“There is no proportional response to terrorism” - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s response to question from CNN’s Betty Nguyen if Israel’s bombing is extreme.
Bloomberg says that a country’s government has a responsibility to protect it’s people, and that Hamas broke the cease-fire several months ago. Prior to the cease-fire, Hamas was only sending one or two rockets a day. When the cease fire ended, Hamas decided to send hundreds of rockets and mortars across the border on a daily basis, a large increase in attacks thus intentionally trying to kill more innocent Israeli civilians. Thus, Hamas was the one who started the conflict back up again, on an increased basis and larger scale, and thus Hamas’ refusal to end the rockets is what is killing the people of Gaza. Hamas, who claims to be a government, is not protecting its people’s best interests but putting their own people in the middle of the attack.
Hamas has been sending rockets across the border since 2005 killing innocent civilians in Israel, and Israel finally retaliated and they are made out to be the “bad people” since they are killing innocent civilians while trying to take out terrorists.
Take a look at the video from CNN below.
And I leave you with this to ponder. If all the people in Gaza are just innocent civilians, they why on December 14th, did hundreds of tens of thousands of people show up in Gaza to support Hamas’ 21st anniversary of existence? Maybe, just maybe, because they support terrorists.
“The mass rally – with its sea of green flags – is being seen as a show of strength by Hamas…”
“The Associated Press said the crowds filled an area in Gaza City which can accommodate 150,000 people.”
“In a statement on its website, one of Hamas’ senior officials, Mahmoud Zahar, paid tribute to the organization on its anniversary. ‘Hamas has gone from stone-throwing to guns and rockets, from a support of a few thousand people to a backing of millions in Arab countries and around the world’, he said.
“about 300,000 Hamas supporters crowded into a dusty outdoor arena and spilled over into nearby streets. Many waved flags and sported baseball caps in the Islamic group’s signature green color.”
“The huge turnout at the Gaza rally was a pointed display of strength directed at both Israel and Fatah, and further evidence of the Muslim militant group’s unchallenged control over 1.4 million Gazans.”
So tell me, doe the pictures below, taken on Dec. 14th, 2008s look like a forced celebration of a few innocent non-Hamas supporting citizens of Hamas? Because to me, it looks more like an entire region of terrorist supporting civilians who are celebrating the existence of Hamas. And I would assume that 1.5 million people, if they did oppose Hamas, could easily overrun the amount of Hamas terrorists that do exist in Gaza if they really wanted to.
So quick question to think about while watching the below video from 2000 first before we get to 2009. The man in the middle, when the spread asks “Who here supports Hezbollah” does it not seem that the man in the middle raises his hands, not once, not twice, not three times, not four times, not five times, but six times to show his support for Hezbollah in this October 2000 video? And also, what do you hear from the crowd? Do you hear support or laughter?
Well, the man in the video is Mahdi Bray. After media attention on the above video, Bray claimed he was just having a bit of fun, and not approving Alamoudi’s words in a Northern Virginia Daily news article.
The majority of the people they were kind of raising their hands, and kind of cheering, and so on because this was so uncharacteristic of al-Amoundi. We didn’t know he had a problem with law enforcement. He was considered the pillar of the American Muslim community.
You saw me pumping my fists. You didn’t see me raising my hands. If they had shown the audience, you would have seen people in the audience raising their hands and falling out laughing. For him to come and make these kinds of radical rants, no one took him seriously.
Mahdi Bray has worked with International ANSWER, a group who has recently organized over 50 Anti-Israel protests in the United States in the past week, a group who was founded by members of the Workers World Party (WWP) and members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation(PSL). I recently blogged about ANSWER who has been accused for a few years of anti-Semitism, and supporting Hezbollah and Hamas.
American Muslim Council (AMC)– Advisory Board. This groups claims to fame are, The Chairman of this group was imprisoned for terror-related convictions in 2003. AMC was a part of the National Coalition to Protect Political Freedom. AMC created the National Islamic Prison Foundation below. AMC was a longtime supporter of Sudan’s National Islamic Front, which was and still is on the State Dept.’s list of terrorist organizations.
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)– Advisory Board. Formed a coalition to repeal and amend the Patriot Act. MPAC asserts that Hezbollah “could be called a liberation movement.” Found and executive director Salam AL-Marayati justified the existence of Hamas as a political entity and a provider of social programs and “educational operations”. MPAC justified the 1983 bombing of the American Marine barracks in Lebanon as a “military operation” rather than a terrorist attack. Claims Israel was established by terrorism and that they are the “worst terrorists in the world.” And a lot more.
Interfaith Alliance Foundation – Advisory Board
Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations – President
National Islamic Prison Foundation (NIPF) – Head. Created by American Muslim Council. A Saudi-supported outreach program seeking to convert US prison inmates to the Islamic faith. Tells them when they are released from prison, they will be able to find food and shelter, as well as assistance in finding employment, in virtually any mosque or masjid. The indoctrination of American inmates is a strategy described in al Qaeda training manuals.
Imam Jamil Defense Fund – National Mobilization Chairman. Organization provides legal aid for Jamil Abudullah Al-Amin (aka H. Rap Brown), who was twice on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitivies” list and is now serving a life sentence for murdering a police officer.
Muslim American Society and ANSWER Anti-Israel Protest in Washington
This protest was held this past Friday at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and then headed to the Egyptian Embassy. Brian Becker, who heads ANSWER also made an appearance which can be seen in video 3 below.
These crimes could not be committed [against Gaza by Israel] and would not be committed without the explicit consent and support and financing provided by the Bush Administration. And so in that sense we are here to say, that this is a US backed Israeli atrocity and justice demands that the United States Government cut all aid to Israel today, otherwise and because of it the US is guilty of war crimes too.
[Oh okay, so I guess it didn’t matter that Bush just gave $85 MILLION dollars to the UN for Gaza and the West Bank right? No aid for Israel, no aid for Gaza. An eye for an eye.]
Bray, meanwhile, had to say, “We’re here to say the violence must stop.” “And we’re here to say that there must be a ceasefire, a truce and that basically the sanctity of life is important.” He also had to say in one of the videos, that the people were there to represent the Muslims. [Wait, isn’t this SUPPOSE to be anti-war, and not about anti-Semitism?]
Once again, just that, kind of a layout of what we want to do here today.
First of all, we’re here to protest the occupation of Palestine. We’re here to protest the slaughter in Gaza. We’re here to protest the 18 months of siege that has taken place in Gaza, before the bombs dropped, people were dying because they couldn’t get food, medicine, medical attention, clean drinking water, etc. So, that’s why we’re here.
[Sure, I’ve given my own terms for a ceasefire and truce. Gaza stays the way it is, Israel stays the way it is. However, if a rocket comes from Gaza into Israel, that means that Israel can send a Hellfire missile back across to Gaza. If two rockets come from Gaza, then two Hellfire missiles go back across to Gaza. Fair deal. But if Iran sends anything over to Israel, then that’s a whole different ballgame.]
One angry protestor spoke against Barack Obama wanting to know why he was silent and why he wasn’t president now. But pointed out when Georgia was attacked by Russian, Obama spoke on that issue against Russia. That Obama doesn’t seem to represent “Change”.
And that “President Obama, despite all he said on television, that is illegal. That is immoral. That is inhuman. And reason for him to make a decision now.” And additionally said that Obama is a subservient to the current Administration.
[Can be seen and heard in the first video below. Obama has in the past stated that Israel has the right to defend itself. And obviously, these protestors want the United States to start a war with Israel. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. If these people want help to defend Gaza, then they can just take the next plane over there, and join Hamas. But instead, they choose to stay safely here, and whine, instead of paying homage to their country, and serve the country they seem to show more allegiance to than the United States.]
And remember ladies, gentlemen and kiddies, I’m not Jewish, I’m not Muslim, and I’m not Christian. I don’t look at a person by their sex, their race or their religion. I look at a person by their actions. And all I see are anti-Israeli hypocrites in these protests. It was okay when Hamas was sending rockets across the border and killing civilians and children in Israel. It was okay when bombs were set off near schools and school buses in Israel. But now, the tables turned, and the bullied becomes the bully. An eye for an eye.
ANSWER is suppose to be an anti-war, anti-racism, anti-terrorist, anti-imperialist organization however, they have been accused of serious anti-Semitism in the past, with some serious Jew bashing, chants of support for Hezbolla and Nazi flag waving at previous demonstrations. And they seem to be a supporter of terrorist groups such as Hamas.
If they were a true anti-war organization, then why are they not protesting against BOTH Israel and Hamas from sending rockets on a daily basis across the border into Israel killing innocent civilians. But instead, they choose to only protest Israel. This makes them guilty of anti-Semitism.
This week, ANSWER organized over 50 protests in the United States alone, which I blogged about a few days ago. Just take a look at how “peaceful” and “modest” many were at these protests.
But at one on Friday in Washington , with only about 400 people showing up of a city that has a population of nearly 600,000 (0.06% of the population), in front of the Israeli Embassy, Brian Becker made a few statements about the United States.
These crimes could not be committed [against Gaza by Israel] and would not be committed without the explicit consent and support and financing provided by the Bush Administration. And so in that sense we are here to say, that this is a US backed Israeli atrocity and justice demands that the United States Government cut all aid to Israel today, otherwise and because of it the US is guilty of war crimes too.
Interesting how he fails to mention that Bush just gave $85 million over to the UN for Gaza and the West Bank on December 30th, the most anyone in the world has given since the bombing.
The last missile system the veteran was trained to operate is no longer used by the military.
Back in 1993, Bandel took the option of leaving the Army without retirement. This could be why he is being called back to duty, since he possibly didn’t do his eight-year military service obligation (MSO) if he was enlisted. Another option is that if he was an officer, well, unless he retired formally, by sending a resignation to Human Resources Command, then they can call him back however, even if that is done, I know some pilots that have been “un resigned” and brought back, especially since their reserve commitment is different from the enlisted.
Calls to the Army and the Pentagon about how many men and women in their 50s are being called back to duty were not returned Wednesday to the news station.
Bandel’s wife plans to move in with her elderly parents until his return, due to Bandel’s income being cut in half by returning to military service.
ARMY SHORTAGE
The Army is currently on track to grow to 547,000 active-duty soldiers next year, up from 482,000 before the war. Undersecretary of the Army Nelson Ford says the service needs 580,000 soldiers “to meet current demands and get the dwell time,” referring to the amount of time soldiers have at home between deployments to train, rebuild and spend with families.
DRAFT TIME?
Nixon abolished the draft in 1973 however, some seem to want it back.
Rep. John Murtha (D) said in December that he opposes the all-volunteer army and that a military draft, based on a lottery with no deferments and no exceptions, is necessary during wartime. Rep. Charles Rangel (D) has also called for reinstating the draft as a way to end the Iraq war.
Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, who Bush picked as a deputy national security advisor with responsibility for ensuring efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are coordinated with policy makers in Washington. has said on the matter, “And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table. But ultimately, this is a policy matter between meeting the demands for the nation’s security by one means or another.”
So much for the promises of the US getting out of Iraq and bringing the troops back home.
Then it was banks who got bailed out and used the money to buy other banks, meanwhile increasing homeowners mortgage payments.
Then insurance companies became banks to get helping hands.
Then it was 2 of the Big 3 who got bailed out just so the UAW could pay its retirees health benefits and pensions.
Moneywise, more than $1.5 trillion in FDIC loan guarantees, including a $139 billion assist tot he lending arm of General Electric Corp. is given out.
$1.8 million in cash, tax breaks and loan guarantees from the Treasury Department to financial institutions and credit companies.
$300 billion for homeowners from the Federal Housing Authority
$25 billion in cash assistance for auto companies.
And $5 trillion worth of new money, loan guarantees and lending requirements from the Federal Reserve Bank.
For a grand total of about $8.7 trillion dollars’ worth of potential taxpayer commitments for loans, guarantees and other bailout “items”, yet we as the wallet holders can’t see the exact details of all these deals according to the Feds.
NOW,
The newspapers want bailed out.
The Governors of 5 states want $1 trillion in federal assistance.
And the US Steel Industry wants bailed out.
And all this while, the taxpayer stimulus package is still on the backburner while foreclosure rates increase and unemployment increases. So how’s your year looking?
Can I just have my Federal tax refund this year and not an IOU?
STATE BAILOUTS
The governors of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio and Wisconsin – all Democrats – urged the federal government to provide !1 trillion in aid to the country’s 50 states to help pay for education, welfare and infrastructure as states struggle with steep budget deficits.
The initiate is for a two-year package and was backed by other governors and follows a meeting in December where governors called on Obama to help them.
Gov. Paterson of NY said 43 states now have budget deficits totaling some $100 billion as tax revenues plunge.
The latest package calls for $350 billion to create jobs by building or repairing roads, bridges and other public works; $50 billion to maintain educations; and another $250 in “counter-cyclical” spending such as extending unemployment benefits and food stamps. The remainder would be used to fund middle-class tax cuts, stimulate the housing market, and stem the tide of home foreclosures through a loan-modification program. [Yea, we’ve seen how well those loan-modification programs are, with increases of $300 a month to a homeowners mortgage.]
STEEL INDUSTRY
Industry executives are pleading for a huge public infrastructure investment program – of up to one trillion dollars over two years – under Obama’s proposed stimulus plan.
“What we are asking,” said Daniel DiMicco, chairman and chief executive of the Nucor Corporation, a giant steel makers, “is that out government deal with the worst economic slowdown in our lifetime through a recovery program that has in every provision a buy America’ clause,” the New York Times quoted him as saying. Only two U.S. steel makers are in the top steel producers of 2007.
Basically, the steel industry is petitioning Obama for major infrastructure development, thus stimulating the steel industry.
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