By Paul Craig Roberts Paul Craig Roberts When Gerald Celente branded the American media “presstitutes,” he got it right. The US print and TV media (and NPR) whore for Washington and the corporations. Reporting the real news is their last concern. The presstitutes are a Ministry of Propaganda and Coverup. This is true of the entire Western media, a collection of bought-and-paid-for whores. It seems that every day I witness a dozen or more examples. Take May 31 for example.   The presstitutes report that US Secretary of State John Kerry and his German counterpart are working on Russia to convince that country to be a “party to peace” in Syria by not supplying the Syrian government, whose country has been invaded, with arms. Kerry and the Israelis especially do not want Russia to deliver the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Syria. [pullquote] It’s bittersweet for us to see that, at last, almost five decades after we started fingering the corporate media as the greatest obstacle to human progress, some heavyweights like Dr Roberts are zeroing in on the same issue. Except for the late Alex Cockburn, the great Michael Parenti, Chomsky and Herman, Alex Carey, and our own editor, Patrice Greanville, who founded Cyrano’s Journal in 1982, the problem of building a left-controlled machinery of mass communications was an orphan issue for most of the American left. The dreadful consequences of this strategic myopia are everywhere to be seen.  [/pullquote] This was the extent of the presstitutes’ report. The presstitutes made no mention of the fact that the invasion of Syria by al-Qaeda affiliated radical Muslims was organized and equipped by Washington via its proxies in the region, such as Saudia Arabia and the oil emirates. Americans sufficiently stupid to rely on the presstitute media do not know that it is not Syrians who want to overthrow their government, but Washington, Israel, and radical Islamists who object to Syria’s secular non-confrontational government. One might think that the US media would wonder why Washington prefers to have al-Qaeda governing Syria than a non-confrontational secular government. But such a question is off-limits for the US media. Israel, unlike Washington which so far hides behind proxies, has actually openly committed war crimes as defined by the Nuremberg trials of Nazis by initiating unprovoked aggression against Syria by militarily attacking the country. In reporting Kerry’s pressure on Putin, presstitutes made no mention that the Washington-backed attempted overthrow of the Syrian government has run into difficulty, causing president Obama to ask the Pentagon to come up with a no-fly plan, which means according to the Libya precedent NATO or US air attacks on Syrian government forces. As the S-300 missiles are a defensive weapon, Obama’s plan to send in Western or Israeli air forces to attack the Syrian army is why Kerry is pressuring Russia not to honor its contract to deliver to Syria the S-300 missiles, which can knock US, NATO, and Israeli aircraft out of the sky. Those who believed that Kerry could have made a difference as president must be disillusioned to see what a warmongering whore he is. In america marketing is everything; truth is nothing. The real news story is that Washington is trying to convince Putin to acquiesce to Washington’s overthrow of the Syrian government so that Russia can be evicted from its only naval base in the Mediterranean Sea, thus making it Washington’s sea, Washington’s Mare Nostrum. The american pressitutes put all the onus on the Russian government for not helping Washington to overthrow the Syrian government in order that Washington has another victory over Russia and can start next on Iran. William Hague, who serves, with Washington’s approval, as British foreign secretary to the shame of a once proud nation, made this clear when he declared: “We want a solution without Assad. We do not accept the stay of Assad.” This is amazing hypocrisy, because the Syrian government is more respectful of human rights than Washington and London. While Kerry was trying to con Putin, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that the Obama administration’s immediate priority was removing Assad from power.http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/middle-east-north-africa/302773-white-house-no-role-for-assad-in-transitional-government  So for the US and UK, “peace” means the overthrow of the Syrian government by force. Why isn’t the United Nations protesting? The answer is that the countries and their UN representatives have been purchased by Washington. Money talks. Integrity and justice don’t. Integrity and justice are poverty-inflicted. The UN belongs to the evil empire. Washington owns it. The american Empire has the money. It pays for the headlines and for the budget that lets the UN delegates enjoy New York City, In the world today, integrity is worthless, but money is valuable, and Washington has the money because, as the dollar is the world reserve currency, it can be printed in sufficient quantities to purchase every country’s government, including our own. One year out of office and Tony Blair was worth $35 million. Look at the amazing Clinton riches. According to news report, $3.2 million was spent on Chelsea’s wedding. http://www.goingwedding.com/news_detail.asp?newsid=67  Hague said that the UK and France “seek to end the ban on arming Syrian rebels.” Hague did not explain how the invasion force was armed if there is a ban against arming it. But Hague did tell us who the invading force is: “the Syrian National Coalition,” which consists of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt (still the American puppet), the United States, Britain, France, Turkey, Germany and Italy. Obviously, the talk about a “Syrian rebellion” is pure BS. Syria is confronted with an attempted overthrow of its government by the US and its puppet states. Kerry is trying to convince Putin to let Washington overthrow Syria. As if this wasn’t enough, also on May 31, I listened to e.j. dionne and david brooks on National Public Radio discuss the state of the Obama presidency. Both were protective of “our president.” Neither would dare say: “the military-security complex’s president,” “Wall Street’s president,” “the Israel Lobby’s president,” “Monsanto’s president,” “the mining and fracking president.” Obama is “our president.” Both brooks and dionne agreed that the media had got rid of the Benghazi issue and that the IRS persecution of Tea Party members was under the media’s control and was not a threat to Obama. david brooks did acknowledge that there were economic problems ignored and no new ideas. However, the blatant fact that under Obama the US is in a constitutional crisis, well described by Dr. Francis Boyle, professor of international law at the University of Illinois,http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article35134.htm was not mentioned by NPR’s pundits, who define correct thoughts for the NPR audience, people too busy to pay attention. In america today, the executive branch in explicit violation of the US Constitution detains indefinitely or murders any US citizen alleged without proof by an unaccountable member of the executive branch to be in any way associated with the broad but undefined term, “terrorism,” even innocently as a donor to hungry or ill Palestinian children. The executive branch clearly violates the US Constitution and US statutory laws against torture and spying on citizens without warrants. Congress does not impeach the president for his obvious crimes, and the Federal Judiciary enables them. President Nixon was driven from office because he lied about when he learned of a burglary for which he was not responsible. President Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for lying about a sexual affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. President George w. Bush took america to wars based on obvious lies, and so did president Obama. Both administrations are guilty of war crimes and almost every possible infraction of constitutional and international law. Yet, no presstitute member of the media would dare mention impeachment, and the House would never bring the charge. There is no doubt whatsoever that in the 21st century presidents, their lawyers, Justice (sic) Department officials, and CIA and black-op operatives have broken law after law, and there is no accountability. For the presstitutes, this is a non-issue. “Rule of law, Constitution? We don’t need no stinking rule of law or Constitution.” For the presstitutes, the bought-and-paid for-whores for evil, the issues are Obama’s stable poll numbers; teenage girls arrested for fighting at a kindergarten graduation ceremony; ”Microsoft’s Bill Gates extended his lead over Mexico’s Carlos Slim as the world’s richest person,” “the $14 million-dollar girl: Beyonce rakes it in.” Constitutional crisis? What is that? I mean, really, look at Beyonce’s legs. Didn’t you hear, the dollar rose today? The presstitutes have not investigated any important issue. Not 9/11. Not the accumulation of unaccountable power in the executive branch. Not the demise of the Bill of Rights. Not the Boston Marathon bombing. Not the endless and unexplained wars against Muslims who have not attacked the US. The Boston Marathon saga reached new levels of absurdity with the FBI’s murder of Ibragim Todashev, who was being pressured to admit to various associated crimes. The presstitutes first reported that Todashev was armed. It was a gun, then a knife, then after the presstitutes duly reported the false information planted on them, which for the insouciant american public was sufficient to explain Toashev’s murder, the FBI admitted that the victim was unarmed. Nevertheless, he was shot seven times, one to the back of the head. His father wants to know why the FBI assassinated his son, but the presstitutes could not care less. Don’t expect any answer from the american press and TV media or from NPR, an organization that pretends to be a “listener station” but is financed by corporate contributions. How’s Todashev’s murder for Gestapo justice? Where is the difference? A bullet in the back of the head. And America is the shining light on the hill, the font of freedom and democracy brought to the world courtesy of the military/security complex out of the barrel of guns and hellfire missiles from drones. And relentless propaganda in the schools, universities, and media. Washington certainly learned [well] from [bloodthirsty tyrants]. You kill them into submission. But you will never hear about it from the presstitutes. ABOUT THE AUTHOR A protean intellect, Dr Roberts has served in many capacities from academia to presidential cabinets. A onetime full-fledged member of the privileged inner circles, he is today one of the most outspoken and eloquent critics of the American plutocracy and its shills.

by Stephen Lendman

Israel’s a rogue terror state. It’s been so from inception. It’s history is blood-drenched. It’s a global menace.  Its current government is its worst ever. It prioritizes state terrorism. Palestinians live in the eye of the storm.  Children are indoctrinated to be warriors. They’re taught to hate. They’re brainwashed to view Arabs and Iranians as existential threats. With some exceptions, conscription is mandatory at age 18.

 

Under-age youths may enlist. Child recruitment is done informally. Women serve like men. Israeli citizens and permanent residents must comply. Arabs are excluded. They may volunteer if they wish.

Classroom education teaches children to view military service as “noble and worthy.” When too young to understand, they’re brainwashed to accept militarism and belligerence as normal and necessary. They’re falsely told Israel’s survival depends on it.

Soldiers are present in schools and classrooms. Teachers and principals are retired military officers. Photos of fallen heroes adorn walls. Field trips for all ages visit military memorials on former battlefields.

Beginning in kindergarten, textbooks and classroom instruction teach militarism. High schools have mandatory “preparation for the IDF” programs. They include training and indoctrination to be warriors. Military heroes and conquests are glorified. Arabs are vilified.

Militarism is a way of life. War is considered natural. Youths are indoctrinated to wage it. Military service is considered a rite of passage to adulthood. An entire population is brainwashed to fight.

Natan Blanc’s an Israeli conscientious objector (CO). He’s a refusenik. He and many others like him are called that for refusing to serve wrong over right. They resist proudly and courageously. More on Blanc below.

In 2002, 50 Israeli officers and soldiers founded Courage to Refuse. Over 600 now belong. They’re called refuseniks. They explain as follows:

“We, reserve combat officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, who were raised upon the principles of Zionism, self-sacrifice and giving to the people of Israel and to the State of Israel, who have always served in the front lines, and who were the first to carry out any mission in order to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We, combat officers and soldiers who have served the State of Israel for long weeks every year, in spite of the dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty in the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country, and that had the sole purpose of perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people.

We, whose eyes have seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides,

We, who sensed how the commands issued to us in the Occupied Territories destroy all the values that we were raised upon, We, who understand now that the price of Occupation is the loss of IDF’s human character and the corruption of the entire Israeli society,

We, who know that the Territories are not a part of Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated, We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Force in any mission that serves Israel’s defense.

The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them.”

On November 19, 2012, Blanc refused to served. He declared himself a CO. He opposes Israel’s lawless occupation.  On November 22, 2012, he was sentenced to 10 days in prison. Nine subsequent incarcerations followed. On May 13, 2013, it was for the 10th time.

On May 30, Israel’s Defense Forces Exemption Committee declared him unfit for duty.

On June 6, he’ll be released. He’ll have been imprisoned 178 days. He’s done it for supporting right over wrong. It exacted a price. He willingly paid it.

His declaration of refusal said the following:

“As elected officials, the members of the government are under no obligation to spell out their vision for the country’s future, and they have the right to pursue this bloody cycle with no end in sight.”

“But we, as citizens, as human beings, have a moral duty to refuse to play this cynical game.”

Haaretz interviewed him in prison. It took place by phone. Asked how he’s doing, he replied:

“Besides the fact that it’s hard to get used to the severe heat, I’m doing fine.”

“When I reported for my current incarceration, the 10th, I was disappointed about once more facing 28 long days in jail.”

“But the first week went by quite fast, and the second will, too. So, if we ignore the heat for a moment, life in Prison 6 is pretty easy.”

He performed kitchen duty. He made salads. He washed and polished utensils. “I have become an expert in scouring frying pans,” he said.

Asked how he handles crises or anger, he said:

“I remind myself that you don’t have to take everything too seriously, and especially not the hard things in life.”

“When I feel low, I remind myself that I am doing the right thing, that I had no other choice and that there was no other moral act I could have chosen. I do not forget that I am in jail by choice.”

He copes best he can. Doing the right thing is its own reward.

“From the outset of my struggle, my aim was not to preach in favor of one approach or another,” he said.

“I repeat: My reason for refusing is one of conscience. The option of seeing a mental health officer in order to get a discharge, because it’s tough for me in prison, or for some psychological reason, is not relevant. I also think that people who take that route are making a mistake.”

“Throughout, my actions have been dictated solely by my conscience. It is essential to be obstinate and speak your truth, down to the last comma. That is the only thing that can influence society when it must decide on issues of principle….”

On May 16, 36 Israeli university law faculty members wrote IDF Military Advocate General Brig. General Danny Efroni.

They urged Blanc’s release. Enough is enough. His right to refuse has been compromised. His freedom of conscience has been harmed. Petitions circulated on his behalf. His supporters ran two international campaigns. Haifa University Professor David Blanc is Natan’s father.

Professor Kobi Peter (Peterzil) knows the family.  “It’s hard to know if (Natan) is the ‘last Mohican,’ he said.

“Maybe his actions will give rise to something. He is doing what he feels deep inside. He is neither arrogant nor prideful, and has no desire for fame. Nor does he think, ‘I know better than others.’ ”

“He seems to have given the matter a great deal of thought before launching his struggle.”

“I see it as climbing a high mountain, but we have to remember that he did not travel to a distant land to find himself: He was inducted at the age of 19, after spending a year doing community service.”

“In his declaration of refusal, he speaks directly into the camera and explains how he perceives citizenship, which for him entails responsibility for Israel’s actions in the territories for the past 46 years.”

“Natan, who views citizenship as a binding obligation, is as stubborn as his parents. He is made of the stuff of heroes.”

“Part of what he is doing is aimed at opening a door and laying a foundation for recognition of a conscientious objector’s right to refuse to serve.”

On November 19, 2012, Blanc reported for induction as required. It was during Israel’s Operation Pillar of Cloud.  It ravaged Gaza for eight days. It was lawless premeditated aggression. Crimes of war and against humanity were committed.

Around 170 Palestinians died. Over 1,000 were injured. Nearly half were women and children. At least 963 houses were damaged or destroyed.

They included 10 health centers, 35 schools, 2 universities, 15 NGO offices, 30 mosques, 14 media offices, 92 industrial and commercial facilities, 1 UNWRA food distribution center, 8 government buildings, 14 police/security stations, 5 banks, 34 vehicles, 3 youth clubs, 3 cemeteries, and 2 bridges.

What happened reinforced his beliefs. Operation Cast Lead appalled him. What happened formed his mindset. He considered resisting. His statement after first being imprisoned said:

“The wave of aggressive militarism that swept the country then, the expressions of mutual hatred, and the vacuous talk about stamping out terror and creating a deterrent effect were the primary triggers for my refusal.”

Authorities, he said, aren’t “interested in finding a solution to the existing situation, but rather in preserving it.”

“We will talk of deterrence. We will kill some terrorist. We will lose some civilians on both sides, and we will prepare the ground for a new generation full of hatred on both sides.”

We, as citizens and human beings, have a moral duty to refuse to participate in this cynical game.”

Separately, he added:

“The war going on in this country for more than 60 years could have ended a long time ago.”

“The occupation was supposed to be temporary, but now no one speaks of it ending.” Israel keeps people “under our control.” Democracy exists in name only. Rule of law principles are spurned. Collective punishment is policy.

May 15 is International Conscientious Objectors Day. It’s commemorated worldwide. Refusing to kill is affirmed under international law. It’s a fundamental human right.  It’s based on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Article 19 states:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

Articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) affirm the same rights. They’re inviolable. Israel spurns them. It violates virtually all fundamental international laws.

On June 6, Natan will be released. Given Israel’s longstanding abusive record and contempt for rule of law principles, it remains to be seen whether more recriminations follow. It’s standard Israeli practice. Rogue states operate that way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached atlendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.  His new book is titled “Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity.” 

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html /  Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Christian Fascism, Theocracy in America

History

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From our archives: Articles you should have read the first time around but didn’t.

(posted in 2012)