Permanent Peoples' Tribunal

The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal Second Session on the Philippines will begin today at the Hague. Although UN Representative Alston's report essentially indicted the AFP and Arroyo for committing human rights abuses, the militarization of the urban areas continue. On a symbolic level, the Tribunal is important for airing the Philippine people's grievances against both Arroyo and the United States for plundering the country's resources -- material, natural, and human. 820 people have been murdered or disappeared since Arroyo assumed office in 2001. A large part of the Tribunal will focus on these issues.

I Did It!: Satire on the 'Confessions'

This is funny!

Illegal Occupation: Year 4

On the 4th anniversay of this despicable war, I'll keep my comments brief. Aside from the various pundits weighing in on what the state of Iraq is (chaos anyone?) after four years of occupation, I've been struck by the propaganda machine in Washington. For the past several days, MSN has greeted me with one news item after another declaring another "high profile terorist" confession. Today, we learned the "mastermind" behind the Cole attacks has confessed at a Guantanamo hearing. And, the day before, another mastermind has confessed to 9/11. One has to wonder how many years of torture the masterminds endured to finally 'fess up. Our media is too stupid to care. In a recent issue of The Nation, there was a piece about Jose Padilla's upcoming trial. Apparently, his lawyers are saying he cannot aid in his defense anymore because the US government has driven him insane using "sensory deprivation" techniques (total isolation (9X7 cell), blacked out goggles when moving in daylight, and earphones to block out noise). After a period of deprivation, they begin to use "sensory overload" techniques (blasting heavy metal music, shining light in his face, etc). This type of "humane treatment" compliments of the United States, went on for over 1000 straight days. For a glimpse of what I'm describing check this article out. And, I doubt the torture stops there . . .

Impeach Bush. Arrest Bush and Cheney. They need to be prosecuted for war crimes at the International Criminal Court. War mongers.

Spring Fling

Three months into the year 2007, and here is where we find ourselves:

1. Still frigid in the Northeast, buried beneath a Valentine's Day layer of snow. No melt in site.

2. Mired in a deadly, bloody war that was predicated on nothing but lies, fabrications, and deception by Cheney, Bush, et al. As J likes to say, "it's rotten from the top down."

3. After 4 long years, Libby is indicted, only to have Fitzgerald declare the CIA leak case "closed." Cheney and Bush must be made of teflon. Will nothing stick to these war mongers?

4. The US media continues to suck ass. Example: comparing Coulter's latest moment of idiocy to the Dixie Chicks. Are you fucking kidding me?

5. UN representative Alston visits the RP in February to investigate the 800 "extrajudicial" killings that have taken place since Arroyo assumed office in 2001, issuing a damning report indicting both GMA and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Militarization of the urban areas continues.

6. The Arcade Fire releases their second album yesterday, making the mess we are in, almost bearable.