Four more years of drone killings, Guantanamo, crazy FBI agent provocateur plots, whistleblower prosecutions and surveillance of citizens were going to come whoever won. Goldman Sachs funded both candidates royally. I probably prefer the slightly tempered or disguised neo-con to the red meat neo-con, but let nobody pretend it makes a vast difference.
A respected retired African President told me last week that George Bush did more for Africa than Obama. Amazingly, I believe that to be true; whatever his motives, a number of Bush initiatives pumped real money into useful African infrastructure. Obama’s relations with Africa have almost entirely revolved around location of military bases.
Perspective changes as you move around the globe.
And referring to the above as somehow constituting ‘progress’.
Quoting from Veterans Today.
« Press TV the Iranian satellite channel has been banned in Europe supposedly by an order from the European Union when however Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for the EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, told Press TV.
“I have to tell you that this is a decision of Eutelsat and Arqiva and you have to ask them, it is their decision,”
“The EU … has adopted new restrictive measures against Iran, but they focus on finance, energy, trade and transport, not telecommunication. And do not contain elements which could have forced Eutelsat to take such a step,” Kocijancic added.
Gordon Duff of Veterans Today Explains.”In a flagrant violation of freedom of speech, Eutelsat SA ordered media services company, Arqiva, on October 15 to stop the broadcast of several Iranian satellite channels, including Press TV.
Eutelsat is a person, not a company. Eutelsat says it is European, but it is actually Israeli. French sounding ‘Michel de Rosen’ runs Eutelsat, an Israeli citizen, a company with Israeli stockholders, a company long dictated to by extremist groups within Israel, the militant ultra-nationalists of the Likudist regime of Netanyahu,”
He goes on to say. “When Eutelsat chose to choke off Iran and end free speech in Europe, many spoke up but none pointed a finger at Israel and their desire to paint Iran with a ‘black brush’,
Duff said slamming European countries for their silence over the ban on the broadcast of Iranian satellite channels in Europe. “One organization after another, all controlled opposition, part of Israel’s ‘game theory warfare’, rose in self-righteous anger and, as usual, pointed in the wrong direction,” he added.
Duff described the company as one of the Israeli-owned “chokepoints” which are created to “make sure all communication, all progress, all privacy is subject to what is allowed.”
“In a flagrant violation of freedom of speech, Eutelsat SA ordered media services company, Arqiva, on October 15 to stop
the broadcast of several Iranian satellite channels, including Press TV.”
“It is absolutely unacceptable for us that a company can interrupt a nation’s media in this way. Eutelsat’s decision disregards the importance of the liberty of expression and the free circulation of information,” National Union of Journalists chief, Dominique Pradalie, told Press TV.
Tory MP questions civilian drone deaths in Commons
Tuesday 06 November 2012
by Roger Bagley in Parliament
Printable
Email
Conservative MP Rehman Chishti faced combined attack from a Lib Dem ally and a Tory minister when he challenged the use of deadly unmanned drones today.
Mr Chishti launched a Westminster debate to protest against civilian deaths from drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Gillingham Tory MP quoted estimates that up to 885 civilians had been killed by US drones in Pakistan.
/..
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/125779
Look at the shocking and complacent response.
Mr Chishti will not be advancing up the parliamentary ladder.
Florida just jumped up to 99.3% Obama win on Intrade (was 95% 1/2 hour ago). Looks like the people with money are certain that’s going Democrat when all is said and done.
Eh, Romney or Obama, the only difference is which corporations will start getting government orders. Romney has already announced big purchases from the arms industry. Obama I guess gets less support from there.
As to the drones, etc., the resident of the White House has very little to say. It’s none of his responsibility: he has military advisers to decide on such technicalities. However, I’ve heard it was Obama’s personal efforts that brought about swapping B-52s for Predators in Afghanistan.
As to foreign policy… well, it was (supposed to be) run by Ms Clinton… What did you expect.
Norse,
I notice PressTV is still carried by the UK based “LiveStation” Internet tv service (Windows/Mac/Linux/Android/iPhone etc). I wonder if they are getting pressure to remove the channel?
Bush’s aid to Africa in the key area of health was tied to deeply conservative principles of abstinence, and avoiding the promotion of contraception. I suspect taking a positive view of his role there would require similarly conservative principles. http://www.trust.org/alertnet/blogs/africa-views/a-condom-condemnation-george-bushs-hiv-and-aids-legacy-in-africa/
‘as the old saying goes, it doesn’t matter who you vote for, the military-industrial complex always gets in.’
True- and this fact is a misfortune felt more painfully in Yemen & the NW Frontier than here, KOWN.
The only siver lining I can identify in O’Bombers 2nd term is that it has almost certainly discomfited Netanyahu- the two men clearly niggle each other terribly, but for the sake of the real ‘special relationship’, both men must continue to grin & bear it.
Is it possible that the Democrats have deliberately moved to the right so that the Republicans have got no where to go but into the crazy-zone? Capturing and holding the centre-right of politics means they can marginalise the GOP until it becomes effectively unelectable and in perpetual opposition.
John Goss NB
David Cameron vowed to work with newly-reelected Barack Obama to find ways to end the bloodshed in Syria after hearing “horrendous” stories of suffering from refugees at a camp in Jordan.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-vows-to-find-ways-to-end-syria-bloodshed-8294091.html
“Tom Lehrer – We Will All Go Together When We Go”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frAEmhqdLFs
Craig, I’m glad I copied and saved your latest blog post before you deleted it. Is it scuttled or still unfolding?
For others, I found a related article from RT. Below is the google translation.
http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/view/57697-correa-cia-intentara-desestabilizar-gobierno-ecuador&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/view/57697-correa-cia-intentara-desestabilizar-gobierno-ecuador%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DMDS%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Dimvns&sa=X&ei=bWqaUNmPL-uviQeR3oGwDQ&ved=0CCcQ7gEwAA
My friend Donald is cross. LOL So there is little schadenfreude.
Furious Trump calls for a ‘revolution’ after ‘disgusting injustice, sham and travesty’ of Obama’s re-election
The Donald took to Twitter Tuesday night after it became apparent Obama would win election
Called for a ‘revolution’ and added that Obama’s re-election was a ‘disgusting injustice’
Later deleted several of his more extreme tweets
Conservative billionaire is famously outspoken over president and was high-profile member of so-called ‘birther’ movement
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2229109/Election-2012-Donald-Trump-tweets-anger-following-disgusting-injustice-Obamas-election.html
“Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)”
“In the last three years to 19 June 2012, 176 strikes have been carried out by UK Reaper unmanned air vehicles (UAV) in Afghanistan. Reaper is the only UK UAV which carries weapons. I cannot comment on UAVs or strikes by other nations. Reaper is acquired, supported and armed through the US government. The prime contractor to the US government for the construction of Reaper is General Atomics—Aeronautical Systems Inc., based in California. The UK takes every reasonable measure to avoid civilian casualties. I am aware of only one incident where individuals not classified as insurgents were killed by a UK Reaper UAV. The incident took place on 25 March 2011 and resulted in the death of four civilians in addition to two insurgents. An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) investigation was carried out and concluded that the actions of the Reaper crew had been in accordance with extant procedures and ISAF rules of engagement.”
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2012-06-26a.113096.h&s=date%3A20120626+column%3A187+section%3Awrans
“The future of the USA – 2012-2016 (Part 3) – The breakdown of the US socio-political fabric”
http://www.leap2020.eu/The-future-of-the-USA-2012-2016-Part-3-The-breakdown-of-the-US-socio-political-fabric_a9998.html
I’m glad that I’m a friend of America, because that enabled me to enjoy Obama’s victory. The thought of a Mormon becoming the most powerful person on earth – shiver me timbers!
Nick Harvey, sadly had to go. His opposition to supporting an Israeli first strike on Iran had been noted….
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203892/Nick-Harvey-axed-supporting-Iran-attack.html
And Rachel Stevens is wearing a black jumpsuit. Never heard of her, but it must be important or the Mail wouldn’t put it on the site.
Mr Murray,
.
Not to defend Obama but do you seriously think that Romney would have ended drones? I doubt it very much. US is in near future unlikely to commit more ground forces and for whoever is in Oval Office drones are ‘good’ substitute. Republicans and Democrats all depend on those who support aggressive policies and rush to cash in on terrorism threat.
.
US drones will continue until there is an institution (international perhaps) that will have power and influence to put stop on it. Or until US public takes this matter seriously and demands from the government to stop drones. Until then I am afraid it does not really matter who is in the Oval Office.
Yet another African tragedy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20237230
The Yanks obviously love all that sleb stuff on the RH side of the webpage.
The Daily Mail has overtaken the New York Times to become the world’s most visited newspaper website, according to online tracking service Comscore. The biggest increase in readers has been in the US – so how did this very British institution do it?
There is something compellingly simple about MailOnline. No fancy site navigation, picture carousels or slideshows – just a front page with stories and pictures. Thousands of them.
/..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16746785
Sorry, Uzbek. Drones are here to stay. Market forces ™, you see. The US hasn’t even signed the 1997 Ottawa Landmine Ban Treaty. The types it has given up were delegitimised (under Bush) in 2004 and action began on these last year….
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/us-usa-landmines-idUSTRE71D6F020110214
Drones are actually much more use than landmines, and the manufacturers are lobbying like crazy for US contracts.
After 4 years Obama kept one promise ,and that was to his children. He got them a dog !
Wonder what he manages in his second term ?
50% voter turn out. Wonder how many voted just to keep Romney out ?
Amazed at the number of people (tho’ not here) expressing relief at Obama’s re-election as if it made any difference.
Simon Schama on R5 this morning made the point that from a foreign policy perspective there is no real difference between Rombama and Obney.
Jemand,
I have just suspended it until I can get more evidence as to its truth or otherwise, as Mary seemed to find evidence that he is twittering away quite unconcernedly
I never knew that you were a wren, Dreoilin, my favourite little bird. I always pronounced it to myself as Dree Oil In. I see I was wrong.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_Gaelic_word_for_wren
Imagine if the Drones just targetted the poor and isolated with gifts. Ipods containing audiobooks and uplifting tunes, wooly socks, lego, mince pies. The country would be dazzled and treated into hopefulness.
No, we direct industry to smash people into the soil.
Do you know the multi story building that has collapsed in Accra Craig. Terrible. Are building standards observed or would there be some natural cause?
Mark Golding @ 1.58 p.m. I noticed that too on the news this morning and told a friend that we (the UK) were going to get involved in another Zionist war this time in Syria. And Iran will not be far behind. Very disturbing.
This in my opinion is an attempt to divert attention from Ted Heath’s buggering (and possibly murder, because some never returned) of little boys on his yacht. The boys were supplied from the children’s home in Jersey, apparently by Savile, according to David Icke, whose fantastic blog is no longer looking like the fantasy it was once thought to be. According to his blog the boys’ throats were slit as part of the sexual gratification. And all the other child abuse from powerful and protected people.
Hopefully the more rational countries with muscle, Russia and China, will prevent these desperate acts from a desperate government. Like Thatcher, Cameron, Thatcher’s colleague in seedy African arms’ deals, thinks a good war will get him another term. He is currently on an arms’ sales tour of the middle east. Doesn’t it make you sick?
Link to the Icke blog mentioned in my last commment.
http://www.davidicke.com/articles/child-abuse-mainmenu-74/74874-jimmy-savile–doorway-to-the-cesspit
Tom Watson accuses May of “a cover-up” over child abuse claims