flacafina's blog

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY,
YOU’RE FIRED

You have failed to keep your oath to represent the wishes of the Palestinian people, so…
We the Palestinian People

hereby issue you a notice of termination, and demand the following:

Suspend and terminate the Oslo Accords

Dissolve the Palestinian Authority – Abbas must resign

End the blockade of Gaza

End all security arrangements with Israel

Release Palestinian political prisoners from Palestinian jails

Unify the resistance – Build a national platform upon which to coalesce Palestinian political parties and formations in their resistance to apartheid, colonialism, and ethnic cleansing

Notice of termination served on February 28, 2011 4:00-6:00 p.m.
at the General Delegation of the PLO Mission to the U.S.
1320 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC

Issued by the United States Palestinian Community Network

Ann Wright, former diplomat who resigned in opposition to the war on Iraq, reminds us of the one promise President Obama has kept; to continue the "good" war.

The war on Afghanistan has been the "good" war, indeed, exceptionally good for those peddling poison and perversion. The decadence and devastation destroying families, clans, towns, cities and entire countries defies words. From Osama to Obama, what has been done to the women and children of Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan in the name of the "Holy War", the "War on Terror" or some other nefarious nickname is the beast gnawing on our humanity's skeletal remains.

This past Friday, December 24, 2010, at 8:30am, early enough to miss the merry mayhem and holiday havoc of the last minute gift buying of the wild-eyed and worried-about-my-credit-card-balance-but-gonna-buy-anyway, I went to my neighborhood grocery store in Falls Church, VA to pick up supplies for our peace community’s fundraiser for Iraqi refugees.

Zipping toward the Latino foods to find the coveted corn tortillas, comino and enchilada sauce, with my shopping list in one hand and the basket handle in the other, I tried to forget the glomming-onto-your brain refrain “Santa Claus is coming to town, Santa Claus is coming to town,…” that boomed at you as soon as you hit the automatic doors.

The day after hundreds of Veterans for Peace members and other leaders in the peace movement were arrested at the White House along with whistleblowers Colleen Rowley, Ray McGovern and Daniel Ellsberg, The House of Representatives passed legislation that authorizes the Pentagon to spend nearly $160 billion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this budget year without major restrictions on the conduct of operations:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DEFENSE_SPENDING?SECTION=HOME&...

The bill includes:
- Up to $75 million to train and equip Yemeni counterterrorism forces;

- $205 million for a program with Israel to develop its "Iron Dome" defense system;

- $11.6 billion for the development of the Afghan security forces, and $1.5 billion for Iraqi security forces.

And in nearly the same breath, Congress cuts off recession relief to states:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/16/government-ends-recession-relie...

TO THE MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES, THE GREEDY RICH WHO DARE NOT SAY, " I DON'T NEED THESE BUSH/OBAMA TAX CUTS!!!!!"AND TO THE WORKING CLASS WHO GROVEL AT THEIR FEET, TOO COWERED TO TAKE TO THE STREETS!!!!SHAME ON YOU!...SHAME ON YOU!!! SHAME ON YOU!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_408ieYAy0

Jamila AL-Habash, 16, one of the victims of the Israeli bombings on Gaza, whose picture can be seen in the Kai Wiedenhöfer exhibition in the Paris Modern Art Museum ( http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/portfolio/2010/11/26/gaza-2010-ruines-et-v... ) will visit on Saturday the exhibition that the Israeli lobby wanted to prohibit.

She is my daughter and yours as well,

BOYCOTT ISRAEL!

A couple of months ago as I returned home on my bike from our U.S. Boat to Gaza fundraiser, I was hit by a car in a pedestrian crosswalk at a cronically treacherous intersection woefully in need of law enforcement. Fortunately, I suffered only a jammed wrist and a scraped leg. My bike, sad to say, was totaled. So, today when I went to my nearby Perfomance Bike shop to pick-up it's replacement, the cost close to $400, to my dismay, military personnel were there receiving 20% off of their purchases. To "honor" their service the ad stated. I asked the attendant, Corey, when will I receive 20% off as a peace activist, children's advocate and librarian? He shook his head and replied, "You'll have to ask the folks who are smarter than me about that." Smarter? I doubt it!

It's the night after Christmas and all through the House,

Reminders why I weep and why I scream:

Those Who Died Sept. 26-Oct. 23
In Iraq:
Spc Marc Whisenant 23 Holly Hill FL
Pvt Dylan Reid 24 Springfield MO230 Iraqis
In Afghanistan:
Sgt Mark Simpson 40 Peoria IL
Cpl Matthew Thomas 24 Wales
Sgt Kazimierz Kasprzak 32 Poland
Cpl Ralph Fabbri 20 Gallitzin PA
Air Mark Forester 29 Tuscaloosa AL
Sgt Calvin Harrison 31 San Antonio TX
Sgt Justin Officer 26 Wichita KS
Cpl Timothy Jackson 22 Corbin KY
Col Ramaz Gogiashvili Georgia
Sgt Davit Tsetskhladze Georgia
Cpl Giorgi Kolkhitashvili Georgia
Cpl Nuzzar Kalandadze Georgia
Spc Luther Rabon Jr 32 Lexington SC
Sgt Willie Harley Jr 48 Aiken SC
Sgt Anthony Matteoni 22 Union City MI
Sgt Lance Vogeler 29 Frederick MD
Sgt Marius Sfeches 25 Romania
Pvt Christian Filip Petru 26 Romania
Pvt Surag Gurung 22 Gorkha Nepal
Spc Donald Morrison 23 Cincinnati OH
Sgt Brian Pedro 27 Rosamond CA
Pvt Cody Board 19 McKinney TX

I know that many of you have participated in CODEPINK's STOLEN BEAUTY campaign boycotting AHAVA cosmetics. I too have participated in these actions and have been boycotting Israeli produce & other products for the past year (Better late than never!) Maybe you have as well.

As winter approaches we will have plenty of opportunity to continue and expand these actions as so many are already doing in Europe. Last winter & early spring, friends and I found Israeli tomatos, peppers, avocados, dates, and persimmons at various markets in DC, MD, VA grocery stores including Giant, Harris-Teeter and family operated neighborhood markets. Look for Agrexco, Carmel, Jaffa, Sharon, Alibaba, Mejoul stickers on your produce or just ask the grocer where it came from. Don't forget to check the organic aisles and bins. Many of these "exotics"including flowers are Israeli. Also the barcode for Israeli products begins with 729.

Northern Virginia Fundraiser for the U.S. Boat To Gaza

When: Sunday September 19, 2010
Time: 4-6pm

What: Fundraiser for the U.S boat to Gaza

Where: Busboys and Poets @ Shirlington Village
4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 379-9757

In the aftermath of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla massacre and world-wide scrutiny of Israel’s attack on and continued siege of Gaza, Israel has mounted a public relations campaign to whitewash the facts. Yet, Gaza is still under siege, an open-air prison for 1.5 million Palestinians, backed by the U.S. government.

This fall, joining a flotilla of ships from around the world, Americans are launching a U.S. boat to Gaza "The Audacity of Hope" http://ustogaza.org/

Join Northern Virginians for Peace and Justice, be part of this historic event.
Listen to enchanting Oud music and singing of Palestinian artist Huda Asfour, and the inspirational music of Perry King.

As state after state chips away at our nation's public school programs and public libraries, especially those in communities already underserved I wonder what the future holds for our children. (Do a simple google search for school or kindergarten funding cuts)

Politicians love to kiss babies, hug their mothers while on the campaign trail, bellowing pro-education and pro-library rhetoric like Senator Jack Reed did recently at an ALA rally in DC yet back in their offices and on the Capitol floor our representatives quietly fasttrack those same communities' tax dollars to the bank executives in the form of bailouts and the war profiteers in no bid contracts. Senator Reed admitted to me right after his speech at the library rally that he indeed voted for the last war supplemental. Politicians know that once in office the public does not pay attention to their voting record.

Dear Carrie,

You are a kind lady so I hope you will take the time to read what I have written here. Israel deserves your support but not the kind you are used to giving.

I woke up this morning thinking of Abeer, did a new search online and found this Youtube that I had not seen before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8VBR608YjM

Although we all learned the basic horrible facts of this story years ago, it continues to haunt me. I wonder and worry about Abeer's little brothers and what they are doing now. They were away at school when these heinous crimes were perpetrated on their sisters and parents by US soldiers.

This past week was Abeer's birthday. She would have turned 19.

I keep repeating myself and I'm SICK OF IT!!!! Dumb and Dumber is just how "they" want us: THE STATE OF ARIZONA IS NO LONGER FUNDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION NOR KINDERGARTEN! Does anyone know if any AZ legislators attended Kindergarten? They obviously do not know that:"Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten!"

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/03/19/201003...

http://www.actarizona.org/outcry_over_plan_to_cut_full-day_kindergarten.htm

http://www.actarizona.org/brewer_budget_has_massive_cuts.htm

http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/06/27/2...

Citizens of AZ should have their own BASTILLE DAY, recall ALL their reps and take over the State Capitol!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=409083412187

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

His message:

Palestinian Youth Groups Condemn Israeli Aggression on the Freedom Flotilla

Gaza, May 31, 2010- The free Palestinian youth groups from across the political and social spectrum denounce the military operations by the Israeli occupation army against the Freedom Flotilla in international waters, causing tens of civilian activists to be killed and wounded.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Palestinian youth have expressed grave concern due to the ongoing military operations against international solidarity groups, stressing that this is a flagrant war crime against civilians, whose perpetrators must be stopped, condemned and punished.

Retired diplomat Ann Wright and 85 year old Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein are onboard the flotilla along with 800 other activists. See press release below:

Gaza Freedom March Prepares Emergency Response for Freedom Flotilla | May 28, 2010 | Livestream

As the remaining boats of the Freedom Flotilla left for Gaza yesterday, Israel continues to conduct training exercises to stop the convoy "at any cost." The Freedom Flotilla is expected to arrive at its destination within 48 hours. A violent response from Israel will breathe new life into the Palestine solidarity movement, drawing attention to the blockade. Already in response to Israel's publicized military threats, the Gaza Freedom March, a coalition focused on breaking the Israeli siege of Gaza, prepares to launch a worldwide emergency campaign consisting of protests, hunger strikes, public relations, and government pressure in the event the peaceful flotilla is attacked or high-jacked by Israel.

Following the technical failure experienced by one of ships from Greece, its passengers have been successfully transferred to the Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara. Eight ships are now en route to Gaza with over 10,000 tons of medical, construction, and school supplies. The flotilla includes some 800 passengers, including 35 MP's from 15 countries, 20 newscasters, 11 Gaza Freedom Marchers, and various artists and human rights activists.

Israel has threatened to stop the peaceful flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza in violation of international law. Hedy Epstein, an 85 year old Holocaust survivor is on board along with retired US diplomat Ann Wright, Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire and peace activists from more than 20 countries.

The Freedom Flotilla has issued a rebuttal to Israel's propaganda, which I send you below:

Israeli disinformation cannot hide the siege of Gaza. | Press Release

For over four years, Israel has subjected the civilian population of Gaza to an increasingly severe blockade, resulting in a man-made humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. Earlier this month, John Ging, the Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with humanitarian aid. This weekend, 9 civilian boats carrying 700 human rights workers from 40 countries and 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid will attempt to do just that: break through the Israel’s illegal military blockade on the Gaza Strip in non-violent direct action. In response, the Israeli government has threatened to send out ‘half’ of its Naval forces to violently stop our flotilla, and they have engaged in a deceitful campaign of misinformation regarding our mission.

Latest news indicate Israel WILL stop the Free Gaza flotilla carrying 10 000 tones of urgent humanitarian supplies Israel has been banning from Gaza, unless we STOP them from doing so.

We need to act URGENTLY:

1 - Schedule protests in your local area. There are already protests scheduled in US and Canada.
2 - Write to your elected officials
3 - Contact the media - translate the Free Gaza press releases and distribute them widely in your lists
4 - Write to EU Foreign Affairs head Catherine Ashton - catherine.ashton@ec.europa.eu

These two websites contain all the information you need to know - SAVE them in your favorites:

http://gazafreedommarch.org/cms/en/flotilla.aspx
www.witnessgaza.com
Palestinians in Gaza count on us to break the siege, if we could not join the brave activists on the boat the very least we can do is to urge politicians to uphold international law and stop the Israeli pirates!

Caterpillar, Inc. plays a lethal role in strengthening the Israeli Apartheid, perpetuating injustice against Palestinians, in addition to violating international law, the US Arms Export Control Act, and its own corporate code of conduct.

Caterpillar supplies heavy equipment, militarized tractors used to demolish Palestinian homes and to build the Apartheid wall that annexes Palestinian land. Caterpillar knowingly sells D9 and D10 bulldozers to the Israeli government for these purposes.

In 2003 while attempting to block the destruction of a family’s home in Gaza, 23 year old peace activist Rachel Corrie was brutally killed by a Caterpillar D-9 military bulldozer. Her family has since filed suit against Caterpillar charging that the company knowingly sold machines used to violate human rights. Since Rachel's death at least three others have been killed in their own homes by bulldozer demolitions.

As the saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding.” Government of the people, for the people and by the people is a cruel joke, a fairytale taught during history period in U.S. schools. We Americans are getting what we deserve. We are too lazy to deserve democracy. Ignorance is bliss or we are just too uncaring to mobilize. We are content with complaining at the TV or spouse and kicking the dog. I dare say we deserve government by, for and of K street lobbyists and their masters.

Last weekend two dozen protestors attempted to demonstrate at the Military Expo on the National Mall. This past Friday US Youth Climate Movement expressed outrage over British Petroleum, Halliburton and Transocean’s catastrophic Gulf oil spill by holding a “Day of Action, Night of Mourning” Today another handful of activists urge us to contact the White House demanding President Obama take control of the clean up of this environmental catastrophe.