New Doubts about Powell/CIA intelligence on decontamination trucks
'Further doubts have arisen over the intelligence presentation on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction made by US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, at the UN Security Council last month. UN weapons inspectors have been unable to confirm the accuracy of American claims that its satellite images show chemical decontamination vehicles at former Iraqi weapons sites as stated by Mr Powell. UN inspectors say the trucks may have been water trucks.
'"We have not been able to independently confirm from those satellite photographs whether this thing is a decontamination truck or a water truck," a spokesman for the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix, said. "Apparently they look very, very similar so it's impossible for us to do an independent analysis."'
Monday, March 17, 2003
Sunday, March 16, 2003
RICHARD PERLE TO SUE JOURNALIST SEYMOUR HERSH OVER NEW YORKER ARTICLE
'Richard Perle, the influential foreign policy hawk, is suing journalist Seymour Hersh over an article he wrote implying that Mr. Perle is using his position as a Pentagon adviser to benefit financially from a war to liberate Iraq. "I intend to launch legal action in the United Kingdom. I?m talking to Queen?s Counsel right now," Mr. Perle, who chairs the Pentagon?s Defense Policy Board, a non-paying position, told The New York Sun last night. He said he is suing in Britain because it is easier to win such cases there, where the burden on plaintiffs is much less.'
'Richard Perle, the influential foreign policy hawk, is suing journalist Seymour Hersh over an article he wrote implying that Mr. Perle is using his position as a Pentagon adviser to benefit financially from a war to liberate Iraq. "I intend to launch legal action in the United Kingdom. I?m talking to Queen?s Counsel right now," Mr. Perle, who chairs the Pentagon?s Defense Policy Board, a non-paying position, told The New York Sun last night. He said he is suing in Britain because it is easier to win such cases there, where the burden on plaintiffs is much less.'
Google censors joke site in pedophile panic
'Censorship is so easy to impose, and so perilous to fight.'
'Censorship is so easy to impose, and so perilous to fight.'
Uri Avnery discusses the possible 'transfer' during the Iraq war
'The attention of the world will be riveted to the battle in Iraq. In the Arab countries, chaos may prevail, diverting attention from the Palestinian territories. The Israeli public, fearful of Saddam's capabilities, will be (even) less sensitive to the plight of the Palestinians. What can happen? The list is long, and every item is worse than the preceding one.'
'The attention of the world will be riveted to the battle in Iraq. In the Arab countries, chaos may prevail, diverting attention from the Palestinian territories. The Israeli public, fearful of Saddam's capabilities, will be (even) less sensitive to the plight of the Palestinians. What can happen? The list is long, and every item is worse than the preceding one.'
House boom reaps state property tax bonanza
'VICTORIA'S long-running property boom has helped boost State Government coffers by more than $1 billion a year since 1998. Syrocketing revenue from land tax and stamp duty have led to calls for the system to be reviewed because of bracket creep and claims it is discriminatory and discourages investment in Victoria.
'The most recent Budget forecast predicts the Government will reap $611.4 million from land tax this financial year - a 132 per cent increase from 1997-98. Meanwhile stamp duty has swelled from $981 million to a forecast $1.59 billion in the same period'
'Australian Property Institute president Barry Brakey said the land tax system in Victoria was discriminatory and often unfair. "Everyone expects that you have to pay land tax but it does not differentiate with what you are doing with the land," he said.'
This, of course, is one of the purposes and main advantages of land tax. It is a form of incentive taxation, to stimulate economic activity and prevent slums by encouraging land to be put to its highest and best use.
'VICTORIA'S long-running property boom has helped boost State Government coffers by more than $1 billion a year since 1998. Syrocketing revenue from land tax and stamp duty have led to calls for the system to be reviewed because of bracket creep and claims it is discriminatory and discourages investment in Victoria.
'The most recent Budget forecast predicts the Government will reap $611.4 million from land tax this financial year - a 132 per cent increase from 1997-98. Meanwhile stamp duty has swelled from $981 million to a forecast $1.59 billion in the same period'
'Australian Property Institute president Barry Brakey said the land tax system in Victoria was discriminatory and often unfair. "Everyone expects that you have to pay land tax but it does not differentiate with what you are doing with the land," he said.'
This, of course, is one of the purposes and main advantages of land tax. It is a form of incentive taxation, to stimulate economic activity and prevent slums by encouraging land to be put to its highest and best use.
Ex-CIA Analysts Accuse Bush of Manipulating Iraq Evidence
'A small group composed mostly of retired CIA officers is appealing to colleagues still inside to go public with any evidence the Bush administration is slanting intelligence to support its case for war with Iraq. Members of the group contend the Bush administration has released information on Iraq that meets only its ends ? while ignoring or withholding contrary reporting.
'They also say the administration's public evidence about the immediacy of Iraq's threat to the United States and its alleged ties to al-Qaida is unconvincing, and accuse policy-makers of pushing out some information that does not meet an intelligence professional's standards of proof. "It's been cooked to a recipe, and the recipe is high policy," said Ray McGovern, a 27-year CIA veteran who briefed top Reagan administration security officials before retiring in 1990. "That's why a lot of my former colleagues are holding their noses these days."'
'A small group composed mostly of retired CIA officers is appealing to colleagues still inside to go public with any evidence the Bush administration is slanting intelligence to support its case for war with Iraq. Members of the group contend the Bush administration has released information on Iraq that meets only its ends ? while ignoring or withholding contrary reporting.
'They also say the administration's public evidence about the immediacy of Iraq's threat to the United States and its alleged ties to al-Qaida is unconvincing, and accuse policy-makers of pushing out some information that does not meet an intelligence professional's standards of proof. "It's been cooked to a recipe, and the recipe is high policy," said Ray McGovern, a 27-year CIA veteran who briefed top Reagan administration security officials before retiring in 1990. "That's why a lot of my former colleagues are holding their noses these days."'
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Soros predicts brief war rally, lashes out at Bush
'"Whatever the outcome in Iraq, I dare to predict that the Bush policies are bound to fail," Soros said. Soros said that the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States have made it difficult for political opponents and public figures to voice opposition to Bush's policy on Iraq. "I believe that President Bush is leading the United States and the world in the wrong direction, and I consider nothing short of tragic that the terrorist threat has induced the country to line up behind him so uncritically," Soros said.'
'"Whatever the outcome in Iraq, I dare to predict that the Bush policies are bound to fail," Soros said. Soros said that the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States have made it difficult for political opponents and public figures to voice opposition to Bush's policy on Iraq. "I believe that President Bush is leading the United States and the world in the wrong direction, and I consider nothing short of tragic that the terrorist threat has induced the country to line up behind him so uncritically," Soros said.'
Another well-timed leak nixes US policy announcement: 'Dominos'
'The date on the report, 26 February, was the very day the President laid out his vision of a domino effect, in which a US invasion of Iraq would be the beginning of a democratic revolution throughout the Middle East. "A new regime in Iraq would serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom for other nations in the region," Mr Bush said. The State Department report, by contrast, dismisses the domino theory in its title: Iraq, the Middle East and Change: No Dominoes.
'The date on the report, 26 February, was the very day the President laid out his vision of a domino effect, in which a US invasion of Iraq would be the beginning of a democratic revolution throughout the Middle East. "A new regime in Iraq would serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom for other nations in the region," Mr Bush said. The State Department report, by contrast, dismisses the domino theory in its title: Iraq, the Middle East and Change: No Dominoes.
Chomsky: The Case Against US Adventurism in Iraq
'The most powerful state in history has proclaimed that it intends to control the world by force, the dimension in which it reigns supreme. President Bush and his cohorts evidently believe that the means of violence in their hands are so extraordinary that they can dismiss anyone who stands in their way. The consequences could be catastrophic in Iraq and around the world. The United States may reap a whirlwind of terrorist retaliation -- and step up the possibility of nuclear Armageddon.'
'The most powerful state in history has proclaimed that it intends to control the world by force, the dimension in which it reigns supreme. President Bush and his cohorts evidently believe that the means of violence in their hands are so extraordinary that they can dismiss anyone who stands in their way. The consequences could be catastrophic in Iraq and around the world. The United States may reap a whirlwind of terrorist retaliation -- and step up the possibility of nuclear Armageddon.'
Deconstructing JW Howard major speech on war
Margo Kingston discusses in some detail Howard's speech and his responses to journalists' questions, revealing the distrust in which he is held by the press gallery and also of course the weak case for war. It seems to me, judging for example from his 7.30 Report interview with Kerry O'Brien on Thursday night, that the 'Junior Prime Minister' 'Deputy' John Howard is an effective spokesperson for Washington, more effective than the President and almost on a par with Blair or Powell. In spite of the substantial holes in Howard's case, it has been difficult for O'Brien or other journalists (much less the Labor opposition) to penetrate the steamroller rhetoric and land some real heavy punches on Howard. On the other hand, he is not succeeding in convincing people of his case.
Margo Kingston discusses in some detail Howard's speech and his responses to journalists' questions, revealing the distrust in which he is held by the press gallery and also of course the weak case for war. It seems to me, judging for example from his 7.30 Report interview with Kerry O'Brien on Thursday night, that the 'Junior Prime Minister' 'Deputy' John Howard is an effective spokesperson for Washington, more effective than the President and almost on a par with Blair or Powell. In spite of the substantial holes in Howard's case, it has been difficult for O'Brien or other journalists (much less the Labor opposition) to penetrate the steamroller rhetoric and land some real heavy punches on Howard. On the other hand, he is not succeeding in convincing people of his case.
Democracy domino plan won't work: secret State Dept. report
'Even if some version of democracy took root - which the report casts as unlikely - anti-American sentiment is so pervasive, it says, that elections in the short term could lead to the rise of Islamic-controlled governments hostile to the US.'
'"Electoral democracy, were it to emerge, could well be subject to exploitation by anti-American elements." The thrust of the document, the official said, "is that this idea that you're going to transform the Middle East and fundamentally alter its trajectory is not credible". Even the document's title - "Iraq, the Middle East and Change: No Dominoes" - appears to dismiss the Administration argument.'
'Even if some version of democracy took root - which the report casts as unlikely - anti-American sentiment is so pervasive, it says, that elections in the short term could lead to the rise of Islamic-controlled governments hostile to the US.'
'"Electoral democracy, were it to emerge, could well be subject to exploitation by anti-American elements." The thrust of the document, the official said, "is that this idea that you're going to transform the Middle East and fundamentally alter its trajectory is not credible". Even the document's title - "Iraq, the Middle East and Change: No Dominoes" - appears to dismiss the Administration argument.'
Friday, March 14, 2003
Pilger: Disobey
Another blistering Pilger article on the dangerous crypto-fascists running the war push and the need for the anti-war moving to move from protest to civil disobedience to civil unrest.
Another blistering Pilger article on the dangerous crypto-fascists running the war push and the need for the anti-war moving to move from protest to civil disobedience to civil unrest.
Thursday, March 13, 2003
How Hydrogen Can Save America: Hydrogen fuel cells
'The cost of oil dependence has never been so clear. What had long been largely an environmental issue has suddenly become a deadly serious strategic concern. Oil is an indulgence we can no longer afford, not just because it will run out or turn the planet into a sauna, but because it inexorably leads to global conflict. Enough. What we need is a massive, Apollo-scale effort to unlock the potential of hydrogen, a virtually unlimited source of power. The technology is at a tipping point. Terrorism provides political urgency. Consumers are ready for an alternative. From Detroit to Dallas, even the oil establishment is primed for change. We put a man on the moon in a decade; we can achieve energy independence just as fast.'
'The cost of oil dependence has never been so clear. What had long been largely an environmental issue has suddenly become a deadly serious strategic concern. Oil is an indulgence we can no longer afford, not just because it will run out or turn the planet into a sauna, but because it inexorably leads to global conflict. Enough. What we need is a massive, Apollo-scale effort to unlock the potential of hydrogen, a virtually unlimited source of power. The technology is at a tipping point. Terrorism provides political urgency. Consumers are ready for an alternative. From Detroit to Dallas, even the oil establishment is primed for change. We put a man on the moon in a decade; we can achieve energy independence just as fast.'
Public revenue crisis in Brazil
'President] Lula enjoys the full support of the more progressive sectors of the Workers Party for one major financial reform he is proposing-- a restructuring of the country's tax system. At present tax revenues come overwhelmingly from a value added tax. This means that approximately 24% of the income of the poorest fifth of the population goes to pay taxes while the upper fifth pays only 12%. Lula is calling for a progressive income tax that would shift the burden away from the poor.'
Land value taxation is the reverse of value added tax, or GST. It is progressive in nature, due to the fact that property is unequally held. It also serves as a stimulus to economic activity. Its an ongoing tragedy that progressive/left forces of the world continue to overlook this policy.
'President] Lula enjoys the full support of the more progressive sectors of the Workers Party for one major financial reform he is proposing-- a restructuring of the country's tax system. At present tax revenues come overwhelmingly from a value added tax. This means that approximately 24% of the income of the poorest fifth of the population goes to pay taxes while the upper fifth pays only 12%. Lula is calling for a progressive income tax that would shift the burden away from the poor.'
Land value taxation is the reverse of value added tax, or GST. It is progressive in nature, due to the fact that property is unequally held. It also serves as a stimulus to economic activity. Its an ongoing tragedy that progressive/left forces of the world continue to overlook this policy.
Sheer, blinding hubris
'There is a sense that the tiny group of men manipulating the levers that direct the gargantuan machinery and weaponry of state are discovering that they can choose to ignore the public if they like, but they will surely be destroyed politically in the process. At the end of the day we are more than them; they derive their power from us. This is the golden rule of all Machiavellian 'realism', it is the fundamental lesson of realpolitik - you have to fool the people, you cannot let them see what you are really about. In their sheer, blinding hubris, Blair, Bush, Powell and Perle have simply forgotten this lesson.'
'There is a sense that the tiny group of men manipulating the levers that direct the gargantuan machinery and weaponry of state are discovering that they can choose to ignore the public if they like, but they will surely be destroyed politically in the process. At the end of the day we are more than them; they derive their power from us. This is the golden rule of all Machiavellian 'realism', it is the fundamental lesson of realpolitik - you have to fool the people, you cannot let them see what you are really about. In their sheer, blinding hubris, Blair, Bush, Powell and Perle have simply forgotten this lesson.'
How Kofi Annan Can Stop the War
'According to recent reports, the United States may be about to warn the U.N. inspectors and reporters to leave Iraq within three days. The purpose of this warning will be to protect the inspectors and reporters from harm when U.S. forces attack Iraq, perhaps late next week.
'The situation provides an interesting opportunity for U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. If the U.S. issues the expected warning, he can and should announce that the U.S. has no authority to evict the inspectors, who are United Nations employees. Furthermore, Annan can say that he will not withdraw the inspectors from Iraq unless he is ordered to do so by the U.N. Security Council or the inspectors report that they are not being allowed to do their job.'
This proposal suffers from the same weakness as does Helen Caldicott's proposal that the Pope travel to Baghdad as a human shield, and that is that you cannot ask other people to put themselves in harm's way in favour of your cause. On the contrary, Kofi Annan and Hans Blix will feel a sense of responsibility to their staff. Upon receipt of certain information, they will be obliged to act so as to ensure the Inspections staff is removed to a place of safety.
'According to recent reports, the United States may be about to warn the U.N. inspectors and reporters to leave Iraq within three days. The purpose of this warning will be to protect the inspectors and reporters from harm when U.S. forces attack Iraq, perhaps late next week.
'The situation provides an interesting opportunity for U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. If the U.S. issues the expected warning, he can and should announce that the U.S. has no authority to evict the inspectors, who are United Nations employees. Furthermore, Annan can say that he will not withdraw the inspectors from Iraq unless he is ordered to do so by the U.N. Security Council or the inspectors report that they are not being allowed to do their job.'
This proposal suffers from the same weakness as does Helen Caldicott's proposal that the Pope travel to Baghdad as a human shield, and that is that you cannot ask other people to put themselves in harm's way in favour of your cause. On the contrary, Kofi Annan and Hans Blix will feel a sense of responsibility to their staff. Upon receipt of certain information, they will be obliged to act so as to ensure the Inspections staff is removed to a place of safety.
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Impressions of the Bush press conference
'The Bush press conference to me was like a mini-Alamo for American journalism, a final announcement that the press no longer performs anything akin to a real function. Particularly revolting was the spectacle of the cream of the national press corps submitting politely to the indignity of obviously pre-approved questions, with Bush not even bothering to conceal that the affair was scripted.'
The awesome American press and propaganda system is visibly breaking down... This represents a real and probably unanticipated problem for the neo-conservatives. They must have assumed that for population control, the usual methods would suffice. Have they contemplated that more overt methods may be necessary at this stage of the American decline?
'The Bush press conference to me was like a mini-Alamo for American journalism, a final announcement that the press no longer performs anything akin to a real function. Particularly revolting was the spectacle of the cream of the national press corps submitting politely to the indignity of obviously pre-approved questions, with Bush not even bothering to conceal that the affair was scripted.'
The awesome American press and propaganda system is visibly breaking down... This represents a real and probably unanticipated problem for the neo-conservatives. They must have assumed that for population control, the usual methods would suffice. Have they contemplated that more overt methods may be necessary at this stage of the American decline?
Brits Backing Out? | Mother of All Bombs tested
'Sources tell CBS News that Great Britain - America's closest ally - may find it politically impossible to commit its military to a U.S.-led attack on Saddam Hussein. And that could force the United States to go it alone in Iraq. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld hinted as much Tuesday. "To the extent that they are able to participate that would obviously be welcomed. To the extent they are not, well, there are workarounds," Rumsfeld said.'
'While the diplomats debate a war with Iraq, the Pentagon pressed ahead with final preparations for waging war. On Tuesday, a new weapon was added to the mix: the biggest conventional bomb ever dropped from an airplane.'
'Sources tell CBS News that Great Britain - America's closest ally - may find it politically impossible to commit its military to a U.S.-led attack on Saddam Hussein. And that could force the United States to go it alone in Iraq. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld hinted as much Tuesday. "To the extent that they are able to participate that would obviously be welcomed. To the extent they are not, well, there are workarounds," Rumsfeld said.'
'While the diplomats debate a war with Iraq, the Pentagon pressed ahead with final preparations for waging war. On Tuesday, a new weapon was added to the mix: the biggest conventional bomb ever dropped from an airplane.'
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