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Bush, Baghdad, Guantanamo, Europe And More ...
As George W. Bush cavorted once again across the world stage, with his tiresome tragicomic, stand-up clown routine (today it was a captive audience in the safe & secure green zone of Baghdad's turn to be entertained), many much more sincere (and certainly much more cerebrally capable) prime-position-politicians of the world were hard at work elsewhere. And all working together we would hasten to add.
Wowzer!
Well, now!
Whoever would have thunk it?
What a weird coincidence, eh?
As any true comedian never tires of telling anyone who'll listen, Timing is everything, and There's no business like show business.
But This Old Brit & Richard didn't come here today just to crack corny old jokes. They came here to enquire as to how many Americans had heard or read about what happened over here in Europe today, as opposed to in Iraq.
Since, as the compassionate conservative cowboy from Crawford aka conman-in-chief, strove to steal the limelight in the middle east, the entire European Union Parliament met to make some news of it's own.
See what we are saying? See what they were saying? Overwhelmingly, no less.Euro MPs urge Guantanamo closure
The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion calling on the US to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
Then carry right on reading.
Austria, which holds the EU presidency, said it would urge US President George Bush to close the camp when EU leaders meet him at a summit next week.
Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said the US base in Cuba was "an anomaly".
"The government of the United States should take measures to close Guantanamo as quickly as possible," Ms Plassnik said.
Coupled with what both the United Nations human rights agency and the International Committee of the Red cross have been hollering, for God knows how long, we'd say that surely only the stupidest of the stupid could carry on swallowing any more Everyone's out of step with the States, shit.
Well, wouldn't you say so too?
Either way, while you're wondering, why not breeze across to read the beeb's full report, eh?
Especially, since you know it makes so much sense.
*
posted by Richard at Tuesday, June 13, 2006
16 Comments:
So, "Old Europe" would tell us what to do, eh?
I thought the Monroe Doctrine did away with all of that meddling!
That said, I agree that Gitmo has served its purpose, and should be de-activated. I mean, we're talking beachfront property; think about how many condos could be built!
[SARCASM] I didn't see it mentioned by any of the US news outlets, so the BBC must be mistaken on the matter. As a citizen of the United States of America, I demand an immediate retraction! [/SARCASM]
Oh dear God of course we (in the US) don't need to waste our time reading anything about the European Union while we marvel at photos and news reports of our esteemed leader acting all macho for his five hour trip to Iraq. Ooh he's so brave etc., Any proof that it was really him and not his made up double from the Washington Correspondents Dinner?
The coverage on ABC (via BBC 24) was comical to say the least. Someone told me ABC is considered "liberal". Pardon???
Re. Gitmo: Europe's input is unlikely to make the slightest dent in the US stance, they literally couldn't give a jack's ass for any non-American opinion.
We're not of pure blood, you see...
Still, perhaps the force of repetition? Who knows...
I think the chimp went to look that uppity towelhead (who's been talking out of turn about the US loony-killers) in the eye alright. And to threaten him.
And no, this isn't a sarcastic. Shrub went to remind them all who calls the shots. In other words to make him an offer he can't refuse.
I think the EU should boycot EVERYTHING American. They need us more than we need them.
The EU should boycot EVERYTHING American. They need us more than we need them.~ despite what they'd have everyone believe.
The truth is they're going broke. So why not help them on their way. That way they might wake up ~ then get even a half decent man as a president. I won't hold my breath though. My nose maybe ~ but not my breath.
So let's see he has to sneak in and sneak out. His security people don't dare tell his loyal allies that he's on the way and this is a success?
Is there such a word as "flabberghastment" ?
Even the American bloggers seemed to be oblivious to the EU meeting and announcement. They weren't paying attention to Bush's trip either.
They seemed to be mostly caught up in speculation about the Special Prosecutor's intentions re: Karl Rove, Libby, Cheney. I myself got totally absorbed in the legal arguments and devoting time to parsing the media spin about it. (and relishing the thought of taking down Cheney - is it possible the neocons are turning on each other?)
There were other "distractions" that caught my attention:
(1) a clever scheme with Canada to deliver ownership of vast amounts of Public lands to powerful timber corporations through some complex money exchanges. (I doubt many of our elected representatives even understand it, but it is well underway). It heavily affects my own area of the country and AFAIK the media has been completely silent.
(2) updating my notes on just who in Congress is voting against our access to the internet, and hoping like crazy that Google is on our side.
(3) Mourning the death and destruction in the escalation of attacks on Palestine. It's high time to take the gloves off and talk about Israel, and nobody dares.
So, I am very late to the table here on the significant EU declaration about Gitmo. But if it weren't for you, Richard, I wouldn't even know about it!
Hope you had a great holiday Richard !
Guantanamo Bay: you know the best thing would be for Americans themselves and the political apparatus (that which isn't corrupt) to stand up and say enough is enough.
America has to get out from under this coup...
That bloke, Pilger, is at it again!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13627.htm
griffon--
Great link. Thanks.
Pilger! I can't praise him highly enough. He's the perfect example of a media hero.
(Thanks for the heads up, griffon).
Incidentally, I see the media has suddenly been barred from Guantanamo. That says a lot in itself. To those who are 'listening' and don't have any comprehension problems anyhow.
I'm increasingly convinced we need a much, much stronger Europe. More united and militarily much stronger.
MarfromIreland told me I should think more like an evil bastard and I'm beginning to take heed. All this weak pacifism doesn't work either. That's why the US can do what the fuck it wants; who's going to oppose them? The blogosphere is full of these defiant armchair generals: "whatcha gonna do, you pussies".
The end of the cold war meant liberation for millions but the balance of power fell apart. Now the US can do as it please, unchallenged and unthreatened.
There is no such thing as peace, only armed peace...
Sadly, I agree with you, Gert. It seems only natural that when so much of the world shares a common enemy, countries will have to put aside their differences and unify into something "equal and opposite" just to get some measure of stability.
Our dreams of peacefully working together to deal with worldwide survival problems (like Climate or Food or Energy sharing) can't work when there is a Monster Predator afoot.
Even a regime change in America will make very little difference.
Perps, exploiters, bullies of all sorts can only do what they do with the co-operation of a LOT of people.
Take away the co-operation in EVERY way possible. This means a LOT of organising and courage.
We have war after war because "peace" won through violence leaves in place a system quite capable of more violence and a population that thinks violence can bring peace.
Setting a thief to catch a thief still leaves you with a thief to deal with no matter what the outcome.
The power a bully relies on is an illusion and evaporates the moment mass co-operation is removed.
It's not an easy solution but the only one that has ANY chance of lasting.
You may need to think like an "evil bastard", as Mark says, to counter them strategically but if you act like an evil bastard (with violence) then you lose. Even if you "win" you have become like them and will be the "enemy" for the next generation if not this one.
The "war" is really between Violence and Non-violence.
The Intafada in Palestine started out as a locally organised non-violent protest and it was making gains quickly. Then pharking Arafart took it over and turn things violent which suited the Israelis just fine, thank you.
Why fight your enemy with the weapons of his choice - weapons that he clearly has an overwhelming advantage in. This is why the Israeli leadership rely on and provoke violence.
Counter with the weapons you have an advantage with- numbers, non co-operation, truth because almost everyone understands justice.
And as MFI has said many times (quoting Muslims, I think) "There cannot be Peace without Justice". And lasting Justice is seen to be done through common affirmation not violence.
Phew! That feels better. Sorry, but it's a hobby-horse of mine.
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