Tag Archives: war

Terror Drones: May 7-13. Obama kills thousands more people than Bush Jr! German officials say some of those killed were German citizens! USAF spying on you right now!

May 12, 2012, Yemen media reporting that two U.S. drone strikes killed 16 people in Yemen.

The drone strikes are part of a Yemen military blitz underway now: “A force of about 20,000 men is taking part in this offensive, ordered by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to free the cities of Zinjibar and Jaar.”-unnamed Yemen military officer

Thousands of civilians are fleeing the government’s efforts to “free the cities”.

May 10, 2012, CNN reported that U.S. drone strikes killed eight people in Yemen.  An analyst said the U.S. has launched at least 15 drone strikes in Yemen this year, so far.

May 11, 2012, Mujahideen in Somalia say a U.S. drone strike left 38 people dead.

May 12, 2012, in Seattle, Washington, a group of university students from Pakistan won the Best Audience Award at the National Film Festival For Talented Youth (NFFTY).  Their 20 minute documentary (The Other Side) is about the ongoing U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan.  The student filmmakers were not able to attend the ceremony.

So far this year there have been at least 10 drone strikes, with at least 83 Pakistanis reported killed.

According to a May 11, 2012, report by Germany’s Deutsche Welle, peace prize winner U.S. President Barack Obama has killed more Pakistanis with drones in his first three and a half years in office, than former President George W. Bush did in all his last five years as president!

So far Obama has authorized the killing of 2,355 people in Pakistan, compared to Bush Jr’s measly 426!!!

According to Peter Rudolf, of the German Institute for International and Security Policy, German citizens have also been killed by U.S. drones.  He says German officials are looking the other way because of Germany’s support for the United States: “Certain information that would lead to the killing of a German citizen is not permitted to be shared [with public/news media] as part of the cooperation between intelligence agencies.” 

An unnamed German Interior Ministry official confirmed, in a round-a-bout way, that the U.S. was conducting extra-judicial murder and Germany had no problem with it: “Our constitutional order prohibits providing information regarding extra-judicial killing.”

May 8, 2012, the Federation of American Scientists posted on their website USAF documents that prove the U.S. Air force is spying on people who live within the United States.

As long as the imagery data they collect is considered “incidental” then they are violating no privacy laws, or civil liberties of U.S. citizens.  The data can be kept for 90 days, and shared with other agencies of the Department of Defense.

Also, USAF documents show that drones used for combat must not be operated by civil service workers, or contractors.

 

World War 3: Education suffers under U.S. occupation. More U.S./NATO troops killed. British confirm police attack their troops. Feinstein wants U.S. to stay, wants war with Pakistan!

“It was sheer terror. They’d strap gasoline cans to IEDs. Our soldiers burned alive. You’d hear them screaming, and you couldn’t do anything.”-Mack McDowell, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant

May 13, 2012, ISAF reports two U.S./NATO troops killed in eastern Afghanistan by an explosion.

Also today, officials from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that two of their personnel were killed by Afghan cops.  A soldier from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and an airman from the Royal Air Force, were shot dead in Helmand province on May 12, 2012.

One of the cops was killed, the other is missing.

In Kabul Province a member of the Afghan Peace Council was assassinated.  This makes the second member of the Peace Council to be assassinated. Last year the head of the Council was killed.

On May 13, Kalifornia warmonger Dianne Feinstein gave an interview which was basically her rationalization for why the U.S. needs to stay:  “Militarily, I think the Taliban are not going to beat us…….have a safe harbor in Pakistan and the Pakistanis are doing nothing to abate that safe haven……the Taliban has done is insinuate itself in a shadowy presence, with shadow governors. They controlled over a third of the land which people live. They expanded into the north, into the northeast. And while we were there in one province, they closed 14 schools in 17 districts and then they killed five education officials and wounded others.”

Feinstein, a Democrat and current chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has been in political power since the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, yet she hasn’t learned a goddamn thing from that history lesson!

Speaking of education, on May 9 the Ministry of Education reported more than 500 schools had been closed. Well that was for this year alone!

May 13, 2012, Afghan education officials now reveal that in 2011 at least 650 were closed due to the ongoing violence.  At least 300,000 school aged kids were unable to go to school in 2011!

Out of the approximate 650 schools that were closed in 2011, only 30 were re-opened.

Another U.S. political nincompoop, Republican Mitt Romney, recent said “We should not negotiate with the Taliban. We should defeat the Taliban.”

Where has he been? That was one of the primary goals of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001!  Ten years later not only have the backward “Taliban” (who make up the majority of the Mujahideen) not been defeated, they’re gaining momentum!  Just like what happened to the Soviets in the 1980s.

According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, the majority of U.S. Afghan war veterans support President Barack Obama, but only because they think he’s the best hope for getting out of the tar baby called Afghanistan.

24 hour, ISAF Joint Command Morning operational update for May 13, 2012: “Leader” captured in Logar province. There was an attempt to capture a second “leader”, but they got one “suspected” Mujahideen instead.

“Facilitator” captured in Kandahar Province.

Attempt to capture “leader” in Khost Province. Several Mujahideen captured.

Afghan government officials are reporting, separately from the ISAF report, that they have killed 18 Mujahideen, wounded 11 and captured 4.

Their military operations took place in Kapisa, Takhar, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Logar, Ghazni, Khost and Paktika provinces.  Afghan Interior Ministry also added that occupying forces took part in the Afghan “led” operations.

World War 3: Even more U.S./NATO deaths. Yesterday’s drug bust report has been revised upward! Afghan army officers increasingly refusing to co-operate with Occupying forces illegal night raids!

May 12, 2012, ISAF revised the previous days report concerning a huge drug bust.

ISAF revealed that it was a series of drug busts taking place between May 8 and 10. The upwardly revised numbers are; “…6,600 pounds (3,000 kilograms) of hashish, 407 pounds (185 kilograms) of opium, 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms) of poppy seeds and 330 pounds (150 kilograms) of morphine.”

As I’ve said before: “Ending opium production was one of the excuses for the continued U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, but the opposite has happened (as it always does where ever the U.S. takes over).”

In Helmand Province, an Afghan army soldier was killed by an explosion.

In Badghis Province four Afghan cops were killed when their vehicle ran over a mine.

According to the Washington Post, Afghan army officers are refusing to conduct illegal night raids, despite demands by the United States!

“In the last two months, 14 to 16 (night) operations have been rejected by the Afghans. The U.S. has said, ‘This operation better be conducted. It’s a high-value target.’ Then, my people said, ‘It’s a high-value target. I agree with you. But there are so many civilian children and women (in the area).’ “-General Sher Mohammed Karimi, Afghan army

The Afghan army officers’ concerns over civilian casualties are proving to be justified.  The United Nations announced that the number of civilians killed or wounded has dropped 20% this year!  Gee, maybe the U.S. was intentionally targeting Afghan civilians?

ISAF reports that a U.S./NATO troop was killed in a non-combat incident in  southern Afghanistan.  However, ISAF also reported that three U.S./NATO personnel were also killed in southern Afghanistan; two when they were attacked by Mujahideen (Afghan police say a group of men wearing police uniforms attacked and killed the two U.S./NATO troops), and the third was killed by an explosion.

Here’s tid bits from ISAF’s 24 hour Joint Command morning operational update, for May 12, 2012:  In Kandahar Province, Afghan and occupying troops attempted to capture a “leader”.  They were attacked by Mujahideen.  ISAF claims two Mujahideen killed.

In Logar Province, Afghan and occupying troops attempted to capture a “commander”. They were attacked by Mujahideen.  ISAF claims three Mujahideen killed.

In Paktika Province, Afghan and occupying troops assassinated a “commander”, and one other person. They called in an airstrike on the “commander’s” house.

In Ghazni Province, Afghan and occupying troops attempted to capture a “leader”.  They report capturing one person and explosives.

World War 3: U.S./NATO troops killed. Explosions. Even more drugs found!

May 11, 2012, explosion reported near the airport in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province.

A fueler exploded before entering the airport compound.  Local police say the truck was rigged with explosives, and meant to be detonated once it got onto the airport grounds.

Jalalabad Airport is currently being used for occupying forces’ military purposes only.  The driver of the fuel tanker actually escaped!

In Helmand Province, eight people were killed in two explosions.  One explosion took place after a civilian vehicle ran over a mine, killing a family of seven, the other explosion took place after police arrived on the scene, killing one cop.

Two U.S./NATO troops were killed, one by an Afghan army soldier, the other by a Mujahideen ambush.  ISAF did not give any more details, however an unnamed Afghan official said the “friendly fire” incident took place in Kunar Province.

NATO and U.S. allied occupying countries have lost about 150 personnel since the beginning of 2012.

24 hour, Joint Command Morning operational update for May 11, 2012: Attempt to capture “facilitators” in Helmand and Zabul provinces.  Several Mujahideen captured.

In Helmand Province, an Afghan/U.S./NATO seek and destroy anti-drugs mission was ambushed by Mujahideen. ISAF claims several Mujahideen killed.  ISAF claims they found “…a drug cache containing 330 pounds of morphine base, more than 400 pounds of opium, 880 pounds of poppy seeds, and more than 2,000 pounds of drug-processing materials.”

 

 

 

 

What Economic Recovery? Greek Unemployment breaks Records! 60,000 companies went bust!

On May 10, 2012, the Greek Statistical Authority revealed that unemployment continued upward to record levels.

For February 2012, unemployment was at an official record high of 21.7%!

But wait, there’s more!  The reason for the record breaking unemployment was that 60,000 Greek companies went out of business in 2011!  60,000!

Greek business associations say another 60,000 could go bust in 2012!  They blame it all on the “austerity” cuts the Trilateral Commission control government is imposing upon the people of Greece.

On May 6, Greek voters voted to get rid of the U.S. based Trilateral Commission controlled ruling party, but now efforts to create a new government have stalled.

What Econimic Recovery? Business profits down, tax collections down, government debt at historic high!

May 11, 2012, the Japanese government reporting that pre-tax profits of Japanese businesses dropped for the first time in the past three years.

For the Japanese fiscal year (which ends in March) 2011 there was a drop of in overall business profits by 13.3%.  This only concerns the 701 companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The Japanese Finance Ministry also reports that the debt of the Japanese government is at a record high.  It is now at $12 trillion USD!

That’s an increase of $437 billion USD since last year.  It works out to about $90,000 USD for every Japanese citizen!

Officials blame everything on the rising value of the yen, which is being caused by the ongoing nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi, and the lack of economic recovery in the United States.

 

What Economic Recovery? Panasonic reports record loses!

May 11, 2012, Panasonic reporting a record loss for the year ending in March.

Panasonic ended the Japanese year with a net balance of minus $9.8 billion USD, it’s the fourth straight year of loses for the electronics company!

Panasonic officials blame it on a huge drop in TV set sales.  In April, Sony and Sharp gave the same reason for their losses as well, and blamed it on the lack of recovery in the United States.

 

Oil & Gas Prices: U.S. gas reserves up. Iran allows private sector oil sales. OPEC says there is too much oil!

May 10, 2012, Iran announced the discovery of a huge oil field in the Caspian Sea.  The discovery was made while exploring a huge new gas field.

The gas field was discovered in December, and named the Sardar-e Jangal field.  It’s estimated to contain 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

May 9, 2012, Iran’s Oil Ministry is now allowing the private sector to sell up to 400,000 bpd to international customers.

The decision leaves the National Iranian Oil Company, as well as the Iranian central bank, out of any oil sales involving private sector companies. This means those private sector companies can avoid the U.S./European oil sanctions.

Despite U.S. led sanctions against Iranian oil, Turkey (a NATO member) actually increased oil shipments from Iran.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey imported 270,000 bpd of Iranian oil in March. That’s more than double their February imports!

May 10, 2012, officials from OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) members are reporting that there is too much oil in the world markets!

OPEC reported that in April they pumped out 31.62 million barrels per day (bpd). According to Reuters, that’s 1.62 million bpd more than what OPEC intended.

Keep in mind that OPEC does not represent all oil producing countries in the world. Reuters reports that even non-OPEC members increased oil production in April!

However, OPEC, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), expect demand for oil to increase, especially since Japan has shut down all its nuclear reactors.

The U.S. EIA also reporting that natural gas supplies increased in the United States.  For the week ending May 4, U.S. natural gas storage is at 2.606 trillion cubic feet.  That’s 44.5% above the five year average. However, analysts expected it to be more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

World War 3: Cops & bombers killed. Drone crash. UN gives 60 vehicles to Afghanistan. Afghan war criminal begs NATO to stay. Prisoner swap deal for Idahoan?

May 10, 2012,  Logar Province, at least three U.S./NATO personnel wounded in rocket attack.  Also, another U.S./NATO recon drone has crashed in Logar Province.

A large co-ordinated suicide bomber attack has left at least six bombers and two Afghan police officers dead.

The attack took place against a government compound in Yahia Khel district, Paktika Province.  Afghan officials did not say that any of the bombers succeeded in exploding themselves, but that the deaths were the results of firefights between the Mujahideen and police.

24 hour, Joint Command Morning operational update for May 10, 2012: 17 tons of explosives found in Kandahar Province.

“Facilitator” captured in Kandahar Province.

In Uruzgan Province Mujahideen tried to ambush a Afghan/occupying force patrol.  ISAF says one Mujahideen was killed.

Operations to capture “leaders” took place in Paktika and Ghazni provinces.

May 9, 2012, General Zahir Azimi said the Afghan army is ready to begin phase 3 of security operations: “Several regions including cities and 230 districts across the country are going to be handed over to Afghan security forces. Afghan national army soldiers have the capabilities to take security lead in cooperation with the other security institutions.”

Phase 3 should take place in the next two weeks.  However, war criminal, and Afghan politician, General Abdul Rashid Dostum, is begging U.S./NATO forces to stay: “President Barack Obama should know that the Taliban group will resume civil war if U.S. and NATO decides for a rapid pullout of their troops from Afghanistan, and there will be no achievements despite efforts international community who have spent billions of dollars and have lost several soldiers.”

Dostum was involved in the murder of hundreds of “Taliban” prisoners in 2001 (known as the Dasht-i-Leili massacre).

May 9, 2012, the United Nations began delivering the first of 60 vehicles to the Afghan government: “I am very happy to announce that as part of our forthcoming donation of around 60 vehicles, we are starting the first round with our crucial partners of the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Justice.”-Ján Kubiš, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education reports that 550 schools in 11 provinces, mainly for girls, have been closed because of the ongoing war!

The parents of the only known U.S. prisoner of the “Taliban” are demanding that President Obama include their son, Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, in an upcoming prisoner swap deal.

Bergdahl is from Hailey, Idaho. According to the Idaho Mountain Express, his parents have become frustrated and are pushing for a swap deal for their son and Afghan prisoners in Guantánamo Bay.

“I’m pushing it hard. We started out by trying to encourage the Taliban to take care of our son…. Now, we’re worried that the government isn’t concerned enough to put him on the (negotiating) table.”-Bob Bergdahl

 

What Economic Recovery? American’s making $150,000+ per year get financial aid!

Make more than $150,000 USD per year and want to send your brat to a expensive private grade school?  Just join the growing ranks of six figure earners who are actually applying for financial aid!

According to the National Association of Independent Schools, at least 20% of six figure earners apply for financial help to get their kids into a private grade school.

According to PrivateSchools.com, at least one fifth of private school students get “need based” financial aid.  Most of the schools provide the financial aid themselves, and there are also scholarships.

This is a pretty sad state of economic affairs when six figure earners can get private financial aid!

According to Chantal Stevens, national director of programs at A Better Chance, six figure earners are actually taking bigger hits to their incomes than lower income earners.  The non-profit group sees more and more minority upper middle class applicants every year: “Every year we see families with more means outpacing the families with less means. It’s not a pretty trend.”

What this means is that there is no economic recovery in the United States!