Hello fellow Dems, I've been away for two months on a journey, but wanted to pass this little gem on to you all. America now has it's first Black President, and the new "First Family" just got their new "first dog" but there is another "first" as well
Published on Feb 8 2009, the team will be reporting to Congress on their findings. Portions of report below:
What We Found in Gaza
Strong Indications of Violations of the Laws of War, U.S. Law, and War Crimes Found in the Gaza Strip
NLG Delegation
GAZA CITY - We are a delegation of 8 American lawyers, members of the National Lawyers Guild in the United States, who have come here to the Gaza Strip to assess the effects of the recent attacks on the people, and to determine what, if any, violations of international law occurred and whether U.S. domestic law has been violated as a consequence. We have spent the last five days interviewing communities particularly impacted by the recent Israeli offensive, including medical personnel, humanitarian aid workers and United Nations representatives. In particular, the delegation examined three issues: 1) targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure; 2) illegal use of weapons and 3) blocking of medical and humanitarian assistance to civilians.
Today there was a 300lb bomb planted in a village here. Once you choose peace you have to stay true to it, even in hard times like these.
I am making this diary to show just how hard it is to go through a peace process.
A 300lb car bomb has been found in County Down five days after a telephoned warning claimed a device had been left in Castlewellan village.
Security forces discovered an abandoned car on Dublin Road on Saturday. Several controlled explosions were carried out on what police called "suspect items".
It is thought the bomb was planted by dissident republicans who were trying to target the Ballykinler army base.
Supt Greg Blain said it could have caused "substantial... loss of life".
"This is a large explosive device," said Supt Blain, adding that its detonation would have caused "substantial damage and loss of life".
Supt Blain said someone claiming to be a member of a dissident republican organisation had called a local newspaper to warn about the bomb.
Well, this is a tiny bit of good news from the Middle East conflict
Bibi won't Rule out Palestinian State
By Gil Hoffman
January 28, 2009
Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu and three quarters of the Likud's candidates declined to sign a loyalty oath ruling out a Palestinian state that was distributed to all the parties on the Right.
Anderson welcomes appointment of Hilary Clinton as US Secretary of State
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has congratulated US Senator Hillary Clinton on her appointment as US Secretary of State. Martina Anderson acknowledged Senator Clinton's contribution to the Irish Peace Process and said she looks forward to working with her in her new position.
Martina Anderson said:
"I want to congratulate Senator Hilary Clinton in her new role as US Secretary of State. This appointment by President Obama illustrates her contribution to US politics for many years now.
"I would also like to acknowledge the role that Hilary Clinton has played in the Irish Peace Process and that Sinn Féin looks forward to working with her into the future in her new role."
Where I live we have a US based company called Raytheon, which came here upon the glorious and stupid invite of John Hume SDLP some years ago to operate and bring 60 jobs to Derry. Although we need jobs, people here were concerned and wanted to be certain *NO* military components would be made here. Raytheon agreed and was supposedly only to make software that was *NOT* to be used in missile guidance systems. Derry City Council made it clear that under no circumstances was Raytheon to do any military work here in Derry. The council even passed a motion regarding this and has drafted many letters to Raytheon. However, since then we have uncovered (through the freedom of information act) the fact that we have been lied to by Raytheon. And, ever since then we have continued a campaign to make them leave Ireland, they are not welcomed here. What does this matter to Americans? Because it was along those lines of investigating Eamonn McCann's (leader of the Derry Anti War Coalition) Raytheon information, that I uncovered something that is very troubling indeed.
Army rabbi 'gave out hate leaflet to troops'
By Ben Lynfield in Jerusalem
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
The Israeli army's chief rabbinate gave soldiers preparing to enter the Gaza Strip a booklet implying that all Palestinians are their mortal enemies and advising them that cruelty is sometimes a "good attribute".
Well, well, well, is this JUST like Chicago politics or WHAT??? Jaysus, there are FAR too many "O's" already, enough with this crapola, what is this bizarro land?
Here is the article, but what is the real reason? See below:)
Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich revealed on Monday that he had mulled over the possibility of appointing popular talk show host Oprah Winfrey to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.
Here is a statement put out by Vital Voices to congratulate Hillary on her new role!
Vital Voices congratulates our Founder and Honorary Co-Chair Hillary Clinton on her nomination as US Secretary of State on December 1, 2008. Senator Clinton has played a leadership role in our nation's foreign affairs for more than a decade as a Senator and former First Lady.
This is what I woke up to today on my television screen. This took place live on Israeli television Channel 10, right in the middle of an interview being done by the Israeli news shows host journalist
Channel 10 correspondent Shlomi Eldar, who said he had planned a live on-air interview with Aboul Aish on Friday evening, produced a mobile phone in the studio, letting viewers here the voice of Aboul Aish: "My God, my girls, Shlomi," he said. "Can't anybody get to us, please?"
Eldar told his audience: "They have killed his family".
In my other Diary I covered the mindset of the two sides. And pointed out many similarities between Ireland's situation and that between Israel and Palestine. In this diary I will stick more to the Politics of peace and the process of getting there politically.First showing howit's done in Irealnd/England and then applying that to the Middle East.
How to get peace in the Middle East using Irish Peace Process as a framework.
Britain Showing Some Balls, my world is spinning off it's axis
GO ENGLAND!!
Brown condemns Gaza attack on UN
Gordon Brown has said an Israeli attack on a United Nations building in Gaza was "indefensible" and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire.
There were 700 people sheltering in the UN relief agency compound when it was hit by rocket shells and caught fire.
Israel has apologised to the UN for the incident but maintained that Hamas fighters were firing from the site.
Mr Brown said "no-one could defend" the attack which, he added, showed a ceasefire was "absolutely essential".
It is 6AM in the USA's east coast, here it is 11AM. I have been watching, in tears, as the Main UN compound burns to the ground for the last hour in Palestine.
(This history of the peace process in Northern Ireland is a must-read for anyone interested in finding a peaceful solution to what's going on in the Middle East right now - promoted by Alegre)
I apologise in advance for the length of this diary, and I know bloggers like to read one paragraph and move on. But this is a complicated subject and an important one, PEOPLE ARE DYING!!
Alegre asked me to write this last week. Since then I have made several attempts to do so, this has been hard for me. The situation in Gaza has stirred the echoes of memories I would like to forget.
This is about education and learning from the past. Whilst I will point out some of the similarities,between the conflict in Ireland and the conflict between Israel and Palestine; the MOST important thing for any outsider to grasp is that of the mindset of those involved. Those referred to as "terrorists" from the other side. Be it Israel/Palestine, England/Ireland or South African Apartheid. To the oppressed they are freedom fighters; to the oppressor they are terrorists. One thing is for certain, it is all based on where you view the conflict from, the side that has everything, or the side that has nothing. These types of conflicts can never be won with military might. Why? Because you can only kill people, you cannot kill what they believe in.
That bears repeating,
You can ONLY kill people, you cannot kill what they believe in.
Having said that, I will begin to remember and write...............
PEACE , The World Cries Out-cross posted from Partizane
Well, never thought I'd see this, But today England and Ireland are working together to stop the bombing in Gaza.
But seriously, I want to show Americans what is taking place outside the US media bubble, this is what is happening here in Europe. I am only focusing on England and Ireland, but it is taking place all across Europe. People are protesting against their govts, the USA and Israel. I would not be surprised to see a change in who is elected in European countries after this war. The problem for Israel is that they have now lost any support they may have had when this thing started.
(Everyone needs to read this. - promoted by Alegre)
Ok, I came across this prayer for the children it is wonderful. please give it a read won't you?
If there has ever been a time for prayer, this is that time.
If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza is that place.
Lord who is the creator of all children, hear our prayer this accursed day. God whom we call Blessed, turn your face to these, the children of Gaza, that they may know your blessings, and your shelter, that they may know light and warmth, where there is now only blackness and smoke, and a cold which cuts and clenches the skin.
Is world opinion changing America's view of Israel?
Interestingly enough a recent Rasmussen poll, it would appear that American opinion on Israel may be changing, this due to what is taking place now. This is Israel's big problem, they went too far. In a world connected by internet, where people from many countries, including the UN are on the ground in Gaza and witness things every day. Such as John Ging who's UN worker was killed yesterday by the IDF when the IDF itself gave Ging instructions and the route to take to bring supplies to people in need. Yet, they targeted the lorry and killed the driver, a UN worker. And the UN is calling for an international investigating into the bombing of that UN school as well, Again, John Ging states the school was under the control of the UN and no "terrorists" were inside, only refugees and children.
When Israel puts forth people to represent itself like this General and some others, who shout people down and show no humility regarding dead children, well. They are just loosing the hearts and minds of people left right and center. See below, And remember, this was from the 31st of December
For most PUMAS January is a sad month. Our dream was to see Hillary, the best qualified person, take that oath on the 20th. However, we were robbed and cheated by the DNC. Sadly it is now unavoidable; Obama's coronation becomes a reality on 20 January 2009. In order to help us all get through this painful month I have found some things we can celebrate together!!
So, just what is left for us PUMAS to celebrate this January?
LOADS OF STUFF!!
So, I took it upon myself to find alternative celebrations, so that we can get through the spectacle that IS .............."Obama Day"
(Thanks for sharing this Puma Irish Brigade! Hey it's been a while since our last open thread to have at it folks. - promoted by Alegre)
Alegre suggested I should cross post this here from New Hampsters Partizane website. I have also updated it, so if you read it you may want to read it again:)
This diary goes out to all those Hillary supporters having trouble with Obama's win and feeling blue. Thinking of getting out of the country for a while?? Maybe a wee stay for 4 years in Ireland will fill the bill. You are all very welcome to come, we all love Hillary here, so you will be among friends.
So, In the interest of friendship between our two countries, I want to help you with your transition to becoming Irish:)I promise you will feel better soon,
"Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you?re knocked down, get right back up. And NEVER listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on."
Hillary Clinton - June 7, 2008
