Revelations 4-27-2011

27, April 2011                        Revelations

The latest WikiLeaks whistleblowing website has exposed the appalling abuse of prisoners at Guantánamo. The documents show that the vast majority of prisoners are innocent or very-low operatives - not the high level detainees that the Pentagon has repeatedly asserted As an example of the complete absence of any meaningful justice, it turns out that a single informer was granted his freedom by incriminating at least 123 others – which makes his ‘testimony’ highly suspect.

The trove of documents also shows how an Al Jazeera employee was abducted and imprisoned for six long years merely because his employer had broadcast embarrassing video clips showing US forces abusing civilians and prisoners. This is the same Al Jazeera that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke of in glowing terms as a trend setter in journalism, in contrast with the US networks repetitious 24 news cycle babble. Other examples of egregious misconduct, was the arrest of an 89-year old Afghan villager suffering from dementia and the arrest of a 14-year old boy who was kidnapped and subsequently dumped by pro-Taliban forces. Others prisoners were turned in by ransom seekers.


It is time for President Obama to follow through on his campaign promise and close this hell-hole. Its continuing existence is a blot on America’s claim to be a law abiding nation.

Nuclear Power in India 4-11-2011

11, April 2011                        Nuclear Power in India

The unprecedented nuclear disaster in Japan is a dire warning to India’s increased vulnerability to suffer a similar fate. It is ironic, that in spite of strong domestic opposition to the development of nuclear power, the US is willing to sell its technology to India. The disposal of nuclear wastes in the US continues to provoke a ‘not in my back yard’ response from the general public. In contrast, India is so intoxicated becoming a member of the exclusive nuclear club that it has all but ignored this important ‘red flag’. The storage of these wastes in the bowels of Yucca Mountain in Utah is like a ticking time bomb – a long term health hazard. The only source of uranium in India, the raw ingredient for nuclear energy production, is Jadugoda, a small tribal village in mineral-rich Jharkband (formerly Bihar). The health of the indigenous people of that area has been devastated and the environment destroyed by ongoing mining operations.  I urge readers to Google “Buddha Weeps in Jadugoda", a ground-breaking documentary, which shows the grotesque health hazards of uranium mining. The film depicts the casual attention applied to the transportation of the refined uranium ore or yellow cake, in leaky barrels which spewed large amounts of lethal radiation.

The nuclear industry is so capital intensive and risky that it cannot be privately financed but must survive on taxpayer guarantees – with limited liabilities for any nuclear mishaps.

We cannot afford to play Russian roulette with current and future generations of Indians. Government and quasi-government officials are notoriously inept in matters of safety. It seems like the human tragedy which accompanied the Bhopal disaster more than 25 years ago has been forgotten. A nuclear mishap would be an unmitigated disaster to India’s densely populated people. Indians should demand action to reverse support for this dangerous and inherently unnecessary steam generation

ISRAEL’s Stranglehold 4-7-2011

7, April 2011              ISRAEL’s Stranglehold

As undemocratic regimes in the Arab world collapse under the weight of authentic grassroots democratic movements, Israel's stranglehold over the Palestinians appears increasingly tenuous. It continues to ignore international law with its announced plans to build 942 new housing units in Gila on the outskirts of Jerusalem. By doing so, it has turned a deaf ear to the Obama administration’s vigorous opposition to these illegal settlements which are a major obstacle to peace, stability and a viable Palestinian state. It seems likely that the new emerging Arab states will adopt a far more hostile attitude towards Israel once they have successfully ousted their tyrannical rulers.

The US influence in the Middle East has also plummeted with the growing realization that successive US administrations have propped up these corrupt and dictatorial Arab regimes for decades. It would behoove Israel to launch an aggressive and far reaching peace agreement with the Palestinians. Failure to do so will lead to its further isolation with the impending UN vote to grant statehood to Palestine which will include all of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

Ehud Barak, the Israeli Defense Minister, expressed his concern stating that “Israel is facing a diplomatic and political tsunami which will deepen its isolation.” In the meantime the US should withhold further military and economic aid to Israel making it conditional on reaching a peaceful accommodation with its Palestinian neighbors.

Egypt 2-2-2011

2, February 2011       EGYPT

The widespread anti-government protests across Egypt calling for an end to the repressive, dictatorial polices of President Hosni Mubarak exposes the failed polices of our own government. We have acquiesced in Egypt’s sham elections and subverted democracy for the past 30 years. We have propped up Mubarak with billions of dollars of aid money which was used to purchase weapons such as tear gas bombs, helicopters M1 tanks, missiles and F16 fighter planes built by U.S. Defense contractors.

The equivocation of the Obama administration on failing to declare Mubarak a dictator is disgraceful.

Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei has put Western leaders on notice. “If Western leaders, who have backed the dictator Mubarak for 30 years, cannot stand before the Egyptian people today and say unequivocally, "we support your right of national self-determination," when can they do it?

It is time for the Obama administration to call an immediate halt to shipping weapons of repression to brutal regimes whose only purpose is clutch onto power. Sadly, this current crisis is another dark episode of our long history of overthrowing popular democratic reformers with brutal dictators such as those in Haiti, Chile, Guatemala, Iran, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Philippines. 

Prof Ullman 1-16-11

16, January 2011                   Prof Ullman

Stanford Professor Ullman needs to be held fully accountable for his inflammatory and racist comments he made to Iranian students seeking admission to Stanford University. To hold all Iranian students responsible for the utter folly of their government is patently absurd. Do we hold all Americans responsible for the policies of our government? Has Ullman forgotten the enormous courage of Iranian students who risked their lives to protest the brutal repression of their government and its opposition to democracy? Surely these students need our vigorous support so that they can enjoy our democratic system and help bring about desirable social reform in Iran. To broad brush members of the National American Iranian Council (NIAC) as ‘enemies of Israel’ boycotting Israeli products’ is irresponsible and borders on the delusional. Stanford President Hennessy’s defense of Ullman was tepid and inadequate. One can only imagine the outrage if a faculty member made anti-Semitic comments!

Professor Ullman should be fired. 

Human Rights Organizations targeted in Israel 1-9-11

9 January 2011                      Human Rights Organizations targeted in Israel

Stung by its growing criticism of its apartheid policies and brutal treatment of the Palestinians, Israel has now taken aim at its human rights organizations. The ultra-right wing of the Knesset has been instrumental in crafting legislation aimed at investigating and possibly de-funding human rights organizations such as ‘Breaking the Silence (BTS).’ This group comprises of former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers who have given eye witness accounts of their unwilling participation in the mindless brutality and dehumanization of Palestinians.

Yehuda Shaul, a founder of BTS, decried attempts to silence his organization “a very sad day for Israeli democracy.” 

The highly respected Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) described the decision as a "severe blow" to Israeli democracy designed "to weaken human rights groups and make them less effective in exposing, questioning, and affecting government policies.”

Other organizations included in the witch-hunting are B'Tselem, which was instrumental in exposing the war crimes committed by Israel during the Gaza offensive in 2008.  

This does not bode well for Israel’s false claim of being a functioning democracy. Before the ‘pro-Israel letter lobby’ pops a blood vessel, I would hasten to add that I am equally critical of the many autocratic Muslim countries that are also propped up by our tax dollars. 

Israel’s Piracy 6-6-2010

6, June 2010                           Israel’s Piracy                                   

  

The brutal actions by Israel’s navy boarding the Freedom Flotilla was the latest chapter in Israel’s ongoing efforts to deny the Palestinians of Gaza adequate supplies of food, water and other essential provisions.  Israel’s massive spin operation to justify its piracy was an abject failure. The facts are clear – six ships carrying 10,000 tons of building materials, food, medical supplies and stationary for schools were confiscated by the Israeli navy. No firearms were found which speaks volumes of Israel’s alleged reasons for raiding the ships. All cameras, cell phones and other recording equipment were seized to prevent the world from witnessing details of Israel’s horrific actions. Live ammunition was used which resulted in a cold-blooded massacre of peace activists. Edward Peck, a former US ambassador who was on one of the ships, accused Israel of unnecessary brutality and mendaciousness.

Israel’s blockade restricting food, fuel and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip constitutes a form of collective punishment and is strictly forbidden by international law. We are paying a heavy price for coddling to Israel. Even General CENTCOM commander General David Petraeus, was highly critical of our unconditional support to Israel, stating “our actions are jeopardizing US standing in the region and eroding American security.” The head of Israel’s foreign intelligence service, Mossad, commented that “America has begun to see Israel as a burden rather than an asset.” 

It is time to jettison this burden which reeks of the repulsive policies of apartheid South Africa.