The Shocking Truth – Nuclear War With Iran The Talk in Cathedral Square, Christchurch
...People with impeccable credentials have written that the so-called terrorist attack on New York and the Pentagon on Sept 9, 2001 was an inside job. Also, that the so-called al-Qaeda terrorists were really pawns in a much bigger conspiracy, organised by the Bush Administration to create a new enemy and justify their global crusade and wars against terrorism.

Increasingly, it's Your Priceless Asset and Great Achievement
Everyone can help retain New Zealand 's nuclear-free policy; sponsor a Nuclear Free New Zealand 20th Anniversary Celebration during 2007; talk about it to friends, workmates, groups, local council, media and MPs. The public needs educating about nuclear war, weapons, proliferation, dangers and the benefits of NZ's nuclear free policies. Members of Parliament in particular are well-placed to educate, legislate, speak and act in many ways on nuclear issues.
It is vitally important that this message reaches everyone, so please give your most valualble help by forwarding this 2007 Nuclear Free New Zealand 20th Anniversary Celebration notice to everyone and anyone you can think of. We all need to be aware and save our planet and all living beings from possible extinction.

Extinction is Forever - Book Mark

Whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg: Bush Likely to Attack Iran, Impeachment a Must

The American public and media have not picked up on the urgency surrounding a pending war with Iran.
Daniel Ellsberg, perhaps the country's most famous whistleblower, fears that before the Bush administration leaves office, it will try to attack Iran.
Indeed, Ellsberg's argument gained merit as George W. Bush increased his rhetoric against Iran when he delivered his final State of the Union Address. Bush accused Iran of training militia extremists in Iraq and emphasized the United States will confront its enemies.

United Nations International Day of Peace

Dear Friends,
I trust you will be interested in this event and wish to circulate this notice appropriately even if some of you are too far away. On this site
Many thanks Laurie Ross UNANZ

Nuclear Free NZ, the UN, and War on Iran Warnings

The Nuclear Free Peacemaking objective is to:
   1.  Keep New Zealand Nuclear Free, by educating people about its benefits and about the increasing risks of a nuclear war.
   2.  Help create a peaceful, just world, by promoting a pro-active peacemaking NZ foreign policy.
   3.  Support United Nations initiatives for nuclear disarmament.
   4.  Research, evaluate and educate about war risks.

Television, Radio or Film Documentary Proposal

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of New Zealand's Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act
This is a story that has not yet been told and deserves to be seen and heard by all New Zealanders, in the 20 th Anniversary year celebrating the NZ Nuclear Free Zone Legislation of 1987.

Debunking Lies To Stop US War On Iran

Here is an excellent radio interview with a top US anti-war activist - Scott Horton.
All the issues are covered - Bush's lies for war are debunked - how End Times Christian Fundamentalist want an Armageddon battle in the middle east and are a powerful force in the US -- how Dick Cheney is as great a threat as George Bush and may get his way to bomb Iran. If you click at the bottom you can get another interview with Ron Paul, one of the few honest politicians left in Washington and one of the best opponents of the plan to start a war with Iran . These are great interviews - play the MP3's yourself, and to friends. Ideal for group gatherings. The newspapers won't do it so it is we who have to try and educate New Zealanders and others with the real facts. Our future depends on it.

Antiwar Radio: Charles Goyette Interviews Scott Horton

Scott Horton , assistant editor at Antiwar.com and director of the radio project, debunks the War Party's excuses for war with Iran.
MP3 here . (21:06)
Scott Horton is an assistant editor at Antiwar.com and is the director of Antiwar Radio. Check out his blog, Stress .

Anti-War Demonstration

This may be one of the most important anti-war demonstrations to be held against Bush's illegal war on Iraq and should be supported by all who wish an end to the war. The long-term estimates of some 2 Trillion dollars for the war should be compared to the US Civil Engineers estimate of some 1.6 trillion to repair the aging US infrastructure. Also many social welfare programmes in the US are now being starved of funds.  However to the Bush regime, inventing excuses to wage wars for empire and to feed the US military-industrial complex is likely to take priority. Demonstrations are needed for many reasons, but Bush has shown he will continue to make war whatever the cost and no matter what the criticism. Perpetual war is Bush's answer. This, endless profits and religious delusional are the sacred morality of the Bush regime. I doubt if demonstrations can do it. Impeachment may be the only sure way to stop a nuclear madman. 

Money for Bridges and Cities, NOT War! Sept. 29 in DC

On October 1, Congress is scheduled to authorize over $100 billion for continued war in Iraq, and estimates for the long term costs of the war are over $2 trillion. Already more than $500 billion has been spent. 
"The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the USA needs to spend $1.6 trillion over five years to put its infrastructure — which includes some 590,000 bridges — in good condition."

Will US Allow Bush To Bomb Iran Soon?

Dr Frank gave us an important insight into the mental workings and decision-making of George Bush (below). Unless impeachment proceedings begin very soon, Dr Frank predicts Bush will attack Iran. It is not so much a matter of Bush deciding not to take this course, as the US Congress deciding to stop him before he can do it, and/or the US  military deciding not to implement a Bush command to strike Iran, because their loyalty to the US Constitution trumps Bush commands.
Unfortunately both possibilities are not strong and Bush has surrounded himself with yes men who will obey his every command.

Dangers of a Cornered George Bush

Bush Retaliates Against Michael Moore

Bush has found a way to retaliate against Michael Moore, both for his earlier film exposure, "Fahrenheit 9/11" and new film "Sicko" which attacks Bush's health care system and the US drug industry. Also, Bush and his neocons hate Cuba's very enlightened and comprehensive medical care system that shows up the failings of the US profit-driven healthcare system which fewer and fewer Americans can afford. No wonder they have a regime of punishments for Americans curious enough to go to Cuba and find out for themselves. Michael Moore has found and told the truth again to fellow Americans. That has made him an enemy to the Bush Administration. Letter from Michael Moore

Michael Moore Says He's Been Served    Michael Moore Subpoenaed by Bush Administration

Michael Moore said Thursday that the Bush administration has served him with a subpoena regarding his trip to Cuba during the making of his new film, "Sicko."
The Oscar-winning filmmaker, who appeared Thursday on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," said he was notified about the subpoena at the network's studios in Burbank, Calif.

See the Movie, Start the Revolution ...a letter from Michael Moore

Here is an example of effective social action in the US. Some of the campaign techniques and information on US healthcare might be useful in NZ. For example Fundraiser showings of Michael Moore's " Sicko" could be informative and profitable. - from Larry Loss
Friends,
I am overwhelmed by the response to "Sicko." And I'm not just talking about all the wonderful, heart-felt letters you've sent me and the stories you've shared with me about the abuse you've suffered from our health care system.

Sheehan Arrested in Impeachment Protest

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Monday at the Capitol for disorderly conduct, shortly after saying she would run against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the California Democrat's refusal to try to impeach President Bush.
Sheehan was taken into custody inside Rep. John Conyers' office, where she had spent an hour imploring him to launch impeachment proceedings against Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Conyers, D-Mich., chairs the House Judiciary Committee, where any impeachment effort would have to begin.

It is really a matter of objectively considering the facts, cutting through the double think, propaganda and party loyalties to make an honest analysis - and perhaps face some very unpleasant facts and suspicions. Some of the best analysts are from the right of the political spectrum - people like John Paul Roberts and Morgan Reynolds. I really respect and feature their work although I would be labelled as from the left of the political spectrum. In fact I'm neither right nor left and reject this kind of 'don't think' labelling.
The labels 'right and left' when applied to people or political thoughts often inhibits a rational consideration of the issue at hand. The tendency is to generate an immediate bias and then dismiss the issue without consideration.

These long-term Washington insiders, authors and previous government executives impart valuable information and insights on the crises brought on by the Bush Administration and the need for impeachment of the offenders. I have abridged it to eliminate irrelevant material. Readers can help with the impeachment process by forwarding this article and by reading War Crimes & Impeachment  and Do-It-Yourself Impeachment

Impeachment...the word feared and loathed by every sitting president is back. It's in the air and on your computer screen, a growing clamor aimed at both President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.

One secret decision can destroy our human family in hours. Expanding Bush's illegal wars to Iran, means using nuclear weapons. What peace people do in New York or Washington (see below) to end and prevent expanded wars and impeach the war criminals is also acting for you, me and everyone - everywhere. Use the Internet to encourage or help peace actions in New York and Washington The time is up, the countdown has started. The 3rd US aircraft carrier fleet is steaming toward the Persian Gulf. See: Do-It-Yourself Impeachment  now.

Troops Out Now Coalition  Politicians won't end the war - Elections won't stop the war - Only the People will stop the war!

Rally Monday July 16, Times Square - Troops Out Now! SEPT 22- 29: It's time to move from Protest to Resistance:
In just a few days, General Petreus will provide a preliminary report to Congress detailing the failure of the Bush "surge" to crush the resistance of the Iraqi people.  Politicians of both parties are scurrying to find positions that will allow them to publicly distance themselves from the failed attempt to colonize Iraq, while they continue to vote for funding for the war.

I totally agree with this essay. In many ways it is very similar to what I have been saying on my website which covers many of the subjects mentioned. My only worry is that there is not the time or resources required to reach enough people that will somehow prevent the Bush regime from carrying out their agenda. ...
Bush is a committed 'End Times' believer, who thinks he is doing God's will by bring on Armageddon. This ending is looked forward to by a powerful minority of Americans. Their leaders have access to, and much influence on Bush.

We are truly in a war. It is not the war we imagine we are in, which is the way our true adversaries want it. It is not a foreign war against a foreign enemy. It is a war on consciousness, a war on our own minds. The global war on terror that is being fought around the world is an embodied reflection in the material world of a deeper, more fundamental war that is going on in the realm of consciousness itself.

Sheila Samples has issued a very powerful call to "Impeach Cheney Now" before he is able to initiate even bigger crimes against America and the world.
The US war planned for Iran is next on Cheney's list. If he gets away with this one, we may have past the point of no return.
There would be no going back or investigation. Iran and the Middle East would be in flames with millions dead and dieing. The world would be totally at the mercy of a series of disastrous consequences amid the confusion that would follow. Any ideas of Impeachment then, would just be a joke.
Pre-emptive impeachment action now is the only way future major crimes could be prevented.

Recently, Nova M Radio's Mike Malloy suggested the lethargy that appears to have descended on the American people is more "rage fatigue" than a lack of knowledge or comprehension of the damage wrought by this administration. I agree, although for many of us, rather than fatigue, it's more an inability to "focus" on any single atrocity about which to be enraged. There are just too many incoming horrors at any one time. We are in the throes of a national paralysis....
Dick Cheney must be impeached -- now -- before he lashes out from the dark side, and Iran is aflame; its terrified citizens displaced, dying -- dead.

The General's paper and comment following it, expose both the incompetence of Bush and Congress and their management of the war, as well as the illegality and many costs of the war.

Gen. William Odom writes that opponents of the war should focus public attention on the fact that Bush's obstinate refusal to admit defeat is causing the troops enormous psychological as well as physical harm.
Every step the Democrats in Congress have taken to force the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq has failed. Time and again, President Bush beats them into submission with charges of failing to "support the troops."

Cindy Sheehan returns to lead a peace walk from her old base in Crawford Texas to Washington D.C.
Like many Americans Cindy is outraged by Bush's spurning of the Court's decision to imprison Gordon Libby.
Once again she wants to focus America 's attention on the criminal BushCo conspiracy leading America toward fascism and more wars. She, like so many others, are victims of a series of BushCo lies, which deceived people into supporting an expanding war quagmire in Iraq and many other related crimes.

"No one man can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices." - Edward R. Murrow
And so it goes. The 4th of July is here with its parades and "what America means to me" essays, and picnics and fireworks, and all those pretty speeches about freedom and democracy and the true meaning of Independence Day. But it is all a facade. A lie.

US Using Nuclear Weapons in Iraq

DU weapons spread toxic radioactive dust wherever they are used. With a half life of 4 billion years, the poisonous effects are gradually spreading around the world causing death and disease. It is like a slow motion form of nuclear war against all humanity, insidiously and secretly drifting world-wide, infecting millions. The US has slyly introduced a form of nuclear weapon and then lied. They claim DU weapons are harmless. The poisonous effects may manifest years later in the form of cancer, genetic mutations in the children of exposed people and a range of other diseases.
Remember!
Present and increasing DU dust in our global environment can cause mutations in anyone's children, grandchildren and future generations forever. Banning DU weapons and educating others about DU is everyone's responsibility.

POISON DUst

..... Today, half of the 697,000 U.S. Gulf War troops from the 1991 war have reported serious medical problems and a significant increase in birth defects among their newborn children.

About NZ's Nuclear Free Zone and why it is more relevant today than ever before.
To read the complete press release and follow up reports on this please go HERE
Future "Radio Bridge" programmes will deal with peace and disarmament issues on the first Thursday of every month starting on July 5

Phil Goff's warning to the 20th anniversary meeting in Christchurch June 9 of NZ's nuclear free zone is 100% correct. World survival is threatened by 27,000 nuclear weapons, some on 'hair-trigger' ready-to-launch status and a total of 8 nuclear weapon nations. At any time the world can be destroyed "by nuclear accident, miscalculation or deliberate act of madness" as President Kennedy warned at the UN in 1963. Even worse are new US nuclear weapons and new doctrines allowing the President to wage pre-emptive nuclear war, and also introduce nuclear weapons use into any conflict. This massive threat means everyone should be worried and active helping to stop this nuclear madness. New Zealand 's nuclear free law is more relevant today as Phil Goff says, than in 1984.

Wellington - On the 20th anniversary of New Zealand's anti-nuclear legislation, the country's politicians have called for a southern hemisphere wide nuclear-free zone and for an end to investment in nuclear weapons, according to statements Saturday.
The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act was passed on June 8, 1987. It resulted in the country being suspended from the Anzus (Australia, New Zealand and Australia) defence pact with the US and Australia.
But Trade and Disarmament Minister Phil Goff told a forum in the South Island city of Christchurch that he wanted the whole of the southern hemisphere to become a nuclear-free zone within 20 years. He also criticized nations' complacency.
'The threat to the world of nuclear weapons grows as more countries acquire possession of them... With the world having lived with nuclear weapons for over sixty years, a key challenge today is international complacency about the threat they pose,' he said in a statement.
A co-leader of New Zealand's left-wing Green party, which is in the government coalition, also demanded the country withdraw NZ$30 million of taxpayer investment in companies involved in nuclear weapons production.

Phil Goff to speak on NZ Nuclear Free

Interactive Open Forum to commemorate the 20th anniversary of New Zealand's nuclear free legislation.
When Saturday 9 June at 10 am
Where Visitor Lounge, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, where the Nuclear Free NZ exhibition is showing until 22 July.

Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control): I move, That this House note that 8 June 2007 is the 20th anniversary of the passing by this House of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987 and resolve that New Zealand should continue to work for a nuclear weapon – free world; and that, in striving for a world free of nuclear weapons, the House call for: the implementation and strengthening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the unequivocal undertaking made by nuclear weapon States in 2000 to move towards the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals; the expansion and strengthening of nuclear weapon – free zones and a nuclear weapon – free Southern Hemisphere; the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty; the enactment of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty; and the universal implementation of nuclear non-proliferation instruments such as the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.

Mohammed El Baradei is head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. One of his jobs is to oversee that all states are obeying the terms of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. His inspectors go into countries like Iran, inspect all nuclear facilities and issue reports as to whether Iran is complying with NPT terms and whether or not it has nuclear weapons, or are developing nuclear weapons. They reported that Iran has no nuclear weapons and has no nuclear weapons development programme.

IAEA chief warns of "crazies" seeking Iran war

The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief warned on Friday against the "new crazies" advocating military action to halt Iran's nuclear programme and said he did not want to see another war like that in Iraq.
"I wake every morning and see 100 Iraqis, innocent civilians, are dying," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Mohamed ElBaradei said in an interview for BBC Radio.
"I have no brief other than to make sure we don't go into another war or that we go crazy into killing each other. You do not want to give additional argument to new crazies who say 'let's go and bomb Iran'," he said in a documentary, excerpts from which were published on the BBC's Web site in advance.

While the polls show that most Americans reject Bushism, there is little questioning, action against, or even awareness of the obvious fascist trends and what might follow.

Dark Secrets at the Front

Prisoners and interrogators are both brutalized in a war that changes who we are.
..."Less than half of other soldiers and Marines (in Iraq) believed that non- combatants should be treated with dignity and respect and well over a third believed that torture should be allowed to save the life of a fellow team member.

Vonnegut accurately names the Bush medical ailment as that of having a psychopathic personality. This fits Bush and his associates and their behaviour like a glove. They have no guilt for their many lies and no remorse for their crimes. They feel justified in whatever they do. Thus Bush claims he is in communication with God who advises him. This kind of delusion in a 'so-called' Christian country like the US is accepted as perfectly normal. To the true believers this delusion is real and meritorious. It proves Bush is a man of God and is therefore virtuous and heavenly inspired. Bush's followers show that belief reinforces the Bush delusion, thus helping immunize Bush against advice contrary to his own psychopathic wishes and impulses.
Enlightened Americans will have to stop Bush and his associates with impeachment before he can destroy more countries and trigger a World War III.

Book - A Man without a Country

... He's direct in saying what he thinks about the president and his pals ("George W. Bush has gathered around him upper-crust C-students who know no history or geography, plus not-so-closeted white supremacists, . . . plus, most frighteningly, psychopathic personalities, . . . the medical term for smart, personable people who have no consciences"), ...

From Baghdad to New Orleans--Sordid Secrets and Strange Tales of a White House Gone Wild. Expanded Paperback Edition Greg Palast
BuzzFlash and Greg Palast go back a long way, right back to the stolen 2000 election.
Palast was the only journalist who did the hard work of proving how the Bushevik felon purge in Florida stole tens of thousands votes from Gore. You see, Palast is University of Chicago trained and knows statistics. He was dead on accurate about the theft of the 2000 election from Gore -- and he's been on the heels of the corrupt Republicans, robber barons, and Enron-inspired corporate thieves, among others, throughout the seven year history of BuzzFlash.

Double the US troops in Iraq by Christmas, according to Robert Parry. Some have suggested that increased US troops are to cope with increasing resistance if Bush attacks Iran . They may be used against Iran after Bush launches a bombing attack.

.... The unspeakable suffering of these parents of dead soldiers stands in marked contrast to the maneuvering over the Iraq War now underway across the river in Washington. There, George W. Bush appears quietly planning another escalation of the Iraq War - possibly doubling U.S. combat troops by Christmas - and many members of Congress are frightened of the political repercussions if they stand up to him.

The following exposure shows very unhealthy trends - that spies are being infiltrated into environmental and peace groups and that all their records, emails, personnel and plans are being catalogued and acted on by those employing the spies.  We don't know what is being done with these records; whether government agencies are given access to them, and whether the activists involved are now listed as people to watch by government agencies. These questions should be investigated and vigorous action taken to stop and expose any such actions. We cannot expect to have a free, questioning, morally-involved and acting society if people are intimidated into silence by such fascist threats.

'I was paid to betray protesters'

The tactics by Thompson & Clark Investigations are believed to be a first for New Zealand and have shocked the groups and civil rights supporters, who have demanded answers from the government about taxpayer-funded spying.

Finding the enemy within

An Auckland private investigation firm is paying agents to infiltrate and spy on environmental, peace and anti-vivisection groups for its clients, including state-owned enterprise Solid Energy.

In the Bible both Mark and Mathew refer to Jesus as a carpenter and carpenter's son. In the following article two UK carpenters were found innocent by a jury in England for planning to prevent US B52's from committing war crimes by dropping bombs to kill or maim Iraqi people.
Jesus was an inspired social reformer and activist in his day and acted against those committing crimes against the people. So today's two carpenters are carrying on a fine tradition. They risked great danger and years in prison for what they did. They deserve praise and recognition for their contribution to humanity. If the UK was a real Christian nation they would be honoured with a knighthood. Some 0ne million articles are listed under a Google search of "Jesus - the Carpenter"

Fairford Two strike blow for anti-war protesters

after jury decide they were acting to stop crime
If they were to do it over again, Phil Pritchard says, they would bring less stuff. He and Toby Olditch were carrying "silly amounts" when they broke into RAF Fairford on the eve of the Iraq war: bolts and screws to be placed inside the B-52s' engines, pictures of smiling Iraqi children to be stuck on to the payload doors, toothbrushes and stamps to be used in prison, and flashing headbands in the hope that they would look too ridiculous to be shot.

This is a great speech by Al Gore who won the popular vote for US President in 2,000 and should have been declared President.
There would have been no Iraq war, and no plans for war on Iran or other states. The terrorist threat would have been dealt with in far different and much more effective ways by co-operating with other governments, and their police to catch and punish the genuine terrorists. The enormously wasteful war expenditures would be non-existent. There would be no threat to the American people or Constitution from a power-mad Administration taking away American civil liberties while it is "trying to impose global domination" according to Al Gore.
I think if Gore ran for President in 2008, he would win many more votes than in 2000 and end up as US President. No other acceptable Democratic candidate could expect to come close to the majority Gore would get.

Moral authority, which is our greatest source of strength, has been recklessly put at risk by this wilful president.
The pursuit of "dominance" in foreign policy led the Bush administration to ignore the UN, to do serious damage to our most important alliances, to violate international law, and to cultivate the hatred and contempt of many in the rest of the world. The seductive appeal of exercising unconstrained unilateral power led this president to interpret his powers under the constitution in a way that brought to life the worst nightmare of the founders. Any policy based on domination of the rest of the world not only creates enemies for the US and recruits for al-Qaida, but also undermines the international cooperation that is essential to defeating terrorists who wish to harm and intimidate America. Instead of "dominance", we should be seeking pre-eminence in a world where nations respect us and seek to follow our leadership and adopt our values.

Lots of former Bush boosters have been in damage-control mode ever since the spotlights of "shock and awe" that they focused on Iraqis and American liberals began turning back on them. Some even associate themselves retroactively with the early war skepticism and genuine contrition of William F. Buckley Jr., who wrote recently, "If I knew then what I know now about what kind of situation we would be in, I would have opposed the [Iraq] war."

Although the majority of Americans are against the war in Iraq, and disapprove of Bush's handling of it, there are many indicators that war tragedies and perhaps much great disasters are just beginning.

Americans now view the war in Iraq more negatively than at any time since the war began, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.
Six in 10 Americans surveyed say the United States should have stayed out of Iraq, and more than three in four say that things are going badly there - including nearly half who say things are going very badly, the poll found.

It's amazing that Fidel Castro managed to survive all the US assassination attempts to kill him. Castro has introduced many reforms in all fields, particularly free health and educational services. Rather than earning US approval, this has not diminished US government and media demonization of Cuba or US sanctions against it. It makes one wonder how long Hugo Chavez of Venezuela will survive if US tries similar assassination attempts on him. Like Castro defeating a US-based dictatorship, Chavez has also defied the US by his crime of nationalising Venezuela 's oil for Venezuelans. Given the record of US installed and supported military dictatorships in Latin America, will the Bush regime, or those that may take over the Bush mantle, go back to this strategy?

The Secret War series In a highly readable and informative style, Fabián Escalante reviews over four decades of attempts to kill Fidel Castro—involving weapons that ranged from exploding cigars and poison pens to grenades and bazookas. As the former director of Cuban counterintelligence, Escalante played a significant role in frustrating many of these assassination plans, made by the CIA and the Mafia under a project codenamed "Executive Action." Although melodramatic and at times quite comical, these plots were deadly serious—and illegal, as subsequent U.S. government inquiries such as the 1975 Church Commission concluded.

Two of the important US objectives in the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq is to build permanent military bases in Iraq to act as a centre of US military activities in the region, and occupation of the country, and to secure a permanent share of Iraq 's oil for US corporations. By sheer brutality, wanton destruction, mass murder (655,000 dead), torture and imprisonment of Iraqis they are achieving their goals. That 26 million Iraqis live there and own the country is an inconvenient reality that the Bush Administration is dealing with in its own usual way. By the creation and use of death squads (the Salvador option) and orchestrating an Iraqi civil war, they can create the kind of chaos they need to justify to Americans that 'we must stay in Iraq to help our allies defeat the evil al-Qaeda terrorists'.

Something really momentous took place inside Iraq's Green Zone last week and if you're looking for a full report on it in the U.S. major media save yourself the trouble. As far as they are concerned, the fact that over half of Iraq's parliament joined in a call for setting a withdrawal date of the “coalition” force from their country, it was a non-event worthy of scant or belated mention. Likewise was the story of how the Senate in Afghanistan voted the same day to call for the exodus of the occupation forces from that country as well. Some major newspapers have yet to record that fact.

This article and eloquent appeal is directed at non-white people, but applies just as much to whites. That is why I've circulated it - so people can better understand some of the unsavoury aspects of so-called ' Western Civilization'. The article also helps us understand the horrific US-originated Vietnam quagmire, and today's quagmire in Iraq . The mass deception by most Western leaders today, and the war-lie propaganda of our mass media, is one reason why so few people are informed and therefore why people allow our unprovoked wars against others to continue.
Leonard Peltier is a heroic American Indian, imprisoned for 30 years for a crime he did not commit. Free Leonard Peltier Now!

Notwithstanding the unspeakable atrocities of the African holocaust, slavery, lynchings, and ongoing disenfranchisement of Black people in America, perhaps no other people have suffered such despicably horrible and repugnant exploitation, degradation and genocide as have our indigenous native "Indian" brothers and sisters at the hands of the conquering Europeans, who subsequently formed the deceitful, land thieving, and hypocritical nation which has come to be known as the United States of America. Just as the necessary and legitimate struggle by Black people in America for justice, reparations, and equality continues and intensifies, so it is that the legitimate and closely related struggles of and by Red and Brown peoples continue unabated on this continent.

Stop the War Abroad and at Home
In the spirit of unity, and for the purpose of taking the movement from politicians and putting it back into the streets, the Troops Out Now Coalition submits this proposal to all antiwar forces:
Our proposal is for an Encampment to Stop the War at Home & Abroad, starting on Saturday, September 22 in Washington D.C., culminating in a mass march in Washington on Saturday 29.

Bertrand Russell has always been my favourite philosopher. I corresponded with him on war/peace issues from Canada in 1961 and continued in New Zealand from 1962, on the Vietnam War. I was honoured when he asked me to form the Australasian Branch of The Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation which I did until about 1968. I admire this great man who is an example of what we can become. He was willing to act for his principles and go to jail for peace actions at age 90. He was a humanist and rationalist, who believed man evolved and was the author of his own destiny with no divine intervention. The Fight For Peace Continues

Congratulations on your May 13 article by Irene Chapple on Justice Thomas's statements on Blair as a war criminal, as by association are others, such as the George Bush Administration. The Bush/Blair deceptions to gain support before launching their illegal war on Iraq are one of the major crimes of our era.

A New Zealand Supreme Court judge has launched a blistering attack on outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair, effectively calling him a war criminal for his role in the Iraq conflict.
Justice Ted Thomas, who retired last year but still presides over ongoing cases, told the Sunday Star-Times yesterday that Blair "deceived Cabinet, parliament and the British people" over the war.

‘Tony Blair's contempt for Middle Eastern lives has already been adequately demonstrated in Iraq and Lebanon . His lack of genuine concern for British servicemen is demonstrated by his steadfast refusal to meet even one parent of a dead British serviceman or woman killed in the wars he created.'

General Batiste says to Bush: "...you did not listen. You continue to pursue a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army and Marine Corps....you have placed our nation in peril. Our only hope is that Congress will act now to protect our fighting men and women". He said to US Senators "protect America not George Bush".

In an act of defiance perhaps not seen since President Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur, today the anti-war veterans group VoteVets.org, which has been influential with Capitol Hill Democrats, is launching a half-million-dollar TV ad campaign featuring Maj Gen John Batiste (Ret.), former commanding general of the first infantry division in Iraq.    

This appeal is from General Wesley Clark's website. It is unusual to have a 4-Star US General campaigning to prevent a war.
He certainly has an illustrious record as head of NATO attacking the Serbian invasion of Kosovo.  I think his accusations against Iran are quite wrong, but he is condemning the Bush regime's push for a war with Iran. He is advocating peaceful discussions with Iran with a view to resolving differences. He is recommending people take action to help bring this about. All this is good and should be supported. People may disagree with Clark on many points, as I do, but we are lucky to have him on the side of peace when the Bush Administration is working toward a catastrophic war with Iran.

Richard A. Clarke, former national security adviser to four presidents including President Bush, said the United States will deal with Iraqi "revenge terrorists" on American soil for the remainder of his years and for the lifespan of many who attended his Clark College appearance Monday evening.
"For as long as I'm alive, there will be Iraqis who hate us," Clarke told about 300 people gathered in the Gaiser Hall Student Center.
In the "battle of ideas" crucial to U.S. success in the Middle East, "We're not only losing, we've never really started," he said.

Is it possible to stop the Bush war machine and other wars, and further a global culture of peace?
UNESCO articles that follow have a number of programmes devoted to the idea of promoting a global "Culture of Peace".
This is a very noble idea and many may prefer to follow this ideal than to seriously concern themselves with stopping and exposing the lies behind present US wars. However I suggest that the objectives intertwine and that we should stop war and promote peace at the same time.
UNESCO has some useful and inspiring advice.

This American organization is doing it's best to awaken America to the catastrophic threat that the Bush Administration is planning a war on Iran. The military is in place and the demonization of Iran is continuing, just like Bush did before he invaded, bombed, occupied etc Iraq and killed 600,000 innocent people. If you wish to learn more, and help, contact the Stop War on Iran organization.