Archive for November, 2012

Lawrence Davidson: In Defense of Richard Falk

November 6, 2012

What has he done?

by LAWRENCE DAVIDSON, Counterpunch, Nov 5, 2012

Richard Falk is the present United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories.  His job is to monitor the human rights situation in the territories, with particular reference to international law, and report back to both the U.N. General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council. He is professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and well qualified for his United Nations post.

Professor Falk was appointed in 2008 to a six year term in his present position. That means he has been telling the unsettling truth about Israeli behavior for four years now, with another two to go. Repeatedly he has documented Israeli violations of international law and its relentless disregard for Palestinian human rights.  For instance:

– In his 2008 report Falk documented the “desperate plight of civilians in Gaza.”

– In his 2009 report Falk described Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip as a “war crime of the greatest magnitude.”

– In his 2010 report Falk documented Israel’s array of apartheid policies.

– In his 2011 report Falk documented Israeli policies in Jerusalem and labelled them “ethnic cleansing.”

– And finally, in this latest report for the year 2012, Falk has concentrated on two subjects:

Continues >>

Stephen Lendman: US Drone Wars – Murder, Inc.

November 2, 2012

By Stephen Lendman, Information Clearing House, November 1, 2012

 

Perhaps one day they’ll arrive over a neighborhood near you. Drones are becoming America’s weapon of choice. Domestically so far, they’re used only for eyes in the sky spying.

Big Brother wants to watch everyone all the time. Don’t bet against eyes not being weaponized one day to punish as well as spy. That’s how rogue states operate.

America is by far the worst and most dangerous. Waging war on humanity is policy. Imagine living in a country run by officials who think war is good.

The more the better. Permanent ones. Wage them while pretending it’s done for peace. Few question why America is always at war somewhere. Scant attention is paid to the trillions of dollars spent at the expense of vital domestic needs gone begging.

Militarism is prioritized. Budgets are virtually open-ended. America’s duopoly assures it. Imagine policy makers deciding on which country they’ll ravage next.

Continues >>