Washington, and especially the Pentagon, had big plans for a permanent military presence in Iraq until the Iraqis said “no.” Then they packed up their tanks and left. Now a similar scenario may be unfolding in Afghanistan. With the American and Afghan government at loggerheads, next year could see
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Writings of J. Todd Ring: The deeper reasons for the “war on drugs”
There is a deeper reason for the war on drugs, which is the central reason for the policy, even outweighing profits from private prisons and seizure of property by law enforcement officers, both of which no doubt are also significant and strong motivations for keeping the “war on drugs” going.
Continue readingLeDaro: Pakistan: Attack on Christians
George W. Bush spread ‘democracy’ in Afghanistan. Now Obama is spreading ‘democracy’ in Afghanistan. Some of that ‘democracy’ has spilled over into Pakistan. Violence has become norm in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now Taliban are targeting Christians. Christians are already poor and underprivileged in Pakistan/India. And now their lives are in danger. There are about 70,000
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: Kate, Robin and Stewart’s Challenge To Us All About PTSD
I will be doing regular updates on two events to increase awareness about PTSD, particularly as the Canadian Forces spends too little on treatment of its members and PTSD. Regardless of all the ways we could improve our military or the Canadian government’s often imperialistic foreign policy, the real human
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: While We’re Focused on Chemical Warfare
It’s interesting how selective the United States can be about weapons of mass destruction given that the U.S. continues to be responsible for widespread death and destruction from its own chemical and nuclear weapons. The gas that Obama-Kerry are blaming on Assad appears to have killed somewhere between a few
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: You Aren’t Sufficiently Critical of the #Media
You need to trust the media less. Almost a year ago, and before the last US presidential election, Gallup determined that there has been a stunning decline in citizens’ mistrust of the media [see below]. It crossed over from mostly trust to not so much trust around 2004-2005. If you
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Big Cod Says, "Keep Verizon Out."
Safely retired ex-general Rick Hillier has a new gig as chairman of Telus Atlantic Canada Community Board. In that capacity he wrote an op-ed urging the government not to let foreigners in to play in Canada’s miserable cellular market. As I read Hillier’s bit of tripe I kept thinking that
Continue readingProgressive Proselytizing: Syria – Is there nothing we can do?
In the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, as the world collectively tried to parse the abhorrent barbarism and purposelessness that had occurred, a new foreign policy doctrine was proposed: liberal interventionism. It was a policy that advocated for military intervention by the powerful west in situations where the humanitarian crisis was
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: Fearing Kate MacEachern: The Latest Canadian Military Blunder
Kate MacEachern and helping others: not on the DND agenda, yet. Canada’s continued neglect and abuse of our military personnel and veterans continues to enrage me. An epidemic of untreated PTSD has become a new normal. And until citizens compel the government to take responsibility for this neglect–and fix it–they
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: War Crimes Attorney Says He Will Get George W. Bush
Richard Hughes Political Blogger The ‘Truth Seeker’ is revealing legal efforts to arrest and prosecute George W. Bush and Barack Obama for illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Further charges for illegal surveillance, war crimes including torture, genocide, drone attacks world wide are being pursued against President Obama as well.
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Hamid Has Seen This Script Before
Washington is positively giddy at the prospect of engaging Taliban leaders in Qatar to work out some sort of peace deal for Afghanistan. Afghan leader Hamid Karzai doesn’t want any part of it and says he’s of half a mind to tell the Americans to clear out entirely next year.
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Removing any doubt from the Western Failure in Afghanistan – Women still not people.
Democracy promotion abroad. Funny how it seem to only happen in locals of geopolitical importance. I’m sure we’ll get around to distributing freedom for everyone eventually. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is geopolitically important to the West for possible energy reserves and pipe lines that could be a significant
Continue readingLeDaro: Boston Marathon Violence
Since the Boston Marathon Violence I have been feeling very depressed. What kind of morons brainwashed these two brothers and what did they achieve? They killed three innocent people and wounded many others. The older brother is dead and the younger one is in serious condition; he will suffer a
Continue reading350 or bust: From Boston To Iraq To Syria: Nobody Deserves To Get Blown Up, At Anytime
* Via @AnonymousOpsIRC on Twitter: From Boston to Afghanistan, nobody deserves to get blown up at anytime. #peace not #war American comedian Patton Oswalt posted a thoughtful response to the Boston bombings on his Facebook wall, reflecting on the goodness that remains in the world: …I don’t know what’s going
Continue reading350 or bust: From Boston To Iraq To Syria: Nobody Deserves To Get Blown Up, At Anytime
* Via @AnonymousOpsIRC on Twitter: From Boston to Afghanistan, nobody deserves to get blown up at anytime. #peace not #war American comedian Patton Oswalt posted a thoughtful response to the Boston bombings on his Facebook wall, reflecting on the goodness that remains in the world: …I don’t know what’s going
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Ministerial responsibility is dead; Peter MacKay hides behind the troops (again)
It was shocking and troubling news when it broke two days ago: the federal government (it’s only called the Harper Government when it’s doing positive things) announced it would be ending the danger pay allowance for Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The baffling news from a government supposedly all about
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: "We Will Not Let Them Fail" – At Least Not Yet
British general Bob Bruce, commander of Task Force Helmand, says now’s the perfect time to let Afghan army troops take over the job of battling the Taliban. General Bob added, “We will not let them fail. When they really need us, we will intervene.” What went unsaid was the caveat,
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Democracy Now! Discusses 10-year anniversary of U.S. invasion of Iraq (VIDEO)
Democracy Now! Discusses 10-year anniversary of U.S. invasion of Iraq, U.S. missile defense plans and Afghan protests against the continued presence of U.S. forces and the Steubenville rape case. We recommend:“We Steal Secrets”: The Story of WikiLeaks (VIDEO)Canadian General Itching For A New Foreign WarThe Invisible War: Rape, Sexual Assault
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: US Gen. McChrystal Warns Against Drones
This is quite shocking. This statement might appear to be commonsense, but it is a radical divergence from the standard view that terrorism against the US government is never justified or deserved. In essence this is a warning from a four-star US General to his government about the use of
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Afghan Govt. Jails 13-Year Old Boy for Sex With Men
When George w. Bush sent the Taliban packing in 2011 it was once again open season on little Afghan boys’ bums. A lot of Afghan guys, you see, like to diddle boys. Warlords are known to be particularly fond of delicate boy bums. Oh, but just don’t get caught. Afghanistan
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