Puppet Masters
Russia on Wednesday joined China in suggesting that the new US intelligence report confirming the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program must end the Western threats of more sanctions against Iran.
Despite knowledge that Iran halted its nuke program, the White House still pressed ahead with its lies and propaganda campaign.
The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) released yesterday concludes that "in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program." It adds that "Tehran had not restarted its nuclear weapons program as of mid-2007," and the country is "less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005."
The assessment, which relies on data collected through Oct. 31, was reportedly completed in 2006, but was blocked by administration officials who wanted it to be more in line with Vice President Cheney's hardline views.
The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) released yesterday concludes that "in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program." It adds that "Tehran had not restarted its nuclear weapons program as of mid-2007," and the country is "less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005."
The assessment, which relies on data collected through Oct. 31, was reportedly completed in 2006, but was blocked by administration officials who wanted it to be more in line with Vice President Cheney's hardline views.
French executives accompanying the country's president on a trip to China today closed deals worth €20bn (£14.4bn) to sell nuclear reactors and Airbus planes to the communist state.
Nicolas Sarkozy, on a visit focusing on trade relations, welcomed the lucrative agreements but also warned of the environmental costs of China's rapid economic growth.
Nicolas Sarkozy, on a visit focusing on trade relations, welcomed the lucrative agreements but also warned of the environmental costs of China's rapid economic growth.
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| ©David Neiwert |
| Bo Gritz burned a U.N. flag at a 'Preparedness Expo' in 1998. |
It's clear by now, I hope, that fascism isn't something peculiar to Europe, but in fact grew out of an impulse that appears throughout history in many different cultures. This impulse is, as Roger Griffin puts it, "ultra-nationalism that aspires to bring about the renewal of a nation's entire political culture."
We needn't look far to find this impulse at play in the American landscape -- social, religious and political renewal all appear as constant (though perhaps not yet dominant) themes of Republican propaganda now. But it is especially prevalent on the extremist right; indeed, it's probably a definitive trait.
China has dealt a blow to Western efforts to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran over its nuclear program by dropping out of a meeting to discuss tougher sanctions against Tehran.
Russia, which like China opposes further U.N. sanctions against Iran, added fuel to the fire by announcing on Friday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog would soon start inspecting and sealing atomic fuel bound for an Iranian reactor.
Russia, which like China opposes further U.N. sanctions against Iran, added fuel to the fire by announcing on Friday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog would soon start inspecting and sealing atomic fuel bound for an Iranian reactor.
A report from the U.N nuclear watchdog agency on Thursday found Iran to be generally truthful about key aspects of its nuclear history, but it warned that its knowledge of Tehran's present atomic work was shrinking.
The White House said it would continue to push for a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iran despite the findings by the International Atomic Energy Agency report.
The White House said it would continue to push for a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iran despite the findings by the International Atomic Energy Agency report.
Hamas has rounded up scores of Fatah activists in the Gaza Strip following a Monday rally that drew more than 200,000 supporters and ended in gunfire that killed seven people, officials said on Tuesday.
Islam Shahwan, spokesman of the Hamas-led Executive Force, said it had detained about 50 Fatah members since the rally.
Islam Shahwan, spokesman of the Hamas-led Executive Force, said it had detained about 50 Fatah members since the rally.
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| Fatah supporters running for cover during clashes at Monday's major Gaza rally in honor of Yasser Arafat. |
Comment: Interesting that this article makes exactly the opposite claims from this one:
Fatah gangsters spoil Arafat's commemoration in Gaza
Another difference is that the present one is published in an Israeli run newspaper, while the other one is featured on a Palestinian news site.
The Palestinian leader's portrayal by the west and Israel has been a barrier both to understanding the conflict and to peace
Tony Blair earned the scorn of the Chinese media yesterday for accepting £200,000 for a three-hour spin through southern China, during which he gave a "cliched" speech and fitted in a quick jaunt around a high-class villa complex.
"Is he worth the money?" asked some Chinese newspapers and compared the former prime minister's oratorical insights to those of a village official.
"Is he worth the money?" asked some Chinese newspapers and compared the former prime minister's oratorical insights to those of a village official.
I recently examined how the Bush Justice Department was developing a "Culture of Torture," that is, the Bush Administration's addiction to torture has become its defining element. Opposition to torture policies is not tolerated, as Daniel Levin and Michael Mukasey have learned. Silence can be tolerated among career employees, perhaps, but it will certainly check their advancement.
And now, courtesy of the ACLU, we learn some more about the logical corollaries of the culture of torture: secrecy and lies.
And now, courtesy of the ACLU, we learn some more about the logical corollaries of the culture of torture: secrecy and lies.
Comment: David Neiwert's series:
Introduction
I. Projecting Fascism
II. Understanding Fascism
III. The Core of Fascism
IV. Tracking Fascism
V. Proto-Fascism in America
VI. Crossing the Lines
VII. The Transmission Belt
VIII. Official Transmitters
IX. Media Transmitters
X. Reaching the Receivers
XI. Dualist Receivers
XII. Divine Transmissions
XIII. Fascism and Fundamentalism
XIV. The War on Liberals
XV. Waiting for Godwin
Bibliography