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Kerry Supports Egypt's Coup
by Stephen Lendman
When is a coup not one? When John Kerry claims otherwise. When he says it restores democracy.
It can't reinistate what doesn't exist. It can't do it by military takeover. Perhaps Kerry doesn't understand. merica never had democracy. It has none now.
Coup d'etat power rules. Elections are a useful fiction. People have no say. Monied interests run things. According to Paul Craig Roberts:
"The regime ruling in Washington today lacks constitutional and legal authority. Americans are ruled by usurpers…(They) claim that the executive branch is above the law…"
They call "the US Constitution a mere 'scrap of paper.' " It's quaint and out-of-date. "An unconstitutional government is an illegitimate" one.
A Formula for Palestinian Survival in Damascus
A Formula for Palestinian Survival in Damascus
by FRANKLIN LAMB
Western side of Yarmouk Camp, Damascus
For more than a year, Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, one of nine in Syria, has been a war zone between supporters of the Syrian government and those seeking its overthrow. But the number of camp residents actively engaged in fighting on either side is negligible, according to Dr. Hamed Mouad.
Mouad is author of the first book on Yarmouk camp history and its sociology. Many of his relatives are camp residents, or were at any rate, until they had to flee eight months ago. Despite great pressure to help “liberate” the camp—pressure put upon them from both sides of this war—the residents here, insisting on neutrality, overwhelmingly refused to join either side in the conflict. And for this they have paid a big price.
Israeli Referendum Measure Blocks Land for Peace
by Stephen Lendman
Netanyahu heads Israel's worst government in history. It's hardline. It's extremist. It's fascist. It spurns Palestinian rights. It deplores peace. It enforces occupation harshness.
On August 1, Haaretz headlined "Bill requiring referendum on ceding land passes first Knesset reading."
Doing so lacks legitimacy. Israeli's have no legal authority. Palestinians alone may vote up or down on issues relating to their land.
Israelis have no right to decide for them. Territorial residents have sole authority. A previous article explained. Netanyahu called enactment essential, saying:"Any agreement, if it is achieved in negotiations, will be brought as a referendum."
Trapped in a Killing Field: MIT Study Suggests Travel Restrictions in the Event of an Epidemic
by Janet Phelan
A study published in The Royal Society Interface by researchers at MIT may influence policy as to potential travel restrictions in an epidemic.
The study suggests that such restrictions will slow the progress of a pandemic. What is implicit in the paper's recommendations is that people may be confined—quarantined in fact—to a heavily affected area, thus reducing their individual chances to survive but also mitigating the spread of the contagion.
As reported in Bioprepwatch, the study “compared contagion rates in two scenarios, one with travel restrictions and one without the restrictions. Previous research showed that individuals who become aware of an epidemic travel by taking the shortest route to avoid infected areas, even if they are already infected. The behavior, known as selfish behavior in game theory, exposes people in uninfected areas to disease.” Using computer modeling, the study tracked a hypothetical infectious disease as it advanced through commuting networks in the contiguous U.S.A.
Heightened Russia Bashing
by Stephen Lendman
Doing so suggests reinventing the Evil Empire. It's back to the future. It's the new Cold War. It doesn't surprise.
Media scoundrels march in lockstep with America's worst policies. They do so disgracefully. They shame themselves repeatedly.
They lack legitimacy. They're managed news manipulators. They're not credible journalists. They never were. They're not now.
They're venting over Russia granting Edward Snowden asylum. They criticize what deserves praise
The New York Times called Russia "defiant." Granting Snowden safe refuge ignored "pleas and warnings from President Obama and other senior Americans."
Duplicitous Committee of Inquiry on Syria
by Stephen Lendman
In September 2011, Paulo Pinheiro was appointed Chairman of a three-member International Commission of Inquiry for Syria (COI).
Its mandate is investigating human rights abuses. It's an imperial tool. Pinheiro abhors peace. He turns truth on its head. His reports bear testimony to his bias. He points fingers the wrong way.
He blames Assad for Western-backed terrorist crimes. He does so consistently. On July 30, Syria's permanent UN envoy Bashar al-Jaafari addressed the General Assembly, saying:The Commission of Inquiry on Syria is still deliberately blowing things out of proportion when displaying its findings, also fully disregarding or downplaying core issues.''
XKeyscore: Instrument of Mass Surveillance
by Stephen Lendman
Evidence mounts. America crossed the line. It operates lawlessly. It reflects police state ruthlessness. Big Brother's real. It's not fiction. It watches everyone.
It's about control, espionage and intimidation. It targets fundamental freedoms. It has nothing to do with national security. America's only threats are ones it invents. It does so for political advantage.
On July 31, London's Guardian headlined "XKeyscore: NSA tool collects 'nearly everything a user does on the Internet.
It "gives 'widest reading' collection of online data. NSA analysts require no prior authorizations for searches." They sweep up "emails, social media and browsing history."
Russia Grants Snowden One-Year Asylum
by Stephen Lendman
On June 23, he arrived in Moscow. He applied for asylum. He's been stuck in Sheremetyevo Airport transit zone limbo.
Putin was clear and unequivocal. He won't extradite him. No treaty obligation exists. Official requests don't matter.
Snowden's initial ordeal ended. A greater one awaits. He's able to travel freely.
On August 1, Itar Tass headlined "Edward Snowden gets asylum and leaves Sheremetyevo transit zone," saying: He's "formerly in Russia's territory." "Earlier, a source close to the matter reported this information explaining that the customs officers received the required papers from Federal Migration Service giving Snowden the right to stay in Russia."
Hatred, Division, & Perpetual Wars: When Will We Ever Learn?
By Larry Pinkney
“…the two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ of non-recognition, no matter how we vote…May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic parties.”
–W.E.B. Du Bois
“Perhaps people will stop repeating the human-made catastrophes of the past when we cease being ahistorical and truly learn from history’s lessons.”
–Larry Pinkney, The Boston Globe, April 27, 2006
The great potential of the indomitable human condition is its ability to grasp and learn from past mistakes and failures. Why then, do so many continue to repeat the catastrophes of the distant and not so distant past? Are we simply hapless idiots – or have we allowed ourselves to be the perpetual pawns of an invariable elite few amongst us – who distort and control the past and contemporary narrative of everyday ordinary people’s history to suit their own ends?
Obama's Grand Bargain 2.0
by Stephen Lendman
Obama's job creation plan targets social justice. It's old wine in new bottles. It prioritizes corporate tax cuts.
It scorns fairness. It ducks reality. It's same old, same old. It doesn't work. It never did. It's not designed to. It won't now.
Don't expect media scoundrels to explain. They're in lockstep with what helps business. They're comfortable with rich elites benefitting at the expense of most others. In collusion with Republicans, Obama proposed more trickle down. He claims what never worked before will this time.
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