the interpretOr

The drumbeats are growing louder summoning the howling dogs of war to assemble on the borders of Persia. These are not Assyrians whose spears gleam in the moonlight but Americans astride black vultures carrying cannisters of death.

They have been called to assembly by the Invisible Giant of Jerusalem who points his menacing finger accusingly at Tehran and through deceptive lips breathes the great lie that is not permitted to be questioned.

The Persians have a great weapon and are a threat to me and the whole world he says, while concealing his secret arsenal of annihilation under a blanket of ancient guilt. Directing attention away from a history of kidnapping and murder and theft of lands, carried out in the name persecution.

 This is the same great lie that saw death rain down on Baghdad and infected America with disbelief and loss of trust in its own destiny. This is the lie that enrages and motivates its victims and enemies to seek a bloody revenge.

While its leaders begin the chant of war and the captains of industry line their treasuries with Persian gold America’s people are on the streets demanding truth and justice. And the invisible giant points the way.  

Jim Scott Nov 14

Umberto Bossi to Silvio.

 It is clear to almost everyone on the planet that the curtain should be drawn on America’s war in Afghanistan. While there was once a valid argument for the USA to retaliate against the Al Qaeda, the time has long gone when military activity improved security or improved the lives of Afghanis.

As President Karzai has clearly spelt out, Afghanistan’s economic and security future lies with making alliances with its superpower neighbours China and India, as well as Pakistan and even Iran.  Clearly the Pakistani Military at least is very uncomfortable with a dominant Western presence in the region and has less inclination to deal with cross border insurgents while Western Forces remain.

Now that Pakistan and India have formed a trading alliance and China is seeking to widen its economic reach, the quickest way to peace is for the West to get out. This loss of status may not suit US objectives but its allies interests would be better served by getting out now

Those Afghani troops who are turning on their trainers may not be Taliban or Al Qaeda. They may be motivated by the wishes of the Afghan Government or more likely the will of the people. Australia should be bringing back our troops and thanking them for a job well done and it would be sensible for other countries to do the same.

Julian Assange appears to be bound for Sweden despite not having been charged with any offence.  His extradition raises a number of questions that should be examined. The first question is why can’t the Swedish prosecutor ask her questions in the UK?  Why is it necessary for him to be in Sweden before he is charged? Can and will the English Judiciary limit Assanges extradition to Sweden only?

A more important matter is, will Sweden be simply a stepping stone in Assanges rendition to the United States or even Gauntanamo Bay? If such proceedings begin what action if any will be taken by the Australian government to ensure Assange’s safety, legal rights and freedom? Will the Gillard Government stick up for an Australian citizen or tug the forelock once again?

Gillard has a poor record on Assange and has already declared him guilty of crimes and stayed silent on seemingly illegal  attacks on WikiLeaks by banks and credit card companies.

She may lose further support from the Australian public if she plays Pontius Pilate in the Assange case. Furthermore she will be setting a low value on Australian citizenship.

The United Nations vote on admittance of Palestine to membership of UNESCO has shown that the childish petulance displayed by the United States is not confined to the Republican Party.

After the USA and Israel could only gather a dozen supporters they have not only taken their bat and ball and stomped off home but it would seem they, and probably Israel have gone on a vandalism spree. They spitefully retaliated against the Palestinian people by attacking their internet systems and against the rest of UNESCO’s members by reneging on a $60 million donation. Was this money actually a bribe?

Why have the USA and Israel been such ungracious losers? Is it because they know they are being left behind by world opinion? How long can they maintain the illusion that a tiny significantly imported Israeli population should imprison and ignore the prior rights of land tenure, and trash the land and human rights of a much larger native population?

The Australian Government needs to be included in this small band of intransigent countries who it would seem, are incapable of voting in a way that reflects the will of their own people when that conflicts with the selfish aims of the USA. For Australia it is time to be a true friend but not an obsequious servant of the USA. We should always be supportive of genuine causes and difficulties being tackled by our long time ally but we should not aid bogus wars or unjust actions as is occurring in Palestine.

It is a nonsense for the US to say they favour a two state solution in Palestine/Israel when their actions are totally at odds with their words. Sure they claim that they want to have an agreement between Israel and Palestine before agreeing to Palestinian statehood, but this is simply an endless delaying tactic. Israel’s continuing theft of Palestinian land ensures every passing day makes it harder to make an agreement that is fair and equitable to Palestinians. If the USA was serious about a negotiated settlement leading to Palestinian statehood it would put a stop to this ongoing injustice.

What should become obvious to the USA is that their failed policies on Israel and Palestine means they are becoming marginalised not only in the Middle East but their shrinking support in the UN shows that many of their allies are fed up supporting such flawed policy and unjust outcomes. The worlds populace in East and West and countries of the North and South have had a gut-full of this endlessly damaging and degradingly stupid strategy that spreads violence and hatred around the planet.

When will we get a USA President and Congress that has the courage to stand up to the powerful and skilful Jewish lobby. Conversely in order to maintain US hegemony in the region will the USA attempt to undermine any attempt by the newly democratic Arab states to build strong peaceful relationships with their neighbours . If so they may find the rest of the world growing tired of violent US adventures and at a time they are losing there economic dominance this will diminish their military and economic reach and ability.

Surely it is time for the USA to bite the bullet and face their greatest current challenge which is to demand Israel comply with UN rulings on handing back Palestinian lands and end their occupation. Their current policy trajectory will end not only in further bloodshed but in further decline in America’s influence and respect. As Ghandi might have said, until Israel ensures that Palestinians achieve justice and a dignified existence then Israeli’s will not achieve theirs goal of a peaeful homeland either.

A conversation with Nelson, on a Freo street corner:

“See that dog over there? Tied up for fuckin’ ages. The owner’s left ‘im. Hours! If e comes back, I’ll thump ‘im.”

“I remember a dog on a beach, sometime in Asia. It was staked in the water so that it’d be half up to its ears at high tide. I shouted at the owner, he ran towards me and screamed…”

“If I was a dog, would you save me? ….Ma…dad chopped half his leg after he was taken away.        8 kids in our family. All gone. So where you from?”

“England”

“We was there. Brighton, Gloucester – real cold. An’ we went to South Africa.”

“God, what was that like?”

“My last name Nelson. Special in Africa….Ain’t nothing goin to happen to you here. You’re on sacred land.”