Here's a quick guide on how to value life in a globalised free-market economy:
If you are a British journalist shot dead in Rafah by Israeli soldiers while filming a documentary about Gaza, your family receives £1.5 million in compensation to prevent the British government extraditing the soldiers and charging them with manslaughter. Nice bit of hush money for the death of a man who willingly set foot in a war zone and deliberately risked his life!
However, if you are an Afghan trying to go about your daily routine and get slaughtered by USA soldiers who also kill 14 others and wound several in the same senseless attack on your village, your family should expect a mere US$2,500 (or £1,729).
Exchange rate: 1 UK life = 867 Afghans (1,500,000 / 1,729 = 867)
In Iraq, the USA makes "condolence payments" of between $1,500 and $7,500 for each "regrettable death", although most of the 98,000+ verifiable casualties (some sources suggest more than 1 million) will never be acknowledged by the USA and no compensation will be paid to those families.
While I recognise that death and disability compensation for service personnel are ridiculously low even within western nations like the USA, UK and Australia, it is important to accept the fact that such personnel are volunteers and are being paid to fight. Civilians are not.
It may be worthy to note that there have been 4,237 US military deaths in Iraq to date - a ratio of 1 US to 23 Iraqis killed (or 1:306 by less conservative records).
Similarly, in the recent Gaza conflict we know that 14 Israelis died compared with more than 1400 Palestinians, a ratio of 1 Israeli = 100 Palestinians (Src: Daily Dispatch and Daily Freeman)
An eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth ... hardly!
More good information here
Showing posts with label Middle East. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle East. Show all posts
Gaza Ceasefire?
Any ceasefire, truce or treaty between Israel and Palestine will be short-lived unless it includes:
a) the complete withdrawal of Israel AND
b) the establishment of a separate Palestinian nation AND
c) the public acknowledgement of an end to the Zionist agenda.
I do not believe that all these three things are possible. At the best we may see A and B, but never C. It is likely that we will only temporarily see A.
"True peace is not merely the absence of conflict: it is the presence of justice." Martin Luther King Jr
a) the complete withdrawal of Israel AND
b) the establishment of a separate Palestinian nation AND
c) the public acknowledgement of an end to the Zionist agenda.
I do not believe that all these three things are possible. At the best we may see A and B, but never C. It is likely that we will only temporarily see A.
"True peace is not merely the absence of conflict: it is the presence of justice." Martin Luther King Jr
War across the Middle East is inevitable
The Angry Arab News Service commences a blog entry titled "Unintended Consequences" by writing:
I couldn't post a comment on the blog, so instead my reply is here:
No - not unintended.
It was quite predictable and part of the masterplan - full scale war across the middle east is not only inevitable, it has been carefully orchestrated.
It is no different to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident that started the Vietnam War. It is no different to the Reichstag fire that allowed Hitler to seize power. It is no different to the US government's complicity in 9/11 that allowed it to enter Afghanistan and no different to the fake WMDs that led to the invasion of Iraq.
So many successive governments cannot be that stupid and unlucky - even when "led" by the likes of President Bush.
There is no coincidence - only the illusion of coincidence (no apologies for The Matrix quote).
The New World Order continues to make its moves on our chessboard. It will only cease when we start acting like Kings, Queens and Knights instead of Pawns.
"have just returned from the Middle East and witnessed how Israel's assault on Gaza is radicalizing mainstream Muslim opinion. Shown endlessly on Arab and Muslim television stations, the massive killing of civilians is fueling rage against Israel and its superpower patron, the United States, among mainstream and moderate voices who previously believed in co-existence with the Jewish state."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2009/01/unintended-consequences.html
I couldn't post a comment on the blog, so instead my reply is here:
No - not unintended.
It was quite predictable and part of the masterplan - full scale war across the middle east is not only inevitable, it has been carefully orchestrated.
It is no different to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident that started the Vietnam War. It is no different to the Reichstag fire that allowed Hitler to seize power. It is no different to the US government's complicity in 9/11 that allowed it to enter Afghanistan and no different to the fake WMDs that led to the invasion of Iraq.
So many successive governments cannot be that stupid and unlucky - even when "led" by the likes of President Bush.
There is no coincidence - only the illusion of coincidence (no apologies for The Matrix quote).
The New World Order continues to make its moves on our chessboard. It will only cease when we start acting like Kings, Queens and Knights instead of Pawns.
Get Up! Campaign to Save the Net
Imagine a government proposing an internet censorship system that went further than any other democracy - one that made the internet up to 87% slower, more expensive, accidentally blocked up to one in 12 legitimate sites, and missed the vast majority of inappropriate content.
This is not China, Saudi Arabia or Iran - this is the vision of Senator Stephen Conroy for Australia. Testing has already begun. The community must now move to stop this plan. Click here to save the net:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/
The system that Senator Conroy wants is a mandatory filter of all internet traffic, with the government of the day able to add any unwanted site to a secret blacklist. Already, the wrangling has begun for the inclusion of material relating to anorexia, euthanasia and gambling. It isn't difficult to see the scheme is open to abuse.
Even when it comes to preventing child p-rnography, the filter will not prevent peer-to-peer sharing and is very simple to sidestep. The protection of our children is vitally important - that's why we can't afford to waste funds on this deeply flawed system. We should be concentrating on solutions that are more effective and won't undermine our digital economy or our democratic freedoms.
This must rank as one of the most ill-thought decisions of the Rudd Government's first year in power. We need to act now to tell big brother the mandatory internet filter is incompatible with the principles of a modern democracy and modern economy:
www.getup.org.au/campaign/
Our government should be doing all in its power to take Australia into the 21st century economy, and to protect our children. This proposed internet censorship does neither. Take action to save the net today.
Thanks for being a part of the solution,
The GetUp team
PS - The proposed scheme will pass all internet traffic through a government filter - it's like asking Australia Post to filter every letter sent in Australia. Click here to save the net.
Where to Invade Next?
I was wandering through Planet Books in Mt Lawley (highly recommended for topical, political and thought-provoking material) and noted a book titled "Where to Invade Next?" by Stephen Elliot. On the back cover was the following quote:
Inside the book is listed the top countries (along with explanations) on the USA's hit list ... and yes, Venezuela is there along with the usual suspects of Iran, Sudan and North Korea ;-)
More detail at http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781932416930-0
"About ten days after 9/11, I went through the Pentagon and I saw Secretary Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz. I went downstairs just to say hello to some of the people on the Joint Staff who used to work for me, and one of the generals called me in. He said, "Sir, you've got to come in and talk to me a second." I said, "Well, you're too busy." He said, "No, no." He says, "We've made the decision we're going to war with Iraq." This was on or about the twentieth of September...
"So I came back to see him a few weeks later, and by that time we were bombing in Afghanistan. I said, "Are we still going to war with Iraq?" And he said, "Oh, it's worse than that." He reached over on his desk. He picked up a piece of paper. And he said, "I just got this down from upstairs" (meaning the Secretary of Defense's office) "today." And he said, "This is a memo that describes how we're going to take out seven countries in five years."
— General Wesley Clark, February 27, 2007
Inside the book is listed the top countries (along with explanations) on the USA's hit list ... and yes, Venezuela is there along with the usual suspects of Iran, Sudan and North Korea ;-)
More detail at http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781932416930-0
America's growing enemy
Keep an eye on Venezuela.
According to reports like this and this, Chavez is being too much like a Robin Hood for the US and international bank boys to just stand by and do nothing.
He has already taken back the oil & gas fields, now they plan to ramp up production and hit foreign companies with a 50% tax on excess oil profits.
He also plans to nationalise the cement industry as well as the Argentinian controlled steelmaker and even take measures to ensure that the people of Venezuela have enough food for the future - no way!
And in the back of his mind is still the plan to introduce a Tobin styled tax on financial transactions.
How will they stop him? Rumours of impropriety? Another coup? Acts of terrorism? Assasination? Here's a start.
But there is also the growing concern about who should be the local sherrif of this region of the world. Perhaps The South American Defense Council?
At least that might explain why Venezuela and Brazil are spending big on arms. (Does anyone know why Greece is at the top of the list of big spenders?)
But despite all this, Chavez does appear to have some interesting friends ...
Belarus
China
Iran
Maybe it is a case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?
And if that isn't enough to make you at least question the US stance on Venezuela, try reading the works of Eva Golinger, namely The Chavez Code and Bush vs Chavez - Washington's War on Venezuela or start by reading this review.
Of course, you are also welcome to ignore this and simply take the view that Venezuela deserves everything it gets for its socialist, anti-American, communist-loving, anti-semitic, Simpsons-hating philosphy.
According to reports like this and this, Chavez is being too much like a Robin Hood for the US and international bank boys to just stand by and do nothing.
He has already taken back the oil & gas fields, now they plan to ramp up production and hit foreign companies with a 50% tax on excess oil profits.
He also plans to nationalise the cement industry as well as the Argentinian controlled steelmaker and even take measures to ensure that the people of Venezuela have enough food for the future - no way!
And in the back of his mind is still the plan to introduce a Tobin styled tax on financial transactions.
How will they stop him? Rumours of impropriety? Another coup? Acts of terrorism? Assasination? Here's a start.
But there is also the growing concern about who should be the local sherrif of this region of the world. Perhaps The South American Defense Council?
At least that might explain why Venezuela and Brazil are spending big on arms. (Does anyone know why Greece is at the top of the list of big spenders?)
But despite all this, Chavez does appear to have some interesting friends ...
Belarus
China
Iran
Maybe it is a case of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?
And if that isn't enough to make you at least question the US stance on Venezuela, try reading the works of Eva Golinger, namely The Chavez Code and Bush vs Chavez - Washington's War on Venezuela or start by reading this review.
Of course, you are also welcome to ignore this and simply take the view that Venezuela deserves everything it gets for its socialist, anti-American, communist-loving, anti-semitic, Simpsons-hating philosphy.
The French are revolting!
Well ... they are trying to rise up against Iran, at least!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6997935.stm
Apparently the French think that threatening Iran with war is meaningful. I think they are kidding themselves. I mean, honestly - given France's war record of the last 100 years, I don't even think they could successfully invade Luxembourg without the help of at least one major world power!
But at least they seem to have learned some lessons. Their own nuclear record has always lacked a good PR spin doctor and the covert operation that sank the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand was more like a chapter from Inspector Clouseau's police manual! Perhaps they are hoping that some honest and open threats might get the French some positive media attention ... riiight! haha.
Despite France being one of the handful of permanent UN Security Council members, I doubt that the world, and especially Iran, will do much more than yawn at this bit of lame sabre-rattling.
C'est la vie!
LOL
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6997935.stm
Apparently the French think that threatening Iran with war is meaningful. I think they are kidding themselves. I mean, honestly - given France's war record of the last 100 years, I don't even think they could successfully invade Luxembourg without the help of at least one major world power!
But at least they seem to have learned some lessons. Their own nuclear record has always lacked a good PR spin doctor and the covert operation that sank the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand was more like a chapter from Inspector Clouseau's police manual! Perhaps they are hoping that some honest and open threats might get the French some positive media attention ... riiight! haha.
Despite France being one of the handful of permanent UN Security Council members, I doubt that the world, and especially Iran, will do much more than yawn at this bit of lame sabre-rattling.
C'est la vie!
LOL
Gun-toting Yanks hit back!
My last post has caused a bit of a stir in the "land of the brave". It seems you can't criticise the USers* love for murderous tools without being vilified.
The main point against me is that I accused Wayne Chiang of being no better than Virginia Tech shooter, Cho Seung-Hui. I stand firm on my statement, but rather than defend it allow me to add some context.
Wayne Chiang was quoted as saying
Let's put that statement into the context of Bush's invasion of Iraq ...
Now watch the comments light up as I get a barrage of abuse from pro-war USers* who insist that terrorising the middle east for the sake of black gold is a good thing. LOL!
The truth is that any lackadaisical attitude about guns is more likely to lead to widespread carnage and murderous mayhem than it is to swiftly and simply neutralise a situation like Virginia Tech, Port Arthur, Waco, etc
The promotion of a "right to bear arms" is ludicrous and there is no possible way that governments can ensure responsible gun ownership except through extremely tough gun control laws. Volacious says it best in his comment on my previous post:
NOTE * :I tried to find where I had first described the civilians of the USA as USers, rather than their incorrect, self-appointed nickname of "Americans" (which technically applies to any resident of the two American continents). Unfortunately I couldn't find it, hence my explanation for its use. Besides I like the double meaning involved in the term "USer" :-)
The main point against me is that I accused Wayne Chiang of being no better than Virginia Tech shooter, Cho Seung-Hui. I stand firm on my statement, but rather than defend it allow me to add some context.
Wayne Chiang was quoted as saying
"I am a firm believer that if Virginia Tech students were allowed to conceal carry, this situation could have ended sooner."
Let's put that statement into the context of Bush's invasion of Iraq ...
"I am a firm believer that if Iraqi civilians were allowed to conceal carry, this situation could have ended sooner."
Now watch the comments light up as I get a barrage of abuse from pro-war USers* who insist that terrorising the middle east for the sake of black gold is a good thing. LOL!
The truth is that any lackadaisical attitude about guns is more likely to lead to widespread carnage and murderous mayhem than it is to swiftly and simply neutralise a situation like Virginia Tech, Port Arthur, Waco, etc
The promotion of a "right to bear arms" is ludicrous and there is no possible way that governments can ensure responsible gun ownership except through extremely tough gun control laws. Volacious says it best in his comment on my previous post:
"Gun control in America these days is a fairly academic argument... every idiot already has one"
NOTE * :I tried to find where I had first described the civilians of the USA as USers, rather than their incorrect, self-appointed nickname of "Americans" (which technically applies to any resident of the two American continents). Unfortunately I couldn't find it, hence my explanation for its use. Besides I like the double meaning involved in the term "USer" :-)
2007 Federal Election Conspiracy
The Australian Government has conspired with the United States to devise a plan of freeing David hicks that will ensure the impact of his case has an absolute minimal effect upon the impending Federal election.
Bold words perhaps, but lets look closely at the facts:
Detention
Hicks was captured in Afghanistan in December 2001 and was among the first prisoners the United States sent to Guantanamo a month later. Washington defined Hicks and others as unlawful "enemy combatants" who could not be treated the same way as prisoners of war and would not have the same rights under the Geneva Convention.
PM Reacts to National Outrage
Charged and Convicted
A US military tribunal has sentenced him to seven years in jail but he will only have to serve nine months with the rest suspended. He will serve the sentence in Australia and the USA must send him home by May 29.
The Deal
So clearly the government has one full year in which to be saved any embarrassment from Hicks' contact with media ... and the election will have been fought and won by then!
Bob Brown agrees
Bold words perhaps, but lets look closely at the facts:
Detention
Hicks was captured in Afghanistan in December 2001 and was among the first prisoners the United States sent to Guantanamo a month later. Washington defined Hicks and others as unlawful "enemy combatants" who could not be treated the same way as prisoners of war and would not have the same rights under the Geneva Convention.
PM Reacts to National Outrage
A poll in December (2006) on the Hicks case itself rocked the government. It showed that about two-thirds of Australians thought Mr Hicks should be returned to Australia, and only one-quarter supported Mr Howard's hands-off approach. Since then Mr Howard has changed his public tune, blaming America for the delays in bringing Mr Hicks to trial. That may not be enough to assuage public anger, which probably runs deep enough to affect elections in a few months' time.
The Economist, 29 March 2007
Charged and Convicted
A US military tribunal has sentenced him to seven years in jail but he will only have to serve nine months with the rest suspended. He will serve the sentence in Australia and the USA must send him home by May 29.
The Deal
Hicks's plea agreement bars him from speaking to the media for one year and says if he ever sells the rights to his story, the Australian Government will get the money. He was also banned from taking legal action against the United States. Hicks had previously said he was abused by the US military but said in his plea agreement he had "never been illegally treated while in US custody".
ABC Online, 31 March 2007
So clearly the government has one full year in which to be saved any embarrassment from Hicks' contact with media ... and the election will have been fought and won by then!
Bob Brown agrees
But Greens leader Bob Brown says Hicks's sentence is designed to keep him out of the political spotlight during this year's federal election campaign.
"This is an astonishing political fix between the Howard administration and the Bush administration," Senator Brown said.
"This is carefully choreographed to have Hicks shut up until after the election.
"That's because they know that this is an illegal process. It breaches Australia's standards of democracy, human rights, civil rights."
ABC Online, 31 March 2007
Walk the walk ... like an Egyptian
Speaking of conspiracies ...
What's the chance that the USA is behind the massive constitutional changes underway in Egypt?
The 34 ammendments will provide, amongst other things, a permanent invocation of emergency laws that have been in place since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981, technically ending the longest "emergency" in history. The changes will also:
What's the chance that the USA is behind the massive constitutional changes underway in Egypt?
Human rights group Amnesty International has called the changes the greatest erosion of human rights in 26 yearsMeanwhile, the USA has only expressed "some concerns" about some of the amendments.
The 34 ammendments will provide, amongst other things, a permanent invocation of emergency laws that have been in place since the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981, technically ending the longest "emergency" in history. The changes will also:
- give police wider powers of arrest and surveillance.
- ban all religious-based political activity and parties
- remove judicial supervision of elections
- change the previously socialist state into one based on "freedom of economic action"
- give the president powers to refer terrorists to any judicial authority - including military tribunals, which are not subject to appeal
- allow authorities to override articles protecting individual freedoms and privacy
Attitude, stupid!
So, I was telling my folks about my weekend in Canberra and my Father asks "Are they going to run one for New Zealanders in Australia?"
... Ummm, No Dad ....
"What about Pakistanis in Australia?"
... Ahhh - nooo (waiting for it) ...
"Well, why are they running one for fucking Muslims?"
*sigh*
Because of exactly that kind of attitude, Dad!
... Ummm, No Dad ....
"What about Pakistanis in Australia?"
... Ahhh - nooo (waiting for it) ...
"Well, why are they running one for fucking Muslims?"
*sigh*
Because of exactly that kind of attitude, Dad!
What the ... ?
Some interesting news items hit me today as I was scanning blogs, google news and mainstream sources. The following three news items are clear examples of how one-sided journalism has become. It is so bad that items requiring further investigation are glossed over or given a positive spin to alleviate any awkward public questions.
I refuse to ever be part of that whitewash.
The first was North Korea's agreement to cease nuclear armament in exchange for a watered down USA non-aggression pact and ample supply of oil and electricity. Yet, as I write this new reports suggest that the North will not agree unless it is given nuclear reactors to generate power.
It concerns me that all this tension could be alleviated with some horse-trading of energy issues. It seems a little too easy and unrealistic. My bet is that something more substantial is hidden in the detail of the negotiations, and that the latest development seems to point to a continuation of nuclear development.
In another development, NASA has revealed plans to launch expeditions to Mars from the Moon. The strategy involves a number of manned missions to establish a lunar launch facility. Again it's the detail that bothers me, with plans to explore whether "resources, such as oxygen, hydrogen and metals, are available for use in NASA's long-term lunar exploration objectives". That seems to be a careful way of saying that the Moon has been targetted for mining operations! Under whose authority, I ask?
And in a bizarre situation in Iraq, two British soldiers were working "undercover", (dressed as Iraqis) and were arrested by Iraqi police after shooting at a traffic policeman. They were later "rescued" by British forces, who "used an armored fighting vehicle "to gain entry" to the police station to release them".
It begs the question why army personnel were "undercover" in the first place, and how is it that they are somehow above the laws that they should be trying to enforce.
Iraq is in total chaos, on the verge of civil war, and every day that allied forces are asked to remain in that country perpetuates an unnecessary living hell for both the military and the civillians.
[+/-] show/hide this post
I refuse to ever be part of that whitewash.
The first was North Korea's agreement to cease nuclear armament in exchange for a watered down USA non-aggression pact and ample supply of oil and electricity. Yet, as I write this new reports suggest that the North will not agree unless it is given nuclear reactors to generate power.
It concerns me that all this tension could be alleviated with some horse-trading of energy issues. It seems a little too easy and unrealistic. My bet is that something more substantial is hidden in the detail of the negotiations, and that the latest development seems to point to a continuation of nuclear development.
In another development, NASA has revealed plans to launch expeditions to Mars from the Moon. The strategy involves a number of manned missions to establish a lunar launch facility. Again it's the detail that bothers me, with plans to explore whether "resources, such as oxygen, hydrogen and metals, are available for use in NASA's long-term lunar exploration objectives". That seems to be a careful way of saying that the Moon has been targetted for mining operations! Under whose authority, I ask?
And in a bizarre situation in Iraq, two British soldiers were working "undercover", (dressed as Iraqis) and were arrested by Iraqi police after shooting at a traffic policeman. They were later "rescued" by British forces, who "used an armored fighting vehicle "to gain entry" to the police station to release them".
It begs the question why army personnel were "undercover" in the first place, and how is it that they are somehow above the laws that they should be trying to enforce.
Iraq is in total chaos, on the verge of civil war, and every day that allied forces are asked to remain in that country perpetuates an unnecessary living hell for both the military and the civillians.
[+/-] show/hide this post
Iraq's missing billions
The question on everyone's lips over the last few months has been "can things get any worse in Iraq?". Apparently they just did.
A report via The Independent claims that at least one billion dollars (US$ value, I'm guessing, though the article doesn't stipulate the currency), but possibly double that amount, has gone missing from the nation's ministries.
The funds disappeared over an eight-month period in the previous financial year. Comparisons are being made about the fraud and the oil-for-food scandal during Saddam's leadership, which lost $1.8 billion dollars.
While the United Nations has felt the scathing pressure of world opinion for its lack of policing and accountability of the oil-for-food program, USA forces and diplomats were in a much better position to prevent this significant episode of theft, fraud and corruption. The fallout is expected to be severely damaging to the US.
According to the report, the money was siphoned away through a series of unscrupulous deals to purchase arms from Poland and Pakistan. The deals were peculiar because they were:
Instead of receiving quality weaponry and machinery, Iraq was left with inferior equipment with some of it past its useful life, such as 28 year old soviet-built helicopters that the manufacturers claim should have been scrapped after 25 years.
No doubt these revelations will add to the woes of the Iraqi and US administrations and any hopes of an early pull-out by allied forces are all but dashed as Iraq is now clearly incapable of adequately training its military or providing the necessary infrastructure to protect itself from insurgency.
The USA is now here for the long haul, its feet stuck in a quagmire of corruption, mismanagement and insurgency that seems futile to try and stop. Nothing short of a miracle could stop the country travelling further down the path of chaos and soon the USA will be beyond its own capability to protect its own interests.
[+/-] show/hide this post
A report via The Independent claims that at least one billion dollars (US$ value, I'm guessing, though the article doesn't stipulate the currency), but possibly double that amount, has gone missing from the nation's ministries.
The funds disappeared over an eight-month period in the previous financial year. Comparisons are being made about the fraud and the oil-for-food scandal during Saddam's leadership, which lost $1.8 billion dollars.
While the United Nations has felt the scathing pressure of world opinion for its lack of policing and accountability of the oil-for-food program, USA forces and diplomats were in a much better position to prevent this significant episode of theft, fraud and corruption. The fallout is expected to be severely damaging to the US.
According to the report, the money was siphoned away through a series of unscrupulous deals to purchase arms from Poland and Pakistan. The deals were peculiar because they were:
"awarded without bidding ... signed with a Baghdad-based company, and not directly with the foreign supplier ... the money was paid up front and ... paid at great speed out of the ministry's account."
Instead of receiving quality weaponry and machinery, Iraq was left with inferior equipment with some of it past its useful life, such as 28 year old soviet-built helicopters that the manufacturers claim should have been scrapped after 25 years.
No doubt these revelations will add to the woes of the Iraqi and US administrations and any hopes of an early pull-out by allied forces are all but dashed as Iraq is now clearly incapable of adequately training its military or providing the necessary infrastructure to protect itself from insurgency.
The USA is now here for the long haul, its feet stuck in a quagmire of corruption, mismanagement and insurgency that seems futile to try and stop. Nothing short of a miracle could stop the country travelling further down the path of chaos and soon the USA will be beyond its own capability to protect its own interests.
[+/-] show/hide this post
Baghdad's Burden
It was the worst single day of civillian deaths in Baghdad since the invasion over two years ago.
According to a report in the Independent more than a dozen coordinated attacks took place killing about 150 people and injuring nearly 4 times as many. The worst occurred when a suicide bomber enticed hundreds of labourers to his van with promises of work before detonating explosives inside the vehicle, killing 114 and injuring 156 others.
The deaths mark a new point in the war, with some reporters going so far as to foresee the escalation in attacks as the beginning of a civil war. However, Robert Fisk takes a refreshingly honest look at the spin here.
I've reintroduced the Iraq Body Count banner above to highlight the continued suffering of this nation at the hands of insurgents and fuelled by the presence of the USA and its allies. It is a reminder that the invasion was wrongful and continues to be a great injustice to the Iraqi people.
The current reported death toll lies between 24,712 and 27,963 civilians.
According to a report in the Independent more than a dozen coordinated attacks took place killing about 150 people and injuring nearly 4 times as many. The worst occurred when a suicide bomber enticed hundreds of labourers to his van with promises of work before detonating explosives inside the vehicle, killing 114 and injuring 156 others.
The deaths mark a new point in the war, with some reporters going so far as to foresee the escalation in attacks as the beginning of a civil war. However, Robert Fisk takes a refreshingly honest look at the spin here.
I've reintroduced the Iraq Body Count banner above to highlight the continued suffering of this nation at the hands of insurgents and fuelled by the presence of the USA and its allies. It is a reminder that the invasion was wrongful and continues to be a great injustice to the Iraqi people.
The current reported death toll lies between 24,712 and 27,963 civilians.
Brethren influencing politics
The following article highlights the increasing challenge we face in upholding the separation of church and state. There is a fine line between ideological-based politics and campaigning for a theocracy. We must be ever-watchful that the line is never crossed.
It is also important to note that the Exclusive Brethren mentioned in this article is NOT the same as other Brethren churches. In fact the New Zealand Open Brethren Church has been quick to distance itself from their more extreme colleagues. More information can be found at SourceWatch
Step to the right as the Brethren gather force
Sydney Morning Herald - September 14, 2005
A scandal in New Zealand over election money from a fringe group reflects a trend, writes Marion Maddox.
The women wear headscarves in public. Their religion opposes assimilation, and they educate children at home or in their own schools. Fearing the taint of the godless, they refuse to eat with unbelievers. They reject democracy, and work towards God's rule.
Yes, it is the Exclusive Brethren, a conservative Christian fringe group whose more than $NZ500,000 ($457,300) in electoral help was denied initially the by the New Zealand Opposition Leader, Don Brash. Brash's embarrassment has brought a frisson of scandal to an election campaign otherwise strictly about tax cuts.
The Brethren's glossy, professionally produced anti-Green and anti-Labour leaflets look familiar. In the weeks before John Howard's re-election in October last year, half- and full-page advertisements appeared in local and metropolitan newspapers endorsing his Government and attacking the Greens. The advertisements echoed the content and style of Liberal Party advertising, but none of the endorsers' names and addresses belonged to the party.
In the US elections, the Exclusive Brethren spent more than $US500,000 ($649,900) on newspaper advertisements supporting George Bush and the Florida Republican Senate candidate, Mel Martinez, known for opposing gay marriage and hate crimes legislation, and linked to the Republican strategy for turning Terri Schiavo's 15-year coma into a "great political issue".
The Exclusive Brethren is a branch of a British movement formed in the 1820s. Its founder, John Darby, was a developer of "premillennial dispensationalism", a set of beliefs about the end of the world made famous by the bestselling Left Behind novels. Followers expect an imminent "Rapture" of believers to heaven, heralding the return of Jesus.
Exclusive Brethren take a dim view of government by the people, traditionally eschewing politics. Since government properly belongs to God, they do not vote. But in recent years they have moved closer to the political activism of other fundamentalists and pentecostalists, including enthusiastic lobbying. According to them, God's law rules out homosexuality, single parenthood, hate speech legislation and "big government".
The restoration of Israel is crucial to Christ's return, so they endorse pro-Israel policies. Holders of such views welcome authoritarian Christian government as setting the stage for the final showdown between God and Satan. They also incline to a "prosperity gospel" in which wealth is a sign of God's favour, and the poor have only themselves to blame, so taxes and welfare subvert the divine order.
The Exclusive Brethren irruption into the New Zealand election points to a broader coalition of right-wing business, political parties and religion.
Bush relies on the votes of evangelical, pentecostalist and fundamentalist Christians, who want conservative government in the Last Days to oppose evil abroad (Iraq) and at home (by cutting taxes and welfare).
Howard's support base for his 1995 return to the Liberal leadership included the conservative Christian Lyons Forum. The religious right has become increasingly outspoken within the party, with the Treasurer, Peter Costello, arguing that Australia's problems will be solved not by legislation but a return to the Ten Commandments, and John Anderson declaring while deputy prime minister that without Jesus, "we're a mob of dirty rotten sinners and we're on the path to hell".
In New Zealand, a loose coalition is now pushing New Zealand down a right-wing path, as seen not just by the emergence of the Exclusive Brethren, but by the rise of the pentecostal church-based Destiny Party, the "family"-focused United Future (formed from a 2002 merger of the centrist United party with Future NZ, an explicitly Christian party), the largely evangelical-funded conservative Maxim Institute think-tank, and even a branch of the Christian supremacist Parliamentary Prayer Network.
With conservative politicians, business and Christian leaders finding common ground, and heartened by electoral success in the US and elsewhere, no wonder even moderately religious politicians such as Howard and avowed agnostics such as Brash, the New Zealand National Party leader, are hitching their stars to the conservative Christian comet.
Dr Marion Maddox is senior lecturer in religious studies at the Victoria University of Wellington and author of God Under Howard: the Rise of the Religious Right in Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2005).
It is also important to note that the Exclusive Brethren mentioned in this article is NOT the same as other Brethren churches. In fact the New Zealand Open Brethren Church has been quick to distance itself from their more extreme colleagues. More information can be found at SourceWatch
Step to the right as the Brethren gather force
Sydney Morning Herald - September 14, 2005
A scandal in New Zealand over election money from a fringe group reflects a trend, writes Marion Maddox.
The women wear headscarves in public. Their religion opposes assimilation, and they educate children at home or in their own schools. Fearing the taint of the godless, they refuse to eat with unbelievers. They reject democracy, and work towards God's rule.
Yes, it is the Exclusive Brethren, a conservative Christian fringe group whose more than $NZ500,000 ($457,300) in electoral help was denied initially the by the New Zealand Opposition Leader, Don Brash. Brash's embarrassment has brought a frisson of scandal to an election campaign otherwise strictly about tax cuts.
The Brethren's glossy, professionally produced anti-Green and anti-Labour leaflets look familiar. In the weeks before John Howard's re-election in October last year, half- and full-page advertisements appeared in local and metropolitan newspapers endorsing his Government and attacking the Greens. The advertisements echoed the content and style of Liberal Party advertising, but none of the endorsers' names and addresses belonged to the party.
In the US elections, the Exclusive Brethren spent more than $US500,000 ($649,900) on newspaper advertisements supporting George Bush and the Florida Republican Senate candidate, Mel Martinez, known for opposing gay marriage and hate crimes legislation, and linked to the Republican strategy for turning Terri Schiavo's 15-year coma into a "great political issue".
The Exclusive Brethren is a branch of a British movement formed in the 1820s. Its founder, John Darby, was a developer of "premillennial dispensationalism", a set of beliefs about the end of the world made famous by the bestselling Left Behind novels. Followers expect an imminent "Rapture" of believers to heaven, heralding the return of Jesus.
Exclusive Brethren take a dim view of government by the people, traditionally eschewing politics. Since government properly belongs to God, they do not vote. But in recent years they have moved closer to the political activism of other fundamentalists and pentecostalists, including enthusiastic lobbying. According to them, God's law rules out homosexuality, single parenthood, hate speech legislation and "big government".
The restoration of Israel is crucial to Christ's return, so they endorse pro-Israel policies. Holders of such views welcome authoritarian Christian government as setting the stage for the final showdown between God and Satan. They also incline to a "prosperity gospel" in which wealth is a sign of God's favour, and the poor have only themselves to blame, so taxes and welfare subvert the divine order.
The Exclusive Brethren irruption into the New Zealand election points to a broader coalition of right-wing business, political parties and religion.
Bush relies on the votes of evangelical, pentecostalist and fundamentalist Christians, who want conservative government in the Last Days to oppose evil abroad (Iraq) and at home (by cutting taxes and welfare).
Howard's support base for his 1995 return to the Liberal leadership included the conservative Christian Lyons Forum. The religious right has become increasingly outspoken within the party, with the Treasurer, Peter Costello, arguing that Australia's problems will be solved not by legislation but a return to the Ten Commandments, and John Anderson declaring while deputy prime minister that without Jesus, "we're a mob of dirty rotten sinners and we're on the path to hell".
In New Zealand, a loose coalition is now pushing New Zealand down a right-wing path, as seen not just by the emergence of the Exclusive Brethren, but by the rise of the pentecostal church-based Destiny Party, the "family"-focused United Future (formed from a 2002 merger of the centrist United party with Future NZ, an explicitly Christian party), the largely evangelical-funded conservative Maxim Institute think-tank, and even a branch of the Christian supremacist Parliamentary Prayer Network.
With conservative politicians, business and Christian leaders finding common ground, and heartened by electoral success in the US and elsewhere, no wonder even moderately religious politicians such as Howard and avowed agnostics such as Brash, the New Zealand National Party leader, are hitching their stars to the conservative Christian comet.
Dr Marion Maddox is senior lecturer in religious studies at the Victoria University of Wellington and author of God Under Howard: the Rise of the Religious Right in Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2005).
AOG talks GAY
Assemblies of God in gay talks
By Lyndon Barnett
Sydney Star Observer, Issue 781, Published 9/08/2005
IN A LANDMARK MOVE, HOMOSEXUALITY IS ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE PENTACOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD.
The National Executive of the Assemblies of God (AOG) has agreed to discuss homosexuality with Anthony Venn-Brown, the first openly gay member of the Australian Pentecostal church.
This unprecedented meeting could be a positive step forward for church relations with the gay and lesbian community. The AOG is the largest Pentecostal denomination in Australia containing a number of mega churches, including the high-profile Hillsong in Sydney.
The current belief within the AOG is that homosexuality is a sin, and it is impossible to be both homosexual and a Christian. Homosexuality is considered a lifestyle choice or the result of a dysfunctional childhood.
"It is my aim through intelligent and respectful dialogue to change the misconceptions within the AOG regarding homosexuality. Whilst it's rare to hear gays or lesbians castigated from the pulpit, I am challenging the traditional church doctrines," Venn-Brown said.
Venn-Brown is a former leader with the Assemblies of God who resigned very publicly in 1992. He has subsequently written his autobiography, A Life of Unlearning, detailing his 22 years living a closeted life within the Pentecostal church.
Brian Houston, National President of the AOG and senior pastor of Hillsong, commented to Venn-Brown upon accepting the invitation: "I'm sure you are aware that we are still a long way apart philosophically, but we will give you a fair hearing."
Venn-Brown believes this dialogue demonstrates that views are slowly changing.
"Such an invitation would not have happened 10 years ago," he said.
He hopes the meeting will lead to the establishment of a committee consisting of some executive members of the AOG, a psychologist, a theologian and himself.
"I believe it will be important for the committee to look at sexual orientation from a scientific, psychological as well as a theological basis. I hope to discuss the six verses from Leviticus, Romans and Corinthians which are most commonly used to justify an anti-homosexual stance," Venn-Brown said.
"These verses have an historical and cultural context that needs to be explored. Also the translation from the original ancient languages can lead to misinterpretation.
"I believe understanding and acceptance of homosexuality within the AOG will take some time. We'll know the journey is over when an openly gay man or lesbian is ordained," he said.
"But Mr Houston and the AOG should be commended for accepting my invitation to meet when other denominations such as the Catholic Church have completely closed the door to any discussion," Venn-Brown said.
Other local religious groups are also involved in dialogue with gay and lesbian members.
Rabbis from Reform synagogues meet twice a year to discuss Jewish policy. These rabbis have been discussing gay and lesbian issues throughout the past decade.
The Sydney Jewish gay and lesbian support group, Dayenu made a presentation to the rabbis in 2000 to open a debate on same-sex marriage. Judy Kell, one of the presenters, said the rabbis felt the members needed further education before the Jewish community would accept same-sex ceremonies.
Members of Dayenu believe the rabbis may soon agree to same-sex unions. The next meeting is scheduled for November this year.
Rabbi Fred Morgan of Melbourne's Temple Beth Israel told the Star he was committed to the dialogue.
"We are committed to further study and learning in this area [same-sex marriage], and we regularly revisit the issue at our biannual meetings," he said.
Although the Roman Catholic Church is known for its outspoken views on homosexuality, the United Ecumenical Catholic Church (ECC) is a contemporary Catholic church supporting the gay and lesbian community.
"We worship in the same fashion as Rome, without the restrictions that come from Rome," EEC Archbishop Ron Langham said.
There is, however, no dialogue between the ECC and traditional Catholic leaders.
"We are not interested in getting into a bun fight with other churches over their beliefs. We respect other's rights to believe," Bishop Langham said.
By Lyndon Barnett
Sydney Star Observer, Issue 781, Published 9/08/2005
IN A LANDMARK MOVE, HOMOSEXUALITY IS ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE PENTACOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD.
The National Executive of the Assemblies of God (AOG) has agreed to discuss homosexuality with Anthony Venn-Brown, the first openly gay member of the Australian Pentecostal church.
This unprecedented meeting could be a positive step forward for church relations with the gay and lesbian community. The AOG is the largest Pentecostal denomination in Australia containing a number of mega churches, including the high-profile Hillsong in Sydney.
The current belief within the AOG is that homosexuality is a sin, and it is impossible to be both homosexual and a Christian. Homosexuality is considered a lifestyle choice or the result of a dysfunctional childhood.
"It is my aim through intelligent and respectful dialogue to change the misconceptions within the AOG regarding homosexuality. Whilst it's rare to hear gays or lesbians castigated from the pulpit, I am challenging the traditional church doctrines," Venn-Brown said.
Venn-Brown is a former leader with the Assemblies of God who resigned very publicly in 1992. He has subsequently written his autobiography, A Life of Unlearning, detailing his 22 years living a closeted life within the Pentecostal church.
Brian Houston, National President of the AOG and senior pastor of Hillsong, commented to Venn-Brown upon accepting the invitation: "I'm sure you are aware that we are still a long way apart philosophically, but we will give you a fair hearing."
Venn-Brown believes this dialogue demonstrates that views are slowly changing.
"Such an invitation would not have happened 10 years ago," he said.
He hopes the meeting will lead to the establishment of a committee consisting of some executive members of the AOG, a psychologist, a theologian and himself.
"I believe it will be important for the committee to look at sexual orientation from a scientific, psychological as well as a theological basis. I hope to discuss the six verses from Leviticus, Romans and Corinthians which are most commonly used to justify an anti-homosexual stance," Venn-Brown said.
"These verses have an historical and cultural context that needs to be explored. Also the translation from the original ancient languages can lead to misinterpretation.
"I believe understanding and acceptance of homosexuality within the AOG will take some time. We'll know the journey is over when an openly gay man or lesbian is ordained," he said.
"But Mr Houston and the AOG should be commended for accepting my invitation to meet when other denominations such as the Catholic Church have completely closed the door to any discussion," Venn-Brown said.
Other local religious groups are also involved in dialogue with gay and lesbian members.
Rabbis from Reform synagogues meet twice a year to discuss Jewish policy. These rabbis have been discussing gay and lesbian issues throughout the past decade.
The Sydney Jewish gay and lesbian support group, Dayenu made a presentation to the rabbis in 2000 to open a debate on same-sex marriage. Judy Kell, one of the presenters, said the rabbis felt the members needed further education before the Jewish community would accept same-sex ceremonies.
Members of Dayenu believe the rabbis may soon agree to same-sex unions. The next meeting is scheduled for November this year.
Rabbi Fred Morgan of Melbourne's Temple Beth Israel told the Star he was committed to the dialogue.
"We are committed to further study and learning in this area [same-sex marriage], and we regularly revisit the issue at our biannual meetings," he said.
Although the Roman Catholic Church is known for its outspoken views on homosexuality, the United Ecumenical Catholic Church (ECC) is a contemporary Catholic church supporting the gay and lesbian community.
"We worship in the same fashion as Rome, without the restrictions that come from Rome," EEC Archbishop Ron Langham said.
There is, however, no dialogue between the ECC and traditional Catholic leaders.
"We are not interested in getting into a bun fight with other churches over their beliefs. We respect other's rights to believe," Bishop Langham said.
caveat civis
Further to my recent focus on Fred Phelps, the NSW Liberal Party and other Christian terrorists, I now draw your attention to the formation of Australia's first Islamic political party, The Best Party of Allah in Australia.
According to The Australian the party founder, Kurt Kennedy, believes that "all Australians should be living under Islamic law dictated by the Koran" and that we have nothing to fear because "The positive part of sharia law is (about) treating everybody fairly".
All well and good ... IF equality is the foundation stone. Unfortunately it may not be that simple - nor is it right and just!
Despite the spin, Islamic values are NOT exactly the same as those of any other religion, though they are more similar to Jewish or Christian beliefs than either of those religions would care to admit. As such, it is incomprehensible that a nation, especially Australia, should have to base its laws upon any one religion, even Christianity.
Islam, like any other religion (including Christianity) or political ideology, is subject to interpretation as well as the external forces that are invoked when trying to apply theory to a practical world. Communism is a great theory (true equality), but in practice it is unworkable and unjust. Capitalism is equally problematic.
Orwell's masterpiece, Animal Farm, suitably depicts how the forces of power, greed, discrimination and social politicisation of a community evolves from a genuine intent to provide equality, be it from a progressive or conservative perspective.
Evolutionary theory (the survival of the fittest) dictates that it is against our nature to believe anything other than that "some are more equal than others". If we add to these murky waters the widespread indoctrination that must naturally follow any implementation of a state-endorsed religion, then we will encounter a firestorm of fear and bigotry not unlike that seen in Nazi Germany, Apartheid South Africa, and the Crusades era in the Middle East.
Religion and politics are a chaotic mix, just as the suppression of religion in particular nations also breeds unnecessary suffering and malcontent. The separation of state and church is not only a cornerstone of democracy, it is the most fundamental of all human rights - the right to exist as an individual, with thoughts, actions and values of one's own choosing.
I don't deny the right of Kennedy and his supporters to establish an Islamic-based political party, and I have said as much previously on this blog here and here, but I cannot support the intent to establish any form of theocracy, whether it be Christian, Moslem or otherwise. I will also be the first one to stand up to oppose the possible election of any representative from such a group.
The Theocracy Alert - Early warning System is suitably on Orange status, the second highest rating.
[+/-] show/hide this post
According to The Australian the party founder, Kurt Kennedy, believes that "all Australians should be living under Islamic law dictated by the Koran" and that we have nothing to fear because "The positive part of sharia law is (about) treating everybody fairly".
All well and good ... IF equality is the foundation stone. Unfortunately it may not be that simple - nor is it right and just!
Despite the spin, Islamic values are NOT exactly the same as those of any other religion, though they are more similar to Jewish or Christian beliefs than either of those religions would care to admit. As such, it is incomprehensible that a nation, especially Australia, should have to base its laws upon any one religion, even Christianity.
Islam, like any other religion (including Christianity) or political ideology, is subject to interpretation as well as the external forces that are invoked when trying to apply theory to a practical world. Communism is a great theory (true equality), but in practice it is unworkable and unjust. Capitalism is equally problematic.
Orwell's masterpiece, Animal Farm, suitably depicts how the forces of power, greed, discrimination and social politicisation of a community evolves from a genuine intent to provide equality, be it from a progressive or conservative perspective.
Evolutionary theory (the survival of the fittest) dictates that it is against our nature to believe anything other than that "some are more equal than others". If we add to these murky waters the widespread indoctrination that must naturally follow any implementation of a state-endorsed religion, then we will encounter a firestorm of fear and bigotry not unlike that seen in Nazi Germany, Apartheid South Africa, and the Crusades era in the Middle East.
Religion and politics are a chaotic mix, just as the suppression of religion in particular nations also breeds unnecessary suffering and malcontent. The separation of state and church is not only a cornerstone of democracy, it is the most fundamental of all human rights - the right to exist as an individual, with thoughts, actions and values of one's own choosing.
I don't deny the right of Kennedy and his supporters to establish an Islamic-based political party, and I have said as much previously on this blog here and here, but I cannot support the intent to establish any form of theocracy, whether it be Christian, Moslem or otherwise. I will also be the first one to stand up to oppose the possible election of any representative from such a group.
The Theocracy Alert - Early warning System is suitably on Orange status, the second highest rating.
[+/-] show/hide this post
The Fred Phelps Conspiracy
I shouldn't have let last week go by without some reference to the antics of Fred Phelps.
If you missed it in the news the "loving" pastor who launched literary creations like www.godhatesfags.com and www.godhatesamerica.com has protested at the funerals of US servicemen killed in Iraq, claiming that it is God's punishment for the nation's hedonistic support of homosexuality.
And if that wasn't enough, Phelps is off to Sweden (his land of birth) to track down the monarch, King Carl Gustaf, and give him a piece of his mind over that country's servitude to the homosexual lifestyle, even claiming that the King is gay! And .. yes! There is now a www.godhatessweden.com website too.
Spot the recurring theme? I sure wish he'd take a one way ticket to Baghdad!
Well, not to be outdone by Phelps, a slightly less certifiable Christian antagonist is now claiming that Pope Fred may actually be a gay plant whose aim is to unfairly stereotype opponents of gay rights as hateful people.
O.K. ... ummm ... right!!! ... and the Ku Klux Klan is headed by Rev Jesse Jackson in order to highlight the issues of racism in the USA. haha.
If you missed it in the news the "loving" pastor who launched literary creations like www.godhatesfags.com and www.godhatesamerica.com has protested at the funerals of US servicemen killed in Iraq, claiming that it is God's punishment for the nation's hedonistic support of homosexuality.
And if that wasn't enough, Phelps is off to Sweden (his land of birth) to track down the monarch, King Carl Gustaf, and give him a piece of his mind over that country's servitude to the homosexual lifestyle, even claiming that the King is gay! And .. yes! There is now a www.godhatessweden.com website too.
Spot the recurring theme? I sure wish he'd take a one way ticket to Baghdad!
Well, not to be outdone by Phelps, a slightly less certifiable Christian antagonist is now claiming that Pope Fred may actually be a gay plant whose aim is to unfairly stereotype opponents of gay rights as hateful people.
O.K. ... ummm ... right!!! ... and the Ku Klux Klan is headed by Rev Jesse Jackson in order to highlight the issues of racism in the USA. haha.
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