worldwide.
I don’t like Ike.
John F. Kennedy
Kennedy also rejected Khrushchev’s proposal for the US and USSR to reduce their offensive military capabilities. So JFK, like Eisenhower, favored worsening the Cold War and adding to the threats against world peace.
Kennedy was overly paranoid about Cuba, and he waged a terrorist campaign against it using bombings among other things. He tried to set up collective security against Cuba with America’s neighbors. The Mexican ambassador rejected this plan, and correctly said, “if we publicly declare that Cuba is a threat to our security, forty million Mexicans will die laughing.” So Kennedy was either paranoid, a bully, or both.
Kennedy once showed his ignorance of his regime’s actions and history in a meeting with his high-level advisers. Here is how the dialogue went.
JFK: “It’s just as if we suddenly began to put a major number of [ballistic missiles] in Turkey…. Now that’d be Goddam dangerous.”
McGeorge Bundy: “Well, we did, Mr. President.”
JFK: “But that was five years ago.”
Unfortunately for Kennedy the missiles were actually put in Turkey about one year before he said that. It was under his administration too. See, I told you JFK was ignorant.
Kennedy also tried to transform the Colombian military, and some others, into death squads similar to those of Heinrich Himmler. During the Vietnam War he herded many Vietnamese civilians into what amounted to be concentration camps, and he used harmful chemicals to destroy Vietnamese food crops.
Richard Nixon
Terrorist activities against Cuba intensified under Nixon. Nixon’s terrorists attacked fishing boats, overseas offices, and even bombed an airliner killing 73 passengers. Even the FBI regarded these acts as criminal.
I’m sure you know about all of the other trouble he caused.
As the George H.W. Bush administration reached its final days, Nixon and Reagan were ranked as the least popular living ex-presidents.
Ronald Reagan
Under Reagan, real wages stagnated and declined, worker benefits declined, working hours increased, and employers were allowed to ignore laws about labor organizations.
Reagan wanted to use the traditional power structures of the countries he tried to change. He did this because the US was traditionally allied with, and often in control of, these structures. Unfortunately, this resulted in fake democracy and governments being run from the top down. He purposely did this to avoid popular change, something very important in real democracy.
Reagan used heavy propaganda on the American people. For example, the Reaganites claimed the revolutionary Nicaraguan leaders wanted to conquer the world because they once used the phrase “revolution without borders.” What Nicaragua really wanted was to inspire other countries with their accomplishments. That is what they meant by “revolution without borders,” but leave it to the Reaganites to take things out of context.
Reagan backed groups to fight proxy-wars for the US in South America. These groups murdered, tortured, and terrorized the populations. These human rights violations were widely reported by human rights organizations, church groups, Latin American scholars, and many others.
The World Court and many members of the international community condemned the crimes Reagan was committing in Nicaragua, but he ignored this. What Reagan had the Nicaraguan Contras do ended up reversing all of the economic gains that were made after Somoza was overthrown, and made Nicaragua the poorest country in its hemisphere. The Contras killed civilians and bombed harbors. When Nicaragua took its case to the World Court, the Court ruled against the US and condemned its use of international terrorism (funding the Contras, etc). They said the Reagan administration’s actions were illegal.
At one point Reagan even used Argentine neo-Nazis to carry out his work in Latin America.
Reagan’s support of anti-Soviet jihadists in Afghanistan lead to two decades of civil war in Afghanistan. Under Reagan, the CIA-backed Afghan guerrillas went into Soviet territory and nearly caused a major Soviet-American war. Again, a Soviet-American war filled the nightmares of billions of people worldwide, and not many people wanted to see a war that big, but Reagan and his administration didn’t care and acted irresponsibly.
Reagan’s support for the Islamo-fascist groups like Al-Qaeda eventually led them to be strong enough to carry out some of their more recent and well-known attacks. The jihadists also brought the Middle East to the brink of nuclear war more than once. Just what the world needed! Thanks Reagan!
Reagan, the great anti-communist, supported the pseudo-communist tyrant Ceausescu of Romania for a while. Vice President Bush expressed admiration for him in 1983, and Reagan’s Secretary of State Shultz praised Ceausescu as a “good communist.” The Reagan administration visited Romania and granted them economic favors. In case you didn’t know, the Romanian people lived in fear of Ceausescu’s security forces. The Romanian people hated him so much they overthrew him. Only after that happened was he called a tyrant by Washington.
I bet you didn’t know Reagan supported Saddam Hussein. He wasn’t called evil until he got too unruly for the US in the 1990’s.They removed a ban on loans to Iraq, and they removed Iraq from a terror-supporting blacklist in 1982. Why? So they could provide aid to their puppet tyrant, Saddam Hussein.
Reagan kept the US allied to South Africa during the apartheid era.
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton’s efforts to increase NATO credibility weren’t appreciated worldwide. Even leading military analysts in Israel, one of the USA’s closest allies, criticized Clinton’s foreign policy as “a danger to the world.”
Clinton supported Algeria and was influenced by the way it fought against “terrorists.” Defectors of the Algerian military gave witness-accounts for the crimes their government committed. “If Algeria is the US model for countering Islamic Fundamentalism, heaven help us all.” - Lisa Marlowe
Under Clinton, the USA was the only country to insist on exemptions and a separate set of rules for itself when dealing with the Chemical Weapons Convention (1997). So other countries that agreed to the Convention should be restricted, but the US should get special treatment? How hypocritical!
Clinton pushed for George H.W. Bush to increase pressure on Cuba. Clinton eased sanctions against “terrorist states,” but not for Cuba. The embargo effectively barred food and medicine from Cuba too. How can America claim it wants to free the Cuban people, and then kill them with embargos? Clinton was an imperialist. American actions against Cuba have been condemned in almost every international forum, and declared illegal by the Judicial Commission of the Organization of American States. The EU even called on the WTO to speak out against the embargo.
In defiance of the UN, Clinton bombed Iraq in 1998. The US also attacked a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan in 1998. This attack killed thousands of people and had terrible effects on the Sudanese economy.
Under Clinton, the CIA backed the Kosovo Liberation Army. The KLA specifically stated their goal was to kill Serbs and start ethnic tensions. Then British Defense Minister George Robertson, who later became the secretary-general of NATO, testified before the House of Commons that, until mid-January 1999, “the Kosovo Liberation Army had been responsible for more deaths in Kosovo than Serbian authorities had been.” The Clinton administration also supported Emmanuel Constant, leader of the paramilitaries that killed thousands of Haitians. Clinton flew Al Qaeda and Hezbollah operatives to Bosnia to support the US side in the wars over there. However, it was the Clinton administration that designated Hezbollah as terrorists. From all of this, we can conclude that Clinton was a terrorist.
George W. Bush
Studies in 2003 showed that fear of the US reached an all time high worldwide. Polls revealed increasing discontent with the Bush administration’s social and economic policies.
Bush called to reverse court decisions upholding the Alien Tort Claims Act. The ATCA would allow victims of human rights abuses by American corporations to sue their abusers in American courts.
Bush claimed Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were allies, but they were actually bitter enemies. The invasion of Iraq only increased Al Qaeda recruitment. The FBI, the head of Homeland Security, allied intelligence, and the leading military-intelligence journal said that the invasion of Iraq would create anti-American feelings and increase the threat of terrorism. Bush ignored this.
The Bush administration blocked UN efforts to ban the militarization of space and stopped international negotiations to end biological warfare.
Human rights groups said an invasion of Iraq would cause a humanitarian catastrophe, and American plans for humanitarian relief in Iraq were lacking in detail and money, but Bush ignored this. Polls from Gallup International, and local sources from Europe, showed that support for the invasion of Iraq didn’t rise above eleven percent in any country.
Since Bush is still fresh in the world’s mind, I think I can stop this section here due to time constraints.
Barack Obama
US Admiral William Fallon called Obama's plan to talk with Taliban members "shortsighted." Taliban leaders laughed at Obama.
Economists at the University of Massachusetts did a study, and this study showed that military spending is one of the worst ways of creating jobs. Obama, however, supports increased military spending at a time when thousands of Americans need jobs.
At the time when Obama announced he would cut ties with the Blackwater mercenaries, there were two other groups just like Blackwater operating in Iraq. So cutting ties with one company was just a publicity stunt.
Civil rights groups begged President Obama to stop wiretapping and repeal the Patriot Act. However, the Attorney General said the Obama administration would defend the acts that protect companies who were involved with the Bush Administration’s illegal wiretapping.
Obama supports Mikheil Saakashvili, one of Georgia’s most hated presidents. Obama appointed Larry Summers as Finance Adviser.
"He [Summers] tried to force on us a model that turned out to be suicide for the Russian economy," said Russian economist and former State Duma Deputy Sergey Glazyev. Summers has also been called a sexist.
Obama has also been close to Z. Brzezinski, who is the author of the Carter Doctrine. This doctrine states that the US will use force to secure Persian Gulf oil. Anthony Lake is also one of Obama's war-pig advisors. Lake is responsible for the US invasion of Haiti.
According to doctored government figures, at least 1.7 million jobs have disappeared on Obama’s watch as of April 2009.
Obama’s bailout of Citigroup, AIG & Co. further exposes his true class loyalty. It wipes out shareholdings that include workers’ pensions and 401Ks, but guarantees billions — via AIG’s bailout money — to creditor banks like Goldman Sachs.
Sources:
“Another View of Stalin” by Ludo Martens
“Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance” by Noam Chomsky
“Forced Into Glory” by Lerone Bennett Jr.
“The Iroquois in the American Revolution” by Barbara Graymont
“Elements of Crimes” by the ICC
http://www.lizmichael.com/warcrimi.htm
http://www.lewrockwell.com/dilorenzo/dilorenzo8.html
http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/njh/CivWar/Oppose/mapbig.htm
http://www.plp.org/cd03/cd0709.html
http://www.plp.org/vietnam/vn2.html
http://www.plp.org/pamphlets/electionpamph0904.html
http://www.plp.org/cd08/cd0917.html#%E2%80%98Lincoln%E2%80%99%20Review%20Lacked%20Historical%20Context
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWpatton.htm
http://progressivelabor.890m.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1011:obama-ups-body-count-afghan-deaths-us-jobless&catid=54:editorial&Itemid=80
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/20093124324631918.html
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/4/2/obamas_blackwater_jeremy_scahill_on_triple
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/06/obama/index.html
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=3311
http://russiatoday.com/Top_News/2008-12-01/Obamas_teammate_with_shady_Russian_past.html
http://www.plp.org/pamphlets/election_pamphlet_2008.pdf
Nepali Crisis Takes Turn for the Worst
Maoist lawmakers have walked out of the Nepali parliament hall, boycotting the Prime Minister election process. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified) and a faction of the Nepali Janata Dal also boycotted the election process.
The Nepali Congress president tabled the proposal in the House in favor of MK Nepal as Prime Minister, and the sell-outs in the UML, MJF, Loktantrik Party, and Sadbhawana Party supported MK Nepal as the new Prime Minister.
Madhav Kumar Nepal, a senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), described by analysts as hewing to the centre-left and communist in name only, is now the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Maoist leader Prachanda urged his cadres to stay ready for a revolution. He claims the war isn't over, they have just changed the strategy.
The Nepali Congress president tabled the proposal in the House in favor of MK Nepal as Prime Minister, and the sell-outs in the UML, MJF, Loktantrik Party, and Sadbhawana Party supported MK Nepal as the new Prime Minister.
Madhav Kumar Nepal, a senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), described by analysts as hewing to the centre-left and communist in name only, is now the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Maoist leader Prachanda urged his cadres to stay ready for a revolution. He claims the war isn't over, they have just changed the strategy.
Israeli Publicity Stunt
Israel has faced increasing international pressure, most recently from the Obama administration, to stop and remove Jewish settlement outposts from Palestinian land. Israel has removed some settlement outposts, claiming it is a sign of their "good will."
However, many settlers return to their demolished outposts to rebuild the very next day. Israel and Obama know this, but they aren't doing anything about it. According to settlement watchdog groups, the dismantling of settlements is just a publicity stunt. Israel has only dismantled a handful of settlement outposts, even though the Israeli government claims it is committed to tearing them all down.
Israel provides these outposts with military protection, electricity, and water even though the government considers them illegal. The Israeli government has made illegal settlements legal time and time again, and has encouraged people to build settlements with incentives such as grants and tax-breaks.
These settlements and outposts are a threat to the Palestinian struggle for statehood. The settlements are built on stolen West Bank land, and Israel is taking up to 40% of the West Bank land for the development of these illegal settlements. The Palestinians claim they will not negotiate with Israel until the development of settlement outposts has stopped. International law considers all settlements illegal.
However, many settlers return to their demolished outposts to rebuild the very next day. Israel and Obama know this, but they aren't doing anything about it. According to settlement watchdog groups, the dismantling of settlements is just a publicity stunt. Israel has only dismantled a handful of settlement outposts, even though the Israeli government claims it is committed to tearing them all down.
Israel provides these outposts with military protection, electricity, and water even though the government considers them illegal. The Israeli government has made illegal settlements legal time and time again, and has encouraged people to build settlements with incentives such as grants and tax-breaks.
These settlements and outposts are a threat to the Palestinian struggle for statehood. The settlements are built on stolen West Bank land, and Israel is taking up to 40% of the West Bank land for the development of these illegal settlements. The Palestinians claim they will not negotiate with Israel until the development of settlement outposts has stopped. International law considers all settlements illegal.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
North Koreans Conduct a Nuclear Test
North Korean officials have confirmed they have successfully carried out an underground nuclear test. They also test-fired a short-range ground-to-air missile.
The Korean Central News Agency said the North "successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense."
The North Korean regime said that the test was conducted "on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control" than the test conducted in 2006.
Japan, South Korea, and Russia have detected seismic activity in North Korea. This put Japan and South Korea on alert, and Japan has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
"If North Korea carried out a nuclear test, it would clearly violate U.N. Security Council resolutions," chief government spokesman Takeo Kawamura said in Tokyo. "We will definitely not tolerate it."
An emergency siren sounded in the Chinese border city of Yanji, 130 miles from the test site. A receptionist at Yanji's International Hotel said she and several hotel guests felt the ground shake.
Seismological measurements back the North's claim that the test was stronger than in 2006.
The short-range, ground-to-air missile was tested on Monday. It is believed to have an 80 mile range. The test-fire of this missile took place on the Musudan-ri launchpad in northeast North Korea.
This comes weeks after the North Koreans pulled out of the six-party talks and threatened to revive their nuclear program. North Korea is believed to have about six atomic bombs.
The Korean Central News Agency said the North "successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense."
The North Korean regime said that the test was conducted "on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control" than the test conducted in 2006.
Japan, South Korea, and Russia have detected seismic activity in North Korea. This put Japan and South Korea on alert, and Japan has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
"If North Korea carried out a nuclear test, it would clearly violate U.N. Security Council resolutions," chief government spokesman Takeo Kawamura said in Tokyo. "We will definitely not tolerate it."
An emergency siren sounded in the Chinese border city of Yanji, 130 miles from the test site. A receptionist at Yanji's International Hotel said she and several hotel guests felt the ground shake.
Seismological measurements back the North's claim that the test was stronger than in 2006.
The short-range, ground-to-air missile was tested on Monday. It is believed to have an 80 mile range. The test-fire of this missile took place on the Musudan-ri launchpad in northeast North Korea.
This comes weeks after the North Koreans pulled out of the six-party talks and threatened to revive their nuclear program. North Korea is believed to have about six atomic bombs.
Georgian Police State Update
The Georgian government and police are trying to cover up what really happened on the fifth of May (the date of the mutiny). So far, almost three dozen people have been arrested in connection with the supposed military mutiny that took place in Georgia earlier this month. Arrests haven't stopped with supposed mutiny and rebellion plotters. Family members of the suspects are also being targeted.
Anti-government protests in Georgia are now entering their second month. As a result, the police are detaining more and more people without trial.
Opposition and human rights groups are demanding an investigation into these illegal arrests. However, and sadly, Georgians know that the police would face absolutely no consequences if an investigation was conducted.
Anti-government protests in Georgia are now entering their second month. As a result, the police are detaining more and more people without trial.
Opposition and human rights groups are demanding an investigation into these illegal arrests. However, and sadly, Georgians know that the police would face absolutely no consequences if an investigation was conducted.
New Communists in Russia
The Russian Federation might soon have another communist party. An organization calling itself the "Communists of Russia" is aiming to become a recognized political party. They claim they are very different from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF).
"The leadership of the CPRF turned this formerly influential party into an obedient servant of the Kremlin administration, which is allowed to criticize some ministers in doses,” said an organization statement by the new group. “The role of the CPRF in the current political system is to imitate opposition which criticizes the government and to accumulate left opposition voices.”
According to the Communists of Russia, CPRF members in parliament are happy with the status-quo and their privileges.
The Communists of Russia claim they have a great plan to protect workers' rights and organize left and labor groups for the ultimate victory.
CPRF member Sergey Obukhov, however, said that the Kremlin started the Communists of Russia in order to destroy the CPRF. He claims the Kremlin is worried about the rising ratings for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.
A CPRF leader, Ivan Melnikov, said his party's inspiration doesn't come from the Kremlin. He said that the Just Russia Party, however, is working for the Kremlin. He made this claim because the JRP is trying to compete with the Communists.
"The leadership of the CPRF turned this formerly influential party into an obedient servant of the Kremlin administration, which is allowed to criticize some ministers in doses,” said an organization statement by the new group. “The role of the CPRF in the current political system is to imitate opposition which criticizes the government and to accumulate left opposition voices.”
According to the Communists of Russia, CPRF members in parliament are happy with the status-quo and their privileges.
The Communists of Russia claim they have a great plan to protect workers' rights and organize left and labor groups for the ultimate victory.
CPRF member Sergey Obukhov, however, said that the Kremlin started the Communists of Russia in order to destroy the CPRF. He claims the Kremlin is worried about the rising ratings for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.
A CPRF leader, Ivan Melnikov, said his party's inspiration doesn't come from the Kremlin. He said that the Just Russia Party, however, is working for the Kremlin. He made this claim because the JRP is trying to compete with the Communists.
Article about economic crisis and pro-business politicians
Check this out. It's about how the pro-business politicians played a major role in causing the economic crisis.
Click Here
Click Here
Friday, May 22, 2009
Nepali Crisis Update 5/23/09
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, AKA Prachanda, recently stated that a new Nepali government would be run by puppets. He said these puppets would not establish civilian supremacy, and reactionary candidates rejected by the people are being placed at the helm. Prachanda also said ally parties betrayed the Maoists during the army chief conflict. Those backstabbing, "allied" parties promised they would take action against the army chief, then they did nothing.
Prachanda took shots at the army chief, referring to the Rayamajhi Commission's report in which Katawal (the army chief) has been found guilty of suppressing the Janandolan-2. He said Katawal repeatedly challenged the elected government's orders.
The UCPN (Maoist) has said it will run a new candidate in the upcoming elections. This comes just nine months after Prachanda was elected by an overwhelming number of votes. Prachanda is the first Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
The Maoist party recently tabled a commitment proposal against the President's move to reinstate Army Chief Katawal. The commitment proposal is backed by Maoist lawmakers. Prachanda said the Maoists would allow parliament to function if it takes up the proposal.
In the commitment proposal, the party has stated that the President's move runs counter to the interim constitution and civilian supremacy. Stating that the President exercised power that has not been given to him, the proposal demands withdrawal of his order against the government decision to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Prachanda took shots at the army chief, referring to the Rayamajhi Commission's report in which Katawal (the army chief) has been found guilty of suppressing the Janandolan-2. He said Katawal repeatedly challenged the elected government's orders.
The UCPN (Maoist) has said it will run a new candidate in the upcoming elections. This comes just nine months after Prachanda was elected by an overwhelming number of votes. Prachanda is the first Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
The Maoist party recently tabled a commitment proposal against the President's move to reinstate Army Chief Katawal. The commitment proposal is backed by Maoist lawmakers. Prachanda said the Maoists would allow parliament to function if it takes up the proposal.
In the commitment proposal, the party has stated that the President's move runs counter to the interim constitution and civilian supremacy. Stating that the President exercised power that has not been given to him, the proposal demands withdrawal of his order against the government decision to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Harvard Professor Pessimistic About Future Economy
Kenneth Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University, has recently said that he thinks the US will face a decade of recession. Here is the quote.
"I think the US faces a decade of recession, similar to what happened in Japan.
We are not going to be 'off to the races' any time soon in any of the countries that were the 'ground zero' of the financial crisis, such as the US, the UK, Ireland and Spain.
Neither Britain or the US has really fixed the problems in their financial sector, and it is hard to see really robust growth returning in the next few years.
It is in the interest of policy-makers and politicians to trumpet any green shoots in order to encourage investment and talk up the market, but it is very unclear whether they really exist.
The huge government spending is providing a temporary boost to the economy, but it will have to be paid for in higher taxes or higher inflation which could reduce economic output in the future."
Taken from Political Economy Research (click here)
"I think the US faces a decade of recession, similar to what happened in Japan.
We are not going to be 'off to the races' any time soon in any of the countries that were the 'ground zero' of the financial crisis, such as the US, the UK, Ireland and Spain.
Neither Britain or the US has really fixed the problems in their financial sector, and it is hard to see really robust growth returning in the next few years.
It is in the interest of policy-makers and politicians to trumpet any green shoots in order to encourage investment and talk up the market, but it is very unclear whether they really exist.
The huge government spending is providing a temporary boost to the economy, but it will have to be paid for in higher taxes or higher inflation which could reduce economic output in the future."
Taken from Political Economy Research (click here)
Victims in Pakistan
9 year-old boy Ismael is lucky to be alive. He was at school playing with his friends when an attack airplane came out of the sky and began shooting. He was badly wounded and lost his right leg. Four of his classmates were killed.
"I was scared so I ran to hide but immediately afterwards there was another plane, who shot me in the leg. I have injuries all over my body," the boy said.
This raises many questions. Why is the military air-raiding schools? Why are schools near a combat zone not being evacuated or protected somehow? Why are teachers letting students go outside when there is a high possibility of them being shot? Why are they even keeping schools open in unstable areas? Apparently the reactionary forces in Pakistan are heartless and stupid.
Since the Pakistani military began its anti-Taliban campaign, the Red Cross doctors and hospitals have seen an increased workload. Millions of people are now refugees, and two million people are without food.
"I was scared so I ran to hide but immediately afterwards there was another plane, who shot me in the leg. I have injuries all over my body," the boy said.
This raises many questions. Why is the military air-raiding schools? Why are schools near a combat zone not being evacuated or protected somehow? Why are teachers letting students go outside when there is a high possibility of them being shot? Why are they even keeping schools open in unstable areas? Apparently the reactionary forces in Pakistan are heartless and stupid.
Since the Pakistani military began its anti-Taliban campaign, the Red Cross doctors and hospitals have seen an increased workload. Millions of people are now refugees, and two million people are without food.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Nepali Crisis Update 5/19/09
Maoists Party Central Secretariat member Mr. Chandra Prakash Gajurel said that the Maoists will now complete their decade-long rebellion.
“Out from the government is an opportunity for us to complete the revolution, President Ram Baran Yadav has given the Maoists the golden opportunity to bring the revolution to an end through Peoples’ Uprising 3,” he said adding, “Gyanendra gave us the opportunity to wage Peoples’ Uprising 2.” “Now we will capture the State, which is the prime objective of the Maoist party,” Chandra Prakash Gajurel said on May 17th.
Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha Prakash, a top Maoist official, alleged that UML leader Madhav Nepal was an agent working for India. The Maoists believe that India and the USA are working to set up a puppet regime in Nepal. The Nepali President belongs to a pro-Indian party, and the Army Chief Katawal (who the President illegally reinstated) was raised by the Nepali royal family and has ties to the US Green Berets as well as British and Indian military schools. So it seems the Maoists are not paranoid. They're right to worry.
Lila Mani Pokharel, another Maoist leader, threatened to take the UN-monitored weapons housed in the cantonments.
“If the reactionary move continues, we may have to finally grab our weapons...The Maoists were very simple when they were in the government, out of the government we have become dangerous,” said Pokharel. Some insane dogmatists claim the UCPN (Maoist) has become reformist-revisionist. The quote given here from Pokharel certainly proves them wrong!
Nepali Finance Minister Babu Ram Bhattarai recently claimed he had evidence that other parties were buying support to form a new government.
"Although I have evidence that huge sums of money changed hands in hotel rooms in exchange of support to the new alliance, I cannot reveal the evidences now as, officially, I am still a minister," Bhattarai said.
The Finance Minister also stated that a new government must be founded on national consensus, and without it a new government wouldn't last three months. He continued by saying that Madhav Kumar Nepal's tenure would not last long.
Nepali Caretaker Prime Minister Prachanda has again stated that his party will stop obstructing parliament when the President withdraws his move to reinstate the Army Chief.
"As soon as the President rectifies his move to reinstate the Army chief we will withdraw our programme to obstruct the Parliament," an unspecified Maoist leader, who we think is Prachanda, said.
The Communist Party of Greece (Marxist-Leninist) recently sent a message of solidarity to the UCPN (Maoist).
“Out from the government is an opportunity for us to complete the revolution, President Ram Baran Yadav has given the Maoists the golden opportunity to bring the revolution to an end through Peoples’ Uprising 3,” he said adding, “Gyanendra gave us the opportunity to wage Peoples’ Uprising 2.” “Now we will capture the State, which is the prime objective of the Maoist party,” Chandra Prakash Gajurel said on May 17th.
Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha Prakash, a top Maoist official, alleged that UML leader Madhav Nepal was an agent working for India. The Maoists believe that India and the USA are working to set up a puppet regime in Nepal. The Nepali President belongs to a pro-Indian party, and the Army Chief Katawal (who the President illegally reinstated) was raised by the Nepali royal family and has ties to the US Green Berets as well as British and Indian military schools. So it seems the Maoists are not paranoid. They're right to worry.
Lila Mani Pokharel, another Maoist leader, threatened to take the UN-monitored weapons housed in the cantonments.
“If the reactionary move continues, we may have to finally grab our weapons...The Maoists were very simple when they were in the government, out of the government we have become dangerous,” said Pokharel. Some insane dogmatists claim the UCPN (Maoist) has become reformist-revisionist. The quote given here from Pokharel certainly proves them wrong!
Nepali Finance Minister Babu Ram Bhattarai recently claimed he had evidence that other parties were buying support to form a new government.
"Although I have evidence that huge sums of money changed hands in hotel rooms in exchange of support to the new alliance, I cannot reveal the evidences now as, officially, I am still a minister," Bhattarai said.
The Finance Minister also stated that a new government must be founded on national consensus, and without it a new government wouldn't last three months. He continued by saying that Madhav Kumar Nepal's tenure would not last long.
Nepali Caretaker Prime Minister Prachanda has again stated that his party will stop obstructing parliament when the President withdraws his move to reinstate the Army Chief.
"As soon as the President rectifies his move to reinstate the Army chief we will withdraw our programme to obstruct the Parliament," an unspecified Maoist leader, who we think is Prachanda, said.
The Communist Party of Greece (Marxist-Leninist) recently sent a message of solidarity to the UCPN (Maoist).
Clinton Rambles About Peace, Israel Bombs Gaza
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for a two state solution for Israel and Palestine. She said the US is committed to this, and that she pressured Israeli PM Netanyahu to work for peace. She also said that Hamas should renounce violence and recognize Israel.
Israeli Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin recently said that peace between Israelis and Palestinians is impossible as long as Hamas controls Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Fauzi Barhoum had this to say.
"The goal of Obama's stance during the meeting with Netanyahu is to mislead global public opinion and to ensure the continuation of Israel's existence as a racist state."
The West Bank government also had comments on the matter as well.
"We will sit at the negotiating table [with Israel] only if there is a defined and clear plan whose end is the implementation of the Roadmap, signifying the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," Aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian Liberation Organization member Yasser Abed Rabbo said.
All of this comes as Israel began bombing smuggling tunnels in Gaza (yet again). The bombings came after a rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel (again). Four people were injured when Israel struck Gaza City.
It appears that this whole bourgeois liberal idea of peace in the area is nothing but a show, but maybe something good will happen in the future. Maybe.
Israeli Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin recently said that peace between Israelis and Palestinians is impossible as long as Hamas controls Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Fauzi Barhoum had this to say.
"The goal of Obama's stance during the meeting with Netanyahu is to mislead global public opinion and to ensure the continuation of Israel's existence as a racist state."
The West Bank government also had comments on the matter as well.
"We will sit at the negotiating table [with Israel] only if there is a defined and clear plan whose end is the implementation of the Roadmap, signifying the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," Aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian Liberation Organization member Yasser Abed Rabbo said.
All of this comes as Israel began bombing smuggling tunnels in Gaza (yet again). The bombings came after a rocket was fired from Gaza into Israel (again). Four people were injured when Israel struck Gaza City.
It appears that this whole bourgeois liberal idea of peace in the area is nothing but a show, but maybe something good will happen in the future. Maybe.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Israeli-US Imperialist Meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama met at the White House on Monday the 18th. Netanyahu wanted Iran and its nuclear program on the top of their agenda, but Obama wanted to discuss a two state solution regarding the Israeli conflict with the Palestinians. No press conference was scheduled for this meeting, so we can only wonder what horrors they are secretly planning together.
Netanyahu said that Iran is a great threat to Israel. He also said he would resume peace talks with the Palestinians, which Obama urged him to do. It should be known, however, that Netanyahu tried very hard to avoid the Palestine issue and any commitments to peace.
Surprisingly, many people are not expecting the two leaders to solve much of anything together. Many members of the Clinton Administration are working for Obama, and Netanyahu had frosty relations with them in the past. Hopefully, we will see a split in this section of the imperialist camp. That will make things easier for Iran and the Palestinian people because they will have less enemies to face at once. However, we can only hope.
Netanyahu said that Iran is a great threat to Israel. He also said he would resume peace talks with the Palestinians, which Obama urged him to do. It should be known, however, that Netanyahu tried very hard to avoid the Palestine issue and any commitments to peace.
Surprisingly, many people are not expecting the two leaders to solve much of anything together. Many members of the Clinton Administration are working for Obama, and Netanyahu had frosty relations with them in the past. Hopefully, we will see a split in this section of the imperialist camp. That will make things easier for Iran and the Palestinian people because they will have less enemies to face at once. However, we can only hope.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Nepali Crisis Update 5/17/09
Caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Prachanda has accused the Nepali UML party of trying to ruin the peace process. He claimed the pseudo-communist UML and their allies were being controlled by the imperialists.
"On the surface it looks like an attempt to bring down the Maoist-led government, but their intention is to disrupt the peace process. They want to push the country into disarray," Prachanda said, addressing a mass meeting organized by his party in Kathmandu on Sunday. The mass meeting was preceded by protest rallies across the area. This was all part of a protest against the President's decision to reinstate Army Chief Katawal, who was originally sacked by the government.
"We will fight peacefully to make sure that the new constitution is drafted and peace process concluded," the Maoist Chairman said. He claimed the Maoists would not backtrack from the peace process.
The Maoist-led caretaker government has recently informed the Nepali Supreme Court that it had told President Dr Ram Baran Yadav about its decision to sack Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal. The government sent a letter regarding its decision to the President's office on May 3rd.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the situation in Nepal, the UCPN-M, or Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), is the party Prachanda is in. The UML is the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). Prachanda is the nickname, or nom de guerre, of Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
"On the surface it looks like an attempt to bring down the Maoist-led government, but their intention is to disrupt the peace process. They want to push the country into disarray," Prachanda said, addressing a mass meeting organized by his party in Kathmandu on Sunday. The mass meeting was preceded by protest rallies across the area. This was all part of a protest against the President's decision to reinstate Army Chief Katawal, who was originally sacked by the government.
"We will fight peacefully to make sure that the new constitution is drafted and peace process concluded," the Maoist Chairman said. He claimed the Maoists would not backtrack from the peace process.
The Maoist-led caretaker government has recently informed the Nepali Supreme Court that it had told President Dr Ram Baran Yadav about its decision to sack Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal. The government sent a letter regarding its decision to the President's office on May 3rd.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the situation in Nepal, the UCPN-M, or Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), is the party Prachanda is in. The UML is the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). Prachanda is the nickname, or nom de guerre, of Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Russian economy contracts sharply
The falling price of oil and gas has hit Russia's economy.
Russia's economy contracted sharply in the first three months of the year, hit by the global slowdown, Federal State Statistics figures show.
Economic output for the period to the end of March fell 23.2% compared with the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, output dropped 9.5%.
Russia's economy had been growing thanks to high oil prices, which peaked at around $147 a barrel last summer.
But since then, the price of oil, a key export, has fallen by more than half.
The latest figures for the first three months of the year confirm estimates released last month by the government.
Industrial output has slowed in the wake of the global economic slowdown, and investors have withdrawn significantly from Russia.
Under Stalin, however, the Soviet economy was growing when every other country was suffering from The Great Depression. A bourgeois liberal "democracy" doesn't work and this proves it.
Taken from Political Economy Research (click here).
Russia's economy contracted sharply in the first three months of the year, hit by the global slowdown, Federal State Statistics figures show.
Economic output for the period to the end of March fell 23.2% compared with the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, output dropped 9.5%.
Russia's economy had been growing thanks to high oil prices, which peaked at around $147 a barrel last summer.
But since then, the price of oil, a key export, has fallen by more than half.
The latest figures for the first three months of the year confirm estimates released last month by the government.
Industrial output has slowed in the wake of the global economic slowdown, and investors have withdrawn significantly from Russia.
Under Stalin, however, the Soviet economy was growing when every other country was suffering from The Great Depression. A bourgeois liberal "democracy" doesn't work and this proves it.
Taken from Political Economy Research (click here).
Small Breakthrough for Fatah and Hamas
Hamas and Fatah have agreed to form a joint security force in the Gaza Strip. The two factions hope to reach a reconciliation deal by the beginning of July.
"There has been agreement in principle on the formation of a common force from the two factions to work in the Gaza Strip until the elections (which should be held) before next January 5," senior Fatah official Nabil Shaath said.
The exact composition of the force hasn't been decided just yet. Shaath explained that there are five committees, one for security, elections, government, the PLO, and reconciliation. These committees will meet in seven weeks. The meeting will be held in the presence of all Palestinian factions.
Once an accord has been reached, Egyptian and Arab officials will oversee it's implementation and help train the security force.
Pressure on the Palestinians to overcome their differences has been increasing.
"Palestinian reconciliation lies at the heart of any settlement in the region...Without a united Palestinian position, there will be no peace on the Palestinian track, no two-state solution and no return of occupied land," Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said.
"There has been agreement in principle on the formation of a common force from the two factions to work in the Gaza Strip until the elections (which should be held) before next January 5," senior Fatah official Nabil Shaath said.
The exact composition of the force hasn't been decided just yet. Shaath explained that there are five committees, one for security, elections, government, the PLO, and reconciliation. These committees will meet in seven weeks. The meeting will be held in the presence of all Palestinian factions.
Once an accord has been reached, Egyptian and Arab officials will oversee it's implementation and help train the security force.
Pressure on the Palestinians to overcome their differences has been increasing.
"Palestinian reconciliation lies at the heart of any settlement in the region...Without a united Palestinian position, there will be no peace on the Palestinian track, no two-state solution and no return of occupied land," Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Nepali Crisis Update 5/15/09
Prachanda has recently said that the Maoists want a strong, civilian government that can stand up to imperialism. He also said his party would not obstruct the formation of a new government and wanted the new government to be formed as soon as possible.
"Let's sit together, review the situations and let's conclude the issues of Constitution drafting and peace process," Prachanda is quoted as saying.
Earlier this week, Chairman Prachanda also said that weaker political parties are trying to form a new government. He spoke out against these actions.
"The government formed by avoiding the parliament and undermining the people's mandate will have no meaning," Prachanda said.
He also called for intensified protests in parliament and in the streets.
"Let's sit together, review the situations and let's conclude the issues of Constitution drafting and peace process," Prachanda is quoted as saying.
Earlier this week, Chairman Prachanda also said that weaker political parties are trying to form a new government. He spoke out against these actions.
"The government formed by avoiding the parliament and undermining the people's mandate will have no meaning," Prachanda said.
He also called for intensified protests in parliament and in the streets.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Nepali Crisis Update
Nepali police beat protesters with batons in Kathmandu on Monday. The protest was in support of Maoist leader Prachanda. Riot police moved in after 400 protesters tried to march to the Nepali President's office.
Ambassadors from 16 countries, multinational donors, and the chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) met with Prachanda on Monday. Envoys from the US, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China, and India, along with representatives from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, also met with the Maoist leader. They discussed the postponement of the Nepali Development Forum meeting and the delay in the formation of a new national government.
The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) has recently released an official statement of solidarity with the Nepali Maoists.
Ambassadors from 16 countries, multinational donors, and the chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) met with Prachanda on Monday. Envoys from the US, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China, and India, along with representatives from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, also met with the Maoist leader. They discussed the postponement of the Nepali Development Forum meeting and the delay in the formation of a new national government.
The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) has recently released an official statement of solidarity with the Nepali Maoists.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Pope and UN on Palestine and Israel
The UN secretary-general recently said that Israel must fundamentally change its policies toward the Palestinians and stop building settlements on their land. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this during a special meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday. The meeting ended with the adoption of a non-binding resolution that urged longstanding peace and a two state solution for Israel and Palestine.
The Catholic Pope Benedict also called for the establishment of a Palestinian homeland during his speech in Tel Aviv on Monday. He pleaded for those in power to try their hardest to make an acceptable peace so "both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own" with secure, "internationally recognized borders."
The Catholic Pope Benedict also called for the establishment of a Palestinian homeland during his speech in Tel Aviv on Monday. He pleaded for those in power to try their hardest to make an acceptable peace so "both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own" with secure, "internationally recognized borders."
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Nepal Update for May 10, 2009
The informal meeting of the Maoist secretariat on Sunday decided they would be ready for “the struggle against those who try to hinder the peace process and constitution drafting.”
"We felt the need to be more serious about facing challenges in the political front," said the spokesperson of Unified CPN (Maoist) Dinanath Sharma.
The Maoists decided to continue their fight in the streets and the legislature-parliament, and to hold dialogues with other parties in order to gain allies in the fight against the Nepalese President's unconstitutional move of reinstating the Army Chief.
The meeting held a Baluwater on Sunday concluded that some other parties were not serious about initiating dialogue to form a new coalition government.
"We have not been invited formally in any of their all-party meetings on government formation," said Sharma. "Neither has there been any initiative from the parties to clear the House obstruction."
The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) on Sunday formally announced the party's senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the party's candidate for prime minister in the next government. The idea that Madhav Kumar Nepal could be the new Prime Minister is an insult to democracy. He personally was rejected by voters in the two constituencies in which he stood and now is the choice of the democracy-hating Feudal military elites in Kathmandu for Prime Minister.
Maoist leader and former Prime Minister Prachanda, also known as Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has accused the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML of paying off Constituent Assembly members of other parties in a bid to secure the majority necessary for forming the new government. He said the Congress and CPN-UML were told to do that by foreign powers.
The Maoist Politburo has said it will not form the new government until the President of Nepal rectifies his move of reinstating the Army Chief.
"We felt the need to be more serious about facing challenges in the political front," said the spokesperson of Unified CPN (Maoist) Dinanath Sharma.
The Maoists decided to continue their fight in the streets and the legislature-parliament, and to hold dialogues with other parties in order to gain allies in the fight against the Nepalese President's unconstitutional move of reinstating the Army Chief.
The meeting held a Baluwater on Sunday concluded that some other parties were not serious about initiating dialogue to form a new coalition government.
"We have not been invited formally in any of their all-party meetings on government formation," said Sharma. "Neither has there been any initiative from the parties to clear the House obstruction."
The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) on Sunday formally announced the party's senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal as the party's candidate for prime minister in the next government. The idea that Madhav Kumar Nepal could be the new Prime Minister is an insult to democracy. He personally was rejected by voters in the two constituencies in which he stood and now is the choice of the democracy-hating Feudal military elites in Kathmandu for Prime Minister.
Maoist leader and former Prime Minister Prachanda, also known as Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has accused the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML of paying off Constituent Assembly members of other parties in a bid to secure the majority necessary for forming the new government. He said the Congress and CPN-UML were told to do that by foreign powers.
The Maoist Politburo has said it will not form the new government until the President of Nepal rectifies his move of reinstating the Army Chief.
US Military Accused of Using White Phosphorus in Afghanistan
Some Afghan doctors are accusing the US military of using the highly controversial white phosphorus weapon in a battle in the Farah province of Afghanistan. The US is denying these accusations. They want to blame the Taliban, but some officials aren't sure.
Col. Greg Julian, a top American spokesman in Afghanistan, said, "I don't know if they [the Taliban] had it out there or not, but it's not out of the question. " Human Rights Watch is now conducting an investigation about this matter.
Doctors in Farah say they have treated at least 14 people with "unusual" burns that they think came from white phosphorus.
"I think it's the result of a chemical used in a bomb, but I'm not sure what kind of chemical. But if it was a result of a burning house — from petrol or gas cylinders — that kind of burn would look different," said Doctor Mohammad Aref Jalali, head of a burn unit that treated five patients from the battle.
"There has been other airstrikes in Farah in the past. We had injuries from those battles, but this is the first time we have seen such burns on the bodies. I'm not sure what kind of bomb it was," said the deputy head of Farah's health department.
The US military has used white phosphorus before. They used it in the November 2004 Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. Even Col. Greg Julian said that the US uses white phosphorus to "light up the night sky." However, since military officials are obedient to the government, we must wonder what Col. Julian wasn't allowed to tell the press. My point here is that the US probably used white phosphorus in the battle in Farah.
Human Rights Watch said white phosphorus "causes horrendous burns and should not be used in civilian areas." Other human rights groups have spoken out against the use of white phosphorus.
Col. Greg Julian, a top American spokesman in Afghanistan, said, "I don't know if they [the Taliban] had it out there or not, but it's not out of the question. " Human Rights Watch is now conducting an investigation about this matter.
Doctors in Farah say they have treated at least 14 people with "unusual" burns that they think came from white phosphorus.
"I think it's the result of a chemical used in a bomb, but I'm not sure what kind of chemical. But if it was a result of a burning house — from petrol or gas cylinders — that kind of burn would look different," said Doctor Mohammad Aref Jalali, head of a burn unit that treated five patients from the battle.
"There has been other airstrikes in Farah in the past. We had injuries from those battles, but this is the first time we have seen such burns on the bodies. I'm not sure what kind of bomb it was," said the deputy head of Farah's health department.
The US military has used white phosphorus before. They used it in the November 2004 Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. Even Col. Greg Julian said that the US uses white phosphorus to "light up the night sky." However, since military officials are obedient to the government, we must wonder what Col. Julian wasn't allowed to tell the press. My point here is that the US probably used white phosphorus in the battle in Farah.
Human Rights Watch said white phosphorus "causes horrendous burns and should not be used in civilian areas." Other human rights groups have spoken out against the use of white phosphorus.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Nepal Update for May 7th 2009
The Unified CPN (Maoist) Politburo met on Thursday. They decided that more street protests would be needed to exert more pressure on the President of Nepal. They want the president to correct his unconstitutional move of reinstating the Army Chief. The Maoist parliamentary party has also decided to protest in the parliament as well.
Soldiers were sent in on Thursday to Nepal’s capital to replace the police. This is a very provocative move. 500 protesters from the women’s wing of the UCPN (Maoist) marched on Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav's residence. The police used bamboo batons to beat back the activists, injuring some women.
The Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered the Nepal Army headquarters to hand over documents containing the Army Chief’s date of birth. Army Chief General Rookmangud Katawal has been accused of forging documents about his age to get an extension of service term. A writ was filed regarding this more than two years ago.
"We are ready to take the initiative to form a new government ourselves or support other parties in this process if the general [Army Chief] is fired," said Maoist leader Prachanda.
The moderate Communist UML, a former Maoist ally, said they are making efforts to persuade the Maoists to return to the government.
"There is no alternative to a national unity government without the Maoists in it. This is a reality," UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokarel said.
The Progressive Nepali Forum in Americas condemned the President’s actions as unconstitutional and compared them to Ganendra Shah’s assumption of power in 2005 in which he dismissed the elected government. They feel that the President is a pawn for conniving military leaders and foreign powers. The Progressive Nepali Forum in Americas also condemned the UML for requesting help from foreign powers, claiming that the UML made itself a tool of foreign powers and hurt the patriotic sentiment of the Nepalese people.
Soldiers were sent in on Thursday to Nepal’s capital to replace the police. This is a very provocative move. 500 protesters from the women’s wing of the UCPN (Maoist) marched on Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav's residence. The police used bamboo batons to beat back the activists, injuring some women.
The Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered the Nepal Army headquarters to hand over documents containing the Army Chief’s date of birth. Army Chief General Rookmangud Katawal has been accused of forging documents about his age to get an extension of service term. A writ was filed regarding this more than two years ago.
"We are ready to take the initiative to form a new government ourselves or support other parties in this process if the general [Army Chief] is fired," said Maoist leader Prachanda.
The moderate Communist UML, a former Maoist ally, said they are making efforts to persuade the Maoists to return to the government.
"There is no alternative to a national unity government without the Maoists in it. This is a reality," UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokarel said.
The Progressive Nepali Forum in Americas condemned the President’s actions as unconstitutional and compared them to Ganendra Shah’s assumption of power in 2005 in which he dismissed the elected government. They feel that the President is a pawn for conniving military leaders and foreign powers. The Progressive Nepali Forum in Americas also condemned the UML for requesting help from foreign powers, claiming that the UML made itself a tool of foreign powers and hurt the patriotic sentiment of the Nepalese people.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Georgians Clash with Police
Anti-Saakashvili protesters clashed with riot police in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Wednesday. The protesters marched to Georgian Police Headquarters to demand the release of arrested opposition supporters. Some protesters tried to climb the fence of the Police HQ. The police overreacted and fired rubber bullets into the crowd of protesters and beat people with truncheons.
More than 60 people have now been injured in clashes with police, including a former Georgian Parliament member. Only 6 policemen have been reported injured.
Georgia's human rights leaders have called on the Georgian Interior Minister to step down after the protests. Experts say that this police crackdown will only make the opposition stronger.
It's no coincidence that these clashes took place on the eve of the NATO exercise taking place in Georgia.
More than 60 people have now been injured in clashes with police, including a former Georgian Parliament member. Only 6 policemen have been reported injured.
Georgia's human rights leaders have called on the Georgian Interior Minister to step down after the protests. Experts say that this police crackdown will only make the opposition stronger.
It's no coincidence that these clashes took place on the eve of the NATO exercise taking place in Georgia.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Mutiny in Georgia
Georgian officials claim they have stopped a mutiny on a military base outside of the capital T'bilisi. The Interior Ministry says the soldiers were trying to prevent upcoming NATO military exercises. Some Georgian officials are accusing Russia of planning the mutiny. Russia is denying the claim.
Georgian President Saakashvili is saying the mutiny was an attempt to damage Georgian democracy. The opposition groups claim the mutiny was faked by the Saakashvili administration for the purpose of fear-mongering.
"I think that nobody doubts in Georgia.... that this was staged by the Georgian... government and the President himself to distract people's attention from these peaceful [opposition] rallies joined by hundreds of thousands of Georgians on a daily basis," said former Georgian Parliament member Tsotne Bakuria.
Georgian President Saakashvili is saying the mutiny was an attempt to damage Georgian democracy. The opposition groups claim the mutiny was faked by the Saakashvili administration for the purpose of fear-mongering.
"I think that nobody doubts in Georgia.... that this was staged by the Georgian... government and the President himself to distract people's attention from these peaceful [opposition] rallies joined by hundreds of thousands of Georgians on a daily basis," said former Georgian Parliament member Tsotne Bakuria.
UN Report Says Israel Damaged UN Property
A United Nations inquiry accused Israel on Tuesday of recklessness and gross negligence in attacks on UN property in the Gaza Strip during the fighting that took place in January between Israel and Hamas.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set up an inquiry board in February. The UN claims Israel owes them over 11 million dollars in damages. Israel rejected the UN report, calling it biased. They claim it ignored that they were fighting a designated "terrorist" organization.
The Israelis, who did their own investigation, are claiming their troops obeyed international law.
The UN faulted Israel in 7 out of 9 instances of damage to UN property. It blamed Hamas in one case and couldn't find a culprit for the other.
In a January 15 incident, Israel attacked the United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Gaza with the highly controversial white phosphorous. Israel also made the claim that it was responding to enemy fire from inside one UN building. The UN responded by saying Israel's allegations, "were untrue, continued to be made after it ought to have been known that they were untrue, and were not adequately withdrawn and publicly regretted."
All of this raises the following questions. If a UN report is biased, then how is an Israeli one non-biased? When did Israel win the award for being fair and balanced? Furthermore, how is fighting "terrorists" an excuse to damage UN property?
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon set up an inquiry board in February. The UN claims Israel owes them over 11 million dollars in damages. Israel rejected the UN report, calling it biased. They claim it ignored that they were fighting a designated "terrorist" organization.
The Israelis, who did their own investigation, are claiming their troops obeyed international law.
The UN faulted Israel in 7 out of 9 instances of damage to UN property. It blamed Hamas in one case and couldn't find a culprit for the other.
In a January 15 incident, Israel attacked the United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Gaza with the highly controversial white phosphorous. Israel also made the claim that it was responding to enemy fire from inside one UN building. The UN responded by saying Israel's allegations, "were untrue, continued to be made after it ought to have been known that they were untrue, and were not adequately withdrawn and publicly regretted."
All of this raises the following questions. If a UN report is biased, then how is an Israeli one non-biased? When did Israel win the award for being fair and balanced? Furthermore, how is fighting "terrorists" an excuse to damage UN property?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Maoist Prime Minister Resigns
Nepal's now ex-Prime Minister and fellow Maoist, Prachanda, resigned from his position as PM when his attempt to sack the chief of the army was blocked by the President of Nepal. Prachanda claims he is stepping down to protect democracy.
Prachanda tried to have the army chief sacked for disobeying government orders. The army chief disobeyed orders by hiring new recruits and reinstating 8 generals that the Defense Ministry dismissed. Two parties withdrew from the coalition government to protest the Maoists' actions. This left the Maoists with a small majority in the Nepalese government.
The tensions between the Maoists and the army chief began when the army chief refused to integrate the Maoist rebel fighters into the regular army, even though it was required by the peace plan.
The next ruling party is likely to face fierce opposition from the Maoists. Both Maoist and opposition party protests took place recently. Pro-Maoist street protests are expected to intensify in Nepal. The country has now been hurled into political uncertainty.
Prachanda tried to have the army chief sacked for disobeying government orders. The army chief disobeyed orders by hiring new recruits and reinstating 8 generals that the Defense Ministry dismissed. Two parties withdrew from the coalition government to protest the Maoists' actions. This left the Maoists with a small majority in the Nepalese government.
The tensions between the Maoists and the army chief began when the army chief refused to integrate the Maoist rebel fighters into the regular army, even though it was required by the peace plan.
The next ruling party is likely to face fierce opposition from the Maoists. Both Maoist and opposition party protests took place recently. Pro-Maoist street protests are expected to intensify in Nepal. The country has now been hurled into political uncertainty.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
