“Latest Articles - Dissident Voice” plus 4 more |
- Latest Articles - Dissident Voice
- On the Beat: 4 downs about the Buccaneers - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Banderas goes for 'Goleor' - Variety
- House passes historic health bill - Politico.com
- International students ready to share talents - Stillwater News Press
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| Latest Articles - Dissident Voice Posted: 07 Nov 2009 07:53 PM PST The only surprise regarding November 3, 2009's vote in the House of Representatives that attempted to censor the Goldstone Report is that 46 fewer Yes's and 31 more No's were raised to shield Israel from accountability, than were heard on January 9th with the Pelosi/AIPAC driven House Resolution 34, which recognized only Israel's right to "defend" itself, reaffirmed the United States' strong support for Israel and the so-called 'peace process' -which has never addressed what is required for peace: justice which begins with an end to the occupation and equates to equal human rights for all. The Ileana Ros-Lehtinen/AIPAC driven House Resolution 867 boiled down to a call for censorship of the Goldstone Report without "any endorsement or further consideration" from the Obama Administration, rife with inaccuracies and undermines support for the universality of human rights. It is no surprise that Congress is trying to cover their culpable asses for during the 23 days of Israeli assault on Gaza, "Washington provided F-16 fighter planes, Apache helicopters, tactical missiles, and a wide array of munitions, including white phosphorus and DIME. The weapons required for the Israeli assault were decided upon in June 2008, and the transfer of 1,000 bunker-buster GPS-guided Small Diameter Guided Bomb Units 39 (GBU-39) were approved by Congress in September. The GBU 39 bombs were delivered to Israel in November (prior to any claims of Hamas cease fire violation!) for use in the initial air raids on Gaza. One of the few who have been to Gaza, Congressman Baird D-WA, wrote,
In a 71-page report released March 25, 2009, by Human Rights Watch, Israel's repeated firing of US-made white phosphorus shells over densely populated areas of Gaza was indiscriminate and is evidence of war crimes. "Rain of Fire: Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorus in Gaza," provides eye witness accounts of the devastating effects that white phosphorus munitions had on civilians and civilian property in Gaza. "Human Rights Watch researchers found spent shells, canister liners, and dozens of burnt felt wedges containing white phosphorus on city streets, apartment roofs, residential courtyards, and at a United Nations school in Gaza immediately after hostilities ended in January. "Militaries officially use white phosphorus to obscure their operations on the ground by creating thick smoke. It has also been used as an incendiary weapon, though such use constitutes a war crime. "In Gaza, the Israeli military didn't just use white phosphorus in open areas as a screen for its troops," said Fred Abrahams, senior emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch and co-author of the report. "It fired white phosphorus repeatedly over densely populated areas, even when its troops weren't in the area and safer smoke shells were available. As a result, civilians needlessly suffered and died." During the 23 days of attack on Gaza, the UN Security Council, Amnesty International, International Red Cross, and global voices of protest rose up and demanded a ceasefire, but both houses of Congress overwhelmingly endorsed resolutions to support a continuation of Israel's so called "self defense" and its collective punishment upon Gaza. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walked on coals poured out of righteous rage in Morocco after her moronic praise for Prime Minister Netanyahu's "reasonable compromise" in which he "proposed a moratorium on new housing units in the West Bank, but would allow building or finishing about 3,000 more units and would exclude East Jerusalem from any building limits." All the settlements are illegal under international law and the precedent of US failure to act was well established by 1973, when Ariel Sharon bragged to Winston Churchill III, "We'll make a pastrami sandwich of them. We'll insert a strip of Jewish settlement, right across the West Bank, so that in 25 years time, neither the United Nations, nor the United States, nobody, will be able to tear it apart." Back in 2005, top U.S. law enforcement officials attended a briefing organized by the Council for the National Interest regarding how charities "such as B'nai B'rith and Hadassah were in direct control of the World Zionist Organization and directly linked to a massive money-laundering operation…and the settlements are an indirect generator of terrorism against the United States."1 It is the American government's hypocrisy in collusion with Israel's negation of international law, UN resolutions, and denial of equal human rights for Palestinians which are at the root of the instability in the Middle East. Beginning in the 1990's and even more so after 9/11, US politicians blind allegiance to Israel has been furthered by the claim that both states are threatened by Arab terrorist groups and rogue states bent on acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Many Americans see Israel as an ally and Iran and Syria as our mutual enemies. The "war on terror" has become a tactic to infuse fear while it ignores that much of the anger in the Arab world is in response to Israel's 40+ years of military occupation of Palestine and The Wall where ever it is built on legally owned Palestinian property which is "financed with U.S. aid at a cost of $1.5 million per mile. The Israeli wall prevents residents from receiving health care and emergency medical services. In other areas, the barrier separates farmers from their olive groves which have been their families' sole livelihood for generations."2 On February 1, 2007, Senator Clinton spoke at an AIPAC Conference, "Both Israelis and Americans know so well, a democracy is far more than just holding elections. Democracy has to spring from an active and open citizenry dedicated to tolerance, to respect for differences, to the rule of law, to policies that lift us up not tear us down as fellow human beings, and to the value of human life… "We also know that the dangers posed to Israel have been compounded by the rise to power of Hamas…Hamas…leaders have refused to disarm, to reject violence, or even to recognize the right of Israel to exist." The Palestinian Authority first agreed in 1988 to recognize Israel and reaffirmed this in 1993 during the Oslo Accords. Hamas has repeatedly issued olive branches of recognition to Israel, but Israel ignores all offers to make peace through justice. On November 15, 2005, Senator Hillary Clinton stood on the Jerusalem side of The Wall and was quoted in Ha'aretz, expressing support for The Wall because it "is against terrorists" and "not against the Palestinian people." After I read Senator Clinton's inaccurate and insensitive remarks in Ha'aretz, I immediately contacted her through her website. My email bounced back to me, for I am no longer a New York constituent, but I was born and lived my first three years in The Village and came of age in Levittown, Long Island. I snail mailed Hillary a respectful letter informing her that even a little one such as me, knew all about the many gaps and lack of 'security' along The Wall that every taxi driver and ANY would be 'terrorist' also knew about in order to travel from the West Bank to Jerusalem without having to stop for SECURITY. I also reminded her that we were in the midst of the UN Decade of Creating a Culture of NONVIOLENCE for all the children of the world. The only response I received from Senator Clinton was to be put on the DNC's mailing list soliciting funds. As a Senator, Clinton repeatedly said, "I've been a strong supporter of Israel's right to build a security barrier to keep terrorists out. I have spoken out against the International Court of Justice for questioning Israel's right to build that fence of security." International Law states occupation is to be temporary and maintain the status quo and that the occupiers are not to transfer their population into occupied territory. And what RIGHT has anyone to put a fence up on somebody else's property? As a Senator, Hillary said: "I went to see the fence with my own eyes. During a trip to Gilo, a Jerusalem neighborhood, I was greeted by Col. Danny Tirza, who was overseeing the construction of the security fence. "Col. Tirza's explanation in his graphic depiction of what was part of the daily life of people living in that one neighborhood, gave me an even greater appreciation for the imperative of the fence and the need to do everything possible to protect Israel against these continuing attacks." The truth is that in 2000, before the construction of The Wall began, there were less 'attacks' than in 2008 and the Orwellian spun 'neighborhoods' are all ILLEGAL colonies for everyone exist on legally owned Palestinian land, NOT on Israeli owned land! I have seen "the fence" too and it divides Palestinians from Palestinians with 25 to 30 foot high concrete slabs or wire equipped with razor barbs, trenches, sniper towers, military roads, electronic surveillance, remote controlled infantry and buffer zones that stretch over 100 miles wide and deny Palestinians access to their legally owned land, their families, jobs, and resources. The Wall has eviscerated the sister cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem and will soon completely separate Bethlehem from her sister villages of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala. Bethlehem's significance to and historic ties with Palestinian East Jerusalem and its economic demise caused by The Wall heralded the beginning of what the BBC reported on November 5, 2009: Palestinians might have to abandon the goal of an independent state if Israel continues to expand Jewish settlements, Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator said, "It may be time for President Abbas to tell his people the truth, that with the continuation of settlement activities, the two-state solution is no longer an option." Mr. Erekat also dismissed Netanyahu's, 'generous offer' saying it only opened the door to more settlements in the next two years and that "Israel has the choice, settlements or peace." Erekat also said Palestinians made a mistake in the last round of talks by agreeing to negotiate without insisting that Israel settlement building be stopped, and added this time things would be different, meaning the alternative for Palestinians is to "refocus their attention on the one-state solution where Muslims, Christians and Jews can live as equals" as they would in true democracies. After Clinton met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, he called for a resumption of talks, "We have to concentrate on the end game and we must not waste time adhering to this issue or that as a start for the negotiations." Senator Clinton once said, "It is not enough for us to say the right things; we've got to be smart and tough enough to do the right things that will protect American and Israeli interests now and forever." Tough and smart would comprehend that America's best interests and Israel's security demand justice for Palestine: end the occupation and ensure equal human rights for all. And integrity would have no fear of international law. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | |
| On the Beat: 4 downs about the Buccaneers - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Posted: 07 Nov 2009 08:36 PM PST Tampa - Stephen F. Holder, who covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with Rick Stroud for the St. Pete Times, took time out to answer a few questions about the Packers' opponent: 1. What is the identity of the Bucs under new coach Raheem Morris? This team is a mostly young group that is being asked to grow up fast and make no excuses. To their credit, they are not a whiney bunch despite their record and a host of early injuries. Morris is trying to instil a culture of accountability, and he's been successful in that regard. 2. Who are the two best players on this team right now? I'd start with Kellen Winslow, who is everything they hoped he would be. He has been, by far, their best option in the passing game, running great short and deep routes. To this point, his knees have not been an issue. Secondly, I'd go with Aqib Talib. He is the prototype cover corner, which is a skill Jim Bates needs in his scheme. He has faced Santana Moss, DeSean Jackson, Steve Smith (Panthers) and Randy Moss in consecutive weeks with impressive results. 3. The Packers should be worried about the Bucs'.... ...ability to run the ball. The Packers need to stop the run. Even though that's always a key, it's a strength of the Bucs and is a key to taking the pressure of rookie quarterback Josh Freeman. They've been most competitive when they've run effectively. 4. The Bucs win on Sunday if... ...they can force Aaron Rodgers into some bad throws, Talib and free safety Tanard Jackson are ballhawks who can change games and give the offense short fields. Freeman needs as much help as possible and they're the ones who can provide it. And Freeman's got to avoid turnovers of his own, something that will be a tall order against an aggressive defense. Thanks to Stephen for his time. You can also read his work on the St. Pete Times Bucs blog, and you can follow him on Twitter @HolderStephen. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | |
| Banderas goes for 'Goleor' - Variety Posted: 07 Nov 2009 07:53 PM PST Spain set for a big-budget animated filmAntonio Banderas, producer Enrique Posner and Kandor Graphics have launched pre-production on Spanish animation feature "Goleor, the Scale and the Sword." Banderas will voice a character and will cast and direct voice talent.Budgeted at E22 million ($33 million), the pic is Spain's first higher-bracket digital 3D movie. The English-language epic adventure depicts, in a lighthearted, comedic tone, the fantasy medieval land of Gabilonia. Pic's hero, young Goleor, dreams of becoming a knight in shining armor -- no easy task when Gabilonia's in painful transition from a cozy world of knights, dragons and magicians to a modern age dominated by bureaucracy and lawyers. Manuel Sicilia has nearly completed the screenplay and will direct. Green Moon and the Granada-based Kandor Graphics. Kandor's Juan Molina produces, Posner, former managing director at Warner Bros. Entertainment Espana, will exec produce with Kandor's Raul Garcia and Green Moon's Antonio Meliveo. Posner will oversee financing, merchandising and licensing, sponsorship and sales. Kandor Moon's first toon pic, which Posner exec produced, was the eco-friendly CG comedy "The Missing Lynx: Paws on the Run." Pic bowed last November to a creditable $1.7 million at the Spanish B.O. Helmed by Sicilia and Raul Garcia, it has been sold by 6 Sales to 66 territories, including a U.S. pickup by Phase 4 Films. "Goleor" represents "a large step up in ambition," says director Sicilia. "Its budget is five times bigger and it's conceived from the start as an international production." Banderas boarded "Lynx" when it was already in motion. Also onboard "Goleor" from the get-go, Posner is responsible for pre-sales, licensing and merchandising and co-production. "Lynx" saw substantial subsidies from Andalusia's Environment Dept. ($1.16 million) and Culture Dept. ($373,000) and a pickup from regional pubcaster Canal Sur ($932,400). Kandor Moon is a flagship company for Andalusia's attempt to wean the region off an overdependence on the construction sector and toward tech-driven employment. "A company like Kandor is precisely what Andalusia's government wants companies to be: a technology-driven creator of exportable product not linked to the traditional tourism and housing markets," Posner said. Pic also reflects the evolution of international animated film production, Posner added. Young, skilled animators are willing to work around the world, he said. And release slots for animated films are opening up beyond the traditional studio-dominated summer and Christmas spans. International companies also are making toon features of larger ambition. Kandor Moon recently completed "The Lady and the Reaper," an eight-minute stereoscopic 3D pic written and directed by newcomer Javier Recio Gracia that put Kandor Moon's proprietary 3D rendering technologies through their paces. "Goleor" will go into production in January, to be delivered in December 2011.
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| House passes historic health bill - Politico.com Posted: 07 Nov 2009 08:36 PM PST The House of Representatives passed legislation for the first time Saturday night that would provide health coverage to almost every American after nearly a century of false starts and un-kept campaign promises.
The final vote was 220-215. In all, 219 Democrats voted to approve the measure in a largely party-line vote, with 39 Democrats voting no. One Republican supported the bill, Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.). The bill has a steep cost – both in dollars, $1.2 trillion, and political capital – but Democrats hailed its passage as the next chapter in a governing legacy that produced Medicare and Social Security.
"Today, as we all know, is an historic moment for our nation and for American families," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the House floor hours before the vote.
President Barack Obama has made health care reform his signature legislative priority — and he put his personal prestige on the line Saturday by traveling to the Capitol to rally Democrats, telling them to answer the call of history by passing the bill.
But Republicans were equally sweeping in their objections to the bill. "This is perhaps the worst bill I have seen come to the floor in my 11 years in Congress," said Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.
The bill includes fundamental changes to the American health care system – creating a public health insurance option to compete with private insurers and for the first time, requiring employers to offer health insurance.
The path ahead remains shaky – for the bill and for many of the Democrats who voted to approve it. Party leaders need to mend the bruised feelings that will linger from this debate before they can address whatever legislation the Senate can produce.
And in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid has made clear he might not meet the White House's Christmas deadline to pass a bill and is still struggling to find 60 votes for Senate legislation.
Fights over abortion, immigration and the size of the federal government exposed long-standing cultural and regional divides within the disparate Democratic caucus. A last-minute abortion fight left a particularly bitter taste in the mouth of Democratic women who spent the early part of their careers fighting for reproductive rights.
"People are furious," said Colorado Rep. Diana DeGette.
After hours of negotiations with a group of abortion opponents, led by Indiana Rep. Brad Ellsworth, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pelosi made a final painful sacrifice to pick up crucial support, allowing a vote on an amendment sponsored by Ellsworth and Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak that would bar any insurance company participating in the exchange program from covering the procedure.
Stupak's amendment passed with a vote of 240 -194-1. Republican Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona was the one present vote.
The two sides engaged in a fevered debate on the House floor hours before the House approved the overarching health care bill, with DeGette calling the amendment "a wolf in sheep's clothing" and Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Pelosi ally, saying, "It attempts an unprecedented overreach."
But in the end, Democrats, like DeGette, subverted their political prerogatives and personal anger for a bigger goal – providing health care to 96 percent of the country.
"I don't believe any of us believe we can hold up what we've been fighting for ... and that's health care," said Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), who left her own chamber when the panel granted Stupak his vote.
The bill would expand coverage to 36 million uninsured Americans through a mix of subsidies and incentives and mandates on individuals and businesses. Under the plan, individuals would have to secure insurance through their employers or through an insurance exchange established by the bill. Authors set aside subsidies to help lower- and middle-income Americans who don't qualify for Medicaid pay for that insurance.
In an effort to lower premiums across the marketplace, House Democrats would create a government insurance option to compete with private insurers that would operate in the exchange. And businesses with more than $500,000 in annual payroll would be required to cover their employees or pay a penalty of as much as 8 percent of the combined salaries. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | |
| International students ready to share talents - Stillwater News Press Posted: 07 Nov 2009 08:07 PM PST | Published: November 07, 2009 10:01 pm International students ready to share talents Monique HeadleyThe multifaceted international community of Oklahoma State University will unite to share talent, culture and traditions with the community. The Mr. and Ms. International talent competition is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m., Nov. 18 in the Little Theater located on the second floor of the Student Union, said Juliet Abdeljawad, public relations spokeswoman for event sponsor the OSU International Student Organization. The competition is free to the public. About 15 students will participate in the production. Represented countries include Korea, Ethiopia, India, Vietnam and others. "The event promotes cultural diversity with the emphasis of showcasing each contestants' country and beauty," wrote Abdeljawad. Danh Pham of Vietnam said he plans to play guitar and sing a song about winter called, "The Winter Lady." "I wanted to show our culture to OSU and other international students," said Pham. Preety Mathema of Nepal, Chenxing Niu of China and Freweini Hadera representing Ethiopia and other African countries each plan to display traditional dances. "I thought it would be great to boost my confidence to represent my country," said Mathema. "I hope people will learn of my culture." To Korean Student Association officer Jehoon Seong, of South Korea, the competition is a welcomed challenge to perform and entertain the audience. He will sing "The Greatest Day," by British pop group Take That. Venue capacity is 400 attendees, said Abdeljawad. 
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