Afghans protest against U.S. on civilian deaths report
Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:30pm EST
By Mohammad Rafiq
MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Thousands of Afghans protested against President Hamid Karzai and the United States on Sunday over reports of fresh civilian deaths caused by U.S.-led troops during a raid against Taliban militants.
The issue of civilian casualties is sensitive in Afghanistan and has eroded public support for Karzai's government and the foreign troops backing it.
It has also caused a rift between Karzai and his Western allies more than seven years after U.S.-led and Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban's government.
The operation causing the latest controversy happened this week in eastern Laghman province. The U.S. military said on Saturday that troops, backed by air support, had killed 15 militants in an overnight operation.
Assadullah Wafa, a Karzai adviser investigating the deaths, said on Sunday that "16 civilians, many of them children and women, were killed" in the operation. read on
Sunday, January 25, 2009
U.S. Terror Attacks Continue In Pakistan, More Innocent People Killed
Thousands attend funeral of drone victims
Sunday, January 25, 2009
By Mushtaq Yusufzai, Malik Mumtaz & Irfan Burki
PESHAWAR/MIRAMSHAH/WANA: Thousands of tribesmen on Saturday attended the funeral prayers of the victims of Friday’s drone attacks in the North and South Waziristan Agencies. They condemned the killings and asked US President Barack Obama to spend the money on the welfare of the tribal people instead of killing them with sophisticated weapons.
Hundreds of tribesmen thronged Zyaraki village of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) to attend the funeral prayers of those killed in the drone attack.
Tribal militants and religious scholars present on the occasion were critical of the reporting of the international wire agencies and the national electronic media which, they said, reported that al-Qaeda operatives were killed in the CIA-operated spy-plane attack.
Religious scholars, including former MNA Maulana Deendar, Maulana Muhammad Alam and others, addressed a sizeable gathering of mourners at Zyaraki village of the Mirali subdivision and condemned air strikes by the US planes on the tribal villages.
They claimed that all those killed in the attack were innocent and local villagers, who had nothing to do with militancy or Taliban.
The CIA-operated spy plane on Friday evening fired three Hellfire missiles on the outhouse (Hujra) of Haji Khalil Dawar, killing 10 people and injuring several others.
There were also reports that four among the dead were Arabs, probably Egyptians, and one hailed from the Punjab, sources close to the militants confirmed. There were also rumours that a low-level Al-Qaeda operative — Mustafa al-Misri — was also among the dead.
However, relatives of Khalil Dawar and residents of Zyaraki village denied the killing of foreign nationals in the attack.
Agencies add: The death toll from two suspected US missile attacks on al-Qaeda bases has risen to 22, officials and residents said on Saturday. Eight suspected foreign militants were among the dead. A senior security official said authorities were trying to determine the seniority of an Egyptian al-Qaeda militant believed to have been killed.
(source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=19872 )
Sunday, January 25, 2009
By Mushtaq Yusufzai, Malik Mumtaz & Irfan Burki
PESHAWAR/MIRAMSHAH/WANA: Thousands of tribesmen on Saturday attended the funeral prayers of the victims of Friday’s drone attacks in the North and South Waziristan Agencies. They condemned the killings and asked US President Barack Obama to spend the money on the welfare of the tribal people instead of killing them with sophisticated weapons.
Hundreds of tribesmen thronged Zyaraki village of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) to attend the funeral prayers of those killed in the drone attack.
Tribal militants and religious scholars present on the occasion were critical of the reporting of the international wire agencies and the national electronic media which, they said, reported that al-Qaeda operatives were killed in the CIA-operated spy-plane attack.
Religious scholars, including former MNA Maulana Deendar, Maulana Muhammad Alam and others, addressed a sizeable gathering of mourners at Zyaraki village of the Mirali subdivision and condemned air strikes by the US planes on the tribal villages.
They claimed that all those killed in the attack were innocent and local villagers, who had nothing to do with militancy or Taliban.
The CIA-operated spy plane on Friday evening fired three Hellfire missiles on the outhouse (Hujra) of Haji Khalil Dawar, killing 10 people and injuring several others.
There were also reports that four among the dead were Arabs, probably Egyptians, and one hailed from the Punjab, sources close to the militants confirmed. There were also rumours that a low-level Al-Qaeda operative — Mustafa al-Misri — was also among the dead.
However, relatives of Khalil Dawar and residents of Zyaraki village denied the killing of foreign nationals in the attack.
Agencies add: The death toll from two suspected US missile attacks on al-Qaeda bases has risen to 22, officials and residents said on Saturday. Eight suspected foreign militants were among the dead. A senior security official said authorities were trying to determine the seniority of an Egyptian al-Qaeda militant believed to have been killed.
(source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=19872 )
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
And The War Machine Keeps Turning...
More Americans joining military as jobs dwindle
By Lizette Alvarez, International Herald Tribune
Monday, January 19, 2009
As the number of jobs across the nation dwindles, more Americans are joining the military, lured by a steady paycheck, benefits and training.
The last fiscal year was a banner one for the military, with all active-duty and reserve forces meeting or exceeding their recruitment goals for the first time since 2004, the year that violence in Iraq intensified drastically, Pentagon officials said.
And the trend seems to be accelerating. The army exceeded its targets each month for October, November and December — the first quarter of the new fiscal year — bringing in 21,443 new soldiers on active duty and in the reserves. December figures were released last week.
Recruiters also report that more people are inquiring about joining the military, a trend that could further bolster the ranks. Of the four armed services, the army has faced the toughest recruiting challenge in recent years because of high casualty rates in Iraq and long deployments overseas. Recruitment is also strong for the Army National Guard, according to Pentagon figures. The Guard tends to draw older people.
"When the economy slackens and unemployment rises and jobs become more scarce in civilian society, recruiting is less challenging," said Curtis Gilroy, the director of accession policy for the Department of Defense. Read On
By Lizette Alvarez, International Herald Tribune
Monday, January 19, 2009
As the number of jobs across the nation dwindles, more Americans are joining the military, lured by a steady paycheck, benefits and training.
The last fiscal year was a banner one for the military, with all active-duty and reserve forces meeting or exceeding their recruitment goals for the first time since 2004, the year that violence in Iraq intensified drastically, Pentagon officials said.
And the trend seems to be accelerating. The army exceeded its targets each month for October, November and December — the first quarter of the new fiscal year — bringing in 21,443 new soldiers on active duty and in the reserves. December figures were released last week.
Recruiters also report that more people are inquiring about joining the military, a trend that could further bolster the ranks. Of the four armed services, the army has faced the toughest recruiting challenge in recent years because of high casualty rates in Iraq and long deployments overseas. Recruitment is also strong for the Army National Guard, according to Pentagon figures. The Guard tends to draw older people.
"When the economy slackens and unemployment rises and jobs become more scarce in civilian society, recruiting is less challenging," said Curtis Gilroy, the director of accession policy for the Department of Defense. Read On
U.S.-Supported Israeli Government Guilty of War Crimes
Jordanian doctors returning from Gaza: 90% of injuries from phosphorus bombs
The Palestinian Information Center
[ 21/01/2009 - 10:57 AM ]
The Palestinian Information Center
[ 21/01/2009 - 10:57 AM ]
AMMAN, (PIC)-- The Jordanian medical team that returned from the Gaza Strip told a press conference in Amman on Tuesday that 90% of injuries suffered by Palestinians in the Israeli occupation forces' aggression were from the white phosphorus bombs.
Members of the team said that the IOF used internationally banned weapons in the war on Gaza, which earned Israeli leaders a deserved international arbitration for "war crimes".
Norwegian medical experts, who previously worked in Afghanistan and Lebanon and finally in Gaza, asserted that the injuries were the result of non-conventional, internationally banned weapons, the Jordanian doctors underlined.
They added that the Norwegian doctors took samples of the injuries to check them in Norway, and would issue a report and document their findings before providing them as evidence in the trial of the Israeli war criminals.
Jordanian doctors also said they took with them samples of the wounded people's tissues to check them. They added that clinical diagnosis proved that white phosphorus was used in the Israeli attacks, noting that white smoke was seen emanating from the open wounds of the injured persons after being hit with shrapnel of white phosphorus bombs.
Dr. Zuhair Abu Fares, the head of the Jordanian syndicate of doctors, said that his syndicate was going to send a third medical delegation in the required specializations to Gaza including experts in artificial limbs.
The first medical team that returned from Gaza grouped 8 doctors while the second team, which is currently in Gaza, included 24 doctors, a dentist and a paramedic.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Cops Execute Un-Armed Man In Public
Please demand justice. Follow the link, sign the pledge:
http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar_update/?id=1804-709202
(WARNING! Graphic video shows cop shooting and killing a person)
http://www.colorofchange.org/oscar_update/?id=1804-709202
(WARNING! Graphic video shows cop shooting and killing a person)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
U.S. -Supported Israeli Government Kills Palestinian Women and Children w/ White Phosphorus Bombs
( more about evil white-phosphorus weapons, like those the U.S. used to slaughter Iraqi people, here, here, and here WARNING! Graphic Photos)
Gaza assault enters third week - Dozens killed since midnight - Death toll nears 1,000
Date: 11 / 01 / 2009 Time: 10:42
Gaza - Ma'an - Five Palestinians were killed in separate strikes near Gaza City and in the Jabaliya Refugee Camp on Sunday evening. Despite a so-called lull in fighting for the delivery of humanitarian aid, Israeli shelling killed two Palestinians in the Ash-Shuja'eiyah neighborhood, which is east of Gaza City.
Meanwhile, two others died in the northern Gaza Strip refugee camp of Jabaliya, local sources told Ma'an, adding that specifically the Al-Jurn area was hit in the deadly attack.Those three victims were identified as Mus'ab Khader, Husein Abu Sulkltan and 15-year-old Amal A'lush. A number of others were injured.
Also, Israeli warplanes shelled the home of Mohammad Dahlan in the Ar-Remal neighborhood of Gaza City. Jets also hit the home of Shadi Abu Labad in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip. Earlier SundaySome 30 Gazans have been killed since midnight Sunday and nearly 100 injured, apparently by newly used weaponry that set fires to both the people and buildings targeted.
Israel had not previously used white phosphorous bombs during the Gaza offensive, but by Sunday residents and experts were reporting widespread damage by the weapon, which is not illegal, in the Ghuza’a and Abasan villages east of Khan Younis. Medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said most of the morning’s casualties had been women and children. Read On
Gaza assault enters third week - Dozens killed since midnight - Death toll nears 1,000
Date: 11 / 01 / 2009 Time: 10:42
Gaza - Ma'an - Five Palestinians were killed in separate strikes near Gaza City and in the Jabaliya Refugee Camp on Sunday evening. Despite a so-called lull in fighting for the delivery of humanitarian aid, Israeli shelling killed two Palestinians in the Ash-Shuja'eiyah neighborhood, which is east of Gaza City.
Meanwhile, two others died in the northern Gaza Strip refugee camp of Jabaliya, local sources told Ma'an, adding that specifically the Al-Jurn area was hit in the deadly attack.Those three victims were identified as Mus'ab Khader, Husein Abu Sulkltan and 15-year-old Amal A'lush. A number of others were injured.
Also, Israeli warplanes shelled the home of Mohammad Dahlan in the Ar-Remal neighborhood of Gaza City. Jets also hit the home of Shadi Abu Labad in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip. Earlier SundaySome 30 Gazans have been killed since midnight Sunday and nearly 100 injured, apparently by newly used weaponry that set fires to both the people and buildings targeted.
Israel had not previously used white phosphorous bombs during the Gaza offensive, but by Sunday residents and experts were reporting widespread damage by the weapon, which is not illegal, in the Ghuza’a and Abasan villages east of Khan Younis. Medical sources at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said most of the morning’s casualties had been women and children. Read On
U.S. Government Endorses Mass Slaughter In Gaza....
From Reuters:
WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voiced strong support on Thursday for Israel's battle against Hamas militants in Gaza, while urging a ceasefire that would prevent Hamas from launching any more rockets into Israel.
The chamber agreed on a voice vote to the non-binding resolution co-sponsored by Democratic and Republican party leaders in the chamber.
"When we pass this resolution, the United States Senate will strengthen our historic bond with the state of Israel, by reaffirming Israel's inalienable right to defend against attacks from Gaza, as well as our support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said before the vote.
Noting that Israel was bent on halting Hamas rocket fire into its southern towns, Reid said: "I ask any of my colleagues to imagine that happening here in the United States. Rockets and mortars coming from Toronto in Canada, into Buffalo New York. How would we as a country react?"
Co-sponsor and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican said before the vote: "The Israelis ... are responding exactly the same way we would."
The House was expected to pass a similar resolution.
The Senate resolution encourages President George W. Bush "to work actively to support a durable, enforceable and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch rockets or mortars against Israel," Reid said.
It also expresses an "unwavering" commitment to Israel's welfare and recognizes its right to act in self defense to protect citizens against acts of terrorism, he said. "It allows for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions of the ordinary people of Gaza," he said.
Palestinians faced even grimmer conditions in Gaza on Thursday after a U.N. aid agency halted work, saying its staff was at risk from Israeli forces after two drivers were killed.
The reported Palestinian death toll in the 13-day-old conflict topped 700. At least 11 Israelis have been killed, eight of them soldiers, including four hit by "friendly fire."
( Once again the hypocritical, schizophrenic U.S. government simultaneously supports and condemns terrorism, not to mention, completely ignores the possibility that Israel's seige on Gaza and decades long oppression of Palestinian people may be provoking rocket attacks. )
________________
......Meanwhile, People Around The World Stand With Palestinians Against Israeli Atrocities
March For Gaza In Chicago Draws Thousands
Protests In Lebanon, Syria Against Gaza Offensive
50,000 In Cairo, Egypt Rally Against Israel
Spain: 100,000 Urge Israel to 'Stop Gaza Massacre'
Irish Protests Against Israeli Attacks On Gaza Escalate
Thousands Rally In World Capitals To Protest Against Gaza War
Tens of Thousands March Against Israel In France
San Francisco Streets See 10,000 Rally For Gaza
Venezuelans Protest Israeli Military Actions Against Gaza
Jewish women protest in Toronto’s Israeli Consulate
New Zealanders protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza
Multi-cultural rally protests fighting in Gaza
Protesters in Charleston Rally Against Israel's Actions in Gaza
WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voiced strong support on Thursday for Israel's battle against Hamas militants in Gaza, while urging a ceasefire that would prevent Hamas from launching any more rockets into Israel.
The chamber agreed on a voice vote to the non-binding resolution co-sponsored by Democratic and Republican party leaders in the chamber.
"When we pass this resolution, the United States Senate will strengthen our historic bond with the state of Israel, by reaffirming Israel's inalienable right to defend against attacks from Gaza, as well as our support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said before the vote.
Noting that Israel was bent on halting Hamas rocket fire into its southern towns, Reid said: "I ask any of my colleagues to imagine that happening here in the United States. Rockets and mortars coming from Toronto in Canada, into Buffalo New York. How would we as a country react?"
Co-sponsor and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican said before the vote: "The Israelis ... are responding exactly the same way we would."
The House was expected to pass a similar resolution.
The Senate resolution encourages President George W. Bush "to work actively to support a durable, enforceable and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch rockets or mortars against Israel," Reid said.
It also expresses an "unwavering" commitment to Israel's welfare and recognizes its right to act in self defense to protect citizens against acts of terrorism, he said. "It allows for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions of the ordinary people of Gaza," he said.
Palestinians faced even grimmer conditions in Gaza on Thursday after a U.N. aid agency halted work, saying its staff was at risk from Israeli forces after two drivers were killed.
The reported Palestinian death toll in the 13-day-old conflict topped 700. At least 11 Israelis have been killed, eight of them soldiers, including four hit by "friendly fire."
( Once again the hypocritical, schizophrenic U.S. government simultaneously supports and condemns terrorism, not to mention, completely ignores the possibility that Israel's seige on Gaza and decades long oppression of Palestinian people may be provoking rocket attacks. )
________________
......Meanwhile, People Around The World Stand With Palestinians Against Israeli Atrocities
March For Gaza In Chicago Draws Thousands
Protests In Lebanon, Syria Against Gaza Offensive
50,000 In Cairo, Egypt Rally Against Israel
Spain: 100,000 Urge Israel to 'Stop Gaza Massacre'
Irish Protests Against Israeli Attacks On Gaza Escalate
Thousands Rally In World Capitals To Protest Against Gaza War
Tens of Thousands March Against Israel In France
San Francisco Streets See 10,000 Rally For Gaza
Venezuelans Protest Israeli Military Actions Against Gaza
Jewish women protest in Toronto’s Israeli Consulate
New Zealanders protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza
Multi-cultural rally protests fighting in Gaza
Protesters in Charleston Rally Against Israel's Actions in Gaza
Monday, November 17, 2008
White Cops Terrorize Black Citizens On Election Night
Lawsuits Claim Election Night Hate Crimes By Cops
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Two more women are suing Chicago Police for hate crimes and battery after officers allegedly sprayed pepper spray on the women and their children and barged into their West Side home as they celebrated Barack Obama's Election Night victory.
The suit marks the second in two weeks alleging police abuse of civilians celebrating Obama's win. Niger Arnold and Roslyn Arnold filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court on behalf of their six children, including four minors, against five unnamed police officers for the Nov. 4 incident.
"If you can't trust police officers, who can you trust?" Arnold said at a news conference Thursday.
Her family was standing outside their home in the 3400 block of West Chicago Avenue cheering and celebrating Obama's victory when police squad cars drove down the street and one or more officers hung out the window and discharged pepper spray at the crowd, the suit said.
After some words were exchanged, officers exited their vehicles with guns drawn and kicked open the door to the Arnold family home, according to the suit.
The officers allegedly knocked some of the family members to the ground and made racial comments, the suit said.
Arnold says during this alleged encounter with police, the officers' guns were drawn the entire time, which terrified her 3-year-old nephew. Read On
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Two more women are suing Chicago Police for hate crimes and battery after officers allegedly sprayed pepper spray on the women and their children and barged into their West Side home as they celebrated Barack Obama's Election Night victory.
The suit marks the second in two weeks alleging police abuse of civilians celebrating Obama's win. Niger Arnold and Roslyn Arnold filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court on behalf of their six children, including four minors, against five unnamed police officers for the Nov. 4 incident.
"If you can't trust police officers, who can you trust?" Arnold said at a news conference Thursday.
Her family was standing outside their home in the 3400 block of West Chicago Avenue cheering and celebrating Obama's victory when police squad cars drove down the street and one or more officers hung out the window and discharged pepper spray at the crowd, the suit said.
After some words were exchanged, officers exited their vehicles with guns drawn and kicked open the door to the Arnold family home, according to the suit.
The officers allegedly knocked some of the family members to the ground and made racial comments, the suit said.
Arnold says during this alleged encounter with police, the officers' guns were drawn the entire time, which terrified her 3-year-old nephew. Read On
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
US Terror Campaign Strikes Wedding Party In Afghanistan, 40 Civilians Killed
Karzai says air strike kills 40 in Afghanistan
Wed Nov 5, 12:57 pm ET
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday an air strike by coalition forces earlier this week killed some 40 civilians and wounded about 28 in Kandahar province.
Karzai called on U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to make it his priority to stop the killing of civilians.
Scores of Afghans have been killed in U.S. air strikes this year, leading to resentment against the presence of foreign troops and a rift between Karzai and his Western backers.
The air strike took place on Monday in the Shah Wali Kot district in the southern Taliban heartland of Kandahar province.
"By bombing Afghanistan, the war against terrorism cannot be won," Karzai told a news conference.
Several villagers who had taken a group of wounded to the hospital in Kandahar city said the air strike hit a wedding party. Read On
Wed Nov 5, 12:57 pm ET
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday an air strike by coalition forces earlier this week killed some 40 civilians and wounded about 28 in Kandahar province.
Karzai called on U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to make it his priority to stop the killing of civilians.
Scores of Afghans have been killed in U.S. air strikes this year, leading to resentment against the presence of foreign troops and a rift between Karzai and his Western backers.
The air strike took place on Monday in the Shah Wali Kot district in the southern Taliban heartland of Kandahar province.
"By bombing Afghanistan, the war against terrorism cannot be won," Karzai told a news conference.
Several villagers who had taken a group of wounded to the hospital in Kandahar city said the air strike hit a wedding party. Read On
Thursday, October 30, 2008
American Terrorist Attacks In Syria Condemned
BBC Thursday, 30 October 2008
Syrians stage mass anti-US rally
Thousands of people have held a peaceful demonstration in Damascus against an alleged US raid on a village that Syria says killed eight people.
Riot police armed with batons and shields surrounded the US embassy in Damascus, which closed due to what it said were increased security concerns.
The US state department and the White House have refused to confirm, deny or comment on the alleged attack.
The Syrian government has demanded an apology from Washington. Read On
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
U.S. Killing Spree Extends Into Syria, Eight People Dead Including Four Children In Helicopter Raid
'US helicopter raid' inside Syria
BBC Monday, 27 October 2008
US military helicopters have carried out a raid inside Syria along the Iraqi border, killing eight people including four children, Syrian officials say.
The official Syrian news agency Sana said the attack took place in the Abu Kamal border area, in eastern Syria.
Damascus has condemned the strike as a "serious violation" of its territory.
The US has neither confirmed nor denied the incident. It has previously accused Syria of allowing foreign militants into Iraq.
Syria has summoned the US and Iraqi envoys in Damascus to protest at the raid.
"Syria condemns this aggressive act and holds American forces responsible for this aggression and all of its repercussions," a government official said.
If confirmed, the raid would be the first known attack by US forces inside Syrian territory, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. Read On
Monday, October 27, 2008
Iraq War Vet Crushed By Police Horse At Presidential Debate
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
2700 American Dreams Shattered Per Day
Other woes makes foreclosure crisis hard to break
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Business Writer
October 26, 2008
WASHINGTON - Each day from July through September, more than 2,700 Americans lost their homes in foreclosure.
That number, up from 1,200 a day a year ago, is a sign that the mortgage industry and government programs have done little to help troubled homeowners.
The mortgage market's troubles have proved to be far more serious and intractable than most in government or the private sector had predicted a year ago.
"We are behind the curve. We are falling behind," Sheila Bair, head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. told a Senate hearing Thursday. "There has been some progress, but it's not been enough, and we need to act. And we need to act quickly, and we need to act dramatically to have more wide-scale, systematic (loan) modifications...."
More than 4 million homeowners with a mortgage were at least one month behind on their payments at the end of June, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, and a record 500,000 had entered the foreclosure process. Read On
Meanwhile, the rich are rewarded for their contributions to the foreclosure crisis:
"Wall Street Bankers In Line For $70 Billion Payout"
"CEOs Parachute to Safety"
"After Bailout, AIG Execs Lounged At Resort"
"As Lehman Collapsed, Execs Were Rewarded"
"Bailout No Bar To Bonus At Banks"
Both leading presidential candidates support the $850 billion wall street bailout, er, rescue package. Is it a quid pro quo exercise?
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Business Writer
October 26, 2008
WASHINGTON - Each day from July through September, more than 2,700 Americans lost their homes in foreclosure.
That number, up from 1,200 a day a year ago, is a sign that the mortgage industry and government programs have done little to help troubled homeowners.
The mortgage market's troubles have proved to be far more serious and intractable than most in government or the private sector had predicted a year ago.
"We are behind the curve. We are falling behind," Sheila Bair, head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. told a Senate hearing Thursday. "There has been some progress, but it's not been enough, and we need to act. And we need to act quickly, and we need to act dramatically to have more wide-scale, systematic (loan) modifications...."
More than 4 million homeowners with a mortgage were at least one month behind on their payments at the end of June, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, and a record 500,000 had entered the foreclosure process. Read On
Meanwhile, the rich are rewarded for their contributions to the foreclosure crisis:
"Wall Street Bankers In Line For $70 Billion Payout"
"CEOs Parachute to Safety"
"After Bailout, AIG Execs Lounged At Resort"
"As Lehman Collapsed, Execs Were Rewarded"
"Bailout No Bar To Bonus At Banks"
Both leading presidential candidates support the $850 billion wall street bailout, er, rescue package. Is it a quid pro quo exercise?
Top Contributors to Barack Obama
University of California
$777,593
Goldman Sachs
$743,371
Harvard University
$505,989
Citigroup Inc
$499,598
Google Inc
$493,705
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$478,462
National Amusements Inc
$437,669
Microsoft Corp
$434,156
UBS AG
$419,350
Lehman Brothers
$391,624
Time Warner
$388,063
Wilmerhale Llp
$383,024
Sidley Austin LLP
$371,166
Skadden, Arps et al
$361,409
Morgan Stanley
$344,130
Stanford University
$342,749
Latham & Watkins
$328,879
Jones Day
$314,760
General Electric
$299,434
University of Chicago
$294,237
Top Contributors To John McCain
Merrill Lynch
$349,920
Citigroup Inc
$290,101
Morgan Stanley
$249,377
Goldman Sachs
$220,045
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$210,992
AT&T Inc
$181,813
Credit Suisse Group
$175,503
PricewaterhouseCoopers
$163,670
Blank Rome LLP
$161,576
US Army
$150,470
Wachovia Corp
$150,006
US Government
$149,818
Bank of America
$142,776
UBS AG
$141,365
Greenberg Traurig LLP
$141,137
US Dept of Defense
$127,325
FedEx Corp
$123,654
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
$122,546
Lehman Brothers
$115,707
Bear Stearns
$108,000
Heartbroken over U.S. killing innocent Iraqis, Afghans, Pakastanis
It's a tragedy, no doubt, when a fellow human being is murdered. I'm glad future president Barack Obama (yah, i'm calling it) expressed his heartbreak over the murders of actress Jennifer Hudson's family members. It shows compassion, an important human characteristic that, in many of us, is veiled by our nationalism or American exceptionalism.
What should be of great concern to all people is that Obama's compassion seems to be selective as evidenced here:
Los Angeles (E! Online) – Sen. Barack Obama, a fan and friend of Jennifer Hudson, took time out from his campaign Saturday to send his condolences to his fellow Chicagoan.
"Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy, and we want Jennifer and to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew."
What should be of great concern to all people is that Obama's compassion seems to be selective as evidenced here:
- Obama hasn't expressed any heartbreak over the deaths of a million civilians , the severe refugee crisis, and the destruction that resulted from the United States' unprovoked war of aggression on Iraq.
- To the dismay of Pakistani officials, Obama threatens to use military attacks in Pakistan, which have already caused violent deaths of many innocent people and is fueling anti-American sentiment.
- Obama wants to escalate war in Afghanistan, where U.S.-led bombing campaigns have violently killed and injured thousands of innocent people, and justifiably angers Afghans, which the Taliban successfully uses as a recruiting tool.
If you're reading this, please do me a favor and direct me to any statements Obama has made in which he expresses concern for the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan who are, have been, and will be subjected to unimaginable violence by the U.S. military.
I worry for humanity.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Iraqis Want U.S. Out of Their Country
Thousands rally in Iraq against proposed U.S troop deal
Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008
By Hussein Kadhim and Corinne Reilly McClatchy Newspapers
BAGHDAD — Tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied in the streets of Baghdad Saturday against a proposed American-Iraqi deal that would allow U.S. troops to stay in the country for three more years.
Muqtada al Sadr, a widely influential Shiite cleric who called for the demonstration, issued a statement demanding that Iraq's parliament reject the deal.
"These are the Iraqi people in front of you, rejecting this agreement," Sadr's statement said. "The treaty is in your hands, so the destiny and reputation of Iraq also is in your hands ... If (the government) told you that this agreement will give you sovereignty, they are liars."
After seven months of wearying back and forth, negotiators completed a draft deal this week. For it to take effect, however, the proposal must win approval from Iraq's Political Council for National Security, the prime minister's cabinet and parliament.
U.S. officials are desperately hoping to finalize the agreement before Dec. 31, when a United Nations mandate that has allowed American troops to operate in Iraq will expire. If a deal isn't in place by the end of the year, American forces in Iraq could technically become illegal occupiers. Read On
Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2008
By Hussein Kadhim and Corinne Reilly McClatchy Newspapers
BAGHDAD — Tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied in the streets of Baghdad Saturday against a proposed American-Iraqi deal that would allow U.S. troops to stay in the country for three more years.
Muqtada al Sadr, a widely influential Shiite cleric who called for the demonstration, issued a statement demanding that Iraq's parliament reject the deal.
"These are the Iraqi people in front of you, rejecting this agreement," Sadr's statement said. "The treaty is in your hands, so the destiny and reputation of Iraq also is in your hands ... If (the government) told you that this agreement will give you sovereignty, they are liars."
After seven months of wearying back and forth, negotiators completed a draft deal this week. For it to take effect, however, the proposal must win approval from Iraq's Political Council for National Security, the prime minister's cabinet and parliament.
U.S. officials are desperately hoping to finalize the agreement before Dec. 31, when a United Nations mandate that has allowed American troops to operate in Iraq will expire. If a deal isn't in place by the end of the year, American forces in Iraq could technically become illegal occupiers. Read On
Thursday, October 16, 2008
US Still Murdering Innocent Civilians, Including Women and Children, In Afganistan
Afghan strike 'kills civilians'
BBC Thursday, 16 October 2008 18:19 UK
At least 18 civilians have been killed in an air strike by foreign forces in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, reports say.
A BBC reporter in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah saw the bodies - three women and the rest children - ranging in age from six months to 15.
The families brought the bodies from their village in the Nad Ali district, where they say the air strike occurred. Read On
BBC Thursday, 16 October 2008 18:19 UK
At least 18 civilians have been killed in an air strike by foreign forces in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, reports say.
A BBC reporter in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah saw the bodies - three women and the rest children - ranging in age from six months to 15.
The families brought the bodies from their village in the Nad Ali district, where they say the air strike occurred. Read On
Friday, October 10, 2008
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