War Lords to Their Critics: "Just Shut Up" (by Robert Fisk) (thanks Amal)

A U.S. force including tanks and armored vehicles surrounded Mustansiriya University in Baghdad Monday and warned armed students inside the campus to surrender, witnesses said. When I saw an Israeli tank at my Beirut campus (the American University of Beirut) in 1983, I knew that it was all over for Israel's attempt to dominate Lebanon.

This from a conservative UK daily: US tactics condemned by British officers

An Iraqi intifada? Now the war is being fought in the open

Images of civilian dead, wounded in Fallujah become anti-American rallying point

Secularism is NOT dead in Iraq. (thanks Rick)

Questions about the mysterious departure of Bin Laden family members from US on Sep. 11 (thanks Mark)

600 dead in besieged Iraqi city - but marine commander claims victims mostly insurgents: why mostly?

My comments about Muqtada As-Sadr in San Francisco Chronicle (thanks Julie)

Here is a link with Gen. Kimmit's remarks. ((bottom page 3 and top of 4--thanks Stacie). She also gives another link for the Hirsh's article on the mess in Afghanistan.

Some citations and observations on Clarke's book:
"I don't care what the international lawyers say, we are going to kick some ass." George W. Bush, as quoted by Richard Clarke in his book Against All Enemies (p. 24). "Why don't the missiles have cameras in them"? Bill Clinton, as quoted in same source, (p. 83). We also learn in this book the Clinton administration had serious plans for the invasion of Iran in the 1990s, and later for Sudan. To my astonishment, Clarke calls Saddam 1980 invasion of Iran as "preemptive attack on Iran" (p. 39). On p. 43, he calls Israeli-US military relations in the 1960s and 1970s "minimal, " this while US undertook the largest military airlift in history (until 1990 Gulf War) to help Israel in the 1973 war. The extent of House of Saud's support for Bin Laden and his kooks may be even bigger than previously thought. On p. 59, I learn for the first time that Prince Turki (who still to this very day has kind words for Bin Laden--see previous posts on this site) had recruited Bin Laden for a secret mission in Yemen. On p. 176, he cites a "report" to the effect that Bin Laden had "put a contract" on Clarke. I don't believe it but it fits into the self-promotional and self-importance tone of the book. Just as Oliver North in his memoirs had claimed that Abu Nidal (who later died in Baghdad--declared a suicide by Iraqi police, although Abu Nidal managed to shoot himself FIVE TIMES, and later--while dead--managed to move his body from the bedroom to the living room of his apartment) wanted to kill him, Clarke is underlining his own importance. Bin Laden has specialized in the killing of innocent civilians and I doubt that he knew who Clarke was. Clinton had this military plan against Al-Qa`idah (p. 190): "..Ninja guys in black suits, jumping out of helicopters into their camps, spraying machine guns. Even if we don't get the big guys, it will have a good effect." On p. 282, he claims that Saudi Arabia "replaced a technical, Western-styled curriculum in Saudi schools with a Wahhabist religion-focused education." Dead wrong. Saudi Arabia, since its founding, had always had the fanatical obscurantist curriculum that it has today. (My Saudi Arabia book is coming out in a few weeks--read all about it). There are no pictures or footnotes in the book. The book will be turned into a movie; reports indicate that after selling the movie rights, Clarke is insisting that he is played by Ashton Kutcher.

Congratulations Micheline on the excellent review of your new novel.

When I travel, I am subjected to US TV "news" media. What a joke. You are better off watching A&E; or History Channel instead. I heard one military analyst on MSNBC today saying that there was a hut in Falujah in which "evidence" of foreign fighters were found. The evidence in question is an Arabic document about Islam. The wise anchorperson asked him how do we know that it is not Iraqi? The gifted military analyst said that Iraqis write a different Arabic, as the Arabic dialects are reflected in writings. As many of you know, all Arabs write the same uniform Arabic, and dialects are only reflected in the spoken word. If somebody can find me the transcript of Gen. Kimmit today (the deputy director of operations in Iraq, and media spokesperson), please forward to me. He said that the the cause for anti-Americanism is AlJazeera TV. I kid you not. Anti-American sentiments in the Middle East have existed for some 30 years, at least, long before AlJazeera was born. He also said that the aim of the military "operation" in Falujah is to restore rule in the city to "legitimate Iraqi rule." I kid you not on the last one. CNN had a special segment on good news in Iraq; that there are so many good things that are happening there but that we are not noticing them. OK. And the "senior international correspondent" of CNN, the guy with that fancy title, had a special on Iraq last night. I saw one segment of it in which he talked about Sharif `Ali (one of several claimants of royal descent in Iraq). He basically said that the fellow is emerging as a symbol of unity for ALL Iraqis, and that he is so powerful. I kid you not, again. This is so untrue. Sharif `Ali's chances of becoming king of Iraq, are lower than my chances of becoming king of Lebanon. And what about that debate between Republicans and Democrats about Iraq. If I understand it is this: Republicans believe US occupation of Iraq should continue; Democrats, on the other hand, believe that American occupation of Iraq should continue but with more troops and firepower. And people think that Nader is crazy?

Here is the Seymour Hirsch's article on the mess in Afghanistan, not to be confused with the mess in Iraq. And mess is a synonym of "liberation" in old medieval languages. Take note. (thanks Michael for the link)

For some reason, the volume of my "fan" mail has been increasing. A sample from today's:
"I read your comments at frontpagemag.com. We didn't ask you to come here so
why don't you pack your bags and leave? "

I have received the following email:
"Disappear... you stupid recycled towelhead fuck."

I finished reading Richard Clark's new book Against All Enemies (thanks Anthony for the copy) on the plane. He certainly is self-promotional in tone, and admires Clinton and Israel, more than anything or anybody. Even Israeli military support for Apartheid South Africa's government was not made to be a big deal. But he was known within the government, from what I have read, for being very protective of Israel and its interests. I will make more specific references later. For somebody who follows Middle East terrorism as he does, his knowledge on the Middle East is rather thin; he thinks Hizbullah is a Palestinian-Lebanese organization, for example. And he says (I will give page numbers later) that Steven Emerson--yes, that Steven Emerson--(whose advise he sought) taught him on Middle East terrorism in US more than anybody else, and cites his senstational book American Jihad approvingly. He did focus, while in government, on Bin Laden and his danger when others in the goverment were busy with threats from outer space; he does a good job of making the case against the war on Iraq, from the standpoint of the war on terrorism. Oh, I also want to recommend the new piece on the status of Afghanistan--after its ostensible liberation--(including the continued oppression of women there) in the new New Yorker by Seymour Hirsch. If somebody has the link, please email to me to post.

Military Backtracks on Prediction of Capturing Bin Laden This Year. But they express confidence that he will be found and captured before end of the century.

Full text: the terrorism threat memo released yesterday.

There are no more U.S. troops to send to Iraq. That what makes Macedonia such a strategic ally of the US.

Rhiannon: I don't know your Orlando home number (or your email) by heart; I forgot to bring them with me. Please leave me your number either on my home answering machine in CA, or at my hotel in Florida.

On my way to Denver, Colorado:
People who focus on the low-rank (in the hierarchy of Shi`ite clerical education) of Muqtada as-Sadr miss the point. Yes, Muqtada As-Sadr is very junior in comparison with an Ayatollah; he is in a category of “a student-away-from the seminary.” And as I have written before, his knowledge of Arabic is strikingly weak for a Shi`ite cleric, and he lacks eloquence and precision in discourse. Graduates of the religious seminaries of Najaf usually achieve a very solid mastery of the language. I am always surprised to see Muqtada reading his Friday sermon, word-by-word, and not in perfect grammatical order. He clearly seems incapable of improvising a full sermon. But to dwell on the world of Shi`ite religious hierarchy is to miss the point about the dialectical relationship between the masses and the cleric in the Shi`ite community. The masses influence the Ayatollah (whoever he—it is always a “he”—is), just as the Ayatollah influences the masses. Remember that Khomeini in Iran was not the most senior cleric, and he had to put the Grand Ayatollahs of Iran under house arrest, to weaken their influence. But the masses forced the leadership of Khomeini on the nation. So you have to distinguish between the political and religious status of a cleric. Take Lebanon: Ayatollah Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah is far more senior in clerical position than Hizbullah’s leader Hasan Nasrallah. But Hasan Nasrallah has far more influence over the Shi`ites of Lebanon, including over those who follow Fadlallah as “object of emulation.” So when talking about Grand Ayatollah `Ali Sistani, as one op-ed writer in New York Times does today—you have to situate him within the context of Shi`ite public opinion. That is the lesson from examining the role of clerics in the Shi`ite anti-British rebellion in Iraq in 1920. If Shi`ite public opinion keeps changing against the Americans, and if Sistani ignores it, he could easily be marginalized.

I am off to Denver and then to Florida on speaking engagements. I will update while gone, and returning Wednesday night. Please water my site in my absence. It is easy: 1) boil some water; 2) pour gently and carefully over your computers.

I have received this fan mail:
"I don't know who you are and I wonder why people like you come to this great country and then criticize and try to change this country. I never heard of you until I went to Newsmax on the internet. It is no wonder the young people of the USA are brainwashed by professors like you. I am a first generation American and my parents came to this country to be part of this great country. Both my parents came from Prelip, Macedonia. I will be nice and not say what I think of you because tomorrow is Easter, one of the holiest days' for us Orthodox Christians. I do not agree with your views and I will vote for President George W. Bush in November. God Bless America! The greatest country in the world! A proud American." (name withheld)

Another news item about the birth of Women's International Federation Against Fundamentalisms and for Equality

From LA Times: "A cease-fire between U.S. Marines and insurgents collapsed less than two hours after it took effect Friday as tens of thousands of women and children fled this besieged city and occupation officials scrambled to stave off a revolt from their handpicked Governing Council. "

When U.S. Aided Insurgents, Did It Breed Future Terrorists?YES.

No comment.

Robert Fisk: "A war founded on illusions, lies and right-wing ideology was bound to founder in blood and fire. "

"Whether it is in stem-cell research, the fight against AIDS, or sex education, the religion-steeped Bush administration is trying with all its might to make U.S. scientists toe the line."

Iraqi exiles in Jordan return to homeland to battle US forces

"America's top commander in Iraq has warned Washington that he will not be "the fall guy" if violence in the country worsens, it emerged yesterday, as word leaked out that US generals are "outraged" by their lack of soldiers."

"The U.S. military campaign across Iraq this week infuriated Arabs in the region and brought strident calls for Muslim solidarity against the American-led occupation."

Tough U.S. tactics in Fallouja and in Shiite Muslim cities of southern Iraq are driving a wedge between the Americans and their key supporter — the 25-member Governing Council that puts an Iraqi face on the occupation and is expected to serve as the basis of a new government.

A nine-year-old girl was arrested, handcuffed and questioned at a Florida police station on Tuesday after she was accused of stealing a rabbit and $10 from a neighbour's home. But she was not found to have been linked to Saddam.

White Supremacy can now be discussed in polite company.

From New York Times: "The departing British envoy in Baghdad, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, had expressed concerns to his colleagues about Mr. Bremer's style in running postwar Iraq, particularly in closely controlling decision-making with minimal input from Iraqis and other voices, including Sir Jeremy's, said officials who declined to be identified because of the confidential nature of diplomatic communications."

Angry Arab welcomes the birth of a new group: Women's International Federation Against Fundamentalisms

At least 450 Iraqis were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in fighting in the city of Falluja this week, the director of the main hospital, Rafi Hayad, told Reuters. There is no need to say more. Will they claim that every one of the 450 killed and 1000 injured was terrorists? Will they claim that among the victims were terrorist children and terrorist women and terrorist elderly?

I can be heard (for those who care) live on KPFA's Flashpoint today at 5:00PM (Pacific Time).

Where do visitors to this site come from?
Top level domain TLD Country # % of total
.net Network 34791 60.1
.com Commercial 14224 24.6
.edu USA Educational 3903 6.7
.ca Canada 1023 1.8
.uk United Kingdom 807 1.4
.us United States 404 0.7
.org Non-Profit Organizations 401 0.7
.ch Switzerland 288 0.5
.be Belgium 237 0.4
.au Australia 223 0.4
.de Germany 217 0.4
.mx Mexico 134 0.2
.fr France 110 0.2
.gov USA Government 102 0.2
.nl Netherlands 99 0.2
.se Sweden 90 0.2
.it Italy 82 0.1
.jp Japan 78 0.1
.lb Lebanon 76 0.1
.sa Saudi Arabia 63 0.1
.mil USA Military 49 < 0.1
.dk Denmark 45 < 0.1
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.gr Greece 28 < 0.1
.is Iceland 28 < 0.1
.nz New Zealand 27 < 0.1
.sy Syria 27 < 0.1
.sg Singapore 26 < 0.1
.pl Poland 23 < 0.1
.pt Portugal 22 < 0.1
.ru Russian Federation 20 < 0.1
.int International 16 < 0.1
.my Malaysia 16 < 0.1
.at Austria 15 < 0.1
.tr Turkey 15 < 0.1
.br Brazil 12 < 0.1
.qa Qatar 10 < 0.1
.jo Jordan 10 < 0.1
.ee Estonia 9 < 0.1
.ph Philippines 8 < 0.1
.no Norway 8 < 0.1
.ie Ireland 7 < 0.1
.za South Africa 5 < 0.1
.cz Czech Republic 5 < 0.1
.es Spain 5 < 0.1
.hu Hungary 4 < 0.1
.pk Pakistan 4 < 0.1
.eg Egypt 4 < 0.1
.arpa Old style Arpanet 4 < 0.1
.ar Argentina 4 < 0.1
.vi Virgin Islands (USA) 3 < 0.1
.tt Trinidad and Tobago 3 < 0.1
.ae United Arab Emirates 3 < 0.1
.id Indonesia 2 < 0.1
.uy Uruguay 2 < 0.1
.pf Polynesia (French) 2 < 0.1
.in India 2 < 0.1
.si Slovenia 2 < 0.1
.tz Tanzania 2 < 0.1
.bn Brunei Darussalam 1 < 0.1
.cr Costa Rica 1 < 0.1
.hr Croatia 1 < 0.1
.do Dominican Republic 1 < 0.1
.ir Iran 1 < 0.1

Full transcript: my debate (along with Matthew Yglesias) versus Victor David Hansen and Laurie Mylroi on Bush and the Left. The debate was conducted through email exchanges.

From ABC News: Hospital Chief: Over 280 Iraqis Killed

THOUSANDS of Sunni and Shiite Muslims forced their way through US military checkpoints Thursday to ferry food and medical supplies to the besieged Sunni bastion of Fallujah where US marines are trying to crush insurgents.

When fear turns to anger