Duplicitous Mortgage Settlement Deal

by Stephen Lendman

What major media scoundrels call relief is, in fact, business as usual coverup and fraud. Ellen Brown's important writing explained.

Obama pushed hard to get state attorneys general to settle for a fraction of stolen wealth, but it's worse than that. More on the announced deal below.

At issue is securitized mortgage-backed securities fraud compounded by "robo-signing." it involves "employees signing names not their own, under titles they did not really have, attesting to the veracity of documents they had not really reviewed."

It wasn't occasional. It's systemic grand theft since the 1990s. As a result, settling with crooks lets Wall Street shysters "off the hook for crimes that would land the rest of us in jail - fraud, forgery, securities violations and tax evasion."

State Attorneys General Perpetuate Fraud and Coverup

Forty-nine of the 50 States AGs agreed to let five major banks off the hook - JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Ally Financial (formerly GMAC). Oklahoma opted out, not from altruism. AG Scott Pruitt wants no banker penalties. Stealing is OK with him.

In exchange for robo-signing fraud, illegal fees, failure to honor previous settlements, and other servicer abuses, rogue bankers settled for $25 billion. It amounts to pennies on the dollar at most.

Homeowners may sue on their own. States get a fixed amount for legal aid services. All securitization claims, tax and insurance fraud ones, and others may still be investigated and prosecuted by individual AGs and the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group (RMBS).

Set up by Obama's Financial Fraud Task Force, New York AG Eric Schneiderman is one of five co-chairs. Delaware, Missouri, Nevada and Arizona filed lawsuits. California AG Kamala Harris retained the right of state to sue under the state's False Claims Act. Massachusetts also has a foreclosure fraud suit pending.

Funds are apportioned as follows:

• 
  
• $17 billion for troubled borrowers in the form of principal reduction credits;

• $3 billion toward underwater borrowers' refinancing; and

• $5 billion for cash payments to states to use for legal aid services, foreclosure mitigation programs, and fraud investigations;

In addition, Washington gets a small amount. Around 750,000 wrongfully foreclosed borrowers get checks from $1,800 - $2,000. It’s pennies on the value of home equity stolen. On average, borrowers are underwater by $50,000 each. Collectively, their negative equity approximates $700 billion.

However, millions of underwater homeowners aren't helped, and statute of limitations absolution applies to amounts too large to ignore. Filings more than five years old are excluded, so defrauded homeowners beyond this timeline remain cheated out of luck.

Why the Deal "Stinks"

It shouldn't surprise. Deals bankers agree to helps them, not victims. On February 9, Yves Smith's Naked Capitalism article headlined, "The Top Twelve Reasons Why You Should Hate the Mortgage Settlement," saying:

Settlement terms haven't been released, but leaked details assure few troubled borrowers will be helped compared to much greater numbers left out.

State AG suits remain unresolved and won't likely yield borrower-friendly results. The Nevada/Arizona suits were "folded into" settlement terms, effectively ending them.

(1) The maximum payout per borrower is $2,000. Its peanuts compared to amounts lost. It represents about 1% of loan balances. It's "less that the price of the title insurance that banks failed to get when they transferred the loans to the trust."

It's also a fraction of legal expenses for challenged foreclosures. Bankers made out like bandits in terms of benefits and avoiding prison time. Borrowers are stuck with a deal made in hell.

(2) The $25/26 billion "is actually $5 billion of bank money and the rest is your money." Write-downs will be almost entirely from securitized loans. In other words, investors will eat them, not Wall Street crooks.

(3) $5 billion apportioned among five banks is too inconsequential to matter.

(4) $20 billion "actually makes bank second liens sounder, so this deal is a stealth bailout that strengthens bank balance sheet at the expense of" cheated borrowers.

(5) Enforcement is a "joke." In large measure, it lets banks self-supervise.

(6) Past servicer consent decrees show they "all fail to comply....(T)hey cheat in all sorts of ways to (avoid obligations and) reduce their losses."

(7) The Nevada/Arizona "cave-in" greatly helps Bank of America. It's "by far the worst offender in the chain of title disaster...."

(8) If a "serious" deal was planned, the announced result wouldn't have happened and high-level crooks wouldn't get off unscathed.

(9) Many systemic abuses were ignored, "such as servicer driven foreclosures and looting of investors' funds via impermissible and inflated charges."

(10) The deal conceals "much deeper chain of title problem(s)."

(11) Obama's foreclosure task force will be as toothless as previous efforts to address a joint Wall Street/Washington swindle.

(12) Housing market problems will keep festering. Underwater borrower suffering will continue. Mortgage-backed securities investors will "will to hung out to dry." Unresolved problems put the residential mortgage market on "long term, perhaps permanent, government life support."

The deal's another example of who always wins and loses. It also proves Washington's bipartisan criminal class hands bankers whatever they wish at the expense of ordinary people losing out entirely.

A Final Comment

Greece represents the epicenter of banker pillage. Multiple austerity rounds imposed mass unemployment, poverty, homelessness, hunger, and unprecedented human misery in a modern-day state. They also provoked mass street rage heading toward exploding in response to what people no longer will tolerate.

Homeowners can't pay new property taxes. Suicides are Europe's highest. Children faint in school from hunger. Hospital admissions rose 25%. Budgets serving them fell 40%. As a result, shortages of everything compromise care people can't afford to pay for anyway.

HIV rates rose 50%. Other illnesses are rising. A humanitarian catastrophe's unfolding. Nonetheless, ECB/IMF/EU troika pressure demands more in return for another 130 billion euro bailout to pay bankers, not use productively for growth.

The more Greece borrows, the more debt entrapped it becomes. Bankers occupy Greece. They demand their pound of flesh. They're strip-mining the nation's crown jewels and force-feeding austerity on people faced with more than they can bear.

Despite a deepening Greek tragedy, The New York Times hailed the latest deal instead of condemning it. It remains for Greece's parliament to act. Despite strikes and mass protests, expect passage to be rubber stamp.

Besides previous harsh rounds, another 22% wage cut's coming on all salaried workers. Pensions and jobs are also targeted, around 150,000 public ones by 2015. In addition, permanent state enterprise positions will be abolished.

Greece already is bankrupt. Now it's racing toward collapse. Social crisis conditions threaten to explode. It's just a matter of time.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Murdering Khader Adnan

by Stephen Lendman

Adnan's a political prisoner hunger striker against gross Israeli repression and injustice. Two previous articles discussed his case and grave health condition after 55 days without food.

Irish republican/British MP Bobby Sands lasted 66 before expiring at age 27. Global marches, strikes and riots followed his death.

In France, many towns and cities named streets after him. Iran renamed Winston Churchill Street Bobby Sands Street. New Jersey's legislature passed a resolution 34 - 29 honoring his "courage and commitment."

The night he died, the Grateful Dead held a Nassau Coliseum concert on his behalf. Guitarist Bob Weir dedicated his song "He's Gone" to him.

Instead of expressing remorse, Britain's Margaret Thatcher shamelessly vilified him. The Hindustan Times condemned her, calling it unprecedented "in a civilized country" to let a fellow MP die of starvation.

The New York Times contemptuously said:

"Britain's prime minister Thatcher is right in refusing to yield political status to Bobby Sands (but by appearing) unfeeling and unresponsive (she gave Sands) the crown of martyrdom."

In Adnan's own words: "My dignity is more precious than food." He's willing to die courageously defending it. West Bank, Gaza, and other protesters joined Adnan's strike supportively. Global tweets circulate on his behalf. Expect much more if he dies.

On February 8, Amnesty International said Israel uses "administrative detention to lock up Palestinian activists without charge, violating their rights to a fair trial." AI said "Israel must release or try Palestinian detainee on prolonged hunger strike."

After examining him on January 29 (his only medical contact since arrested), Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I) said:

"His clothes were dirty. His finger(nails) were not trimmed for a long time, and he started to lose his hair." Not having showed since arrested, "(h)is body odor was unpleasant, and (he) lost a third of his weight."

He's fading fast, "suffers from chest pains, and feels he has days, maybe hours, to live."

Hospitalized, he's shackled painfully to his bed. Prison guards monitor him constantly. Israel's administrative detention practice violates fundamental human rights. PHR-I demanded he be released.

Expect Israel callously to let him die. Rogue states show no mercy nor afford justice to victims. Condemning Adnan to death fits its degenerate pattern.

On February 8, human rights organization Al-Haq expressed solidarity with him, saying:

"Throughout his detention, (he) was subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment, including physical abuse, prolonged periods of interrogation, isolation and unsanitary conditions of detention."

His condition's now extremely grave. Yet prison authorities shamelessly called his health "acceptable." They found no grounds for shortening his detention or releasing him.

Al-Haq said Israel's administrative detention practice without charge "constitutes a serious breach of international humanitarian and human rights law." Permitted only under exceptional conditions, Israel uses it abusively against political and human rights activists to hold them indefinitely.

As a result, hundreds of Palestinians suffer abusively in Israeli prisons under horrendous conditions, including isolation and brutalizing torture.

Amid growing concerns for Adnan's health, the Palestinian Council of Human Rights Organizations (PCHRO) demanded Israel immediately release him so he'll get proper medical treatment.

PCHRO urged international community members to act on his behalf and abide by their legal obligation to do so. In light of the European Parliament's position on Palestinian prisoners, it asked MEPs to confront Israeli authorities and send a fact-finding mission to examine other arbitrarily detained Palestinians.

Global Media React

Major media rarely mention Palestinian prisoners, never truthfully with full disclosure. On February 8, BBC reported his "critical condition" without explaining Israel's appalling injustice.

Like US media scoundrels, BBC displays distorted, one-sided pro-Israeli bias and hostile Palestinian antipathy. Its inglorious tradition continues on all major world and national issues, especially those related to wealth, power, and imperial lawlessness.

On February 9, AP did no better. It spuriously called him a West Bank spokesman for "an Iranian-backed militant group that has killed dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings and other attacks...." In fact, he's a Palestinian activist/political prisoner willing to die expressing opposition to Israeli injustice.

A Final Comment

On February 9, Israel's Military Court will hold a special final appeal session bedside at Safad Hospital where Adnan's held, shackled to his bed, near death.

Moving him to court could hasten it. On February 8, the Palestinian Authority called for his immediate release. The Addameer prisoner support/human rights group expressed "its utmost concern" for his health and holds Israel responsible, adding:

Extreme weight loss left him "incredibly small and his clothes haven't been changed and he hasn't showered since being arrested. His nails haven't been cut and there were blotches on his face and teeth."

Samidoun, the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, said Tommy McKearney, a former Irish republican hunger striker sent Adnan a solidarity video message.

His wife Randa said he's targeted for "assassination," but his spirit's high and determination resolute to strike against Israel's "illegitimate and inhumane policies."

Along with global actions on his behalf, dozens of Ofer prisoners began hunger striking in solidarity. Adnan's a national hero headed for martyrdom for a just cause.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Act Up Against ACTA

by Stephen Lendman

ACTA's worse than SOPA and PIPA. Net Neutrality and free expression are threatened. In October 2007, negotiations began secretly.

At issue is establishing a new intellectual property enforcement treaty - the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). If adopted, fundamental freedoms will be lost. Privatized online censorship will rule. Internet actors will be copyright enforcers. Offenders will face harsh criminal sanctions.

Transparency's entirely absent. So is major media coverage explaining an issue demanding headlines.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) says we've all got a "right to be furious about ACTA." Killing it's essential.

"If there's one thing....wrong with (how) government(s now function), ACTA is it," says EFF. Washington and other dominant countries drafted it. Others are pressured to comply per America's annual Special 301 process.

At issue is establishing new Internet rules, "bypass(ing) checks and balances of existing international IP norm-setting bodies, without any meaningful input from national parliaments, policymakers, or their citizens."

Moreover, the agreement creates a czar-like global "ACTA Committee." Unelected bureaucrats will oversee supranational interpretation and implementation. Arbitrary top-down rule will be imposed. In the process, democratic freedoms will be lost.

On January 26, 22 of 27 EU natons signed ACTA in Tokyo. Many steps remain before ratification. In June, the EU Parliament will vote up or down on approval. Global activism must stop it. Jeremie Zimmerman, spokesperson for the citizen advocacy group La Quadrature du Net, said:

"In the last few days, we have seen encouraging protests by Polish and other EU citizens, who are rightly concerned with the effect of ACTA on freedom of expression, access to (generic) medicines (and safe foods), but also access to culture and knowledge."

Anti-ACTA momentum's building. Citizens "must reclaim democracy, against the harmful influence of corporate interests over global policy-making." Acting up against ACTA is crucial.

In December, the Council of the European Union (one of two EU legislative bodies representing all 27 member states) adopted ACTA during an unrelated agriculture and fisheries meeting.

In America, constitutional issues remain. Last October, Obama signed it by "executive agreement." He falsely claimed ACTA's not a treaty requiring Senate approval. By law, executive agreements apply only to sole presidential authority issues. Treaties must be ratified by a two-thirds Senate supermajority.

Obama's stonewalling. He's circumventing legal issues like always. He also broke a campaign pledge to preserve Internet freedom. Instead, he's trashing it by diktat authority.

In 2010, Law Professors Jack Goldsmith and Larry Lessig questioned executive agreement constitutionality, saying:

"The president has no independent constitutional authority over intellectual property or communications policy, and there is no long historical practice of making sole executive agreements in this area. To the contrary, the Constitution gives primary authority over these matters to Congress, which is charged with making laws that regulate foreign commerce and intellectual property."

EFF contributors Eddan Katz and Gwen Hinze called US trade policy and intellectual property (IP) enforcement at a crossroads in governing the global knowledge economy.

Corporate enforcement demands "now threaten to undermine the balance of IP at the foundation of sustainable innovation and creativity. IP enforcement isolated from innovation policy ignore the legal flexibility that enables information technology to emerge, obstructs access to knowledge, and threatens citizens' civil liberties."

ACTA's an extralegal plurilateral agreement bypassing multilateral institutions like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) where international IP norms are set. ACTA excludes checks and balances.

In America, presidential diktat authority's circumventing constitutional law. The founders gave executives power solely to negotiate treaties. The Senate alone may pass or reject them. ACTA undermines established law by shutting out Congress and popular sentiment.

Given its impact on America's knowledge economy and Internet, diktat presidential authority must be stopped. If enacted and enforced, corporations will control global Internet traffic. Censorship will follow. Offenders will be prosecuted. Existing laws will be undermined. So will global information flows and constitutionally protected speech.

As a result, open public debate is essential and Senate authority over foreign trade agreements enforced. So is saving constitutional freedoms. Existing laws should be enforced. Presidents have no right to violate them. Congress needs to act and enforce rule of law standards, especially on issues of fundamental freedoms.

US public interest groups and responsible politicians understand ACTA's problems. Others must be enlisted to publicly address them and demand Congress act. European Parliament ACTA rapporteur, Kader Arif, quit in protest, saying:

"I want to denounce in the strongest possible manner the entire process that led to the signature of this agreement: no inclusion of civil society organizations, a lack of transparency from the start of negotiations, repeated postponing of the signature of the text without an explanation being ever given, (and) exclusion of the EU Parliament's demands that were expressed on several occasions in our assembly."

"This agreement might have major consequences on citizens' lives, and still, everything is being done to prevent the European Parliament from having its say in this matter. That is why today, as I release this report for which I was in charge, I want to send a strong signal and alert the public opinion about this unacceptable situation. I will not take part in this masquerade."

Corrupted public officials signed ACTA. Doing so trashed fundamental freedoms in deference to corporate ones bribing and pressuring them to go along. When fundamental freedoms are risked, it's essential everyone get in the fight to save them.

A Final Comment

On January 26, EFF headlined, "Under Obama, the Freedom of Information Act is Still in Shackles," saying:

On his first day in office, Obama's infamous memo promised transparency and open government, saying:

"My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficient and effective(ness) in Government."

Obama's a serial liar. "Openness" was code language for America's most secretive administration. Subverting FOIA is one of many examples of Obama’s rogue governance. Secrecy and public trust betrayal trust took precedence immediately.

As a result, vital public information's suppressed. FOIA "deliberative process (DP)" exemptions are abused, including withholding documents dealing with decision making issues. In Obama's first year, he invoked DP exemptions an astonishing 70,779 times.

Moreover, in year two, a National Security Archive study found "less than one-third of the 90 federal agencies that process such FOIA requests have made significant changes in their procedures," even on transparency issues.

Yet when questioned at a town hall meeting, Obama claimed his administration's the most transparent in modern history. Public ignorance lets him get away with it and much more. EFF said government secrecy under Obama reached "absurd (unprecedented) levels."

One of many examples involves a little-known provision of financial reform legislation. It says the SEC "no longer has to comply with virtually all requests for information releases from the public, including those filed under" FOIA requests. No wonder. Wall Street crooks wrote the law to assure business as usual and more.

Similar examples affect many other agencies, including the State Department, DHS, EPA and NASA. In December 2011, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and OpenTheGovernment.org found Obama’s administration withheld information one-third more often than Bush in his last year in office. Imagine what's coming if he's reelected.

EFF called his Justice Department's attempt to change FOIA regulations perhaps his worst open government violation. Under a proposed rule, "instead of refusing to confirm or deny a document is in the Department's possession, the agency could 'respond to the request as if the excluded records" don't exist.

Mocking FOIA rights, it authorizes lying. After Congress and public interest groups complained, DOJ softened its rules. However, the Sunlight Foundation said DOJ revisions are still "worse than reported." They let reviewers dismiss requests for trivial reasons.

Obama's systematically trashing rule of law standards affecting domestic and foreign policies. He's killing "the very law (he) championed at the start of his administration." His transparency pledge became "a (sick joke) punch line rather than a re-election slogan."

As a result, freedom's on the chopping block for elimination unless mass public outrage stops it. There's no time to waste doing it, starting with killing ACTA.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Gaza: Isolated Under Siege

by Stephen Lendman

Under repressive occupation, Military Orders govern virtually all aspects of life. Freedom is entirely restricted. Police state authority runs Palestine.

Although Oslo called Palestine one territorial unit, Israel maintains total control of people and goods movement in and out of Gaza.

In June 1989, Israel began restricting free movement between Gaza and Israel through magnetic ID cards not given former prisoners.

In 1991, Palestinians had to apply for personal exit permits. They were required to enter or leave Palestine and how long they could stay in Israel. Over time, numbers issued decreased.

In 1993, closure was imposed for the first time after Palestinians allegedly killed several Israelis. In 1994, Israel began building a fence separating Gaza from Israel. Checkpoints control people traffic. Karni crossing controls goods in and out.

In late September 2000, after the second Intifada began, Israel almost entirely prohibited Gazans from entering Israel or traveling to West Bank locations. In 2001, a no-go buffer zone was established.

It prohibits Palestinians from entering areas up to two km inside Gaza and beyond three nautical miles in their own waters. They're recognized under international law up to 12 miles plus an additional 12 miles for partial control.

Moreover, an exclusive economic zone extends up to 200 miles. Nonetheless, Palestinians venturing beyond three km or inside two km on land risk being shot, including young children.

In 2004, Egypt built its own wall bordering Gaza. In 2005, Israel disengaged from the Strip. Nonetheless, it maintains total control, irrespective of agreed on terms.

After Hamas won the January 2006 legislative elections, people traffic and goods restrictions were imposed. In June 2007, what's called siege began. Though modestly eased, it remains in place. Humanitarian missions try to breach it. Some do successfully. Others forcefully interdicted don't.

February 7 marked the latest success when Miles of Smiles 9 arrived through Egypt's Rafah Border Terminal. Dozens of participating activists brought medical supplies, power generators for hospitals and an ambulance.

Under health crisis conditions, medical supplies and equipment are urgently needed. The ICRC says restrictions cause frequent shortages of essential to life items. Ill patients with cancer, kidney failure, and other diseases are severely impacted.

Intermittent power and voltage fluctuations exacerbate conditions. As a result, lives are risked. Fourth Geneva mandates occupying powers to ensure supplies of drugs and equipment for proper treatment. Israel violates all international laws with impunity.

Israel's slow-motion genocide includes war, other violence, mass incarcerations, torture, targeted killings, and deprivation of essential to life items. Denying basic needs claims about 5,000 Palestinian lives annually.

Since 1967, hundreds of thousands died needlessly. Young children below age five and the elderly are most affected. Silence is complicity. World leaders do nothing to help. Conditions still remain grave.

Gisha on Siege Conditions

The Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement reports regularly on siege conditions. A February 6 update headlined, "(Limited) Export(s) from Gaza, via Israel and the West Bank but not to them, is allowed once again: this time tomatoes to Saudi Arabia," saying:

Limited amounts were approved. On February 6, three truckloads left following long Kerem Shalom delays. Two days transit time was estimated. Abu Safar Company sent them. Before mid-2007, it regularly shipped hundreds of trucks of fruits and vegetable to the West Bank, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Permission to send three truckloads to Saudi Arabia required a complicated expensive process. Two truckloads of tomatoes arrived at Kerem Shalom. They were unloaded and transported to a "sterile" area between Israel and Gaza.

For shipment, crates had to be arranged in one layer, instead of stacked. Another truck was needed to comply. Tomatoes experienced unseasonably warm sun while waiting. Finally, three trucks were loaded and ready. At Allenby Bridge crossing to Jordan, they were again reprocessed and repackaged to fit in two refrigerated Jordanian trucks for shipment to Saudi Arabia.

One Palestinian truck costs 500 shekels. For an Israeli one, it's 4,500 shekels. For one Jordanian refrigerated truck, it's 4,200 shekels. Abu Safer paid all fees plus an additional 6,000 shekels for waiting all day at Kerem Shalom.

Total cost was 28,900 shekels (about $7,800), excluding labor. As a result, the shipment lost money. Abu Safer won't likely try again given Israel's imposed ordeal netting a loss.

On February 5, Gisha headlined, "How many Israeli work permits are granted to Palestinians? No one knows," saying:

On January 16, 2011, a petition was filed to find out after "requests made under the Freedom of Information Act to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)" weren't answered for many months.

According to COGAT, 32,500 Palestinian worker permits are allowed. According to the Population and Immigration Authority, it's 20,100. Criteria for granting them aren't clear.

COGAT and Israel's Civil Administration provided some information but not all requested. Moreover, new documents received contained more contradictory information. As a result, a lawsuit may follow to obtain what Israel's required to supply.

On January 25, Gisha got additional documents on procedures for bringing limited amounts of construction materials into Gaza. They're allowed only for humanitarian projects managed by international organizations.

They're required to jump through bureaucratic hurdles to comply with Israeli demands. Doing so greatly increases costs and causes undue delays. Smuggling's more effective.

A Final Comment

A November 2011 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report documented the devastated state of Gaza's fishing because of draconian Israeli restrictions imposed.

As a result, 3,097 fishermen are registered in Gaza today compared to about 10,000 in 2000. Half those still active depend heavily on sardine fishing. Because of restrictions, the catch declines annually. In 2011, it reached is lowest level in 12 years.

Moreover, when OCHA published its report in November, it said Gaza fishing catches overall would likely be the lowest on record. Expect 2012 to be worse.

The amount caught (437 tons) was less than one-fourth the 2006 - 2008 average. In addition, quality declined markedly. Richest areas are from five to eight miles offshore. They're off-limits to Gazans at risk of being arrested or shot, as well as having their vessels permanently confiscated.

Over-fishing within three miles depleted available stocks. As a result, thousands no long fish. Their livelihoods are lost, as well as those dependent on their enterprise. In addition, Gazans lost most of their valued food source.

Israel acts lawlessly and oppressively. Siege effects exact an enormous toll, including thousands of lives lost.

International law defines crimes against humanity. Israel's guilty multiple times over. As a result, Gazan suffering continues without end.

World leaders yawn and ignore it. Others, like Washington, are complicit with Israel enforcing life threatening policies.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Targeting Syria and Iran

by Stephen Lendman

Slowed but not derailed by Russia and China vetoing its Security Council resolution, America's regime change/war plans remain on track.

In 1999, Washington circumvented the Security Council, UN Charter, and US Constitution to wage aggressive war against nonbelligerent Serbia/Kosovo.

According to former Nuremberg prosecutor Walter Rockler, it "constitute(d) the most brazen international aggression since the Nazis attacked Poland to prevent (nonexistent) 'Polish atrocities' against Germans."

"The United States has discarded pretensions to international legality and decency, and embarked on a course of raw imperialism run amok."

In 1999, Nobel laureate Harold Pinter called America's aggression "barbaric (and despicable), another blatant and brutal assertion of US power using NATO as its missile (to consolidate) American domination of Europe."

It replicated the same process against Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, as well as indirectly against other MENA (Middle East/North African) countries. More aggression's planned against Syria and Iran, mostly likely in 2012.

Run-up tactics include sanctions, hardening existing ones, imposing new ones, isolation, and closing Washington’s Damascus embassy among other steps. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said:

"The United States has suspended operations of our embassy in Damascus as of Feb. 6. Ambassador (Robert) Ford and all American personnel have now departed the country (allegedly because) the regime failed to respond adequately" to US security concerns.

Hawkish UK Foreign Minister William Hague barely stopped short of declaring war, saying Assad must surrender power. "This is a doomed regime as well as a murdering regime. There is no way it can get its credibility back either internationally or with its own people."

Furious about the Russian/Chinese veto, he added: "There is no way to mince words about this. Such vetos are a betrayal of the Syrian people."

Like Washington and other rogue NATO partners, he also didn't "rule out" recognizing opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) legitimacy, much like Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) won backing against Gaddafi.

In fact, international law prohibits it, but no matter. It doesn't deter Washington/UK/French efforts to circumvent legal standards to advance their joint imperium.

America's UN envoy Susan Rice, an unprincipled offender with higher aspirations, threatened Russia and China with international isolation for opposing Washington's Security Council action.

She added that America will use all means available against Assad. Like Hague, she stopped short only of declaring war, though, of course, ambassadors have no power to do so. Neither do foreign ministers with platforms only to repeat sentiments of higher-ups.

Of course, Western-backed insurgents are largely responsible for months of Syrian violence. Assad's more victim than villain. So-called Syrian Free Army (SFA) militants promise stepped up efforts ahead. According to SFA commander Colonel Riad al-Asaad:

"There is no other road. This regime does not understand the language of politics. It only understands the language of force."

Behind the scenes, Washington's orchestrating regime change tactics. So far bombing's not included. Expect it if other methods fail. Notorious war goddess Hillary Clinton promised to "redouble our efforts outside the United Nations." Her meaning was undisguised.

She also assailed Russia and China for vetoing SC action. She said doing so "is to bear the responsibility for the horrors that are occurring on the ground in Syria."

Obama repeated the accusation, blaming Assad (for) "murder(ing) hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children."

In fact, no nation exceeds Washington's culpability throughout the region. It orchestrated and participated in murdering tens of thousands of Libyans, ravaging the country, and creating incalculable human misery. Moreover, it's directly involved in today's ongoing violence.

Cynically blaming Assad, America's responsible for thousands of Syrian deaths and atrocities. Its bloodstained hands are infamous. Its crimes of war and against humanity touch dozens of countries globally. Syria's now target one, then Iran.

Similar to what preceded America's 2003 Iraq war, Washington, Britain and France now call for a "coalition of the willing" against Assad. If formed, expect Turkey, other rogue NATO partners, regional despots, and Israel (at least covertly) to be included.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy cynically called it a "group of friends of the Syrian people." Excluded, of course, are the opposition Arab street, millions of others globally, and most Syrians supporting Assad.

Major media scoundrels conceal it. Instead, a February 6 New York Times editorial is typical headlined, "Killing in Syria," saying:

Assad "continue(s) his killing spree." Government "forces us(e) tanks and machine guns (against) residential areas in Homs," killing hundreds....Moscow and Beijing now have the blood of Syria's valiant people on their hands as well."

Fact check

Throughout the Western-backed insurgency, Times scoundrels blamed the victim like they always do. Syria was invaded by heavily armed foreign militants. Assad confronted them responsibly. He's obligated to protect his people. Yet he's blamed for externally generated violence.

Russia and China blocked SC action intended to smooth the way to war. Similar to Resolution 1973 against Libya, it made demands and promised "further measures" if unmet.

By standing firm responsibly, The Times condemned Moscow and Beijing for wanting "to deny the West another perceived victory."

At the same time, NYT editors endorse Washington's intention to circumvent international and constitutional law by using other means to topple Assad. It's "time for (him) to go," they stressed, no matter how illegitimate to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries.

Taking Aim at Iran

On February 6, Obama used unilateral Executive Order (EO) authority to impose new sanctions on Iranian assets and central bank.

In a letter to Congress, he said:

"I have determined that additional sanctions are warranted, particularly in light of the deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties, the deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation, and the continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran's activities."

Like he always does, he lied issuing EO 12957. Accusations are spurious. They apply more to America's deeply corrupt financial system. It involves grand theft, including looting the federal treasury, customer accounts, and other private sources; market manipulation; and money laundering through Wall Street and other Western banks as one of their significant profit centers.

Instead of shutting down this money making racket and prosecuting culpable officials, Obama ordered "All agencies of the United Stated Government (to) hereby... take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order" against Iran.

Describing the action as another way to isolate its government, it's more cosmetic than effective as practically no Iranian assets remain in America or under US control.

In other words, it was an election year stunt to win votes and silence Republican hard-liners wanting bombs away now on Iran.

Not opposed, Obama favors delay to concentrate on toppling Assad, isolating Iran, then directing full attention against Tehran by all means necessary. Translation's unnecessary.

On February 5, AFP headlined, "Obama says US working 'in lockstep' with Israel on Iran," saying:

"Obama "sought to reassure Americans over the threat posed by Iran...." If fact, Tehran threatens no one but faces preemptive Western belligerence to replace its government with a client one.

Nonetheless, Obama said:

"I've been very clear. We're going to do everything we can to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and creating a nuclear arms race in a volatile region."

In fact, US intelligence and IAEA documents show no evidence whatever of an Iranian nuclear weapons program. Obama knows it. So do other NATO states and Israel. Claiming one is a red herring to conceal regime change intentions.

Moreover, America and Israel share responsibility for regional violence and instability, not Iran, Syria, Hezbolloh or Hamas. They're victims, not villains.

Yet Obama claimed his "number one priority continues to be the security of the United States (and) Israel."

In fact, he, Israel, and rogue Western partners prioritize imperial lawlessness against targeted countries. As a result, all options are considered, included preemptive wars with nuclear weapons against Iran's underground facilities.

As a result, all humanity's potentially threatened by deranged leaders too unconcerned to care. That's how Western civilization today is governed.

When asked, no wonder Gandhi mocked its principles for good reason. Imagine what he'd say today.

A Final Comment

On February 1, the Movement of the Icelandic Parliament (MIP) nominated Private Bradley Manning for the Nobel Peace Prize. They felt compelled to recognize his important contribution to world peace.

He's an American hero threatened with life in prison or the death penalty for his courage. Facing general court-martial, the US Army Military District of Washington announced February 3 that he'll be tried on all 22 charges. They include aiding the enemy, theft of public property or records, transmitting defense information, and fraud, among others.

Aiding the enemy carries a possible death sentence. Most likely Manning faces life in prison.

On May 26, 2010, he was arrested and brutalized in prison isolation. No announced trial date was set even though court-martial procedures require trying suspects within 120 days of arrest or "preferral of charges."

MIP's letter to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee said the following in part:

"We have the great honor of nominating (Manning) for the 2012 (award)."

He stands accused of leaking documents revealing "a long history of corruption, war crimes and imperialism by the United States government in international dealings."

The evidence "should never have been kept from public scrutiny." They document crimes of war and against humanity. "Citizens worldwide" are indebted "to the WikiLeaks whistleblower for shedding light on these issues, and so I urge the Committee to award this prestigious prize to accused whistleblower Bradley Manning" for displaying the highest form of courage at great personal risk.

Of course, expect Nobel officials to spurn him. The Committee's history is long and inglorious. Past honorees included Henry Kissinger, Shimon Peres, Yirzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Al Gore, Obama, and others like them.

They share a common trait. They're unindicted war criminals, not peacemakers. Choosing them exposed the Committee's real agenda.

It follows the tradition of Alfred Nobel. He was a wealthy 19th century dynamite inventor/armaments manufacturer/war profiteer/then reinvented peacemaker to conceal his disreputable past.

As a result, the Committee scorns peace and favors war. Usually, those most deserving are bypassed for the world's worst.

In December, expect the tradition to continue. Perhaps Netanyahu and NATO will share honors this year. Why not. It fits the pattern.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Economic Recovery? What Recovery?

by Stephen Lendman

Reporting it doesn't make it so. In fact, it's more illusion than fact, but that doesn't surprise half of US households impoverished or bordering on it, according to recent US Census data.

Nor are independent analysts and economists fooled. Last summer, economist Richard Wolff called "so-called economic 'recovery' since mid-2009....chiefly hype, a veneer of good news (benefitting corporations and elitists) to disguise and minimize the awful underlying economic realities."

Since crisis conditions began in fall 2007, most people experienced pain without gain. For them, current conditions are worse, not better, with no policies proposed to help them. That's today's grim reality, especially across America and Europe.

In his most recent co-written February 2 article, titled "Manifesto for Economic Recovery and Ecological Sanity," Wolff said:

"Capitalism today abuses the people, environment, politics and culture in equal measures. It has fostered new extremes of wealth and poverty inside most countries, and such extremes always undermine or prevent democratic politics."

It's also "plunged the world into the second massive global economic crisis in the last 75 years." Yet in America and Europe, policies adopted assure harder than ever times ahead. Elections don't matter as no major parties offer better choices. Whatever their name, they're all involved in benefitting the few at the expense of the many.

Progressive Radio New Hour regular economist Jack Rasmus discussed the latest February 3 jobs report. He said it belies economic reality. Real unemployment's at 22.5%. Most jobs created since 2009 have been low pay temp or part-time ones with few or no benefits. Higher-paying full-time manufacturing, construction, high-tech, and others keep declining.

For example, since the downturn's mid-2009 low-point, 79,000 fewer manufacturing jobs exist, 680,000 aren't replaced in construction, and other data show similar declines.

Unlike all previous post-WW II recessions, "the government sector has not created jobs to offset private sector losses." In fact, federal, state and local governments destroyed almost 650,000 jobs since mid-2009. Nearly, 250,000 were teachers. Moreover, around 20,000 public workers on average are laid off monthly.

If Obama maintains this trend in 2012, over one million public sector jobs will be lost with hundreds of thousands more coming after November 2012, whoever's elected.

In addition, long-term unemployed numbers rose from 24% in mid-2009 to over 40% now. Rasmus said "the Employment to Population Ratio that measures how well the economy (creates) jobs" shows the it's creating increasingly fewer numbers as population totals rise.

In late 2007, 63% of Americans were employed. Today it's 58.5%. The JOLT ratio (Job Opening to Labor Turnover) shows 4.2 workers for every job opening, over double the pre-recession 1.8 to 1 ratio.

Obama's so-called job creation program is illusory. In January 2009, he promised six million jobs. Instead, over 40% of his $787 stimulus bill went for tax cuts, largely to America's rich and corporate favorites. In June 2009, 25 million were unemployed. A year later it was unchanged.

Another $802 billion in tax cuts followed plus extending the Bush-era tax cuts. GE's CEO Jeff Immelt and Wall Street banker Bill Daley were then enlisted to run Obama's new jobs council.

Their solutions included job destructive "free trade" agreements, corporate tax cuts, offshoring more jobs, hoarding profits in foreign subsidiaries to avoid tax obligations, patent law reform for greater profits, raiding Social Security, cutting Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and other ways to enhance bottom line priorities without creating jobs.

Moreover, monthly Labor Department figures are rigged. So-called job creation is illusory. Seasonal adjustments alone distort data. So does the birth/death ratio producing 48,000 monthly jobs in downturns when they're lost.

As a result, nearly 600,000 annual fake jobs are created in recessions. In addition, millions of discouraged workers aren't counted. Doing so masks the depths of today's jobs crisis. Yet major media scoundrels suppress it like a non-issue.

Obama's economic program serves Wall Street, other corporate favorites, and America's super-rich at the expense of ordinary households. "What was once a trickle down approach to job creation (became) a drip-drip policy."

Neither party offers credible fixes. Long-discredited programs are featured. Greater harm ahead is assured. Protracted Depression years will follow. Unemployment and poverty ranks will swell. So will human need. Hard times will get harder.

Social benefits will face more cuts. Defense spending and corporate handouts will increase. Jobs will be destroyed, not created. That's today's dismal reality because America's aristocracy doesn't care.

On January 31, economist Paul Craig Roberts called America's economy "dead," saying:

Reports of GDP growth are greatly exaggerated. For example, the alleged Q IV 2011 2.8% annualized growth was, in fact, "eight-tenths of one percent" net of unsold goods. In other words, "involuntary inventory build-up" produced more goods than sold.

Moreover deflating real inflation masks "no recovery (and an economy) in deep recession for four years despite" NBER (the National Bureau of Economic Research) claiming otherwise "based on rigged official numbers."

By understating real inflation, Washington created an "illusion of economic growth...." Main Street pain explains otherwise.

On February 2, Roberts repeated, "There is No Recovery," saying:

Virtually all key economic data show decline, not improvement. They include average weekly earnings, real inflation, unemployment, consumer confidence, housing starts, real GDP, retail sales, and much more.

"A government and media that will deceive you about simple things such as inflation, unemployment, and GDP growth," said Roberts, "will lie to you about everything."

Indeed so from lowly bureaucrats to congressional leaders, to presidents, to top officials representing them, and major media scoundrels regurgitating their lies.

A Final Comment

Roman philospher/stateman/political theorist Marcus Tullius Cicero once said "A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable" because he's known. But covert traitors rot "the soul of a nation...A murderer is less to be feared. The traitor is the plague."

America's infested with them top to bottom in government and corporate board rooms. They serve elitist interests while popular needs go begging. They wage wars on false pretenses. They specialize in deception and fear. They profit from predation, destruction, and exploitation.

They cause human misery on an incalculable scale. They're driving America to tyranny and ruin. They made the country unfit to live in. They're now replicating their agenda on planet earth. It includes permanent war, banker occupation, super-wealth extremes, mass poverty, ecological destruction, and militarized control to curb opposition.

Reality's ignored to continue mass wealth transfers to banks, other corporate favorites and super-rich elites at the expense of deepening human need. The longer this continues, the worse the eventual ending. It's coming though timing can't be predicted.

On arrival the bang will be felt round the world. So will greater than ever misery for billions already experiencing too much. That's what Washington and rogue European leaders plan complicit with bankers and other corporate scoundrels.

Only mass outrage can stop them. It's there, growing, and if crosses thresholds of no return, all bets are off.

Ordinary people have more power than they realize when used collectively for change. It takes pain to energize action.

It's happening though only the fullness of time will determine where it's headed with what effect. Hopefully, better times will follow. The alternative's too unacceptable to tolerate.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Iran: A Manufactured Threat

by Stephen Lendman

Iran attacked no other country in over 200 years. It threatens none now. It's neighbors know it. So do Washington and Israel.

Nonetheless, saber rattling warnings continue. At issue is making an independent state a client one. It's why Washington orchestrated Syria's insurgency and continues anti-Iranian propaganda.

Tehran won't tolerate losing its sovereignty, nor should it. It suffered a generation of repression under Washington's installed Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi after the CIA's first ever coup ousted democratically elected Mohammad Mosaddegh.

It also knows how America and Israel reign terror throughout the region. As a result, it's prepared to defend itself if attacked.

America's business is war, permanent war for unchallenged global dominance. Post-9/11, multiple ones raged and continue. Ordinary people want them stopped.

On February 4, dozens of anti-war organizations held a "Day of Mass Action to Stop a US War on Iran." Among others, The World Can't Wait announced it headlining, "NO war! NO sanctions! No intervention! No Assassinations."

A press release listed dozens of participating US cities, large and small. Other known countries involved included Canada, Britain, India, Ireland, Turkey, Norway, and Bangladesh.

Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark participated. In 1992, he founded the International Action Center (IAC). Calling itself "anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist," it's committed against wars, racism, economic exploitation, and other forms of injustice.

Its web site urged worldwide participation in an "emergency" protest day of action.

Thousands across America alone participated. Follow-up actions are planned. People are fed up and want America's war machine stopped. Vital resources are squandered while growing needs go unaddressed.

Major media scoundrels misreported about Saturday's pro and anti-government protests in Moscow, but ignored anti-war ones in their own cities and across America.

In fact, they cheerlead Washington's wars. For months, they regurgitated hostile Syrian/Iranian propaganda. Their drumbeat continues daily.

Their misinformation promotes war, mass killing, vast destruction, and human misery. Their reports exclude these and other key facts. Instead they feature agitprop and bald-faced lies about a nonbelligerent state, threatening on one, including America and Israel.

Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) on Anti-Iranian Propaganda

On February 2, FAIR's Peter Hart headlined, "Iran: This is What Propaganda Looks Like," saying:

Like crabgrass infests lawns, it's "everywhere, thanks to a Senate appearance yesterday by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper."

Yet his comments fell far short of justifying heightened anti-Iranian propaganda in response. "His main point was that Iran could launch attacks if it felt threatened." He also cited falsified claims that should have been condemned, not repeated as alleged facts.

For example, he said:

"The 2011 plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States shows that some Iran officials - probably including (Ayatollah) Ali Khamenei - have changed their calculus and are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States in response to real or perceived US actions that threaten the regime."

At the time, CBS News called the report "dire," saying "Iran would likely launch terrorist attacks on US soil as pressure mounts against the regime in Tehran."

NBC's Matt Lauer asked if an Israeli "preemptive nuclear strike" was justified in response.

Only the Wall Street Journal couldn't stomach the ludicrous charge. Obama officials claimed it was "authorized at the highest levels in Tehran," according to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace" analyst Karim Sadjadpour and many other paid-to-lie commentators, reporters, and opinion writers.

In fact, the allegation didn't pass the smell test or others about Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program and wanting to wipe Israel off the map.

On February 3, ABC News reported a spurious accusation about potential Iranian strikes in North America, including against Israeli facilities. It cited an Israeli "internal security document," saying:

"We predict that the threat on our sites around the world will increase....on both our guarded sites and 'soft' sites."

Israel's Consul General for the Mid-Atlantic States Eliran Avitan circulated the allegation. Recently in Tel Aviv, Shin Bet's Yoram Cohen told an audience that Iran plans targeting Israeli sites in retaliation for Mossad's assassinations of its nuclear scientists.

All accusations are baseless. Yet ABC TV, other broadcasters, and cable channels featured them to generate anti-Iranian hostility.

On January 31, ABC's Diane Sawyer introduced Pentagon correspondent Martha Raddatz's propaganda piece complete with alarmist graphics and unrelated belligerent video footage, saying:

"The saber rattling from Iran has been constant." Tehran "may be more ready than ever to launch terror attacks in the United States."

Unrelated images of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with Venezuela's Chavez and Fidel Castro in Cuba were featured, saying these leaders "have little love for the US."

Neither do growing millions worldwide, especially throughout the Middle East and Afghanistan where US policies and officials are reviled with good reason.

Notably, since Iran's 1979 revolution and US hostage crisis, Washington's been spoiling for a fight. The Carter administration considered invading and seizing its oil fields.

Reagan escalated Carter's policies short of committing US forces in combat. Saddam then got US backing. A decade of war followed. America pretended support for both sides, but mostly gave it to Iraq.

US/Iranian relations remain tense. Washington's sought regime change for years. Various confrontational tactics include on and off saber rattling, sanctions, direct and covert meddling in Iran's internal affairs, cyberwar, subversion, targeted assassinations, other destabilization tactics, and vicious propaganda to incite fear and justice war.

Yet major media scoundrels regurgitate it like fact instead of offering readers and viewers truth and full disclosure.

On January 31, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams lied to viewers saying:

"Iran's threat. Not just the nuclear program. Tonight, US intelligence warns Iran may be prepared to strike on American soil." Referring to Clapper's testimony, he called it a "chilling new assessment about the scope of the threat from Iran."

NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell added:

"Experts warn that the US is even more vulnerable than Israel if Iran retaliates or launches a preemptive bomb plot....Soft US targets like embassies throughout the Persian Gulf and 90,000 American troops in Afghanistan, next door to Iran" are vulnerable.

"Still, intelligence officials told the Senate today they don't think Iran has taken the final step, deciding to build a bomb. But Israel does think Iran has crossed that red line, and US officials say if attacked, Iran would not hesitate to retaliate against both Israel and the US."

In fact, international law permits responding to belligerent attacks in self-defense. It's not only justified, it obligates nations to protect their people against enemies. US media reports exclude those facts. Instead they generate fear and hostility against nonexistent threats.

Is America headed for war on Iran? Only the fullness of time will tell. Yet heightened tensions make anything ahead possible, especially given Washington's intolerance for independent regimes. Stay tuned. Updates will follow.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Israeli Political Prisoner Khader Adnan Near Death

by Stephen Lendman

Thousands of Palestinian political prisoners languish in Israeli prisons. Virtually daily, more arrests are made. Those incarcerated face torture, appalling prison conditions, and other forms of abuse.

Some react in response. Khader did his way by refusing food for multiple reasons, including:

• 
  
• his rights and identity were violated;

• his lawless arrest and abusive detention; and

• Israel's illegal administrative detention system.

Addameer: Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association calls him a "prisoner at risk."

In fact, by using his stomach as a weapon against injustice beyond what's tolerable for most people, he's barely clinging to life. In his 51st day without food (as of February 6), he's Palestine's longest ever hunger striker.

According to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, after 42 days without food, individuals begin losing their hearing and vision. They also suffer bleeding in the gums, intestines and esophagus. The body gradually shuts down. After 45 days, death's risked due to vascular system collapse and/or cardiac arrest. Nearly a week later, he could expire anytime.

Rallies on his behalf display posters of his image with the statement: "Dignity above food." A supportive Facebook page headlines, "We are all Sheikh Khader Adnan(s)."

Throughout his ordeal, he reacted to his lawless arrest, indefinite detention without charge, and abusive interrogations by silence and refusing food.

During a third judicial review last week, a military prosecutor asked a military judge before a lawless military tribunal to detain him uncharged based on spurious allegations of subversive activity, citing secret evidence unavailable to counsel.

In Occupied Palestine, Israel's kangaroo court system is rigged to convict. Accusation alone determines guilt. Justice not only is denied, it's mocked, spat on and trampled.

Reflecting his dire condition, six attorneys represented him, including Jamil Khatib, Tamar Peleg, Mahmoud Halabi, Mahmoud Hassan, Jawad Boulos and Nivin Hassan.

Without access to alleged classified materials, they're only able to probe, guess, and hope for the best under a system showing no mercy. When given the right to speak, Adnan said:

"I will begin with what happened just a few moments ago. You went out to eat in rooms that are surely heated and comfortable. I went off to the waiting caravan for detainees, despite my condition, and it was very cold. The doctors tell me that perhaps because of the fluctuating heat and cold, I might quickly develop cardiac problems."

On January 31, Israel's Prison Service transferred him to a Bnei Brak hospital, chained to his bed, his arms and legs bound despite his frailty. Three guards monitored him round the clock. They mocked him. In his room, "they reach(ed) under the pillow and joke(d) about how I might be hiding food," he said.

"I have a Koran which I read, holding it with a cuffed hand. Yesterday I prayed in a chair with my arms and legs bound.” When told his life's endangered, he agreed to take potassium tablets and was returned to Prison Service detention.

Throughout his ordeal, he's been denied contact with family members. On January 6, the Palestine News Network (PNN) said he was transferred to Jerusalem's Bikur Holim Hospital because of his deteriorating health.

One of his lawyers said he was admitted to its cardiothoracic department because his life's in grave danger. He added that Israeli authorities gave him only three minutes to meet with his client. He explained that his hands and one leg were cuffed.

Doctors expressed alarm about his condition, saying he's been vomiting "gastric juice" from his stomach and appendix.

Palestinian Prisoner Society President Qadura Fares expressed concern for his life. He urged everyone to act on his behalf. When asked, Adnan stressed his desire to live but not under repressive Israeli detention.

Qadura also announced a February 7 protest solidarity campaign in Palestine's governorates with all institutions participating if Israel won't release him. His lawyers will also boycott Israel's military courts where Palestinians are denied justice.

On February 6, Ma'an News said Adnan's father, Musa (an elderly man), announced joining his son's hunger strike Monday in solidarity with his son.

He was transferred again to Zeif Hospital in northern Israel and virtually isolated to prevent reports of his condition coming out. In response, supporters called for five minutes of work and traffic stoppages, as well as West Bank marches on his behalf.

On February 4, Palestinian prisoner affairs minister Issa Qaraqe said hundreds of Ofer Prison detainees launched supportive disobedience actions in protest. They returned food, refused outdoor breaks, and abstained from medical treatment. Others refused to eat altogether. As a result, Israel put eight detainees in punitive isolation.

Millions of Palestinians now know, respect and support Adnan. They also condemn Israel's shocking mistreatment and willingness to let an innocent man suffer and die.

If so, he'll be martyred for heroically resisting injustice. He'll also inspire others to emulate his spirit until Palestine's liberated and free. Nothing less is tolerable now or ever.

A Final Comment

Adnan's heroism contrasts with longtime Yemeni despot Ali Abdullah Saleh. For decades, he enforced tyranny on Yemen's people. Post-9/11, he partnered in America's war on terror and worst crimes, including drone strikes killing Yemeni civilians.

America trained his security forces in techniques of repression and brutality. Last February, Yeminis rebelled. At issue, is repression, unemployment, poverty, massive government corruption, and unmet human needs. A year later, nothing changed.

Demonstrations continue daily. In response, security forces brutalize and murder protesters. They want Saleh out, prosecuted, imprisoned, and a government of their own choosing replacing him and his corrupt cronies.

Last June, his presidential compound was bombed. Severely injured, he received medical treatment and convalescent time in Saudi Arabia for months before returning. Rage accompanied his arrival.

In late January, Saleh arrived in New York. Major media scoundrels alleged more medical treatment was needed. Earlier, he admitted he's fine, saying:

"I will go to the United States. Not for treatment because I'm fine, but to get away from attention, cameras, and allow (a so-called) unity government to prepare properly for elections."

Yemenis oppose the arrangement leaving Saleh's repressive apparatus in place. Moreover, close regime allies control it. He got blanket immunity. As a result, demands to prosecute him are ignored.

At the same time, he freely entered New York. Even Human Rights Watch objected, saying:

"It's appalling that President Saleh arrives in the US (while) hundreds of Yemeni victims are left devastated" without justice from his crimes. Obama officials "should insist those responsible for atrocities in Yemen be brought to the dock," starting, of course, with Saleh.

Washington Yemen ambassador Gerald Feierstein lied saying, he got a visa for medical reasons. The State Department said, "Saleh is still the president of Yemen and will be accorded those privileges and immunities accorded to any head of state."

In contrast, America’s State Department demanded regime change and/or prosecutions of Slobadan Milosevic, Saddam, Gaddafi, Assad, Armadinejad, Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, Hezbollah, Hamas, Chavez, Castro, and other leaders it opposes.

At the same time, it openly endorses cooperative despots. Saleh's one of the worst. Yet he's comfortably ensconced at New York's Ritz-Carlton amidst opulent surroundings.

Nonetheless, word of his presence got around. Emerging outside with bodyguards, crowds protested. One man tried hurling his shoe, but was arrested for disorderly conduct.

According to Ibraham Qatabi, Yemeni American Coalition for Change (YACC) spokesman, another man nearly hit him.

On February 2, YACCs press conference condemned Saleh's visit, saying:

"The Yemeni-American community," American Arabs and New Yorkers "have come here today to express deep disappointment with the Obama administration for allowing" Saleh's visit, "a dictator with the blood of peaceful protesters on his hands."

In the past year alone, he and supporters "murdered, injured, kidnapped and tortured countless Yemeni citizens....For the past 33 years, he has thwarted the freedom and the rights that he promised to safeguard..."

Obama spurned calls for Adnan's release and Yemeni protesters, "and, instead chose to side with a dictator (who's afforded) protect(ion) in New York."

Washington's hypocrisy is scandalous. Obama's one of its worst ever practitioners. He's also a serial liar, war criminal multiple times over, and moral coward.

Imagine what's planned in a second term if reelected. What better reason's needed to spurn America's duopoly, vote independent, or not at all. Otherwise, ticking bomb conditions will escalate until they explode. Bet on it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Heading for War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Washington's longstanding policy is regime change in Iran and Syria. At issue is replacing independent regimes with client ones and securing unchallenged control of valued Middle East resources.

On February 4, Russia and China vetoed a largely one-sided anti-Assad resolution. A previous article called him more victim than villain. Yet he's falsely blamed for months of externally generated violence.

In fact, he confronted a Western-backed armed insurgency replicating the Libya model. By so doing he acted responsibly against a heavily armed insurrection.

Imagine a similar scenario in America. Local police, National Guard forces, and Pentagon troops would confront it violently. Combined, they'd way exceed Assad's response.

Mass killing would follow. Western media scoundrels would approve. In contrast, the New York Times calls Syria's self-defense state-sponsored "butchery."

Its position substitutes disinformation for truth and full disclosure. They're scrupulously avoided to misinform, misrepresent and betray readers. It's longstanding major media policy. The Times featured it longer than others.

Since violence erupted last March, Syria was blamed for Western-backed insurgents against him. It's part of Washington's "New Middle East" project to control North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia to Russia and China's borders.

For over a decade, regime change plans targeted Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Syria, and other countries outside the region.

Replicating Libya's model is Washington's template for future NATO aggression. Whether it's employed fully in Syria remains to be seen.

So far, heavily armed insurgents entered from regional countries. Anti-government violence followed. Trapped between warring sides, civilian casualties mount. No end of conflict approaches. In fact, the worst is yet to come.

On February 5, Israel's Mossad-connected DEBKA/file said Russia put "Rapid Reaction Force (aka Spetsnaz) units in Black Sea bases on (alert) to set out for Syria to defend Damascus."

Russia's determined to avoid another Libyan-style intervention. In response, Obama said Washington, key NATO partners, and Gulf allies will (in DEBKA/file's words) "redouble their efforts to unseat Bashar Assad."

On February 4, an official White House statement said:

"Assad must halt his campaign of killing and crimes against his own people now. He must step aside and allow a democratic transition to proceed immediately."

Fact check

Since WW II, no combination of nations caused more slaughter, destruction, and human misery globally that America. Moreover, Washington won't tolerate democracy at home or abroad.

"Assad has no right to lead Syria, and has lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community. The international community must work to protect the Syrian people from this abhorrent brutality."

Fact check

International law prohibits interfering in the internal affairs of other nations, including determining the legitimacy of their leaders. Moreover, Syria's "abhorrent brutality" is entirely Western-backed. It was absent until Washington, key NATO partners, and rogue regional despots intervened, notably Saudi Arabia, and of course, Israel's very much involved.

"We must work with the Syrian people toward building a brighter future for Syria....The suffering citizens of Syria must know: we are with you, and the Assad regime must come to an end."

Fact check

Long-suffering Afghans, Iraqis, Libyans, Somalis, Bahrainis, Yemenis, Palestinians, and many others elsewhere understand the horrors when America intervenes. So do Syrians. They abhor Washington led meddling in their internal affairs and want no part of it.

In fact, a mid-December Qatar Foundation-funded YouGov Siraj poll found 55% of Syrians back Assad. It contradicts Western discourse of majority opposition. Except for the London Guardian, the findings were unreported in the West.

On February 4, Global Research editor Michel Chossudovsky explained "armed opposition groups" operating in Syria. They include the Western-backed Syria Free Army (FSA) "involved in criminal and terrorist acts."

They're killing civilians and security forces. They're reigning terror blamed on Assad. They're destroying state assets, including fuel pipelines, trains and vehicles carrying fuel, as well as buildings and other targets.

Their ranks include elements similar to Libyan insurgents, including "Al Qaeda affiliated" militants, "Muslim Brotherhood" members, and "Salafists. Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia" support them. So do other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and Jordan.

Largely the same countries behind the Syria draft resolution backed Resolution 1973 against Libya. Once passed, war followed straightaway.

They include sponsor Morocco and co-sponsors:

• 
  
• Washington, Britain, France and Germany (the so-called NATO Quad - the key four) plus Portugal and Turkey;

• all six GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Bahrain plus Jordan and Libya;

• Colombia; and

• Togo - its UN envoy Kodjo Menan holds the rotating SC presidency during February.

Russia and China stood firm against them. Washington's UN envoy Susan Rice accused both countries of holding the Security Council "hostage." Responding, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said:

The Security Council decision "should be exactly such because some influential members of the international community, including those sitting at this table, from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria undermined the opportunity of political settlement calling for change of the regime and setting the opposition against the power without shunning provocation and forcing for armed means of fighting."

He added that the draft resolution didn't reflect "reality in Syria," nor did "co-authors" adopt Russia's amendments to "distance" themselves "from (culpable) extremist groups" behind the insurrection.

On February 7, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Foreign Intelligence Service chief Mikhail Fradkov will meet Assad in Damascus.

On February 5, a Foreign Ministry statement said:

"Russia, including in interaction with other countries, is firmly set to seek the quickest stabilization of the situation in Syria along the paths of the quickest implementation of longstanding democratic transformations."

Moscow also urged Arab League foreign ministers to continue their monitoring mission and report accurately on what they find. Russia and China stand firm against another "Libyan scenario."

A Final Comment

Washington and key NATO partners plan intervention with or without Security Council cover. Doing so violates fundamental international law that prohibits interfering in other countries' internal affairs, except in self-defense if attacked.

Syria threatens no one. Neither does Iran. Yet both are targeted for regime change. Plans are longstanding. With or without UN support, they're coming.

Expect the worst in 2012, preceded perhaps by false flag cover blamed on Assad. The strategy's used as needed. It's an America tradition to enlist public support for war.

Electoral politics may influence timing, especially in a close presidential race. According to the latest February 4 Rasmussen poll findings, "Romney now ties Obama 45/45." Moreover, "uncommitted voters (12% of its sample) have a distinctly sour take on the President," though months remain until November.

Expect unfolding events to attempt to improve Obama's chances, including perhaps war by scaring most people to support it. It's generally effective when tried. In a close election year race, odds favor it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

The Progressive Radio News Hour Guests for February 9, 11, and 12, 2011

Thursday, February 9 at 10AM US Central time: Bob Chapman

For over 50 years, Chapman has written on business, economics and politics, now doing it twice weekly as owner and editor of the International Forecaster. It's a vital resource for information ignored by the mainstream.

His latest views on the economy will be discussed.

Saturday, February 11 at noon US Central time: Ellen Brown

Brown is a civil litigation attorney, distinguished author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new edition of her important book, "Web of Debt," is a brilliant analysis of the private banking system, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can get it back.

She also heads the Public Banking Institute (PBI), an initiative to return power to the people where it belongs.

Her latest writing will be discussed.

Sunday, February 12 at noon US Central time: John McMurtry

McMurtry is an internationally recognized moral and political philosopher who is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and University Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph, Ontario.

His volumes on Philosophy and World Problems for UNESCO are globally published, and his widely translated works include the influential books, "Unequal Freedoms," "The Cancer State of Capitalism," and "Value Wars."

McMurtry is also an active public advocate for global justice, world peace, and international law.

Major world and national issues will be discussed.

Heading for War on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Washington's longstanding policy is regime change in Iran and Syria. At issue is replacing independent regimes with client ones and securing unchallenged control of valued Middle East resources.

On February 4, Russia and China vetoed a largely one-sided anti-Assad resolution. A previous article called him more victim than villain. Yet he's falsely blamed for months of externally generated violence.

In fact, he confronted a Western-backed armed insurgency replicating the Libya model. By so doing he acted responsibly against a heavily armed insurrection.

Imagine a similar scenario in America. Local police, National Guard forces, and Pentagon troops would confront it violently. Combined, they'd way exceed Assad's response.

Mass killing would follow. Western media scoundrels would approve. In contrast, the New York Times calls Syria's self-defense state-sponsored "butchery."

Its position substitutes disinformation for truth and full disclosure. They're scrupulously avoided to misinform, misrepresent and betray readers. It's longstanding major media policy. The Times featured it longer than others.

Since violence erupted last March, Syria was blamed for Western-backed insurgents against him. It's part of Washington's "New Middle East" project to control North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia to Russia and China's borders.

For over a decade, regime change plans targeted Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Syria, and other countries outside the region.

Replicating Libya's model is Washington's template for future NATO aggression. Whether it's employed fully in Syria remains to be seen.

So far, heavily armed insurgents entered from regional countries. Anti-government violence followed. Trapped between warring sides, civilian casualties mount. No end of conflict approaches. In fact, the worst is yet to come.

On February 5, Israel's Mossad-connected DEBKA/file said Russia put "Rapid Reaction Force (aka Spetsnaz) units in Black Sea bases on (alert) to set out for Syria to defend Damascus."

Russia's determined to avoid another Libyan-style intervention. In response, Obama said Washington, key NATO partners, and Gulf allies will (in DEBKA/file's words) "redouble their efforts to unseat Bashar Assad."

On February 4, an official White House statement said:

"Assad must halt his campaign of killing and crimes against his own people now. He must step aside and allow a democratic transition to proceed immediately."

Fact check

Since WW II, no combination of nations caused more slaughter, destruction, and human misery globally that America. Moreover, Washington won't tolerate democracy at home or abroad.

"Assad has no right to lead Syria, and has lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community. The international community must work to protect the Syrian people from this abhorrent brutality."

Fact check

International law prohibits interfering in the internal affairs of other nations, including determining the legitimacy of their leaders. Moreover, Syria's "abhorrent brutality" is entirely Western-backed. It was absent until Washington, key NATO partners, and rogue regional despots intervened, notably Saudi Arabia, and of course, Israel's very much involved.

"We must work with the Syrian people toward building a brighter future for Syria....The suffering citizens of Syria must know: we are with you, and the Assad regime must come to an end."

Fact check

Long-suffering Afghans, Iraqis, Libyans, Somalis, Bahrainis, Yemenis, Palestinians, and many others elsewhere understand the horrors when America intervenes. So do Syrians. They abhor Washington led meddling in their internal affairs and want no part of it.

In fact, a mid-December Qatar Foundation-funded YouGov Siraj poll found 55% of Syrians back Assad. It contradicts Western discourse of majority opposition. Except for the London Guardian, the findings were unreported in the West.

On February 4, Global Research editor Michel Chossudovsky explained "armed opposition groups" operating in Syria. They include the Western-backed Syria Free Army (FSA) "involved in criminal and terrorist acts."

They're killing civilians and security forces. They're reigning terror blamed on Assad. They're destroying state assets, including fuel pipelines, trains and vehicles carrying fuel, as well as buildings and other targets.

Their ranks include elements similar to Libyan insurgents, including "Al Qaeda affiliated" militants, "Muslim Brotherhood" members, and "Salafists. Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia" support them. So do other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and Jordan.

Largely the same countries behind the Syria draft resolution backed Resolution 1973 against Libya. Once passed, war followed straightaway.

They include sponsor Morocco and co-sponsors:

• 
  
• Washington, Britain, France and Germany (the so-called NATO Quad - the key four) plus Portugal and Turkey;

• all six GCC states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Bahrain plus Jordan and Libya;

• Colombia; and

• Togo - its UN envoy Kodjo Menan holds the rotating SC presidency during February.

Russia and China stood firm against them. Washington's UN envoy Susan Rice accused both countries of holding the Security Council "hostage." Responding, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said:

The Security Council decision "should be exactly such because some influential members of the international community, including those sitting at this table, from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria undermined the opportunity of political settlement calling for change of the regime and setting the opposition against the power without shunning provocation and forcing for armed means of fighting."

He added that the draft resolution didn't reflect "reality in Syria," nor did "co-authors" adopt Russia's amendments to "distance" themselves "from (culpable) extremist groups" behind the insurrection.

On February 7, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Foreign Intelligence Service chief Mikhail Fradkov will meet Assad in Damascus.

On February 5, a Foreign Ministry statement said:

"Russia, including in interaction with other countries, is firmly set to seek the quickest stabilization of the situation in Syria along the paths of the quickest implementation of longstanding democratic transformations."

Moscow also urged Arab League foreign ministers to continue their monitoring mission and report accurately on what they find. Russia and China stand firm against another "Libyan scenario."

A Final Comment

Washington and key NATO partners plan intervention with or without Security Council cover. Doing so violates fundamental international law that prohibits interfering in other countries' internal affairs, except in self-defense if attacked.

Syria threatens no one. Neither does Iran. Yet both are targeted for regime change. Plans are longstanding. With or without UN support, they're coming.

Expect the worst in 2012, preceded perhaps by false flag cover blamed on Assad. The strategy's used as needed. It's an America tradition to enlist public support for war.

Electoral politics may influence timing, especially in a close presidential race. According to the latest February 4 Rasmussen poll findings, "Romney now ties Obama 45/45." Moreover, "uncommitted voters (12% of its sample) have a distinctly sour take on the President," though months remain until November.

Expect unfolding events to attempt to improve Obama's chances, including perhaps war by scaring most people to support it. It's generally effective when tried. In a close election year race, odds favor it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

America's Racist Drug Laws

by Stephen Lendman

Sentencing Project Executive Director Marc Mauer's a leading expert on sentencing, race, and criminal justice.

For 25 years, it's "work(ed) for a fair and effective criminal justice system by promoting reforms in sentencing law and practice, and alternatives to incarceration."

Criminal injustice is pervasive, especially against people of color. Racial and ethnic minorities comprise over 60% of America's prison population. "For black males in their twenties, 1 in every 8 is in prison or jail on any given day."

America's racist war on drugs disproportionately targets people of color and ethnic minorities. They comprise 75% of those in prison on drug related charges.

On March 17, 2011, Mauer testified before the US Sentencing Commission regarding proposed federal drug offense sentencing guideline amendments to the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act.

He said in 2009, drug offenses accounted for over half (51%) of the federal prison population. Those imprisoned represent a 20-fold increase since 1980. Their numbers exceed those incarcerated in 1980 for all offenses. They're the most significant source of America's 700% federal prison growth.

In recent years, state incarcerations stabilized. Federal ones keep rising. Drug related offenses are most responsible. Racial and ethnic minorities are grievously harmed. Reform is urgently needed.

Mandatory minimum sentences exacerbate the problem. So do other racist policies, including judicial unfairness, three strikes and you're out, get tough on crime policies, and a guilty unless proved innocent mentality.

New York's 1973 Rockefeller drug laws are most pernicious. Anyone convicted of selling two ounces or more of heroin, morphine, "raw or prepared opium," cocaine, or cannabis, or possessing four ounces of the same substances receive mandatory 15-year minimum sentences up a maximum of 25 years to life.

In 1979, marijuana possession penalties were reduced from crimes to misdemeanors. However, aggressive pursuit of offenders continues, especially in New York City. More on that below.

Nationwide crack cocaine (vs. powder) and marijuana possession penalties are also pernicious. Until revised under the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act, first time offenders convicted of possessing as little as five grams of crack (one ounce = 28 grams) automatically got five years in prison.

The new law reduces, but doesn't eliminate, the disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Henceforth, possessing 28 or more grams of crack subjects offenders to penalties up to five years. Mandatory simple possession sentencing ended. In addition, courts may reduce prior sentencing disparities.

Nonetheless, pot busts define America's drug war. In 2006, Mauer said primary focus since 1990 shifted to marijuana offenses. As a result, they comprised 82% of the increase in drug arrests. Virtually all of them were for possessing small amounts. Enforcement costs are enormous - $4 billion or more annually for marijuana alone.

Under the 1970 federal Controlled Substances Act, cannabis is a Schedule I drug, meaning it's defined as having high potential for abuse. So far, redefinition attempts failed. In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled against medical marijuana use in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative.

In Gonzales v. Raich (2005), the High Court ruled that Congress, under the Constitution's Commerce Clause, may criminalize the production and use of home-grown cannabis, even where states approve it for medicinal purposes. More on that below.

A Brief History of Legal Cannabis in America

In 1619, Jamestown colonial law required settlers to grow hemp. George Washington grew it as one of his main crops. Its use for rope and fabric was common throughout 18th and 19th century America.

Around 1860, cannabis regulations and restrictions were first instituted. After 1906, states began labeling it poisonous. In the 1920, prohibitions began. By the mid-1930s, all states enacted regulations, including 35 under the Uniform State Narcotic Drug Act. Violators were penalized but not imprisoned.

In the 1970s, communities began abolishing state laws and local regulations banning cannabis possession. Federal laws remain in place. In the 1990s, local sale for medical purposes began even though doing so conflicts with federal law.

Nonetheless, 16 states and the District of Columbia legalized medical marijuana, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Expect others to follow. Possession amounts and other legal provisions vary by state, but the message is clear. Medicinal marijuana works. As a result, criminalizing it harms those dependent for relief.

In addition, it's a growing revenue source for budget-strapped states. It also produces jobs when they're most needed. It's a win-win, regardless of outdated, counterproductive and repressive federal policies.

Efficacious substances should be encouraged, not prohibited. In 1850s America, pharmacies carried medicinal cannabis. Around the same time, states began regulating pharmaceutical sales, including penalties for mislabeling and adulterated substances.

It became a slippery slope toward criminalizing cannabis. Today's momentum suggests eventual legalization, starting with medicinal use.

Racially Biased New York City Marijuana Policies

In 2008, the New York ACLU published a report titled, "Marijuana Arrest Crusade: Racial Bias and Police Policy in New York City - 1997 - 2007."

From 1977 - 1986, 33,000 possession arrests were made. Numbers declined to 30,000 from 1987 - 1996. However, from 1997 - 2006, they exploded to 353,000. Today, outside the report's timeline, they number around 50,000 annually for simple possession of small amounts. More on that below.

US Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas once said:

"As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness."

In New York City, Blacks and Hispanics are Exhibit A. They've been victimized by racist drug enforcement, notably for cannabis possession. From 1997 - 2006, Blacks comprised 52% of arrests, Hispanics another 31%. Whites accounted for 15%.

Those arrested and jailed affected 185,000 Blacks, 110,000 Hispanics, but only 53,000 Whites for minor possession offenses. Most were aged 26 or younger. About 91% were males.

Under Mayor Rudy Giuliani (January 1994 - December 2001), marijuana possession arrests exploded 10-fold. Under Mayor Michael Bloomberg (January 2002 - present), they're higher than ever. At the same time, New York police provide little information. As a result, few New Yorkers know their city conducts "a historically unprecedented marijuana arrest crusade."

Cops involved up to top commanders benefit. Marijuana busts are safe. Involved officers and supervisors accrue overtime pay, and produce numbers showing productivity.

In contrast, those arrested are harmed even if not prosecuted. Procedures include handcuffing, fingerprinting, photographing, and potentially obtaining DNA samples. Often people with no criminal records are affected. Henceforth they'll have one and plenty of baggage.

Whether or not convicted, employment and educational opportunities, mortgages or other loans, public housing benefits, licenses, travel visas, and good credit standing are at risk.

Moreover, arrests and overnight custody alone are humiliating, degrading, alienating and unjust for possessing small amounts of controlled substances, especially marijuana that long ago should have been legalized.

Last September, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly responded to public pressure. As a result, he ordered commanders not to arrest people possessing small marijuana amounts unless they're in public view.

In 1979, New York state decriminalized amounts of 25 grams or less. Henceforth, displaying it publicly became low-level misdemeanors, subject to ticketing, not arrests or jailing.

New York City's stop-and-frisk policy drew widespread criticism. Mostly Black and Hispanic males are targeted. Police routinely confront them, demand their pockets be emptied, and if marijuana is displayed, they're arrested for having it in public view. As a result, around 50,000 annually are criminalized unjustly.

At the time, critics called Kelly's action important. Chief Legal Aid Society attorney Steven Banks said it would make a tremendous difference to wrongfully targeted young minorities.

Drug Policy Alliance executive director Ethan Nadelmann called the order a significant change in how police deal with minor marijuana possession cases. Hopefully, "gross racial disparity" would be curbed.

Kelly's order in part read:

"Questions have been raised about the processing of certain marijuana arrests." Henceforth, "(a) crime will not be charged to an individual who is requested or compelled to engage in the behavior that results in the public display of marijuana." Displaying it must be "actively undertaken of the subject's own volition."

Queens College sociologist Harry G. Levine said public defenders and legal aid lawyers estimate up to three-fourths of those arrested displayed it on police orders. Those affected don't know they’re illegal, but police are very intimidating.

Last year, Brooklyn Democratic assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and Republican Senator Mark Grisanti sponsored legislation to downgrade small possession public displays from misdemeanors to a lessor violations. Bloomberg opposed them, claiming it would encourage greater use.

Despite Kelly's order, marijuana arrests declined slightly but continue. So does NYPD's racist crusade. Bloomberg supports it. So does Kelly tacitly. In 2010, one in every seven city arrests were for displaying marijuana in public view. Illegal police searches and false charges were mostly responsible.

Last year, New York's illegal stop-and-frisk policy affected over 600,000 people, overwhelmingly young Black and Hispanic males. Despite Kelly's order, illegal arrests continue. Institute for Juvenile Reform and Alternatives member Chino Hardin said "build(ing) a movement to stop" New York's crusade is essential.

On December 8, the ACLU called "NYPD Pot Arrests Habit....Tough to Break," saying:

Police Commissioner Kelly's order lowered arrests slightly, but maintained New York's distinction as "the marijuana arrest capital of the world. This just won't do."

City Hall policy is at fault. People of color are aggressively targeted for petty offenses like "graffiti, disorderly conduct, and - you guessed it - minor marijuana possession."

Ingrained habits are hard to break. Kelly's order lacked teeth, especially without City Hall's endorsement.

As a result, New York Black and Hispanic youths face unrelenting persecution unless public pressure forces legislative relief. It's long overdue nationwide with teeth.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Russia and China Veto Syria Resolution

by Stephen Lendman

Shortly before 1PM EST, Reuters headlined, "Russia, China veto UN resolution telling Assad to quit," saying:

The diplomatic "setback" came the day after "Syrian opposition (elements) accused Assad's forces of killing hundreds of people (in) Homs, the bloodiest night in the 11 months of upheaval in the pivotal Arab country."

Like other pro-Western media, Reuters pointed fingers the wrong way. Throughout the conflict, Assad was blamed for Western-backed externally generated violence. In fact, he's more victim than villain, but don't expect media scoundrels to explain.

Shortly before the Security Council vote, Obama called the Homs violence "unspeakable," demanded Assad step down immediately, and urged Security Council action against his "relentless brutality."

His public statement falsely claimed:

"Yesterday the Syrian government murdered hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children, in Homs through shelling and other indiscriminate violence, and Syrian forces continue to prevent hundreds of injured civilians from seeking medical help."

"Any government that brutalizes and massacres its people does not deserve to govern."

Since 1991 alone, Obama, Bush I and II, as well as Clinton, murdered millions of Iraqis, Serbians, Kosovars, Afghans, Libyans, Somalis, Yemenis, and many others ruthlessly and maliciously.

Today, Obama supports atrocities in Bahrain, Yemen, Somalia, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere, as well as Israel's decades-long war on Palestine. Major media scoundrels ignore them. Instead, they cheerlead imperial US wars. Power takes precedence over truth and full disclosure.

John Pilger once called journalism the first casualty of war, adding:

"Not only that: it has become a weapon of war, a virulent censorship (and deception) that goes unrecognized in the United States, Britain and other democracies; censorship by omission, whose power is such that, in war, it can mean the difference between life and death for people in faraway countries...."

In their book titled, "Guardians of Power,” Davids Edwards and Cromwell explained why today's media are in crisis, putting free societies at risk. It's because fiction substitutes for fact. News is carefully filtered, dissent marginalized, and supporting wealth and power replaces full and accurate reporting.

For over a century, The New York Times notoriously served as America's lead print propaganda instrument. On February 4, it headlined, "Russia and China Block UN Action on Syrian Crisis,” saying:

Hours before the Saturday Security Council vote, "the Syrian military attack the ravaged city of Homs in what opposition leaders described as the bloodiest government assault" so far.

Hours later, "(t)he Security Council voted 13 to 2 in favor of a resolution backing an Arab League peace plan for Syria, but the measure was blocked by Russia and China (as a) potential violation of Syria's sovereignty."

In fact, calling for "further measures" if Assad failed to comply gave Washington and rogue partners enormous wiggle room for military intervention. It also largely pointed fingers one way, absolving Western-backed insurgents.

Current Security Council members include the five permanent members plus Azerbajan, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa and Togo.

On February 4, Russia Today (RT.com) reported:

"Russia and China were the only permanent Security Council members opposing the draft, reminding others that it was not their place to intervene in another country's domestic affairs."

Under international law, it's illegal. Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said:

"The co-sponsors of the resolution have not, in the wording of the draft, taken into account that the Syrian opposition must distance itself from extremist groups committing acts of violence or called on states with the ability to use their influence to prevent such acts."

As a result, "(t)he Russian delegation was forced to vote against this draft resolution. We seriously regret this outcome of our joint work."

Attending a Munich security conference, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov diplomatically condemned the resolution for making false accusations and "taking sides in a civil war."

In response, US envoy Susan Rice said she was "disgusted" by vetoes "prop(ping) up desperate dictators." French ambassador Gerard Araud said "history will judge (Assad supporters) harshly."

In Munich, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a notorious war goddess, said, "To block this resolution is to bear the responsibility for the horrors on the ground in Syria."

Throughout his tenure as UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan was a notorious imperial tool. So is Ban Ki-moon. He called vetoing the Security Council resolution "a great disappointment to the people of Syria and the Middle East, and to all supporters of democracy and human rights."

He said doing so "undermines the role of the United Nations and the international community in this period when the Syrian authorities must hear a unified voice calling for an immediate end to its violence against the Syrian people."

Ban serves at the behest of Washington. He hasn't disappointed supporting years of imperial crimes, as well as Israel's against Palestine. No wonder Gazans pelted him with shoes during his February 2 visit.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) UN director Philippe Bolopion called last October's vetos by Moscow and Beijing "irresponsible," but today, "after weeks of Russian diplomatic game-playing and in the middle of a bloodbath in Homs, they are simply incendiary."

More often than not, HRW speaks for power, not human rights. Amnesty International also falls far short of its founding principles. Urging Russia's anti-Assad support, it called on Moscow to back Security Council actions against him instead of blaming perpetrators, not victims. It also falsely accused Gaddafi of Western-backed crimes. Libya's now ravaged. Will Syria be next? Veto power does little to stop it.

A Final Comment

On Press TV Saturday, this writer said Washington prefers diplomatic cover for planned aggression. However, with or without it, imperial wars aren't deterred. In 1999, it bypassed Security Council approval against Serbia/Kosovo. It claimed NATO authorization alone mattered.

Obama plans regime change in Syria and Iran. As a result, expect a similar scenario to unfold.

Perhaps a false flag incident will precipitate conflict. What Washington wants, it gets, using whatever pretext fits the plan.

With major media support, getting away with murder is simple as bombs away. Expect it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

City of Brotherly Love Event Promotes War and Hate

by Stephen Lendman

On February 2, notorious hatemonger Alan Dershowitz keynoted a Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia (JFGP)/Hillel of Greater Philadelphia "Evening of Unity & Community Solidarity" with Israel.

Inviting him was disgraceful. He's a shameless bigot, a longstanding Islamophobe, a perverter of fundamental US and international law, an advocate of war, torture targeted assassinations, and collective punishment, as well as a committed Zionist and apologist for Israel's worst crimes.

Distinguished Law Professor Francis Boyle once wrote:

He's "a self-incriminated war criminal who publicly admitted that he serves on a Mossad Committee that authorizes the murder and assassination of Palestinians."

He's "also infamous around the world for being this country's foremost advocate for torture."

Abhorring truth and rule of law standards, he's "nothing more than an Errand Boy for those in Power."

In his own words, he believes "the laws of war and the rules of morality must adapt to (new) realities." As a result, he supports preventive and preemptive aggression against nonbelligerent countries. Only Western interests matter, not truth, equity, justice, or fundamental rule of law principles.

Longstanding ones are inviolable. Dershowitz dismisses them. His Harvard Law School students learn this stuff. Boyle calls it a "school for torturers," and advises parents not to send their children there.

Along with JFGP and Hillel, event sponsors included Penn Israel Sector, Jewish Student Law Association, Penn Democrats, College Republicans, Camera (a shameless pro-Israeli media lobby), StandWithUs (another pro-Israeli front group), and the University of Pennsylvania Political Science, Philosophy, Politics and Economics departments.

Representing U of P President Amy Gutmann, Penn Board of Trustees chairman David Cohen introduced the event, saying:

"We are unwavering in our support of Israel. We do not support the message or the goals of BDS."

Sponsors billed his talk as "Why Israel Matters to You, Me, and Penn: A Conversation with Alan Dershowitz." He shamelessly calls BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activism "immoral, illegal and despicable concepts around academia today."

He called sympathetic U of P professors "complacent with evil."

The "unity and solidarity" with Israel event preceded U of P's February 3 - 5 BDS conference. More on it below.

A Max Blumenthal February 2 Daily Pennsylvanian article headlined, "Torture, violence advocate to keynote anti-BDS event," saying:

Pro-Israeli flacks smeared BDS conference speakers "predicabl(y)." Electronic Intifada co-founder Ali Abuninamah was accused of "incit(ing) violence against Israelis."

Hillel's Wayne Firestone said the conference advocates anti-Israeli "warfare" and "hatred." The demagogic Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called invited speakers:

"longtime activists who have pursued a wide range of delegitimization efforts against Israel, including lawfare initiatives (ie battling Israeli policy in the international courts), branding Israel's (hypocritical) LGBT efforts as an attempt to 'pink-wash' its 'alleged' crimes against Palestinians, and academic anti-Israeli arguments."

Many are "Jewish anti-Zionists....with a long history of anti-Israel rhetoric, including expressions of support for (spuriously characterized) terrorist groups that violently attack Israeli citizens, comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany, and blanket statements about Israelis in general that appear to border on anti-Semitism."

Throughout its century-long history, ADL hyped unfounded anti-Semitism hysteria as cover for backing Jewish supremacy and rights of Israelis over Arabs. They include militarized occupation and belligerently enforced apartheid.

ADL deplores human rights and rule of law standards. In the 1930s and 40s, it spied illegally on lawful citizens for the House Un-American Activities (HUAC). In the 1980s, it engaged in private spying. It viciously assails anti-Israeli activists. It condemned Palestinian efforts for full de jure UN membership, calling it "an obstacle to peace."

Like Dershowitz and other pro-Israeli hatemongers, ADL espouses violence and brute force.

BDS activists endorse confronting Israel nonviolently until it complies with international law and human rights standards. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said:

"....I have seen (firsthand) how the Palestinians are oppressed, dispossessed and exiled. (BDS) is a growing worldwide movement on the part of citizens and the private sector to support by non-violent tangible acts the Palestinian struggle for justice and self-determination."

Other distinguished figures support the same views. PennBDS said conference participants included "academics, activists, students and community leaders from across the US."

Meeting on U of P's main campus, they "(p)ick(ed) up where the 2009 Hampshire conference left off." Speakers included "journalists, professors, artists, writers, lawyers, and human and civil rights activists from various ethnic, religious, cultural and social communities."

Special attention focused on uniting with other initiatives against bigotry in all forms. Other talks discussed "comparative historical, sociological and philosophical analysis of BDS, both in its Israeli-Palestinian context and as a general tactic." Movement-building was also stressed.

Conference sponsors called the event "an invaluable resource for new activists and a momentum-building opportunity for those already engaged with the fight for Palestinian freedom and equality."

Other events will follow to build global momentum for justice too strong to stop. Hatemongers like Dershowitz and ADL can't stop it.

A Final Comment

Ruben Gur is a U of P Professor of Psychiatry at its Mahoney Institute of Neurological Sciences. On February 1, his Daily Pennsylvanian article headlined, "BDS is 'hateful,' 'discriminatory,' " saying:

"It is bad enough that Penn has allowed itself to be associated with this hateful genocidal organization, but for (the Daily Pennsylvanian) to give" it op-ed space "and then dignify this outpouring of misinformation and anti-Semitism....without any balancing opinion (is un)balanced journalism."

His article wreaked of racist hate, misinformation, and bald-faced lies. His agenda supports wrong over right. His students likely get the same "medicine" instead of what they pay for and deserve. Choosing another teacher would help.

He blamed Arabs for Israeli crimes. He called the purpose of BDS "similar to what was apparently stated in their version of "Mein Kampf." He referred to Omar Barghouti's book titled, "Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights."

Barghouti's an independent Palestinian commentator and human rights activist. He's also a founding BDS member. This writer's a cultural member and strong supporter. Maybe Gur will notice and attack me. If so, a reasoned response will follow, focusing on truth and full disclosure too strong to dispute.

He claimed BDS rhetoric aims "to delegitimize Israel in preparation for the ultimate goal of its destruction." In fact, Israel's doing it well on its own. It makes more enemies than friends, and growing numbers of fed-up Israelis vote with their feet and leave. One day perhaps they all will except for diehard racist supporters like Gur.

He compared BDS with Nazi Germany boycotts, divestments and sanctions against Jews. He called PennBDS organizers "tarnish(ish the university) for generations to come." He condemned "Penn's moral backbone" for letting them do it "as long as it singles out Jews and Israel."

As Dershowitz is to Harvard Law, Gur is to Penn's Neurological Sciences department. Both schools give them classroom space to spew hate. In the 1950s, this writer attended both universities, unexposed to their agendas.

Today it's much different, especially on issues of war and peace and wholehearted support for Israel's worst crimes.

Thankfully, many students abhor them enough to resist. Global momentum adds greater numbers to their ranks. Perhaps one day they'll be too robust to stop. It can't happen a moment too soon.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Security Council Showdown on Syria

by Stephen Lendman

Slowly things are coming to a head. America, Israel, rogue NATO partners, and regional despot allies are itching for a fight with Syria. Russia and China stand firmly opposed.

On February 3, Reuters headlined, "UN council to vote on Syria resolution Saturday," saying:

Britain's UN mission said the "UN Security Council is set to meet 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Plan is to vote on Syria resolution."

Reuters said "(o)ther missions confirmed the announcement."

On February 3, Deputy Foreign Minister Gannady Gatilov said resolution revisions were "not enough for us to be able to support...."

Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani accepts no further draft resolution changes, saying:

"The version which we have is the minimal which we can accept."

On February 4, Lebanon's Al-Manar satellite TV (Lebanese Media Group Company, Beirut) reported Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying:

"If they (the West) want yet another scandal on the Security Council for themselves then we cannot stop them."

At issue is an expected Saturday Security Council vote Russia opposes. Lavrov added:

"The draft does not suit us at all and I hope that is is not put to a vote."

Russia's views are well known. "There can be no doubt about the sense and the objectivity of (its) amendments. I hope that a prejudiced approach does not prevail over common sense," Lavrov stressed.

On February 4, AP headlined, "Russia warns UN vote on Syria will end in scandal," saying:

Interviewed on Russian state television, Lavrov was blunt, saying Russia's prepared to use its veto.

Calling the current Syrian resolution draft unacceptable, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gatilov said:

"Some of our concerns and the concerns of those who think the same as (we do) have been taken into consideration, but all the same (it's) not enough for us to be able to support it in this form."

At issue is what major media scoundrels ignore - a Western-backed externally generated insurgency responsible for most violence.

Washington plans regime change in Iran and Syria. At issue is replacing current leaders with pro-Western ones. Syria's target one to isolate Iran. Escalated measures against Tehran will follow.

Strategy involves whatever it takes to achieve longstanding objectives, including war. Pressure's building. Expect it perhaps later in 2012.

Meanwhile, conditions in Syria keep deteriorating. Under attack, its currency lost half its value. Ordinary people suffer most. Hunger and severe privation threaten. Escalated violence promises worse, including full-blown Western-backed war.

To achieve unchallenged Middle East hegemony, including control of its oil and gas resources, Washington won't quit until the entire region burns.

In 1970, Richard Nixon ordered making Chile under social democrat Salvador Allende "scream." Seventeen reign of terror Pinochet years followed.

Middle East plans today are worse, including full-blown war for control. Expect it, with or without Security Council help. Hardball Washington tactics don't compromise.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Say No to War

by Stephen Lendman

Wolfgang Borchert: German, author, playwright, poet. His experience under Hitler and Wehrmacht service changed his life.

Never a Nazi supporter, he deplored compulsory Hitler Youth time. Finally he got out. In 1940, the Gestapo arrested, then released him. His Wehrmacht conscription suspended his young theatrical career.

Sent to the Eastern front, he saw war firsthand at its worst. It included numerous casualties, vast destruction, starvation, and painful deaths. When an infected cut caused hepatitis, he was accused of avoiding military service by self-mutilation. As a result, he was arrested, placed in isolation, convicted of making "statements endangering the country," sentenced to six more weeks in isolation, then returned to the Eastern front "to prove himself" in battle.

As a result, he suffered frostbite and hepatitis bouts. Given medical leave to recover, he returned home to ravaged Hamburg. He parodied Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Gobbels. Doing so got him prosecuted and sentenced to nine months in prison.

On release, he returned to duty on the Western front. In March 1945, his company surrendered. During transfer to a POW camp, he evaded guards, escaped, and walked home to Hamburg, covering about 600 km.

After the war, his health deteriorated. In 1946, doctors gave him a year to live. His damaged liver couldn't last longer. With life slowing ebbing, he resumed theater work and writing.

He wrote short prose and poems, compiled in a collection called Laterne, Nacht and Sterne (Lantern, Night and Stars). In late 1946 or early 1947, he wrote "The Man Outside."

Performed on radio in February 1947, it won significant acclaim. It included a dozen short stories and one play. Combining polemic and sentimentality, it raged in elegiac pieces like "The Bread" and "The Rats Sleep at Night."

He recounted soldiers stumbling down post-war German streets. Their heads echoed gunfire and visions of numerous people killed. Boys sit in bombed-out buildings. They're vigilant so rats don't eat their brother beneath rubble.

Marriages threaten to unravel over trivial incidents. Prisoners risk life and limb to glimpse flowers. In addition, a narrator alternates between sympathy and rage about how things are. This is what we did, all of us, he said. Ideological framing's gone. Years of war destroyed it. There's just the here and now to start over, rebuilding from bubble and broken lives.

"Say NO! Say NO! Say NO! he said. He's not subtle. Time's too short. Imagine what his death cut short. On November 20, 1947, he died at age 26. The next day, "The Man Outside" was performed on stage for the first time.

It recounts a post-war soldier's hopelessness. He returns home to find his wife and home lost, his beliefs and illusions shattered. All doors are closed. Even the Elbe River rejects his suicide, washing him ashore. The play ends with the lead character's death. He may have recounted his own before he passed.

He subtitled his work "A play that no theater wants to perform and no audience wants to see." Its too grim to bear.

His poem titled, "Say NO" was written days before he died. Its searing rhetoric cuts deep. He said:

"You. Man at the machine gun and man in the workshop. If tomorrow they tell you you are to make no more water-pipes and saucepans but are to make steel helmets and machine-guns, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

You. Woman at the counter and woman in the office. If tomorrow they tell you to fill shells and assemble telescopic sights for snipers' rifles, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

You. Research worker in the laboratory. If tomorrow they tell you you are to invent a new death for the old life, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

You. Priest in the pulpit. If tomorrow they tell you you are to bless murder and declare war holy, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

You. Pilot in your aeroplane. If tomorrow they tell you you are to carry bombs over cities, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

You. Man of the village and man of the town. If tomorrow they come and give you your call-up papers, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

You. Mother in Normandy and mother in the Ukraine, mother in Vancouver and in London, you on the Hwangho and on the Mississippi, you in Naples and Hamburg and Cairo and Oslo - mothers in all parts of the earth, mothers of the world, if tomorrow they tell you you are to bear new soldiers for new battles, then there's only one thing to do:

Say NO!

For if you do not say NO - if YOU do not say NO - mothers, then: then!

In the bustling hazy harbour towns the big ships will fall silent as corpses against the dead deserted quay walls, their once shimmering bodies overgrown with seaweed and barnacles, smelling of graveyards and rotten fish.

The trams will lie like senseless glass-eyed cages beside the twisted steel skeleton of wires and track.

The sunny juice vine will not rot on decaying hillsides, rice will dry in the withered earth, potatoes will freeze in the unploughed land and cows will stick their death-still legs into the air like overturned chairs.

In the fields beside rusted ploughs the corn will be flattened like a beaten army.

Then the last human creature, with mangled entrails and infected lungs, will wander around, unanswered and lonely, under the poisonous glowing sun, among the immense mass graves and devastated cities.

The last human creature, withered, mad, cursing, accusing - and the terrible accusation: Why?

will dies unheard on the plains, drift through the ruins, seep into the rubble of churches, fall into pools of blood, unheard, unanswered,

the last animal scream of the last human animal -

All this will happen tomorrow, tomorrow, perhaps, perhaps even tonight, perhaps tonight, if - if -

You do not say NO."

Anyone unmoved by that isn't human. No one could write it who didn't experience war's horrors firsthand, and scream Say NO! Say NO! No More.

Written almost 65 years ago, wars rage daily. Millions more lives expired. Perhaps no one will listen to other Borcherts until no one's left to hear, if "You do not say NO" now.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Walid Hanatsheh: Palestinian Prisoner of Conscience

by Stephen Lendman

The Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association calls Hanatsheh "a human rights defender who is currently in administrative detention."

As Health Work Committees (HWC) Finance and Administration Manager, he helped "provide necessary healthcare to over 500,000" Palestinians.

In 1994, he was detained, interrogated for 30 days, then released. In June 2002, he was arrested for being in Jerusalem "illegally." His wife's a Jerusalemite. Arrest for "illegal presence" became an administrative detention ordeal. At issue is his humanitarian activism and alleged connection to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). As a result, he was held for three and a half years.

Military commanders sign detentions. Military judges review them. Military court of appeals proceedings may follow. High Court of Justice ones may be requested. Up to six months can be ordered, subject to limitless extensions.

After two years imprisoned, military judges had reservations. In October 2004, Hanatsheh's extension was upheld, subject to possible alternatives.

Nonetheless, in December 2004, another extension was approved. However, the judge ruled that barring extraordinary circumstances, further extensions weren't justified.

In March 2005, another judge said "there is room to seriously consider the release of the detainee from administrative detention. However....I am of the opinion that there is room to have the detainee remain in administrative detention for another short period of time."

He added that barring extraordinary developments, holding him longer wasn't justified. In May 2005, a new judge said old material against him didn't justify holding him longer than another month.

He ruled that only a "new" order containing new information or developments can justify doing so. As a result, after three and a half years in prison, Hanatsheh was released.

Nonetheless, the Israel Securities Authority (ISA) manufactured new information it called substantive. On review, a military judge ruled it "does point to details of actions thus far unknown, yet these are insufficient to substantively alter the existing intelligence picture."

"The new information does include details which illustrate the detainee's modus operandi during his incarceration, yet a review of preexisting information indicates that some of this activity had already been known, and the rest may be reasonably deduced from the detainee's status as a senior PFLP operative."

In fact, no evidence connects Hanatsheh with PFLP membership or involvement. Saying so isn't proof, or justification for targeting a legitimate nonviolent resistance group. It's founding document said:

PFLP's strategic aim is Palestinian liberation "from Zionist colonial occupation." In addition, it wants Palestinian democracy with Jerusalem its capital. It advocates a state "guarant(eeing) legal rights and equality of opportunity to all citizens, without discrimination on the grounds of religion, sex, belief or color."

Opposing Zionism and imperialism, it also seeks pan-Arab democratic unity.

Israel calls PLFP members terrorists for wanting to live free on their own land in their own country. Popular resistance continues courageously to achieve it.

Israel's military court of appeals upheld Hanatsheh's lower court injustice. However, the High Court of Justice reversed it saying "we have come to the conclusion that in this case, (new) information tips the scale in favor of some extension of the detention."

As a result, it ordered him held another three months. In December 2005 he was released. In January 2009, he was again arrested, administratively detained, and held lawlessly for one year.

Ruthless Israeli Injustice

When targeted Palestinians are uncharged, injustice follows.

Administrative detentions are authorized by Military Order 1651 (2009). It codified previously issued Criminal Code orders. It consolidated ones issued since 1967, relating to arrests, detentions, and prosecutions.

Military Order 1651 replaced 20 previous diktats from 1967 - 2005, including Military Order 378. It established Occupied Palestine's military courts, violating civil judicial rights. It also replaced Military Order 132 on "judging juvenile delinquents." As a result, children young as six are arrested and treated like adults. When imprisoned, permanent trauma often results.

Military Order 1651 also replaced MO 1591. It established administrative detention standards, giving commanders authority to hold Palestinians up to six months with limitless extensions. As of May 1, 2010, they may order detentions based on "reasonable grounds to presume that the security of the area or public security require" them.

In other words, saying so without evidence justifies them. Justice Israeli-style replicates the worst police state practices. It's continued for decades without end.

As a result, an entire population is terrorized for praying to the wrong God. World leaders yawn and ignore it. America provides generous support. Annually it increases while homeland needs go begging.

Hanatsheh Arrested for Fourth Time

On November 22, 2011, 20 soldiers, an intelligence officer, and unidentified masked man stormed his home at 1:30AM. Without cause, he was again arrested and held.

On November 30, he was ordered detained for six months. Administrative detentions use secret evidence, unavailable to victims and counsel. As a result, they can't challenge alleged evidence in violation of international humanitarian law.

It permits limited use of administrative detentions in emergency situations, but requires authorities follow basic rules and procedures. They include due process hearings at which detainees may challenge why they're held. Israel spurns all international law. As a result, Palestinians like Hanatsheh suffer.

Secret evidence even extends to constitutionality issues, argued by the State ex parte. As a result, in March 2009, three Israeli human rights organizations withdrew their petition challenging the constitutionality of a High Court criminal procedure order.

Withdrawal was in protest over the Court's decision to let the General Security Service present information exclusively to its judges without petitioners' presence. As a result, they couldn't examine and question it.

Palestinians are systematically denied justice in a rigged system against them. Once charged, or detained without charges, they're guilty by accusation or implication. Equal protection's a nonstarter. Justice serves Jews one way, Palestinians another, affording them none.

Hearings for Hanatsheh's detention took place in two sessions. First, he and his lawyer were present. Closed proceedings followed. Secret evidence was presented.

The military judge said it showed PFLP activism. As a result, he said, administrative detention is the "only way to prevent the danger posed by the detainee." He cited previous detentions based on alleged PFLP involvement.

As a result, on December 1, he was ordered detained. His lawyer appealed, stressing his humanitarian work. Holding him negatively impacts Palestinians receiving it. He also explained that baseless evidence justified previous arrests and detentions.

On January 15, his appeal was denied. Addameer believes targeting him relates to his Health Work Committees (HWC) affiliation and support for prisoner hunger strikes begun last September.

HWC actively coordinated prisoner solidarity events and other supportive efforts. Because PFLP prisoners were involved, authorities connected Hanatsheh to them unfairly.

According to Addameer:

His case "reflects the policy of arbitrary detention employment by Israeli authorities, and particularly the use of administrative detention as punishment for individuals when there is not sufficient evidence (or perhaps none) for an indictment."

Incarceration harms families and detainees. Hanatsheh's wife Bayan said separation slowly kills them. Spouses struggle to get by. So do children without full parental support. Moreover, future plans can't be made.

Hanatsheh's young children ask why their father's never home and doesn't pick them up at school like other kids' parents. Moreover, when he was detained in 2002, Bayan became seriously ill. His lawyer used medical reports to get him released. Denying his motion, an arrogant military judge said:

"The lives of the Israeli public are more important than Walid's life or his wife's life."

In fact, Hanatsheh threatens no one. Humanitarian activism got him arrested and detained. Moreover, Jerusalemite Bayan applied numerous times for ID permission to let him live with her and family members. Each time she was denied for "security reasons."

In fact, when free, he's denied entry into Jerusalem. He's also prevented from traveling outside Palestine for conferences and workshops related to his humanitarian work even though it's peaceful and not threatening.

Addameer calls his detention an affront to justice and "deliberate violation of his fundamental freedoms and special protections provided under international law for human rights defenders, particularly freedoms of movement, expression, association and peaceful assembly."

It's also one of many examples of ruthless Israeli state terrorism. Denying it’s not an option.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

New Syria Resolution: Better but Still Flawed

by Stephen Lendman

Its sponsors include America, Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Colombia, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE, Oman, Lybia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Togo.

Notably, Russia and China aren't included. Nonetheless, Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said:

"We have the text which we shall send to our capital cities and will wait for the result." He added that doing so "does not predetermine its fate in any way."

More on its text below.

On February 3, Itar-Tass headlined, "UN Security Council agrees on Syria resolution," saying:

On February 2, tentative agreement was reached. Key Russia/China concerns were addressed. Some perhaps but not all. Resolution sponsors "urged all countries to launch an open political process headed by the Syrians in the atmosphere free of violence, fear, intimidation and extremism."

Earlier drafts were one-sided ultimatums. Though softer, the new version "still contains some veiled threat of sanctions" or worse if Syria fails to comply within 21 days. "In this case, the (SC) may consider some additional measures."

Therein lies one of several flaws. Saying passage is far from sure, The New York Times called the measure "wobbly," adding that SC members fully support the Arab League plan.

In fact, it's Observer Mission report acknowledged what Western media reports suppress. Mission head General Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi said:

"The mission was witness to acts of violence against government forces and citizens leading to death and injury of many. A case in point was the attack against a civilian bus which killed eight persons and injured others, including women and children."

Heavily "armed opposition groups" are involved. In Homs and Daraa, for example, they used externally supplied "thermal bombs and anti-armor missiles."

"In Homs, Idlib and Hama, (observers) witnessed acts of violence being committed against Government forces and civilians that resulted in several deaths and injuries."

Various incidents "include the bombing of buildings, trains carrying fuel, vehicles carrying diesel oil and explosions targeting the police, members of the media and fuel pipelines. Some of those attacks have been carried out by the Free Syrian Army and some by other armed opposition groups." However, naming them was unaddressed.

Media misinformation was also highlighted. For example, "many parties falsely reported that explosions or violence had occurred in several locations. When the observers went (there), they found that those reports were unfounded."

Moreover, observers said government forces didn't attack peaceful pro and anti-Assad demonstrations, except for minor incidents. While stopping short of blaming foreign governments, readers can draw their own conclusions from clear evidence provided.

As a result, mission findings were discredited for not delivering what Washington and rogue partners want. Arab League governments were heavily pressured to provide one-sided "exaggerated accounts of events."

Mission head al-Dabi pointed fingers elsewhere. As a result, he was assailed for not cooperating and vilified for once running Sudan's military intelligence under Omar al-Bashir. Washington wants him tried in the Hague.

New Draft Resolution

Its language states:

It "e)xpress(ed) grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in Syria, and profound concern at the death of thousands of people and calling for an immediate end to all violence."

It welcomes "the League of Arab States' Action Plan of 2 November 2011 and its subsequent decisions, including (on January 22) which aims to achieve a peaceful resolution of the crisis."

It expressed disappointment that violence prevented mission observers monitoring as planned and forced suspending their initiative as a result.

It stressed "the importance of ensuring the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes in safety and with dignity."

It's "(m)indful that stability in Syria is key to peace and stability in the region."

It noted "announced commitments by the Syrian authorities to reform (but) lack of progress in implementation."

It "(r)eaffirm(ed) its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, emphasizing its intention to resolve the current political crisis....peacefully, and nothing in this resolution authorizes measures under article 42 of the (UN) Charter."

It states:

"Should the Security Council consider that measures" short of "armed force....inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations."

The resolution "demands that the Syrian government immediately put an end to all human rights violations and attacks against those exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, protect is population, fully comply with its (international law) obligations....and General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/176."

It included a laundry list against him alone. It ranged from killing civilians to disappearances, arbitrary detentions, preventing access to medical treatment, sexual violence, and ill-treatment, including against children.

It sounds similar to false or exaggerated anti-Gaddafi charges throughout NATO's campaign against him. Assad's now target one before moving on to the next one.

It "(c)ondemns all violence, irrespective of where it comes from (but not naming it), and in this regard demands that all parties in Syria, including armed groups, immediately stop all violence or reprisals, including attacks against State institutions, in accordance with the League of Arab States' initiative."

It calls for "all those responsible for human rights violations, including acts of violence, (be) held responsible."

It demands "Assad's government....without delay:

(a) cease all violence and protect its population;

(b) release all persons detained arbitrarily due to the recent incidents;

(c) withdraw all Syrian military and armed forces from cities and towns, and return to their original home barracks;

(d) guarantee the freedom of peaceful demonstrations;

(e) allow full and unhindered access and movement" of Arab League "institutions" and international media in all parts of Syria to accurately determine conditions; and

(f) give Arab League monitors "full and unhindered" access on the ground.

It calls for addressing all aspirations and concerns of Syria's people, "without prejudging the outcome."

It supports transitioning Syria "to a democratic, plural political system, in which" all citizens are treated equally.

It demands Syrian authorities cooperate fully, including "unhindered access for humanitarian assistance."

It requests the Secretary-General report within 21 days on implementation of the above provisions, in consultation with Arab League states.

It decided "to review implementation of this resolution within 21 days and, in the event of non-compliance, to consider further measures."

Fact check

Washington, rogue NATO partners, and regional despot allies abhor democracy and won't tolerate it at home or abroad. Claiming otherwise belies America's longstanding agenda, more recently in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and elsewhere throughout the region.

Expressing disappointment that violence prevented Arab League observers from operating as planned, it stops short of blaming externally generated insurgents.

Saying Syrian stability "is key to peace and stability in the region" ignores over 10 years of Washington-led and/or supported violence in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Palestine, and elsewhere.

Claiming Assad failed to implement reform commitments belies serious steps he proposed, release of thousands of prisoners, nonviolence against peaceful opposition protesters, continued instability preventing him from moving faster, and Arab League mission head al-Dabi commending his cooperation.

Affirming Security Council members' commitment to peaceful conflict resolution ignores Washington's longstanding regime change agenda by any means necessary.

In addition, allowing further measures for non-compliance gives Washington enormous leverage to exploit. Imagine what it has in mind. Assad alone is blamed, not unnamed responsible parties.

Moreover, language sounds ominously like Libyan Resolution 1973. It authorized "all necessary measures....to protect civilians and civilian population areas under threat of attack."

Straightaway, NATO intervened belligerently. Many tens of thousands died. Libya was ravaged and destroyed. Civilians, of course, suffered most. Violence continues unchecked. Human misery is incalculable. Western intervention assures Syria the same fate and perhaps Iran if it's targeted next.

Washington wants governments in both countries replaced by pro-Western ones. Doing so gives it unchallenged regional control, including over its valued oil and gas resources.

In his book, "Winning Modern Wars," General Wesley Clark said Pentagon sources told him two months after 9/11 that regime change was planned in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Iran, Somalia, Lebanon, and Sudan. In weeks, Afghanistan was attacked. It's now America's longest war with no resolution in sight. Perhaps Syria's next, then Iran.

United, Russia and China are bulwarks against it. Hopefully, they'll demand language revisions to exclude interventionist wiggle room for Washington and rogue partners. It's ominously there. Obama officials will take full advantage. Checking them is key.

A Final Comment

Russia Today reported, "Moscow won't support a 'raw' resolution or arms embargo on Syria," saying:

Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churki spoke by video link, explaining that Moscow opposes a counterproductive resolution.

Points he raised included Russia's opposition to embargoing arms to Syria, some Security Council (SC) members not condemning armed groups operating there, and likelihood that weapons will still reach them even if a ban's imposed.

Citing the Libyan example, he said arming Gaddafi was prohibited, but weapons flowed freely to insurgent forces.

Cherkin also stressed Russia's firm opposition to foreign intervention. He also expressed angst about many SC members ignoring the Arab League observer mission's report, especially al-Dabi's comments. However, at Moscow's insistence, he'll address the SC, and the report will be translated into all six official UN languages.

Churkin said a final resolution must include its findings. Observers spent a month in Syria and saw events firsthand.

Russia wants conflict resolution peacefully, but won't yield on key issues.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Promoting War, Spurning Peace

by Stephen Lendman

US and Israeli agendas need enemies. Both pursue rogue state policies.

They defy international laws and conventions, applying rule of law standards to others, not themselves. Their interests alone matter, no matter the toll on others.

When enemies don't exist, they're invented. Fear stirs public angst. Major media scoundrels spread it. Propaganda substitutes for truth and full disclosure.

America's had no enemies since WW II. Israel's had none since the 1973 Yom Kippur war. However, you'd never know it from regular spurious claims. Haaretz writer Amos Harel reported the latest in his February 2 article titled, "Some 200,000 missiles aimed consistently at Israel, top IDF officer says," saying:

Military Intelligence chief General Aviv Kochavi alleged "a more hostile, more Islamic, more sensitive Middle East, one more attune to public sentiment, less controlled by the regimes, and less susceptible to international influence," despite no evidence whatever proving it.

In fact, clear evidence suggests the opposite. Since regional uprisings began a year ago, some names and faces changed, nothing else. Policies remain the same. Regime abuses and indifference to public need continue in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Bahrain, and elsewhere, despite public anger and calls for change.

Kochavi stoked fear with lies, alleging 200,000 missiles target Israel. Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas are blamed.

Iran's alleged nuclear threat further escalates tensions, despite no evidence one exists. Nonetheless, he said, if Ayatollah Khomenei "issues a command to achieve a first nuclear explosive device, we estimate it would take another year before that's achieved."

On February 1, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz made similar accusations. He emphasized heightened regional threats and said Iran's nuclear program must be stopped.

Calling it a "global problem and a regional problem," he left unaddressed its legal peaceful purpose in contrast to Israel's nuclear proliferation agenda.

He lied saying "There is no doubt that Iran is seeking military nuclear capability." Israel's had one for decades. It's nuclear armed and dangerous.

In his 1997 book titled, "Open Secrets: Israeli Foreign and Nuclear Policies"," Israel Shahak said "Israel (is) clearly prepar(ing) itself to seek overtly a hegemony over the entire Middle East (with no) hesitati(on) to use for the purpose all means available, including nuclear weapons."

Moreover, its longstanding policy dictates responding robustly if attacked, including with nuclear weapons. America has the same standard. Both are aggressive. As a result, world peace hangs in the balance. They and rogue partners threaten it, not Iran, Syria, Hezbollah or Hamas.

Nonetheless, strategy includes spewing lies to blame victims. According to Gantz, other Gulf states worry about Iran's alleged nuclear program. Moreover, he claimed:

"(W)e must not forget one basic thing: Israel is the only country in the world which someone is calling for its destruction and which someone is building the tools to do so. This is something that cannot be ignored."

Spuriously suggesting Iran, Gantz said "The world and the region must continue to isolate" the Islamic Republic, despite no threat whatever from its leaders. Nonetheless, he added:

"It is correct to continue economic pressure and sanctions, from which we are starting to see signs of achievement and progress in terms of what is going on in Iran. It is correct to act and continue to disrupt processes associated with the development of the Iranian nuclear project and to work to enhance oversight over what is happening."

Only Iran's leaders "will decide at the end of the day if it will give up on a military nuclear capability. But determined and consistent action will (lead) to this strategic insight."

Gantz and other Israeli officials know Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful and legal. In contrast, Israel defies NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) provisions. It never signed the treaty. Iran did in 1968 and abides fully with its standards. Israel operates lawlessly like its Washington paymaster/partner.

Gantz also manufactured other "threats," saying:

"Gaza and Lebanon are some of the largest munitions depots I know. (They) enter from Iran, Syria, and unfortunately even Russia continues to send arms to this day, where in Syria it is not clear who will control and operate them later."

"The Middle East is the most armed region in the world, and the bad news is that we are the target of these arms. And we need to remember this."

In fact, Israel's been unthreatened for decades. It alone threatens others and wages strategic wars against Gaza, Lebanon, and potentially against Syria and Iran. Mainstream reporting ignores it.

It also lets Israeli President Shimon Peres spew lies about Iran's "evil" leaders. Like other Israeli officials, he spuriously claimed Tehran's nuclear program threatens Israel. He called it "ours and the world's central problem at this time." He accused Iran of pursuing regional and "even global hegemony." In fact, Israel and America alone share that distinction.

Nonetheless, he said "Nuclear weapons mustn't be allowed to fall into the hands of Iran's Ayatollah regime." He called its religious leaders the "most morally corrupt regime in the world." Again, only Israeli and American political ones top the world's rogue list.

Peres proved it by ruling out no options against Iran, saying "It is the duty of the international community to prevent evil and nuclear (weapons) from coming together. That is the obligations of most of the leaders of the free world, one which they must meet."

Iran "funds, trains, and guides terrorists to spread terror and murder across the globe," he claimed. Proving it's another matter because saying so is baseless. He added more saying "the current Iranian leadership offers the future only destruction. It threatens human rights and the peace of nations."

Now age 88, Peres served in various political posts for decades, including prime minister from April - June 1977, again from 1984 - 1986, and most recently in 1995 and 1996. Now he's president, a largely ceremonial post.

In fact, he acts at the behest and discretion of Israeli ministers and other top officials. Israeli presidents don't make policy.

Nonetheless, their comments are widely reported on issues of war and peace and state security, no matter how duplicitous, untrue and hateful. Peres had lots of practice. His recent comments show it. He echoes official policies.

They've been unchecked for decades. No one challenges them, including major media scoundrels promoting the worst ones. As a result, world peace hangs in the balance. The threat's too grave to ignore.

A Final Comment

On January 25, American Conservative contributor Noah Millman headlined, "Is Israel a Failed State?" His article reviewed Gershom Gorenberg's new book titled, "The Unmaking of Israel."

What's "exceptional" about it, said Millman, is Gorenberg's framing. It discussed decisions made during and after the 1967 war. Occupation and repression followed. Progressively, Israel became "unmade."

Expanded settlements and other rogue policies corrupted democratic values. However, Israel's fall from grace began from inception. Ben-Gurion endorsed force, violence, and marginalizing non-Jews as policy.

Occupation intensified conflict. International law's spurned. As a result, Israel's settlement enterprise and other rogue policies "undermined the Israeli state top to bottom." Secrecy and corruption followed.

Decades of lawlessness reflect what Israelis "should have grown out of when they acquired the power and responsibility of a state." Instead, pursuing wrong over right "doesn't just undermine the" immorality of injustice, but it provides evidence that the "Zionis(t project) failed in what was arguably its primary objective."

Gorenberg wrote his book mainly for Jews. Instead of pursuing peace, Israel chose conflict. It persists aggressively against non-threatening targets.

Gorenberg's an Orthodox left-leaning Jew. He also espouses Zionism, but not Israel's version. He said its "goal was a sovereign, independent Jewish state in the historic land of Israel, as a means to the moral and spiritual rebirth of the Jewish nation."

Historical inaccuracies and stealing Palestine aside, Gorenberg deplores violence and repression. Pursuing them belie Zionist ideals, he believes, though others view its early days much differently.

Either way, he sees greater trouble ahead unless future Israeli leaders change course. So far, prospects at best are dim.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

Israeli Settlements: An Obstacle to Peace

by Stephen Lendman

Netanyahu's Likud Party platform says the following about Palestinian self-determination:

Unilaterally establishing a Palestinian state "will constitute a fundamental and substantive violation of the agreements with the State of Israel and the scuttling of the Oslo and Wye accords. The government will adopt immediate stringent measures in the event of such a declaration."

In fact, on November 15, 1988, the Palestinian National Council (PNC) proclaimed an independent Palestine. At the time, Washington provisionally recognized its independence.

According to UN Charter Article 80(1), it can't reverse its position by vetoing a Security Council (SC) resolution calling for Palestine's UN admission. Doing so is illegal, subject to further SC action under the Charter's Chapter VI.

The SC only recommends admissions. The General Assembly affirms them by a two-thirds majority. An overwhelming majority of states support de jure Palestinian membership.

Abbas could have had it last fall by petitioning the General Assembly through the 1950 Uniting for Peace Resolution 377. Not doing so revealed his longtime collaborationist credentials. As a result, the issue remains in limbo.

Likud's platform said the following about settlements:

"The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (all Occupied Palestine) are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel."

"The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting."

Likud also rejects Green Line separation of Israel and Palestine. It proves it by incrementally stealing Palestinian land declared all Jerusalem sovereign Israeli territory.

Since 1967, Israel established 121 settlements. The Interior Ministry calls "communities." Another 100 unauthorized outposts exist.

In addition, Israel considers 12 annexed Jerusalem neighborhoods as settlements. Moreover, settler enclaves exist in Palestinian East Jerusalem.

Overall, Israeli occupied territory, including settlements, exceeds 40% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Their choicest parts are colonized. Systematic land theft increases them.

Yet international law is explicit. Fourth Geneva's Article 49 states, "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."

Moreover, in July 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled:

"Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and an obstacle to peace and to economic and social development." In addition, they've "been established in breach of international law" on sovereign Palestinian territory.

Five rounds of Amman, Jordan Israeli/Palestinian talks ended January 25 in failure. Further meetings aren't scheduled. At issue is Netanyahu's unreasonable demands. In return, he offered nothing.

Home demolitions, land theft, dispossessions, and settlement construction continue.

It gets worse. Israel wants Green Line partitioning ended. Replacing it would be by Separation Wall annexation of 12% of Palestine when completed. Israel also wants Jordan Valley territory declared a strategic security asset. It represents one-fourth of West Bank land.

On January 28, AP said two Palestinian officials confirmed it "based on their interpretation of principles Israel presented in talks this week."

Moreover, Israel wants East Jerusalem and settlements made part of Israel. Palestinians want sovereign Palestine to include all occupied territories to their 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem as their capital. Nothing less is acceptable.

On January 27, New York Times writer Ethan Bronner headlined, "Israelis Say Settlements Must be Part of Israeli State," saying:

Israel's "approach" wants "settlement blocks to become part of Israel...." In fact, it's a demand, not an "approach." Bronner's framing is unsurprising. In March 2008, he joined Lone Star Communications' speakers bureau. It's one of Israel's leading PR firms. It arranges speaking dates for Bronner and suggests issues to discuss.

Times editors see no conflict of interest or for other writers compromising their journalistic integrity. An earlier controversy involved Bronner's son serving in Israel's military. Former Times executive editor Bill Keller backed him. Times assistant managing editor Susan Chira called his coverage "scrupulously fair...."

Others disagree based on studies showing pro-Israeli Times bias. It's how all its correspondents, op-ed and editorial writers do their jobs on all world and national issues. "Scrupulously fair" isn't in their vocabularies.

They also spurn Palestinians wanting self-determination and freedom, as well as millions of loyal supporters. None get Times or other major media print space.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.