American war crimes nothing new

Watch/listen to the broadcast of John Kerry's 1971 Speech in which he tells about the war crimes committed by the Americans in Vietnam. It is an incredible and very humane speech.

What has happened to that man of integrity and honor? Why has he lost the values he so much believed in? Does today's Kerry truly believe in the same principals he believed 33 years ago? How could a man who courageously condemned America's Vietnam war, be practically supportive of Israel and its criminal occupation of Palestine? How could he not condemn the Iraq war but only criticize HOW America chose to go to war? How could he choose a running mate with such pro-war stance?

Doctors or butcher assistants?

The New England Journal of Medicine (Not Al-Jazeera, not Al-Arabia, and not "the enemy propaganda") reports of the involvement of American so-called doctors, nurses and medics in torture and other illegal procedures in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay:

We know that medical personnel have failed to report to higher authorities wounds that were clearly caused by torture and that they have neglected to take steps to interrupt this torture. In addition, they have turned over prisoners' medical records to interrogators who could use them to exploit the prisoners' weaknesses or vulnerabilities. We have not yet learned the extent of medical involvement in delaying and possibly falsifying the death certificates of prisoners who have been killed by torturers... .

...To understand the full scope of American torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib and other prisons, we need to look more closely at the behavior of doctors and other medical personnel, as well as at the pressures created by the war in Iraq that produced this behavior. It is possible that some doctors, nurses, or medics took steps, of which we are not yet aware, to oppose the torture. It is certain that many more did not. But all those involved could nonetheless reveal, in valuable medical detail, much of what actually took place. By speaking out, they would take an important step toward reclaiming their role as healers.

Really, what could this be called? Is this the "liberation" that Bush is talking about? Is this the "civilized" world's fight against "uncivilized" world that dumb Bush talks about? If doctors, yes doctors who are supposedly trained to save lives, can be so brutal, so unethical, so criminal and so butcher like, what could be expected from those who have been trained to kill? What could cause all this? Is it because of anything but "Corruption to the Bone" in US that turns those supposedly saviors into killers? Where is the US heading to?

No limits to Bush's dis-honesty

Bush (mis)quotes Castro and says: 

The dictator welcomes sex tourism. Here's how he bragged about the industry, said Bush. This is his quote: Cuba has the cleanest and most educated prostitutes in the world and sex tourism is a vital source of hard currency.

Los Angeles Times reports the exact quote from Castro as:

There are prostitutes, but prostitution is not allowed in our country. There are no women forced to sell themselves to a man, to a foreigner, to a tourist.

Yeah, this is another simple example of George Bush's indecency and dishonesty combined with stupidity. To further expose Bush and his internal failures relative to what Cuba, despite the sanctions, has done in last few years, one has to look at Cuba's success in dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic:

Today, Cuba has an HIV infection rate of less than 0.1 per cent, in a region that has one of the fastest growing infection rates in the world. Not only have Cuban authorities virtually eliminated the transmission of the virus through blood transfusion and intravenous drug use, but they have also halted transmissions involving newborns at birth. In April 2003, Peter Piot, the executive director of UNAIDS, declared: "Cuba was one of the first countries to take AIDS seriously as a problem, and provide a comprehensive response combining both prevention and care."

Read the entire article here.

Thanks to you and thanks to Amnesty International; Afsaneh is safe now

Many months ago, in this and this post, I provided some info and updates on the case of the young Iranian woman, Afsaneh Norouzi, who was to be executed for killing of the man who attempted to rape her. Also, in this post, I appealed for help by bringing up the action alert from Amnesty International to save her from execution. Many of you, might have taken part in that campaign one way or another in helping Afsaneh.  Well, now it's time for celebration because Afsaneh will NOT be executed:

"The Supreme Court has quashed the death sentence against Afsaneh Norouzi for some deficiencies in the case"

Who knows, may be this is, at least partly, as a result of the efforts of the people who took time and responded according to the Amnesty International's action alert. Please participate in these actions more often. You may really help save lives.

Raised to be thieves

Thieves and land grabbers insist (even more than their leaders) on continuation of holding what does not belong to them.
Update:
Read Israeli chain fails to impress

It's been one year now

Exaclty one year is passing from the day I started this blog. Most of the content of my first post titled How and why I am writing! have been appearing on the upper right corner of my blog as a permanent message to the readers:

I know, I don't write very well, my thoughts might jump from one point to another, I might not regularly write, the quality of my wordings might be low, I might not be diplomatic in what I write, I might not even spell check. in short, I might not be impressive BUT, I am me; a member of humanity with a voice, a determined voice that insists to be heard. The voice of an Iranian who loves his country, but his priority is humanity without border. I will say what I want to say and when I want to say it, but I will also listen; I promise.

Taking the kind and encouragiong advise from Hooman at WhoMan, I am now modifying some parts of the above statements, so what will be left is the following:

This blog represents the way I see some of the most significant events impacting the world and its citizens. This blog also represents how I react to the events as a member of humanity with a voice, a determined voice that insists to be heard. The voice of an Iranian who loves his country, but his priority is humanity without border. I will say what I want to say, when I want to say, and how I want to say it, but I will not lie and I will also listen; I promise.

Kazemi "trial" another shame for Iran regime

As expected, the kangaroo trial in the case of the photo-journalist, Zahra Kazemi ended with no justice. The Journalist who was detained, tortured and eventually died days after a blow to her head while in the custody of Iranian security officials, was a 54 year-old Canadian from Iranian origin who was arrested while taking pictures in the vicinity of the most notorious prison in Iran; the Evin Prison.

Although the accused in the case was nothing but a little guy (a low-ranking security agent) who was thought to have been used as scapegoat to hide the real killer/s of Mrs. Kazemi, even he was acquitted at the end of two-day "trial". It is widely believed that Mr. Kazemi was killed as a direct result of being beaten by Iran's prosecutor general, Saeid Mortazavi; the same person behind the massive closure of the newspapers in Iran. 

At this time, the only conclusion I can draw from end result of this so-called trial is that the hardline-controlled regime understands that by blaming the guilt on the little guy, it might risk sending a "wrong" message to  other "little guys" whom it has in service; that they too, one day might become the scapegoats in other similar cases that are common in Iran and as a result risk loosing their loyalty.

Is Kerry any better than Bush? Perhaps not as stupid, but better? I think not.

I wrote a draft version of the following post, but given the sensitivity of the US election issues, I was not sure whether to publish it, but now after reading many articles such as this, I have decided to publish the posts. Well, I still hope that I am somehow wrong on this, but hey, that's how I see it now. Here it goes... .

I am deeply disappointed by today's International Court of Justice ruling related to Israel's security fence. Israel's fence is a legitimate response to terror that only exists in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israel. The fence is an important tool in Israel's fight against terrorism. It is not a matter for the ICJ.
I have made very clear from the start that I do not believe that the ICJ should even be considering this issue given that they do not have jurisdiction...., Parts of John Kerry's statement

Even before becoming the president of the United States, John Kerry has rushed to start kissing the asses of his potential masters in Tel Aviv. Mr. Kerry opposes the ruling by the World court regarding the Israeli "Berlin Wall". Has the US ever had any decent president, or president to be? Perhaps not. If I had some doubt about Kerry, now I don't. He seems to be as jerk as Bush. With these guttless leaders, I am just glad the US has no credibility in the world any more, so who cares what Kerry or jerks like him say.

Fahrenheit 9/11

I finally went to watch Michael  Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. I absolutely recommend everyone to watch the movie.

After watching the movie, if you are an American, a decent American, you will feel ashamed of what your country and your leaders have done to you, by duping you so badly, and will feel ashamed of what your leaders have done to the world. You will also feel ashamed of the simple mindedness of so many of your fellow countrymen and women who act like some creatures who are incapable of independent thinking  and fall for so many lies so easily. I don't take pleasure in saying that but yes, if you are decent, you will feel hurt and ashamed.

Now, if you are not decent, my simple suggestion to you is "go f*** yourself".

Update:
I came across some interesting comments about the movie via Kevin's Take Down The wall blog.

What "Axis of Evil"? Love the money!

...but I thought Iran was part of the "Axis of Evil". It doesn't seem that Halliburton sees it that way. The money from the Evil must be too sweet to let go, right? 

Rumsfeld's bloody hands exposed again?

A US citizen arrested in Kabul over an alleged freelance counter-terrorism operation says he was working with the knowledge of the US defence secretary.
Jonathan K Idema said the US government had abandoned him. Washington says he was a mercenary.
Mr Idema was speaking shortly before he went on trial with two other Americans, Edward Caraballo and Brent Bennett.
The trial, on charges of torture, kidnapping and running a private jail, was adjourned on Wednesday for 15 days.

Is this going to be another embarrassment for Rumsfeld? Perhaps not! He is just too ruthless to be embarrassed about anything. Seems like once again the "little guy" is going to be sacrificed. 

Did Iraqi PM shoot 6 in cold blood?

"Saddam Allawi", the new killer of Iraq?
Did Iraqi PM shoot 6 in cold blood?

Bobby Fisher and the US

Let's hear from Bobby Fisher.

Where is Rumsfeld?

Have you noticed? After the embarrassment of the exposed Iraqi prisoner torture cases, there hasn't been much in the news about Rumsfeld. With the help of the media, he has kept a low profile in last few weeks. I wonder why! 

Joy or sadness?

On my way home today, I was listening to the new version of one of my favorite Iranian songs. The lyrics, the singer's voice, the music, the very low traffic highway, the horizon, the beautiful, scenic and lively green nature..., everything had hand in hand to make the moment so emotional and so beautiful. I cannot describe how much I was enjoying the moment. I cannot describe how much I was enjoying life. I felt like I was desiring that the moment wouldn't end. I was singing along with the song. I was enjoying the moment so much that I had tears in my eyes. These were tears of joy telling me how beautiful life was to me at that time. ...It was an excellent time.

While I was floating in my dreams, I suddenly remembered the miseries of so many people around the world, right at the same time of my enjoyment. Whatever I knew about these miseries crossed my mind; one after another. Story of my life: my beautiful time quickly turned to the time of pause, and confusion and then even with a faster speed turned to sadness combined with anger. The only thing that didn't change was having tears in my eyes. But no, this time, these tears were not out of joy. They were out of desperation. They were out of helplessness. They were because of realizing how powerless I was.

I quickly remembered that earlier in the day I had read that Red Cross fears U.S. is hiding detainees. The report tells of how the US authorities, with the help of other governments' agencies around the world are holding so many people without disclosing their locations and are constantly moving them around in order to hide them from the visiting Red Cross representatives. One has to put self in the position of those detainees to realize how deeply criminal and inhumane this is. Regardless of guilt or innocence, regardless of whether the US authorities have any moral authority to detain people, holding detainees is one thing, and holding them without anybody, not even their families particularly their children, knowing about them is another. Imagine, you are detained with a very uncertain future, perhaps physically and mentally tortured; as was exposed recently, humiliated and.... and no one knows where you are, you are not accounted for. No matter what happens to you, no one will know. Just pause for a second and imagine that situation. How would you feel? How is this possible? This is perhaps what the US has in common with world's dictatorship regimes, including Iran and most of the US allies around the world as this is a common practice in all of those countries. But how could a country that calls itself "the center of world democracy" be so brutal? How could the leaders of such country sleep at night? How animal-like have they become? How could these animals be given so much power that has opened their dirty hands to so much crimes? How could a sane nation vote for these criminal? What a sick and twisted world we live in.

Increasingly looking like 30's and early 40's

A member of the Likud party has proposed “massive ethnic cleansing” of non-Jews in Palestine-Israel as a “final solution” of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Uzi Cohen, a member of Ariel Sharon’s right-wing party and a deputy mayor of the town of Raanana, told Israeli public radio on Sunday there was widespread support in Israel for “the idea of ethnic cleansing”.

“Many people support the idea but few are willing to speak about it publicly.”

Well, Nothing new! We knew the desire always existed. But at least I am glad they are showing their true faces now. This is increasingly looking like 30's and early 40's with one big difference; many victims of then, are playing the role of the victimizers of today. How fast they forgot!

Embarrassment from the within

Israeli military police are questioning a group of Israeli soldiers who organised an exhibition documenting alleged abuse of Palestinians...

Entitled Breaking the Silence, it included claims that stun grenades were thrown at Palestinian children for fun...

Among the alleged cases of intimidation, soldiers told of harassing a bride and groom....

This is just Israel's embarrassment from the within.

Israeli "Berlin Wall", illegal!

It was clear from the beginning that the wall being built by Israel to annex Palestinian lands into Israel's, was immoral, illegal and act of international piracy. It was clear to many including many Israelis; I was listening to a report on the radio yesterday, regarding the effect of this wall in the relations between two neighbouring communities, one Israeli and one Palestinian. According to the report both communities have enjoyed very good relations during the past 30 years and even the uprisings of last few years did not have much impact on those relations. The report was mostly focusing on Israeli side of the argument who were criticizing Israel for constructing such a wall. They were calling it immoral and "the wall that will create hatred, not protection" for Israelis. They are campaigning to ensure the wall does not divide two communities.

As I said, it was all clear that the construction of the wall was immoral and illegal. But yesterday and after many months of discussions, the World Court at Hague branded this wall as political not a security measure, and a de facto land grab. The judges told Israel to tear it down and compensate the victims.

First reaction from Israel to this decision was that it would ignore the ruling. What a "surprise"! What an "uncharacteristic" decision by Israel! Hah, Obviously I am joking. Israel has the worst record in ignoring the decisions made by the UN organizations and yet, it continues its unlawful policies without fear. It is clear that the unconditional and criminal supports that Israel receives from the US, makes Israel so bold to do whatever it wants and to ignore whatever it doesn't want. Remember, One of the reasons the current criminal leaders of the US gave in justifying invasion of Iraq that has resulted in 15000 lives so far and a country in ruins, was that Iraq ignored the international community. But sure, that doesn't apply to Israel!

The International Court of Justice at The Hague said signatories to the Geneva convention, such as Britain and the US, are obliged to ensure Israel upholds the ruling.

Seems like the judges already knew who would back Israel. But the question is, how much the US and Britain care about this decision. After all, they themselves are violators of the Geneva convention.

It is also interesting to note that the decision was endorsed by all but the American judge on the 15-person court; all but the American Judge. See? That itself speaks volume. Well, regardless of what Israel will do, at least we know the decision is made against Israel and its wall now. The fact that the only member judge; an American judge, was against the decision, is not very bad after all. It makes it even more clear that even the members of the justice system on the United States have not been immuned from the corruption that has affected their politicians deep to their bones. This would also be another indication of how increasingly isolated the US is becoming in the world stage.

You can read more about the ruling here. Also, the complete text of the ruling can be read here.

Update:
This is an interesting letter regarding the wall:

The Israelis and their supporters are trying to frame the issue in terms of their right to be able to defend themselves against terrorist attacks. Nobody disputes their right to self-defence. The issue at hand is that the wall is not on the border between Israel and the West Bank but dips deeply into Palestinian territory in many parts. Don't be confused by this red herring issue of right to self-defence; it's all about a land grab, pure and simple.
Andrew Houston, Washington DC

The letter was posted at BBC site.

Christian Zionists: are they not at least as dangerous?

Christian Zionists are growing in influence - even as they fight for policies their critics say work against peace in the Mideast. For these believers, it's all about fulfilling biblical prophecy.

Are these stone-age Christian fundamentalists not as dangerous as Islamic fundamentalists if not more, given their influence and power? Isn't it time they are stopped? Isn't it time for them to get lost and let human kind live without interference from religious idealism in their lives? I believe they are as stupid and idiot (and perhaps even more dangerous) as the Islamic fundamentalists. What is the real difference between these idiots and the idiots who kill the "infidels" in the name of god and religion? They all belong to the same camp of stupids who do nothing but harm other human beings in the name of religion. Why don't they just kill themselves to meet with their god sooner and let the people with brain live their normal lives?

Should be accepted with open arms

The two US ex-soldiers who fled from the US to Canada in order to avoid participating in the unjust Iraq war, are applying for refugee status in Canada.

Jeremy Hinzman, 25, who left the 82nd Airborne Regiment in January before its deployment to Iraq, says he believes the U.S.-led war is contrary to international law and "waged on false pretences." He believes he would be "a criminal" if he were to take part.

"I am not willing to kill or be killed in the service of ideology and economic gain," the South Dakotan says in his narrative filed with Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board, setting out the basis for his claim for refugee status....

...Also attending yesterday's session was Brandon Hughey, 18. He arrived in Canada from Texas after eluding military police in March, a day before his unit was to leave for Iraq, where nearly 900 U.S. military personnel have been killed since the war began.

This is the repeat of history of Vietnam war when many Americans chose to come to Canada in order to not participate in another murderous war of the United States. I believe Canada should welcome these heros and accept them with open arms.

Out of love, or much more?

“George, Linda and I are incredibly proud of you and Laura,” Enron CEO Ken Lay scrawled at the bottom of a letter he wrote to then-Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, Nov. 11, 1998. Bush had just won reelection with the generous financial backing of Enron, which had poured more than $700,000 into Bush’s campaign coffers.

“We hope that you will again actively support efforts to pass a bill restructuring the electric industry in Texas,” Lay continued. “Please have your team let me know what Enron can do to be helpful in not only passing electricity restructuring legislation but also in pursuing the rest of your legislative agenda.”.....

Yeah, THESE are the real powers behind US policies; domestic and international, not those idiots who are fooled by believing there really is a true democracy working for the ordinary Americans. Oh, Have you ever thought why people like Lay pay so generously to the campaign of people like Bush? I don't think it's out of love, or is it?

Negropante: Ambassador of what? Death?

....In Central America, Negroponte left a trail of blood. In the '80s more than 200,000 people were killed in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala as a result of President Ronald Reagan's support of brutal military regimes in the area. More than 3 million fled the violence sponsored by Reagan, and continued by former President George H. W. Bush.....

Read the rest here.

Made in America

Nader warning of ‘Puppets of Israel’

Ralf Nader:

The Israeli puppeteer travels to Washington and meets with the puppet in White House. He then goes down Pennsylvania Avenue and meets with the puppets in Congress.The Israeli leader then “brings back millions of dollars” in aid to Israel. It is time for the United States government to stand up and think for itself...
...I don’t think there is any prospect of the two parties differing in any significant way on the Middle East..

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July; the US Independence Day, to those decent Americans who respect independence of other nations as much as their own.

Shall never be forgotten

16 years ago today, the US navy warship, USS Vincenne fired a missile and shot down an Iranian Passenger airplane which was on its routine corridor from the Iranian city of Shiraz to United Arab Emarats over the waters of the Persian Gulf killing all the 298 civilian passengers, many of whom children. I shall never forget that day and I shall never forget the scenes of collecting shattered and scattered bodies of the children from water. Beautiful blue Persian Gulf turned red that day.

Every year in the anniversary of bombing of Pan Am 103 in December, western media rightfully repeats the stories of the shattered lives and hopes of those innocent mostly Americans who were perished by the bombing, but in the anniversary of downing of the Iranian airliner by the state terrorism of the United States, they choose a deadly silence that is rooted in their racism and double standards. The double standard that continues rotting the professionalism and ethics they are supposed to have but always fail to.

Pedram writes "About the Fingers"

In his post About the Fingers, Pedram accurately wrote about something that has been bothering me too and I have been meaning to write about it and that was the charges announced against Saddam in his so-called trial hearing:

Attack on Halabja,
Killing Massoud Barzani's family,
Killing of political party leaders,
Killing of religious leaders,
The "Anfal" campaign against Kurds,
Crushing of the 1991 Shia and Kurdish uprising, and
Invasion of Kuwait

See? Every single crime was mentioned but the biggest crime he committed and that was waging war against Iran that resulted in loss of one million lives; the war that was backed by Saddam's western allies in general and the United States in particular. As a result of that war, there are still thousands of Iranian ex-soldiers who were chemically attacked by Saddam's army, living, no, surviving at each corners of the hospitals like nothing more than motionless pieces of meat. Well, that war wasn't even mentioned. Can you believe it? It was not even mentioned. As I said, in his post, Pedram has an accurate observation of this issue and the fact that Saddam's fingers attract more attention than the deliberately ommitted Iran/Iraq war and the disgusting role the media played in reporting the events of the Saddam's hearings. Everyday more and more I am in this belief that the mainstream media is run by not just dis-honest forces but also by some criminals who do not want the truth of the issue/s surface.

Happy Birth Day Canada

Originally named as Dominion Day, July 1st is called Canada Day now. This July 1st is the 137th anniversary of Canada's birth.

HAPPY CANADA DAY to Canadians!

Protection of Saddam's co-criminals

The Iraqi born American puppet heads of current non-elected Iraqi regime are trying the best they can to protect their American masters. In an interview, Iraq's new national security adviser, Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, said Saddam would not be allowed to turn the trial into a political show by calling witnesses such as US President George W.Bush or British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

We are not going to allow this to be a political game. We are going to restrict ourselves to the crimes.

The fact is that Saddam isn't just an ordinary accused criminal. Whatever he has done has been with backing of the American leaders. In every crime he committed against Iran including using of the chemical weapons during the 8- year war, in his invasion of Kuwait in 1991 which was with the green light shown to him by the United States Ambassador in Baghdad at the time, In bombing of Halabjah by newly supplied American helicopters which resulted in the death of 5000 Kurds, and many other crimes he committed, he had the big brothers as his partners. In whatever he did, Saddam didn't do it alone. Even if we ignore the fact that the current Iraqi regime has no moral and legal qualification to decide how to deal with Saddam issue as it is not elected by the Iraqis, but crimes committed by Saddam were not limited to Iraq. Saddam acted against many millions of non-Iraqis, so at least one leg of his trial should be an international trial. However, it is well understood why the current US-installed Iraqi regime is trying so hard not to let Saddam speak of everything. But if Saddam is pretended to be just a criminal, for millions of people who lost their lives and/or suffered and are still suffering as a results of Saddam's policies, behind the scenes of the events must be known. Perhaps a quick trial and execution of Saddam will be a well-planned conspiracy to deny the world the right to know who else shared Saddam's crimes and as a reult, this would not be "the trail of the century" as American puppets in Baghdad are claiming. This would be "the cover-up of the century" which by itself is a crime. Although un-officially known, the world has the right to officially know who fed Saddam during all those years, who helped Saddam with his crimes and whose hands have the same blood stains as Saddam's.