As reported by the AFP, United States Attorney General Eric Holder yesterday released past internal memos from the Justice Department legalizing torture and indefinite imprisonment of “enemy combatants” including American citizens. Some of the legal explanations found in the memos explicitly gave the President the authority to act unilaterally in deciding the fate of terror suspects.
In addition, other memos point to explicit attempts to use military force against citizens (long outlawed by the Posse Comitatus Act of 1807 until the John Warner Defense Act of 2006). Also, certain memos legitimized the suspension of the First Amendment in any declared national emergency, all at the discretion of the President.
High level Justice Department officials are quoted in legal memorandums. It is former Assistant Attorney General John Yoo who wrote "The power to dispose of the liberty of individuals captured ... remain in the hands of the president alone," in 2002.
Justice Department released memos from October 21, 2001 gave the President power to suspend First Amendment free-speech rights as well as Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful searches and seizure.
John Yoo and Robert Delahunty wrote, “The current campaign against terrorism may require even broader exercises of federal power domestically.”
According to Keith Olbermann of MSNBC, a Justice Department writing released from mid-January this year retroactively dismissed all memos regarding presidential authority from 2001-2003. This memorandum may be the “smoking gun” in possible upcoming torture and suspension of Bill of Rights investigations and court proceedings.
American citizens are quick to condemn torture and shudder at hearing of extraordinary rendition transports. However, many Americans may not yet be comfortable with seeing their government officials at federal or international war crimes trials. But, with the swelling tide of legal action, Americans may have to get used to this uncomfortable reality.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
War in Afghanistan: No Withdrawal Date
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates defined the Obama administration’s plan for Afghanistan as he announced "We would all like to have a situation in which our mission in Afghanistan has been completed and we can bring our troops home. I do not see that happening anytime in the near future," at a news conference yesterday in France according to AFP. He also retorted that, "I think it's impossible to put a date on when you might firmly say all the troops are coming out." Secretary Gates met with French Defense Minister Herve Morin.
President Obama has yet to accept a concrete plan to end combat operations in Afghanistan. In mid-February this year, he announced a deployment of an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan to bolster U.S. forces there to well over 60,000. With no plan for withdrawal, it is unlikely that U.S. operations will end there anytime soon. The War in Afghanistan is now in its eighth year.
President Obama has yet to accept a concrete plan to end combat operations in Afghanistan. In mid-February this year, he announced a deployment of an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan to bolster U.S. forces there to well over 60,000. With no plan for withdrawal, it is unlikely that U.S. operations will end there anytime soon. The War in Afghanistan is now in its eighth year.
GLENN BECK: On Totalitarianism in America
Radio and television talk-show host Glenn Beck discusses the destruction of the American Republic as he outlines government-created FEMA camps, plans for greater government regulation of personal life, and the destruction of the Constitution on FOX and Friends on May 3, 2009.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Obama Wrote Medvedev Secret Letter, In Deal to Stave off Czech Radar, Iran
The New York Times reported last night that President Obama recently wrote Russian President Dimitri Medvedev asking for help combating Iran's nuclear ambitions, in return for an end to U.S. plans for a Missile Defense Shield in Central Europe. The United States has signed exclusive agreements with the governments of Czech Republic and Poland to place an anti nuclear missile radar in Czech Republic and 10 nuclear interceptor missiles in Poland. Russia has strongly opposed the plan and has repeatedly pleaded with the United States to stop the project. Over 2/3rds of Czech citizens still remain opposed to the radar installation.
Since 2007, Russia has engaged Tehran and even offered multi-million dollar foreign aid projects to help Iran obtain nuclear power. Iran maintains that they only seek a peaceful nuclear program for generating civilian power. However, since 2003, the American government has taken a hard line against Iran, accusing the country of being a "state sponsor of terror". Many experts believe officials in the U.S. worry about strong Iranian influence in the region for decades to come following two disastrous wars in bordering countries, Iraq and Afghanistan.
It remains unclear whether President Obama's specific-vague proposal will gain any traction. Defense Secretary Robert Gates who has pushed for Missile Defense almost obsessively to the point of recklessness, has also suggested a joint Russian-American radar operation in the Czech Republic. However, withstanding the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and an occupation which continued until 1990, Czechs vehemently oppose Russian troops in their country.
President Medvedev responded today by issuing a statement commenting that Russia will help fight the terror threat from Iran, but cautioned that "there are no concrete iniciatives" yet offered in reducing the supposed Iranian threat. Medvedev noted that the secret form of the bargain-ultimatum is "not productive".
Iran and the United States have had strangled relations since the CIA overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran by assassinating President Mossadeq and installing the Shah as military dictator in 1953. There has been no formal diplomatic ties between the two nations since the 444 U.S. embassy hostage seige in Tehran in 1979.
Since 2007, Russia has engaged Tehran and even offered multi-million dollar foreign aid projects to help Iran obtain nuclear power. Iran maintains that they only seek a peaceful nuclear program for generating civilian power. However, since 2003, the American government has taken a hard line against Iran, accusing the country of being a "state sponsor of terror". Many experts believe officials in the U.S. worry about strong Iranian influence in the region for decades to come following two disastrous wars in bordering countries, Iraq and Afghanistan.
It remains unclear whether President Obama's specific-vague proposal will gain any traction. Defense Secretary Robert Gates who has pushed for Missile Defense almost obsessively to the point of recklessness, has also suggested a joint Russian-American radar operation in the Czech Republic. However, withstanding the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and an occupation which continued until 1990, Czechs vehemently oppose Russian troops in their country.
President Medvedev responded today by issuing a statement commenting that Russia will help fight the terror threat from Iran, but cautioned that "there are no concrete iniciatives" yet offered in reducing the supposed Iranian threat. Medvedev noted that the secret form of the bargain-ultimatum is "not productive".
Iran and the United States have had strangled relations since the CIA overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran by assassinating President Mossadeq and installing the Shah as military dictator in 1953. There has been no formal diplomatic ties between the two nations since the 444 U.S. embassy hostage seige in Tehran in 1979.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Blackwater Chief Executive Leaves Post
According to AFP, Chief Executive of Blackwater USA Erik Prince is leaving his function in that role with the company. Blackwater, recently renamed Xe is a private security company with major contracts in Iraq. Blackwater came under heavy criticism following a string of civilian shootings that culminated in a slaying of 17 innocents in a busy Baghdad intersection in October of 2007.
Since that time, Blackwater has been in a precarious situation still operating as security personnel for visiting foreign dignitaries. They even provided security cover for President Barack Obama during his summer 2008 visit. However, earlier this year the government of Iraq announced Blackwater's bannishment from their country and criminal prosecutions of employees inside the United States has lead to the renaming of the multi-million dollar private military contractor.
Erik Prince, a retired Navy SEAL founded Blackwater USA in 1997. After receiving government contracts for operations in Iraq, their profits have skyrocketed from hundred-thousands of dollars a year to grossing well past the multi million dollar mark. Mr. Prince will remain with Blackwater, now Xe, as the chairman of the company.
Since that time, Blackwater has been in a precarious situation still operating as security personnel for visiting foreign dignitaries. They even provided security cover for President Barack Obama during his summer 2008 visit. However, earlier this year the government of Iraq announced Blackwater's bannishment from their country and criminal prosecutions of employees inside the United States has lead to the renaming of the multi-million dollar private military contractor.
Erik Prince, a retired Navy SEAL founded Blackwater USA in 1997. After receiving government contracts for operations in Iraq, their profits have skyrocketed from hundred-thousands of dollars a year to grossing well past the multi million dollar mark. Mr. Prince will remain with Blackwater, now Xe, as the chairman of the company.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Hugo Chavez Slams Obama's War on Drugs
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sharply criticized American President Barack Obama over the weekend, stating that President Bush's War on Drugs continues unabated under the "new" American government. The New York Times reports that Chavez took shots, assailing Obama as a "continuation of the Bush era."
President Chavez critical rhetoric grew harsher, he said,
"The Obama administration has again attacked Venezuela. He said that Venezuela and I, even citing my name, do not cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking. The country that most supports drug trafficking on this planet is the United States."
"The United States is the world's leading consumer of drugs. Why can't they stop drugs from coming into their country? Obama, you take care of your business and I'll take care of mine. Don't mess with me, Mr Obama."
While Venezuela has cooperated in the recent past with America's War on Drugs inside their own borders, Chavez has grown wary of international Washington programs he claims is a front for undermining efforts for national autonomy. Mr. Chavez continues to be a strong critic of the United States. He gained notoriety after calling former President Bush "the devil" in a 2006 speech to the United Nations.
President Chavez critical rhetoric grew harsher, he said,
"The Obama administration has again attacked Venezuela. He said that Venezuela and I, even citing my name, do not cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking. The country that most supports drug trafficking on this planet is the United States."
"The United States is the world's leading consumer of drugs. Why can't they stop drugs from coming into their country? Obama, you take care of your business and I'll take care of mine. Don't mess with me, Mr Obama."
While Venezuela has cooperated in the recent past with America's War on Drugs inside their own borders, Chavez has grown wary of international Washington programs he claims is a front for undermining efforts for national autonomy. Mr. Chavez continues to be a strong critic of the United States. He gained notoriety after calling former President Bush "the devil" in a 2006 speech to the United Nations.
Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan to Extend Well Beyond 2011
President Barack Obama issued Friday what he called a plan to end the six year long war in Iraq. His plan calls for a troop drawdown over the next 19 months with a goal of ending "all combat operations" by the end of the year 2010. However, the White House made little note of the fact that 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in Iraq beyond the year 2011 for the purpose of "combating terrorism".
President Obama's promise to end "all combat operations" is remarkably similar to former President Bush's declaration of the end of military operations in Iraq during a botched media op in early May of 2003. Meanwhile, the U.S. government will go forward with plans to complete the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The Embassy will be by far the biggest U.S. Embassy on earth, in sheer size larger than the Vatican and topping out at nearly $1 trillion. In addition to the large complex in central Baghdad, fiercely resented by Iraqis, it is unclear exactly what the 50,000 troops that will remain in Iraq will do in a country destroyed by six years of firebombing, militant insurgency and military occupation.
In addition, in accordance with the additional 17,000 U.S. troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, American generals see the fight in Afghanistan lasting well into the next decade. Now in the eighth year of occupation, the new military focus on Afghanistan will continue to fight the ever-resurgent Taliban in some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. According to Antiwar.com, Ex-Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Lt. Gen. David Barno stated before the Senate Armed Forces Committee that he recommends a plan for continued occupation until 2025.
On Friday, a unmanned Predator drone strike in South Waziristan just across the Afghan border in Pakistan killed twelve people. While the U.S. military claims that all killed were terrorists, early reports from civilians in the area show that several tribesmen were killed. Predator drone strikes into Pakistan have become even more frequent under the new administration since the actions began last fall under President Bush.
President Obama has long spoken of the need to combat terrorism in Afghanistan and has even made statements claiming Osama bin Laden will be captured under his tenure. Whatever the case may be for war with the supposed anti-war candidate, American troops can expect more deployments for longer conflicts in the coming years.
President Obama's promise to end "all combat operations" is remarkably similar to former President Bush's declaration of the end of military operations in Iraq during a botched media op in early May of 2003. Meanwhile, the U.S. government will go forward with plans to complete the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The Embassy will be by far the biggest U.S. Embassy on earth, in sheer size larger than the Vatican and topping out at nearly $1 trillion. In addition to the large complex in central Baghdad, fiercely resented by Iraqis, it is unclear exactly what the 50,000 troops that will remain in Iraq will do in a country destroyed by six years of firebombing, militant insurgency and military occupation.
In addition, in accordance with the additional 17,000 U.S. troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, American generals see the fight in Afghanistan lasting well into the next decade. Now in the eighth year of occupation, the new military focus on Afghanistan will continue to fight the ever-resurgent Taliban in some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. According to Antiwar.com, Ex-Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Lt. Gen. David Barno stated before the Senate Armed Forces Committee that he recommends a plan for continued occupation until 2025.
On Friday, a unmanned Predator drone strike in South Waziristan just across the Afghan border in Pakistan killed twelve people. While the U.S. military claims that all killed were terrorists, early reports from civilians in the area show that several tribesmen were killed. Predator drone strikes into Pakistan have become even more frequent under the new administration since the actions began last fall under President Bush.
President Obama has long spoken of the need to combat terrorism in Afghanistan and has even made statements claiming Osama bin Laden will be captured under his tenure. Whatever the case may be for war with the supposed anti-war candidate, American troops can expect more deployments for longer conflicts in the coming years.
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