The Emperors new rags the II.

Israeli Navy Incinerates Gaza Fishing Boat

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Israel continues to starve the Palestinians out of Gaza by all means possible; blockade, by burning and/or annexing the farmland, by burning the fisherman's means to work; his boat!

And still the international community does nothing and says nothing - While we watch a whole country ceasing to exist little by little......

Shame on us!

Denouncing Hatred: Conservatives Appalled At Glenn Beck

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Finally a voice of reason......

America; Get a grip..... Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Okay, I know that Americans pretty much thinks that they are all alone on the globe and that their knowledge of what goes one in the rest of the world is mostly very limited... But do they actually believe that most of Europe lives in communist dictated regimes, where we kill our old people, when they're too old to work with the masses? - I mean, if you think of it logically and are able to come down from the dizzying heights of mass hysteria, you all seem to be suffering from - Then you must be able to see the absurdity in that statement!

Have you guys any idea of exactly how ridiculous some of your so called reporters sound, when they perform their uninformed diatribes, night after night? How ignorant your "average" Americans sound/ looks when they take the microphone and compare a democratically elected president to Hitler, because he wants to make health, a commodity, regardless of income? - Is it only outside USA, we see "60 min" and "Frontline" ?- US documentaries on TV shows us, how thousands of people, sick people, stand in line for days and nights just to see a free doctor or dentist, when the modern day "traveling medicine shows" comes to town, as an act of pure charity by organizations like; "Remote Area Medical" I mean, it's not that it's a total secret how most of Americans live! - This is America 2009 and not Germany 1930's - to 40's where people with some truth could say; "We didn't know".....

Here's a link to a clip of "The Largest Free Clinic ever held in USA" set up in Texas over the weekend.... Thousands of average Americans, who cannot afford health insurance, jumped at the chance to get medical care for free!

We, the rest of the world just kinda stare in disbelief, when we see your "finest" politicians painting Europe as a " Red Commie nest" and us, the inhabitants as "zombies" with no will of our own...??!

The only way 'they' can get away with all this misinformation and lying is because, the average Joe/Jane knows absolutely nothing about anything other what channels like Fox's fuzzy version of totally biased "reports" cares to tell them - I'm amazed, that with the opportunities that this "information age" gives us, that half of you don't listen to your sound voice of reason and try and find some information your selves, try and think for yourselves and not just take everything these buffoons tells you, for granted, the absolute truth.

This here whole "Birther" thing makes you look beyond salvation..... In the 60's the US caught a lot of slack from anti Vietnam-war protesters, and over the years we've had a lot of fun with Bush and his "infinite wisdom"... But we all cheered and danced in the streets, when you guys finally saw some sense and elected Obama for President -

But, alas, then you come up with all this absurd and foolish "arguments" and "evidence" just in order to condemn a national Health reform, "Obama was not born in USA" etc etc....!?! In a few words it makes you look really bad, but I suppose you don't care, you are intent on following the Bush/Cheney road to hell, all by your lonesome, under the misguided thought, that the last "Super power" of the world knows best and needs no help whatsoever from anyone. Your country is falling apart and you're taking all of us down with you, but that doesn't seem to concern you much....

The whole idea of a Democracy is that people can have a difference of opinion, without being persecuted. To have a debate, where one can argue, in a sensible way, what one stands for, whether your opponent likes it or not. But what you're showing everyone, incl. the countries where you're fighting and loosing lives is; that Democracy, the American way, is a long flow of misinformation, overreacting and absurd comparisons as to forcibly enforce your ideas on the "other half"

Come on, America! grow up! Stop acting like a scolded teenager, hollering, screaming, banging doors, whining and dreaming up far out consequences, if you don't get it exactly your way!

Get a grip! Stand up, tell the Rep. to throw away that Karl Rove playbook already and show the rest of us "socialists" how democracy is done in the 2009 ; with honour and the dignity of giving good arguments instead of blatant misinformation and outright lies....

I've always had this infatuation with the US, - always had this dream of "Road Tripping" across your beautiful nation, but as time goes by, I see/ hear how you let yourselves be sooo manipulated, mostly because of your own comfortable ignorance (Well, half of you, how come the other sensible half is not really heard anywhere these days?) But it makes me kinda worried - if it's really true, what you say; that you're the only superpower left on the globe!

PS; The rest of the world is waiting for America to bring their house in order. But as long as the Rep. party can prolong the "debate" of the American Health Reform, they don't have to take a active stand on the all important Climate issue.... and chip in with the rest of the Globe.

This video below; was last year, but the statement still stands; And she's only 12 -

America get a grip!

America - Get a grip - part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:45:00 +0000

"It's pure Khmer Rouge stuff" -???? Comparing the image of schoolchildren singing and praising Pres. Obama to the evilness of the Cambodian regime that wiped out 2/3 of their nations population ( See my post from June 10) is ridiculous and would be sorta laughable in a uncomfortable way, if not for the arrogance that this comparison implies....

How dare they!

Such arrogance can only come from people who have lived all their sheltered life where wars, poverty, despair, hopelessness, violence nor hunger is not a daily part of the struggle called life....

How dare they?

AMERICA !!! GET A FRIGGEN GRIP!!!

Go have a reality check and when you're opposing the issue, make some decent arguments, instead of outlandish comparisons solely based on inducing chock value & fear. You live in a Democracy, for crying out loud, and your President is legally and fairly elected and not because a court chose to give him the majority of votes!

Don't remember that we heard such stupid/Ignorant comparisons, when schoolchildren were saluting Pres. Bush ?

This hysteric frenzy is so counterproductive. As " The leader of the Free world" you are being watched from all over, and in the countries where you're sending your young to fight for freedom and democracy the American way, the Bad Guys are having an easy job, arguing against you.

Hail to intelligent women....

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Gaza Freedom March, Jan. 1, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:29:00 +0000

CodePink - Spread the word and Break the Siege .... Gaza Freedom March 2010

Go to homepage

Dobbs; A History of Hate and Paranoia

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:16:00 +0000

This is just to fill anyone in, who hasn't wised up already...... If any...

Why do CNN even want this man on air? To compete with Murdoch's journalistic "Empire of Darkness"; Aka Fox News' and their monopoly in the area of populist, fear mongering stupidity? Catering to the lowest and most primitive instincts in human nature and interaction.... - Enough already!

Palestine Pre-1947

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Tibet.....

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Make Peace not War

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Maybe it's time to rethink the war in Afghanistan..Join the movement to stop the war

Follow the link and become a Peacemaker.

"Rethink Afghanistan War" is still a U.S. organization only, but Denmark as an active ally in Afghanistan, would be an ideal place to bring the movement across the ocean.

The tale that our soldiers are fighting, dying, loosing limbs and livelihoods in order for America/Europe/world to be "Safe" is wearing a bit thin....

It's now painfully obvious that at no point, before or during this war, has the Al Qaeda been severely hit nor impaired. The elusive Al Qaeda is not one group, orderly organized in a hierarchy with Osama Bin laden as the all mighty "Capo di tutti capi"- This is not the Cosa nostra, where the promise of Witness Protection will make some high ranked Captain wanna sing his heart out, later to be viewed as dramatised documentary on National Geography; This is not about money, the good life nor macho pride nor glamour- This is a deep, deep felt conviction of "Us Vs Them", Right Vs wrong, Divine Simplicity Vs Mundane Pleasures - This is a myriad of cells spread all over world - Bombing/shooting an already extremely poor and "underdeveloped" country into Smithereens or somewhere way beyond the Stone age, will not stop a group of fanatics in Bali/Paris/Helsinki/Moscow/Copenhagen nor Kansas from doing whatever they intend to do....

Europe is playing along on the "Us Vs Them song" - In Denmark we even help the extremists by condoning the ever growing hatred, isolation and division, by voting a xenophobic party into government....

So instead of war faring and a lengthy siege of a sovereign state, we should start to unify and integrate in our home countries; In Denmark i.e. Build Mosques worthy of worship of God, Cleanse the Media of apparent and subliminal discrimination and/or full blown racism, stop in the name of all our "freedoms"; Forcing all foreigners to be Danish with a big, bombastic, capital D.... instead of embracing and welcoming diversity....

Maybe if we started to do these few things; the recruitment of young men, willing to die for the cause, would dwindle in numbers..... Maybe not... But I can't say what it does to people to be left outside of the community all their life. All I know, is that I would huddle up with my own kind as well and build a wall in order to defend my "Homies" - instead of venturing out into a world, where I'm not in the very least welcome and when a trip "behind enemy lines" is inevitable, I would never go "unarmed"one way or the other..... Oh, but ain't that exactly what our troops are doing in Afghanistan.... !!?!

Long Live Gaza: Remembering one year since the massacre

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:26:00 +0000

The video says it all .....

Links; Window into Palestine, Pulse, Electronic Intifada,

Gaza Mourning - 1 year after the war

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Go to "Pics uncensored" for photos ....

Join

Facebook Group;

"The first annual commemoration of the war on Gaza"

PLEASE Invite your friends to join our group.

من فضلك أرسل دعوة لأصدقائك للانضمام إلى المجموعة

Breaking; 26 Dec. 2009 ; Six Palestinians killed in West Bank, Gaza attacks by IDF - Israeli Armed Forces

Press release from "Ireland to Gaza" convoy -

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:18:00 +0000

International Hunger Strike Press Release

Sunday December 27th marks the anniversary of the attack on Gaza by Israel, which left over 1,400 people dead, and over 5,000 injured in 22 days.

At 11 35 am, the time of the first attack, a group of humanitarians on the “Viva Palestina Convoy” will embark on an International Hunger Strike in the main square in Aqaba, Jordan.

The International Hunger Strike will aim to highlight the ongoing illegal siege imposed on Gaza, and to remember the victims of the attacks who died during the 22 day bombardment by Israel.

This International Hunger Strike will also highlight the refusal by Egypt, under Israeli pressure, to allow the humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza.

The convoy has been stranded in the city for 3 days now, having been refused permission to enter Egypt on their way to Gaza. There are 500 people from no less than 20 different countries in 250 vehicles loaded with charitable humanitarian aid. The convoy is been led by leading international politician George Galloway, having left London on December 6th.

Embarking on the International Hunger Strike are 15 people from different continents across the world. Among those taking part are Fatima Mohammidi from the United States, John Hurson and Caoimhe Butterly from Ireland, Ahasan Shamruk from Palestine, Nidal Hajaj, Hanan Chehata and Mohammed Shakiel from England, plus Kamal Mashni from Australia among others.

Each day, 15 more people from the convoy will join in the International Hunger Strike, and they will go without food until the convoy is allowed to enter safely into Egypt, and through the Rafah border to Gaza.

Speaking from Aqaba, Ahasan Shamruk, said, “I am joining this Hunger Strike to draw attention to the fact that the siege is a form of collective, sustained, and devastating punishment of 1.5 million civilian people. As we commemorate the first year anniversary of the massacres, it is important to remember, that for my brothers and sisters living under siege in Gaza, the war has not ended.”

John Hurson, from Tyrone, who travelled on the first “Viva Palestinan Convoy”, decided to join the International Hunger Strike to draw attention to the fact that nothing has changed in the past year following the attacks.

John said, “from my time spent in Gaza, to think that in the year 2009, people are denied all the basic essentials in life, like water, electricity, medicine, blankets, books, and even footballs for the children, is just unbelievable and unacceptable.

“For Egypt to prevent this compassionate and charitable aid, donated by ordinary caring people from all over the world, unnnecessarily adds to the hardships currently endured on a daily basis, by the besieged and distressed people in Gaza.

I am hopeful that the leaders of the West will exert their influence, put pressure on Egypt, the United States, and Israel to end this inhuman blockade forced upon Gaza, and allow for the safe passage of this essential humanitarian aid. Enough is enough, this has to end now, for the sake of humanity.”

Links;

"Viva Palestina", "Ireland to Gaza "- Facebook Group

A light for Gaza

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Gaza Still Under Siege

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:38:00 +0000

Just a short explanatory video - to explain what's all about! -

Take some time out and see for your self......

Links; The European Campaign to end the Gaza siege

Gaza Freedom March, Jan. 1, 2010 - Manhandled at US Embassy In Cairo!

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:16:00 +0000

BREAKING: U.S. Citizens attacked by Egyptian Riot Police in Cairo in front of
U.S. Embassy
Call the U.S. Embassy to demand the release of those detained/that permission
is granted for the March to cross into Gaza: Telephone: (202) 2797 3300.

by Cindy Sheehan

One of my friends, Joshua Smith, just texted me from Cairo and said that some
U.S. citizens of the Gaza Freedom March went to the U.S. Embassy today there to
try and implore the staff there to intercede on behalf of the March to help get
them into Gaza--they were not so warmly welcomed.

Recently, almost 1400 people from around the globe met in Cairo to march into
Gaza to join Gazans in solidarity and to help expose their plight after years
of blockade and exactly a year after the violent attack in what Israel called
"Operation Cast Lead" that killed hundreds of innocent Gazan civilians. So far
the Marchers have been denied access (Egypt closed the Rafah crossing) and
their gatherings have become increasingly and more violently suppressed.

In my understanding of world affairs, embassies are stationed in various
countries so citizens who are traveling can seek help in times of trouble, but
this doesn’t appear to be so, right at this moment in Cairo.

Josh reports, and I also just got off the phone with my good friend and
Veterans for Peace board member, Mike Hearington, that about 50 U.S. citizens
were very roughly seized and thrown (in at least one case literally) into a
detention cell at the U.S. embassy. We are talking about U.S. citizens here
being manhandled by Egyptian riot police. According to Josh and Mike (who both
just narrowly escaped), it appears that people with cameras are especially
being targeted. Another good friend of mine, and good friend of peace, Fr.
Louis Vitale is one of those being detained. Fr. Louis is well into his
seventies!

Josh posted this on his Facebook wall about his near-detention experience:

We just got away. They were trying to drag me in but we kept moving... And most
were dog piling another guy. Then they drug him into the parking lot barricaded
riot police zone, lifted him up and threw him over the police and down into the
zone. And attacking those taking pictures or attemptingto.

When I was talking to Mike he said that an Egyptian told him that all Egyptians
are in solidarity with the Marchers and with the people of Gaza/Palestine, of
course, but the “Big Boss” (the U.S.) is calling the shots.

Egypt is third in line for U.S. foreign aid (behind Iraq and Israel) and its
dictator for life, Hosni Mubarek, is a willing puppet for his masters: the
US/Israeli cabal. Israel could not pursue its apartheid policies without the
U.S. and it’s equally important for this cabal to have a sold-out ally as its
neighbor.

Today also happens to be the anniversary of the 1890 U.S. massacre of Native
Americans (Lakota Sioux) at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. It is sad enough that
we are also living on stolen land, but also that the Israeli government had
good teachers in disposing of its indigenous population!

What are the Israeli settlements on the West Bank, if not stolen land from the
indigenous population and what is Gaza if not a mega-reservation? As at Wounded
Knee 119 years ago, the Israeli siege and attack on Gaza is nothing more than
big bullies shooting fish in a barrel.

Call the U.S. Embassy to demand the release of those detained/that permission
is granted for the March to cross into Gaza: Telephone: (20-2) 2797 3300. (US. Embassy in Cairo)

UPDATE; ALL , WHO WERE DETAINED, HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY NOW!!

Please re-post this alert and spread the word.

Was things not supposed to “change” in the Age of Obama?

Links; Huffington post Article, - Freedom March 2010 Latest news and background-

NO negotations with Israel - Cairo 30.12. '09

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:44:00 +0000

Links; Codepink - Women for peace

A different perspective …

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:37:00 +0000

Sorry for this loooong silence, first my computer fell ill with a virus and it had to hospitalized in the end! But is now back to it's former glory, well, almost!!
~ Then I've had a serious bout of both readers and writers block - But now it seems that I'm slowly recovering and hopefully soon I'll return to my usual energy level (??!) ~ But this is all nothing compared to how life is treating people in other parts of the world;

On my first day back at the office, I'm posting a very important missive from the brave, brave people in "Free Gaza"
If you take your time to read all the way through, you'll find a paragraph, that I have highlighted!
I find this method, such a perverted yet subtle way to destroy a nation, namely through denying its children an education! Then it's only a question of time before these peoples are no more!

"First, we'd like to thank those of you who have stepped up to send us euros, dollars and pounds for our next mission. That appeal went out on April 9, and, in four days, you have already sent us over a quarter of the money we need. So we are adding this plea to our first one. We have a cement company in Ireland who will match the bags of cement that we buy...bag for bag. Here is another way that you can help.

Normally we don't ask for donations for specific items, since all donations to our tax-exempt accounts in Cyprus or the U.S. are used to buy the boats or for operating costs However, we are sending out this special appeal to the hundreds of you who have said, "But can't I contribute to something specific, something that I can be proud to buy and know will help the people of Gaza?" Therefore, our PayPal account at http://www.freegaza.org/en/donate can accept donations for cement and book bags. In the message section on PayPal, tell us you want the money used to purchase cement or book bags. Or you can wire money into the Irish account designated below this announcement. We will use your donation for cement for reconstruction or book bags for the children if you designate it's for them.Picture_4
The Free Gaza Movement calls on communities, schools, hospitals, trade unions and families across Ireland and the world to sponsor bags of cement and school supplies to send to Gaza. They will be loaded onto our Irish cargo ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, as part of an international flotilla of ships sailing to Gaza in May.

Just €5 will pay for a bag of cement to help the people of Gaza rebuild, supporting the Palestinian people and their refusal to be broken despite a devastating siege and Occupation. €5 for a bag of cement (or €10 for two bags, €20 for four bags, €100 for 20 bags) or €10 for a school/sports bag.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is in its third year, and virtually no reconstruction materials have been allowed into the Gaza Strip, which is still in ruins after Israel's massive onslaught in Dec/Jan 2009 which killed over 1,400 Palestinians, almost 400 of them children.

At least 11,000 houses, 105 factories, 20 hospitals and clinics, 159 schools, universities, playschools and technical institutions were either damaged or destroyed and are still in ruins. Over 20,000 people were driven from their homes – many still living in tents.BoysinGaza
Israel has also banned Schoolbooks, paper, pens and school supplies, and we plan to deliver them along with messages of solidarity to the children of Gaza. For €10, you can sponsor a school bag filled with school supplies to support children struggling to study under siege.

John Ging, the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency told reporters in March 2010: ‘I have no cement or steel or iron. We can't get in one bag of cement, one pane of glass… to actually begin that reconstruction.’

This May, The Free Gaza Movement is answering the call for help by sending a flotilla of boats carrying building supplies, humanitarian relief, and human rights defenders from across the world to Gaza.

The flotilla is made up of a coalition of organisations- from Turkey, Greece, Malaysia, Belgium, Sweden, Indonesia and Ireland, and will set sail in mid May to challenge the illegality of the siege of Gaza and devastating occupation of Palestine. Help us support the Palestinians' right to rebulid their lives.

You can wire your donations to the Bank of Ireland, 32 south Mall, Cork, Republic of Ireland, Acct #41818255, Sort Code 902768, IBAN #, IE58BOFI90276841818255. BIC# BOFIIE2D

If you have questions, please email:
sahara78@hotmail.uk or freegazaireland@gmail.com"

Freedom Flotilla attacked and unarmed civilians killed ...

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 31 May 2010 10:16:00 +0000

The Israeli army has [again] attacked, killed and injured unarmed civilians, but this time it's a boat-full of international "activists" of all ages and all professions and not "some unnamed" Palestinian civilians, who more easily can be be accused of being members of militant Hamas groups and shot in self defense by the IDF ... And the international outcry will hopefully be resounding from Europe through to USA who also had citizens on board..

Israel is now saying, that IDF where met with violence, when they tried to take over the ship, but when the videos are released; you'll see, that IDF rappel, aim and shoot at civilians sleeping …
.....

"The Flotilla of civilians carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza has been attacked by Israeli forces roughly 65 km Gaza’s coast… that’s international waters.

Al Jazeera, with reporter on board, says:

Up to 16 people were killed and more than 30 people injured when troops stormed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday, the Israeli Army Radio said.

The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.

Footage from the flotilla’s lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.

Al Jazeera’s Jamal Elshayyal, on board the Mavi Marmara, said Israeli troops had used live ammunition during the operation.

The Israeli Army Radio said soldiers opened fire “after confronting those on board carrying sharp objects”.

Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the ships.

They also said the ships were now being towed to the Israeli town of Haifa, instead of Ashdod to avoid waiting journalists.

Earlier, the Israeli navy had contacted the captain of the Mavi Marmara, asking him to identify himself and say where the ship was headed.

Israeli intervention

Shortly after, two Israeli naval vessels had flanked the flotilla on either side, but at a distance.

Organisers of the flotilla carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid then diverted their ships and slowed down to avoid a confrontation during the night.

They also issued all passengers life jackets and asked them to remain below deck.

Al Jazeera’s Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Jerusalem, said the Israeli action was surprising.

“All the images being shown from the activists on board those ships show clearly that they were civilians and peaceful in nature, with medical supplies on board. So it will surprise many in the international community to learn what could have possibly led to this type of confrontation,” he said.

Protests

Condemnation has been quick to pour in after the Israeli action.

Thousands of Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news of the operation broke. The protesters shouted “Damn Israel” as police blocked them.

Turkey is also reported to have summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge a protest.

Meanwhile, Ismail Haniya, the Hamas leader in Gaza, has dubbed the Israeli action as “barbaric”.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists, including a Nobel laureate and several European legislators, are with the flotilla, aiming to reach Gaza in defiance of an Israeli embargo.

But Israel has said it will not allow the flotilla to reach the Gaza Strip and vowed to stop the six ships from reaching the coastal Palestinian territory.

The flotilla had set sail from a port in Cyprus on Sunday and aimed to reach Gaza by Monday morning.

Israel said the boats were embarking on “an act of provocation” against the Israeli military, rather than providing aid, and that it had issued warrants to prohibit their entrance to Gaza.

From the Flotilla last night:

(Cyprus, May 31, 2010) At 11:00 pm Cyprus time and in international waters off the coast of Israel, the boats were contacted by the Israeli navy. “Who are you and where are you going?” Our reply was that we were part of a flotilla and we were going to Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies.

On the radar, the boats could see three Israeli war ships shadowing us, and 15 minutes later, a silent aircraft hovered over the flotilla. One of our Hebrew speakers had found Israel’s strategy and posted it to us. It stated, “You will be boarded by highly trained, very efficient and very SILENT commandos. They will use silent inflatable boats to get to our boats and both try to board our boats directly from the inflatables and by dropping divers into the water to climb onto the boats,” so people were preparing for them to come up and over the sides of the ships.

www.witnessgaza.com

Lubna Marsawa, Free Gaza’s organizer on the Turkish passenger boat said in outrage, “Very few times in history has a flotilla delivering humanitarian goods been welcomed by military war ships.” " -
( Quote from "In Gaza")

This is a call to the world from the people on the boats. “We are a civilian people doing what our governments have refused to do, challenge Israel’s right to collectively punish 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza by blockading their right to their own sea. This flotilla is bringing construction and educational supplies the people of Gaza and are being met by Israeli warships.”

Join live on "Witness Gaza"
(All videos has been taken down - And I haven't been able to find any working links for photos or videos - so I have included the initial video telling about the flotilla and what cargo they had on board - Before the Israeli spin tells you, that the boats were filled with weapons and bomb making devises and therefore a threat to the security of Israel !!)

Read the liberal Israeli news paper site; Haaretz for further information …

#Freedom Flotilla - Al Jazeera Footage from the attack

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:36:00 +0000

On twitter: #FreedomFlotilla

Hope is in the air

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:39:00 +0000

[Cyprus, June 4, 2010]

The Rachel Corrie is 150 miles away from Gaza in international waters and on her way. They will arrive on Saturday morning. The 1200 ton cargo ship is the last ship from the Freedom Flotilla and is loaded with construction materials, 20 tons of paper and many other supplies that Israel refuses to allow into the imprisoned people of Gaza.
Some of the High-Profile people on board:
Mairead Maguire from Belfast, Ireland, a Nobel Peace Laureate (l976) and Co-founder of Peace People, Northern Ireland. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work for peace and a nonviolent solution to the Ethnic/political conflict in Northern Ireland. Mairead went on the maiden Voyage of Dignity in October 2008, the second successful voyage for the Free Gaza Movement. She was also on Board ‘Spirit’ when Israel hijacked the Boat in International Waters, taking all 2l humanitarian passengers to Israel, where they were arrested, detained for a week in an Israeli prison and then deported.
Denis Halliday, from Ireland, a UN Assistant Secretary-General from 1994-98. Appointed by SG Boutros Ghali, he served as ASG UN Human Resources Management in New York and in mid 1997 to end 1998 as Head, Humanitarian Programme in Iraq to support the Iraqi people struggling under the genocidal impact of UN Sanctions. Since resigning from the UN in 1998, Halliday has delivered numerous parliamentary briefings, provided extensive media inputs and has given public/university lectures on Iraq, human rights, and the UN, in particular its reform.
Matthias Chang Wen Chieh is a Malaysian of Chinese descent. He is a Barrister of 32 years standing and once served as the Political Secretary to the Fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. He is the author of three bestsellers, “Future Fast Forward”, “Brainwashed for War, Programmed to Kill”, and “The Shadow Money-Lenders and the Global Financial Tsunami”, published in the US and in Malaysia.
Mohd Nizar bin Zakaria,Perak, Malaysia, MP Mohd Nizar bin Zakaria is a Member of the Malaysian Parliament.
In addition, there is a three-member camera crew on board from Malaysia TV3 and journalis Shamsul Akmar bin Musa Kamal.
The passengers on board the ship have stated, “Communication is difficult and sometimes impossible and there are many rumors out there started by Israeli authorities, but there is no way we are going to Ashdod. We are, for sure, on our way to Gaza.”

The violent Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla has been a tragic blessing in a terrible and sad disguise: Free Gaza has been sending aid ships to Gaza since August 2008, some more successfully than others, but until that sorrowful Monday morning, where IDF killed 9 unarmed civilians on board M/S Mavi Marmara, this happened more or less undetected by most people .... Now FreeGaza has the attention of the world! And hopefully this monumental Israeli PR blunder will see the end of this criminal blockade; taking the whole of Gaza hostage. Finally will the the irrational ban on such different goods like Coriander, canned fruit and building materials come to light, as Israel has a hard time explaining how such items like i.e. Lego can be a security risk to the Israeli people .....

[Cyprus, June 5. 2010]
"Just before 9am this morning, the Israeli military forcibly siezed the Irish-owned humanitarian relief ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, from delivering over 1000 tons of medical and construction supplies to besieged Gaza. For the second time in less then a week, Israeli naval commandos stormed an unarmed aid ship, brutally taking its passengers hostage and towing the ship toward Ashdod port in Southern Israel. It is not yet known whether any of the Rachel Corrie's passengers were killed or injured during the attack, but they are believed to be unharmed.

The Corrie carried 11 passengers and 9 crew from 5 different countires, mostly Ireland and Malaysia. The passengers included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Maguire, Parit Member of the Malaysian Parliament Mohd Nizar Zakaria, and former UN Assistant Secretary General, Denis Halliday. Nine international human rights workers were killed on Monday when Israeli commandos violently stormed the Turkish aid ship, Mavi Marmara and five other unarmed boats taking supplies to Gaza. Prior to being taken hostage by Israeli forces, Derek Graham, an Irish coordinator with the Free Gaza Movement, stated that: "Despite what happened on the Mavi Marmara earlier this week, we are not afraid.

The 1200-ton cargo ship was purchased through a special fund set up by former Malaysian Prime Minister and Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO) chairman Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The ship was named after an American human rights worker, killed in 2003 when she was crushed by an Israeli military bulldozer in the Gaza Strip. Its cargo included hundreds of tons of medical equipment and cement, as well as paper from the people of Norway, donated to UN-run schools in Gaza.

According to Denis Halliday: "We are the only Gaza-bound aid ship left out here. We’re determined to deliver our cargo.” The Rachel Corrie had been part of the Freedom Flotilla, a 40-nation effort to break through Israel's illegal blockade, before being forced to drop off late last week due to suspicious mechanical problems.

The attack on the Rachel Corrie may spell trouble for Israel's relationship with Ireland. The Irish government had formally requested Israel allow the ship to reach Gaza. On 1 June, the Irish parliament also passed an all-party motion condemning Israel's use of military force against civilian aid ships, and demanding "an end to the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza."

Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire summed up the hopes of this joint Irish-Malaysian effort to overcome Israel’s cruel blockade by saying: "We are inspired by the people of Gaza whose courage, love and joy in welcoming us, even in the midst of such suffering gives us all hope. They represent the very best of humanity, and we are all privileged to be given the opportunity to support them in their nonviolent struggle for human dignity, and freedom. This trip will again highlight Israel’s criminal blockade and illegal occupation. In a demonstration of the power of global citizen action, we hope to awaken the conscience of all."

---

Passengers aboard the Rachel Corrie include:

Ahmed Faizal bin Azumu, human rights worker, Malaysia

Matthias Chang, attorney, author & human rights worker, Malaysia

Derek Graham, Free Gaza Ireland

Jenny Graham, Free Gaza Ireland

Denis Halliday, former UN Assistant Secretary General, Ireland

Mohd Jufri Bin Mohd Judin, journalist, Malaysia

Shamsul Akmar Musa Kamal, PGPO representative, Malaysia

Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ireland

Abdul Halim Bin Mohamed, journalist, Malaysia

Fiona Thompson, film-maker, Ireland

The Hon. Mohd Nizar Zakaria, Parit Member of Parliament, Malaysia"

"Not allowed"

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:23:00 +0000

"No tinned meat is allowed, no tomato paste,
no clothing, no shoes, no notebooks.
These will be stored in our warehouses at Kerem Shalom
until further notice.
Bananas, apples, and persimmons are allowed into Gaza,
peaches and dates, and now macaroni
(after the American Senator’s visit).
These are vital for daily sustenance.

But no apricots, no plums, no grapes, no avocados, no jam.
These are luxuries and are not allowed.
Paper for textbooks is not allowed.
The terrorists could use it to print seditious material.
And why do you need textbooks
now that your schools are rubble?
No steel is allowed, no building supplies, no plastic pipe.
These the terrorists could use to launch rockets
against us.

Pumpkins and carrots you may have, but no delicacies,
no cherries, no pomegranates, no watermelon, no onions,
no chocolate.

We have a list of three dozen items that are allowed,
but we are not obliged to disclose its contents.
This is the decision arrived at
by Colonel Levi, Colonel Rosenzweig, and Colonel Segal.

Our motto:
‘No prosperity, no development, no humanitarian crisis.’
You may fish in the Mediterranean,
but only as far as three km from shore.
Beyond that and we open fire.
It is a great pity the waters are polluted
twenty million gallons of raw sewage dumped into the sea every day
is the figure given.

Our rockets struck the sewage treatments plants,
and at this point spare parts to repair them are not allowed.
As long as Hamas threatens us,
no cement is allowed, no glass, no medical equipment.
We are watching you from our pilotless drones
as you cook your sparse meals over open fires
and bed down
in the ruins of houses destroyed by tank shells.

And if your children can’t sleep,
missing the ones who were killed in our incursion,
or cry out in the night, or wet their beds
in your makeshift refugee tents,
or scream, feeling pain in their amputated limbs –
that’s the price you pay for harbouring terrorists.

God gave us this land.
A land without a people for a people without a land."

RICHARD TILLINGHAST

Richard Tillinghast is an American poet who lives in Co Tipperary. He is the author of eight books of poetry, the latest of which is Selected Poems (Dedalus Press, 2010 ), as well as several works of non-fiction ......

[ Source; Irish Times]

Boy, Five, Begs Soldiers Not To Take His Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:56:00 +0000

Criterion Trailer 5: The 400 Blows

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:05:00 +0000

A memento mori to F. Truffaut, who'd been 80 today...

Thank Asia for small mercies!

noreply@blogger.com (Gabs) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:27:00 +0000

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Jane on Pinterest

This would be perfect to where I've moved .... It's a really small place, and every little inch counts and matters...
It looks nice done in metal, but maybe also so if done in wood or rattan? maybe a mixture, to make it more durable?
It's a bit pricey though, so I'll wait for someone in Taiwan to copy it and swamp it at my local "5 & dime store", which here in in Denmark also comes in a supermarket variety called Netto....