Reviewing the story of U.S. dominance & imperialism

Dictator Donald Trump’s spurious, hate-filled rhetoric against the Islamic Republic is absolutely unacceptable. He – as Presidents before him – has been spitting lie after lie, deceiving the public and stirring up unnecessary xenophobia and discord.

This is quite a historically correct, educational and entertaining video.  A must watch.

#DonaldTrump #Response

Reaction: Trump's speech today

By Kevin Zeese
Popular Resistance

Trump's speech was filled with lies that Republicans, Democrats and the corporate media will pretend were true and will confuse the people of the United States with hatred for Iran and Soleimani based on falsehoods.

But, the only immediate threat made was more economic sanctions, which are devastating and should be considered an act of war, but he did not announce any other retaliation.  He also began saying Iran will never have nuclear weapons, but Iran has always said it never wanted nuclear weapons.

He is playing primarily to a domestic audience which has been lied to about Iran by all presidents since 1979. He needs that audience to see this conflict as a US victory, and the assassination as justified. The media is pushing people all to say Soleimani was a terrorist, when in fact he was a hero who defeated US imperialism against Iran and other nations, as well as defeating ISIS and other extremists that threatened many nations.  This is why he had the largest funeral in the history of the world involving tens of millions mourning him in Iran and across the region.

The relationship between the US and Iran is still a tinderbox. And, members of the Axis of Resistance that Soleimani created across the Middle East may act on their on to avenge the murder of Soleimani. The world is still at risk for a major war, but as of today, one has been averted.

The push to get the US out of the Middle East is urgent. Trump bragging about the US being the number one oil and gas producer, taking credit for a climate crime committed by Obama, could be an opening to push him to leave -- the US no longer needs to be spending hundreds of millions a year to have troops in the Middle East. It is in US interests to leave the area since we no longer need their oil.

There was also a tiny opening for diplomacy with Iran. How there is a breakthrough is hard to see. It may take Russia or China to play a mediator role. If the Democrats and Republicans had not so undermined the ability of Trump to talk to Putin and Xi about positive steps, it would be much easier. The key for Iran is relief of sanctions. They will not come to the table without some action by the US. Sadly, I do not see that happening until after the 2020 election. So, this year we need to avert war and lay the groundwork for peace. 

The real mission of Gen. Soleimani disclosed

The Americans lie over and over again.

The British media (see this video) is not interested in discussing American lies.  Largely because the British media is complicit in these very same lies. 

Take George W. Bush's 'shock and awe' attack on Iraq in 2003 because of 'weapons of mass destruction' that were not actually there.  The British media gave Tony Blair uncritical access to spread his lies which helped Bush to internationally justify the war.

The Iranian professor (Mohammad Marandi, University of Tehran) in this video is telling the truth.  But the west is not willing to hear it. Notice how the TV host interrupts his guest and shuts him down at the end of the interview.  That is no way to treat a guest on your show.

The American people have been fed these lies for so many years. Even people on the left (who fancy themselves as being critical thinkers) have swallowed much of the mainstream media's constant lies.  MSNBC's Rachel Maddow being just one such example of a perceived 'progressive' journalist that spreads demonization and lies.

Now these many years of lies are coming back to haunt America.  Suddenly the American people appear to be confused as they say they don't know who to believe anymore.

That should be no surprise.

Bruce

Is it time to wake up & mobilize for peace yet folks?

The U.S. usually likes to attack countries that can't fight back very effectively. Picking on Iran was not such a good idea - they can and will fight back.

If the Pentagon can't handle Afghanistan how do they think they can take on Iran?

Kiss another couple trillion $$$ bye-bye America! You think our roads, bridges, sewer & water systems are bad now, just wait a few more years......

The Pentagon has sent six B-52 bombers to their base on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to engage in military operations against Iran.

The United States has many military bases surrounding Iran, but this time they have chosen Diego Garcia because the distance exceeds the maximum range that Iranian missiles can cover.

The American military base has existed in Diego Garcia for about 50 years and there are currently between 3,000 and 5,000 US troops on the island.

Is it time to wake up and mobilize for peace yet folks?

Bruce

Pentagon insider Wilkerson on Iran

Pushback with Aaron Maté

As millions of Iranians mourn the US murder of Qassem Soleimani, ex-Bush administration official Col. Lawrence Wilkerson discuses the parallels between Bush's war on Iraq and Trump's campaign against Iran; the history of US shunning diplomacy with Tehran; and how an addiction to war drives US foreign policy.

 Guest: Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Colin Powell. Currently a distinguished professor at the College of William and Mary.

Next Sunday in Brunswick

Who should we believe?

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yesterday, after the Iraqi government had asked the US to leave their country, pack up and close the US bases, “the United States is prepared to help the Iraqi people get what they deserve and continue our mission.” He went on to say that the Iraqi people want the US to keep their bases in Iraq.

This is of course nonsense.  The US uses the bases in Iraq to steal Iraqi oil just as it is doing in northern Syria with it troops guarding and stealing Syrian oil. America has become a pirate, a bandit and a terrorist.

“Iran must respect the sovereignty of its neighbors and immediately cease its provision of lethal aid and support to third parties in Iraq and throughout the region,” Pompeo said.

The entire US Middle East policy is now crashing and burning.  Washington has ignited a fuse that it will not be able to extinguish any time soon.  No one trusts Washington anymore to seriously negotiate anything.

US arrogance has finally reached the point where no one can hide the truth anymore.  The US is playing an evil game.  It's lost all moral and legal authority.  The only thing Washington can do is threaten, bludgeon and kill those who get in the way.

The empire is finished.  It's just a matter of time.  If the 'allies' were smart they would jump ship now while they still can.  This American 'ship of state' is sinking fast.  Those hanging onto to America will drown as well.

If smart, the American people will demand that the corporate oligarchies that run the government be over turned immediately.  We need non-violent revolution in this country.  Neither of the two corporate owned political parties can get us out of this mess.  They are far too deeply embedded and implicated in America's crimes against humanity.

Bruce 

OMG...gotta see the latest from Iraq & Iran

The blowback has begun

By The Saker

First, let’s begin by a quick summary of what has taken place (note: this info is still coming in, so there might be corrections once the official sources make their official statements).

• Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdl Mahdi has now officially revealed that the US had asked him to mediate between the US and Iran and that General Qassem Soleimani to come and talk to him and give him the answer to his mediation efforts.  Thus, Soleimani was on an OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC MISSION as part of a diplomatic initiative INITIATED BY THE USA.
• The Iraqi Parliament has now voted on a resolution requiring the government to press Washington and its allies to withdraw their troops from Iraq.
• Iraq’s caretaker PM Adil Abdul Mahdi said the American side notified the Iraqi military about the planned airstrike minutes before it was carried out. He stressed that his government denied Washington permission to continue with the operation.
•  The Iraqi Parliament has also demanded that the Iraqi government must “work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason“.
• The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that Baghdad had turned to the UN Security Council with complaints about US violations of its sovereignty.
• Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said the parliamentary resolution to end foreign troop presence in the country did not go far enough, calling on local and foreign militia groups to unite.  I also have confirmation that the Mehdi Army is being re-mobilized.
• The Pentagon brass is now laying the responsibility for this monumental disaster on Trump.  The are now slowly waking up to this immense clusterbleep and don’t want to be held responsible for what is coming next.
• For the first time in the history of Iran, a Red Flag was hoisted over the Holy Dome Of Jamkaran Mosque, Iran.  This indicates that the blood of martyrs has been spilled and that a major battle will now happen.  The text in the flag says “Oh Hussein we ask for your help” (unofficial translation 1) or “Rise up and avenge al-Husayn” (unofficial translation 2)
• The US has announced the deployment of 3’000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne to Kuwait.
• Finally, the Idiot-in-Chief tweeted the following message, probably to try to reassure his freaked out supporters: “The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way…and without hesitation!“.  Apparently, he still thinks that criminally overspending for 2nd rate military hardware is going to yield victory…

Read the rest of this article from The Saker here

Saturday protest in Portland, Maine opposing U.S. Iran policy

Sunday song

A deeper look at the U.S. murder of Iran's military leader

Video by Will Griffin

Why did the U.S. attack Iran?

If you are like me you often ask yourself why is this happening?

We saw the US assassinations of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard and Chief of the elite Quds Force Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, pro-Iranian chief of an umbrella group for Iraqi militias.

Why would the Pentagon risk a major war that could easily go nuclear by killing these military leaders?  Does the US not understand such a provocative and illegal use on Iraq as the staging ground for these killings undermines Iraq's independence?  Is the US making an 'ownership' claim on Iraq? Is this Trumps reelection strategy - a full-blown war in the Middle East?

Or is this a dangerous and desperate move as we witness the declining global power of Washington?  Has the American deep state determined that it is now or never?  Take down Iran now, destroy it like they did to Iraq, in order to expand the power of 'Greater Israel' & Saudi Arabia - the permanent US war bases in the region.

The Pentagon is over extended.  Nations are rejecting the US dollar.  Washington is on the razor's edge.

Immediately the December 27 joint naval exercise with Iran, Russia and China comes to mind. Code-named “Naval Security Belt” in Indian Ocean waters, this war game had to drive the Pentagon warmongers nuts.  See this news report from DefenseWorld.net

Iran's Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi reported that “the purpose of the war game is to ensure collective security and help strengthen security in the northern region of the Indian Ocean.”

In addition, Khanzadi expressed the Iranian Navy’s readiness to work with China in the joint production of destroyers and submarines. In 2016, the defense ministers of Iran and China signed an agreement in Tehran to enhance the defense cooperation between the two countries.

“We will begin manufacturing heavy surface and subsurface equipment in the near future, and are ready for joint operations and the exchange of technical data as well as research capacities with China,” the Iranian general added.

Could it be that the US is terrified by the alliance of Iran-Russia-China?  These three nations understand that alone they could be taken down by Washington.  In a strong alliance it would be impossible to do so, and the US would be destroyed by initiating war against them.

But being the backyard bully that he is, Washington's Mr. Big is arrogant and lacking in human empathy.  Power and greed are embedded inside Mr. Big's hard heart.  He sees his demise in the near future, unless in this last moment he can throw a hail Mary pass for the winning touchdown.  Go down swinging - even if it is a nuclear swing.  It's a sickness that infects all of us in America to some degree or the other.  It's American exceptionalism on steroids.

We need to be active on social media and in the streets immediately to protest US policy.  We need to tell the spineless corporate stooges inhabiting Congress that the people can't afford another war.  We have bigger fish to fry like climate catastrophe, growing poverty and homelessness and increasing health crises while still having no Medicare for All.

Hell, these idiots could not fully take down Iraq or Afghanistan or Venezuela.  (But they did do regime change in Brazil, Bolivia and Ukraine.) So the modus operandi of the criminal syndicate in Washington is keep rolling the dice until some nation (or group of nations) will stop them.

The US likely did these assassinations to send its own message in response to the Iran-Russia-China naval exercises.  The bully cowardly kills to prove to the world he is still King of the Mountain.  Deep inside though, Mr. Big knows he is done.

The question is will Trump do as ordered by the deep state and roll the dice that could bring the final war on Earth.

We all must act now by demanding No More War.

Bruce

What next - war with Iran?

Top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad on Friday (Jan 3) in an attack ordered by US President Donald Trump.

What can we expect from Iran, Iraq and the United States following Soleimani's assassination?

Middle East expert Dr James Dorsey, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Singapore), explains.

Stop U.S. & Israeli war on Iran!

US Senate Candidate Lisa Savage Condemns Airstrike Against Iran, Calls For Restoration of Congressional Authority Over US Military

US Senate Candidate Lisa Savage of the Maine Green Independent Party strongly condemned Thursday’s airstrike near the Baghdad, Iraq, airport. At least five individuals were killed in the drone attack, including Major General Qasem Soleimani, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard and Chief of the elite Quds Force Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, pro-Iranian chief of an umbrella group for Iraqi militias.

The Pentagon confirmed they had acted on President Trump’s orders, bypassing Congress. The airstrike was allegedly a defensive action to protect US personnel abroad but instead could provoke a hot war in the region amid increasingly strained relations between the US and Iran.

“US military aggression serves war profiteers, not the people. We cannot bomb our way to a peaceful resolution of the conflict zone our nation has created in Iraq. Nor is deliberately provoking Iran in our best interests as a nation. Diplomacy is urgently needed,” said Savage in a statement Friday. “A wise government would adhere to international law, including the Kellogg-Briand Pact, Nuremberg Charter, and United Nations Charter, which prohibit pre-emptive wars or first strikes.”

“The restoration of congressional authority over the president's use of the US military is needed now more than ever,” said Savage, an antiwar organizer in Maine for years prior to announcing her run for the US Senate under ranked choice voting. “We need senators and congresspeople willing to stand up to the Pentagon and the executive branch of government to say no to more warmongering. We need elected officials who reflect the will of the people rather than the will of corporate campaign donors who profit from endless war." 

The Green Party US platform calls for the repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) 2001, and opposes other measures 'authorizing' preemptive or illegal military actions, delegating to the president sole power to commit acts of war.

For more information on Lisa Savage’s positions on foreign policy issues, see the website for her campaign for the U.S. Senate, www.LisaforMaine.org.

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Remember this moment in Flint, Michigan

This didn’t age well pic.twitter.com/TOZv5oCApD

— Secular Talk (@KyleKulinski) December 1, 2019

This showed us just who Obama was working for.....be careful not to make this mistake again.

A new year: catching up on things

• It's fitting that the new year began in Maine with a big snow storm.  January 1 is the day we can begin gathering 2,000 signatures to get Lisa Savage on the ballot for the US Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins.  It will be a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) election which means there is no 'spoiler effect' in the race and people can for once vote their conscience by ranking their best choices.  More states need RCV.  Lisa is running with the Maine Green Independent Party.  Please consider donating to her campaign here.

• I began my 3-month unpaid leave of absence from the Global Network on December 15 and had intended to do the bare minimum on the space issue during this coming period so I could work full-time on Lisa's campaign.  But the Congressional decision to stick Space Force authorization (supported by both corporate political parties) into the 2020 NDAA (Nat'l Defense Authorization Act) spoiled those plans.  Thus I've been doing unpaid volunteer work for the GN since the 15th of December as the avalanche of interest about Space Force came our way.  You can't let organizing opportunities like that just go neglected.  Big thanks to the tireless work of journalist Karl Grossman who has been doing many articles and interviews on the subject.

• We've got a big job here in Brunswick where there are almost 700 registered Green Independents.  We are going to have to go door-to-door in the middle of winter.  One key difficulty is that when many people register to vote they pay more attention to the word 'Independent' and not as much to the word 'Green'.  So when you knock on the door asking for a signature people often think for a moment and say, "I'm not a Green, I'm an independent."  On we go.....

• The leading Democrat in the Senate race (she faces a couple primary opponents) has already raised over $6 million in corporate $$$$.  Sen. Collins, the Republican, has more than $6 million in corporate $$$$.  They are both bought before the November 2020 election ever happens.  Lisa has raised at most $20,000 so far.  But we have a growing team of volunteers around Maine and Greens from across the country are finding ways to support Lisa as well.  You can see her Facebook page here.

• It's an uphill struggle - David vs Goliath -  call it what you wish.  But it's a classic struggle for real justice, peace, and environmental sanity.  How could I not jump into this effort?  If we can get Lisa on the ballot by securing 2,000 registered Green signatures then she will be in the debates, will be speaking all over the state to local organizations, and will have a real chance to get 'beyond the choir'.

• People often complain that we are 'talking to the choir'.  It's true to a certain extent but not entirely so.  The real point though is that this campaign gives us a once in a lifetime chance to bring our message to the wider public.  This is something that Lisa is prepared to do - and she is an excellent communicator and a compassionate person.  When people meet Lisa they like her.
• Something to consider: Even if a great progressive wins the Democratic Party nomination for president (not likely to be allowed by the corporate controlled DNC) and then beats Trump, they still would not be able to change much unless we get some really strong people into the Senate – people like Lisa Savage. I want to see that happen and help change the country before it is too late.

Bruce 

Space Force: A spiritual crisis in America

Please help us reach more of the public with our deep concerns about Space Force - the plan to move the arms race into the heavens.

In this video I urge people to watch the award winning documentary called Pax Americana and the Weaponization of Space.  It is about the best resource yet on this important issue.  You can watch it from here.

I first learned about plans to move the arms race into space in 1982.  In the video I tell the story about that time.  The following year I went to work for the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice where I organized opposition across that state and around the nation to the military take over of the space program.

Today every space mission by NASA is what they call 'dual use' - meaning that each so-called 'civilian' launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is in fact doing research and testing of Star Wars technologies.

In 1992 the Florida Coalition, along with New York-based journalist Karl Grossman and the Colorado-based group Citizens for Peace in Space, created the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  For some years I coordinated both groups but in 1998 I left the Florida Coalition to devote myself full-time to the development of the Global Network because I saw plans accelerating to create Star Wars.

It's been a long hard road to try to build a global citizens movement to oppose this crazy idea to weaponize space.  But I could not have ever hoped to work with a finer bunch of people than those in the Global Network.  It has been a great blessing in my life - for sure.

In the end I see the plans to move the arms race into the heavens as a spiritual crisis.  The US has lost its collective soul as the quest for power and money has taken over the heart of our government in this nation.  It is a sickness, the bad seed I often call it, that the corporate controlled misleaders in Washington have become afflicted with.  They've lost touch with the sacredness of life and have fallen victim to the evil notion that they can control and dominate space and our beautiful planet.

Only an awakened people here on Mother Earth can stop this wasteful use of our collective resources on this dangerous and provocative notion of world domination.  History tells us these kinds of aspirations to dominate have never worked out well for any nation (Nazi Germany for instance) that aspires to rule the planet.  Similarly this contemporary version of 'Deutschland über alles' will inevitably turn out badly for the American corporate dominated government and the innocent people living on this tiny spinning orb.

Let's not let these maniacs get away with these horrid plans.

Bruce

Video recorded on Christmas day by Regis Tremblay.

Highly recommend this film

We went to see this new film on Xmas day.  It is a great movie.  I can't recommend it enough.

I am not particularly fond of Clint Eastwood but I'd have to say it was the best film I've ever seen him make.  Surprisingly it was co-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.  An unusual pair for sure.

The film is about the over reach of the FBI and how they set up security guard Richard Jewell to take the blame after the 1996 Olympic bombing in Atlanta.

The actor that plays the accused Richard Jewell did a stunning performance.

It's an important film as we hear the current stories about FBI-CIA-NSA malfeasance in the so-called Russiagate scandal.

Bruce

Sunday song

Grossman & Gagnon discuss colonizing Mars & Space Force

Listen to "Saying NO to the militarization of space" on Spreaker.

See Karl Grossman's latest article on Space Force in Common Dreams here