Saudi King Claims Islamic State Will Reach Europe and The U.S. Within Months

You have to wonder why Saudi King Abdullah, leader of one of the most intolerant, bigoted and repressive nations in the world, is suddenly warning the West that The Islamic State (aka ISIS) is making its way to Europe and the U.S.

“If we ignore them, I am sure they will reach Europe in a month and America in another month.

“Terrorism knows no border and its danger could affect several countries outside the Middle East. […] It is no secret to you, what they have done and what they have yet to do. I ask you to transmit this message to your leaders: ‘Fight terrorism with force, reason and speed.’”

Ironic, especially in light of the fact that Saudi Arabia along with Qatar have been instrumental  in the rise of ISIS and ISIL, and that so many terrorists (including Osama Bin Laden himself) hail from the Kingdom. So what is he (and other Arab Nations) willing to do to help eradicate ISIS?

But he could be right about ISIS spreading globally. Although the feds have denied it, it seems that The Islamic State has gathered in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and jihadists are poised to attack the U.S., at least according to Judicial Watch.

The way ISIS governs is really no different than the way Saudi's do- the royal family is probably  just afraid they'll be ousted.

Inside The Hell Of North Korea

In honor of the father of North Korean Communist-cum-Socialist-cum-Juche rule, Kim Il-sung's birthday today, here are some behind the scene documentaries of the uber-secretive and bizarre DPRK. Where everyone lives in perpetual fear, and worships their leader as God.

Most of these documentaries were filmed while Kim Jong-il was "Dear Leader" of North Korea, and although not much is revealed of the dark side of the DPRK- since the ever present "minders" control every movement of visitors to the country- what you do see is just as creepy and repellent. Empty hotels, empty streets, visitors forced to purchase flowers and bow to a statue of Kim Il-sung, perpetually fostering hatred of the US, and people like automatons, as one of the filmmakers describes them. And then there's all those statues and monuments and photos of Kim Il-sung. Everywhere.

Most are under an hour long.

"Don't Tell My Mother- That I'm In North Korea" is a National Geographic documentary by French/American (sort of) Diego Buñuel filmed while Kim Jong-il was still alive and ruling the DPRK.  Diego shows us the little he can of the real Pynonyang, including the dilapidated slum buildings hidden behind the outer 'showcase' facades, and supermarkets- for the DPRK elite- selling American products that you pay for with U.S. dollars (like Cuba), or with Euros if you have them. We discover that farmers don't get salaries, and the average North Korean makes $100.00 a year, but pays no tax. The army is the leading employer.

"Welcome to North Korea", by filmmakers Peter Tetteroo and Raymond Feddema, was shot in 2000. It won a 2001 International Emmy award for Best Documentary and is strange and sad look inside North Korea, including an interview with a defector (who was a propaganda writer for the regime) who shares some harrowing stories.

Another National Geographic documentary, "Inside North Korea", has journalist Lisa Ling she traveling undercover in 2007 with an eye surgeon on a mission to bring sight to the poor.  In this one we get more insight into the whole cult of personality. Lisa's younger sister, Laura Ling, was one of two journalists arrested in North Korea in 2009 for illegal entry. Sentenced to 12 years in one of the infamous labor camps, Bill Clinton negotiated their release.

And this "60 Minutes" segment, an interview with Shin Dong-hyuk, a young man who was born under "Three Generations of Punishment" in Camp 14- the horrific labor camp that houses around 15,000 political prisoners who are there for life. Under the "Three Generations of Punishment" policy a North Korean found guilty of something as simple as trying to escape will be thrown in prison along with every member of his family. Dong-hyuk is the only known Camp 14 prisoner to have been born in captivity who managed to escape and survive.

There are a slew of other videos with interviews of defectors, but these give you a general idea of how wretched it must be to live there.

And there are many who wholeheartedly support the DPRK.

Documentary: Kim Jong-Il's Comedy Club

One of the most bizarre looks at North Korea during Kim Jong-Il's reign. The documentary aired on BBC Four in 2009, prior to the DPRK somewhat lightening up on its restrictions on filming there.

The film's alternate title is The Red Chapel or in Danish -Det Røde Kapel.

It's very entertaining in a rather humorous but sometimes disturbing way.

A journalist with no scruples and a pair of Danish comedians travel to North Korea with a mission to use humour to uncover the truth behind one of the world's most notorious regimes

On the pretext of being a small Danish theatre troupe on a cultural exchange, the filmmaker was granted permission by the North Korean government to stage a performance for a select audience in the capital. In reality, the troupe was comprised of an unscrupulous journalist, Mads Brugger, and two Danish/Korean comedians, Jacob and Simon, of whom the former is handicapped. Their goal is to use humour to expose the intricate effects of an oppressive regime.

The film follows the troupe as they are lovingly yet firmly escorted by a motherly government employee around the important historical sights, and as they 'collaborate' with other government officials on their performance.

Their double life is wearing on Jacob who feels conflicting emotions of affection and hatred for his hosts. With a sensibility similar to that of Lars Von Trier's controversial film The Idiots, this documentary takes a darkly humorous look inside the North Korean dictatorship.

North Korea's 23 million citizens are ruled by the iron hand of 'The Dear Leader', General Kim Jong-il. The country has a history of starving its people, violating human rights and abusing and killing its handicapped citizens.

"Throw Putin Out"- Russian Punk Group Faces Jail For Blasphemy

An anti-Putin protest song has landed 3 members of a Russian female punk rock group 'Pussy Riot'- yes, that's the name- in major trouble. They could be sentenced for up to 7 years in prison, for- get this- blasphemy against the Russian Orthodox Church. Apparently, during the numerous anti-Putin riots in February four of them barged into a Church and performed their impromptu punk protest- see video below- and as a result are facing the charge of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility." Other than some obscenities, all they were asking was to "throw Putin out." I'm trying very hard, here, to figure out the blasphemy angle. Do the Russians consider Putin a religious figure, or maybe God? Is that where the blasphemy comes in?

Glad to see the Russian government continues to be as repressive as it was during Communist rule, and that the Russian Orthodox Church is so enamored of Putin and his ways.



UPDATE 8/17/2012:

Pussy Riot members sentenced to 2 years in jail!

Source BBC, TelegraphUK