curious
Despite his return to the international fold following his 2003 repudiation of state terrorism and of efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi hasn't been the kind of statesman Western leaders have wanted to honor in their capitals — until now. D TheEmpress The International Action Center calls on all anti-war and social justice activists to call Emergency Response STOP THE U.S. WAR AGAINST LIBYA AND BAHRAIN actions in their areas on Friday, March 18 or Saturday, Marcy 19, or to mobilize support for any already existing anti-war demonstrations called to mark the anniversary of the Iraq War, with this statement and signs to STOP THE U.S. WAR AGAINST LIBYA AND BAHRAIN, as well as to intensify the mobilization for the April 9th and 10th Anti-War demonstrations in New York and San Francisco called by the United National Antiwar Committee. BAHRAIN EXPOSES THE LIE ABOUT "PREVENTING ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS" The U.S. and its allies are repeating over and over the lie that they are trying to "prevent attacks on civilians" and are acting from humanitarian motives. But nobody should be fooled. Consider these “humanitarians” and how they react to Bahrain. The U.S. Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, which is an absolute monarchy. Its people have been valiantly trying to change their government for weeks. They had some initial success. The king responded with deadly repression and later with hints at reform. On March 14, however, hours after Secretary of Defense Gates visited Bahrain, the Bahraini government commenced a brutal crackdown, backed up by Saudi Arabian troops. Helicopters, tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition were used, killing and injuring many people. Nearly all of Bahrain's security forces are foreign mercenaries. Unlike the Libyan rebels, the Bahraini people have absolutely no arms. But there has been no talk of a no-fly zone over Bahrain, let alone attacks on the murderous Bahraini and Saudi armies. NO BLOOD FOR OIL This is because the real motivation for the U.S. and its allies in both Bahrain and Libya, and indeed the whole region, is to control the OIL! It is Washington’s main strategic interest and a primary financial interest for U.S. big business. This is true even though the U.S. is not directly dependent on imported oil from Libya. Oil is a worldwide commodity, and any country which imports oil must deal with a world market, no matter from which individual country or countries they import the oil. Of even more importance to the U.S. and Europeans is who controls the flow of oil. A military presence or a reliable puppet in Libya would give Washington --and to a lesser extent the European imperialists -- control of the oil spigot to Europe and also establish a military presence in North Africa from which to influence or prevent the development of the revolutions, especially in Egypt and Tunisia. ARAB LEAGUE "VOTE" FRAUD Not only a demonization campaign against the Libyan leader, but every form of fraud and propaganda is being used to push for this intervention, including a supposed "vote" by the Arab League supporting the latest U.N. resolution. Left unsaid is the fact that only 11 of the 22 members of the League even attended the meeting, which was held behind closed doors. Two of these 11 attending members, Syria and Algeria, made clear that they were completely opposed to military intervention in Libya. Meanwhile the corporate media has ignored a resolution by the African Union, representing 53 countries, which adamantly rejected a no-fly zone or other intervention. WHAT ABOUT GAZA? The U. S. blocked any UN action, even a toothless resolution, during the massive Israeli bombardment of Gaza in 2008 and also during the Israeli bombing and attempted invasion of Lebanon in 2006, as well as the continued bombardment of Gaza as recently as this week!. It is important that peace-loving and progressive people around the world develop a consistent approach opposing ALL U.S. intervention. This is the only way to avoid becoming just an echo of the U.S. State Department and Pentagon. U.S., French, British, Italian hands off Libya! NO to the U.S. supported attack on the people's movement of Bahrain! U.S. Out of Arab and African Lands! ![]() Friday, July 27, 2007Sarkozy under fire for nuclear deal to secure nurses’ releasehttp://strasbourgnews.blogspot.com/2007/0 Some feel Sarcozy wants the showdown with Gadaffi, because he lost popularity when news of the nuke deal got out, and he's not expected to win re-election. Following many leaders maneuvers to get re-elected, is to use scare tactics, and appear as though your a great protector. It worked for George W. Bush, whom Sarcozy got along with wonderfully. Again, George W. Bush, Condi and Gaddaffi all got along real well, since Gadaffi gave 1.5 billion to Bush, and helped round up so-called "Terrorist" claiming they were Alqaeda_rather they were or not, nobody knows for sure? Bush allowed Saudis and men like Gadaffi to imprison and torture them. I expect, these are the ones they now are claiming innocently persecuted now_as that is the way of these hypocritical imperialistic greedy thugs. Even if you don't follow me, or agree with me on these things, we all have heard over and over that we're broke. So broke, the Republicans feel unions should be abolished, while ignoring fact we're spending billions already on two wars, | |
Are there any difficult events in your past that made you a stronger person today? If you could go back and erase them, would you?
First question listed was submitted by
ashley_mazyck. (Follow-up questions, if any, may have been added by LiveJournal.)
Royal family costs Saudi Arabia $2 billion a year
By Simon Robinson
LONDON (Reuters) – When Saudi King Abdullah arrived home last week, he came bearing gifts: handouts worth $37 billion, apparently intended to placate Saudis of modest means and insulate the world's biggest oil exporter from the wave of protest sweeping the Arab world.
Ah, mean people. Unfortunately, you can find them everywhere you turn, and it's futile to run and hide; because sooner or later, one or two or seven of them will catch up with you. So you might us well buck up and learn how to deal with mean people. It might be a struggle to do that; but if you finally learn how to deal with mean people without losing your cool, then you're pretty much ready to handle anything!
Facing mean people on a regular basis can definitely sap the life out of anyone, so you have to master the art of rolling with the punches, or even the art of ignoring what they say.
This doesn't have to involve getting into a shouting match or a fistfight with them to drive your point home. Here are some things you need to keep in mind when it comes to mean people.
When someone is being mean to you--or to the world at large, for that matter--you should realize that the problem lies with him, and not with you.
If the mean person you're having problems with is a friend of yours, then it may be more challenging to handle this situation. What you need to do, first and foremost, is to avoid becoming his clone. Just because he's being mean doesn't mean you also have to behave the same way.
If he's directing his meanness towards you, then it's time for you to back off and disappear for a while. Just wait for him to realize how horribly he's been treating you. When it happens again, you can confront him about his behavior... and hopefully, this will be his wake-up call.
If the mean individual's tactic is to crush everyone's self-esteem to smithereens, you can calmly face this challenge by having a strong sense of self-esteem. Only by having a strong sense of self and confidence will you be able to keep from cracking under the tormentor's treatment and will serve you well if you want to train yourself on how to deal with mean people.
You can disarm mean people by being overwhelmingly nice to them. As they say, you can kill 'em with kindness. This will definitely catch mean people off-guard. It will be hard to keep your cool, but it's worth it to see the mean person become confused by your behavior.
Finally, come up with some witty comebacks. Part of the mean person's arsenal includes sarcastic barbs and attacks, and just general insults. So if you have a general idea what things he usually says, plan your lines to prepare for the next time he chooses to direct his insults at you. If your reply is snappy enough, the mean person might either be stunned into silence or hurl further abuse at you, but you'll know that you managed to defuse him. Your action might even inspire other people to stand up to the mean person.
Figuring out how to deal with mean people is something that we all have to learn throughout life, but with a little patience, and even some sense of humor, you can successfully rally through the challenge.
Learning how to deal with mean people is one of the most empowering things you can do. Your self esteem, confidence level and success rate will skyrocket when you master the ability to stop the effect these people can have on your life. Ready to get started? Here's how to deal with mean people in 3 easy steps.
Step 1. Take Back Control. Realize that no one has control over your emotional state but you. You choose how you respond to the aggression being shown to you. One of the fastest ways to stop a mean person in their tracks is to ignore their meanness or even show them kindness in return.
Mean people do what they do because they are looking for a reaction out of you. They are wanting to ruin your day or cause you to lose your cool. Showing them that they don't have the power to do that is like throwing cold water in their face and putting an immediate stop to their plan of controlling your emotional state.
Step 2. Understand The Source. The aggression and meanness that people show has nothing to do with you. It's the emotional state that these people have chosen to portray. Just as they have no control over your emotional state, you have no control over theirs. Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for The Soul, says that we are all just extras in everyone else's play. Whatever feedback you get from someone is really about them and their issues, NOT yours.
Step 3. Have Some Safety Nets Ready. Often, when being assaulted by a verbal aggressor, it can be hard to think of what to say. They throw you off your balance and you end getting flustered, often giving in or unable to clearly state your case. It's perfectly acceptable to have a standard comeback for these times. Things like:
"I'd like to discuss this at a different time."
"I'm sorry you feel that way"
"That's an interesting observation."
Think of some of your own so when you get in a confrontation with a mean person, you give yourself the time you need to prepare for the conversation.
Learning how to deal with mean people is a skill that will help you in so many areas of your life so be sure you learn to master it well.
I so deeply hope these revolutions of the people of Egypt, Yemen, Libya and other middle eastern lands was totally an act from the people themselves without any promptings of manipulative forces behind it, whom could possibly be trying to turn this New World Order ideal, by the Global elete of the West, being led subtly orghestrated behind the scenes via disinformation, propaganda and the like, but unfortunately I'm uncomfortable considering what has occurred within our own system of government here, which so blatantly reveals its not for the interest of the common man any longer, but, favors corporate-capitalism which is adverse to true basic human rights and needs.
by John Laughland
by John Laughland
Recently by John Laughland: Solzhenitsyn and the Russian Question
In recent years, a number of "revolutions" have broken out all over the world.
1. Georgia
In November 2003, the president of Georgia Edward Shevardnadze was overthrown following demonstrations, marches and allegations that the parliamentary elections had been rigged.
2. Ukraine
In November 2004, the "Orange Revolution" of demonstrations started in Ukraine as the same allegations were made, that elections had been rigged.
The result was that country was ripped away from its previous geopolitical role as a bridge between East and West, and put it on the path to becoming a fully-fledged member of NATO and the EU. Considering that Kievan Rus is the first Russian state, and that Ukraine has now been turned against Russia, this is a historic achievement. But then, as George Bush said, "You are either with us or against us." Although Ukraine had sent troops to Iraq, it was evidently considered too friendly to Moscow.
3. Lebanon
Shortly after the US and the UN declared that Syrian troops had to be removed from Lebanon, and following the assassination of Rafik Hariri, demonstrations in Beirut were presented as "the Cedar Revolution." An enormous counter-demonstration by Hezbollah, which is the largest political party in Syria, was effectively ignored while the TV replayed endlessly the image of the anti-Syrian crowd. In one particularly egregious case of Orwellian double-think, the BBC explained to its viewers that "Hezbollah, the biggest political party in Lebanon, is so far the only dissenting voice which wants the Syrians to stay." How can the majority be "a dissenting voice"?
4. Kyrgyzstan
After the "revolutions" in Georgia and Ukraine, many predicted that the same wave of "revolutions" would extend to the former Soviet states of Central Asia. So it was to be. Commentators seemed divided on what colour to label the uprising in Bishkek – was it a "lemon" revolution or a "tulip" revolution? They could not make up their minds. But on one thing, everyone was in agreement: revolutions are cool, even when they are violent. The Kyrgyz president, Askar Akayev, was overthrown on 24th March 2005 and protesters stormed and ransacked the presidential palace.
5. Uzbekistan
When armed rebels seized government buildings, sprung prisoners from gaol and took hostages on the night of 12th–13th May in the Uzbek city of Andijan (located in the Ferghana Valley, where the unrest had also started in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan) the police and army surrounded the rebels and a long standoff ensued. Negotiations were undertaken with the rebels, who kept increasing their demands. When government forces started to move on the rebels, the resulting fighting killed some 160 people including over 30 members of the police and army. Yet the Western media immediately misrepresented this violent confrontation, claiming that government forces had opened fire on unarmed protesters – "the people."
This constantly repeated myth of popular rebellion against a dictatorial government is popular on both the Left and the Right of the political spectrum. Previously, the myth of revolution was obviously the preserve of the Left. But when the violent putsch occurred in Kygyrzstan, The Times enthused about how the scenes in Bishkek reminded him of Eisenstein films about the Bolshevik revolution, The Daily Telegraph extolled the "power to the people," and the Financial Times used a well-known Maoist metaphor when it praised Kyrgyzstan’s "long march to freedom."
One of the key elements behind this myth is obviously that "the people" are behind the events, and that they are spontaneous. In fact, of course, they are often very highly organised operations, often deliberately staged for the media, and usually funded and controlled by transnational networks of so-called non-governmental organisations which are in turn instruments of Western power.
1. The literature on coups d’état
The survival of the myth of spontaneous popular revolution is depressing in view of the ample literature on the coup d’état, and on the main factors and tactics by which to bring one about.
It was, of course, Lenin who developed the organisational structure for overthrowing a regime which we now know as a political party. He differed from Marx in that he did not think that historical change was the result of ineluctable anonymous forces, but that it had to be worked for.

Skywatch: 2 August 2010
Day of Lammas, a Forgotten Crossquarter Day
My how time is whizzing by, isn't it. Hard to believe we are in 8th month of the year, 2010, and just 4 months left.
August 1st each year marks a traditional 'crossquarter day' known as the Day of Lammas.
It is when the first loaves are baked from the first wheat harvest, and marks the beginning of the harvest season.
Crossquarter days are the midpoint days between a solstice and an equinox. It is on these days that we begin to sense or anticipate a changing in the seasons.
Interpretations of the Planetary transits
A Trio of Planets – Venus, Mars, Saturn – in west after sunset around August 7
This can be seen visually, best between midnight and 4am, mars small compared to venus, because of distance, and will be fading away, as it moves back further from the earth. Last year it came closer than it had in many decades.
Mankind has a real fascination with mars, and 3 Nations are planning explorations there, USA, Russia and Japan.
I discuss that is a prior blog.
A trio occurs when three planets lie within five degrees of each other.
(Three fingers held together at arm's length measure about five degrees in the sky.) The trio between Venus, Mars, and Saturn occurs on August 7 and 8; however, the planets are very close during all of the first two weeks of August.
Best viewed after midnight, especially between 8-10th August, in dark of the moon.
But, I'm looking forward to the 12th, with cresent beneath the trio.
Read more at Suite101: The Night Sky for August 2010: A Stargazer's Observing Guide http://stargazing.suite101.com/arti
Venus is debilitated all month and Mercury Retrograde
Venus remains debilitated for all of August. It also conjoins Saturn on 8th August and Mars on 20th August. W all feel the weakness of Venus - it may make us feel less happy and finding life less pleasurable. The most difficult for Libra and Taurus will also experience it negatively. Jupiter Saturn's 2nd opposition is on 16 August. the final one will be in 2011
We are still tied up in the Mars Saturn conjunction and we should remain patient for this conjunction to move apart.
As this conjunction in in Virgo, it is effecting Gemini, Scorpio, Pisces - the signs Saturn aspects by transit. Saturn is taking with it the energy of Mars too. They will be totally free of this aspect only in early September. Aries, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius also feel the heat.
On a personal level:
Mars Venus conjunction on 20th August may bring some crisis with relationships. This is the first of many conjunctions of Venus and Mars. This on in Virgo is the most difficult and it shows relationships going through transition. Try not to be too critical and fussy. Keep your partners in good mood. They may become fed up with constant pickiness. It works on both sexes - so if you try encouragement and love instead - it will lead to a better month.
Mercury turns retrograde on 21st August to 13th September is in Leo. Usually the beginning and end of the Mercury retrograde brings difficulty in communications.It can create delays, disruptions, problems with computers, travel.
Double check appointments and there can be delays.
A Warrior King who dwells in exile comes in from the cold
The Mars, Saturn, Venus Moon of August 2010
Figure 1: The sky for the evening of 12 August.
Bernadette Brady M.A.

In August we have a rather thought-provoking sky story. In the middle of the month Mars meets Saturn in the wing of Virgo.
Then while the bright evening star of Venus moves between them both, the crescent moon of 12 August rides underneath this triple conjunction.
The crescent moon passes underneath the triple conjunction of Venus,
Mars and Saturn in the wing of the constellation Virgo.
To the Mesopotamian astrologer/priest this conjunction would be described as Nergal, the warrior, joining with the King and both being blessed by Ishtar, the radiating Venus. These events are embedded into the month by being associated with the crescent moon. All of this activity in the sky occurs in the wing of Virgo which places this sky story into the realm of a king who is in exile or far away – the wing of Virgo.
There is an Ancient prophesy that goes with this astro-configuration
Mar[s, the star] of Subartu, is bright and carries radiance; this is good for Subartu.
And Saturn, the star of the Westland, is faint,
and its radiance is fallen; this is bad for the Westland; an attack of an enemy will occur against the Westland.
President Obama who is Capricorn and UK Prime Minister David Cameron who is Virgo can have a crisis at hand.
This is not a time to make investment- whether it is physical or financial. Good to focus on spirituality and meditation.
Looking at the Symbolism
The separate components of this sky story describe how the warrior Nergal (Mars) joins with the king (Saturn) or leader, suggesting that the king and his army or his general are in accord. This union of king and general occurs in the wing of the constellation Virgo, a part of the sky linked with the concept of exile, so this king or group is in exile or disempowered in some manner. To the Mesopotamian astrologer/priest therefore this Mars- Saturn conjunction would probably be read as a king in a far off land who is raising an army.
Such a conjunction would have been seen as a threat and letters written to the king would have suggested that he be prepared for war. Indeed such a letter was written by the astrologer/priest Sapikuof Borsippa around the middle of the 7th century BCE when he wrote on a clay tablet:
http://www.astrodispatch.com/2010/0
So, astrologer, Bernadette Brady M.A.began Checking a little history
Using Jigsaw [2] I created 1000 years of daily ephemeris and scanned this to look for previous occurrences of this sky narrative.
The only occurrence of this combination in the last millennium was 16–19 August 1165, and for these dates there was no major military incursion or violence.
By widening the search and including a Mars, Saturn, Venus conjunction in the wing of Virgo but not requiring the Venus to be bright,
there was one other period on 8-14 September 1421.
The lack of historical evidence around these dates I find interesting.
History tends to record battles and conflicts and not the quiet talks that bring peace or reconciliation between groups.
Venus, Saturn, and Mars
This astrologer sounds much more optimistic than I feel, at the moment.
Uranus in Aries, with Jupiter really shows their is sure to be rebellions in the name of peace and justice.
There will be a desire to break it all down, and start out anew.
Saturn forces don't let go easily, and will stubbornly hold on-thus far,
Jupiter nor Uranus alone,have been able to overtake him.
Uranus-and Jupiter aligned in Aries, the sign of Warrior, its a rare thing,
and should be no less than interesting to see what happens?
On August 8, 2010 Venus makes its exact alignment with Saturn. At this moment Saturn is also in a near exact opposition with both Jupiter and Uranus. Additionally, Pluto tightly squares all of these planets from it's position close to the Galactic Equator.
The power of this event is conveyed in part by how rare it is. Jupiter and Uranus conjoin only once in 14 years. Saturn opposes Jupiter once in 20 years. Uranus and Saturn oppose only briefly every 45 years. Pluto is at the Galactic Equator only once in 250 years. Adding to the synergy, this aligment also happens close with the Celestial Directions of West, East, and South. Saturn, Venus and Mars in the West (Autumn Equinox) signal a shift in the way we act and attract within the context of our current experience. Jupiter and Uranus in the East (Spring Equinox) indicate a new insight and new direction arising in the way that we all live and thrive together. Pluto at the South (aligned with Galactic Equator close to the Winter Solstice) brings a renewing and regenerating energy from the womb of our Great Celestial Mother.
This is a time for close attention to what we do together and to the results of our individual and collective actions.
This is a time for our birth into a greater level of awareness and more conscious choosing.
The mantra for this series of events is, “Conscious action brings us all toward the destiny of radiance.”
PLUTO CAPRICORN, USA 8th HOUSE OF SHARED ASSETS-BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH PARTNERS
Natally Afflicted, Opposite Mercury 2nd house, Cancer
Currently being Squared by Mars, Venus, and Saturn in Libra and by Jupiter/Uranusr in Aries by transit
If you have planets in early Capricorn-Cancer-your likely experiencing a tremendous transition, which often aren't pleasant.
Especially right now, Pluto with the squre to Saturn in sign Saturn rules, is so cold, harsh, oppressive and depressive.
If you have afflicted planets in early degrees of Libra or Aries, you probably feeling these harsher effects, also.
Eventually, as one adjusts, it can lead to greater insight, self-discipline, transformation, and regeneration.
Its usually not pleasant on emotional level either, one may be awakened to some sudden harsh realities, and
as a consquence may change their lifestyle as a result.
Mystically, its the configuration of Death and Rebirth.
AMERICANS FEEL THIS AS A COLLECTIVE KARMA AS IT OPPOSES VENUS/SUN in SIGN CANCER 2nd HOUSE OF INCOME_ASSETS_PROPERTY, etc.
Pluto's trials serve to shatter structures that have become prisons to growth, even though we cling to the familiar as it crumbles. Just when we think we've hit a bottom, Pluto sends us hurling down further into what seems like a bottom-less pit. Pluto transits take out the light at the end of the tunnel.
And that's when the miracle happens, and you realize you're stronger than you thought you were. And when true faith takes root in your character.
Right now, Pluto's drama is playing out in the realm of finances, government and the environment. We're seeing desperate, compulsive and obsessive behavior come into the light, as more suffer from a system that's been revealed as unsound.
Pluto's probing uncovers distorted thinking, and power being wielded destructively. The truth comes out, and in the financial world, we see a value-system that is poisoned by greed.
It's based on a sick psychological foundation, one not in harmony with the cycles of life.
As 'trust' in the market is lost, the whole system spirals out of control.
And this is a challenge to every household, as we try to adjust to the changes in the economy. Pluto's dark powers of control, through money, is a theme that each of us will wrestle with, in some form or another.
The specter of debtor's prisons has risen in the news here and there, but it's not likely to go that far.
There's a potential for profound healing of our relationship with money, and a release from the prison of burdening debt.
Since Capricorn is a sign of enmeshed authority, we could be shocked by the fall or exposure of rotten-to-the-core leaders. Capricorn is the sign of the mentor and the archetypal patriarch...the Grand Poohbah. We will see the end of blind faith in paternal leaders to shape our world, especially ones with a do as I say, not as I do attitude. The true imbalances of a patriarchal system will be outed, and what has been hidden, exposed.
Since Capricorn deals with power hierarchies, it's not just the average citizen that will feel the burn. We're apt to see the mighty fall during this transit. The monied elite are in Pluto's hot seat, with an investigative eye on what's hopelessly unsustainable. For example, the formerly hidden truths about the Federal Reserve, are coming to light. Since they charge interest on the money they print for the U.S. government, each dollar issued by this private bank adds to the national debt. Simple truths like this are being uncloaked in the mainstream, and that could ultimately lead to reform of the whole system. It's Pluto's time to follow the money with the promise that by exposing the hidden hands, any inherently destructive power structures can be dismantled.
Since Capricorn is a sign of enmeshed authority, we could be shocked by the fall or exposure of rotten-to-the-core leaders. Capricorn is the sign of the mentor and the archetypal patriarch...the Grand Poohbah. We will see the end of blind faith in paternal leaders to shape our world, especially ones with a do as I say, not as I do attitude. The true imbalances of a patriarchal system will be outed, and what has been hidden, exposed.
Humanity is at a dangerous crossroads. War preparations to attack Iran are in "an advanced state of readiness". Hi tech weapons systems including nuclear warheads are fully deployed.
This military adventure has been on the Pentagon's drawing board since the mid-1990s. First Iraq, then Iran according to a declassified 1995 US Central Command document·
Escalation is part of the military agenda. While Iran, is the next target together with Syria and Lebanon, this strategic military deployment also threatens North Korea, China and Russia.
Since 2005, the US and its allies, including America's NATO partners and Israel, have been involved in the extensive deployment and stockpiling of advanced weapons systems. The air defense systems of the US, NATO member countries and Israel are fully integrated.
This is a coordinated endeavor of the Pentagon, NATO, Israel's Defense Force (IDF), with the active military involvement of several non-NATO partner countries including the frontline Arab states (members of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative), Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, among others. (NATO consists of 28 NATO member states Another 21 countries are members of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), The Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative include ten Arab countries plus Israel.)
The roles of Egypt, the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia (within the extended military alliance) is of particular relevance. Egypt controls the transit of war ships and oil tankers through the Suez Canal. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States occupy the South Western coastlines of the Persian Gulf, the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. In early June, "Egypt reportedly allowed one Israeli and eleven U.S. ships to pass through the Suez Canal in ....an apparent signal to Iran. ... On June 12, regional press outlets reported that the Saudis had granted Israel the right to fly over its airspace..." (Muriel Mirak Weissbach, Israel’s Insane War on Iran Must Be Prevented., Global Research, July 31, 2010)
In post 9/11 military doctrine, this massive deployment of military hardware has been defined as part of the so-called "Global War on Terrorism", targeting "non-State" terrorist organizations including al Qaeda and so-called "State sponsors of terrorism",. including Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan.
The setting up of new US military bases, the stockpiling of advanced weapons systems including tactical nuclear weapons, etc. were implemented as part of the pre-emptive defensive military doctrine under the umbrella of the "Global War on Terrorism".
War and the Economic Crisis
The broader implications of a US-NATO Israel attack on Iran are far-reaching. The war and the economic crisis are intimately related. The war economy is financed by Wall Street, which stands as the creditor of the US administration. The US weapons producers are the recipients of the US Department of Defense multibillion dollar procurement contracts for advanced weapons systems. In turn, "the battle for oil" in the Middle East and Central Asia directly serves the interests of the Anglo-American oil giants.
The US and its allies are "beating the drums of war" at the height of a Worldwide economic depression, not to mention the most serious environmental catastrophe in World history. In a bitter twist, one of the major players (BP) on the Middle East Central Asia geopolitical chessboard, formerly known as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, is the instigator of the ecological disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
Media Disinformation
Public opinion, swayed by media hype is tacitly supportive, indifferent or ignorant as to the likely impacts of what is upheld as an ad hoc "punitive" operation directed against Iran's nuclear facilities rather than an all out war. War preparations include the deployment of of US and Israeli produced nuclear weapons. In this context, the devastating consequences of a nuclear war are either trivialised or simply not mentioned. The real crisis threatening humanity is not war but global warming.
The war on Iran is presented to public opinion as an issue among others. It is not a threat to Mother Earth as in the case of global warming. It is not front-page news. The fact that an attack on Iran could lead to escalation and potentially unleash a "global war" is not a matter of concern.
The Cult of Killing and Destruction
The global killing machine is also sustained by an imbedded cult of killing and destruction which pervades Hollywood movies, not to mention the prime time war and crime TV series. This cult of killing is endorsed by the CIA and the Pentagon which also support (finance) Hollywood productions as an instrument of war propaganda:
"Ex-CIA agent Bob Baer told us, "There’s a symbiosis between the CIA and Hollywood" and revealed that former CIA director George Tenet is currently, "out in Hollywood, talking to studios." (Matthew Alford and Robbie Graham, Lights, Camera... Covert Action: The Deep Politics of Hollywood, Global Research, January 31, 2009).
The killing machine is deployed at a global level, within the framework of the unified combat command structure. It is routinely upheld by the institutions of government, the corporate media and the mandarins and intellectuals of the New World Orders from within Washington's think tanks and strategic studies research institutes, as an unquestioned instrument of peace and global prosperity.
A culture of killing and violence has become imbedded in human consciousness.
War is broadly accepted as part of a societal process: The Homeland needs to be "defended" and protected.
"Legitimized violence" and extrajudicial killings directed against "terrorists" are upheld in western democracies, as necessary instruments of "law and order".
A "humanitarian war" is upheld by the so-called international community. It is not condemned as a criminal act. Its main architects are rewarded for their contributions to world peace.
With regard to Iran, what is unfolding is the outright legitimization of war in the name of an illusive notion of global security.
A "Pre-emptive" Aerial attack directed against Iran would lead to Escalation
At present there are three separate Middle East Central Asia war theaters: Iraq, Af-Pak, and Palestine.
Were Iran to be the object of a "pre-emptive" aerial attack by allied forces, the entire region, from the Eastern Mediterranean to China's Western frontier with Afghanistan and Pakistan, would flare up, leading us potentially into a World War III scenario.
The war would also extend into Lebanon and Syria.
It is highly unlikely that the bombings, if they were to be implemented, would be circumscribed to Iran's Bushr nuclear facility as claimed by US-NATO official statements. What is more probable is an all out air attack on both military and civilian infrastructure, transport systems, factories, public buildings.
Iran, with an an estimated ten percent of global oil and gas reserves, ranks third after Saudi Arabia (25 %) and Iraq (11 %) in the size of its reserves. In comparison, the US possesses less than 2.8 % of global oil reserves. (See Eric Waddell, The Battle for Oil, Global Research, December 2004).
Of significance is the recent discovery in Iran of the second largest known reserves of natural gas at Soumar and Halgan estimated at 12.4 trillion cubic feet.
Targeting Iran consists not only in reclaiming Anglo-American control over Iran's oil and gas economy, including pipeline routes, it also challenges the presence and influence of China and Russia in the region.
The planned attack on Iran is part of a coordinated global military road map. It is part of the Pentagon's "long war", a profit driven war without borders, a project of World domination, a sequence of military operations.
US-NATO military planners have envisaged various scenarios of military escalation. They are also acutely aware of the geopolitical implications, namely that the war could extend beyond the Middle East Central Asia region. The economic impacts on the oil markets, etc have also been analyzed.
While Iran, Syria and Lebanon are the immediate targets, China, Russia, North Korea, not to mention Venezuela and Cuba are also the object of US threats.
At stake is the structure of military alliances. US-NATO-Israel military deployments including military exercises and drills conducted on Russia and China's immediate borders bear a direct relationship to the proposed war on Iran. These veiled threats, including their timing, constitute an obvious hint to the former powers of the Cold War era not to intervene in any way which could encroach upon a US-led attack on Iran.
Global Warfare
The medium term strategic objective is to target Iran and neutralize Iran's allies, through gunboat diplomacy. The longer term military objective is to directly target China and Russia.
While Iran is the immediate target, military deployment is by no means limited to the Middle East and Central Asia. A global military agenda has been formulated.
The deployment of coalition troops and advanced weapons systems by the US, NATO and its partners is occurring simultaneously in all major regions of the World.
The recent actions of the US military off the coast of North Korea including the conduct of war games are part of a global design.
Directed primarily against Russia and China, US, NATO and allied military exercises, war drills, weapons deployments, etc. are being conducted simultaneously in major geopolitical hotspots.
-The Korean Peninsula, the Sea of Japan, the Taiwan Straits, the South China Sea threatening China,
-The deployment of Patriot missiles in Poland, the early warning center in the Czech republic threatening Russia,
-Naval deployments in Bulgaria, Romania on the Black sea,
- US and NATO troops deployments in Georgia,
- A formidable naval deployment in the Persian Gulf including Israeli submarines directed against Iran.
Concurrently the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Caribbean, Central America and the Andean region of South America are areas of ongoing militarization. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the threats are directed against Venezuela and Cuba.
US "Military Aid"
In turn, large scale weapons transfers have been undertaken under the banner of US "military aid" to selected countries, including a 5 billion dollar arms deal with India which is intended to build India's capabilities directed against China. (Huge U.S.-India Arms Deal To Contain China, Global Times, July 13, 2010).
"[The] arms sales will improve ties between Washington and New Delhi, and, intentionally or not, will have the effect of containing China’s influence in the region.” quoted in Rick Rozoff, Confronting both China and Russia: U.S. Risks Military Clash With China In Yellow Sea, Global Research, July 16, 2010)
The US has military cooperation agreements with a number of South East Asian countries including Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, involving "military aid" as well as the participation in U.S.-led war games in the Pacific Rim (July -August 2010). These agreements are supportive of weapons deployments directed against The People's Republic of China. (See Rick Rozoff, Confronting both China and Russia: U.S. Risks Military Clash With China In Yellow Sea, Global Research, July 16, 2010).
Similarly and more directly related to the planned attack on Iran, the US is arming the Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) with land-based interceptor missiles, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) as well as sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptors installed on Aegis class warships in the Persian Gulf. (See Rick Rozoff, NATO’s Role In The Military Encirclement Of Iran, Global Research, February 10, 2010).
The Timetable of Military Stockpiling and Deployment
What is crucial in regards to US weapons transfers to partner countries and allies is the actual timing of delivery and deployment. The launch of a US sponsored military operation would normally occur once these weapons systems are in place, effectively deployed with the implementation of personnel training. (e.g India).
What we are dealing with is a carefully coordinated global military design controlled by Pentagon, involving the combined armed forces of more than forty countries. This global multinational military deployment is by far the largest display of advanced weapons systems in World history.
In turn, the US and its allies have established new military bases in different parts of the world. "The Surface of the Earth is Structured as a Wide Battlefield". (See Jules Dufour, The Worldwide Network of US Military Bases , Global Research, July 1, 2007).
The Unified Command structure divided up into geographic Combatant Commands is predicated on a strategy of militarization at the global level. "The US Military has bases in 63 countries. Brand new military bases have been built since September 11, 2001 in seven countries. In total, there are 255,065 US military personnel deployed Worldwide." (See Jules Dufour, The Worldwide Network of US Military Bases , Global Research, July 1, 2007
Source: DefenseLINK-Unified Command Plan
World War III Scenario
This military deployment is occurring in several regions simultaneously under the coordination of the regional Combatant Commands, involving the stockpiling of US made weapons systems by America's allies, some of which are former enemies, including Vietnam and Japan.
The present context is characterised by a a global military build-up characterised by one World superpower, which is using its numerous allies to trigger regional wars. In contrast to the Second World War was a conjunction of separate regional war theaters. Given the communications technologies and weapons systems of the 1940s, there was no strategic "real time" coordination in military actions between broad geographic regions
Global warfare is based on the coordinated deployment of a single dominant military power, which oversees the actions of its allies and partners.
With the exception of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Second World War was characterized by the use of conventional weapons. A contemporary global war is characterised by the militarization of outer space. It would not only use nuclear weapons, the entire gamut of new advanced weapons systems, including electrometric weapons and environmental modification techniques (ENMOD) would be unleashed.
The United Nations Security Council
The UN Security Council adopted in early June a fourth round of sweeping sanctions against The Islamic Republic of Iran, which included an expanded arms embargo as well "tougher financial controls". In a bitter irony, this resolution was passed within days of the United Nations Secrity Council's outright refusal to adopt a motion condemning Israel for its attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters.
Both China and Russia, pressured by the US, have endorsed the UNSC sanctions' regime, to their own detriment. Their decision within the UNSC contributes to weakening their own military alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation organization (SCO), in which Iran has observer status. The Security Council resolution freezes China and Russia's respective bilateral military cooperation and trade agreements with Iran. It has serious repercussions on Iran's air defense system which in part depends on Russian technology and expertise.The Security Council resolution grants a de facto "green light" to wage a pre-emptive war against Iran.
The American Inquisition: Building a Political Consensus for War
In chorus, the Western media has branded Iran as a threat to global security in view of its alleged (non-existent) nuclear weapons program. Echoing official statements, the media is now demanding the implementation of punitive bombings directed against Iran so as to safeguard Israel's security.
The Western media is beating the drums of war. The purpose is to tacitly instil, through repeated media reports, ad nauseam, within people's inner consciousness, that the Iranian threat is real and that the Islamic Republic should be "taken out".
A consensus building process to wage war is similar to the Spanish inquisition. It requires and demands submission to the notion that war is a humanitarian endeavor.
Known and documented, the real threat to global security emanates from the US-NATO-Israel alliance, yet realities in an inquisitorial environment are turned upside down: the warmongers are committed to peace, the victims of war are presented as the protagonists of war. Whereas in 2006, almost two thirds of Americans were opposed to military action against Iran, a recent Reuter-Zogby February 2010 poll suggests that 56 % of Americans favor a US-NATO military action against Iran.
Building a political consensus which is based on an outright lie cannot, however, rely solely on the official position of those who are the source of the lie.
The antiwar movement in the US, which has in part been infiltrated and co-opted, has taken on a weak stance with regard to Iran. The antiwar movement is divided. The emphasis has been on wars which have already occurred (Afghanistan, Iraq) rather than forcefully opposing wars which are being prepared and which are currently on the Pentagon's drawing board. Since the inauguration of the Obama administration, the antiwar movement has lost some of its impetus.
Moreover, those who actively oppose the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, do not necessarily oppose the conduct of "punitive bombings" directed Iran, nor do they categorize these bombings as an act of war, which could potentially be a prelude to World War III.
The scale of antiwar protest in relation to Iran has been minimal in comparison to the mass demonstrations which preceded the 2003 bombing and invasion of Iraq.
The real threat to global security emanates from the US-NATO-Israel alliance.
The Iran operation is not being opposed in the diplomatic arena by China and Russia; it has the support of the governments of the frontline Arab states which are integrated into the NATO sponsored Mediterranean dialogue. It also has the tacit support of Western public opinion.
We call upon people across the land, in America, Western Europe, Israel, Turkey and around the world to rise up against this military project, against their governments which are supportive of military action against Iran, against the media which serves to camouflage the devastating implications of a war against Iran.
This war is sheer madness.
World War III is terminal. Albert Einstein understood the perils of nuclear war and the extinction of life on earth, which has already started with the radioactive contamination resulting from depleted uranium. “ I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”
The media, the intellectuals, the scientists and the politicians, in chorus, obfuscate the untold truth, namely that war using nuclear warheads destroys humanity, and that this complex process of gradual destruction has already commenced.
When the lie becomes the truth there is no turning backwards.
When war is upheld as a humanitarian endeavor, Justice and the entire international legal system are turned upside down: pacifism and the antiwar movement are criminalized. Opposing the war becomes a criminal act.
The Lie must be exposed for what it is and what it does.
It sanctions the indiscriminate killing of men, women and children.
It destroys families and people.It destroys the commitment of people towards their fellow human beings.
It prevents people from expressing their solidarity for those who suffer. It upholds war and the police state as the sole avenue.
Breaking the lie means breaking a criminal project of global destruction, in which the quest for profit is the overriding force.
This profit driven military agenda destroys human values and transforms people into unconscious zombies.
Let us reverse the tide.
Challenge the war criminals in high office.
Break the American inquisition.
Undermine the US-NATO-Israel military crusade.
Close down the weapons factories and the military bases.
Bring home the troops.
Members of the armed forces should disobey orders and refuse to participate in a criminal war.
Part II of this essay will be published shortly.
Preparing for World War III. Nature and History of the Planned Military Operation against Iran
Includes analysis of the role if Israel
Michel Chossudovsky is an award-winning author, Professor of Economics (Emeritus) at the University of Ottawa and Director of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG), Montreal. He is the author of The Globalization of Poverty and The New World Order (2003) and America’s “War on Terrorism” (2005). He is also a contributor to the Encyclopaedia Britannica. His writings have been published in more than twenty languages.
"War without Borders": Obama's "Long War"
by Michel Chossudovsky
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?c
VIDEO: Will US-NATO Start World War III by Attacking Iran?
by Michel Chossudovsky
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