Transparent Propaganda

Lately, the Americans have been quick to claim that the cruise missiles that hit the two Baghdad markets were actually Iraqi anti-aircraft missiles (see Blood and Bandages for the Innocent). Such incredible claims, when all evidence including serial numbers and markings of missile fragments pointed to US manufacture, have been a matter of course through this war. Now, a missile that hit Kuwait, originally claimed to be an Iraqi missile, was determined to be most definitely an US cruise missile, despite repeated assertions. Crazy -- even Goebbels who coined the phrase of repeating lies until they became truths wasn't so brazen: Explosion, Said to Be From Missile, Rocks Empty Mall in Kuwait.

Global Anti-War Protests

Here's a link to anti-war protests from around the world. These are constantly getting updated, so snag the ones you like before they disappear. The peace movement is so widespread, that photos are pouring in from all over the world. It's truly amazing and inspiring. The pope recently endorsed the anti-war movement as representing the hope of humanity: Yahoo! News War Protests Photos

Reminiscent of 9/11

It's profoundly unsettling and disgusting to have seen the mushroom cloud plumes over Baghdad. I can't even imagine how the "shock and awe" felt to the people living there, although the Iraqis have been so resilient and stoic through it all. Thank God casualties have been low, but what will happen when the fighting comes to Baghdad? Will the Anglo-Americans shell the city to oblivion because they fear engaging in urban combat?

Here are some pictures of the bombardment. Guernica all over again: Yahoo! News Photos - Baghdad Air Strikes.

As the war slogs into its second week, much longer than anyone predicted, with the Iraqi defenders playing a game of cat and mouse with Goliath, it will be important to understand America's long term plans for the occupation of Iraq. The Research Unit on Political Economy of India released an amazing pamphlet in December, proceeding with enormous and well documented detail on why Iraq, why Now? Check it out: Behind the Invasion of Iraq.

Echoes of Nazi Aggression

The current use of the terms Blitz and Blitzkrieg to describe the current Anglo-American invasion of Iraq is most telling about the character of this war. An unjustified act of aggression after the issuing of an ultimatum is looked at in the following article: Ultimatums and War.

Moreover, the current American regime's Empire building in the ruinous aftermath of 9/11 also brings up many historical similarities with the ascent of Hitler as elucidated in the following really well researched article: Lessons of History.

Horror of the Present

The horror of the present moment is increased exponentially when we think of what the future holds if the new doctrine coming out of Washington still holds. See this article for on the transition to Empire: The Second American Revolution

The Road to Armageddon

The US, UK, and Spain have pulled their resolution from the floor of the UN just now. With no security council resolution backing force, and a majority on the Security Council opposing war (Not just France as the Azore coalition would contend), the war will be illegal and immoral according to most political and religious leaders around the world.

It seems all but certain that the US will unleash hell on Iraq very soon, perhaps by Wednesday. At 8pm tonight, Bush will address the American public.

He has already mentioned that today would be a "moment of truth for the world", effectively putting the world on notice as much as Iraq. However, we will have to brace for a whirlwind of disinformation and lies coming from the major news networks. Those of us resisting will also be under surveillance, so I really fear for my American friends who might disappear in the middle of the night. The world will be turned upside down.

So it begins. The road to Armageddon. God help us all.

Here's what we have to look forward to in the coming days: The Mother of All War Shows.

Here's probably the most likely scenario that will define the rest of our lives: The Big What If.

And in the cradle of human civilization, the future looks bleak for the environment.

War on the Earth

According to a recent Dollars and Sense article, "the U.S. Department of Defense is, in fact, the world's largest polluter, producing more hazardous waste per year than the five largest U.S.chemical companies combined.":

AlterNet: The U.S. Military's War on the Earth

Anti-War Music

Here's a great page that tries to bring together links for anti-war song collections such as the peace not war and music for peace sites:anti-war music links.

Why Canadians Feel Aggrieved -- this is a good letter to the editor, summarizing how anti-Canadianism in the US predates anti-Americanism in Canada. Although Carolyn Parrish (MP from Mississauga) shot her mouth off, supposedly 51% of Canadians feel that Americans are "acting" like bastards -- not that they are bastards. Very important distinction.

Viggo Mortensen's Publishing Company

Aragorn's legend grows larger with Viggo's publishing company really putting out thoughtful books and information on the responsibility of artists in times of war. One of the authors enlisted with publisher is Mike Davis who has written profoundly valuable work on Late Victorian Holocausts (available through Verso Books).

Check here: Perceval Press. Check the links page too. Impressive!

Also check out his contribution to Poets Against the War.

Speak of the Devil

I can't believe George W. Bush spoke this in his State of the Union Address 2003: "Throughout the 20th century, small groups of men seized control of great nations... built armies and arsenals... and set out to dominate the weak and intimidate the world. In each case, their ambitions of cruelty and murder had no limit. Now in this century, the ideology of power and domination has appeared again....Once again we are called to defend the safety of our people and the hopes of all mankind."

Very Orwellian as he is refering to his own regime!

Unbelievable Rush to War

There seems nothing that can stop the Bush administration's rush to war. A March 13 starting date is already being forecast with an invasion around March 17. Already, the Brits and Americans are talking about Blitzkrieg! The historical echoes are unbelievable!

I will be interesting to see who stands up to the Empire in the Security Council, and whether France goes Vichy and abstains. Hopefully, Chirac's strong reception in Algeria will convince France to stand up with Russia and China against the Anglo Americans. However, if they do get their nine votes (as in nine rings for mortal men doomed to die) they might claim they have all the backing they need, despite the vetos ("They were once Men. Great kings of Men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one, falling to darkness. Now they are slaves to his will.")

If not, can a UN resolution be moved in the General Assembly? This is where things can happen as detailed in the following article: A UN Resolution for Peace

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

By cloaking himself in the garb of a Christian warrior, the author of this article, a Presbyterian pastor, alleges Bush is committing a grievous heresy. By mixing up American Triumphalism with a messianic calling to subdue and control the world, Bush's vision is frightening in its implications. When he mentioned in an address this past winter, that "the evil one is among us", I wonder how he knows...

Rev. Fritz Ritsch reserves the most potent message for the end of the article:
"In a nuclear age, American triumphalism is not only spiritually bereft, it is, quite possibly, apocalyptic in its implications."

Read the following article for a good scare. Scarier still that it's an apt description of what is going on!Of God, and Man, in the Oval Office (washingtonpost.com)

Bush and Blair sing a Duet!

While on the counterpunch site, I came across this hilarious video short that puts clips of Bush and Blair to a love song.

The clip is available here in quicktime format (4.3mb):http://www.furrfu.com/tmp/readmylips_blush.mov

The Atmo Media Network that produced a whole series of these (as Read My Lips shorts) can be reached at this web site: http://www.atmo.se/readmylips/. The series is available from the Swedish Television Network in Real format: http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=3015.

What really happened at Halabja? Halabja is a Kurdish town of 80,000 that saw 5000 civilians killed by chemical weapons in 1988 during a fierce battle of the Iran-Iraq war. Since the first Gulf War, the corporate media and politicians have harped on the massacre as proof of Saddam Hussein's monstrosity, using the oft repeated refrain of "gassing his own people."

Unlike the propaganda story of Iraqi soldiers ripping out babies from incubators in Kuwait (an invention of PR firm Hill and Knowlton), the official story of the Halabja massacre hasn't been refuted. However, there has recently emerged clear analysis of the incident throwing the whole issue of Iraqi responsibility in question. Check the Toronto Star's ombudsman's attempt to clear up the confusion: http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0301-06.htm

Also called into question by a group of American Gulf War Vets, is the charge that Saddam Hussein purposely ordered the firing of oil wells in Kuwait in an act of evil vindictiveness. However, for many years rumours abounded that it was in fact American special forces that detonated charges on the oil wells to make Saddam Hussein look even worse in the US media, as well as pave the way for American companies to gain lucrative contracts rebuilding (and gaining control of) Kuwait's oil industry. Go here for the press release: http://www.gulfwarvets.com/news13.htm