GAZA : REPLAY OF WARSAW GHETTO?

THE WARSAW GHETTO MASSACRE REPLAYED IN GAZA


Israel has stepped over the red line demarcating the humane from the brutish and bloodthirsty in its attack on Gaza. I will not take up the argument of the Hamas rocket fire and the tunnels. You have heard all that.  Let me concentrate on the part of the story you do not hear or read about.  Sadly, the events in Gaza reminds me of the 1943 brutal massacre of  innocent Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto.  The world mostly sat back and let that tragedy happen, unable or unwilling to help. More than 7,000 Jews were killed and the rest deported to concentration camps where many or most died.  As I write this today, wondering as I write, how and why we as a people either forget our history or simply are unaware of it, and thus keep repeating past mistakes and atrocities. As of today I read that more than one-thousand Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. And as in the Warsaw uprising, the world's nations just sit by doing nothing.


The Israeli Army--considered perhaps one of the top-five  best-equipped and run militaries in the world--was unleashed by Mr. Netanyahu  two weeks ago against the poor, urbanized, densely populated enclave of Gaza --a 141 square mile sea-side Mediterranean ghetto (about six miles wide and twenty-five miles long) located between Israel and Egypt.  Like the Warsaw ghetto the Israelis have sealed up the borders.   The Israeli forces plowed through the chain link fencing and barbed wire of the 300 meter wide no-mans land at the Gaza-Israeli boundary with tanks, heavy artillery, and armored troop carriers. Israeli navy ships used heavy guns to bombard the Gaza shore.  Its Air Force made devastating bombing runs over densely populated areas collapsing high rise apartments and burying residents in rubble.  Even "off target" humanitarian UN schools and facilities were bombed, more than once, causing heavy fatalities.

The Netanyahu-assigned kill-zone where the Israeli "Defense" Force ( IDF) is now operating is an outdoor, urbanized prison where 1.8 million Palestinians live cheek by jowl in an area the size of six Manhattan Islands. Even on Manhattan island-- one can readily leave by roads, bridges, and ferries, but in Gaza the Israeli barbed wire and machine gun nests have sealed off the enclave tightly since 2007.  Its inhabitants have no possibility of escape.  The IDF has been literally assigned by its political leaders to  shoot "fish in a barrel".   As the dead pile up in the streets, one wonders how the proud IDF...professional soldiers all--can stomach being ordered to target buildings and structures they know are filled with unarmed  children, women and old people.    The body count is now ( July 30) well over 1000 dead...largely women and children, and as as many seven thousands wounded of all ages.  The Palestinian body count belies the Israeli propaganda machine which claims "pin point" strikes and "restrained" action on Hamas tunnels.  Sadly these exaggerations and untruths are routinely parroted by US media.  It makes one gasp with incredulity upon hearing these statements, first put forth (perhaps understandably) by professional defenders and representatives of the Israeli government, but then repeated verbatim by so-called US "journalists".  As the propaganda is repeated in the American press and on air, one can sit there and view other pictures and commentators on the internet which tell a completely different story.  That story is one of the illegal and disproportionate use of force by one heavily armed and militarized people brutishly visited on another group trapped and almost wholly unarmed populace.  One wonders do these Israelis remember their own heroic history of resistance to the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising of 1943?  Can they no longer empathize with suffering that they or their grandparents may have experienced. There is an embarrassing and disturbing parallel here.

The world rightly erupted in agonized and angry resentment at the outbreak of the Israeli attack against Gaza..and Israel's disproportionate and inhumane attack on essentially unprotected, unarmed civilians being punished as a community only  because they are Palestinians and who as children are innocent of any wrong doing--- and can not escape. Massive, demonstrations against Israel's actions took place in the UK, France, Australia, Canada, Germany and many other nations.  But here at home in the US, there was little anger or resentment....only bland statements by President Obama offering Mr. Netanyahu cover for his brutal actions by claiming Israel had the "right to protect itself".   Left unsaid by the American media were the underlying facts of the illegal occupation, the unending expansionism of settlements, the daily humiliations, beatings, killings and attacks on Palestinians. Most importantly, what has been ignored here in the US were the provocations by Mr. Netanyahu, who, Bush-Cheney-like used the abductions and brutal murder of three Israeli boys as a pretext for war.  Mr. Netanyahu was quick to blame Hamas for the abductions (without any proof or evidence to support his claim) and used this causus belli to run rough shod over Palestinian communities in the West Bank, breaking into homes, killing and brutalizing innocents in his quest to "find and return the boys to their parents".  Though he well-knew at the time that the abducted youths were already dead. The three were killed almost immediately as one of the teenagers tried fruitlessly to make a covert call to the police. Mr. Netanyahu hid this fact and continued to claim, without proof, that Hamas was to blame for the abductions, and to stir up his nation to acts of hatred, violence, and support for war. His obvious goal in all this brutality was to undermine Hamas, and somehow abrogate the recent unpalatable agreement between Hamas and Fatah to form a joint government.  Unsaid also was that Hamas had kept to its  2012 agreement with Israel regarding restraining rocket fire, but during that same period Israel had not modified  its policy of keeping Gaza's borders sealed and limiting inflow of goods and supplies into the Gaza ghetto.   So here at home, the citizenry of the nation which claims to lead the free world and prides itself on its penchant for protecting the downtrodden, and righting injustice remains ignorant of the whole story.  Our government, its hands tied by a complacent and /or ignorant populace looks on and either ignores this unprecedented act of perfidy and brutality and/or encourages the perpetrators and instigators of violence. The US news reports in our papers and on the air focus on other stories--like the Ukraine-- and the streets here--unlike in the rest of the world--were essentially quiet.

The oft claimed myth that American Jews control the US press and other media might be offered as an explanation for the paltry  (and where it occurred, misleading) coverage. But in this I agree with Abe Foxman of the AIPAC.  The Jews who support Israel do not control the media. The US media actually police themselves.  Out of habit or fear of reprisal they simply conform to the story-line handed to them by the Israeli propaganda machine.There are very few examples of journalists in the US media who step out of line.   For US journalists there  is no "positive" outcome  in writing stories which criticize Israel.  The result is, with few exceptions...they simply avoid the topic. This leaves the American public with only one view--a biased and inaccurate one.  Why expose oneself to the calumny of an angry and powerful minority, and be unfairly branded as "anti-Semites" or as Jews, as facilitators of anti-Semites, in the process?

Better to focus on writing about the Russians and the Ukraine.


But perhaps when these journalists do write about the Ukraine, they might ask themselves this question--just so they can continue to call themselves "journalistssts". If Mr. Putin is "responsible" (as our government spokespersons repeat over and over again) for the acts of the rebels--such as (what so far seems to be the case) the tragic shooting down of the commercial airliner over eastern Ukraine.  (By the way, recall that our ship the US Navy ship the Vincennes did that too....knocking down an Iranian commercial air liner with nearly three hundred on board.)  Then logic must lead us to conclude that the USA and Mr. Obama must also be responsible for the the brutal actions of Israel under Mr. Netanyahu, whom we support in a very similar way.....openly...to the tune of three or four billions of dollars annually, and whom we stand with (often alone) in the halls of world opinion and at the UN. If sanctions are imposed against Russia for the deaths of 295 innocents aboard that airliner....are we not also responsible as a result of our unwavering support for Israel for the many many more deaths in Gaza?

Think of that....or at least just THINK.


rjk

POACHING OF ELEPHANTS MUST STOP! USE THE ECONOMIC LEVER

WE NEED AN ECONOMIC BAN ON THE IVORY TRADERS


The poaching of African elephants has reached a terrible crescendo.  Thirty thousand of these magnificent, intelligent beasts were slaughtered in Africa in the last year just for their tusks. Their bodies are left to rot.  The ivory is surreptitiously purchased by the newly wealthy classes in Vietnam and China.  Our dollars, euros, and pounds are supporting them in their new found wealth.  We must dissuade them from their madness.  We must stop this crazy ignorant slaughter which will exterminate these wonderful creatures within a decade.

I am proposing a world ban on products from those countries found to be trafficking in ivory.  The economic button is the only way and the best way to get the attention of the leaders of those countries who have the means to stop the illegal trade but turn a blind eye to the activities of their wealthy countrymen and women. They must actively stop ivory imports and sales.  It's illegal already you say.  But the legal constraint is not effective.

When massive numbers of people around the world agree to turn away from manufactured products or other goods of those countries which ignore and flaunt the ivory laws...their leaders will wake up and begin the necessary and effective crack down.

Let's do it !

Send emails, texts, twitters...Stop the elephant slaughter!

REPLAY OF SABINE ABDUCTION IN NIGERIA

SAY NO TO "HELP" FROM OBAMA TO RESCUE GIRLS

The Boko Haram of Nigeria seem to have taken their clue from the early settlers of Rome.
According to Virgil and the formation myth of Rome, the first generation of Roman settlers, single male immigrants from Troy, acquired wives from the local Latium Sabine tribe in 750 BC by simply abducting them during the festival of Neptune Equester.

Nigeria, a state in south west African, which is Islamic in the north and Christian in the south,  has been torn by religious strife since 2009. That date marks the emergence of a quasi religious-political group known as " Boko Haram" which has been responsible for over 1500 deaths, bombing, and abductions since its formation in 2009. The name "Boko Haram" ( apparently derived from the French, "boucoup", and the Arabic ( ? )"harram"  meaning "sinful" thus: " very much sinful") and is  often interpreted in the west as: "sinful western culture" or "sinful western education", tells much about what they are about.

On April 14, in the State of Borno in Nigeria, the schools in the district had all been closed due to the danger from attacks by the BH Islamic extremists.  One school in the district remained opened where young women, aged 15 to 18 years of age, were assigned to take their exams. It was at this school that more than 300 young women were abducted by the Boko Harram.  Subsequently, some fifty young women escaped and revealed that the abducted girls were forced into marriage contracts with either the Boko Harram or other Islamic  men. Some claim the Boko Haram sold the women for a $12 dollar marriage contract. Others assert that the women were taken into neighboring Niger, and Chad and dispersed widely over the countryside. Their parents are  understandably aroused and concerned. They have demonstrated for the return of their children.

This is a sad and strange story. But President Obama's recently reported promise  to "help" the Nigerians find and return the girls seems another  ill advised move into an area of sectarian conflict in a Moslem world where we have little experience and could only make things worse.  He would be better advised to send humanitarian supplies and keep our troops and military help at home.

APARTHEID ISRAEL :NOT KERRY BARAK FIRST

EHUD BARAK MOST DECORATED MAN IN ISRAELI HISTORY FIRST TO WARN ISRAEL MAY BE APARTHEID STATE

"As long as in this territory, west of the Jordan River, there is only one political entity called Israel. It is going to be either non-Jewish or non-Democratic. If this block of millions of Palestinians cannot vote that will be an apartheid state.”  Prime Minister Ehud Barak (as Minister of Defense) at National Security Conference, Feb 2, 2010 in Herzilya, Israel. 

Secretary of State John Kerry, who was probably only expressing his disappointment at the failure of peace talks and concern for Israel's future when he warned Israelis and used the "A" word. Kerry faced a withering storm of vituperation after his speech in which he warned that if the Netanyahu government does not follow through on peace negotiations leading to a two state solution the result may be an apartheid state.   Kerry's words caused a great stir in the pro-Israel US press, with knee jerk  Republicans, cowardly Democrats and with the far right.  Poor Mr. Kerry had to bend his tall angular frame down in abject obeisance  and beg forgiveness as the Republican press, right wing radio and other attack machines went into full swing.  The American Israeli Public Affairs Committee called the remarks "deeply troubling".  "Any suggestion that Israel is, or is at risk of becoming, an apartheid state is offensive and inappropriate," they stated, also adding, "The Jewish state is a shining light for freedom and opportunity in a region plagued by terror, hate and oppression."  While Abe Foxman of the ADA, called Kerry's remarks "startling" and "repugnant language". 

A little bit of research regarding the term "apartheid" turned up the fact that Secretary Kerry was not the first to use the "A" which suggests the worrisome concept ( for the Israeli's) that they are morphing into South Africa and like that nation might be forced to the bargaining table where they would have to make unwanted compromises with the Palestinians as a result of unfavorable international public opinion.  The first was Ehud Barak a distinguished Israeli decorated war hero,  and former Prime Minister. 

Prime Minister Ehud Barak is no shrinking violet, he has had a distinguished military career. He joined the military in 1959 and served in the IDF for 35 years rising to position Lt. General and Chief of General Staff. He was awarded  many medals and decorations for his heroic service as a commando and military officer in the too numerous battles and conflicts of his nation. He is  frequently noted as the most highly decorated military man in Israeli history.  He served as Prime Minister and again as Defense Minister.  If  war hero and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak can use the "A" word to point out the dangers of the present policy of the Netanyahu government for Israeli future and claim that Israel may become an "apartheid state" in that future, certainly others who are equally concerned about the Israel and peace in the Middle East can too. 

CIA's TOUGH GUY MICHAEL HAYDEN, CALLS FEINSTEIN "EMOTIONAL"

Appearing on Chris Wallace's Fox News last Sunday (April 6,2014) , where he was surrounded by other Fox tough guys who like to swagger behind their desks and heel-click their patent leather shoes as they support sending other people's kids to war, little Micky Haden (former CIA director under George Bush and Dick Cheney) characterized Senator Dianne Feinstein as "emotional" and her CIA torture report non-objective, though he had not even read the summary of the report.  

“That sense that the motivation for the report may show deep emotional feeling on the part of (Sen. Dianne Feinstein), but I don’t think it leads you to an objective report,” Hayden said on "Fox News Sunday."

Hayden, used the "emotional female" card against Feinstein, suggesting that she could not be "objective" about torture. The catty, ad hominem attack by Hayden to Wallace's question left little Micky look  looking  "emotional" as he squirmed with obvious anxiety concerned that his own culpability in the torture revelations of the CIA will be exposed.

I image Haden labors under the  "tough-guy-behind-the-desk" opinion that you are only a "real man", when you can order six big guys to tie down a scared, struggling individual to a gurney, then stub out cigarette butts on his bare chest, or pour water down his mouth and nose, or stick the handle of plunger up his anus, or  tie electric cables to his testicles, then be able to laugh about it when he screams in agony.   Yeah, maybe Diane Feinstein can't countenance such behavior, but a "real man" like little Micky Haden can do it. 

OBAMA LEADS FROM BEHIND ON SENATE CIA REPORT, LETS CIA DECIDE

Obama Leads from Behind, Lets CIA Torture Advocates Decide What to Release of Senate (Torture) Report.

Today (April 11, 2014) we learn of another example of President Obama taking the lead by turning on his heel and doing a one-eighty. It was revealed today in the guardian.com, (see:“CIA and White House under pressure after Senate torture report leaks”) that Mr. Obama will let the CIA decide what portions of the Senate report (devastatingly critical of the CIA) will be revealed to the public.

The Senate Intelligence Committee under the leadership of Senator Dianne Feinstein spent years and $40 million dollars of taxpayers money to prepare the now infamous Senate report on CIA operations, misinformation policies and efficacy of torture during the Bush Years. Recent revelations by Ms. Feinstein on the floor of the Senate and leaks to the press indicate the report is highly critical of the CIA. That organization has been understandably fighting tooth and nail to suppress the report. Feinstein claims that organization has spied on, threatened and blocked her committee staffers. Admittedly those years were a time that perhaps many Americans now wish had never happened. (Though many in the USA urged the CIA on, others quietly let them get away with clearly illegal and immoral policies..Ms Feinstein among them..and the rest did not have the fortitude to stand up to voice their objections.). Somehow after 9-11 some elements in our government seem to have morphed into the very “evil doers” our uncles and fathers fought and died fighting against during the Second World War. I'm glad my uncles, one of whom was tortured by the Japanese, did not survive to to this day and have to contemplate these sad revelations. I can only imagine what he would have said.)

Senator Feinstein has urged the President to release the findings of her hard working, courageous committee expeditiously and with few redactions so that this awful “experiment with torture” could be seen for what it was---an utter failure and a moral lapse. But Mr. Obama, who too often seems to have the capacities and determination of TV characters Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza, was not up to the task. As in the Seinfeld “Cheever Letters” episode, George states (on the ease of building a log cabin) “We could do it.”; Jerry’s response: “Well maybe not us, but two men could.”

So as a result, with a President who can’t stand up to the CIA himself, but might let ”two men from the CIA do it”, it seems the public will learn next to nothing about how the CIA misled the Congress, while it tortured, renditioned and snatched unknown numbers of people off the streets of their native lands and into “black sites” around the world during the Bush war years. Obama might as well have had Mr.Brennan and his torturing co-conspirators write the report in the beginning. It would have saved the Nation $40 million dollars and the embarrassment and revelations about the shameful inner workings of the American government of the early 21st Century.

SUPREMES GIVE RIGHTS TO POLLUTERS IN MCCUTCHEON DECISION

Clearing the smoke from the Recent Supreme Court Decision (Or how the supremes give the right to pollute the airways.)

The Roberts Supreme Court has misinterpreted the First Amendment to favor the fat cats... again. First there was “Citizens United” which gave the big corporations the status of individual voters. Now they have treated us to the recent McCutcheon decision which removed the caps on how much any one donor can legally give to a candidate.

The way we see things in the clear cold air from the tops of the still snowy Greens here in Vermont resolves into two basic issues. One, can money corrupt the democratic process? And two, does permitting one small elite minority (perhaps less than a thousand individuals) the ability to disperse unlimited funds into elections have the effect of drowning meaningful discourse and the voices and will of the vast majority of the the electorate?

The answer to the first question is easy. Can anyone imagine that the “quid pro quo” effect is not in operation when one donor gives millions of dollars to one party or one gang of candidates of the same party? Anyone who doubts that has only to recall how the Republican 2016 presidential “hopeful candidates” showed up at the Sheldon Adelson “primary" in Las Vegas last month, arriving on bended knees to swear allegiance to Adelson’s view of Israel, his green backs and Sheldon’s persona. That event underscored with finality how money “talks” and controls. There is no question that there is a quid pro quo and the more money involved the more powerful the effect.

The second question is analogous to the old and discredited “right” to pollute question. In my old home town of Riverhead, the original settlers raised ducks on the banks tidal rivers. The tide came in twice a day to remove the duck wastes and carry them down stream. The awful stench and suffocating pollution which made vast areas downstream, smelly, lifeless toxic zones was the problem of the poor fool who chose to live down stream of a duck farm. The wealthy and powerful old duck farmers thought it was their “right” to use “their” river as they saw fit. In like manner does the right to smoke an expensive cigar after dinner in a posh restaurant take precedence over those of other diners who would rather breathe fresh air and smell the aroma of their fragrant foods rather than that of smouldering tobacco? In this McCutcheon decision the conservative majority of the Supreme Court, in effect, awarded the paramount right to the water polluters and smokers. After McCutcheon, the rights of those who would “pollute” the election atmosphere with cash and the repetition “ad nauseum” of their opinions on the airways, drowning out opposing views and eliminating the possibility of legitimate discourse, now take precedence over the rights of those in the vast majority who may not agree or have an opposing view. To the Robert’s Court the “rights” of perhaps less than one thousand elites beats the rights of 300 million Americans to have meaningful political,discourse. Its that simple. And these men are the so-called “conservatives” who make me laugh when they tout their putative adherence to the “original intentions” of the founders. The founders would cringe at this decision.

Cash corrupts and introducing more cash corrupts more fully and effectively. The supremes of the Roberts Court have brought us back into the bad old days of the 19th and early 20 centuries when the robber barons dumped their pollution into the air and drinking water of the nation, owned and controlled the local newspaper (and the later radio stations), and openly bought their Congressman and Senator.....and who were convinced it was their God given right to do so.