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The Con-man Cornered: Obama and the Democratic Debacle of 2014
James Petras
Introduction
The meteoric rise to power of Barack Obama in 2008 was propelled by one of the greatest demagogic US Presidential campaigns of all time: To millions of young Americans, he promised to end the US wars in the Middle East. To millions of working and middle class voters, he promised to end the economic crisis by confronting Wall Street. To women, he promised to protect and expand their social rights and end the gender gap in wages and salaries. To human rights and civil liberties activists, he promised to end police state surveillance and torture, and to close the Guantanamo concentration camp, which had denied political prisoners a fair and open trial. To blacks, he promised higher living standards and greater racial equality in income. To Latino-Americans, he promised immigration reform facilitating a path to citizenship for long-term residents. Overseas he spoke in Cairo of a “new chapter” in US policy toward the Muslim world. To Russia, he promised President Putin he would ‘reset relations’ – toward greater co-operation.
Obama’s rhetorical flourishes attracted millions of young activists, women and minority voters and leaders to work for his election and the Democratic Party. He won a resounding victory! And the Democrats took control of the House and Senate.
Obama at APEC
by Stephen Lendman
China and Russia offer carrots, not sticks. Obama is polar opposite. Couched in duplicitous diplomatic rhetoric.
"It is wonderful to be back in China," he said. His sixth trip as president. Second this year.
Shamelessly calling America "a thoroughly Pacific nation." Code language for wanting it to be its backyard. Dominion in a part of the world not its own.
Instituting, maintaining and force-feeding what James Petras calls a "Golden Age of Pillage."
On the one hand, wanting China marginalized, weakened, isolated, and contained. Surrounded by US bases. Targeting its heartland.
On the other, pushing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). A secretive trade deal from hell.
UN Gaza War Inquiry: Legitimate or Whitewash?
by Stephen Lendman
On November 10, the UN Media Center headlined "Gaza: Ban forms independent panel to investigate recent conflict," saying:
An "internal inquiry aim(s) (to review) 'certain incidents' reported at United Nations facilities in the Gaza Strip during the recent summer conflict there between Palestinian factions and the State of Israel."
"(W)here UN facilities - including schools run by the UN agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) - sustained hits resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians and UN staff members."
As well as "incidents in which weapons were found to be present on United Nations premises."
Establishment panel member figures include:
Dutch Major General Patrick Cammaert chairman. Former Democratic Republic of the Congo UN Force Commander. Secretary-General military advisor.
Institutionalized Israeli State Terror
by Stephen Lendman
Just when you think things can't get worse, they do. Israel finds new ways to surprise. Couched in Big Lies.
A daily litany burying hard truths. Many too outrageous too ignore.
Wrongdoing writ large. Terrorism is what they do, not us.
On November 11, the Silwan, East Jerusalem-based Wadi Hilweh Information Center (WHIC) reported an IDF arrest warrant for two-year-old Hamza.
Saying he's wanted for questioning. Confirming it when showing up to detain him. Raiding the family home.
An Israeli intelligence officer demanding to see the boy. Told he lived next door. Leaving without comment.
According to WHIC, "Israeli forces seized three computers from the Zeidani family's home after arresting their 16-year-old son Mohammed."
How Our People Do Their Extermination-Jobs in Ukraine
Eric Zuesse
Below is a video of “our side” in the Ukrainian civil war carrying out part of the Ukrainian Defense Minister, Mikhail Koval’s, extermination plan, which was injudiciously described by him right after a press conference.
On June 11th, an “Anti-Maidan” or anti-ethnic-cleansing, site, posted to youtube excerpts from previously unpublished press-conference Q&A-session statements by Koval, which were made perhaps immediately following the Defense Minister’s private meeting on June 4th with top NATO officials, who endorsed his plan. This youtube was titled “Secretary of Defense [Mikhailo Koval] About Concentration Camp for Eastern Ukraine People.”
Putin Prioritizes Strong Sino/Russian Ties
by Stephen Lendman
On November 10, Putin addressed Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum members. Calling Russia's participation strategically important. Intending expanded cooperation. Through increased trade and investment incentives. "The twenty-first century has already been called 'the Pacific century,' " he said.
"Russia must make use of the competitive advantages offered by this fast-growing economic, technology and innovation centre."
Russian Siberian and Far Eastern regions "offer a unique chance for this vast region’s countries to effectively develop and make use of the opportunities there and further strengthen their potential."
"Cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region is one of Russia's strategic priorities. The overall constructive spirit that characterises our relations with the vast majority of countries in the region is very important."
Sabotaging P5+1 Talks
by Stephen Lendman
They've been ongoing interminably. Reaching a November 2013 interim agreement. Longstanding US/Israeli hardline policy remains unchanged.
Sanctions Iran wants removed remain in place. New ones were irresponsibly imposed.
By Washington earlier. Unilaterally. By executive order. Circumventing Congress. Violating Geneva's letter and sprit.
EU countries just adding their own. Against Iranian companies and individuals. Showing no interest in resolving things responsibly.
Israel Plans Annexing West Bank Territory
by Stephen Lendman
International law is clear and unequivocal. Settlements and regional councils are brazenly illegal.
So are West Bank/East Jerusalem closed military zones, no-go areas, nature reserves, national parks, Separation Wall land expropriation, free-firing zones, commercial locations, Jews only roads, checkpoints, other barriers, and other exclusively Jewish areas.
Combined they comprise about 60% of West Bank land. Israel plans annexation. More on this below.
NOBODY Wins Big!
The people have spoken. Their preference is clear. By an overwhelming majority, the favorite candidate of the American public is NOBODY.
But, wait, that makes no sense. There were election contests all over the country including elections for the House of Representatives in every state. Every contest had a winner. Didn't we hear about turnout above 50% in some states? That's correct. However, the winner by far, consisted of those who simply didn't vote. They chose NOBODY.
Like unemployment, banking, and other critical data coming from the government(s), turnout isn't really turnout. If there are 2,000 voters registered and 1,000 show up to vote, government figures say there was a 50% turnout. But, if there were 3,000 eligible voters, then turnout could better be stated as 33% since only one in three eligible voters bothered to show up.
Here are the real turnout numbers:
- Only 36.6% of eligible voters (real turnout) bothered to vote.
- Six states had real turnout between 50% and 60%
- Eighteen states had turnout between 40% and 49%
- Twenty one states were between 30% and 39%
- Six states had turnout below 30%
Michael McDonald, U.S. Elections Project, George Mason University
Lavrov v. Kerry in Beijing
by Stephen Lendman
Both officials met on the APEC summit sidelines. It bears repeating what earlier articles stressed.
Lavrov is a world-class diplomat. A model foreign secretary. Working tirelessly for world peace and stability.
Kerry shames the office he holds. Illegitimate and then some. A serial liar. Unfit to serve.
A war criminal multiple times over. Representing America's dark side. Deploring peace. Supporting imperial wars. Complicit in Ukrainian crisis conditions. Involved in elevating illegitimate fascist putschists to power.
Backing their Donbas war of aggression. Without mercy against freedom-fighting democrats. Civilians in harm's way.
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