War Is A Crime .org - October 27 2007 reports

The Stunning Illogic of The Times: Spy on Us All so We Won’t Lose Our Freedom

dlindorff — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:19:58 +0000

By Dave Lindorff

So New York Times columnist Tom Friedman and former Times executive editor Bill Keller are both saying that the massive NSA spying program on all Americans’ communications is a needed thing because if they don’t do it, then maybe there could be another major terrorist strike on the US, and democracy would be erased in the US.

US Naval Intelligence Views Iran's Naval Forces

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:59:17 +0000

U.S. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE VIEWS IRAN'S NAVAL FORCES
By Steven Aftergood | Secrecy News

A new report (pdf) from the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence describes Iran's naval order of battle, as well as the Iranian Navy's history, strategic options, and favored tactics.

"Today, Iran's naval forces protect Iranian waters and natural resources, especially Iran's petroleum-related assets and industries. Iranian maritime security operations guard against the smuggling of illegal goods (especially drugs) and immigrants, and protect against the poaching and stealing of fish in territorial waters."

"Additionally, Iran uses its naval forces for political ends such as naval diplomacy and strategic messaging. Most of all, Iranian naval forces are equipped to defend against perceived external threats. Public statements by Iranian leaders indicate that they would consider closing or controlling the Strait of Hormuz if provoked, thereby cutting off almost 30 percent of the world's oil supply."

The unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment was published on the Office of Naval Intelligence website, but last week it was abruptly withdrawn, along with another ONI report on China's navy. A copy of the report was obtained by Secrecy News. See "Iran's Naval Forces: From Guerilla (sic) Warfare to a Modern Naval Strategy," Fall 2009.

My Book Is Now Available from Publisher Before Stores Get It

davidswanson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:35:16 +0000

"Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union," by David Swanson is due in stores September 1st, but the publisher has it now and you can get it straight from Seven Stories Press.

Bush Overstates Threat Posed by a Nuclear Iran

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:15:07 +0000

Bush overstates threat posed by a nuclear Iran
By Ward Wilson | ChicagoTribune.com

Strength is often judged by how you carry yourself. Are you cocky and shouting? Or measured and calm? The Bush administration is acting more cocky than calm, not like the leaders of a superpower but like unsure freshmen.

President George W. Bush (and others) argue that Iran is evil (because its leaders support terrorists) and that if Iran gets nuclear weapons, it might use them (because they are fanatics, and Islam invites martyrdom). According to the Bush administration, we have to do everything in our power—not excluding a military attack—to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

Over 400 Participate in Jonesborough Peace Rally

davidswanson — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:33:50 +0000

Report by DNTC member L.D., of Kinsport, Democracy Now Tri-Cities

IT IS PERHAPS NOT SURPRISING to see that our region's media failed once again to give an accurate account of Saturday's large peace rally in Jonesborough, TN. The event's organizers, United for Peace and Justice and First Tennessee Progressives, used a clever system of small stickers to get an accurate headcount of the event. As soon as protestors entered the Mill Spring Park gate (after being frisked by police), they were given small stickers to wear. By 2:30 p.m., half an hour before the start of the march through the city, well over 400 of these stickers had been handed out.

Rome, Italy, by Stephanie Westbrook

davidswanson — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:22:14 +0000

End the War in Iraq! No Military Action Against Iran!
By Stephanie Westbrook, U.S. Citizens for Peace and Justice

As the October 27 mass demonstrations calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq and opposing military action against Iran were getting underway in 11 cities across the U.S, a solidarity protest was unfolding on the tourist-filled Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy.

War Protests: Why No Coverage?

davidswanson — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:15:18 +0000

By Jerry Lanson, Christian Science Monitor

Newspapers have a duty to inform citizens about such democratic events.

Boston - Coordinated antiwar protests in at least 11 American cities this weekend raised anew an interesting question about the nature of news coverage: Are the media ignoring rallies against the Iraq war because of their low turnout or is the turnout dampened by the lack of news coverage?

Captured Red Handed BY THE MEDIA - AT LAST!!

Linda Milazzo — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:59:11 +0000

After six years of America's mainstream media bowing to its corporate mandate to ignore all opposition to George W. Bush, a media miracle has happened. Thanks to the great camera work of AP photographer, Charles Dharapak, the American anti-war movement has been revealed to the world. In one flash of a magical millisecond, photographer Dharapak captured CODEPINK peacemaker Desiree Fairooz confronting George Bush warmaker Condoleeza Rice. It was the shot SEEN 'round the world:

A huge thank you to photographer Charles Dharapak and to the Associated Press for letting the truth be told - for passing the message to the world that within the boundaries of imperial America thrives a valiant peace movement that opposes George W. Bush, and works hard to overthrow him.

Every American who opposes the immoral wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, and fears an encore on Iran, owes a heart-felt thanks to Desiree Fairooz for placing herself in the cross hairs for peace. The responses to Fairooz' patriotism, and to the brazen women of CODEPINK, have been astounding. Across the nation, on blogs, on television, and on radio, there has been a steady stream of support. Fairooz has shown that the opposition to Bush from inside America equals the opposition of the outside world.

Getting Mike Gravel's Irish Up

davidswanson — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:34:55 +0000

From People's Voice

[Orlando, Fl. October 27, 2007] As a veteran of justice and peace marches, my estimate is that 3,000 concerned justice and peace patriotic Americans and 50 counter demonstrators took it to the streets of Orlando on a humid overcast Saturday. A comrade from the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and a member of the Steering Committee of United for Peace and Justice, Omar Masri, American Lebanese, kicked off the happening and roused the crowd, "I f-----g believe in peace! 70% of Americans say NO more occupation of Iraq, bring back the troops! Power to the people and we will not be silent! End the occupation now!"

Jonesborough Justice

davidswanson — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:20:03 +0000

By David Swanson

Of the eleven major peace rallies organized around the country by United for Peace and Justice last Saturday the smallest and most unusual took place in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Jonesborough is a town of about 4,000 people in the northeast corner of Tennessee, within a couple of dozen miles of both Virginia and North Carolina. The people of Jonesborough can imagine the number of U.S. troops who have died in Iraq by imagining their entire local population dead.