29 December 2012 — Information Clearing House
US Kills 12 Civilians and Destroys a Community.
By Letta Tayler
A torched woman clutched her daughter in a lifeless embrace. Four severed heads littered the pavement. “The bodies were charred like coal.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33462.htm
Agenda Prevails Over Truth
By Paul Craig Roberts
The American left is the enabler of the police state, and the American right is its progenitor.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33472.htm
Syria Faces Humanitarian Catastrophe
By Bill Van Auken
Looting “has become a way of life” for the so-called rebels. “‘Spoils’ have now become the main drive for many units as battalion commanders seek to increase their power.”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33467.htm
Obama Signs Law Against Iran’s Influence in Latin America
By AFP
The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act, passed by lawmakers earlier this year, calls for the State Department to develop a strategy within 180 days to “address Iran’s growing hostile presence and activity” in the region.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33470.htm
The Larger Question of Chuck Hagel
By Ray McGovern
The up-in-the-air nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense Secretary has become a test of whether the Israel Lobby can still shoot down an American public servant who is deemed insufficiently passionate regarding Israel, a test that now confronts President Obama.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33463.htm
The National Security State’s Embrace of Dictatorships
By Jacob G. Hornberger
Why is the U.S. government supporting the brutal dictatorship in Bahrain while opposing, say, the brutal dictatorship in Syria? The answer is very simple.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33464.htm
GOP and Feinstein Fulfill Obama’s Demand for Renewed Warrantless Eavesdropping
By Glenn Greenwald
Obama successfully relied on Senate Republicans (the ones his supporters depict as the Root of All Evil) along with a dozen of the most militaristic Democrats to ensure that he can continue to eavesdrop on Americans without any warrants, transparency or real oversight.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33460.htm
Why Are People More Scared Of Facebook Violating Their Privacy Than Washington?
By Scott Shackford
Secrecy keeps the public from even knowing what these violations actually mean.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33461.htm
Oliver Stone: ‘US Has Become An Orwellian State’
Video
Americans are living in an Orwellian state argue Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick, as they sit down with us to discuss US foreign policy and the Obama administration’s disregard for the rule of law.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33468.htm
The Deep Wound of Wounded Knee
By Johnny Barber
December 29th marks the 122nd anniversary of the Massacre at Wounded Knee. It is a story that remains fresh in the lives of many indigenous peoples across America. Each generation is taught to never forget.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33465.htm
War Made Easy
Video Narrated By Sean Penn
This guide to disinformation analyzes American military adventures past and present to reveal striking similarities in the efforts of various administrations to justify, and retain, public support for war.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33469.htm
012 Fiscal Cliff
By Michael Hudson
Holding the bottom 99% in debt, the top 1% are now in the process of subsidizing a deceptive economic theory to persuade voters to pursue policies that benefit the financial sector at the expense of labor, industry, and democratic government as we know it.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33471.htm
Why the “Fiscal Cliff” Bores the Snot Out of Me
By Matthew Rothschild
The “fiscal cliff” has been a tiresome charade, and it disguises the fact that both parties are taking us down the path of austerity.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article33466.htm
17 Afghan policemen killed:
A wave of betrayal has left at least 17 Afghan policemen dead in the past 10 days — all slain in their sleep at the hands of those close to them.
5 “Insurgents” Killed in Attack on Afghan Outpost:
At least five Taliban insurgents were killed in an attack on an Afghan National Army outpost in the eastern Nuristan province Friday night, local officials said.
Video Shown of Apparent Execution of Afghan Soldier:
In a distressing video aired on national television stations here on Thursday night, the Afghan National Army soldier first has his army identity card stuck in his mouth and is then ordered to say his name out loud, but can only mumble unintelligibly because of the card.
US scraps entire fleet of Afghan cargo planes:
Despite spending nearly $600 million on the program, the U.S. is canceling the contract for the aircraft and disposing of all 16 planes delivered to the Afghan Air Force, the Journal reported.
Blast kills six on a bus in Pakistan: Video –
An explosion on a bus in the Pakistani city of Karachi has killed six people and wounded 48 others.
Obama regime kills 4 people in Pakistan:
An official said eight missiles hit the house and the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. “We have no information about the identity of those killed in the missile strike,” the official said.
3 Policemen gunned down in SW Pakistan:
The incident took place in the Satellite Town of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. Police sources told KUNA that a police mobile van was on routine patrol when armed motorcyclists opened indiscriminate fire at the van.
Obama regime kills 2 people in Yemen: :
The two men were riding a motorcycle west of the coastal town of al-Sheher when the pilotless aircraft fired at them, the official told Reuters
Gunmen kill Yemeni intelligence officer:
Lieutenant Colonel Mutei Baqatyan, a member of the state security apparatus in the city of Mukalla, was targeted by two gunmen on a motorbike, the security official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Syrian government forces seize Homs district from rebels:
The army moved into Deir Ba’alba, a neighborhood on the northeastern edge of Homs, they said, leaving the rebels controlling just the central neighborhoods around the old city and the district of Khalidiyah, immediately to the north.
Russia hopes ‘reasonable’ Syrian opposition will seek dialogue:
Moscow representatives have already had contacts with the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Lavrov said on Friday. Now Russian diplomats are ready to meet for talks with the leader of the group – Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib. The National Coalition does not object to talks either, he added.
Syrian rebels reject Moscow invitation for peace talks:
Russia said it was behind the efforts of UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, fresh from a five-day trip to Damascus where he met Assad.
UN envoy Brahimi holds Syria peace talks in Moscow:
The UN and Arab League special envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, held talks on Saturday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as Moscow stepped up its diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the 21-month conflict.
UN Syria “Peace Plan” a Fraud: Op-Ed:
The proposal of a “transitional government” in the midst of what is in fact a foreign invasion, funded, armed, and perpetuated openly by foreign interests violates both Syria‘s sovereignty and the UN‘s own founding charter.
Syria jihadists accuse U.S. of keeping Assad in power;
“The continued US and international support for prolonging the regime’s lifespan by giving extensions (for a political transition), sending observers and trying to negotiate peace is clear to everyone,” the group’s leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, said in a voice recording posted online.
Only political process can save Syria from ‘hell’-envoy:
The international mediator seeking peace in Syria warned of “hell” if no deal is struck to end 21 months of bloodshed, but his talks in Russia capping a week of intense diplomacy brought no sign of a breakthrough.
Syrian rebels sidetracked by scramble for spoils of war:
Looting, feuds and divided loyalties threaten to destroy unity of fighters as war enters new phase.
Israel shrugs off Abbas threat to dismantle PA:
Palestinian leader has no intention of quitting, says Likud minister; Labor warns Israel will find no better partner
Arab League chief arrives in West Bank calls last 20 years of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations ‘waste of time’:
“Our next move in agreement with the Palestinians and with full support from the Arab countries and the European Union is to change the current formula (for the peace process),” he added. “We cannot continue with the methods of the last 20 years. It was a waste of time.”
After cease-fire, Palestinians still suffer unjust controls:
Palestinians, still live under occupation, and they are constrained by a damaging Israeli blockade. Even the United Nations is affected. It needs to apply to Israel for permission to buy construction materials for schools. Remarkably, Israel often says no.
Iraq mass protests mount pressure on Maliki:
Tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims take part in largest day yet in week of rallies against allegedly sectarian policies.
Ali Ismail Abbas, Iraqi Boy Hit by American Missile 10 Years Later:
The first and last time I saw Ali Abbas was in 2003. Ali, a then-12-year-old boy whose home had been hit by an American missile. His father, mother, brother and 11 other relatives had been killed. A neighbor found Ali in the rubble, improbably still alive.
Seven Suspected Militants Killed in Dagestan :
Law enforcement officers have killed at least seven suspected militants in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, a law enforcement source said.
At Least 15 Killed in Sect Attack in North Nigeria:
Gunmen suspected to belong to a radical Islamist sect attacked a village in northeast Nigeria, tying up men, women and children before slitting their throats, killing at least 15 in the troubled region’s latest attack, witnesses said Saturday.
Rebels in Central African Republic seize another city:
Rebels in Central African Republic (CAR) have continued their advance, seizing the city of Sibut, 185km from Bangui, the capital, a government official has confirmed.
Protests against militias in Benghazi:
Some 2,000 people rallied in Libya’s second city Benghazi yesterday to demand that militias made up of former rebels who helped oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi disband and join the army or police.
Morsi warns against unrest, tells Egypt to focus on economy:
Mohammed Morsi said all sides must “realize the needs of the moment” and work only through “mature democracy while avoiding violence.” He said violence from any faction was “totally rejected.”
India mourns death of gang-rape victim:
Protesters gather in New Delhi to pay their respects to gang-rape victim who died from organ failure in Singapore.
Russia’s ban on US adoption isn’t about children’s rights:
The uncomfortable truth is that underneath the posturing, Vladimir Putin has a point. The international adoption trade is a shady business – the perfect micro-example of how America‘s concept of itself as a benevolent superpower is so often at odds with reality.
‘US, Russia plunging into new Cold War’:
Tit-for-tat moves between Russia and the US are plunging the two nations into a new Cold War, says Russia expert Stephen Cohen. Washington’s longtime policy towards Moscow is to blame for the growing tensions.
http://rt.com/news/cold-war-russia-us-047/
Senate Renews Controversial Law Which Allows Warrantless Wiretapping Of US Citizens:
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, approved by the House of Representatives in September, passed the Senate with a 73-23 vote and broad bipartisan support, and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
How They Voted: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 112th Congress :
A bill to extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for five years
The NRA Myth of Arming the Good Guys;
Mass shootings in the US are on the rise-and ordinary citizens with guns don’t stop them.
Verizon patents targeted advertising method that determines if viewers are laughing, cuddling, sleeping or singing:
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) has filed a patent application for targeting ads to viewers based on information collected from infrared cameras and microphones that would be able to detect conversations, people, objects and even animals that are near a TV.
France repeals 75% tax on high income:
France’s Constitutional Council has annulled a 75% tax rate on income above 1mn euros due to be introduced in 2013, which has already forced a number of wealthy residents to leave the country.
http://rt.com/business/news/france-rich-tax-repeal-060/
Bolivia nationalizes Spanish-owned electrical utilities:
It was the latest in a series of such seizures by the Bolivian government. Back in May Bolivias nationalized a subsidiary of another Spanish power group, Red Electrica Corporacion.
Executives at collapsed Iceland bank jailed for fraud:
Two former executives at an Icelandic bank which collapsed in the 2008 financial meltdown were sentenced to jail on Friday for fraud which led to a 53 million euro loss, in the first major trial of Icelandic bankers linked to the crisis.
Ron Paul: Republicans And Democrats Pretend They’re Fighting:
Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) Joins CNBC’s Money in Motion to discuss the impending fiscal cliff.
U.S. pending home sales hit 2-1/2 year high in November:
Pending home sales were up 9.8 percent in the 12 months through November.
Warren Buffett: ‘America Has Faced A Lot Tougher Problems Than This One’:
“The United States is richer than it’s ever been. We have $50,000 or so of GDP per person. But we’ve overpromised and we’ve also undertaxed to some extent, so we find ourselves with this great fiscal imbalance
Dismal holiday sales belie talk of US “recovery”:
US retail sales over the holiday shopping period grew at the slowest pace since the depths of the 2008 recession, according to a report released Tuesday by MasterCard Inc.’s SpendingPulse unit.
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2012/12/29/econ-d29.html
Cost Of War
Number Of Iraqis Slaughtered In US War And Occupation Of Iraq “1,455,590“
Number of U.S. Military Personnel Sacrificed (Officially acknowledged) In America’s War On Iraq: 4,883
Number Of International Occupation Force Troops Slaughtered In Afghanistan : 3,245
Cost of War in Iraq & Afghanistan
Total Cost of Wars Since 2001
$1,407,203,468,927
The New Dark Age 