Pepe Escobar: US Missiles Around Russia is Bay of Pigs all over again

Source: RT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that Russia may arm itself with missiles to counteract the US missile shield in Europe. In addition Medvedev said if the US continues to build up their missile shield Russia will withdraw from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Pepe Escobar, a correspondent for the Asia Times, breaks down what is going on.

Climategate 2.0, Lone Wolves, Food Stamp Thanksgiving - New World Next Week

Source: Corbett Report and Media Monarchy
James Corbett and James Evan Pilato

Welcome to NewWorldNextWeek – the video series from Corbett Report and Media Monarchy that covers some of the most important developments in alternative news and open source intelligence.

This week:
Story #1: Fresh Round of Leaked Emails Called Climategate 2.0
http://ur1.ca/611g4
Related: Background and Context
http://ur1.ca/611g8
Related: New Batch of Emails Released in Climategate 2.0
http://ur1.ca/611gd
Related: More Emails Leaked From Climate Researchers
http://ur1.ca/611gj

Story #2: NYPD Says FBI Declined to Pursue ‘Lone Wolf’ NYC Bomb Plot
http://ur1.ca/611gl
Who Is Oscar Ortega-Hernandez and Why Did He Allegedly Try To Kill Obama?
http://ur1.ca/611gp
Related: In Search of Lee Harvey Oswald with Charles Ochelli
http://ur1.ca/611gu

Story #3: Oregon Tops Nation in Food Stamp Use
http://ur1.ca/611gz
Video: News Report from KEZI 9 in Eugene, Oregon
http://ur1.ca/611h6
Related: USDA Targets Stores in Food Stamp Trafficking
http://ur1.ca/611hb

Corbett Report Radio - In Search of Lee Harvey Oswald with Charles Ochelli

Source: Corbett Report
James Corbett

Communist? Attention seeker? Lone nut? Just who was Lee Harvey Oswald? Tonight on the 48th anniversary of the coup d’etat in America we talk to Charles Ochelli, aka “The Blind JFK Researcher,” to discuss the story behind the story of Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of JFK. Charles Ochelli’s work can be found at youtube.com/blindjfk 

BBC's Greg Palast: The Global Corporate Dictatorship

Source: Infowars

Alex talks with New York Times-bestselling author and a freelance journalist for the BBC, Greg Palast. Greg talks about the MF Global heist and the money filched from segregated client accounts, now totaling more than $1.2 billion. Palast is the author of Vultures' Picnic and The Best Democracy Money Can Buy. He has also appeared in a number of films, including American Blackout and Bush Family Fortunes.

Bush and Blair Found Guilty of War Crimes

Source: Press TV

A War Crimes Tribunal in Malaysia has found former US President George W. Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair guilty of war crimes for their roles in the Iraq war, Press TV reports. 

 

The five-panel Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal decided that Bush and Blair committed genocide and crimes against humanity by leading the invasion of Iraq in 2003, a Press TV correspondent reported on Tuesday.

In 2003, the US and Britain invaded Iraq in blatant violation of international law and under the pretext of finding weapons of mass destruction allegedly stockpiled by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

The Malaysian tribunal judges ruled that the decision to wage war against Iraq by the two former heads of government was a flagrant abuse of law and an act of aggression that led to large-scale massacres of the Iraqi people.

Bombings and other forms of violence became commonplace in Iraq shortly after the US-led invasion of the country.

In their ruling, the tribunal judges also stated that the US, under the leadership of Bush, fabricated documents to make it appear that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

However, the world later learned that the former Iraqi regime did not possess WMDs and that the US and British leaders knew this all along.

Over one million Iraqis were killed during the invasion, according to the California-based investigative organization Project Censored.

The judges also said the court findings should be provided to signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, and added that the names of Bush and Blair should be listed on a war crimes register.

The Media and Iran: Familiar Mindlessness

Source: Salon
Glenn Greenwald

The lesson supposedly learned by the U.S. establishment media from the Iraq debacle was the danger of relying on anonymous government sources to disseminate unverified fear-mongering accusations. Rather obviously, no such lesson has been learned, as this continues to be the primary reporting method for accusing the Supreme Hitlers of the Moment — Iran — of anything and everything the U.S. Government can dream up. The latest entry, and one of the most egregious yet, is this Washington Post screed appearing under this headline and hovering scary picture:

Here’s the crux of the story, by R. Jeffrey Smith, Joby Warrick and Colum Lynch:

The Obama administration is investigating whether Iran supplied the Libyan government of Moammar Gaddafi with hundreds of special artillery shells for chemical weapons that Libya kept secret for decades, U.S. officials said. . . .The discovery of the shells has prompted a probe, led by U.S. intelligence, into how the Libyans obtained them; several sources said early suspicion had fallen on Iran. “We are pretty sure we know” the shells were custom-designed and produced in Iran for Libya, said a senior U.S. official, one of several who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the accusation.

So it isn’t merely that the prior Hitler of the Moment — Moammar Gadaffi — had Weapons of Mass Destruction, but far more alarming: Iran likely manufactured and gave Gadaffi those WMDs! Is there no Evil behind which these Persian Monsters are not lurking? Here are all of the sources the Post reporters cite for this claim:

U.S. officials said . . .  several sources . . . A U.S. official with access to classified information . . . a third U.S. official said. . . .One U.S. official said . . . .another U.S. official said.

The Post‘s own Ombudsman has repeatedly bashed the paper for its excessive, ill-explained, reckless use of anonymous sources (which violates even the Post‘s own non-public anonymity rules), and has insisted that the paper’s “credibility” — to the extent such a thing can be said to exist — is being steadily eroded by this practice. Here, the Post screeches a sensationalized, highly consequential story (it even proudly notes these disclosures “may exacerbate international tensions over the country’s alleged pursuit of weapons of mass destruction”) based exclusively on anonymous U.S. official sources, and barely pretends to explain why anonymity is justified (that the accusations are “sensitive” is an added reason to ensure accountability, not protect the government accusers with anonymity).

Why does the U.S. want a total media blackout on long-term Afghan deal?

Source: End The Lie
Madison Ruppert

During a press conference yesterday, Safia Sediqi, loya jirga (which in the Pashto language means “grand council”) spokeswoman, said that Washington wants a complete media blackout over the conditions set forth in the new strategic long-term deal with Afghanistan, according to Press TV and BBC Persian.

Called by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the loya jirga began in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday and will run for four days.

The discussion will focus on the Afghan-American relationship, specifically the possibility of long-term American basis on Afghan soil after the U.S.-led coalition forces are supposedly going to withdraw in 2014.

Both political and religious figures in Afghanistan have been vocal in their opposition to American plans for long-lasting or very possibly permanent military bases on sovereign Afghan territory.

As I previously reported, the people of Afghanistan are increasingly seeing the foreign troops as occupying forces that are not protecting their security, which is reflected in the utter failure that the decade-long battle in Afghanistan has been.

As Press TV points out, the U.S. has not met its goals after 10 years and the security situation is abysmal despite nearly 150,000 U.S.-led foreign troops deployed around the nation.

The state-funded BBC Persian news network reports that the most common complaint amongst loya jirga participants is that they have not been provided with information about the terms and conditions of the long-term deal.

Sharifullah Sahak, an Afghan employee of The New York Times covering Kabul and provinces said via Twitter just four hours ago at the time of writing, “Loya Jirga members with different views saying government should sign the strategic pact for 10, 20, even for 50 years with US.”

Corbett Report Radio - Shooting the Messenger with Julia Davis

Source: Corbett Report
James Corbett

This evening Corbett Report Radio welcomes Julia Davis, a former Customs and Border Protection Officer who attempted to blow the whistle on serious weaknesses in America’s border security. As a result of her report, the Department of Homeland Security targeted her in a campaign of retribution that has altered the course of her career, her family and her life forever. Join us tonight as we go in search of the truth behind the DHS and the new “domestic terrorism” paradigm. Find out more about Julia Davis’ remarkable story at her documentary homepage, terrorwithindoc.com

Bush Drug Czar Can't Compete in Legalization Debate

Source: Janus Forum

Janus Forum - Should the US Legalize Drugs? from Brown University on Vimeo.

Debt Crisis: Europe's Savage Austerity Measures

Source: RT

Across the European Union - the ongoing debt crisis has sparked an upheaval in the bloc's political landscape. From Greece to Italy, unelected Eurocrats are on the ascendant - as democracy gives way to a desperate struggle for economic survival. 

Wasting little time, Mario Monti unveiled his new strategy the very day he took office - more austerity, more cuts, and more tax hikes. But markets are far from convinced - with debt interest rates across the EU reaching catastrophic levels this week.

RT's Daniel Bushell reports.

War With Iran: History and Consequences

Source: Corbett Report and Global Research
James Corbett


TRANSCRIPT AND SOURCES:

This month’s release of a new International Atomic Energy Agency report into Iran’s nuclear energy program has caused a flurry of diplomatic activity, political posturing, and breathless news headlines about the supposed imminent threat of an alleged Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Goldman Sachs and Europe's 'Inside Job'

Source: Mediawatch France

Goldman Sachs has infiltrated senior positions of power across Europe, says Le Monde's London correspondent, Marc Roche. The Prime Ministers of Greece and Italy as well as the new head of the European Central Bank all have close ties to the bank.

U.S. Shifting Military Forces Closer to China

Source: AllGov

In an effort to counterbalance China’s growing military prowess, the U.S. is working to station naval and Marine forces in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

The most controversial move, as far as the Chinese are concerned, is the decision to base some of the U.S. Navy’s most modern combat ships, littoral combat ships, in Singapore, which possesses strategic importance for shipping.

 

Singapore sits along the Straits of Malacca, through which thousands of ships pass each year between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It’s also located on the southern edge of the South China Sea, over which Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries have ongoing territorial disputes.

 

The Department of Defense is still negotiating with Singapore officials to station Littoral Combat Ships at the seven-year-old Changi Naval Base. The vessels can handle missions ranging from anti-piracy to submarine tracking to special operations.

 

In addition to the naval plans, the U.S. is preparing to permanently base anywhere from 250 to 2,500 Marines in northern Australia. The decision will allow the U.S. to more quickly deploy front-line military forces in the region in the event of a crisis.

 

The U.S. has already deployed anti-missile systems in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

 

Navy’s Next Stop in Asia Will Set China on Edge (by Craig Whitlock, Washington Post)

U.S. Troops Headed to Australia, Irking China (by David Nakamura, Washington Post)

War Crimes Tribunal Tries Bush and Blair

Source: PressTV

A War Crimes Tribunal in the Malaysian capital has begun its hearing against George W. Bush and Tony Blair, charging the former officials for the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, Press TV reports.

The tribunal will determine whether the former US president and British prime minister committed war crimes and violated international law during the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mossad vs Assad? 'CIA death squads behind Syria bloodbath'

Source: RT

Moscow has accused the west of stirring up tensions in the Arab world by calling for the overthrow of the Syrian regime. Russia says calls from certain states for the Syrian opposition to avoid dialogue with the government, are only provoking further violence. Author and journalist Webster Tarpley, who's in Damascus, says, it's very simple, western powers are behind the violence in Syria.

Syrian Baath Party Builiding 'Hit By Rockets'

Source: London Telegraph
Josie Ensor

Syrian Army defectors say they launched a rocket-propelled grenade attack on a Baath Party building in Damascus on Sunday, in the first insurgent attack inside the Syrian capital since the uprising began. 

Witnesses reported hearing two explosions before seeing smoke rising and fire trucks rushing to the scene early this morning.

It is thought the attack was carried out just before dawn when the building was mostly empty. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Thabet Salem, a journalist who lives close the party building, told Al Jazeera: "This is a clear-cut escalation of what's going on ... It will bring us into a dangerous phase."

The Free Syrian Army is a rag-tag group of defectors who have taken up arms against state security forces. Last week they claimed responsibility for an attack on an air force intelligence base on the outskirts of Damascus.

The Arab League today rejected amendments proposed by Syria to a peace plan to end the crisis in the country, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 3,500 people.

Flying in the face of the League's peace plan, a defiant President Bashar Assad said over the weekend he was prepared to fight and die for Syria if faced with foreign intervention, while calls for an end to the government crackdown seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, as violence overnight showed no sign of abating.

Among the dead from Saturday were four intelligence agents killed by gunmen who raked their car with gunfire, and two defecting soldiers who died in clashes with regular troops in the central town of Shayzar, human rights campaigners said.

With rebel troops inflicting mounting losses on the regular army, Turkey and the United States both raised the spectre of civil war and Russia called for restraint.

Corbett Report Episode 209 - Requiem for the Suicided: Danny Casolaro

Source: Corbett Report
James Corbett

Danny Casolaro was a freelance journalist who told his friends and family that he was close to cracking a story he called The Octopus, which he referred to as the political conspiracy of the century. In August of 1991 he packed his notes and headed to West Virginia to conduct some final interviews for his forthcoming book. On August 10, 1991, he was found dead in his hotel room. The death was immediately ruled a suicide. Join us this week on The Corbett Report as we go in search of the story behind the story of the mysterious death of Danny Casolaro.

Documentation

Curling Up In a Ball to Avoid Police Violence May Be Considered “Active Resistance”

Source: Washington's Blog

In a Police State Like Modern America, Even Peaceful Resistance Is Considered Violence and Cause for Even More Brutality.

As I’ve repeatedly documented, passive resistance is considered “violence” and aggression in today’s militarized police state.

For example, protesters peacefully linking arms is considered “violence” by the UC Berkeley police. And failing to get on the ground is grounds to beat a peaceful war hero so bad that his spleen is ruptured (and then denying him medical treatment for 18 hours).

Of course pregnant women, old ladies, judges, legal observers (and see this), reporters , veterans and skinny students are all scary and violent enemies who need to be beaten into submission.

And as AP reports today – in relation to the pepper spraying of peaceful UC Davis students:

Charles J. Kelly, a former Baltimore Police Department lieutenant who wrote the department’s use of force guidelines, said … After reviewing the video [of the pepper spraying of UC Davis students] he observed at least two cases of “active resistance” from protesters. In one instance, a woman pulls her arm back from an officer. In the second instance, a protester curls into a ball. Each of those actions could have warranted more force, including baton strikes and pressure-point techniques.

“What I’m looking at is fairly standard police procedure,” Kelly said.

So in today’s “standard” police state procedure, curling into a ball to avoid violence from police is considered “active resistance” which warrants more force, including baton strikes?

The real problem, of course, is that the criminal class that defrauded our country out of prosperity is now sending in the mercenaries to keep the peasants in line. See this, this and this.

SPECIAL REPORT: County Sheriffs Push Back Against Feds

Source: RTR
Gary Franchi

Website: http://CountySheriffProject.org
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/County-Sheriff-Project

Alleged Cyber Attack on U.S. Water Plant is Propoganda To Curb Internet Freedom

Source: Activist Post
Eric Blair

The Washington Post is reporting that recent damage to an Illinois water treatment plant was a cyber attack by foreign hackers, "Foreign hackers caused a pump at an Illinois water plant to fail last week, according to a preliminary state report."

The narrative of the attack is that a Russian-based hacker created minor "glitches" in the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) which, according to Krebs on Security, is "designed to monitor and control complex industrial networks." Apparently, it caused the system to turn on and off, resulting in the burnout of a water pump.

Despite the alarmist title of the article, DHS spokesman Peter Boogaard cautioned "At this time there is no credible corroborated data that indicates a risk to critical infrastructure entities or a threat to public safety.”

Although the "original source of the information was unknown and impossible to immediately verify," the claim is allegedly made in a “Public Water District Cyber Intrusion” report.  Industry expert and Department of Homeland Security adviser, Joe Weiss, as if on a publicity tour, called both the Washington Post and Wired with alarmist rhetoric.

Weiss conclusively told the Washington Post, "This is a big deal. It was tracked to Russia. It has been in the system for at least two to three months.  It has caused damage. We don’t know how many other utilities are currently compromised."

Yet, the DHS maintains that there is no credible data or threat, and Don Craven, a water district trustee, told the State Journal-Register that they don't know what caused it and that "the water district is up and running and things are fine.”