Infected PCs may lose Internet in July
by Lolita C. Baldor
Associated Press
April 21, 2012
For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer.
Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system is to be shut down.
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[hat tip: Infowars]
Drums of Intervention: Syrians refuse to dance to foreign tune [video]
Russia Today
April 23, 2012
The UN’s bolstering its observer mission to Syria – as multiple reports continue that the teetering ceasefire is being violated by both sides. The rebels’ political leaders still want a UN-backed military intervenention. But the public have no appetite for foreign interference. RT’s Oksana Boyko reports from Damascus.
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RT on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RTnews
Bahrain: Grand Prix State Terror
by Stephen Lendman
Global Research
April 24, 2012
Perhaps Bahrain April 22 was a first. Imagine a sporting event featuring state-sponsored terror and blood in the streets.
Imagine one with race drivers and event organizers mindless of raging crimes against humanity nearby.
Hollywood script writers wouldn’t touch it. Producers wouldn’t let them. The atmosphere was surreal. Attendance was sparse. A normally full grandstand was half empty. It’s a wonder anyone came.
Observers said more security forces than spectators showed up. Most teams, drivers, mechanics, engineers, and other personnel preferred to stay home. Nonetheless, they came.
Formula 1’s reputation was tarnished. Instead of pulling out, it went ahead anyway. Although favorite Sebastian Vettel took the checkered flag, no one won the contest. It was more travesty than sporting event.
The Al Khalifa monarchy’s media strategy backfired. Instead of burnishing Bahrain’s image, journalists focused more on rage against injustice, blood in the streets, police state violence, security forces and armored vehicles surrounding the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), and clouds of black smoke rising nearby.
Even though the heavily guarded venue let the race come off without incident, Bahraini protesters won on Sunday. Millions watched worldwide. Social media spread the word.
So did journalists courageous enough to explain. Even The New York Times got some of it right. It quoted activists saying they were protesting for democratic change.
It mentioned human rights leader Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s “hunger strike for over two months.” It’s now two and a half months and counting, but how much longer can he hold on?
It also reported protest leader Salah Abbas Habib’s death by “gunshot wounds” without mentioning his name. It cited opposition groups blaming police. It explained that “antigovernment protesters have been demonstrating for democratic reforms” since other “revolts erupted across” the region last year.
The Washington Post, however, relied solely on an April 22 AP largely puff piece. It focused mostly on the event. It said “Bahrain got exactly the type of incident-free Formula One race it wanted….”
Perhaps inside, but not on bloodstained streets where the real action took place the way it’s done for months.
A London Independent article headlined, “Bahrain GP limps across finish line as lockdown wins the day,” saying:
Normalcy was nowhere in sight. Activist Alaa Shehabi said:
“There are armored vehicles at the entrance to every village. If anyone emerges now they will just be shot at. The government has sent a very strong message.”
After speaking to the Independent, Shehabi was arrested and detained. Inside the BIC, organizers and participants expressed relief at day’s end without incident. For sure, they want to leave and head home. Some may wish they hadn’t come. Who wants to race in a war zone?
London Guardian writer Ian Black headlined, “Bahrain Grand Prix fails to drown out angry protests,” saying:
Though unable to disrupt the race, protesters “claimed a moral victory against their government in their campaign to focus attention on tensions and repression in the Gulf state….”
Black explained heavy security, armored vehicles, police attacking protesters, tear gas, rubber bullets, thick black smoke clouds, curfews, and overall conditions unfit to live in let alone race.
“A Bahraini photographer reported that police had threatened to smash his camera for taking pictures of them chasing protesters.”
Black quoted Brookings Doha Centre analyst Shadi Hamid saying:
“For Bahrain’s regime, the F1 race was a massive, almost embarrassing, failure. For the opposition, it was a godsend.”
He cited real grievances gone unaddressed. He quoted independent al-Wasat Bahraini journalist, Mansoor al-Jamri, saying he’s “amazed by the (regime’s) state of denial.”
He reported an activist’s tweet, saying the “race is over but the Bahrain revolution continues.”
On April 23, the Guardian’s Josh Halliday said UK Channel 4 News journalists, including foreign affairs correspondent Johathan Miller, were “deported from Bahrain” after being arrested for filming a demonstration.
Denied visas, they came without accreditation. So did other foreign journalists. Authorities tried keeping all unwanted ones out. Some dared come anyway. Those caught were roughed up, detained, and deported.
Miller said police “aggressive and violently attacked the group’s driver.” Channel 4 aired him saying:
He and his crew “were caught filming a planned demonstration in one of the Shia villages….” Police confronted them. “(T)hey have not been particularly pleasant. They’ve been very aggressive towards me, my crew and driver and Dr Ala’a Shehabi, a prominent human rights activist.”
Authorities seized their cameras and computers, wouldn’t return them, and “initially refused permission to board a flight” home. Finally they got out.
State Terror Took the Checkered Flag on Sunday
Security forces escalated violence. Protesters, activists, and journalists were targeted. Tear gas, rubber bullets, shotguns, stun grenades, and baton beatings were used. Arrests, torture and other abuse followed. Another death was reported from tear gas inhalation. Some believe it’s toxic.
A Sanad village resident known as Sabeer was found dead in his room. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) said he’s the 79th confirmed death since protests erupted in mid-February 2011.
On Sunday, at least eight Bahraini women with tickets showed up at the BIC. Unarmed, they began protesting peacefully. Police beat and arrested them.
Nazeeha Saeed, a previous torture victim, tweeted that “torturer officer Sara Al Moosa is on duty in BIC protecting the race.”
Others expressed concern about the arrested women taken to the same Naziha police station where detainees are tortured. Parents were denied permission to see their daughters.
Throughout the weekend, Manama’s Pearl Roundabout (scene of numerous protests) was surrounded and heavily protected. Protesters were heading there. It’s a symbol of freedom and democratic change.
No one was allowed near it. Security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and shotguns.
On April 21, Alkhawaja’s daughter, Zainab, was arrested for the second time. She was peacefully protesting her father’s detention and condition. She’s currently detained in jail. Her sister, Maryam, BCHR’s foreign affairs head, said:
“I can guess (she’s held) because nobody really believes in the legal system.” Police states have none. “Zainab’s mentality is you can only bring about the fall of the regime when you stop treating it like a government.” It mocks a legitimate one. So do many other regional police states.
On April 21, activist Mohammed Hassan was arrested with London Telegraph journalist Colin Freeman. He was struck with a gun barrel and beaten. He required hospitalization. Detained for about 24 hours, he’s now released.
On April 22, activists Alaa Shehabi and Ali Aali were accompanying journalists when accosted by police and arrested. Aali said they were insulted and humiliated. Shehabi is an economist, lecturer, writer, activist, and research head of BRAVO human rights organizations, as well as co-founder of Bahrain Watch.
On Saturday, Danish journalist Rasmus Tantholdt was denied entry at Manama airport for the second time in 24 hours. Two weeks ago, he managed to get in to report on Alkhawaja. On Sunday, two Japanese journalists were arrested and detained.
Police accosted German photojournalist Mazen Mahdi while covering Belad Al Qadeem village protests. He was threatened and told his camera would be broken if he didn’t leave. He explained saying, the “threat (was) made by what appear(ed) to be an officer masking his face and rank.”
On April 23, a media blackout remains in place. Journalists caught violating it are targeted. In the run-up to Sunday’s race and the day after, it didn’t work. The word got out and spread worldwide.
Millions paying attention know more about state terror than Grand Prix racing. They also understand why Bahrainis risk so much to end it. Given their courage to live free, it’s better than even money they will one day.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/ .
Stephen Lendman is a frequent contributor to Global Research. Global Research Articles by Stephen Lendman
NGO crackdown: Gagging democracy or national self-defense?
Russia Today
April 24, 2012
Egypt has denied licenses to eight US-based non-profit groups, saying they violated the country’s sovereignty. Many states are concerned that foreign government-backed NGOs are really agents for their sponsors, rather than independent action groups.
Among the organizations banned from continuing their work in Egypt are the Carter Center for Human Rights, set up by former US President Jimmy Carter, Christian group The Coptic Orphans, Seeds of Peace and other groups.
Egyptian authorities warned that if the NGOs try to work without a license, Cairo would “take relevant measures”.
Local media speculate that the rejection may be temporary, and licenses could be granted later, after the presidential election due on May 23 and 24.
Monday’s move revives a crackdown by the Egyptian authorities on foreign-funded NGOs, which recently provoked a serious diplomatic row with long-term ally US. In late December 2011, security forces raided offices of a number of groups suspected of receiving money in violation of Egyptian legislation.
In February, prosecutors charged 43 people with instilling dissent and meddling in domestic policies following last year’s mass protests, which resulted in the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. Among them were citizens of the US, Germany, Serbia, Norway and Jordan.
In March, an Egyptian court revoked the travel ban for 17 indicted Americans following Washington’s threat to withdraw $1.3 billion annual military aid to Cairo. The decision provoked a wave criticism of the ruling military council in Egypt. Many activists accused them of betraying national interests under American pressure.
But shortly after the suspected Americans left the country, Cairo’s prosecutors decided to target more people allegedly involved in the case, who were not in Egypt when the charges against their colleagues were made. Egypt asked Interpol to issue “red notices” for 15 NGO workers, including 12 Americans, two Lebanese and a Jordanian.
On Monday, Interpol’s French headquarters announced that the Egyptian request had been turned down, because it contradicted rules that strictly forbid the organization “to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.”
Not so non-government
There may be a good reason why national governments in troubled countries mistrust US-funded NGOs. For instance, NATO’s intervention in Libya was partially justified by exaggerated reports of human rights organizations alleging that Muammar Gaddafi’s forces committed crimes against humanity and breached international law in other ways, reports RT’s Maria Portnaya. After the war some of them admitted to giving ungrounded reports.
Powerful NGOs like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International are supposed to be objective monitors and not take sides, but in reality they “enter into an excessively cozy relationship with for example the United States government, but also other powerful Western allies, over Libya and over other issues,” John Laughland from the Institute of Democracy and Cooperation told RT.
This is what happened in Libya and is now happening in Syria, he added.
“The equivalent, if you like, of the Libyan League of Human Rights, which is called the Damascus Centre for Human Rights, has played exactly the same role. They’ve alleged crimes against humanity. They’ve called for safe havens, and armed intervention in that country. And they are quite clear political lobbyists, who are trying to secure a military intervention against Syria along the lines of the one approved last year against Libya,” Laughland explained.
Another example is the group behind the Kony 2012 initiative. The California-based NGO Invisible Children is calling to stop the use of child soldiers and is promoting peace in the Ugandan civil war. But the same organization provided Uganda’s authorities with intelligence that led to the arrest of several regime opponents, as a US embassy cable published by WikiLeaks revealed.
“I’m willing to believe that was not the one time that Invisible Children provided information to the Ugandan authorities. What else do we not know, in terms of their relations with the Ugandan Government?” asks Milton Allimadi, Editor-in-chief of the Black Star News.
The viral video calling on a campaign to stop Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army appeared just months after President Obama decided to send 100 US military advisors to the region to help local governments remove Kony “from the battlefield”. Some human rights organizations criticized the move, saying among those receiving American aid is South Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army, which is known to exploit child soldiers just like Kony does.
NGOs are not currently held accountable for the information they publish, no matter how much collateral damage false facts may cause. Critics say some of those organizations actually pave the way for conflict rather than advocating peaceful solutions.
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Source – http://rt.com/news/egytp-ngo-ban-us-825/
[hat tip: End the Lie]
Message from the Arcturian Group – April 22, 2012
The Arcturian Group channeled through Marilyn Raffaele.
(Oneness Of All)
April 22, 2012
We come once again to inform you that there are many changes about to take place in your world. Be not afraid as you observe changes to that which you have always known to be a certain way. Be not afraid when edifices of power begin to crumble, for the time is drawing very near to when you will be seeing truth come bursting forth onto your planet in many forms–forms of informational news, forms of talk among yourselves, and forms of the visiting of planetary brothers and sisters who now await the correct time to enter into the picture. This is all part of spiritual evolution which will not be fully complete by the end of this year as many have been led to believe, but is well on its way.
All is proceeding according to plan. All is moving quickly forward into new ways of seeing and being. That which is finished is finished, however remember that it is you who are creating your new world, not us. Many tend to await the arrival of others to change things. It is your enlightened awareness that is manifesting as your outer world. You are the creators. That is why we often cannot answer questions asked about what is going to happen, because we do not know what you are choosing to create. We too are watching and waiting as you create a new enlightened world.
This is a time of strife, loss, and suffering for many but these experiences have been necessary in order to shift humanity out of their comfort zones, so to speak. There are still many, who unless forced, will choose to simply remain steadfast in what is old and finished regardless of how unsatisfying it may have become for them. All who are ready, are now in the process of clearing physical cellular memory as well as any dormant energies still within the emotional and mental bodies. This is necessary in order to assimilate the new and higher frequencies of ONE–frequencies of Light and unconditional love. These clearings can at times be uncomfortable. Your job is to allow the process, rest more if you need it, but do not claim that which is leaving, back in. This is often inadvertently done through saying; “I am so depressed, I am so this or that…” which occurs because you are re-experiencing some of these old frequencies as they release. Often you feel them as physical or emotional discomfort, but as spiritually aware individuals your job is to simply allow the process. If an issue keeps presenting itself to your thought, then look at it, for it may be something needing to be released in a more conscious way through an honest examination of your belief system.
What about unconditional love? What is unconditional love? It is not the dreamy romantic view that television shows, movies, magazines would have you believe. Nor does unconditional love mean being anyone’s door mat. Unconditional Love is an attained state of consciousness that sees through appearances to the truth. Unconditional love manifests through an innate recognition of mankind’s spiritual nature in spite of whatever human frailties they may be manifesting. Unconditional love is a consciousness that sees humor in the world, and is not governed by strict and rigid rules declaring that an individual must live only in accord with a particular set of concepts in order to be loveable. Unconditional Love is the ability to say what needs to be said, which may on occasion have to be firm or even seemingly harsh, while within remembering that the individual or individuals are spiritual beings. This way, the words carry and energy of love and do not reflect the negative.
Unconditional love is the ever present realization of ones own self as divine being in spite of personal failings. It is a recognition of the ONE manifest as the many. It is an ability to see loving humor those situations humans often find themselves in, and also in those who may seem different or “odd” by current human standards. It is an appreciation for differences among people and an understanding of their point of view without entering into their particular energy field. Unconditional love is also the recognition that since there is only One Life, it is the life of all living things, and not just human beings.
This understanding is a facet of your awakening process dear ones, you are quickly moving into a deeper and more true awareness of unconditional love but it often takes a so called disaster to force some individuals to actually look into another’s eyes and recognize that in spite of social, economic, or racial differences, all are spiritual beings having a human experience. We are not saying that unconditional love means becoming best friends with everyone you meet, but we are saying that like it or not, the new energy is one of unconditional love and if you choose ascension for your path, you must begin to accept that in spite of appearances, all living things are in and of the One Divine Source for It is all there is.
We are the Arcturian Group
More information on Marilyn Raffaele and the Arcturian Group can be found at:
http://www.onenessofall.com/
Western intervention in Syria [video]
End the Lie
April 20, 2012
http://EndtheLie.com Please show your support — http://EndtheLie.com/store
Relevant stories: Could NATO get pulled into Syrian intervention by Turkey under the collective defense initiative?
More at EndtheLie.com – http://EndtheLie.com/2012/02/11/could-nato-get-pulled-into-syrian-interventio…
As predicted, Arab League and Turkey reportedly plan no-fly zone over Syria with U.S. logistical support
More at EndtheLie.com – http://EndtheLie.com/2011/11/23/as-predicted-arab-league-and-turkey-reportedl…
Clinton slams Russia and China, predicts Syrian military coup
More at EndtheLie.com – http://EndtheLie.com/2012/02/25/clinton-slams-russia-and-china-predicts-syria…
Reports say Russian ships in Syrian waters delivered advanced anti-aircraft missile system and technicians
More at EndtheLie.com – http://EndtheLie.com/2011/11/24/reports-say-russian-ships-in-syrian-waters-de…
Western leaders threaten Syria after UN warns of failing ceasefire — http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9215229/Western-le…
End the Lie Radio with Madison Ruppert – Episode 12 [audio]
End the Lie Radio with Madison Ruppert
April 15, 2012
End the Lie Radio with Madison Ruppert and guest, Activist Post writer Brandon Turbeville, discussing the proliferation of invasive surveillance technologies, as well as taking an in depth look at the current turmoil unfolding in Syria.
Brandon Turbeville is an author out of Mullins, South Carolina. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Francis Marion University and is the author of three books, Codex Alimentarius — The End of Health Freedom, 7 Real Conspiracies, and Five Sense Solutions. Turbeville has published over one hundred articles dealing with a wide variety of subjects including health, economics, government corruption, and civil liberties.
For Brandon Turbeville’s most recent articles, visit his archive page: http://www.activistpost.com/search/label/Brandon%20Turbeville
http://EndtheLie.com
Support us! http://EndtheLie.com/store
http://OrionTalkRadio.com
Show page: http://bit.ly/etlradio
All material(s) used in this video that are not original or are under copyright are used under Fair Use under the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107.
[hat tip: Activist Post]
PN 