Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Pacifica Commentary For February 14, 2007
Why We Lose
Why is it that we have lost the Indochina War and every conflict since that disaster. In each case we fought in opposition to the will of the vast majority of the people we attacked.
We sent an army of mercenaries to overthrow the government of Nicaragua in the 1980's killing 40,000, and who is ruling that country today? The Sandinistas. We spent billions and killed 80,000 people to stop the movement for liberation in El Salvador. And what is the most powerful movement in El Salvador today? The FMLN. That's right, the very movement we tried to destroy.
And then there is Iraq. We have definitively lost that war just as we lost the Vietnam War in January of 1968 but we remained for seven more years allowing tens of thousands more of our troops to die together with millions of Vietnamese and Cambodians.
Let us compare and contrast these situations with the Cuban Revolution. In December of 1956 Fidel Castro and his tiny invasion force landed the yacht Granma on the Cuban shore at Los Cayuelos. The Cuban Dictator Batista had 50,000 troops, an air force, a navy and a killer group of secret police. Fidel's invasion was discovered, attacked and surrounded. Few of the invaders were alive. Castro was lying flat on his back in a cane field covered with sugar cane leaves. With him was Universo Sanchez, and Dr. Faustino Perez Hernandez.
To his knowledge Casto's invasion force was now limited to the three of them. He was now Commander in Chief of exactly two rebels. Castro whispered to his two available fighters, "We are winning…Victory will be ours."
This message to his two troops was not blind bravado. Fidel knew that the people of Cuba were sick and tired of the Batista rule and that they would join his forces. His powerful faith and confidence were based in reality not fantasy.
On the contrary, our mad venture into Iraq with 140,000 troops plus the surge, plus 100,000 mercenaries has failed completely. Why? The people of Iraq don't want us there. The horrendous disaster of the mendacious Cheney and Bush is that they created a death dealing fantasy totally unrelated to reality as they march on blindly to an even more monstrous calamity in Iran. We must stop them before they kill again.
Listen to Blase's program: WORLD FOCUS, 10:00-11:00 AM Sundays, KPFK, Los Angeles, 90.7 FM (Santa Barbara, 98.7 FM).
Internationally, pod cast is available 24/7 on <www.kpfk.org>.
<www.blasesblog.blogspot.com>
Why We Lose
Why is it that we have lost the Indochina War and every conflict since that disaster. In each case we fought in opposition to the will of the vast majority of the people we attacked.
We sent an army of mercenaries to overthrow the government of Nicaragua in the 1980's killing 40,000, and who is ruling that country today? The Sandinistas. We spent billions and killed 80,000 people to stop the movement for liberation in El Salvador. And what is the most powerful movement in El Salvador today? The FMLN. That's right, the very movement we tried to destroy.
And then there is Iraq. We have definitively lost that war just as we lost the Vietnam War in January of 1968 but we remained for seven more years allowing tens of thousands more of our troops to die together with millions of Vietnamese and Cambodians.
Let us compare and contrast these situations with the Cuban Revolution. In December of 1956 Fidel Castro and his tiny invasion force landed the yacht Granma on the Cuban shore at Los Cayuelos. The Cuban Dictator Batista had 50,000 troops, an air force, a navy and a killer group of secret police. Fidel's invasion was discovered, attacked and surrounded. Few of the invaders were alive. Castro was lying flat on his back in a cane field covered with sugar cane leaves. With him was Universo Sanchez, and Dr. Faustino Perez Hernandez.
To his knowledge Casto's invasion force was now limited to the three of them. He was now Commander in Chief of exactly two rebels. Castro whispered to his two available fighters, "We are winning…Victory will be ours."
This message to his two troops was not blind bravado. Fidel knew that the people of Cuba were sick and tired of the Batista rule and that they would join his forces. His powerful faith and confidence were based in reality not fantasy.
On the contrary, our mad venture into Iraq with 140,000 troops plus the surge, plus 100,000 mercenaries has failed completely. Why? The people of Iraq don't want us there. The horrendous disaster of the mendacious Cheney and Bush is that they created a death dealing fantasy totally unrelated to reality as they march on blindly to an even more monstrous calamity in Iran. We must stop them before they kill again.
Listen to Blase's program: WORLD FOCUS, 10:00-11:00 AM Sundays, KPFK, Los Angeles, 90.7 FM (Santa Barbara, 98.7 FM).
Internationally, pod cast is available 24/7 on <www.kpfk.org>.
<www.blasesblog.blogspot.com>
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Pacifica Commentary For February 7, 2007
Light One Candle
It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. And it remains nearly impossible to refrain from cursing as we observe the direction our elected officials are taking.
The light we see, however, is in the streets. We see it in The Voices for Creative Non-Violence as they engage in non-violent civil disobedience at the offices of our representatives and senators who continue to support the rape of Iraq. The message is quite simple; if you don't stop the funding the war, you are supporting the war. And any member of Congress who does not understand the power of that body to control the purse should not be in Congress.
The peace people even occupied the office of Obama. Why should we upset such nice people? It is sad to say, but they can have smiles on their faces, love their mother, love their children and still be responsible for crimes against humanity.
These nice people must be awakened, they must do their duty to promote justice and peace. If these Democrats are not awakened our troops and the good people of Iraq will continue to bleed and die. If these nice Democrats are not activated, they will allow a pathological attack on Iran. Once the slaughter begins, the suicide bombers responsible for such an attack on Iran will stupidly wonder why their plan backfired. Is this not what we have observed in both Iraq and Palestine?
Indeed, the voice of the spirit is now heard in the streets and in the fortitude of these unwelcome visitors to Congressional offices. These are the voices of prophesy, these are the voices that give hope to a people who have lost their government, their constitution and their courage.
The current patriots in the streets whether they be Voices for Creative Non-Violence, Code Pink, or any of the thousands of peace and justice organizations now burning bright are the contemporary legacy of the Boston Tea Party. Please join me on Sunday here at KPFK at 10:00 AM when I will interview the founder of Voices for Creative Non-Violence, Kathy Kelly.
Such leadership must not simply be observed, it must be imitated. We can do that by joining forces in the streets or by supporting those who do these courageous acts. And we can also pledge that we will not vote for any candidate who currently supports the war policies of the Bush Administration or those hopelessly confused members who claim they are against the war as they continue to fund it.
Let the impeachment process begin for Bush and Cheney. We don't have to curse the darkness, we can join hands with those who walk in the light.
It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. And it remains nearly impossible to refrain from cursing as we observe the direction our elected officials are taking.
The light we see, however, is in the streets. We see it in The Voices for Creative Non-Violence as they engage in non-violent civil disobedience at the offices of our representatives and senators who continue to support the rape of Iraq. The message is quite simple; if you don't stop the funding the war, you are supporting the war. And any member of Congress who does not understand the power of that body to control the purse should not be in Congress.
The peace people even occupied the office of Obama. Why should we upset such nice people? It is sad to say, but they can have smiles on their faces, love their mother, love their children and still be responsible for crimes against humanity.
These nice people must be awakened, they must do their duty to promote justice and peace. If these Democrats are not awakened our troops and the good people of Iraq will continue to bleed and die. If these nice Democrats are not activated, they will allow a pathological attack on Iran. Once the slaughter begins, the suicide bombers responsible for such an attack on Iran will stupidly wonder why their plan backfired. Is this not what we have observed in both Iraq and Palestine?
Indeed, the voice of the spirit is now heard in the streets and in the fortitude of these unwelcome visitors to Congressional offices. These are the voices of prophesy, these are the voices that give hope to a people who have lost their government, their constitution and their courage.
The current patriots in the streets whether they be Voices for Creative Non-Violence, Code Pink, or any of the thousands of peace and justice organizations now burning bright are the contemporary legacy of the Boston Tea Party. Please join me on Sunday here at KPFK at 10:00 AM when I will interview the founder of Voices for Creative Non-Violence, Kathy Kelly.
Such leadership must not simply be observed, it must be imitated. We can do that by joining forces in the streets or by supporting those who do these courageous acts. And we can also pledge that we will not vote for any candidate who currently supports the war policies of the Bush Administration or those hopelessly confused members who claim they are against the war as they continue to fund it.
Let the impeachment process begin for Bush and Cheney. We don't have to curse the darkness, we can join hands with those who walk in the light.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Pacifica Commentary for January 31, 2007
The Trial Of Lieutenant Ehren Watada
Leutenant Ehren Watada will go before a military court on next Monday, February 5th.. On Sunday, February 4th at 10:00 AM here on KPFK I will Have three of the members of THE CITIZENS HEARING ON THE LEGALITY OF THE WAR IN IRAQ. They are Professor Richard Falk, Colonel Ann Wright and David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. The hearing was convened to present evidence that Lieutenant Ehren Watada intended to present at his February 5th Court Martial. But in a pretrial hearing the court refused to hear the evidence. As a result of the failure of this military court to hear the motives for Lieutenant Watada’s refusal to serve, the Citizens’ Hearing was held before a gathering of 600 people. Here are some of the points made by the legal experts who presided over the hearing:
Lieutenant Ehren Watada had not only the right to refuse to deploy to Iraq in an illegal war, but he had a duty to do so.
Watada should be recognized for his courage rather than undergoing a Court Martial.
Darrell Anderson, who received a Purple Heart for his service in Iraq spoke of orders
issued to, “Shoot everyone, regardless of whether they were civilians, including children.”
Experts on International Law made it clear that the war in Iraq was initiated illegally. It did not comply with the United Nations Charter because it was not required for immediate self defense and it was not authorized by the United Nations Security Council. It was a war of aggression violating international law and the United States Constitution. Article 6, Section 2 of the Constitution makes treaties such as the United Nations Charter part of the Supreme Law of the Land.
The panel also received testimony regarding the systematic torture of Iraqi prisoners, and indiscriminate killing of civilians.
Dennis Halliday, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations described the “shock and awe” initiation of the war as terrorist act.
Law Professor Richard Falk testified that the military judge’s order preventing Ehren Watada from presenting evidence on the illegality of the war was “criminally disallowing him from obeying the law.”
The unanimous finding of the panel is that the United States committed crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Iraq. Further, Lieutenant Watada acted legally and honorably in refusing orders to deploy to Iraq, and his actions are in accord with the oath he took to uphold the constitution of the United States. The only thing going on trial on next Monday morning is the War in Iraq. Lieutenant Watada is a victim of that war.
Leutenant Ehren Watada will go before a military court on next Monday, February 5th.. On Sunday, February 4th at 10:00 AM here on KPFK I will Have three of the members of THE CITIZENS HEARING ON THE LEGALITY OF THE WAR IN IRAQ. They are Professor Richard Falk, Colonel Ann Wright and David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. The hearing was convened to present evidence that Lieutenant Ehren Watada intended to present at his February 5th Court Martial. But in a pretrial hearing the court refused to hear the evidence. As a result of the failure of this military court to hear the motives for Lieutenant Watada’s refusal to serve, the Citizens’ Hearing was held before a gathering of 600 people. Here are some of the points made by the legal experts who presided over the hearing:
Lieutenant Ehren Watada had not only the right to refuse to deploy to Iraq in an illegal war, but he had a duty to do so.
Watada should be recognized for his courage rather than undergoing a Court Martial.
Darrell Anderson, who received a Purple Heart for his service in Iraq spoke of orders
issued to, “Shoot everyone, regardless of whether they were civilians, including children.”
Experts on International Law made it clear that the war in Iraq was initiated illegally. It did not comply with the United Nations Charter because it was not required for immediate self defense and it was not authorized by the United Nations Security Council. It was a war of aggression violating international law and the United States Constitution. Article 6, Section 2 of the Constitution makes treaties such as the United Nations Charter part of the Supreme Law of the Land.
The panel also received testimony regarding the systematic torture of Iraqi prisoners, and indiscriminate killing of civilians.
Dennis Halliday, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations described the “shock and awe” initiation of the war as terrorist act.
Law Professor Richard Falk testified that the military judge’s order preventing Ehren Watada from presenting evidence on the illegality of the war was “criminally disallowing him from obeying the law.”
The unanimous finding of the panel is that the United States committed crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Iraq. Further, Lieutenant Watada acted legally and honorably in refusing orders to deploy to Iraq, and his actions are in accord with the oath he took to uphold the constitution of the United States. The only thing going on trial on next Monday morning is the War in Iraq. Lieutenant Watada is a victim of that war.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Pacifica Commentary for January 24, 2007
State of the Union
Yesterday's State of the Union left me with questions about both the President and the Congress. I would suggest that apart from being an American Citizen and having untold millions in their campaign coffers, anyone running for President or for Congress should be required to take Civics 101 and Political Science 101 and World History 101.
1. The President is not the Commander in Chief of the citizens of the United States. We are a sovereign people and he is our servant. When he consistently acts outside of our collective will he must be removed by impeachment or by the activation of the 25th Amendment of the Constitution. At this point in history he has qualified for either or both of these legal remedies.
2. Comments he has made about Islamic people are similar to comments made about Jewish people by the leaders of the Third Reich.
3. He speaks of an ideological struggle. Just what is his ideology? Might makes right? The truth is anything I say it is? In any case his endless war program simply mirrors what he claims to be fighting.
4. According to the New York Times Magazine the death squad leadership in Iraq was imported from our death squad leaders in El Salvador.
5. The Congress has absolute authority to stop the funding and thereby to stop the war. There is simply no question about the legality of such Congressional action. And now some members of Congress are making non-binding resolutions? They are, however, fully authorized to make binding resolutions.
6. Corporate profits are at an all time high? What does this mean except that war profiteers are making obscene profits on the blood of our young. And this has been the case ever since the Civil War. Nothing has been more harmful to our democracy than the false patriotism of war mongering greed which has always been the last refuge of scoundrels.
7. Support our troops? As they die unnecessarily, as they lose their mental and physical health, as they are denied the democratic right of redress? Are we to presume for a moment they are in Iraq because they want to be there? As with most of the Bush proposals, reality is the exact opposite of what he is saying. "Support our troops," in his view is to let them die for a lie.
Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during the Reagan Administration and also Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page. He believes that the surge in Iraq is simply an attempt to deflect attention from the Bush plan to attack Iran. Roberts concludes, "Nothing can stop the Regime except immediate impeachment of Bush and Cheney. This is America's last chance."
Yesterday's State of the Union left me with questions about both the President and the Congress. I would suggest that apart from being an American Citizen and having untold millions in their campaign coffers, anyone running for President or for Congress should be required to take Civics 101 and Political Science 101 and World History 101.
1. The President is not the Commander in Chief of the citizens of the United States. We are a sovereign people and he is our servant. When he consistently acts outside of our collective will he must be removed by impeachment or by the activation of the 25th Amendment of the Constitution. At this point in history he has qualified for either or both of these legal remedies.
2. Comments he has made about Islamic people are similar to comments made about Jewish people by the leaders of the Third Reich.
3. He speaks of an ideological struggle. Just what is his ideology? Might makes right? The truth is anything I say it is? In any case his endless war program simply mirrors what he claims to be fighting.
4. According to the New York Times Magazine the death squad leadership in Iraq was imported from our death squad leaders in El Salvador.
5. The Congress has absolute authority to stop the funding and thereby to stop the war. There is simply no question about the legality of such Congressional action. And now some members of Congress are making non-binding resolutions? They are, however, fully authorized to make binding resolutions.
6. Corporate profits are at an all time high? What does this mean except that war profiteers are making obscene profits on the blood of our young. And this has been the case ever since the Civil War. Nothing has been more harmful to our democracy than the false patriotism of war mongering greed which has always been the last refuge of scoundrels.
7. Support our troops? As they die unnecessarily, as they lose their mental and physical health, as they are denied the democratic right of redress? Are we to presume for a moment they are in Iraq because they want to be there? As with most of the Bush proposals, reality is the exact opposite of what he is saying. "Support our troops," in his view is to let them die for a lie.
Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury during the Reagan Administration and also Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page. He believes that the surge in Iraq is simply an attempt to deflect attention from the Bush plan to attack Iran. Roberts concludes, "Nothing can stop the Regime except immediate impeachment of Bush and Cheney. This is America's last chance."
