An article by Denis G. Rancourt is at the Palestine Chronicle site. For those not familiar with Rancourt he is described as follows,” Denis G. Rancourt was a tenured and full professor of physics at the University of Ottawa in Canada. He practiced several areas of science which were funded by a national agency and [...]
Archive for June, 2010
The Flotilla, the blockade and Shalit
June 30, 2010
Uri Avnery has authored another article and as a part conclusion finds that” the main problem in Gaza is poverty induced by unemployment. Practically all enterprises in the Gaza Strip have been shut down by the blockade. Not only could they not obtain raw materials, but, no less important, they could not export their products [...]
Gillard; No guts no glory
June 30, 2010
Just in case you thought that the word “negotiations” in fluent Gillard meant meaningful talks and discussion as part of getting the Party “back on track”, think again. It seems that the Gillard version of negotiations is basically the classic backdown approach so familiar to right wing Labor politicians. According to the SMH ,” The [...]
Karzai’s latest initiatives
June 28, 2010
According to an article in the Guardian talks between Karzai and Jalaluddin Haqqani have or are about to cause some problems (link). Haqqani comes with a fair amount of baggage and has had a few ports of call in the trip he has made to his present status. It appears that he was was cultivated [...]
Succeeding Kings
June 27, 2010
For those of you who are in the throes of either assessing the reasons for the so called downfall of Rudd or the position of the new leader little time should be wasted on feeling sorry for the past PM or elated at the appearance of the new wunderkind. In the end both presided in [...]
Afghanistan; Generals and Chaos
June 27, 2010
Yet another superb article at the TomDispatch site with an introduction from Tom Englehardt. You can read both at link, you will not be disappointed, particularly if you are trying to get to an understanding of the conflict in Afghanistan, unlike the vast majority of Australian politicians. We seem so locked into the Afghan mess [...]
Timor, oil and the Ugly Australian
June 27, 2010
The situation in Timor and how Australian oil fed motives affect this area are very significant as far the local population is concerned. There is a distinct pattern and method of behaviour engaged in by the so called rich developed countries when dealing with smaller areas that are possessed of a resource that the imperialist [...]
One person, one vote same result
June 24, 2010
This page has often referred to a view that we live in a one party system, to borrow both a phrase and reasoning from Chomsky. If you read today’s press you will see the rush by many in the mining industry to take the credit for Rudd’s replacement. The level of crowing reaches the obscene. [...]
New Leaders and speeches
June 24, 2010
Listening to Gillard say the expected to this country I was reminded of something very important that was left out, by my daughter. The position runs like this. Where the new leader possesses some quality that is at least different to other leaders that fact never seems to get mentioned. For Gillard the first female [...]
Realnews Video links
June 24, 2010
You can go to this link and see a video regarding McChrystal that looks at the failed policies in Afghanistan. McChrystal is just being made a scapegoat by Obama for Obama’s War. The time to get out is now and not a minute later. This video of an interview with Gareth Porter at the same [...]
Gillard the new gnu at the Zoo
June 23, 2010
It seems Gillard has moved from the imaginary left of the right wing Labor Party and is now to be the Right’s shining star. It does not take long to read some of the names in the for and against teams to see just how sick a lot they have been for so many many [...]
Use this information when you assess what Faulkner said tonight
June 23, 2010
The following information is available at the NATO site at link. For those of you who listened to Senator Faulkner on the ABC tonight, please note the ISAF is NOT a UN force. This is of course information provided by those fighting in the area. You only need to compare the troop levels to see [...]
Nobel Peace Laureate Flotilla witness
June 23, 2010
The following is an article by Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Maguire. You can look at the article at together with other material at link. Reproduced here is the whole article. She was on one of the boats in the Flotilla. It is important that as much information as possible be made available to those who [...]
The Gaza-Palestine positiom
June 23, 2010
There is an article by Hasan Afif El-Hasan at link it is concerned with the wider issues that involve Palestine as well as Gaza. The author puts the position as, “One thing is missing in the ‘Free Gaza’ movement. Activists and civil societies and journalists who support the Palestinian cause are rightfully angry at Israel’s [...]
Lots of drink and some loose talk re Afghanistan
June 23, 2010
The following comes from the Anti War site. You can read this and more at link. According to Time Magazine, General Stanley McChrystal has offered to tender his resignation to President Obama ahead of what is likely to be an extremely tense meeting at the White House on Thursday.” (George Ikners ikners.com Joomla)
Gaza and the Israeli two act play
June 23, 2010
This excerpt from a Guardian article at link, shows how the Israelis are treating the Palestinians and the rest of the world to a stage managed attempt to make Netanyahu look like a moderate. Note the phrase “own interests” when referring to Israel. What they want to do counts, any other opinion, (they call that [...]
Women and Occupation
June 22, 2010
Stephen Lendman has authored a very interesting piece entitled, ‘Am I Not a Human’: Women under Occupation. You can view the whole article at link. He looks at the suffering endured by women, particularly in Palestine. Lendman commences with the comment,” In spite of their exceptional suffering, Palestinian women display remarkable endurance qualities. Living under [...]
Afghanistan- The Pointless War
June 22, 2010
There is an article at the Reuters site by author Jere Van Dyke who spent time as a prisoner of the Taliban. That article quotes his view that,” To end the conflict, Van Dyk proposes Washington confront Pakistan. “I would go directly to Pakistan and say, ‘Stop funding the Taliban, stop using American money to [...]
Chomsky the state and anarchism
June 22, 2010
Noam Chomsky has always commented on the position of anarchists in society and what flows from concepts such as anarcho-syndicalism. There is a discernible continuum from some or most of the thoughts of Bakunin to Rocker to Chomsky. In a recent interview Noam Chomsky was asked the following question. (The emphasis is mine.) George Ikners [...]
US-Israeli pact; changing perceptions
June 21, 2010
Uri Avnery usually writes on the topic of Israel in a clear and concise fashion. He has his detractors and probably outright enemies, but you may find his articles are deserving of praise rather than condemnation. There is another of his articles available at link. It deals with what he sees as the breakdown (albeit [...]
How Israel eases and tightens a blockade at the same time
June 21, 2010
If you have been looking at media reports about Israel ‘easing the Gaza blockade’ or seeing pictures people like Blair being made to look like peacemakers try going to other news sources and you may find a different picture hanging on the wall. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that, Senior cabinet ministers on Sunday approved steps [...]
The Flotilla:An account by a witness detained, abused and beaten
June 20, 2010
The following account has been taken from Gilad Atzmon’s site at link. Rather than summarise it r simply provide comment the entire account is reproduced here. Dr. Paul Larudee (born April 25th, 1946) is a San Francisco Bay Area human rights advocate for justice in the region known as Palestine, which includes Israel, the West [...]
Killing a killer
June 19, 2010
For those interested, particularly those who support the death penalty, looking at the short video at the Guardian site at link, could prove worthwhile. (George Ikners ikners.com Joomla)
More on the oil leak
June 19, 2010
Here is a lengthy excerpt from a Guardian article. Read the whole article at link “BP has come under further pressure after one of its partners said the oil giant should foot the entire bill for the damage caused by the Gulf of Mexico spill. Anadarko Petroleum, which owns a quarter of the ruptured Deepwater [...]
Afghanistan a German view
June 19, 2010
Der Spiegel has an interesting article on the German involvement in Afghanistan. You may remember during one of the many phases of what came to be known as the “Great Game,” the former Nazi Germany played an active role in Afghanistan. That was done as part of what some commentators claim the Nazi claim to [...]
Oil, oil everywhere except in the ground
June 19, 2010
There is a truly first rate article by Naomi Klein at the Guardian site. You can see that article at link. It deals with the oils spill very comprehensively. Importantly Klein gets to the real menace of the situation as being a” hole in the world” It really is nonsense to think that the spill [...]
US knew in 2007 about Afghan resources
June 19, 2010
Just to update another article on this page about the ‘discovery’ of resources in the ground in Afghanistan, here is a portion of a Paul Jay interview. Just in case you had formed a view that the resources are a recent discovery Jay’s information is certainly to the contrary. “the evidence is crystal clear that [...]
Israel our nuclear friend
June 19, 2010
The story of Mordechai Vanunu has reached a truly absurd position in Israel. What he is saying and has said is so well known that the phrase “common knowledge” is the best description. However, you can not intrude into the fantasies of the Zionists in Israel without penalty. He has paid the penalty and the [...]
Afghanistan further defeat
June 17, 2010
Tom Englehardt is an author of books and articles about many topics. His site at TomDispatch makes very god reading and should be looked at regularly by anyone interested in events occurring in the US and on the world wide scene. The following excerpt is from an introduction to an article by Associate Editor Nick [...]
Atzmon Interview
June 17, 2010
What follows is an interview with Gilad Atzmon, who discusses his life and beliefs. The whole of the report is here so that you can see what he thinks about Israel and other matters. The opinions are his own. It is a matter for you and your own consideration to form your own view.“Time for [...]
Gaza, the flotilla a point of view
June 16, 2010
Jonathan Cook has written a short article and it can be seen at link. The title is,” Israel’s cult of victimhood” He deals with the position in Israel and their perceptions of how the world may be coming to view Israel’s actions. The opening comments are to the point,” Why are Israelis so indignant at [...]
Chomsky view on Imperialist Wars
June 16, 2010
There is increasing talk from many countries particularly in the UK about a withdrawal from Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity. Behind all the talk there is the logic of a very familiar voice in international affairs, Noam Chomsky. You need to start by looking at whether you feel the US leaving Viet Nam was the [...]
Chomsky view on Imperialist Wars
June 16, 2010
There is increasing talk from many countries particularly in the UK about a withdrawal from Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity. Behind all the talk there is the logic of a very familiar voice i international affairs, Noam Chomsky. You need to start by looking at whether you feel the US leaving Viet Nam was the [...]
For Afghans it’s only the beginning
June 14, 2010
If you read the NY Times there is an interesting article at link. The report concerns the mineral wealth in Afghanistan and US interest in it. The report commences with,” The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter [...]
Baroud on Gaza
June 14, 2010
Ramzy Baroud, the editor of the Palestine Chronicle and the author of My Father was a Freedom fighter and Palestine the Second Intifida has written article referred to in articles on this page. For convenience the article titled The Old Gaza Boy and the Sea is reproduced here in full. The books he has written [...]
Pilger
June 14, 2010
Perhaps we are all being a little mislead by our own media and commentators about one of our most notable citizens. The following appears in the New Stateman. John Pilger, renowned investigative journalist and documentary film-maker, is one of only two to have twice won British journalism’s top award; his documentaries have won academy awards [...]
War; How the many die for the few
June 14, 2010
John Pilger has written an interesting article for the New Statesman. You can see the article at the New Statesman site at link, it is also available at Pilger’s own site at link2. The theme of what he writes is about how wars start. His view is that as explained to him,” How do wars [...]
Video smuggled out by activist on Mavi Marmara
June 12, 2010
An activist aboard the Mavi Marmara has managed to smuggle out about an hour of video relating to the Israeli attack. You can watch the video material at link. As is the usual practice at the Democracy Now site, there is also a transcript available of an interview with the activist, Iara Lee. (George Ikners [...]
Israeli Video Hoax
June 12, 2010
If you want to see an analysis of the video footage of the IDF boarding the Flotilla ship, Mavi Marmara go to link. You should find the conclusions there a little interesting. (George Ikners ikners.com Joomla)
War and Afghanistan
June 12, 2010
Yet another good article from Eric Walberg can be seen at link. Just in case you think that there will be at least a winding down of the carnage and oppression in Afghanistan consider a few facts. First of which is the 700 bases the US has built there and the amazing involvement of Karzai [...]
Gillard and those news reports
June 12, 2010
Anyone who had the misfortune to watch Julia Gillard in action yet again could be excused for thinking that Her Greatness has sadly but as usual missed the point. Formerly of the imaginary left wing of the Labor Party she was being asked about the recent news reports of just how badly Labor was going. [...]
Flotilla video from witness on boat
June 12, 2010
There are many videos available to watch with witnesses on the boats giving their version of what happened. They are not hard to find. But there is one by an activist, Alex Harrison that shows clearly the level of abuse directed toward the other boats,=. You can view this video at link. (George Ikners ikners.com [...]
40,000 Barrels a day and counting
June 12, 2010
What does BP stand for? British Petroleum or Bigger Propaganda? Remember all the talk of 5,000 barrels a day? Seems like yesterday I rhink it was to be exact, that a spokesperson claimed they were recovering far im excess of that daily. What does it all end up meaning. (George Ikners ikners.com Joomla)
Chilcot Inquiry carries on
June 12, 2010
In an interesting move Lady Mannington is to be called to give evidence at the Chilcot Inquiry. She was the head of MI5 at the time and the Guardian has a good article at link. When it came the question of an invasion Mannington is reported to have said “: “Why now?” And then, she [...]
Atzmon and an expose of the lies told about the flotilla
June 11, 2010
No doubt you have heard all manner of stories about conspiracy theories abounding on the net and all the inaccuracies contained at most web sites. Of course that is always put in contrast to news sources you can trust that for many many years have glorified wars conducted by their own countries as heroic endeavours [...]
Israel corrects error in report on flotilla
June 11, 2010
There is really no need to say anything about this article except that you can read it at the Sabbah site at link. For your convenience the whole article appears below. But please go to the site as this article is only the beginning of the material there. (George Ikners ikners.com Joomla)
Arab indifference to Erdogan, comments by Atwan
June 11, 2010
Abdel Bari Atwan has penned another article about Turkey, Edrogan and the need to keep the momentum behind the Turkish and international moves to expose the Israeli position and the blockade of Gaza. You can see this short article at link. Atwan also exposes what he sees as at least an amibivalent if not obstructive [...]
Erdogan and truth against Israel
June 11, 2010
You will find a good article on the Turkish leader, Edrogan at the al Jazeera site at link. It is written by Sami Moubayed who is the editor-in-chief of Forward Magazine in Syria. It seems that Edrogan has really captured quite an audience in the Middle East. As Moubayed says,” As a young vendor selling [...]
Escobar on the Flotilla and motives
June 10, 2010
There is also another good article by “The Roving Eye” Pepe Escobar at the Asia times site at link. He very comprehensively looks at the reasons for Israel’s attack on an unarmed boat on the high seas, and links the motivation to concerns about Iran and other matters. Stressing that the whole operation had been planned [...]