Kim Jong-il's Death Spurs A Slew of Political Cartoons

Since the demise of N. Korea's Kim Jong-il, a slew of political cartoons about him have been published across the globe.  Always a popular target whilst still alive, people are going to miss him now that he's dead. Then again, his son (who even most Koreans know very little about) will prove a most suitable replacement, as evidenced in the above cartoon. 

Carol Hills, at TheWorld.org compiled a short video/slide show of some of those cartoons.
As nasty as he was, I suppose he deserves it.

Photo Source: Business Insider

U.S. Taxpayer Dollars Refurbishing Mosques Overseas

With our economy tanking, and the suffering we will all inevitably have to endure as a result of projected federal and state budget cuts, why are we still sending money overseas to refurbish Mosques and churches in countries like Egypt and Cyprus? We are also providing computers and Internet access to local Imams in places like Mali and Tajikistan. All courtesy of U.S. taxpayer dollars. Doesn't charity start at home?

Danish M.P. Wants Bare Breasts In Immigration Documentary To Thwart Extremism

Holland, and now Denmark, have an idea on how to keep Muslim extremists (or any other extremists for that matter) out of their countries- by showing bare-boobed women in a documentary that all would-be immigrants must watch. Apparently, anyone who wants to move to the Netherlands must watch a documentary film introduction to the country that includes topless bathers and two men kissing. Foreign policy spokesman for the far-right Danish People's party, Peter Skaarup, wants Denmark to do the same thing. He feels that since women often shed their swim suit tops on Danish beaches, foreigners should be able to deal with that, and if they can't, then they should just stay the heck out of his country.

Denmark already is working on the documentary, which will be part of an immigration test, Skaarup just wants to add the bare boobies into the mix.

This, he said, is mainly relevant for immigrants coming from fundamentalist societies where women are oppressed and are not allowed to display their sexuality or even their hair. On the other hand Danish women are allowed to wear –-or not wear— what they please, underlining that he is not trying to provoke anyone with his statements.

“If you’re coming from a strict, religious society that might make you stop and think, oh no, I don’t want to be a part of that”, Skaarup told Danish daily, Jyllandsposten.

“Topless bathing probably isn’t a common sight on Pakistani beaches, but in Denmark it is still considered quite normal. I honestly believe that by including a couple of bare breasts in the movie, extremists may have to think twice before deciding to come to Denmark,” he said.

Naturally, there are those who aren't too thrilled about his proposal.

Integration spokesman for the conservative party, one of two government parties, Naser Khader says “a pair of naked breasts is no protection against extremism.”

“It's Quite the opposite, fundamentalists are so obsessed with sex that they will be pouring in over the borders. Maybe we should try with naked pigs,” Khader writes on his page on social networking site Facebook.

Maybe they should add bare breasts, a few piggies, and several dogs to boot. That should do the trick. But, I'm sure, the lawsuits would follow shortly.

The True Face Of Islam- Brit MP talks Of Muslims Taking Over Parliament

The following video is of British MP Shahid Malik, Justice Minister, talking about the importance of the increasing amount of Muslim MPs in the U.K. government, and how in time the whole Parliament will be Muslim. He's also confident that in 30 years or so, there will be a Muslim Prime Minister.

Now imagine if a Christian, Jew, Hindu or Buddhist had said the exact same thing.

This is what is called stealth jihad.

Religion has no place in politics. What a man/woman's religion is should have no bearing on whether they should be voted into office or not.

More Hamas Lies- Did Israel's Mossad Really Kill Mahmoud al-Mabhouh?

Why anyone would bother to believe information that surfaces from the land of Palestine, especially from the duplicitous mouths of the Hamas leadership, truly baffles me. Time and again they have proven to be consummate liars, and yet people are willing to believe. They have categorically denied the use of human shields, when there has been much proof to the contrary. They recently stated they would accept Israel's right to exist and turned around, a day or so later, and claimed they would never recognize Israel, which is the more plausible statement. Anyone who has read the Hamas Charter knows full well that they have no intention of nullifying the charter, which states very clearly their goals of eliminating Israel.

"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." (The Martyr, Imam Hassan al-Banna, of blessed memory).

They have broken ceasefire after ceasefire, claimed they are not guilty of war crimes, as per the Goldstone report, asserting that their thousands of Qassam rockets were aimed at military targets. At least Human Rights Watch called them on that one.

And now we have the latest fib filtering out of Gaza, although this one is quite laughable though intriguing at the same time. One of their head goons has died. The question is how? There are several different tales concerning his demise, but which is the truth? The first 2 you will find in various mainstream sources, the 3rd comes from a lesser known Palestinian media source. You tell me which you believe.

First of all, what we do know is that Mahmoud al-Mabhuh, or al-Mabhouh (or however people want to spell it) co-founder of Hamas' Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades , living in exile in Syria, is dead. He was found in his hotel room in Dubai. No loss there. How he died is a totally different story. The majority of news sources have published Hamas' claim, on January 29, that Israel's Mossad was responsible for assassinating al-Mabhouh on January 20, 2010. The method varies from electrocution to poisoning and suffocation, some include all 3.

So what took them 9 days or so to announce his death? As expected they have an excuse, as lame as it might be. Izzat Rashaq, another Hamas top dog living in Syria told the AP :

...that Hamas delayed the announcement about al-Mabhouh's death because it was trying to "reach the Israeli agents who implemented this operation."

Right.

Now this is where it gets interesting. The following announcement was published in a little known Palestinian news site, Maan News, on January 2oth, and updated on the 21st:

Gaza- Ma'an – Hamas' armed wings the Al-Qassam Brigades announced the death of its co-founder in exile Mahmoud Al-Mabhuh died of terminal cancer in a hospital in the UAE on Wednesday.

The Al-Qassam leader, a refugee living the Jabalia Refugee Camp until he left Gaza for the UAE, was behind a mission that successfully captured two Israeli soldiers, a statement from the brigades said.

Al-Mabhuh was captured two Israeli soldiers, Elan Sa’dun and Avi Sbortas who were captured at the in the early 1990s by Al-Qassam fighters, the soldiers were killed in military action following their capture," the statement said.

I'm not sure how long it will remain up, once this information gets out, if it gets out, but I have saved it for posterity.



So, which was it? Cancer? It has been reported that he was also ill, though Hamas has kept that under wraps. Or was it electrocution and/or poison? The latter, of course, being the more dramatic and appealing alternative to plain old cancer. Plus it would suit their militaristic goals far better than if he were to have died from a disease rather than at the hands of the evil Israelis.
They gain no traction from a simple death from, say, prostrate cancer . If Mossad was responsible, his death could be a rallying cry for more death and destruction. Blaming Israel, of course, gives them ample justification to hit back, which is exactly what they plan on doing. Khaled Mashaal had this to say:

"We will retaliate for the blood of this man who fought you (Israel) for 30 years, from one battle to the next, and was arming the resistance and supporting it night and day," Mashaal said while standing next to al-Mabhouh's coffin at his funeral in Syria.

"You (Israelis) have hurt us with his killing, but it is an ongoing war between us," he said. "This is an open war."

Not that they need much to justify their ongoing war against the Israelis, since they do that unprovoked.

It really doesn't matter how the man died, he's a terrorist, he deserved to be put to rest whether through an act of God or Mossad. What matters is that

1. It just proves people are willing to believe all of Hamas' flagrant lies.
2. The media, once again, has failed to vet the information they get from consistent liars.

An Israeli blogger found the Maan news item by a few simple google searches. How hard is it for the mainstream media to do the same before publishing what could potentially be a flat out lie.

Taliban Should Join Afghan Forces Says NATO's Brit General Barrons

NATO's Senior British Major General Richard Barrons has suggested that the Taliban must be allowed to join Afghan forces (police or army), if they make nice with the Afghan government. Is this man on crack? Or am I totally missing something here, because the idea is absolutely, categorically insane. That's all our men and women need in Afghanistan. It's hard enough for them- living under horrendous conditions in a barren, hostile land- but to actually have the enemy within their camp, not knowing which one might pull a gun and shoot you in the head is not an added pressure they need to deal with. The Taliban are not our friends, they are not to be reasoned with. They are insane, religious fanatics who, when push come to shove, are going to chose Mohammad and Allah over some crusading infidel, and the sooner our leaders (both military and political) come to terms with that perhaps something might get accomplished in that God-forsaken land.

It's not like infiltration hasn't happened before.

In two separate incidents last week, a Taliban bomber wearing a military uniform and a suicide vest entered a base in Khost and blew himself up inside the gym, killing eight Americans thought to be CIA officers, and an Afghan soldier killed a member of the US forces and wounded two Italian soldiers when he opened fire at an army base in western Afghanistan. In November, a rogue Afghan policeman shot dead five British soldiers while serving alongside them.

Fighting alongside people when you have no clue whether they're friend or foe is not a good idea, no matter how great the general thinks it might be. He is also talking about making sure the Taliban are given senior positions in Hamid Karzai's government. Well, isn't that just peachy. First it's a few, then a few more and eventually they take over the Afghan government because like the idiots in Gaza who voted for Hamas, the people will vote in the Taliban- even if it's out of fear and intimidation. Or they'll just co-opt the government through a coup, because there is no democracy under extremist rule.

And Nato is apparently willing to spend a bunch of money on these Taliban soon-to-be Afghan soldiers and police officers.

He spoke as the coalition prepares to spend millions of pounds on jobs and training for Taliban footsoldiers if they agree to lay down their arms. The schemes is designed complement Barack Obama's 30,000-strong troop reinforcement surge, which begins in earnest in the New Year.

Okay, so let me get this straight, they're supposed to lay down their arms, which will then be replaced with NATO-approved arms? Great, so now the Taliban parading around as NATO troops will have more targets to choose from. It'll be far easier to massacre the 30,000 new U.S. troops that are about to enter the fray. How about adding more NATO troops from other countries, so they can get massacred too? They'll be like sitting ducks.

For some reason Barrons thinks NATO can negotiate with the Taliban and that the fight is not ideological but more a lack of prospects.

The general said this year's push led by the senior Nato and US commander, Gen Stanley McChrystal, would include Afghan-led efforts to persuade Taliban to give up their fight.

Eight years on, coalition commanders have accepted that military might alone will not end the increasingly bloody insurgency. They do however, believe the majority of fighters are open to negotiation if they can be given an alternative.

Gen Barrons, who discusses previous insurgencies with a scholarly air, said most Taliban were motivated not by entrenched ideology but by lack of money and jobs, local grievances, or a sense of injustice at government corruption.

I hate to disillusion him but it's mostly about ideology. I'm sure lack of money and jobs probably doesn't help the situation, but bottom line is they want Afghanistan to revert back to Taliban governance. And that's exactly what will happen if they are allowed to reintegrate into Afghan society. When are they going to open their eyes and realize that? In the meantime, if they do integrate Taliban fighters into Afghan forces, we can expect a lot more tragedies like we have seen recently.

British Politicians Banned From Calling Islamic Extremists "Islamic Extremists"

Even as some enlightened Muslims themselves have openly criticized the British government for pussyfooting around the issue of radical Islam in England, they continue to kowtow to the extremists. The latest idiocy coming out of Whitehall is a ban on the use of certain words by Ministers when speaking about the war on terrorism in a public forum. 8 pages worth, to be exact, of banned and politically correct alternatives, most of which make no sense at all. Simply because they fear offending Muslims, the majority of whom, granted, are incredibly thin-skinned.

So, even though they are referencing Muslim extremists, they're not allowed to use "Muslim", since it implies Islam is violent. A good alternative- just plain terrorism, or "violent" extremism.

Oh, and even though Jihadis are Jihadis- not allowed to use the word. Or fundamentalist for that matter. Because

Excuse me, but since when is "fundamentalist" solely equated with Islam? Every religion has their fundamentalist wackos, not just the Muslims. So, instead of calling them Jihadis (which they are) or fundamentalists or fundamentalist Jihadis, they are to be called 'criminals, murderers or thugs, which they are in their own right, even though they're still Jihadis. You don't have Christian Jihadis, or Hindu Jihadis, or Buddhist Jihadis, Jihadis are M-U-S-L-I-M and rewriting the Islamic dictionary isn't going to stop them from being Islamic Jihadis.


"Radicalisation" is also a no-no. It's "brainwashing". And they're not allowed to differentiate between moderate and radical Muslims since it "splits the community". But I thought that's what moderate Muslims wanted, not to be associated with extremists. As for "Islamophobia"? Verboten, since it's considered "a slur that singles out Muslims". Huh? That's a word they use against us. Why is that one banned?

Some over there have found it as ludicrous as I have:

He's right. You call a spade a spade, not a spoon. Islamic extremists are... radical Islamic fundamentalists who happen to be fighting a global Jihad, and call anyone critical of their religion Islamaphobic. No ifs ands or buts!

The guidance was branded "daft" last night by a special adviser to ex-Communities Secretary Hazel Blears. Paul Richards said: "Unless you can describe what you're up against, you're never going to defeat it. Ministers need to be leading the debate on Islamic extremism and they can't do that if they have one hand tied behind their back."

they make an "explicit link" between Muslims and terror.

IsraelPeople Balk At Israel's Jewish/Arab Duo For Eurovision Contest

Why must people politicize entertainment? Unless the project itself is specifically political in nature, the arts and entertainment world should be a place where politics can be set aside. Where artists can work together without friction or political agendas. Where we come together to collaborate and create.

Too bad politics couldn't be set aside with the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest , an international song competition, which will be held this year in Moscow. Israel chose 2 of the most popular female singers to represent Israel in the competition: Arab/Israeli Mira Awad (the 1st Arab/Israeli to participate), and Jewish Achinoam Nini (aka Noa). And as one can only imagine, rather than praising the fact that they are sending both a Jew AND an Arab, people are criticizing Awad for accepting. A petition generated by Arab Israeli artists stated

"The Israeli government is sending the two of you to Moscow as part of its propaganda machine, which is trying to create the appearance of Jewish-Arab 'coexistence' under which it carries out the daily massacre of Palestinian civilians."

How about celebrating the fact that Arabs and Jews can work together as artists, without hating each other? Or killing each other?

Noa ( a peace activist) was chosen, and apparently suggested Awad sing as well. She views the contest as a

"stage where we can stand and have millions of people watch and listen. Some people will see an Arab girl who looks Jewish and a Jewish girl who looks Arab, which is what we are," she said. "Maybe it will open some people's minds."

Sadly, some can't see past politics. This is a wonderful opportunity to show the world that Israelis and Palestinians can coexist, that is, if they truly want to coexist. The question is, do they really want to?

(Crossposted on Instablogs)

U.K. To Redefine What A Muslim Extremist Is

Looks like England is trying to save its proverbial butt from turning into UKistan, by redefining what a Muslim extremist is.

So, they would be considered radicals if:

• They advocate a caliphate, a pan-Islamic state encompassing many countries.

• They promote Sharia law.

• They believe in jihad, or armed resistance, anywhere in the world. This would include armed resistance by Palestinians against the Israeli military.

• They argue that Islam bans homosexuality and that it is a sin against Allah.

• They fail to condemn the killing of British soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan.

It would also

"widen the definition of extremists to those who hold views that clash with what the government defines as shared British values."

Problem is, that definition pretty much sums up the majority of Muslims in Britain. Of course, there is already much criticism of the proposed plan, which Whitehall has dubbed Contest 2. Some claim it will only serve to further alienate the Muslim population, as if they aren't already alienated, which is mostly self-imposed because of their religious ideology. Although Contest 2 hasn't been finalized, there's really not much to the plan, other than denying them public funds. In other words, no more being on the dole (welfare) which is something many of the home-grown Brit terrorists might have troubles dealing with. One such educated, moderate- turned- extremist claims

"He no longer works, even though he is able-bodied, he admits, preferring instead to claim housing benefit and jobseeker's allowance. He smiles sheepishly and says the irony is not lost on him that the British state is supporting him financially, even as he plots to "overthrow it."

Sayful Islam doesn't think of himself British, but rather

"... a Muslim living in Britain, and I give my allegiance only to Allah."

So, my question is, why don't they just deport all these people who don't consider themselves Brits, and save themselves not only a bucketful of money, but potential terrorist activity, as well?

Whatever happens, if they actually have the courage to pass Contest 2, they're going to have a huge fight on their hands. The British radical Muslims aren't going to give up the U.K. without a fight.

Hat Tip: Weasel Zippers

URGENT: Stop The Execution Of Farzad Kamangar

"On 25 February 2008, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Farzad Kamangar to death on charges of "endangering national security" and "enmity against God" (moharebe). The death penalty was confirmed by the Supreme Court on 11 July. "

A teacher, former member of a Kurdish teacher's union (until outlawed) and human right's activist, Farzad Kamangar was scheduled to be executed today! Thankfully, according to one source (International Campaign For Human Rights In Iran), he was not, although 10 others (including a woman) were, and there is still the likelihood that Kamangar will be hanged, at some point.

In a letter from prison, Kamangar describes the details of his arrest, and the torture he has endured while incarcerated:

In July of 2006 I came to Tehran to follow upon my brother's medical treatments. My brother is a Kurdish political activist. Upon my arrival in Tehran I was arrested and taken to an unknown place, it was a very small, dark basement. The cells in this place were empty, there were no blankets or rugs or sheets. They took me to a room and as they were interviewing me they asked me about my ethnicity. When I told them that I was of the Kurdish Ethnicity they lashed my entire body. They also lashed me because of the Kurdish music which I had saved on my mobile phone. They would tie my hands, make me sit on a chair and put pressure on the sensitive areas of my body. They would also strip me naked and threaten me with rape by various objects such as wood.

His trial was a farce. According to Khalil Bahramian, Farzad’s lawyer:

“Nothing in Kamangar’s judicial files and records demonstrates any links to the charges brought against him.” He described the trial as “lasting no more than five minutes, with the judge issuing his sentence without any explanation and then promptly leaving the room.” {snip} the closed-door trial violated the Iranian legal requirements that such cases must be tried publicly and in the presence of a jury.

Please send an email to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad requesting, at the very least, that Kamangar get a fair trial. You can email him directly at: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir

or via the Education International website by clicking here, which has a pre-written letter

Being sentenced to death for being Kurdish, a human right's activist or trade union member, or all of the above, is outrageous.

Please take a moment to do this. That moment could save an innocent man's life.

China, Censorship and The Olympics

China just doesn't get it. It has clear goals of becoming a major superpower, has introduced market based economic reforms and is now considered to be the fourth largest economy in the world, and yet it still falls pitifully behind in terms of its political and social reforms. Who cares how much money you have in your pocket if you have no freedom, if you continuously fear what you say might land you in jail, if you have little access to information other than what your government deems appropriate. I'd rather be a pauper with freedom, than a rich person with none. The Chinese government would like the world to think they are evolving as a nation, but other than their economy, not a damn thing has changed.

I am still grappling with the question of why China was awarded the honour of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, given the government's continuing penchant for flagrantly violating the rights of its citizens. Sure, back when they were bidding to host the games, 7 years ago, government officials assured news organizations that they would have complete freedom to report the games, as they have during past Olympic Games. Right. Easy to pay lip service when you have no intention of complying. Did anyone truly believe those promises? I guess not because, we come to find out, the International Olympic Committee (although they deny it) secretly brokered a deal which allows China to, yes, block certain sensitive websites, even for foreign journalists, who are already complaining they've encountered blocked access to various sites. So much for promises. Then again, did people expect anything different from a government that has exercised such suffocatingly tight control over its own people, for decades. And as for all their assurances they'd improve their human rights record, as a condition for hosting the games- empty promises.

If tourists think they will have carte blanche over there, think again. It's been confirmed that they too will be subject to censorship, and who knows what else. International hotel chains have been ordered to install software that will monitor the Internet activity of their guests, and there will be punishment for those who do not comply. So not only do they subject the Chinese people to censorship, they are forcing those same restrictions on visitors to their country. How's that for a warm welcome.

What I find most appalling is that they blatantly lied to ensure they would win the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, and that the IOC and the world was stupid enough to believe them.

UPDATE: Due to international pressure, as of 8/1/08, the Chinese government has lifted the ban on some sites, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), although others continue to be banned, including any sites relating to Tibet or The Falun Gong. Some progress, but not enough!

HBO'S "China's Stolen Children": The Bad Karma Of China's One-Child Policy

"As you sow, so shall you reap". Some call it Karma, but whatever you choose to call it there are consequences for our actions, whether we like it or not. It's a law of nature, and we have no control over the results. Negative actions elicit negative re-actions. It applies not only to individuals but to nations as well, and we can witness this happening in many countries including Burma, Zimbabwe and China where the people, sadly, are often the ones to suffer the consequences of their government's actions, or inaction, in the case of Burma.

I just watched a compelling HBO documentary entitled "China's Stolen Children", which sheds light on the dark side of their one-child policy. After 3 decades of enforcing the planned birth policy, things have turned ugly, particularly for the poor in China. Instituted in 1979 by Deng Xiaoping to control the threat of a projected population explosion which would have taxed the economic resources of the communist country, the Chinese government implemented a birth control policy that effectively paved the way for forced abortions and sterilizations, and human trafficking. The latter is what the documentary focuses on.

What happens when you force couples to give birth to just one child, or face a huge fine that most can ill afford? They resort to either aborting or selling their children. According to the British Society For The Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC)

It has been calculated that between 1971 and 1985 alone there were some 100 million coercive birth-control "operations" in China, including forced sterilisations and forced abortions (Dr John Aird, Slaughter of the Innocents, AEI Press, 1991). In 1983 a massive campaign of compulsory birth control surgeries was carried out, which reportedly produced 14 million abortions, 21 million sterilisations and 18 million IUD insertions. This campaign was directed by the then minister-in-charge of the State Family Planning Commission (SFPC), Qian Xinzhong.

And what happens when the cultural preference is for male children? Although female infanticide occurred prior to the creation of the People's Republic of China, and prior to establishing the one-child policy, after almost 3 decades of selective birthing (i.e. let's abort this baby girl, because we want a boy) there is a dearth of marriageable women. And what happens when there aren't enough women to marry? You create a need, and human traffickers have now taken to kidnapping young women to be sold as brides.

"China's Stolen Children", which was filmed undercover, shares the heart-breaking stories of various people who have come face to face with what happens when a government chooses to enforce a policy that goes against nature. One young couple had their 5 year-old son Chen Jie kidnapped while in the care of his grandmother. Hiring a detective, who dedicates his time to tracking down stolen children, they have yet to find the boy, and the likelihood is very slim. We witness a daring rescue of a young kidnapped teen, by Detective Zhu, but success is rare, and Zhu talks about giving it all up. They also follow the exploits of a trafficker, who sold his own son, who brokers deals between mothers and potential buyers. One couple, who are not old enough to marry (women must be 20 and men 22), decide to sell their newborn baby girl because they do not have the money to pay the requisite fine, and children born out of wedlock have no identity or rights. And although buyers prefer male babies, there are those who will settle for a female. In some cases, they will opt for a girl to raise as a wife for their son.

Although it was only intended as a short term remedy, the Chinese government plans to continue with the one-child policy until at least 2012, and seems more intent on keeping the problem of human trafficking quiet, according to Detective Zhu, than helping to stop the illegal practice. And so more children will be stolen or aborted.

It is estimated that by the end of this decade, 40 to 60 million girls will have been abandoned or aborted.

While Israel Mourns, Palestinians And Lebanese Celebrate: Regev, Goldwasser and Kuntar And The Dangerous Precedent of Prisoner Swaps

Something is drastically wrong with the following picture.

The lifeless bodies of 2 kidnapped Israeli soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, unceremoniously traded for 5, very much alive, PLF terrorists, one of whom mercilessly murdered an innocent 4 year old child.

In 1979, Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese teen and member of Abu Abbas's Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF), stormed an apartment building with fellow terrorists in search of Israelis to kill, and made off with Danny Haran and his 4 year old daughter Einat. Shooting and then drowning Danny in the ocean, in front of his little one so it would be the last thing she remembered, Kuntar then proceeded to beat and smash Einat's head against a rock with the butt of his rifle until she was dead. The mother Smadar, her 2 year old daughter Yael and a neighbour were able to hide, but in an effort to keep the terrorists from discovering their hiding place, Smadar inadvertently smothered her child to death. In prison for life, for the murders of Einat, Danny and several others, unrepentant Kuntar now has his freedom, and has even vowed to return to jihad upon his release, which no doubt he will. In a letter to Hezbollah head, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Kuntar wrote

"My dear and respectable master and commander, Peace be with you and with our shahids (martyrs). I give you my promise and oath that my only place will be in the fighting front soaked with the sweat of your giving and with the blood of the shahids, the dearest people, and that I will continue your way until we reach a full victory. I send my best wishes and promise of renewed loyalty to you, sir, and to all the Jihad fighters."

And while Israel mourns their 2 fallen heroes, the Palestinians, Hezbollah (which brokered the deal) and others celebrate and salute the 5 living and some 200 dead terrorists as heroes and martyrs. Palestinian Fatah leader, Mahmoud Abbas, sent congratulations and blessings to Kuntar and his family. The Palestinian Authority media has also been awash with praise and congratulatory messages for Kuntar et al and their families.

Excuse me while I wretch.

Regev and Goldwasser were alive when captured in 2006; one would expect, in a civilized world, that they would still be alive, but what should we expect from a people who glorify death more than life and who would love nothing more than to have that region devoid of all Israelis. So while Hezbollah murdered the 2 captured soldiers (so much for the rules of engagement and the Geneva Convention), Kuntar was allowed to marry, although he eventually divorced the woman, and received a degree in social and political science.

Excuse me while I wretch.

And, although I mourn with the families of Goldwasser and Regev, what has this exchange accomplished other than the ability to bury their sons with dignity and respect, if the bodies are even theirs? Sadly, nothing! It simply proves to the Arab world that all they have to do is capture some Israeli soldiers (and civilians next?), and they will have the leverage to broker the release of even more terrorists from Israeli prisons. And it seems to matter not whether the soldiers are alive or dead, so they have nothing to lose if they kill them.

So, now we have 5 more terrorists back on the streets, ready, willing and able to carry on their jihad. This has set a dangerous precedent, that Israel might never recover from.

Rest in peace Eldad and Ehud.

Hugo Chavez , His Corrupt Family and FARC: Or, What A Hypocrite Am I!

Hypocrites abound, in the global political arena, but there is nothing more despisable than a righteous hypocrite. Yeah, those leaders who, in highly colourful and confrontational language, criticize the U.S. for its imperialistic, capitalistic, jingoistic tendencies, when all the while they exhibit those exact same characteristics. Hugo "the Red" Chavez, champion of the poor, (yeah, right!), is as corrupt as they get, and it seems to run in the family.

Let's take a look at that family. Talk about nepotism. We have:

1. Papa Chavez, or Hugo de los Reyes Chavez aka "El Maestro", who has been governor of the State of Barinas (where the Chavez family hails from) for 10 years.

2. Brother, Argenis Chavez is the secretary of state of Barinas. Some speculate he is the one who actually runs Barinas ever since Papa Chavez was debilitated by a stroke.

3. Brother, Anibal Chavez happens to be the mayor of Sabaneta, the small town in Barinas where Hugo and his brothers were born.

4. Brother, Adelis Chavez works for Banco Sofitasa. A bank? So what, you might say, but this bank conveniently handles all the state government's needs.

5. Brother, Narciso Chavez is apparently also involved in the Barinas political scene, but not in any public capacity. I'm sure that will eventually change.

6. Brother, Adan Chavez is Hugo's minister of education.

Now, because of Papa Chavez's condition since his stroke, he obviously has to be replaced. Trouble is, the one brother they figured would succeed "El Maestro" as governor, is embroiled in allegations of corruption, as are some of the other brothers, save Adan, who everyone predicts will be the most likely to win the coveted prize during the upcoming November elections. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

However, It seems the natives are finally getting restless over there, with respect to how the Chavez brothers are handling things:

Barinas residents have become fed up with what they see as the heavy-handed and arrogant ways of the Chavez family, analysts and average citizens alike say. One example that rankles widely: The governor and his wife travel in a caravan of SUVs with a police escort that halts all traffic to let them pass .

Governor Chavez spent millions of dollars to build a sugar refinery that has yet to open, and millions more for a new soccer stadium that remains unfinished, a year after it was inaugurated for the America's Cup tournament, analysts said. Gehard Cartay, who was Barinas' governor 1993-96, said the state government spends its money in secret and no longer seeks public bids for big infrastructure projects. Even Governor Chávez's salary is hidden, he added. 'They are not the same poor family as before,'' Cartay said. ``It's hard to hide wealth in a small state like Barinas.''

Ah yes, now isn't that typical of leftist leaders. Gain power, and the allure of money becomes all too captivating.

A Congressman from Barinas, Wilmer Azuaje, who broke with Chavez's political party, has said,

"The president says that revolutionaries have to tell the truth. If you don't denounce corruption, you are an accomplice.''

"...he has launched his campaign for governor by accusing the elder Chavez and two of the president's brothers of using public funds to buy ranches in Barinas and using straw men to hide the purchases.

He has accused the governor and Argenis and Narciso Chavez of secretly buying up to 17 ranches in Barinas. He notes that records on one of the ranches, La Malagueña, list the longtime watchman at La Chavera as having paid $400,000 to buy it.

Hugo's Mama, Elena Frias de Chavez, noted for her bling and reputed love affair with a little nip and tuck, had this to say about the accusations,

''It's all about envy. [snip]These people are uneducated. They want to pull us down to their level. They are pitiful lowlifes. They're not used to a single family holding such power.''

Well, that doesn't sound very socialist to me.

Hugo's ex-wife, Marisabel Rodriguez, who divorced the man in 2003, also claims government corruption:

"There has been much injustice, much corruption going on in the government. They encourage you to report corruption, but if you do, they cut your head off."

She should know:

Rodriguez, who has a daughter with the Socialist leader, said she is so opposed to Chavez's reforms and the pervasive corruption in Venezuela that she is seriously considering running for office. As a result, she said its government has leveled death threats at her. "There have absolutely been death threats against me, ordering me to keep quiet, to behave," she said.

Then we have the latest with the Chavez/FARC connection. Considered by most nations in the world to be a terrorist organization, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, or FARC, is a communist revolutionary guerrilla group that has held Colombia hostage to its filthy tactics since the 60s. 20 to 30% of its guerilleros happen to be children under the age of 18! FARC garners its financial resources through kidnapping ransoms (some have been in captivity for up to 10 years), extortion and drug trafficking. And now, it turns out, Chavez and his buddy Rafael Correa (President of Ecuador) , oh staunch denouncers of U.S. imperialism, have been aiding and abetting FARC. Though Venezuela and Ecuador have categorically denied any such activity, it appears they have. Surprise, surprise! Documents found on FARC rebel computers, according to Interpol (the international police,) are absolutely authentic and not doctored, in any way, by the Colombian government, as Chavez and Correa have insisted.

Chavez called President George W. Bush "the Devil" back in 2006, at a UN General Assembly, and went on to denounce U.S. imperialism; I guess that makes him a devil too!

Bloggers Unite For Human Rights: The Junta and The Dying People of Burma

What is happening in Burma is unconscionable! Cyclone Nargis made landfall on May 2, carving a path of destruction throughout the country, and yet here we are 13 days later, and little has been done. The Burmese people are starving, disease is now setting in, the world is trying desperately to help, and yet a corrupt government, that failed to warn its people of the impending disaster, is refusing most help. With tens of thousands dead, as many missing, and over a million displaced persons (which could result in even more deaths), the perverse Myanmar regime, continues to thwart the global community's efforts to bring desperately needed aid to the people. Why? Politics, greed and paranoia.

Horror stories abound. The little aid that is being allowed into the country is being confiscated by the military, more than likely for their own use. The food that is being distributed is usually rotten, and most are not receiving anything at all. People are being forced to leave the monasteries, where they have sought refuge and received help, even though they have no place to go. Foreign aid food, rather than being given to the people free of charge, is being sold at commercial prices, as are zinc sheets for roofing. Supplies are being given in return for "yes" votes in the national referendum. Child traffickers are targeting children in the refugee camps.

The useless U.N. keeps begging, but getting no results, because countries like China refuse to meddle in what they believe to be internal domestic affairs.

This week, Beijing blocked a proposal to have the U.N. humanitarian chief brief the Security Council on Myanmar, saying governments should not politicize the issue.

I wouldn't expect any other response from China. They don't want other countries meddling in their affairs, considering their blemished record on human rights, so why would they deign to interfere with Burma?

So, we sit in the comfort of our living rooms, watching a group of people die before our very eyes; the result of a sick government's gross negligence. A people whose rights were violated prior to the tropical cyclone, and whose lives are being threatened now. We sit silent and mute, doing nothing, perhaps reaching for our checkbooks knowing full well that what we donate will probably wind up filling the coffers of the military generals rather than aiding those in need.

And there are many who feel the same way as the Chinese government. But I ask you this:

If your neighbour was abusing his wife and children, would you call the police or allow the abuse to continue because you refuse to meddle in their domestic affairs?

Failure to act, on a global level, has led to much unnecessary death in the past few centuries. WWII, Darfur, Rwanda. And the sad and pathetic thing about Burma is that much of the death was and is avoidable. What harm is there in allowing the world to help your country? Any reasonable nation would have welcomed the help, and Burma would be well on its way to recovery. But, government officials are far too preoccupied with profiting from this disaster than helping their citizens. In fact, there is another storm on its way, and the populace has not been warned, yet. More devastation and more inaction.

We are all brothers and sisters. We are each other's caretakers.

Why don't we act as if!


Burmese Bloggers with out Borders.

Politics Before People- Another Burmese Disaster

As if the poor Burmese people hadn't already suffered enough under a brutally oppressive, communist regime, they suffered further loss and damage at a catastrophic level due, in part, to the ineptitude of a government that seems to place more importance on politics over people. That seems more intent on maintaining the socialist status quo, than saving people.

Granted, the Myanmar Junta had no control over the fact that Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit landfall in Burma, but it did have control over adequately warning the Burmese citizens of the impending dangers of the storm. It did not. There were few warnings and no evacuations. As a result, 80,000 people have been reported dead in one village alone, 44,000 plus are missing, it is estimated that the deaths will exceed well over 100,000, and at least one million people have been left homeless. Many of them children.

And, it has failed miserably in the aftermath. The government, supposed caretaker and protector of its people, is doing virtually nothing. The military out in force last year, so readily available and willing to shoot innocent monks during their peaceful demonstrations, have been of little or no help. It's been 5 days since the storm, the people are starving, there is very little clean water, bodies are rotting in huge piles, and there are fears many more will die from starvation or disease, creating an even greater humanitarian disaster that could well rival that of the Tsunami of 2004. Unbelievably, the military is thought to be profiting from the catastrophe by grossly inflating the prices of water and food, and "trying to sell things like roofing on the black market."


Relief agencies and aid groups are poised and waiting to enter the country, but the Junta is dragging its feet by insisting on reviewing each and every visa. People are dying, and they are reviewing visas??!!

The junta has insisted that foreign aid workers must "negotiate" their entry to the country. The United Nations said the regime has finally appointed a minister to review visa applications by aid workers, but that no permits have yet been issued.

Many countries have pledged monetary and physical assistance, including the U.S. which has pledged 3 million, but help is being thwarted on every level by a bunch of paranoid generals who somehow feel threatened by allowing an influx of foreigners into a country they've had complete control over for decades. Obviously, they would rather see their people die, than relinquish some control. The Burmese deserve better, and hopefully will finally do something about a group of leaders who have systematically dragged what was once a thriving, prosperous country into darkness and despair.

In the meantime, The Centre for Cross Cultural Research at the Australian National University (ANU) has said that, in spite of the fact that the Junta will more than likely hoard much of the humanitarian aid, this should not stop the world from coming to Burma's aid. The only people who have stepped into action, ironically, are the Buddhist monks. The Junta, threatened by that, has been waging a propaganda war. According to Monique Skidmore , of the ANU,

"There's a bit of a propaganda battle being waged between the military, they're trying to stop pictures of monks helping the population from getting out into the public domain."

The monks have been providing shelter and food at their monasteries for the displaced and suffering people. For those who would rather see their donations go directly to the Burmese people, rather than the military Junta, Avaaz.org is soliciting for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, they

will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.In many of
the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.

For more information, please go to FreeBurma.org

Holocaust Denial Hamas Style

In spite of undeniable proof that an estimated 11 to 12 million people (approximately 6 million of them European Jews) were systematically exterminated in Nazi concentration camps, during World War II, there are still those who believe it never happened. Or that the numbers were grossly exaggerated. Or in some cases that it was some nefarious plot by the Jews themselves to dispossess themselves of the handicapped and disabled Jews of Europe. This ludicrous, outrageous notion is what the Palestinians are being indoctrinated with, today, via educational videos produced by Hamas. The following video was aired on Al-Aqsa TV, April 18, 2008:

Click to watch video here.


The video claims

"The Satanic Jews thought up an evil plot [the Holocaust] to be rid of the burden of the disabled and handicapped, in twisted criminal ways. While they accuse the Nazis or others so the Jews would seem persecuted, and try to benefit from international sympathy. They were the first to invent the methods of evil and oppression."

In the video Amin Dabur, head of the Palestinian Center for Strategic Research states:

"About the Israeli Holocaust, the whole thing was a joke and part of the perfect show that Ben Gurion put on, who focused on strong and energetic youth [for Israel], while the rest- the disabled, the handicapped, and people with special needs, they were sent to [to die]- if it can be proven historically. They were sent [to die] so there would be a holocaust, so Israel could "play" it for world sympathy."

Of course, this revisionist theory doesn't account for why so many others were murdered as well: Roma Gypsies Christian Poles and other Slavic peoples Political Dissidents, Communists and Dissenting Clergy Disabled or handicapped People Jehovah's Witnesses Homosexuals Others deemed unfit to live Then it resorts to the usual minimizing the actual amount of Jews that were killed:

"The alleged numbers of Jews [killed in the Holocaust] were merely for propaganda."

As long as the Palestinians continue to demonize the Jews, there will never be hope for peace. But is there anyone who truly believes there is? HatTip: PMW

Flash From The Past: Peace, Love and The O'Jays "Love Train"

I have a very long commute for my next project, so I am incessantly channel surfing to while away the hour-plus drive to the theatre. It's a nasty habit, but I bore easily. So this afternoon, on my way home, I happened upon some station that was playing an oldie but goodie that I fondly remembered from my youth: the O'Jay's 'Love Train'.

Flash back to the chaotic 70s- apart from the economic recession and the gas woes, we were still in the midst of the Vietnam War and the Cold War. There was the Yom Kippur War and the shift from modern secularism to Islamic fundamentalism in Iran, including the Hostage Crisis. We had the Indo/Pakistani War, and Idi Amin's brutal reign in Uganda.

The longest, most divisive conflict was the Vietnam War which, as it dragged on into the 70s, spawned a slew of anti-war tunes from Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On?' to Cat Steven's, pre-Islamic 'Peace Train'. All great songs, regardless of your politics or your stance on that particular war, or any other war for that matter.

Flash forward to 2008, and nothing much has changed. We are in what some people claim is a recession, our gas price woes have tripled, and there is even more chaos in this world then there was back then. Global conflicts abound, the problems in the Middle East have skyrocketed, Russia is poised to create another Cold War, and China is, well- China. Nothing much changed there.

As we continue to live in a world at war, a world that seems unable to embrace anything other than disharmony and discord, those songs about peace will continue to resonate as much today as they did back then. And although there are those who are so enmeshed in lives full of hate, or greed, or so full of desire for power that they've somehow lost their humanity, I still believe, at the core of most civilized beings, is an unquenchable thirst for peace; a desire to live in harmony with our neighbours.

Listening to 'Love Train' again, after all these years, was disarming in some ways. Most of the countries mentioned are the same ones we are having problems with today. But what I like most about the song is its simplistic, implied message: that love can conquer all.

So in the words of the O'Jay's "People all over the world, join in, start a love train, love train."

Persecuted Christians Flee Iraq

Christians lived in Iraq long before the Islamic Caliphate first began spreading its imperialistic tentacles throughout the region, in the 7th century AD. And yet, centuries later, they are being systematically persecuted, mutilated, raped, killed or forced to flee what was once, historically, their home. Considered, at one time, the Cradle of Civilization Iraq is far from civilized these days, as we daily witness the senseless violence perpetuated all in the name of religion.

Aside from the typical Muslim killing Muslim atrocities, they are also targeting the few Christians who have refused to leave a country they have every right to call their own. Although every man has the God-given right to worship as he pleases, Christians are being threatened, killed, kidnapped for ransom, or forced to convert, against their will. According to one man, originally from Baghdad but now living in Northern Iraq,

"I had a choice: Convert to Islam, pay the tax, or give away one of my daughters."

2 years ago, this same man was kidnapped and only released after he paid a large sum of money. This so-called "ransom" is, in effect, the "Jizyah", a tax that all non-Muslims must pay, according to the Koran 9:29.

YUSUFALI: Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

Churches and schools are being bombed; priests, men, women and children are being murdered; families are being coerced into paying the Jizyah. If unable to comply, family members are forced to convert to Islam. Those who refuse are given 24 hours to vacate their homes. With all this hatred and violence heaped upon them, Iraqi Christians are leaving the country in droves. Although no-one knows the exact number, it is estimated that of the small 3% of Iraqis that are Christian, at least 50% have left or been killed. That leaves a paltry few. Tragically, this signals the beginning of the end of an ancient Christian culture that has its roots in ancient Mesopotamia.

Thankfully, the Europeans are stepping up to the plate. France has decided to take in 500 Christian Iraqi refugees. Germany has offered to take in others. Churches are working with Germany's Human Rights Commission to resettle at least 20,000 to 30,000 Iraqi Christians. And, although it is a very noble endeavour, the fact that they have to leave, in the first place, is despicable. That there are religions that still exist in this modern, so-called civilized 21st century, that are so intolerant of other religions, and even other sects within their own, that they find the need to kill, bully or dominate, is truly pathetic.

We are all GOD'S children- which means we are all brothers and sisters. Stop killing each other in the name of GOD.

Mugabe Won't Relinquish Power So Easily!

After 20 plus years of iron-fisted, dictatorial rule, did anyone really think Robert Gabriel Mugabe would ride off into the sunset without some sort of a fight?

Let’s get real. This is a man who ranked number 7 in parade.com’s 2007 “Top 20 of the World’s Worst Dictators” list, and number 6 in 2008’s. A man who has, singlehandedly, driven a once prosperous country into an economic downfall that rivals few other nations. In fact, Zimbabwe ranks tops for the world’s highest inflation rate, at 100,000 percent! Despots never go quietly into the night, they fight tooth and nail to hang on to the power and glory they’re accustomed to; by legal or illegal means. Look how long Fidel Castro lasted. Vladimir Putin ensured his continuing lust for power, by merely switching leadership positions. Hugo Chavez is in it for the long haul. There are too many others to mention, but they will all do what is necessary to retain control, and in those countries that lack democracy, anything goes, including jailing and killing opposition leaders.

In spite of major losses in Zimbabwe’s parliament, and an obvious presidential loss, Mugabe is calling for a runoff. In fact, today his police raided a hotel housing the offices of Movement for Democratic Change, whose secretary general Tendai Biti claims:

“We maintain that we have won the presidential election outright without the need for a runoff.”

Although, he generously conceded they would participate in a runoff if need be. Another hotel, frequented by foreign journalists, was also raided and several of them detained. Biti stated,

“Mugabe has started a crackdown.... it is quite clear he has unleashed a war.”

Claiming this was only the beginning of worse to come, he was very clear about the opposition refusing to go into hiding:

“You can’t hide away from fascism. Zimbabwe is a small country. So we are not going into hiding. We are just going to have to be extra
cautious.”

No-one seems to mention why the reporters were targeted, but I surmise it has something to do with the fact that Mugabe’s government barred many international news organizations from covering the March 29 elections which, of course, makes sense. No tyrant leader wants reporters to witness the rigging of elections.

We shall see what transpires over the next few days, but it more than likely will not be pretty.

UPDATE:

According to Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) a NY Times reporter, Barry Beark, was arrested for “violation of the journalism laws.”