NATO Encouraging Unrest in Syria [video]
Charlie Skelton of The Guardian Exposes the NATO Networks Spreading Big Lies Against Syria.
Webster G. Tarpley, Ph.D.
PressTV – Tarpley.net
July 17, 2012
Charlie Skelton’s article, “The Syrian opposition: who’s doing the talking?” can be read here. For more news and analysis by Dr. Webster Tarpley, please tune in to his weekly radio show, World Crisis Radio.
Morris Talkin About TPTB [video]
108morris108
July 21, 2012
Putting chips in people
Haarp causing Fukushima
Wars to make Multi-Culturalism
TPTB = The Powers That Be
Bomb kills Syria defense minister, Assad’s brother-in-law and key aides
By Al Arabiya with Agencies
Al Arabiya
July 18, 2012
A suicide attack Wednesday which struck at the heart of Syria’s security apparatus killed defense minister General Daoud Rajha and President Bashar al-Assad’s brother-in-law Assef Shawkat, state media said.
Syrian General Hassan Turkmani, a former defense minister and senior military official, died of wounds sustained in a bomb attack in Damascus, Hezbollah’s al-Manar television and a security source said. Hafez Makhlouf, head of the investigations at the Syrian Intelligence Agency died in the Damascus explosion, Al Arabiya reported citing Syrian sources.
The bombing, which for the first time in a 16-month anti-regime uprising managed to strike at Assad’s inner core, adds urgency to a U.N. Security Council debate on Syrian sanctions later on Wednesday, when a showdown between Western powers and Russia and China is expected.
Officials said the bomber struck as ministers and security officials were meeting at the heavily guarded National Security headquarters in Damascus.
President Assad appointed Fahd al-Freij as a new defense minister right after the explosion.
Five more of explosions were heard on Wednesday near the northwestern Damascus district of Muhajireen, close to the base of the Fourth Armored Division that is led by President Bashar al-Assad’s brother Maher, residents told Reuters.
‘Ready-to-quit’ Assad sparks media rumor frenzy
Russia Today
July 20, 2012
Bashar Assad is ready to leave power, while his wife Asma has fled to Russia – these are just some of the rumors circulating amid the Syrian conflict, as it enters a new stage. Russia has called on the media not to fall into “disinformation traps”.
On Friday morning, Russian Ambassador to France Aleksandr Orlov gave an interview to French radio station RFI. In it, he said that following recent talks in Geneva, the Syrian President is “ready for negotiations. He is prepared to hand over power, but in a civilized manner.”
Orlov then claimed “I believe it will be difficult for Assad to stay in power.”
A hungry news media pounced on the interview, which was seen as a major shift in Russia’s stance. Previously, Moscow had insisted that Assad shouldn’t necessarily be forced to hand over power – and definitely not ahead of any transition negotiations.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry was immediately forced into making a statement.
“The ambassador’s words were misinterpreted, and pulled out of context,” said the ministry’s twitter account.
“The Syrian people are the only ones who can decide on the future of the Syrian Arab Republic, including the fate of its leaders. This is clearly stated in the Geneva declaration adopted on June 30.”
Orlov also clarified his comments, saying that he felt that Assad may be prepared to quit, but only “as a result of negotiations.”
This closely matches Syria’s own position. Assad gave an interview last week in which he said that he was prepared to sit down and talk with the rebels, and step down if he no longer has the “confidence of his people.”
Another widely reported story claims that Asma Assad, Syria’s first lady, who holds British citizenship, left for Moscow in the wake of the explosion that killed Syria’s top security officials.
“I believe this is a mendacious disinformation trap,” an indignant Aleksandr Lukashevich, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry representative, told journalists during a Q&A session. “I advise you not to fall into it.”
Fog of war fuels rumor machine
Together with China, Russia has played a major part in opposing the West’s position regarding the civil war in Syria, which has killed more than 16,000 since breaking out in 2011. Many in the Western media tie Russia’s position to Assad’s future. There is little doubt that during a recent upsurge in fighting around Syria’s capital, journalists are looking for signs that the situation is shifting.
Another problem appears to be a lack of information from Damascus itself. A lack of a comprehensive descriptions of the circumstances of the explosion that killed Assad’s top lieutenants on Wednesday has given birth to outlandish rumors, including speculation that the ministers were poisoned by Assad himself.
Another rumor claims that Assad was wounded in another rebel attack. The rumor gained currency when Assad did not make a public appearance in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s blast, but was quickly dispelled when he swore in the new Defense Minister on TV.
Even Assad’s physical whereabouts have not been established, as some believe he has left his residence in Damascus to go to the Alawite stronghold of Latakia, where he enjoys the greatest support.
As the world press’ insistent gaze seeks exclusives while being multiplied by scant information, it is likely that these rumors will persist and grow as long as fighting continues in Syria.
‘Assad represents Syrian sovereignty’
President Bashar al-Assad is a symbol of Syrian sovereignty, and if he leaves or is removed from power the country could plunge into chaos, Syrian activist and blogger Mimi al-Laham told RT.
“Even as not being a government supporter, Assad right now is representative of Syrian sovereignty,” she said. “So for Assad to go right now means an end to basically Syria. It means an end to a free country. Its interests are going to be totally controlled by the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.”
It will not only bring more death and destruction, but will also degrade Syria’s way of life, which is mostly secular, she says.
“In spite of Syria being majority Sunni, or majority Muslim in fact, our people are secular at heart,” she said. “We have a long history of many religions living together in harmony.”
Syrian people warned against ‘fake TV channel’
PressTV
July 21, 2012
At the moment a fake channel is broadcasting Syrian national songs as well as its national anthem to lay the ground for broadcasting the programs that their nature is clear, the ministry said in a statement.
It issued the warning after armed terrorists kidnapped Mohammed Saeed, a broadcaster of the Syrian television, in Jdeidet Artouz area of the capital Damascus.
The ministry also warned that it is possible that the Syrian national TV is taken off air any moment and replaced by the fake channel.
Paving the Way for a U.S.-Canada Economic and Security Perimeter
by Dana Gabriel
Be Your Own Leader
July 18, 2012
Over the past several months, the U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border action plan has taken significant steps forward. This includes efforts to modernize and expand infrastructure at key land ports. In a move that went largely unnoticed, both countries also recently agreed on a statement of privacy principles that will guide information sharing across the border. Meanwhile, a separate joint initiative has been announced which addresses energy and environmental issues.
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) in 2009 to promote new ways to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change. The CED Action Plan II released last month, outlines the next phase of activities both countries will undertake. This includes continued work on carbon capture and storage, as well as integrating the electricity grid. In a press statement, Canada’s Minister of the Environment Peter Kent explained that the CED, “strengthens our efforts to collaborate on innovative clean energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” He also commented on how “It is our hope that the transformation of our economies and our joint work will identify clean energy solutions that will contribute to making sustainable energy a reality for all.” Whether real or exaggerated, environmental issues are also advancing North American integration. If you look at some of the words being used and the goals being pushed, they are tied to Agenda 21. Under the guise of protecting the environment, many solutions being offered are in the form of more taxes and control over our lives.
In June, Canada reached an agreement with the State of Michigan to build a second bridge between Windsor and Detroit which is one of North America’s busiest land crossings. A press release described how, “The new Detroit River International Crossing will facilitate the movement of people and goods between Canada and the U.S. by ensuring that there is sufficient border crossing capacity to handle projected growth in cross-border trade and traffic.” It goes on to say that the, “announcement demonstrates that the Government of Canada is working to advance the goals of the Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness.” During a speech, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the new bridge, “an investment in the future of the North American economy, of North American trade and of North American manufacturing.” With the existing Ambassador Bridge being privately owned, motivation for the project is largely based on being able to further control border trade and traffic in the region. It is also part of the necessary transportation infrastructure needed for a trade corridor that would span from Windsor, Ontario to southern Mexico.
The U.S. and Canada recently issued a Statement of Privacy Principles that will shape information sharing arrangements under the perimeter security deal. The charter covers areas such as oversight, accountability, redress, retention, data quality and information security. Attorney General Eric Holder acknowledged in a Department of Justice news release that “These privacy principles reflect the shared commitment of the United States and Canada to implement our Beyond the Border Action Plan.” The Freedom of Information and Privacy Association warned that, “What the government just announced will certainly provide more access to Canadians personal information to the U.S. and other governments.” The Canadian Civil Liberties Association have also voiced concerns on privacy safeguard provisions that were not included which, “may permit the lowest standard between the two countries to prevail.” Ever since the perimeter security action plan was first unveiled in December 2011, there have been fears associated with personal data collected and exchanged at the border. This latest announcement has done little to ease these worries with respect to privacy rights and civil liberties.
As part of their commitment under the Beyond the Border agreement, both countries have also announced the establishment of Joint Port Operations Committees at eight Canadian airports that offer U.S. pre-clearance service. The move is designed to, “help facilitate legitimate cross-border trade and travel and promote collaboration on overall port management.” In June, the Beyond the Border Executive Steering Committee met to oversee progress on the implementation of the action plan. They announced that in the interest of transparency and accountability, a joint public report will be issued in December. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews also recently gave an update on other aspects of the perimeter security deal. He stated, “We are making great progress. We have, for example, added NEXUS lanes, made air cargo screening programs mutually recognizable and installed new passenger screening machines to end duplicate screening in Canadian airports.” Toews added, “More work continues every day to fully implement this new shared vision that represents the most significant step forward in Canada-U.S. cooperation since the North American Free Trade Agreement.”
Despite some minor setbacks with regards to bilateral relations, Canada has moved closer to its American partner under Prime Minister Harper. The Beyond the Border deal provides the essential framework for U.S.-Canada integration with the action plan being incrementally implemented. This piece by piece approach has allowed many different initiatives to go unnoticed and fly under the radar. Some of these individual steps may seem insignificant, but combined together they are further merging economic and security ties between both countries. This is paving the way for a North American security perimeter which would mean sacrificing what is left of our sovereignty and independence.
Related articles by Dana Gabriel
Using the TPP to Renegotiate and Expand NAFTA
Laying the Foundation for a North American Security Perimeter
Implementing Beyond the Border Perimeter Security Initiatives
The Transformation of the U.S.-Canada Border
Dana Gabriel is an activist and independent researcher. He writes about trade, globalization, sovereignty, security, as well as other issues. Contact: beyourownleader@hotmail.com Visit his blog at Be Your Own Leader
Russian research project offers ‘immortality’ to billionaires – by transplanting their brains into robot bodies
by Rob Waugh
The Daily Mail
July 18, 2012
- Contacted list of world’s richest to offer immortality
- Will personally oversee brain transplant into robot body
- Entrepreneur claims to have 30 scientists working on project
- Aims to ‘transplant’ human mind into robot body in 10 years
- Claims ‘next stage’ of science is to create a ‘new human body’
- ‘This project is leading to immortality,’ says Dmitry Itskov
A Russian entrepreneur who heads a hi-tech research project called ‘Avatar’ has contacted billionaires to offer them immortality.
Itskov claims he will personally oversee their immortality process, in exchange for an undisclosed fee.
Itskov, a media entrepreneur, claims to have hired 30 scientists to reach this goal – and aims to transplant a human brain into a robot body within 10 years.
‘You have the ability to finance the extension of your own life up to immortality. Our civilization has come very close to the creation of such technologies: it’s not a science fiction fantasy. It is in your power to make sure that this goal will be achieved in your lifetime,’ says Itskov in a letter delivered to billionaires listed in Forbes magazine.
Eternal life? Iskov, a media entrepreneur, claims to have hired 30 scientists to reach this goal – and aims to transplant a human brain into a robot body within 10 years
He has contacted a list of billionaires with a proposal for funding his quest for immortality – which Itskov refers to as ‘cybernetic immortality’ and the ‘artificial body’.
The initiative is opening its San Francisco office this summer, and will be launching a social media project connecting scientists around the world.
‘The 2045 team is working towards creating an international research center where leading scientists will be engaged in research and development in the fields of anthropomorphic robotics, living systems modeling and brain and consciousness modeling with the goal of transferring one’s individual consciousness to an artificial carrier and achieving cybernetic immortality,’ says Itskov’s official site.
[CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE]
[hat tip: Red Ice Creations]
