Jackie, Dunlap, Sanchez: Together Again on CNN (video)

Dandelion Salad

travisandjonathan

Jackie and Dunlap go toe to toe with CNN’s Rick Sanchez on Giuliani vs. Romney, and some other stuff that doesn’t make any sense.

http://www.redstateupdate.com

Bush at the Middle East Peace Summit (videos; updated)

Dandelion Salad

heathr234

Nov. 27, 2007

Bush’s awkward appearance today at the Middle East Peace Summit where he slaughtered the names of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before getting his photo op with them.

see

Rabbi Weiss, Outside Annapolis Peace Confab, Rips Zionism (video)

Not Through Annapolis: Chomsky Says Path to Mideast Peace Lies in Popular Organizing Against U.S.-Israeli “Rejectionism” (link)

The Dreary Charade at Annapolis By Eric Margolis

Israeli-Palestinian Middle East “Peace Process”: Tragedy and Travesty at Annapolis by Stephen Lendman

Everything You Need to Know About Annapolis Peace Conference

Olbermann: Secrets Squirrelled + Worst Person + Photo Oops + Rewriting History (videos; updated)

Dandelion Salad

heathr234

Nov. 27, 2007

Secrets Squirrelled

Keith gives his report on the Bush administration’s use of the States Secret privilege to keep the fact that they’re illegally spying on everyone out of court. Johnathon Turley weighs in.

Worst Person

And the winner is….Mitt Romney. Runners up Fox Business Channel and FEMA.

Photo Oops

Keith gives his report on Bush’s appearance at the Middle East Peace Summit today. Richard Wolffe weighs in.

Rewriting History

Keith gives his report on Karl Rove’s recent attempts to rewrite history and pretend that the administration wasn’t pushing for the vote on the war resolution prior to the elections for purely political reasons. Arianna Huffington weighs in.

see

Bush at the Middle East Peace Summit (videos; updated)

Gold and Economic Freedom — Much Adieu About the Fed by William Mac (video)

Dandelion Salad

ThisWeekInTime

http://www.ThisWeekinTime.com

FORUM: http://www.william-mac.com/thisweekintime/sf-forum

William Mac brings to your attention “Gold and Economic Freedom” by Allen Greenspan — a four page essay first published in 1966.

This was brought to William Mac’s attention from a viewer named Individualliberty on YouTube.

Yet, since William Mac isn’t a suitable authority to provide a concrete answer as to whether or not the re-establishment of the Gold Standard really is going to work, he wants YOUR help.

Record your own videos and thoughts. Help to teach each other.

Read the essay for yourself at ThisWeekinTime.com and then submit your videos and ideas for discussion on the new forum.

William can’t wait to learn something from all of you.

http://www.william-mac.com/thisweekintime/sf-forum

see

Exclusive: Maybe Ron Paul Supporters Are “Paultards” By William Mac

U.S. Should Be Honest Broker On Middle East Peace By Dennis Kucinich

Dandelion Salad

By Dennis Kucinich

Washington, Nov 27 – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), released the following statement following the first Middle East peace conference convened by the Bush Administration in seven years today:

“I am hopeful that this is a good faith restart to the Middle East peace process,” Kucinich said. “If it is to be more successful than past efforts by previous administrations, the United States is going to have to play the role of an honest broker.

“I have my doubts that this Administration can do that. That is because this Administration has undermined the moral standing of the United States in the eyes of the world.

“The occupation of Iraq, the failure to hold senior officials accountable for Abu Ghraib, the equivocation over whether waterboarding is torture or not, and the U.S. pressure on Iraq to privatize its oil are all taints on our country’s international reputation.

“I think the U.S. is in a weaker position to facilitate Middle East peace now than it was before the invasion of Iraq.

“Nevertheless, a solution is not going to be achieved by any means other than talks, and the United States’ role as a facilitator is vital. So I must be hopeful that perhaps these talks will accomplish what others have not: a safe and secure Israel, and an independent and free Palestine.

“The United States must have an inclusive approach which respects the concerns of both parties,” Kucinich concluded.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

see

Rabbi Weiss, Outside Annapolis Peace Confab, Rips Zionism (video)

35 Percenters Present Summary of CNN Debates + Special Guest Appearance (video)

Not Through Annapolis: Chomsky Says Path to Mideast Peace Lies in Popular Organizing Against U.S.-Israeli “Rejectionism” (link)

“A Dialogue for Democracy” this Thurs, Nov. 29 + Double Your Money (Kucinich)

Leaderless and Clueless America Heads for the Trash Can of History By Paul Craig Roberts

Dandelion Salad

By Paul Craig Roberts
November 26, 2007

In new books writers as disparate as Naomi Wolf and Pat Buchanan conclude that America as we know her is disappearing. Both writers hope, but are not confident, that enough Americans will catch on in time to find the leadership to pull America back from the brink.

If polls are reliable, a majority of Americans are dissatisfied with President Bush and Congress. However, Americans are far short of Wolf and Buchanan’s grasp of our peril.

Americans are unable to connect their dissatisfaction with the current political leadership with their choice of new leaders. All polls show that Hillary Clinton is far in the lead for the Democratic presidential nomination and Rudy Giuliani is far in the lead for the Republican nomination [See Polling report.com: Election 2008]. These are the only two candidates guaranteed to be worse than Bush/Cheney.

Both Hillary and Rudy are committed to the war. Both refuse to rule out expanding the war to Iran and beyond. Both are totally in the pocket of the Israel Lobby. Indeed, practically every Giuliani advisor is a member of the Lobby. Both defend the police state measures that “protect us from terrorism.” And neither gives a hoot for the US Constitution and the civil liberties it guarantees. The Republican Giuliani is likely to overturn the Second Amendment even quicker than the Democrat Hillary.

Both Hillary and Rudy are creatures of ambition, not of principle. Both are one up on Karl Marx. Marx said truth serves class interests. For Hillary and Rudy, truth is what serves their individual interests. They both wear black hats, and the horse they ride is called power.

Yet in November polls, Republicans prefer Giuliani by a margin of five or six to one over Ron Paul, the only principled Republican candidate and a person who without any doubt believes in the Constitution and would protect it.

Democrats prefer Hillary by a margin of twenty to one over Dennis Kucinich, the only member of Congress sufficiently concerned and courageous to introduce impeachment against the notorious war criminal Dick Cheney. By margins as much as forty-four to one, Democrats prefer Hillary to Senator Christopher Dodd, who promises to give America back its Constitution in the first hour of his administration. Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel does not even register in the polls.

Obviously, the American people haven’t a clue. In November 2007 they show a distinct preference for leaders who are even worse than the ones with whom they are currently dissatisfied. What does this tell us about the American people and their commitment to be sufficiently informed for democracy to function?

It tells us that they are not up to the challenge. It is only a matter of time before America succumbs to the plutocracy, against which Warren Buffet recently warned Congress, or the fascist tyranny that Naomi Wolf sees in our future.

COPYRIGHT CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.

Paul Craig Roberts [email him] was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan Administration. He is the author of Supply-Side Revolution : An Insider’s Account of Policymaking in Washington; Alienation and the Soviet Economy and Meltdown: Inside the Soviet Economy, and is the co-author with Lawrence M. Stratton of The Tyranny of Good Intentions : How Prosecutors and Bureaucrats Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice. Click here for Peter Brimelow’s Forbes Magazine interview with Roberts about the recent epidemic of prosecutorial misconduct.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

see
Pat Buchanan’s Day of Reckoning: Good-bye to America? By Paul Craig Roberts (Naomi Wolf)

Giuliani Would Make a Worse President than Bush By Paul Craig Roberts

Kucinich-Dennis

Rabbi Weiss, Outside Annapolis Peace Confab, Rips Zionism (video)

Dandelion Salad

liamh2

On Nov. 27, 2007, in Annapolis, MD, Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, a spokesman for the Neturei Karta International, ripped into Zionism. He blasted the Zionists for its supposed “fearmongering.” He also accused the Zionists of “beating” Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem. His remarks were made outside the U.S. Naval Academy, on Randall Street, near Gate I, close to the waterfront, in this port city. A Middle East “Peace” conference was being held inside the Naval Academy.
For background on Neturei Karta International, see: http://www.nkusa.org/ and on the “Middle East Peace Conference,” check out this analysis: http://www.counterpunch.org/makdisi11272007.html

see

Not Through Annapolis: Chomsky Says Path to Mideast Peace Lies in Popular Organizing Against U.S.-Israeli “Rejectionism” (link)

The Dreary Charade at Annapolis By Eric Margolis

Israeli-Palestinian Middle East “Peace Process”: Tragedy and Travesty at Annapolis by Stephen Lendman

Everything You Need to Know About Annapolis Peace Conference

Hands Off Iran – “I will not pay my income tax if we go to war with Iran.” by Chris Hedges

Dandelion Salad

by Chris Hedges
The Nation

I will not pay my income tax if we go to war with Iran. I realize this is a desperate and perhaps futile gesture. But an attack on Iran–which appears increasingly likely before the coming presidential election–will unleash a regional conflict of catastrophic proportions. This war, and especially Iranian retaliatory strikes on American targets, will be used to silence domestic dissent and abolish what is left of our civil liberties. It will solidify the slow-motion coup d’état that has been under way since the 9/11 attacks. It could mean the death of the Republic.

Let us hope sanity prevails. But sanity is a rare commodity in a White House that has twisted Trotsky’s concept of permanent revolution into a policy of permanent war with nefarious aims–to intimidate and destroy all those classified as foreign opponents, to create permanent instability and fear and to strip citizens of their constitutional rights.

A war with Iran is doomed. It will be no more successful than the Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon in 2006, which failed to break Hezbollah and united most Lebanese behind that militant group. The Israeli bombing did not pacify 4 million Lebanese. What will happen when we begin to pound a country of 65 million people whose land mass is three times the size of France?

Continued…

h/t: After Downing Street

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

35 Percenters Present Summary of CNN Debates + Special Guest Appearance (video)

Dandelion Salad

35percenters

http://www.dennis4president.com

CNN’s agenda was apparent during their November 15th “debate” as they tried to force the narrative to favor conservative corporate candidates. However, this attempt did not phase congressman Kucinich, who has come back strong with the endorsement of a special friend. Chuck who?

Donate $100 or more on December 15th, 2007. The goal is to create a one-day contribution of $10 million. Please spread the word and invest in your country this holiday season. There is no better gift to the world and future generations than a Kucinich presidency. Visit the following link to make your pledge:

www.December152007.com

If you can also contribute now, please do so. All donations until November 29th are eligible for matching funds through public financing. That means your contribution will be doubled!

see: “A Dialogue for Democracy” this Thurs, Nov. 29 + Double Your Money (Kucinich)

Narrator: Manila Ryce
Writer: Manila Ryce
Director: Manila Ryce

http://www.the35percenters.com/
The 35 Percenters is comprised of the following bloggers:

The Largest Minority
http://theLargestMinority.com

Blue Gal
http://BGalrstate.Blogspot.com

Blue Man
http://BuildOurParty.Blogspot.com

Monkey Muck
http://MonkeyMucker.Blogspot.com

Dandelion Salad
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com

Peace Garden
http://www.Peacegarden.Blogspot.com

The Quaker Agitator
http://theQuakerAgitator.Blogspot.com

Phydeaux Speaks
http://www.Phydeauxpseaks.Blogspot.com

The Hermit with Davis Fleetwood
http://nocureforthat.wordpress.com

Dennis Kucinich for Prez in 08
http://www.myspace.com/kucinich2008

Modern Musings
http://taureandevi.blogspot.com

Freida Bee
http://freidabee.blogspot.com

Cause for Concern
http://utteroutrage.blogspot.com

Unofficial Kucinich Youtube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/kucinich2008

Unofficial Kucinich MySpace Page
http://www.myspace.com/kucinich2008

Hip-Hop is Read
http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com

Progressive for President 2008
http://progressive4president.blogspot…

The Greenbelt
http://thegreenbelt.blogspot.com

Today’s Talk
http://www.todayshottopic.com

Peace Elf
http://www.youtube.com/peacelf

Please also visit:
Dennis Kucinich’s Official Youtube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/Kucinich2008

Added: November 27, 2007

see

Kucinich wants free health care, college By Albert McKeon

If you love Joe Biden, you’ll love Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Richardson, and Dodd – but not Kucinich

“A Dialogue for Democracy” this Thurs, Nov. 29 (Kucinich)

Not Through Annapolis: Chomsky Says Path to Mideast Peace Lies in Popular Organizing Against U.S.-Israeli “Rejectionism” (link)

Dandelion Salad

Democracy Now!

Tuesday, November 27th, 2007

Not Through Annapolis: Noam Chomsky Says Path to Mideast Peace Lies in Popular Organizing Against U.S.-Israeli “Rejectionism”

Listen to Segment || Download Show mp3
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As the U.S. convenes a Mideast summit in Annapolis, Maryland today, we spend the hour on the Israeli-Palestine conflict with two of the world’s leading thinkers: former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and world-renowned linguist Noam Chomsky. Chomsky says U.S. backing of continued Israeli occupation and annexation of Palestinian land is the biggest obstacle to peace. He says: “The crimes against Palestinians… are so shocking that the only emotionally valid reaction is rage and a call for extreme actions. But that does not help the victims. And, in fact, it’s likely to harm them. We have to face the reality that our actions have consequences, and they have to be adapted to real-world circumstances, difficult as it may be to stay calm in the face of shameful crimes in which we are directly and crucially implicated.” [includes rush transcript]

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Leaders from around the world are gathering in Annapolis, Maryland today to take part in a U.S.-sponsored summit on the Middle East. President Bush met separately with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House on Monday. More than 40 organisations and countries, including Saudi Arabia and Syria, are attending the conference today. Hamas was not invited.A final agenda has not yet been drawn up, but a draft of a joint document was leaked to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. It makes no mention of the situation in Gaza or of core issues like the status of Jerusalem, settlements, borders, the separation wall and Palestinian refugees.Today, we spend the hour on the Israeli-Palestine conflict with two of the world’s leading thinkers: former South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and world-renowned linguist Noam Chomsky. They recently spoke at a conference in Boston, sponsored by Sabeel, a Palestinian Christian organization. The conference was titled “The Apartheid Paradigm in Palestine-Israel: Highlighting Issues of Justice and Equality.”We begin with Noam Chomsky. A professor of linguistics at MIT for over half a century, Chomsky is the author of dozens of books on US foreign policy. His most recent is called “Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy.” Chomsky spoke before a packed audience at Boston’s historic Old South Church.

• Noam Chomsky. Professor of linguistics at MIT for over half a century, Chomsky is the author of dozens of books on US foreign policy. His most recent is called “Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy.”

transcript

see

Fmr. South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Israel Should Heed Lessons of Scripture — and Apartheid

The Dreary Charade at Annapolis By Eric Margolis

Israeli-Palestinian Middle East “Peace Process”: Tragedy and Travesty at Annapolis by Stephen Lendman

Everything You Need to Know About Annapolis Peace Conference

Annapolis: How to Get Out? By Uri Avnery

The Palestinian path to peace does not go via Annapolis By Jonathan Steele + MIR: Annapolis: Dead on Arrival (video)

The PLO excluded from the Annapolis Conference by Prof. Francis A. Boyle

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Kucinich wants free health care, college By Albert McKeon

Dandelion Salad

By Albert McKeon
Telegraph
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

NASHUA – Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich wants all Americans to have universal health-care coverage and to be eligible for free public education into college.

In a talk Monday to the Nashua Rotary Club, the Ohio congressman depicted himself as a president who would also overhaul the country’s trade practices, while establishing a progressive income tax.

But Kucinich saved his strongest criticism for the war in Iraq and a potential attack on Iran. Kucinich, a pacifist whose campaign slogan is “Strength through peace,” said current military action has brought “disaster” to the U.S. and there is “no reason” to consider a war with Iran.”My campaign is a way of people saying, ‘I want my country back,’” Kucinich said. He added later: “I can win if people really want their country back. If people really want profound change, I can win.”

Continued…

h/t: Dennis 4 President

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

see
Dennis Kucinich speaks at Dartmouth College (videos)

If you love Joe Biden, you’ll love Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Richardson, and Dodd – but not Kucinich

“A Dialogue for Democracy” this Thurs, Nov. 29 (Kucinich)

If you love Joe Biden, you’ll love Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Richardson, and Dodd – but not Kucinich

Dandelion Salad

By Dennis Kucinich
Monday, November 26, 2007
DES MOINES, IA

In a new ad blitz in Iowa today, U.S. Sen. and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden exclaims about the “wonderful” support his “national security and foreign affairs” strategies are getting from Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Chris Dood; former Senator John Edwards; and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

In the ads (http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/071126_Joe_is_Right_1.pdf), and a related YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbOa989IRYw), Biden quotes his Presidential rivals:

Clinton: “Amen to Joe Biden because he’s 100% right.”

Edwards: “I actually agree with what Senator Biden said.”

Obama: “I think Joe is exactly right.”

Richardson: “(Biden’s solution) may be ultimately the right solution.”

Deliberately – and revealingly – missing from the political cast of characters in Biden’s approving/adoring love-fest among the Democratic candidates is Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich.

The Kucinich for President campaign issued the following statement this evening:

“The Congressman has the utmost respect for Senator Biden and his years of service to the nation. He just happens to be wrong on some very major issues; and, if the other candidates agree with him, then they’re wrong, too.

“They voted to authorize the war in Iraq. They approved continued funding of the war. They voted for the Patriot Act. They supported trade agreements that have had a devastating impact on American workers. They have failed to challenge the President and the Vice President for their unrepentant and continued violations of the U.S. Constitution.

“There’s a reason that Congressman Kucinich was the only candidate deliberately excluded from the ad blitz,” said his campaign. “Joe Biden knows, and the other Democratic candidates know, that Dennis Kucinich doesn’t walk their line.

“If voters are dissatisfied with the Biden tweedle-dums and tweedle-dees, they should vote for someone who represents their beliefs and their values. Not someone who says, ‘I agree with Joe.’ Dennis doesn’t agree with Joe. Or Hillary. Or Barack. Or John. Or Chris. Or Bill.”

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

see

“A Dialogue for Democracy” this Thurs, Nov. 29 (Kucinich)

KPFK Radio Show: Dennis Kucinich, Naomi Klein and Rick Jacobs (link)

War Paint and Lawyers: Rainforest Indians versus Big Oil by Greg Palast

Dandelion Salad

by Greg Palast investigates for BBC Newsnight
Published November 26th, 2007

Chevron: “Nobody has proved that crude causes cancer.”

Tuesday, November 27, 10:30pm GMT [5:30pm New York Time] – live on BBC2 TV or on the net at www.BBC.co.uk/Newsnight.

BBC Television Newsnight has been able to get close-in film of a new Cofan Indian ritual deep in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. Known as “The Filing of the Law Suit,” natives of Ecuador’s jungle, decked in feathers and war paint and heavily armed with lawyers, are filmed presenting a new complaint in their litigation seeking $12 billion from Chevron Inc., the international oil goliath.

It would all be a poignant joke – except that the indigenous tribe is suddenly the odds-on favorite to defeat the oil company known for naming its largest tanker, “Condoleezza,” after former Chevron director, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

For Newsnight, reporter Greg Palast, steps (somewhat inelegantly) into a dug-out log canoe to seek out the Cofan in their rainforest village to investigate their allegations. Palast discovers stinking pits of old oil drilling residue leaking into drinking water – and meets farmers whose limbs are covered in pustules.

The Cofan’s leader, Emergildo Criollo, tells Palast that when Texaco Oil, now part of Chevron, came to the village in 1972, it obtained permission to drill by offering the Indians candy and cheese. The indigenous folk threw the funny-selling cheese into the jungle.

Criollo says his three-year son died from oil contamination after, “He went swimming, then began vomiting blood.”

…

Watch the story live on BBC2 or, in the US, on the net at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/default.stm after broadcast – or via a link from www.GregPalast.com. WARNING: The day’s news events may require Newsnight to delay broadcast to another evening.

Continued…

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Ahmadinejad offers to be an observer at US presidential election by Robert Tait

Dandelion Salad

by Robert Tait in Tehran
Tuesday November 27, 2007
The Guardian

He denounces it as the “Great Satan” and frequently dismisses its power, but the overtures of the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to the US seem to grow ever more extravagant.

Having failed to win a response with an 18-page letter to President George Bush or to a request to visit the site of the September 11 2001 attack on New York, Ahmadinejad has offered himself as an observer in next year’s presidential election.

Continued…

h/t: CLG

FAIR USE NOTICE: This blog may contain copyrighted material. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. This constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Fact Sheet: U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship & Cooperation

Dandelion Salad

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
November 26, 2007

The U.S. and Iraqi “Declaration of Principles” is a shared statement of intent that establishes common principles to frame our future relationship. This moves us closer to normalized, bilateral relations between our two countries. With this declaration, leaders of Iraq and the United States commit to begin negotiating the formal arrangements that will govern such a relationship.

• Iraq’s leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America, and we seek an enduring relationship with a democratic Iraq. We are ready to build that relationship in a sustainable way that protects our mutual interests, promotes regional stability, and requires fewer Coalition forces.
• In response, this Declaration is the first step in a three-step process that will normalize U.S.-Iraqi relations in a way which is consistent with Iraq’s sovereignty and will help Iraq regain its rightful status in the international community – something both we and the Iraqis seek. The second step is the renewal of the Multinational Force-Iraq’s Chapter VII United Nations mandate for a final year, followed by the third step, the negotiation of the detailed arrangements that will codify our bilateral relationship after the Chapter VII mandate expires.
  • The UN Chapter VII resolution that is binding under international law gives the MNFI legal authorization to “take all necessary measures to preserve peace and security”. Both the U.S. and Iraq are committed to Iraq moving beyond an international presence based on a UN Security Council Chapter VII mandate.
  • Iraqis have expressed a desire to move past a Chapter VII MNFI mandate and we are committed to helping them achieve this objective.
  • After the Chapter VII mandate is renewed for one year, we will begin negotiation of a framework that will govern the future of our bilateral relationship.

The Declaration Is A Continuation Of A Commitment That Began This August

The governments of Iraq and the United States are committed to developing a long-term relationship as two fully sovereign and independent states with common interests.

• The August 26 Communiqué signed by the five political leaders – Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, the three members of the Presidency Council, and Kurdish leader Ma’sud Barzani – on August 26, 2007, and endorsed by President Bush states: “The leaders considered it important to link the renewal of UN Resolution 1723 for another year with a reference to the ending of Iraq’s Chapter VII status under the UN Charter and the concomitant resumption of Iraq’s normal status as a state with full sovereignty and authorities and the restoration of Iraq’s legal international status, namely the status that it had before UN Resolution 661 of 1990. In this context, the leaders affirmed the necessity of reaching a long term relationship with the American side … that is built on common interests and covers the various areas between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America. This goal should be realized in the near future.”
• President Bush endorsed the August 26th communiqué:
  • President Bush: “I welcome and accept the expressed desire of the Iraqi leadership to develop a long-term relationship with the United States based on common interests. The United States is committed to developing this relationship and to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and security ties with the Iraqi government and its people.” (President George W. Bush, Remarks, Kirtland AFB, NM, 8/27/07)
  • President Bush: Iraq’s leaders “understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends beyond my presidency. These Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America. And we are ready to begin building that relationship – in a way that protects our interests in the region and requires many fewer American troops.” (President George W. Bush, Address to the Nation, The White House, 9/13/07)

The Declaration Sets The U.S. And Iraq On A Path Toward Negotiating Agreements That Are Common Throughout The World

The U.S. has security relationships with over 100 countries around the world, including recent agreements with nations such as Afghanistan and former Soviet bloc countries.

The relationship envisioned will include U.S.-Iraqi cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic and security arenas. The United States and Iraq intend to negotiate arrangements based upon a range of principles:

• Political and Diplomatic: The U.S. and Iraq have committed to strengthening Iraq’s democratic institutions, upholding the Iraqi Constitution, supporting Iraqi national reconciliation, and enhancing Iraq’s position in regional and international organizations, so that it may play a constructive role in the region.
• Economic: Both countries have agreed to support the development of Iraqi economic institutions and further integration into international financial institutions, to encourage all parties to abide by their commitments made in the International Compact with Iraq, to assist Iraq in its efforts to recover illegally exported funds and properties and to secure debt relief, and to encourage the flow of foreign investments to Iraq.
• Security: To support the Iraqi government in training, equipping, and arming the Iraqi Security Forces so they can provide security and stability to all Iraqis; support the Iraqi government in contributing to the international fight against terrorism by confronting terrorists such as Al-Qaeda, its affiliates, other terrorist groups, as well as all other outlaw groups, such as criminal remnants of the former regime; and to provide security assurances to the Iraqi Government to deter any external aggression and to ensure the integrity of Iraq’s territory.

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see
Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation & Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq & the USA

Bush and Maliki Destroy Iraq’s Constitution to Save It h/t: After Downing Street