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Imperialism and the United States Government

Added by James Turnage on June 14, 2013.
Saved under James Turnage, Syria, World

The ignorance of our federal government is rearing its ugly head again.  It doesn’t matter who our President is, or who controls 535 Congressional seats, America loves war.  The United States policy of Imperialism guarantees our involvement in endless military conflict.

The United States had no reason to be in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Syria.  I have no idea when our failed government officials decided that we were the world’s policemen, or that all of the people of the world wanted a democratic form of government, but, whenever that happened, it signaled the downfall of a country that may have been the greatest the world had ever seen.

Because of the government of the United States, the world is a more dangerous place.  Because of the government of the United States, the good people of our country are hated by the majority of the world’s population.  Because of the government of the United States, we, the citizens, do not receive the benefits from our own taxes.  Our money is spent waging war, or in foreign aid which is paid through a form of atonement for our sins.

Syria is not important to me, or anyone I know.  If this is their civil war, so be it.  Interference in any country, but specifically in the Arab world, has been disastrous 100 percent of the time.

The reality of Syria is complex.  Both sides of the battle involve different governments with different intentions.  But the fact is, the rebels are comprised of Islamic radicals and criminals.  If they are victorious, they will become an enemy of the United States.

John McCain visited the rebels in a self-aggrandizing event.  Two of those with which he was photographed were known kidnappers.  What gain would it be for the American people if we supported the rebels?  The fact is, that whoever wins, and if America becomes involved, we will have made more enemies, and made the world even less safe for our own citizens.

The money that may be spent on aid to the Syrian rebels could be better used at home.  We are in deep ‘do do.’  If Isolationism becomes necessary, than let’s do it.

If our government was intelligent, they would see that they need to act as if the United States was one, big, family.  (We no longer are, but we could be if government got out of the way, and politics were banned.)  In an average American family, family comes first.  If we have extras, we take care of extended family, but the core group receives the majority of attention.

The United States of America is a dying nation.  Those of my era see it clearly.  We are governed by a self-serving group of professional politicians.  The common man no longer fits into the equation of our government’s actions.

If the United States continues its imperialistic ways, we will eventually be destroyed.  And the ultimate destruction will not come from an outside source.  Abraham Lincoln said that we would destroy ourselves.  Sadly, his predictions are in their genesis.

James Turnage

The Guardian Express

Malcolm X Biography

Malcolm X - Mini Biography (TV-14) A short biography of Malcolm X, who rejected the Civil Rights Movement's stance on nonviolence and preached black pride through his devotion to the Nation of Islam.

Synopsis

Born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm X was a prominent black nationalist leader who served as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam during the 1950s and '60s. Due largely to his efforts, the Nation of Islam grew from a mere 400 members at the time he was released from prison in 1952 to 40,000 members by 1960. Articulate, passionate and a naturally gifted and inspirational orator, Malcolm X exhorted blacks to cast off the shackles of racism "by any means necessary," including violence. The fiery civil rights leader broke with the group shortly before his assassination, February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan, where he had been preparing to deliver a speech.

Videos

1 of 3Malcolm X - An Outspoken Leader (TV-14) Watch a short video about Malcolm X and discover the roots of his dedication to equality.

Malcolm X Biography by Thavam Ratna

This Is Our President

South Korea's prime minister resigns over his government s response to the ferry disaster in which more than 300 people have died or are missing, presumed dead.

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“If under aged girls are statutorily raped and the sexual act was however with consent, it may be good to have legislation that allows the perpetrator to marry the ‘victim’ with her consent.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

( April 27, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Rajapaksa says no one is above the law.

Either the President is psychologically challenged, incapable of unravelling reality from imagination; or he is a consummate liar.

This is Our President by nelvely

The Quebec Election In Canada And Federalism Lesson For Sri Lanka

By Rajan Philips -April 27, 2014

Rajan Philips

Earlier this month the Province of Quebec, in Canada, had its one-day election after less than a month of campaigning.  As I have discussed in a separate article, India is just half way through its five-week long election ritual. Theoutcome of the Indian elections is widely expected to be a defeat for the ruling Congress alliance and victory for the opposition BJP alliance. The results in Quebec were a huge surprise with the governing Parti Quebecois of French Canadian separatists suffering a crushing defeat and the opposition Quebec Liberal Party securing a spectacular victory.

There is very little to compare between the French Canadian Province of 8 million people and the mass of humanity that is India. Yet there are commonalities between Canada and India as two reasonably successful federal states and societies, and in the functional containment of their internal national problems. Federalism, separatism and secularism were wedge issues in the Quebec election, and they are so but for different reasons in the Indian elections. The over-determining issues, however, are the economy and jobs. Corruption was big time on the election radar in Quebec and is even more so in India.

Along with Sri Lanka, Canada and India are long standing Commonwealth members. Soon after independence, Sri Lanka was a model state for ethnic co-habitation and economic potential in the Commonwealth. Pierre Trudeau held up the “State of Ceylon” accommodating two languages and four religions as an example for Quebec and Canada. This was when Trudeau was a trenchant political critic and before he won a seat in the Federal Parliament and went on to become one of Canada’s more famous Prime Ministers. Sri Lankans, or Ceylonese then, did not know much about Canada, and not enough about India – ignorantly laughing at their huge neighbor for its poverty and its English accent. 60 years later, Canada and India are mature success stories in their own ways, while Sri Lanka has the Commonwealth Chairmanship to boast of, but little else. Our cricketers, not the Board of Control or Selectors, are a different story and their well-deserved and long-awaited success in Bangladesh is doubly sweet because unlike in past finals there were no Rajapaksa government poobahs in Dhaka to bask in our cricketers’ glory.

Quebec and CanadaRead More

OHCHR 2014-2017 Management Plan - Sri Lanka chapter

OHCHR 2014-2017 Management Plan - Sri Lanka chapter

Sunday, April 27, 2014 

”OHCHR will pursue these behavioural, institutional and legislative changes in cooperation with relevant partners, using the different strategic tools at its disposal – monitoring and reporting, capacity-building and advisory services, advocacy and awareness-raising (see chapter one) – on the basis of an assessment of the specific context. It is expected that if achieved, these results will contribute to improving the duty- bearers’ compliance with their international human rights obligations and to the rights-holders’ ability to claim their rights and thereby to the enjoyment of all rights for all in Sri Lanka. ”

Sri Lanka

OHCHR 2014-2017 Management Plan - Sri Lanka Chapter by nelvely

5 years today - Aerial bombardment of No Fire Zone, UK politicians warn of 'carnage of unimaginable magnitude' Tamil Guardian 27 April 2014 27 April 2009 - Aerial bombardment of No Fire Zone, UK politicians warn of carnage of unimaginable magnitude The Sri Lankan Air Force continued the onslaught in the No Fire Zone, dropping at least 23 bombs and countless shells into the civilian population, reported TamilNet.        Earlier assurances to stop using heavy weapons around the No Fire Zone by the Sri Lankan government proved futile as hundreds of Tamil civilians were injured and several killed by the areal bombardment.   The LTTE Director of the Peace Secretariat, Puleedavan, speaking to TamilNet, said that Sri Lanka was “attempting to deceive the International Community.” Meanwhile the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT),a cross-party committee of MPs in Britain, called on the international community to prevent the ‘final onslaught’ of the Sri Lanka Army which would result in “carnage of unimaginable magnitude.”  See full APPGT statement here.    [more] Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations 5 years today - UN confirms at least 20000 casualties, LTTE calls for international aid, Sri Lanka rejects aid envoy

Pillay submitted 4 year plan on Sri Lanka

Sunday, 27 April 2014 

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay has reportedly included Sri Lanka in a four year plan submitted to member states of the UN in Geneva.

The High Commissioner’s four year plan would result in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) focussing on Sri Lanka till 2017.

In the four year plan, Pillay notes that between 2014 and 2017 the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will work towards sustain engagement by the international community, specifically the Human Rights Council, on issues of impunity, accountability and reconciliation for past and present human rights violations in Sri Lanka.
The goal for the ‘OHCHR Management Plan 2014-2017’ is to make the most of the resources in implementing the human rights mandate of the United Nations.

According to media reports, Pillay has said with regard to Sri Lanka that her office will be involved in monitoring and reporting, capacity-building and providing advisory services, advocacy and awareness-raising.
She has also proposed that UN Country team members use the recommendations of the Guidance Note of the Secretary-General on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Pillars as well as other UN joint programmes.

“By 2017, OHCHR expects to have contributed to the achievement of the results outlined on the table, in support of national efforts in the different thematic priority areas (colour scheme). OHCHR will pursue these behavioural, institutional and legislative changes in cooperation with relevant partners, using the different strategic tools at its disposal – monitoring and reporting, capacity-building and advisory services, advocacy and awareness-raising (see chapter one) – on the basis of an assessment of the specific context. It is expected that if achieved, these results will contribute to improving the dutybearers’ compliance with their international human rights obligations and to the rights-holders’ ability to claim their rights and thereby to the enjoyment of all rights for all in Sri Lanka,” the section on Sri Lanka in the document has reportedly stated.

Pillay’s report has noted that a number of significant human rights developments related to Sri Lanka had taken place during the period 2011-2013 and this included the Panel of Experts established to advise the UN Secretary-General on accountability issues with respect to the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka issuing their report in April 2011, while in December 2011, the government-established Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) published a report with far-reaching recommendations towards reconciliation and strengthening of the rule of law.

“UNCT (The UN Country Team) provided a joint submission to the UPR in 2012 and a new United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF) was launched in 2012 for the period of 2013-2018. The UN maintains a joint programme of support to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, which has gradually begun to recover its vitality,” the High Commissioner has stated.

Rajapakses diverting attention of people via BBS terror : Malwatte Mahanayake garlands BBS By Wimal Dheerasekera

(Lanka-e-News- 27.April.2014, 10.30PM) The dictatorial Rajapakse regime which is the biggest single cause of destruction of the country and society, is under its patronage through religious extremism and fanaticism distorting and hiding the true picture from the people and leading the country into an inevitable holocaust. 

Rajapakses Diverting Attention of People via BBS Terror Malwatte Mahanayake Garlands BBS by nelvely

Suspected War Criminal Gives Numbers To UN On Northern Army Sexual Assaults

April 27, 2014 

The suspected war criminal, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanant Representative to the UN, Major GeneralShavendra Silva replied to allegations raised against the Army over sexual assaults in the North through UN Reports.

We publish below the statement in full;

Silva

Statement by Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva, Deputy Permanent Representative and Charge d’Affaires UN Security Council Open Debate “Women and peace and security” 25th April 2014, New York.

Mr. President,

Let me join the previous speakers in thanking the delegation of Nigeria for convening this open debate under its Presidency. I would also like to thank the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict for her statement.

Mr. President,

In times of conflict and post-conflict situations, attention should be paid to all forms of violence against civilians, especially sexual violence. Historically, sexual violence has been associated with the absence of peace and security. Conflict often creates family dislocations, shattered livelihoods and also sole breadwinners, with the resulting negative consequences. Single mothers are often the result of conflict, and in some cases, this increases vulnerability to sexual harassment, exploitation and violence.

The Government of Sri Lanka has implemented a firm policy on sexual violence and has taken farm action against reported cases of violence against women and girls during the conflict and the post-conflict period. Sri Lanka has deplored all violence against women and has a well- established policy against gender based violence and all forms of sexual abuse. During the conflict period (January 2007 – May 2009), 7 Security Forces personnel were reported as having been involved in 5 incidents of sexual violence in the Northern Province. This is out of a total of 125 persons accused in 119 incidents for the entirety of the Northern Province. In the post conflict period (from May 2009 – May 2012) 10 Security Forces personnel were reported as having been involved in 6 incidents of sexual violence in the Northern Province. This is out of a total of 307 persons accused in 256 incidents for the entire Northern Province. The involvement of Security Forces personnel as a percentage of the total accused stands at 5.6% in the conflict period and 3.3% in the post- conflict period. Any allegations supported by credible evidence will be dealt with firmly by the authorities.                    Read More

Learning From A Court Across The Palk Strait

byKishali Pinto-Jayawardena

( April 27, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) These are extraordinary times. Victory in a war that many thought unwinnable, the utter decimation of the traditional political opposition and the formation of an authoritarian family cabal with an unprecedented centralisation of power has grossly subverted Sri Lanka’s political process. The utter degeneration of the judicial system and the authority of the law is one inevitable result.

Learning From a Court Across the Palk Strait by nelvely

Friendly NGO to watch SL governments interests at UN war crimes probe

LTTE sending a big team

April 26, 2014,

The Parliamentary delegation of Balochistan Provincial Assembly of Pakistan, headed by Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali called on the  Speaker Parliament of Sri Lanka, Chamal Rajapaksa in Colombo last week. The visiting Speaker also observed the proceedings of the Sri Lankan Parliament and met members of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association. The delegation, accompanied by the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. Qasim Qureshi, are pictured here with Speaker Rajapaksa.

 By Zacki Jabbar

 A "friendly" NGO is to watch the interests of the Sri Lankan government at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) mandated international probe into allegations of war crimes  against its security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) due to commence in June.

Diplomatic sources told The Sunday Island yesterday that despite the Rajapaksa regime having rejected the recent UNHRC resolution which authorized the  Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to launch an international investigation into the conduct of the war by Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE, between February 21,2002  to May 19,2009, which was the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report, it would send a representative in the form of a " sympathetic and friendly NGO" to look after its interests during the inquiry to be held in Geneva.

Asked, whether the NGO was local or foreign, the sources replied it was a "mixture of both"  and comprises mainly professionals. "The government is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. It is faced with a serious dilemma whether it participates in the inquiry or not.

The OHCHR has received over 2,300 complaints. Some Sri Lankan military personnel have also indicated their willingness to testify. Though the Rajapaksa regime has publicly rejected the UNHRC resolution and was putting on a brave face, it knows the dangers that lay ahead. So, it has stumbled on this idea of sending an NGO which is sympathetic and friendly towards it, to Geneva."   

The OHCHR  it is learnt would by May 15, appoint the panel tasked with conducting the international probe.

A leading Opposition politician said that the government  would be letting down the military, if it  failed to be present and counter the accusations  that were bound to  be levelled by the LTTE, which would be strongly represented at the investigations. "If an official team of lawyers is not sent the OHCHR  probe would be over  in  about two months and its recommendations presented to the International Criminal Court of Justice", he pointed out.

The UNHRC on March 27,2014  adopted by a vote of 23 in favour, 12 against and 12 abstentions, a US sponsored  resolution calling for a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, by both the Sri Lankan government and LTTE, during the period covered by the LLRC Report and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated, with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedures mandate holders. 

BBS: Vigilantism And The Rule Of Law

By Malinda Seneviratne -April 27, 2014 

Malinda Seneviratne

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), according to some, is a terrorist organization. They call for proscription.  The word ‘terrorist’ begs comparison with the greatest terrorist the world has know outside those states that have made terrorism an integral part of foreign policy, namely the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).  As of now, it remains a silly comparison.  The BBS, for all its provocative statements and belligerence, has not included assassination, suicide attacks, bomb blasts, landmines etc., etc in its curriculum vitae.  Should this warrant treatment with soft hands, though? The answer is an unequivocal ‘No!’  The reason is simple: vigilantism of any kind is a threat to the Rule of Law. 

First, there is the fact that the Secretary, Defense Ministry, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa accepting an invitation to open a regional office of the BBS.

This brings us to the vexed question of a marked reluctance by the law enforcement authority to protect places and persons ‘marked’ by the BBS.  Of late, though, action has been taken to investigate incidents involving the BBS, question its leaders and initiate legal proceedings.  Noteworthy too is the recent pledge by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to set up a special Police unit to move in quickly if and when religious harmony is threatened.  None of this seems to have deflated the BBS.  Its leaders continue to be vociferous and adamantly reiterate that if relevant authorities don’t take steps to curb certain activities which the BBS believes violates constitutional provisions, then the BBS will ‘do the needful’.                          Read More

SLFP Dissent, The Executive Presidency& The Folly Of The ’80s

| by Dr Dayan Jayatilleka

( April 27, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) If we are to avert a bloodbath in the coming years we must avoid the mistakes of the 1980s, but both the Government and the Opposition are making the same mistakes once again.

If we do not strive for peaceful, democratic regime change by internal electoral means, there will be external attempts at regime change.

SLFP Dissent, The Executive Presidency& the Folly of the ’80s by nelvely

Is Global Capitalism Headed For A Bust?

By Kumar David -April 27, 2014 

Dr. Kumar David

The short-termists and long-termists profoundly disagree: Is global capitalism headed for a bust?

Advanced nations stuck in the slow lane

This piece is not about my Marxist inclinations; it is about what market watchers and serious bourgeois economists are saying; that is to say it is about divergences within the world of bourgeois stock-market, financial and economic discourse. I will add one remark as a Marxist, as a preface, and move on. I think the pessimists are right, not only for their own reasons but also because the natural evolution of capitalism has brought it to a point of profound instability by virtue of its own natural dynamics. Now back to my role of honest umpire.

What market watchers say is: “Look at equities worldwide, look at house prices (in the US), look at unemployment (moderately flat in the US and not skyrocketing any more in Europe), look at the revival of consumer confidence in the US, and where’s the inflation that the Casandras predicted’.  It’s a fair short-term case; if you simply do straight-line projections of these trends the world looks good; buy stocks, invest in property, shun gold, laugh at rigid New Zealand and trust capitalism; all is well, we live in the best of all possible worlds”.                                                                            Read More

Don’t gamble with Sri Lanka

Editorial-Sunday, April 27, 2014

A rose by any other name smells as sweet, and as far as the Government is concerned, a casino by any other name is expected to rake in the shekels.
This week, the Government passed in Parliament the Gazette notifications legalising casinos, all the while insisting that it was only enabling ‘associated facilities’ within three mega integrated leisure projects — without specifying what they are.

Don’t Gamble With Sri Lanka by nelvely

UDA continues with illegal land acquisitions in Colombo

Details

 

Created On Sunday, 27 April 2014 17:08

Category: General

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) is reportedly continuing with its illegal land acquisitions in Colombo.

The UDA has made arrangements to acquire vast extents of prime property in Colombo Fort and surrounding areas, the latest being 1.7 acres (or 269 perches) in Kompanna Veediya.

Included is a 107-perch block in Masjidul Jummaih Mawatha owned by the Department of Examinations (DOE) which has been relocated to Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte.

According to local media reports, a gazette notification published on Tuesday and signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Minister of Defence and Urban Development has stated that the lands have been vested with the UDA.

The DOE property is the single largest block listed in the gazette.

The other lands taken over by the UDA include smaller lots in Glennie Street, Market Lane, De Zoysa Mawatha, Java Lane and De Zoysa Street.