We decry Al-Assad when he bombs rebels in Syria, but praise allied forces bombing rebels (sorry, I mean terrorists) in Syria. And when the US funds the war in Syria – they are of course funding rebels, not terrorists. But the mainstream media view is so confusing and convoluted that one cannot trust any reportage. Even Jihadi John’s beheadings seem to have been filmed in a green screen studio. Everything needs to be questioned.
Source – stopthewar.org.uk
Sadly, the destruction of Syria was in the planning in 2001 (as confirmed by Retired General Wesley Clark), and once Libya had been “dealt” with, the “terrorist war machine” moved to Syria. But all this began when we invaded Iraq to kill the terrorists who weren’t there in the first place – and then ISIS evolved from the conflict we initiated. What a terrible disaster, and it seems most of our politicians have learned nothing.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed that he supports Australia’s expansion of Royal Australian Air Force air strikes against Islamic State into Syria. (I wonder if he has heard of General Clark.)
In the SMH article “Bombing our way to a strategic solution to Islamic State in Syria” they write “Ironically, IS supplies to be targeted are largely being funded by the sale of captured oil to neighbouring countries, some of whom are allies of the West, like Turkey and Jordan.”
Mr Abbott confirmed Australia had received a formal request from the US to extend its strikes in Iraq to cover Syria. And said, “We’re not going to rush a decision, but we will make a decision in the next couple of weeks.” He indicated legal differences between carrying out strikes in Iraq compared to Syria, but that it would not be a roadblock. (ABC)
But, speaking on the ABC’s Drum, defence expert, John Blaxland has questioned why the federal government didn’t respond immediately to a request from the United States – and that this could indicate division within the Coalition party room.
“The fact that there is this ambiguity and that the Prime Minister’s talking about consulting further would suggest that perhaps in Cabinet there is some kind of argument going on about whether or not this is in fact a good thing.”
Dr Blaxland says he and other experts, have argued for caution on increasing Australian involvement in Syria. One wonders whether some of Abbott’s party understand that going into Iraq was a disaster in the first place, and that this action would just be more of the same madness.
Our Western leaders are incapable of even thinking peacefully. They are puppets to a war industry, and there seems to be no interest in peace until Al-Assad follows the “Gaddafi exit”.
Thank you for taking up this subject today, Dee.
Couldn’t agree more. If the aim is to create more insanely pis*ed people focused on this country, then hey, go right ahead you god complexes in a suit and tie, but remember this, the game is up and its time too digest this fact and make it a part of your reality, it will not be suppressed any more! No one that i communicate with in whats left of our society believes anything you say any more!
It just really peeves me how both sides of politics here in Australia, are so willing to do the will of the ‘warmongers’- and how no one in MSM questions decisions made on our behalf!!
Thank goodness for Gumshoe!!!
May I respectfly that there be a correction of your terminology?
‘Warmongers’.
Consider ‘whoremongers’; which I suggest represents our past governments and the present, shock jocks, corporate mass media, the ABC, SBS and their predecessors, over the last 15 years when they laid back for the neocons referred to by General Wesley Clark.
We all know what a ‘whore’ is. Problem is that the taxpayer is paying for the service and our soldiers and their family’s are paying with their lives and futures.
The hypocracy of Abbott on the news as I comment. He is honouring Mr Mabo but joining in the genocide in the Middle East for the corporates identified by Major General Smedley Butler in his booklet: ‘War is a Racket’.
Grow a spine Mr. News and ‘ Always Independent’ Fairfax, report Clarke and Butler.
‘Whoremongers’ are being sprung and one has to question why they are not facing incarceration. No one will miss them.
The Four Horseman documentary was a response to the 2008 GFC which has been masked until now by the trillions of money “printed” by the 1% to continue their banking racket.
It is well worth a review considering the present market chaos.
Let us not forget this and all the information must be taken out into the public space where questions must be posed to all people to strive to advance integrity in our common knowledge and policies.
People who lie down with dogs get fleas.
This is why I’m scratching.
Last weekend was very revealing in comments made by Abbott and Julie Bishop. Bishop claimed on Insiders that because the Syrian government did not control the border area with Iraq there was no impediment to Australian troops fighting in what was, in effect, “no man’s land.”
Abbott had an equally idiosyncratic view of international law. He said words to the effect that because “terrorists” did not respect international borders, neither should we (Australia).
Bishop said that they were looking at the legal issues. But one notes that the head of the A-G’s department is Chris Moraitis, the same man who produced the legal opinion that Australia could attack Iraq in 2003 without a UN resolution. (cf the considered opinion of UK A-G Lord Goldsmith on the same point).
Then we recall that John Howard did not hesitate to lie to the Australian parliament in February 2003 about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and what his intelligence agencies had concluded on that point.
All of which leads one to the inevitable conclusion that facts and law do not matter when our political leaders are determined to wage war, almost invariably at the behest of our “dangerous ally” as Malcolm Fraser aptly described the US.
A pound to a penny that Shorten will line up with the Coalition, mindful as he is of Whitlam’s fate for daring to show some independence.
Then what would you have Australia do? If you could advise Julie (and I’m sure she wants advice) how would you guide her?
Mary, I am not persuaded that Bishop “wants advice”. The evidence is fairly clear that Australia requested the US to ask us to join their Syrian escapade. Ergo, a decision had already been made and the blather about legal options is simply a smokescreen. As I indicated in my original comment, the advice is not worthy of the name given the history of such advice in the Iraq war, and the current role of the adviser.
As to what Australia should do? That is a huge question not amenable to an answer in this brief response. But I would start with developing an independent foreign policy that reflects Australia’s real long term interests. I would take a lot of persuading that involvement in America’s wars since 1945 has done us any good at all (quite apart from legal and ethical considerations).
I would also base our policies on a regard for the truth. The blunt fact is that we are continually lied to, or the truth is suppressed, about (to take just two current examples) Ukraine and Palestine/Israel.
As a lawyer I also strongly believe that respect for the law, international and domestic, is a very good starting point. Again to revert to my original comment, the Australian government’s views on international law is appalling. Apart from the instances I cited, one could add East Timor, the Refugee Convention; the Convention on the Rights of the Child and many other examples of where we are a long way from the professed ideal of being a ‘model litigant’.
Thank you.
But can you name a case at the ICJ in all its 70 years in which the existence of “law” meant that the weak could get justice against the strong? As for the strong risking even a rap on the knuckles from the ICC, they have procedurally prevented that by giving the UN Security Council a say in who gets prosecuted.
Yes I agree that Oz could have made a stink about Timor in 1975 or about the “plebiscite” (God help us) in West Papua in 1962. Yes noise is very important. Yes (I see from your other essay), Mr Irvine’s words are shockingly unAustralian. UnHumane. Foul.
But I do think Julie wants help. Tony too. If they don’t hear from strong moral people they will have to listen to strong immoral people. The day they were handed a foreign policy portfolio they did not suddenly acquire your lifetime’s worth of experience.
Fathom it. Julie and Julia and Shorten and Turnbull, seeking to speak for Australia. Claiming to know “what Australia needs.”
They should go down to the local high school and ask the kids to advise them. I’m not kidding.
James, thank you again for replying.
As far as I recall, Shorten supported Kevin Rudd and he said yes to Obama. I’ve always felt that any country capable of putting a ding-a-ling of a bird like an emu on its Coat of Arms is definitely lacking in logic, the said bird having a brain about the size of a split pea. The animal on the other side isn’t too (?) crash hot either, it never even learned to walk properly.
This is from a US legal perspective and is 2 years old, but is spoken clearly
Andrew Wilkie is on ABC current affairs this morning going some way to oppose the escalation of Australian military engagement in the invasion of Syria. I have spoken to his desk this morning and what you find is a very reasonable understanding of the realities in this conflict including the US complicity in the creation of ISIS and the broader currency war context.
How many Australians will use their vote and contact his office in support of the statements and stand Andrew has made this morning, including urging him to go further with his public explanations. This is how we must learn to use our vote every single day.
Andrew Wilkie’s office….03 62345255
Yesterday I got on talk back twice but was cut short on both occasions when I described the Stock Market reality in terms of mafia like and an organized racket but I did get to point out the money creation reality at the centre of our economic realities.
I intended to recommend the “Four Horseman” but was not successful.
I have contacted the program producers to note my message and view was cut short and have sent the link to the FH film and invited some response on the “money creation” aspects of the documentary.
One voice in all spaces can only achieve a limited impact but if many people act correctly the increment of association, if combined with correct language and information can move the ground under any discussion.
What would be the effect if Andrew Wilkie had a steady flow of supporting calls to his office or local listeners to Goulburn Murray Radio contacted the programs I called to reinforce what I said and request they broadcast more opinion that gives other critical context to issues and events, and importantly, protest that I was cut short in my contribution.
These are all easy ways we can use our vote to make a difference.
The spell in effect controls the cognitive map that sets all the boundaries to discussions but these limits can be moved if enough people engage the subjects and push the borders so the controlling atmosphere is loosened.
Would you please state your 4 main points in one sentence each, Christopher. If we did not hear the broadccast yet want to support Wilkie, what is it that he gave openings for.
I agree with you that the squeaky wheel does not always get murdered, and may well effect some change in policy.
Mary, I will set some points down later this evening.
Today, at an Irrigation Modernization issues political rally at Tatura I was able to speak on the same stage as Sharman Stone MP and John Madigan MP when the chairman made the rare offer to provide an open mike for anyone who thought there were issues that needed attention.
What a rare invitation at a public political rally!
No tomatoes, or jeers, though I would not have been surprised if the Chairman had cut me short, as I presented some deeper aspects of power and banking at the root of the gradual transfer of the assets of the Goulburn Valley into the hands of international Monopoly Banking interests.
The audience were surprisingly totally attentive which made it impossible to stop me making my case.
Win TV also did a terrific interview afterwards that gave me the opportunity to educate the journalist and the camera technician though I expect nothing of import will make broadcast.
A surprising rare opportunity, and though I had nothing prepared my regular mental homework at Gumshoe and elsewhere served me well.
My vote was well exercised today. I have had, and continue to have, many scraps and wrestles with Stone. Member for Murray, who is my local MP so it was a pleasure to get my view out in that public forum with her having to sit and listen.
That is brilliant Christopher
Mary,
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/denison-mp-andrew-wilkie-says-bombing-syria-would-be-reckless/story-fnjj6010-1227499291191
1. Support Wilkie’s statement of opposition to escalating air strikes and participation by Australia. Urge Wilkie to take the argument public to include an objective analysis of how we got to this point and the Western collaboration that brought ISIS into life.
2. DIA report on Western preferred Islamic caliphate from 2012.
3. Wesley Clarke interviews, context, meaning, questions.
4. Pointed discussion on the pattern of atrocity propaganda lies and psychological warfare realities that are the regular deception the public are fed to justify wars. Why would the tales about Syria and Assad be different?
5. Sweeping general account of the horrors and destruction over recent years and very focused questions to the staffer regarding how they feel about the murderous results of our policies upon innocent people and how would we react if our streets and communities were being bombed.
6. Very clear statements that I believe the evidence suggests the war on terror is Orwellian and energy maps would give us a deeper understanding of what is really motivating US foreign policy in the middle east. Israel always deserves a mention.
Constant urging and reinforcement that I wish Wilkie to be more public and detailed in his statements so the public get a fully dynamic truth with memory and context.
The points are all just the ABC of the issue but only when enough people decide they have had enough lies and ACT on that conviction can the ground be moved.
“Israel always deserves a mention.”
Yinon Plan anybody? ISIS is a clever straw-man operation isn’t it.
Christopher. I would love to hear these too. Is it possible to communicate, then I/we could also call into the same programs… like they did with Cspan in the US with Bld 7.
Dee, I agree supporting action is logical and effective but it also needs to be independent and instinctive because the producers and journalists are very wise to all the tricks and I take a long term view.
I think my regional ABC has just recently gone online or is in the process of going online. I will update on this.
I know there are Iphone apps that can record conversations but my mobile is ancient.