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Archive for December, 2011

Evan Thomas: ‘Excellent chance’ Israel attacks Iran and US drawn in this year [VIDEO]

http://news.yahoo.com/evan-thomas-excellent-chance-israel-attacks-iran-us-171715820.html

Israel to Start WW3 this spring:

http://america-hijacked.com/2012/02/02/israel-to-start-ww3-this-spring/

James Morris and FBI Whistleblower Coleen Rowley about coming war with Iran 

The Inevitable War With Iran

http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2011/12/14/the-inevitable-war-with-iran/

Posted By Philip Giraldi On December 14, 2011 @ 11:00 pm In Uncategorized | 44 Comments

One might regard the pledges made to Israel and its friends in the United States by aspiring presidential candidates as pro forma and vaguely amusing, but that would be a mistake. Policy commitments, even if they are lightly entered into, are a serious matter with real-world consequences. At the moment, the obligation to Israel goes far beyond the willingness to give Tel Aviv billions of dollars in aid and unlimited political cover each year. Every Republican candidate but one has affirmed that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of a “Jewish state,” the precise formula demanded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and each has affirmed his or her eagerness to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which would end forever any chance of actual peace talks with the Palestinians and would also invite a violent reaction against Americans in many parts of the Muslim world. Michele Bachmann has even found a private “donor” willing to pay for the move. Newt Gingrich, who would shift the embassy to Jerusalem within his first two hours as president and who has also promised to name John Bolton as his secretary of state, has meanwhile discovered that the Palestinian people do not actually exist, which certainly solves the problem of the two-state solution or any solution at all. They were invented by hostile Arabs and are out to destroy Israel.

Mitt Romney and Gingrich might well take the prize for lack of any connection with reality with their demand that U.S. Ambassador Howard Gutman, who is Jewish, be fired for suggesting that some anti-Semitism might be the result of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. Romney has also criticized President Barack Obama for “insulting” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, surely one of the most interesting inversions of truth and fiction ever to occur. Not to be outdone, Rick Perry has promised to increase assistance to Israel, calling it “strategic defensive aid” that benefits the United States.

While this kind of ignorant crackpottery is unfortunately what one expects, there might be worse to come. As part of the pro-Israel package, the same presidential hopefuls have made clear their willingness to go to war with Iran on behalf of Israel even if Israel is the initiator of the conflict, while the media and the  Republican Party have together conspired to keep any contrary opinions on that issue marginalized and nearly invisible.

As Washington has demonstrated itself unwilling to negotiate with Iran over outstanding issues and has refused every attempt by the Iranians to compromise, there can be only one outcome to the game that is being played, and that is war. And the characteristically chickenhawk Republicans are ready to rock and roll based on the pseudo-information about the perfidious Persians. Gingrich again leads the charge, calling for a stepped-up program of sabotage and assassination inside Iran coupled with a covert operation to shut down the country’s main oil refinery, which will supposedly lead to “regime change.” Newt also suggested that the United States and Israel join together in “joint operations” to attack the Iranians. Perry and Rick Santorum also agree that it is time to order military strikes, while Mitt Romney is keen on indicting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for “the crime of incitement to genocide.”

The overly ambitious and ethically challenged wannabes who pass as statesmen in today’s United States fail to appreciate that the feckless promises made in their lust for high office could produce a catastrophic result. War is serious stuff, as the past 10 years have surely taught us, and Iran, which has had seven years to prepare for an attack, is a much larger and tougher nut than Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Numerous commentators have observed how fuel prices would soar because of threats to close the Straits of Hormuz. Many in the Pentagon, including current Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and former Secretary Robert Gates, oppose such a conflict in recognition of the fact that Tehran would have the ability to hit U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. As the subsequent involvement of Hezbollah from Lebanon is a near certainty, the strike against Iran would quickly escalate into a regional war and would spin out of control.

No matter how one feels about Iran’s government and its ambitions, everyone should be taking notice of what is happening to fuel the drive to war. The drumbeat is incessant, fed by weekly warnings from leading Israeli politicians and truculent editorials and poorly informed op-eds in leading American newspapers. On Dec. 9 and 11 alone, the Washington Post ran three op-eds and a lead editorial all calling for more pressure on Iran. The op-ed by Marc Thiessen of the American Enterprise Institute accused Tehran of building a nuclear weapon that could be ready by January 2013. Thiessen also charged Iran with complicity in al-Qaeda attacks, which most observers would find ridiculous.

The American people are being told over and over again that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon, that Tehran is threatening U.S. soldiers, and that Ahmadinejad has pledged to wipe Israel off the map.Though  all those assertions can be challenged and even debunked, the case is being made that Tehran’s perceived intransigence is irreversible, and this is making war inevitable. A majority of Americans already believe that Iran has a nuclear weapon and that it poses a threat to the United States that should be dealt with, using military force if necessary.

Pushing back against the tide of conformity on the Iranian menace is Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. Paul’s crimes against the status quo consist of saying that he would eliminate all foreign aid, of which Israel is the principal beneficiary, and that he would not go to war with Iran for Israel because Israel, with its large nuclear arsenal and sophisticated military, is quite capable of making its own decisions relating to its security. Paul is also willing to talk with the Iranians instead of constantly threatening them. Those positions, which appear to be reasonable enough, arouse an almost palpable anger among some pundits. Paul was the only leading Republican excluded from last week’s Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) presidential debate, where many of the positions in support of Israel made by leading Republicans and related above were actually spelled out. RJC Executive Director Matthew Brooks explained that Paul was “far outside of the mainstream of the Republican Party and this organization.”

Over at Red State, “mikeymike 143″ wrapped the message of hate in vitriol, declaring that Paul was an “anti-Semite loser” and that his “followers are the dirtbags of society. Conspiracy loons, antiwar leftists, and anti-Semites. That is why the Republican Jewish Coalition banned him and his Paulbots from the presidential debate they moderated.” Eric Golub of the Washington Times ramped it up a notch more, writing that “Ron Paul supporters are angry at his exclusion … despite Dr. Paul himself not publicly even caring. Supporters of the Klan do not get angry when they are excluded from NAACP banquets. Go on Ron Paul message boards, read the anti-Semitism, and then understand why nobody wants these miscreants anywhere near respectable events.”

Well, if that is the case, count me as a miscreant. Apparently objecting to the billions of dollars in foreign aid lavished on Israel and refusing to go to war on her behalf is enough to cast one out into the wilderness, but there is even more. Josh Block, a former spokesman for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), sent out a message on a neoconservative journalist listserv called “The Freedom Community” describing as anti-Semitic anyone who is anti-Israel or who does not agree that “Iran with a nuke is a problem.” Criticizing Israel or questioning the Iran nuclear narrative therefore makes one an anti-Semite, a conclusion that certainly simplifies thinking about the Middle East. It also makes the broader arguments being made by the friends of Israel come full circle. Any questioning of the United States’ relationship with Israel is anti-Semitism. Any change in how Washington hands out tax money that would in any way reduce aid to Israel is anti-Semitism. Any criticism of Israel’s policies with its neighbors is anti-Semitism. Any questioning of Israel’s “right” to start a regional war with Iran that will inevitably drag the United States in is also anti-Semitism. I’m sure that the picture is clear. Claims of anti-Semitism fit every situation where Israel is even peripherally involved. The slightest suggestion of anti-Semitism is the ultimate weapon, intended to end every debate and to ease the way into yet another Middle Eastern war that the United States does not need to fight, cannot afford, and from which it will likely reap the whirlwind.

Read more by Philip Giraldi

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The Worst Case for War with Iran (by Stephen Walt):

http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/12/21/the_worst_case_for_war_with_iran

Ron Paul’s Former Foreign Policy Advisor Philip Giraldi on US media marginalizing Ron Paul after Iowa debate (scroll to comments):

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/blog/2011/12/16/a-dangerous-answer/

Press TV Talks to James Morris on Republican CNN debate about Ron Paul on Iran:

http://salem-news.com/articles/november292011/morris-ron-paul.php

http://america-hijacked.com/2011/11/28/press-tv-talks-to-james-morris-on-republican-cnn-debate-about-ron-paul-on-iran/

Has War With Iran Already Begun?: 

Ron Paul furious over indefinite detention act

http://rt.com/usa/news/defense-ron-paul-detention-745/

Obama rules as a dictator, says Ron Paul — RT

http://rt.com/usa/news/obama-paul-president-congress-311/

‘Ron Paul challenges US establishment’ http://www.presstv.ir/detail/219525.html

Ron Paul Stumping In Iowa, Gets Cut Off By CNN As Soon As He Brings Up The NDAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3WVltMmMuQ

Ron Paul: The NDAA Codifies Obama’s Power Grab

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm19GQKNWeM

Indefinite detention and torture act arrives at White House — RT

US Senate passes ‘indefinite detention’ bill  
 US president expected to sign law allowing so-called terror suspects to be detained indefinitely, without trial: 
 http://www.aljazeera.com/video/americas/2011/12/2011121523013469986.html

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7688

Glenn Greenwald: Obama Had Indefinite Detention Inserted Into Defense Authorization Act

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdVdjoPR3Vk

Obama insists on indefinite detention of Americans

http://rt.com/usa/news/obama-detention-defense-levin-635/

House-Senate Revise Indefinite Detention Bill in Bid to Avoid White House Veto, But Fears Remain

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/12/14/house_senate_revise_indefinite_detention_bill

AIPAC/Neocon mouthpieces Levin & McCain shred Bill of Rights for Israel:

http://tinyurl.com/neoconsshredbillofrights

 Obama Preparing Syria Intervention for Israel of course!:

http://news.antiwar.com/2011/12/28/obama-secretly-preparing-for-syria-intervention/

Obama administration secretly preparing for aiding the Syrian opposition

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/12/28/obama_administration_secretly_preparing_options_for_aiding_the_syrian_opposition

Looks like the Israel firsters are about to get US into yet another war (with Syria and then Iran) for Israel which might just be why they want the NDAA to pass before it happens because the price of oil is going to soar sending our economy over the cliff with mass protests in the streets as result!:

US troops surround Syria on the eve of invasion? — RT

 http://rt.com/usa/news/defense-ron-paul-detention-745/http://rt.com/usa/news/us-nato-syria-edmonds-709/

US troops surrounding the Syrian border?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Tjn4uk24M

NATO Dreams of a Civil War in Syria:

http://thepassionateattachment.com/2011/12/15/nato-dreams-of-civil-war-in-syria/

Margolis: ‘Liberation machine’ is being turned against Syria 

http://thepassionateattachment.com/2011/11/19/margolis-liberation-machine-is-being-turned-against-syria/

Report: Russia warships to enter Syria waters in bid to stem foreign intervention:

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/report-russia-warships-to-enter-syria-waters-in-bid-to-stem-foreign-intervention-1.396359

http://www.eutimes.net/2011/11/russia-sends-aircraft-carrier-and-warships-to-syria-to-stop-nato/

http://rt.com/news/russian-fleet-syrian-port-513/

Russian Naval Flotilla Docks in Syria:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russian-naval-flotilla-docks-in-syria-state-media.aspx?pageID=238&nID=10961&NewsCatID=359

‘West’s policy on Syria could ignite WWIII’

http://rt.com/news/syria-iran-russia-china-921/

Syria Says Western Meddling Could set Middle East on Fire

http://america-hijacked.com/2011/10/31/syria-says-western-meddling-could-set-middle-east-on-fire/

Syria is Israel’s problem. Not America’s (see following youtube video)!:

Press TV Talks to James Morris on Republican CNN debate about Ron Paul on Iran:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9aVTs9eEYY

Neocon NED pushing unrest in Syria for Israel (see following article by Philip Giraldi)

Washington’s Secret Wars (by Philip Giraldi)

http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2011/12/07/washingtons-secret-wars/

Going after Syria (for Israel) would be right in accordance with the rest of the Neocon ‘Clean Break’ agenda that the Iraq war was based on:

Clean Break: http://tinyurl.com/cleanbreak

Israel Seeks to Entangle US in Iran War

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/209128.html

Following is the youtube of the above interview:

Israel Seeks to Entangle US in Iran War

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB032XTL8EM

http://salem-news.com/articles/december112011/morris-israel-iran.php

Kaganed again (by Philip Giraldi)

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/blog/2011/12/13/kaganed-again/

U.S. ambassador blames Israel for Muslim anti-Semitism

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/05/180953.html’

Obama’s man in Belgium faces calls for his firing (AIPAC/neocon mouthpieces Romney. Perry and Gingrich) after factual remarks on Israel and anti-Semitism:

http://www.salon.com/2011/12/06/an_ambassador_smeared/

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1211/howard_gutman_afaa11af-81e2-403f-bc08-cecf32406a8e.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-gingrich-call-for-firing-of-us-ambassador-after-anti-semitism-remarks/2011/12/04/gIQA2cK0TO_story.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2069930/Not-reception-hoping-Ambassador-US-envoy-Belgium-recalled-outrageous-antisemitism-speech.html

Press TV Talks to James Morris on Neocon Republican CNN debate about Ron Paul on Iran:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9aVTs9eEYY

http://america-hijacked.com/2011/11/28/press-tv-talks-to-james-morris-on-republican-cnn-debate-about-ron-paul-on-iran/

URGENT PLEASE: Vote Nears on Dangerous Iran Bill:

Call Your Rep. Today

Thursday, December 8, 2011 8:51 PM
From: “Dick Blakney”

To:  the Network Promoting Peace with Iran,

For over three years I have been closely following developments concerning Iran and am convinced that our country is moving in a direction which could lead to a conflict the consequences of which would surpass those of the Iraq War.  I appeal to you in the strongest possible terms to urgently take the action which is recommended in the message below from Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).

By following the FCNL instructions below you will learn whether your representative is a cosponsor of the bill. 

Please forward this request for action to as many persons as possible.

Peace,  Dick Blakney, 425-488-9965
===============================
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From: “Jim Cason, FCNL” <fcnl@fcnl.org>
To: “Richard Blakney” <rbblakn@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2011 10:02:28 AM
Subject: Vote Nears on Dangerous Iran Bill: Call Your Rep. Today

 
Dear Richard Blakney,

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran is reaching a point where it could spiral out of control. In the U.S., Congress and the administration have become more confrontational toward Iran. Iran has done the same and withdrawn further from the international community.

Now, Congress is preparing to add fuel to this fire. Your representative is preparing to vote on legislation that could close off prospects for diplomatic communication between the U.S. and Iran at the very time that such channels are critical for preventing war.

This vote could come as soon as next Tuesday. Please call your representative today at 877-429-0678 and ask her or him to vote “no” on the Iran Threat Reduction Act, H.R. 1905. Enter your zip code to get talking points that reflect whether your member has publicly supported this bill.

Although more than 80 percent of the House has cosponsored this bill, many agreed to support it before the anti-diplomacy provisions were added. Section 601(c) of the bill states:

No person employed with the United States Government may contact in an official or unofficial capacity any person that–(1) is an agent, instrumentality, or official of, is affiliated with, or is serving as a representative of the Government of Iran; and (2) presents a threat to the United States or is affiliated with terrorist organizations.

The president can waive this restriction only with 15 days advance notice to Congress.  In a crisis, U.S. diplomats could find themselves unable to talk to their Iranian counterparts to prevent war from erupting.

The former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several U.S. ambassadors have warned that the lack of diplomatic contact between the U.S. and Iran could lead to war. Former ambassadors Thomas Pickering and William Luers have called the bill “preposterous,” noting that it “raises serious constitutional issues over the separation of powers.” Former top Middle East intelligence analyst Paul Pillar was highly critical of the bill, saying, “this legislation is another illustration of the tendency to think of diplomacy as some kind of reward for the other guy, rather than what it really is: a tool for our side.”

Please call your representative today and urge a “no” vote on H.R. 1905.

Sincerely, 

Jim Cason
Associate Executive Secretary for Campaigns

 P.S. You can find out more about the bill and our lobbyist Kate Gould’s analysis of its consequences on our website.  Also, see who else is saying that H.R. 1905 could severely damage diplomacy.

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The Folly of Sanctions

By Ron Paul

We should be clear about this: sanctions against Iran are definite steps toward a US attack.

Washington’s Secret Wars (by Philip Giraldi)

http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2011/12/07/washingtons-secret-wars/