Speculation about a US-Israeli invasion of Iran, which has been ongoing for the last couple of years, has reached a fever pitch. While most Americans are opposed to continuing the occupation of Iraq (68% according to CNN), about 25% of Americans believe that Iran is the country that poses the greatest threat to the United States (yet again proving that you can fool some of the people all of the time).
Many observers fear the US and Israel plan to attack Iran before the year is out. In an article posted today at the Edmonton Sun (and its sister publications, I imagine) Eric Margolis reviews some of the more ominous signs of an impending strike, including:
Despite U.S. intelligence statements that Iran is not working on nuclear weapons, the US, Israel and France are threatening military action if Iran does not end its nuclear enrichment program.
Senior Israeli officials are threatening to attack Iran’s nuclear installations before Bush’s term expires. Recently Israel staged a dress rehearsal in the form of an exercise using F-15s and F-16s.
American journalist Seymour Hersh has confirmed that the U.S. Congress authorized a $400-million plan to overthrow Iran’s government and incite ethnic unrest.
Pentagon officials have said a U.S. attack on Iran is imminent, perhaps including the use of small tactical nuclear weapons.
This year, senior American officers Admiral William Fallon and Air Force Chief Michael Mosley were fired for opposing war against Iran.
A war with Iran would be disastrous by any measure one might choose. As Canadians, we need to insist that our government express strong opposition to American war plans, and that work has to begin today.
As a starting point, write your MP and the Prime Minister. You can get their addresses here. If you aren’t already involved in an antiwar organization, find one to join, or start one.
As Eric Margolis puts it: “The dogs of war are being unleashed.”
The Federal Court of Canada today ordered the Immigration and Refugee Board to reconsider the failed refugee claim of Joshua Key, an American soldier who entered Canada with his family in March 2005, rather than continue to participate in the illegal occupation of Iraq.
The summary decision reads “This is an application for judicial review from a decision of the Immigration and Refugee Board. The Applicants are citizens of the United States and their claims to refugee
protection arise from Mr. Key’s history of desertion from the United States Army. Upon review, the Court concluded that military action which systematically degrades, abuses or humiliates either combatants or non-combatants is capable of supporting a refugee claim where that is the proven reason for refusing to serve. It therefore concluded that the Board had erred by imposing a too restrictive legal standard upon Mr. Key. Furthermore, the Court found that clear and convincing evidence about similarly situated individuals who unsuccessfully sought to be excused from combat duty, or who were prosecuted and imprisoned for a refusal to serve, may be sufficient to rebut the presumption of state protection in the United States. On this point, the Court determined that Mr. Key should be given the opportunity to fully address the issue of state protection in a rehearing before the Board.”
Translation
This ruling kicks the shit out of the Tory position that U.S. war resisters are not “real refugees.”
Implications
There is ample reason to believe this ruling could apply to many other US war resisters who fled to Canada. Some estimates place the number at 200. We need to continue to press the federal government to stop planned deportations, such as the one that faces Corey Glass on July 10. The War Resisters Support Campaign can use your help — click here.
More information
You can read the full decision here. News coverage includes this.
Winnipeggers showed support for US war resisters in Canada, July 3, by picketing the constituency office of Winnipeg South Tory MP Ron Bruinooge. Photo: Paul Graham
Following on the June 3 Parliamentary approval of a resolution to allow US war resisters to remain in Canada, the War Resisters Support Campaign called for a July 2nd National Day of Action to urge the federal government to implement the will of Parliament. There is wide support for the Parliamentary vote. According to a national poll conducted by Angus Reid shortly after the vote in Parliament, a “majority of Canadians would agree with the decision to let American military deserters stay in Canada as permanent residents.” Despite this, the Harper Tories are not showing any signs of softening their position.
The young Americans who have sought refuge in Canada have done so because they refuse to participate in war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must continue to insist that the federal government implement the will of Parliament.
Call Minister Diane Finley and insist that she:
stop deportation proceedings against Corey Glass and all US Iraq war resisters
implement the motion adopted by our Parliament to allow US Iraq war resisters to apply for permanent resident status.
Here are the numbers to call:
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley: (613) 996-4974
The group has been gathering signatures at local festivals, events and city parks and has already collected 8,500 signatures, about 1,300 more than is needed to put the question on the city’s ballot in November. If the measure passes, the new name will become effective starting next January, when the new president is sworn in.
Supporters plan to engage in a “synchronized flush” during the inauguration as a way to send a “gift” to the newly-renamed plant, saying they believe this will be a “fitting monument to this president’s work.”
By now, everyone has heard that George Carlin died on Sunday of a heart attack. Adoring broadcasters have been playing clips of some of his more controversial routines and editing out the naughty bits, a development that I’m sure Carlin would have mocked mercilessly.
Carlin loved language and hated hypocrisy. He could use language to entertain and to enlighten. He was a keen observer of how language is used to confuse, mislead and ultimately enslave people.
Here’s a memorable clip on the subject of language which concludes, ironically, on the topic of his death.
Forgive the stereotyping, but Americans are legends in their own minds on the subject of free speech. Or, at least they were until George Bush invaded Afghanistan and declared that any criticism, however muted, was tantamount to terrorism.
Perhaps this kind of declaration was inevitable in a country where the public political discourse is limited to discussing the policy options offered by Republicans and Democrats, which is akin to being permitted to choose between brands of toilet paper.
Still, depending on your point of view, American talk radio is vibrant, irreverent and free-wheeling or hysterical, reactionary and offensive. But even by American standards, a line may have been crossed when Radio America-syndicated talk show host Michael Reagan called for the murder of anti-war activist Mark Dice, on the air, June 10.
Evidently, Dice brought down the wrath of Regan by sending letters and DVDs to American troops stationed in Iraq which support the idea that U.S. officials allowed the 9/11 attacks to happen for political purposes.
Said Reagan: “How about you take Mark Dice out and put him in the middle of a firing range. Tie him to a post, don’t blindfold him, let it rip and have some fun with Mark Dice.”
Now, even in the United States (or at least in California) it is against the law to incite murder. So far, thankfully, it has remained a war of words. Dice wants Reagan fired and prosecuted. Reagan has apologized, but Dice, understandably is not reassured.
This just came in from Eric Lee at Labour Start. Please support it.
This is one of the most unusual trade union campaigns I’ve ever heard of — and I’m pretty excited by it. Please take a moment and read on.
Many of you will have heard that two leaders of Zimbabwe’s embattled trade union movement were arrested a few weeks ago on charges of ‘spreading falsehoods prejudicial to the state’ — in other words, telling the truth.
Next Monday, Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibebe, President and General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, are going back to court to face charges. Unions around the world are organizing protests that day at Zimbabwe embassies, and if you can attend or organize such an event that’s great.
But there’s something you can do right now without getting up out of your chair. The Trades Union Congress here in London is making a giant photo mosaic of Lovemore and Wellington, using pictures of hundreds of their supporters from around the world — and they want to use your photo as one tiny part of it.
They’ll get this printed on a large banner in time for the London demonstration on 23 June, and they’ll make the image available to other international demonstrations and to the media.
Demonstration for democracy, rights and freedom for Zimbabwe The Zimbabwean, Africa – 13 Jun 2008 On 23 June Lovemore Matombo, President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and Wellington Chibebe, General Secretary of ZCTU are due in court to …
ZCTU PRESS RELEASE The Zimbabwean, Africa – 4 Jun 2008 … with Freedom of Expression and Association while. The ZCTU is represented at the ILO by President Lovemore Matombo and secretary-General Wellington Chibebe.
Zimbabwe: Unionists granted bail Green Left Weekly, Australia – 24 May 2008 … High Court had granted Z$20 billion bail to Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions president Lovemore Matombo and ZCTU general secretary Wellington Chibebe. …
Zimbabwe: ZCTU Sets Out to Tarnish Country’s Image AllAfrica.com, Washington – 23 May 2008 Some of the issues ZCTU is expected to raise include the arrest of its president, Mr Lovemore Matombo, and secretary-general Mr Wellington Chibebe two weeks …
Opposing Robert Mugabe is now ‘treason Times Online, UK – 12 Jun 2008 … be charged with making prejudicial statements, a charge used to silence a raft of government critics, including the trade union leader Lovemore Matombo. …
Vancouver East MP Libby Davies brought the issue of 9/11 Truth to the House of Commons last week, but you’d never know about it if you relied on the mainstream media. Fortunately, the blogosphere did take notice, and if faithful readers (this means you) do their part, we can make sure this petition doesn’t gather dust on some shelf in the Parliamentary Library.
The Petition
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED
We, the undersigned citizens of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following:
THAT, scientific and eyewitness evidence shows that the 9/11 Commission Report is a fraudulent document and that those behind the report are consciously or unconsciously guilty of covering up what happened on 9/11/2001. This evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that World Trade Center Towers 1, 2 and 7 were brought down by demolition explosives and that the official theory of the towers collapsing from the airplanes and the ensuing fires is irrefutably false.
We further believe that elements within the US government were complicit in the murder of thousands of people on 9/11/2001. This event brought Canada into the so-called “War on Terror,” it changed our domestic and foreign policies for the worse, and it will continue to have negative consequences for us all if we refuse to look at the facts.
THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon Parliament to:
(1) Immediately launch its own investigation into the events of 9/11/2001 on behalf of the 24 Canadian citizens murdered in New York City.
(2) Act lawfully on the findings of its own investigation by helping to pursue the guilty parties in the international courts.
Committed to truth and accountability,
————————————————– PETITION POUR LA CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES
SIÉGEANT AU PARLEMENT
NOUS, les soussignés,citoyen du Canada,voulons attirer l’attention de la Chambre sur ce qui suit:
QUE, des témoignages et des preuves scientifiques démontrent que le rapport de la commission d’enquête officielle sur les évènements du 11 septembre 2001 est un document frauduleux et que ceux a l’origine du rapport,consciemment ou inconsciemment, sont coupables d’occulter les évènements réels du 11 septembre 2001. Les preuves amassées démontrent de façon évidente que les tours 1,2 et 7 du World Trade Center ont été démolies a l’aide d’engins explosifs et que la théorie officielle supportant la thèse que les trois tours se sont écroulées suite à l’impact des avions et de la chaleur des incendies qui suivirent est de façon irréfutable,fausse.
Nous croyons fermement que des éléments au sein du gouvernement américain ont été complices du meurtre de milliers d’innocents le 11 septembre 2001. Cet évènement a conduit le Canada a s’engager dans la soi-disant ”guerre au terrorisme” et a changer notre politique nationale et internationale pour le pire. Le 11 septembre 2001 vas continuer d’avoir des conséquences néfastes pour tout le monde si nous refusons d’examiner les faits attentivemement et de facon objective.
Pour ces motifs,les signataires de la présente pétition demandent au Parlement:
(1) De lancer immédiatement sa propre enquête sur les évenement du 11 septembre 2001 au nom des 24 citoyens canadiens tués le 11 septembre 2001 a New York City.
(2) Agir de facon légale,à la lumiere de sa propre enquête,en aidant a pousuivre en justice les vrai coupables devant la cours internationalle de justice.
Bringing this petition to Parliament was a bold move for Davies. If the mainstream media begins to pay attention, she can expect to be dismissed as a nutty, half-baked “conspiracy theorist.” Indeed, many on the left might be tempted to cluck their tongues sympathetically and roll their eyes — “Poor Libby,” they’ll sigh. “She’s surely been working too hard.”
I hope this doesn’t happen. I hope Davies’ gesture encourages friends and critics alike to take a serious look at the research and analysis that supports the idea that 9/11 was an inside job perpetrated by ruthless sociopaths whose aim it was to secure what is left of the world’s petroleum reserves.
I don’t why it is so difficult for otherwise intelligent folks to grasp the idea that international war criminals capable of murdering over one million Iraqis are capable of anything, including killing their own citizens. If you are one of those who has decided to dismiss “9/11 Truthers” as cranks in tin foil hats, you owe it to yourself to take another look at the evidence they have amassed over the past seven years.
It is cliched, but true, to say that 9/11 changed everything. Among other hideous things, it embroiled Canada in a war of aggression on the side of the American Empire in Afghanistan. Getting out of that war and getting to the truth of the 9/11 attacks are connected. We must not let the federal government ignore Davies’ petition.
If there was a time to write your MP, this is it. Don’t know where to write? Go here.
Winnipeg’s annual Walk for Peace is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2008, beginning at 12 Noon.
The Walk will oppose Canada’s continuing military intervention in Afghanistan and the increasing tendency of Canadian governments to support such unjust wars.
In a complementary theme, the marchers will express support for American war resisters who have chosen to flee to Canada rather than participate in US military aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prior to the march, Project Peacemakers will host a Peace Service at Broadway Disciples United Church (396 Broadway), beginning at 11:00 A.M.
The Walk for Peace will begin at noon at the Manitoba Legislature. Marchers will proceed west on Broadway to Portage Avenue, and then east on Portage Avenue to Memorial Boulevard.
Following the march there will be speakers, food and entertainment at Memorial Park.
Speakers will include:
Judy Wasylycia-Leis (MP-Winnipeg North), who will speak on Canada’s war in Afghanistan
Howard Davidson, who will speak from personal experience on war resisters in Canada
Paul S. Graham 