Israel: Boycott Against Indiscriminate Bombing & Civilian Slaughter In Lebanon ...

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All goods bearing barcodes beginning with
729
as shown above left, begin their lives in Israel.

So, If you're as sickened as most civilised people are by Israel's barbaric bombardment of innocent Lebanese civilians - be they men, women, children or babes - here's something positive you can do personally.

Though our politicians may pooh-pooh the people's calls for pressure to be brought to bear, to bring about an end to Israeli war crimes - pronto - there's another way we can make our point.

As the old adage says -- there's more than one way to skin a rabbit.

In fact, in this case there's a simple, painless, almost effortless, risk-free option open to everyone.

Boycott All Israeli Goods.

Whatever they be, let them rot or rust on the shelves.

Don't put one single cent more into the the barbarian bombers' economy.

Also, please pass this on via every method/route possible. Already, some of us [bloggers] are banding together to help kick-start this campaign.

So the sooner it gets off the ground the better, since the sooner Israeli bank balances start dropping -- the sooner Israeli bombs may stop dropping.

And, the more likely Israel may be, to think twice before ever doing the same again.

[Hat tip to Mark, for barcode heads up.]

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Lebanon, Israel, Britain, America, Blair, Bush And Their Mutual Mega-rich Mates ...

As the lousy lying, lame excuse for a Labour leader of Britain blatantly whores himself around the big buck money-men around the West coast of America ... here are a few home truths.

And as This Old Brit's blog is one thing that Blair doesn't bloody well own, have shares in or even co-control -- leastwise not the last time we looked -- we reserve the right to blast the bum as we present to him, our very own personal proposition.

And that's putting it as politely as possible. Since we were sorely tempted at first to use the word ultimatum in place of proposition. But no matter, because 'a rose by any other name'. In other words, whatever words we might have decided to settle on in the end, the message would have stayed the same.

And said message is short, sweet, simple, sincere and serious.

In fact, such is it's shortness, sweetness, simplicity, sincerity and seriousness, that it shouldn't stand a chance of being misunderstood -- not even by the stupidest self serving, sob standing alongside Blair and his increasing use of 'the finger' (or both), to his fellow British citizens.

Most of whom, we hasten to add, have been taxed by, and many of whom have fought for [some, even died for] our own beloved land -- not by nor for, the blood thirsty semi braindead, blaggard by the name of Bush and his currently completely neo-conised country. Which incidentally was once as free and fair as our own

Therefore, the time has come for you to make your mind up, mister.

Either, you're with we Brits here at home -- or you're against us.

Get that, Tone? Got it? Good!

Okay, that's this two's Sunday sermon sorted.

So it's time see what's being said in some other places situated elsewhere in this sceptred isle; this green and pleasant land -- and to be briefed about who is/are saying exactly what.

Observe, for example, the following extract from today's Observer.

Cabinet in open revolt over Blair's Israel policy

Gaby Hinsliff in San Francisco, Ned Temko in London and Peter Beaumont in Beirut Sunday July 30, 2006 --- The Observer

Tony Blair was facing a full-scale cabinet rebellion last night over the Middle East crisis after his former Foreign Secretary warned that Israel's actions risked destabilising all of Lebanon.

Jack Straw, now Leader of the Commons, said in a statement released after meeting Muslim residents of his Blackburn constituency that while he grieved for the innocent Israelis killed, he also mourned the '10 times as many innocent Lebanese men, women and children killed by Israeli fire'.

He said he agreed with the Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells that it was 'very difficult to understand the kind of military tactics used by Israel', adding: 'These are not surgical strikes but have instead caused death and misery amongst innocent civilians.'

Straw said he was worried that 'a continuation of such tactics by Israel could destabilise the already fragile Lebanese nation'. The Observer can also reveal that at a cabinet meeting before Blair left for last Friday's Washington summit with President George Bush, minister after minister pressed him to break with the Americans and publicly criticise Israel over the scale of death and destruction.

The critics included close Blair allies. One, the International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn, was revealed yesterday to have told a Commons committee that he did not view Israel's strikes on power stations as a 'proportionate response' to Hizbollah attacks.

Another Blairite minister among the cabinet critics said: 'It was clear that Tony knows the situation, and didn't have to be told about the outrage felt by so many over the disproportionate suffering. He also completely understands the effect on the Muslim community - both in terms of losing Muslim voters hand over fist and the wider issue of community cohesion.'

Blair responded to the dissenters by 'engaging seriously', the minister said. 'But he made it clear why he felt he had to choose the high-risk strategy of trying to move things forward for the future of the Middle East through his talks in Washington.' In addition to the cabinet critics, one of Blair's closest Labour confidants was understood to have urged him last week to 'place distance' between himself and Bush over the crisis.

In interviews last night in San Francisco, the Prime Minister defended his decision not to call for an immediate ceasefire, but voiced the hope that an agreement on a UN framework for ending hostilities could be reached within a period of days.

Asked by Sky News if he was too close to the White House, he said: 'I will never apologise for Britain being a strong ally of the US.'

Read the rest of the relevant (and revealing) Observer report, right here.

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Lebanon, Israel, Zionism, Judaism And Much More ...

One of the most maddening mistakes so many people seem so often to make, at least in our view, is to see some sort of anti-semitism where there is none.

For example, consider this question: Can a Jew be an anti-Semite?

What's that you say? It sounds like one of those stupid 'trick' questions?

Well, you'd be surprised -- or rather you will be surprised if you're prepared to take the trouble to stay with us and read right on.

Inspired by the latest Lebanon/Israel catastrophic conflict, coupled with some recent 'This Old Brit' posts along with several reader's reactions and comments -- the intrepid Tom at 'Current Era' excavated from deep within the web, the full text of an up to the minute and extremely enlightening, educational, interesting, informative and telling interview -- with an American based, ultra orthodox Rabbi by the name of David Weiss

So, if anyone here has ever had a hard time trying to understand the/any difference[s] between Zionism/Zionists, Judaism/Jews and Israel and Israelis -- then this is definitely one interview that you would not want to miss.

We say again -- this is an interview not to be missed.

Courtesy of, and all Kudos to, Christopher Brown at OhMyNews - International Interviews.

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Lebanon Latest: Israel Claims Whole World Is With It ...

We awoke this morning to find an amazing assertion by Israel that the whole wide world is with it with regard to it's bloody bombardment of Lebanon. And to learn that by using this as an excuse they not only intend to continue committing war crimes, but to willfully 'scale-up' said insane savagery.

Well, we wonder which world they are referring to, as it's certainly not the same planet as is populated by the many millions of civilized people making up that human race to which we two belong.

Far from it. In fact it's a whole world away.

Much nearer the truth is that it's BushCo's current neon-con American administration that is backing it - in many more ways than one - and backing it wholeheartedly too.

And that several subjugated, and slimy self serving, so-called world leaders calling themselves representatives of their peoples, are craven cowards, and as such are afraid to arise and be counted. Even though it's already painfully obvious that any further appeasement of either 21st century Pax Americana and/or an aspiring, aggresive & expansionist Greater Israel is absolutely not right.

Surely there comes a time when the people must make themselves heard. It happened with Viet Nam and eventually the people prevailed. And judging by increasing international 'popular opinion' it seems to several thousand million ordinary people that an equally serious and sickening situation is seemingly set before us all -- yet again.

So shouldn't we recognize that the time has come when all & every peaceful kind of protest as it's legally possible to employ, has again arrived?

Since otherwise, in the absence of any such outcry coupled with shows of utter global outrage, we are all complicit; we are all accomplices.

And therefore by logical extension -- all self confessed criminals -- and guilty as charged.

We rest our case.

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Lebanon Latest: Four UN Peacekeepers Blasted To Death By Israel ...

Ehud Olmert, prime minister of Israel asks:"Why on earth would we deliberately target U.N. observers?"

We two wonder why, too. Well over three quarters of the whole world wonders why, too.

Though we must say the word "observers" springs immediately to our minds. How about yours?

What we two also wonder as we write, is what the American UN 'walrus', John Bolton wants the world hear of what he thinks.

If & when we get to know - via either what we find out for ourselves or from readers if they beat us to it -- we shall certainly be sure to share it.

In the meantime, here's a tid-bit about the blasting of UN troops by bomb-happy Israeli forces, courtesy of the the BBC.

Israel troops 'ignored' UN plea

The four unarmed UN observers from Austria, Canada, China and Finland, died after their UN post in the town of Khiam was hit by an Israeli air strike on Tuesday.

Had Israel responded to the requests, "rather than deliberately ignoring them", the observers would still be alive, a diplomat familiar with the report said.

UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon contacted Israeli troops 10 times before an Israeli bomb killed four of them, an initial UN report says.

The post was hit by a precision-guided missile after six hours of shelling, diplomats familiar with the probe say.

Ten times?

Precision?

The mind bloody boggles.

Also from the same BBC news item;

The four unarmed UN observers from Austria, Canada, China and Finland, died after their UN post in the town of Khiam was hit by an Israeli air strike on Tuesday. The UN report says each time the UN contacted Israeli forces, they were assured the firing would stop.

A senior Irish soldier working for the UN forces had warned the Israelis six times that their bombardment was endangering the lives of UN staff, Ireland's foreign ministry said.

Had Israel responded to the requests, "rather than deliberately ignoring them", the observers would still be alive, a diplomat familiar with the report said.

Just who the hell is kidding who here? Or should we ask who's trying to?

We don't think it's the UN and/or the senior Irish soldier.
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Lebanon, Hezbollah, Israel, Iraq, Iran, The PNAC, Americans' Tax Money And More ...

There are still some who are being suckered into swallowing the story that the ongoing obliteration (by Israel), of Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon, wasn't planned years in advance -- kidnapping or no kidnapping.

But then again, there are still some suckers swallowing the 'Santa' story -- though they are, in the main, nine years old or less.

Then of course there are those who are familiar with 'The Project For The New American Century' - aka The P.N.A.C.

Here's a letter from the group to G.W.B.

Check out the date, check out the highlighted sections, then check out all the (in)famous signatories.

Then, since we two have spent half a day in a hospital clinic and the other half a day traveling (and sweltering) in scorching, so un-British temperatures, we're looking for a little help here -- because we're both completely knackered.

First read this letter in full. Then, simply go Google 'PNAC' -- but be prepared for some surprises -- unless you already belong to the better-informed-than-most, bunch.

And, whether you do or don't, please do some dot connecting yourself since we're totally truthfully, way too tired to type any more tonight. But, don't get too hung up on the hospital bit; the good news (or bad news depending upon on your own particular point of view), is that we'll both live -- till we're good and bloody ready to go.

September 20, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President,

We write to endorse your admirable commitment to “lead the world to victory” in the war against terrorism. We fully support your call for “a broad and sustained campaign” against the “terrorist organizations and those who harbor and support them.” We agree with Secretary of State Powell that the United States must find and punish the perpetrators of the horrific attack of September 11, and we must, as he said, “go after terrorism wherever we find it in the world” and “get it by its branch and root.” We agree with the Secretary of State that U.S. policy must aim not only at finding the people responsible for this incident, but must also target those “other groups out there that mean us no good” and “that have conducted attacks previously against U.S. personnel, U.S. interests and our allies.”

In order to carry out this

“first war of the 21st century”

successfully, and in order, as you have said, to do future “generations a favor by coming together and whipping terrorism,” we believe the following steps are necessary parts of a comprehensive strategy.

Osama bin Laden

We agree that a key goal, but by no means the only goal, of the current war on terrorism should be to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, and to destroy his network of associates. To this end, we support the necessary military action in Afghanistan and the provision of substantial financial and military assistance to the anti-Taliban forces in that country.

Iraq

We agree with Secretary of State Powell'’s recent statement that Saddam Hussein “is one of the leading terrorists on the face of the Earth.” It may be that the Iraqi government provided assistance in some form to the recent attack on the United States.

But even if evidence does not link Iraq directly to the attack,

any strategy aiming at the eradication of terrorism and its sponsors must include a determined effort to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. Failure to undertake such an effort will constitute an early and perhaps decisive surrender in the war on international terrorism. The United States must therefore provide full military and financial support to the Iraqi opposition. American military force should be used to provide a “safe zone” in Iraq from which the opposition can operate. And American forces must be prepared to back up our commitment to the Iraqi opposition by all necessary means.

Hezbollah

Hezbollah is one of the leading terrorist organizations in the world. It is suspected of having been involved in the 1998 bombings of the American embassies in Africa, and implicated in the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. Hezbollah clearly falls in the category cited by Secretary Powell of groups “that mean us no good” and “that have conducted attacks previously against U.S. personnel, U.S. interests and our allies.”

Therefore, any war against terrorism must target Hezbollah. We believe the administration should demand that Iran and Syria immediately cease all military, financial, and political support for Hezbollah and its operations. Should Iran and Syria refuse to comply, the administration should consider appropriate measures of retaliation against these known state sponsors of terrorism.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority

Israel has been and remains America'’s staunchest ally against international terrorism, especially in the Middle East. The United States should fully support our fellow democracy in its fight against terrorism. We should insist that the Palestinian Authority put a stop to terrorism emanating from territories under its control and imprison those planning terrorist attacks against Israel. Until the Palestinian Authority moves against terror, the United States should provide it no further assistance.

U.S. Defense Budget

A serious and victorious war on terrorism will require a large increase in defense spending. Fighting this war may well require the United States to engage a well-armed foe, and will also require that we remain capable of defending our interests elsewhere in the world. We urge that there be no hesitation in requesting whatever funds for defense are needed to allow us to win this war.

There is, of course, much more that will have to be done. Diplomatic efforts will be required to enlist other nations’ aid in this war on terrorism. Economic and financial tools at our disposal will have to be used. There are other actions of a military nature that may well be needed.

However, in our judgement the steps outlined above constitute the minimum necessary

if this war is to be fought effectively and brought to a successful conclusion. Our purpose in writing is to assure you of our support as you do what must be done to lead the nation to victory in this fight.

Sincerely,

William Kristol

Richard V. Allen Gary Bauer Jeffrey Bell William J. Bennett

Rudy Boshwitz Jeffrey Bergner Eliot Cohen Seth Cropsey

Midge Decter Thomas Donnelly Nicholas Eberstadt Hillel Fradkin

Aaron Friedberg Francis Fukuyama Frank Gaffney Jeffrey Gedmin

Reuel Marc Gerecht Charles Hill Bruce P. Jackson Eli S. Jacobs

Michael Joyce Donald Kagan Robert Kagan Jeane Kirkpatrick

Charles Krauthammer John Lehman Clifford May Martin Peretz

Richard Perle Norman Podhoretz Stephen P. Rosen Randy Scheunemann

Gary Schmitt William Schneider, Jr. Richard H. Shultz Henry Sokolski

Stephen J. Solarz Vin Weber Leon Wieseltier Marshall Wittmann

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Lebanon Latest: Israeli War Crimes?

A war crime?

One of many?

Committed by Israel's IDF against innocent Lebanese civilians?

Civilians who were fleeing the continuing ferocious Israeli onslaught on their homeland . Fleeing in fear of their lives. Fleeing on the express orders of the ruthless Israeli invaders' 'evacuation' instructions .

Was this yet another one of many recent war crimes committed against all of humanity in general, and the poor Lebanese people in particular ?

Before forming a personal opinion, first read the following clip, then the relevant Guardian report in full.

The ambulanceman gave Ali the job of keeping his mother alive.

The 12-year-old did what he could. "Mama, mama, don't go to sleep," he sobbed, gently patting her face beneath her chin.

Behind her black veil, her eyelids were slowly sinking.

"I'm going to die," she sighed. "Don't say that, mama," Ali begged, and then slid to the ground in tears.

On the pavement around mother and son were the other members of the Sha'ita family, their faces spattered with each other's blood. All were in varying shades of shock and injury. A tourniquet was tied on Ali's mother's arm.

A few metres away, his aunt lay motionless, the white T-shirt beneath her abaya stained red.

Two sisters hugged each other and wept, oblivious to the medics tending their wounds. "Let them take me, let them take me," one screamed.

Their mother was placed on a stretcher, and lifted into the ambulance. "God is with you, mama," Ali said. She reached up with her good arm to caress his face.

The Sha'itas had thought they were on the road to safety when they set out yesterday, leaving behind a village which because of an accident of geography - it is five miles from the Israeli border - had seemed to make their home a killing ground.

They had been ordered to evacuate by the Israelis.

Read the rest of the Guardian's gut-wrenching article right here.

Then there's this, from today's Independent's front page.

And then there's the Mirror.

This Old Brit has this evening sent a message to his Member of Parliament, expressing his absolute outrage and demanding she immediately join the ranks of parliamentarians who've had enough of Blair's abetting of both Israel's and America's willful roles in this ongoing horror story.

Only if & when enough constituents show their elected representatives that they are deadly serious re: their votes -- the very next time they get to cast them -- will these politi-pigs pull their fat, stinking snouts from the trough, and sit up and listen.

So, what did you do today?

And/or what will you do tomorrow?

Anything?

Something?

Or nothing?

*P.S.
In the interests of decency & honesty absolutely no mention of (nor reference to), an American Bushwoman named Rice, has been made in this article -- since we see her as simply a shyster.

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Lebanon Latest: Israeli Tanks & Warplanes, Disappeared Pictures And Lebanese Mass Graves ...

This old Lebanese lady, her hands held aloft in despair, looks for help that isn't forthcoming. Not from any of us.

As Israel continues to cause it's coldly calculated carnage in the city of Beirut - and throughout Lebanon - neither of the governments of our so-called civilized countries, the UK and the US lift a finger to help - neither her nor hers.

For shame.

Not a single, solitary finger.

For shame.

Not a single solitary finger to help hundreds of thousands of suffering, innocent civilian victims. Nor a single, solitary finger to attempt to alleviate any of the absolutely awful atrocities still being inflicted by Israel.

For shame.

And as the massed ranks of IDF tanks today roll across the border in earnest, the fast becoming pariah state, Israel, turns it's aerial bombardment attentions to mobile phone and television station antennas -- we learn that another important information avenue is taken down.

We refer of course to the horror-pictures' site which we and others linked to, only hours ago. We dare say most of us knew, if not all, that this special site would soon be 'disappeared' -- but not so soon.

Out of sight - out of mind, eh?

Well, not if we can help it.

Thankfully, our own adopted treasure, Tom from 'Current Era' was astute enough to foresee such an event and act accordingly.

Like some others, Tom 'grabbed' some of the gruesome pictorial evidence of the war crimes against civilians, currently being committed by Israel in Lebanon.

Kudos and thanks to Tom.

Shame on them and theirs.

Here's Tom's Current Era site/blog -- and now, even as we type, we find Tom's put up video footage of The Lebanese forced to bury their mounting dead -- in mass graves.

For shame.

Then there's also this to see. It's short & sweet.

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Lebanon Latest : Israel, America, Europe, Britain and the UN -- Shame, Shame, Shame

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Above is a bit of the city of Beirut in Lebanon. People lived there.

Real, flesh, blood & bone people just like you and me. And like our kids and our grandkids and sundry kith & kin.

Some of them are still alive. But some of them wish they weren't.


Gert, one of our fellow British blogger friends, forwarded the following link via our comment's section.

He asked that we help spread the terrible truth about what Israel is doing to Lebanon - and it's people.

You'll soon see why we could not wait to help, when and if you have the nerve [and stomach], to see for yourself the suffering of some -- and the shame of so many, many more.

Whether you personally do or don't dare to look -- please distribute this as quickly and as widely as possible.

But be warned -- war is hell -- and bloodbaths aren't called bloodbaths without good reason.

And be advised -- 'all' Americans are behind Israel - according to George Bush and Hillary Clinton, and a veritable whole brothel-full of bloodthirsty U.S. whore-politicians.

Along with Tony Blair and big bunch of his own bloody-handed British MP brothers & sisters.

Here's the "X-rated" link -- before you click -- think.

Shame on them.

And shame on us.

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Lebanon Latest: Israel Attacks UN Troops And Red Cross Ambulances ...

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Just when one can't imagine things getting any worse -- we learn that Israel have attacked United Nations troops in Lebanon.

And, that they've attacked Red Cross ambulances.

Israeli warplanes hit UN troop positions in Lebanon

Malaysia Sun

Wednesday 19th July, 2006

UN troops in Lebanon have come under heavy fire in the past 24 hours, while plans are afoot for their families to be evacuated.

In another incident Israeli aircraft attacked a convoy of 26 Red Cross ambulances which the UAE was sending by road into Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes fired close to UNIFIL, or the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, positions on at least fifteen occasions, scoring a direct hit on one position near the village of Marwahin. UN officials said there was material damage, but no casualties.

French army Maj. Eric Minoli, who is commanding a UNIFIL contingent, said he is sickened by what he has seen.

"The people are clearly terrorized. Many Lebanese are fleeing north," he said. "As a Frenchman and a United Nations soldier, I hope the diplomats work out a cease-fire."

Then we hear that Hilary Rodham Clinton has publicly pronounced that all Americans are behind Israel.

And we learn that the little lady herself officially backs Bush's backing of Israel's bombardment of Lebanon -- and apparently anything and/or anyone, therein.

Enough for one day.

We've done our day's worth, dutywise.

We're about to be abed.

So good night and good luck.

We may all need some soon; lots of it.





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Lebanon: BushAmerica To Fellow Americans: Pay And Go - Or Don't, And Die ...

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In the hope that our blogger-mate Mark from Ireland won't mind too much, we've borrowed from his great 'Gorilla's Guides' blog, the above artist's impression of "The New Lebanese Flag".


Speaks for itself wouldn't you say?

Sort of says it all, eh?

But we're certain that there'll be absolutely no problems regarding reproducing the link below, flagged to us by another Old Brit acquaintance, from Australia, going by the name Griffon -- who really is a remarkable regular researcher/contributor/commenter.

But before clicking on the the link, examine this excerpt: it'll help you figure in advance the kind of report awaiting you when you arrive.

Friendly Fire: Americans Caught in a Bush-Backed Circle of Slaughter Written by Chris Floyd

Tuesday, 18 July 2006

U.S. and British Navies Join Evacuation Efforts (NYT) Excerpt: A five-ship United States naval group and a British flotilla steamed toward Lebanon today to help in a large and hastily organized evacuation and perhaps to send an implicit message as thousands of foreign nationals continued to flee the violence by helicopter, passenger ships and chartered ferries, or by bus or car to Syria. And many Americans said they were distressed to learn they would have to pay their own evacuation costs.

We can only suppose that that must be the BushAmerican way, eh?

Never give some suckers any even break. Capitalism at all costs. The free market method must be made the most of.

Pay and Go - or - Don't and Die.

Oh, and have a nice day, eh?

Okay, before the rant we sense is all set to explode on the scene - does exactly that - read the rest of Chris Floyd's report at his own super site, 'Empire Burlesque'.

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The Real Middle-East Deal Re: Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria et al ...

As eager as we pair ever are to strive to explain, enlighten and educate -- this afternoon we scoured cyber-space to secure the simplest sort of (diagrammatic) map of the middle east, as we could muster.

Hopefully it will help even the most seriously geographically challenged, as well as the plain pig-ignorant inhabitants of far-off lands we'd rather remained nameless right now. And for This Old Brit's and Richard's (more, shall we say) mature peers, who finished full time, mandatory education quite a while ago, it should serve to jog some memories.

Perhaps eye-balling the map will make it easier for many to follow the plot. And please note that we chose the last word of the preceding sentence, particularly intentionally.

However, to further help put you all in the picture -- as literally as is possible via such a virtual medium as the one we are using -- we're calling upon the expert knowledge of a group of several specialists -- and one in particular.

So for anyone honestly interested in a genuinely, political-party-free insight of what's really 'going down' re: Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, etc -- below are two brilliant blog sources that are both must-reads and must-bookmarks. You'd better believe it.

1./ From/to markfromireland

2./ Gorrila's Guides:

Questions and answers on hostilities. Plus ... Israeli assault on Lebanon.

Incidentally, if you're also interested in Iraq (and who isn't), congratulations, you just hit the jackpot. Both blogs above are tailor-made for you -- they should suit you to a 'T'.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Do you want facts instead of fiction, or what?

Then hit those links.

Don't stop to think about it -- just go -- get thee gone.

You'll be glad you did: we guarantee it.

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British Royal Navy Warships All Set To Sail For 'Operations Off Lebanon' ..

Make what you will of this.

And of this.

Afterwards, you're on your own: draw your own conclusions.

Since we wouldn't want to be the two to start spreading any unwarranted alarm & despondency, and/or to end up being berated because we shouted 'fire' just because we smelled a dirty big rat, or two, or several some smoke.

Nor because we surmised we'd seen certain, suspicious signals being sent somewhere.

But our own immediate impression?

Honestly?

Absolutely without any waffling?

Short & sweet?

In a single word?

Ominous.

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On Wars, Wolcott And Other Good-Guy Bloggers ...

Speaking of Israel, which we so recently were, and its seemingly insatiable appetite for walnuts -- along with it's horrible habit of hitting them to open them - with sodding great super-sized, sledgehammers -- James Wolcott weighs in.

And speaking of bloggers and blogrolls, which we also were, Wolcott is unarguably one of the big boys of the blogworld. So it's nice to know that we're still seen as 'suitable' in his valued, personal opinion.

But to get back to Israel's ever increasing bombing of Beirut, and the inevitable spilling of even more blood: far too much of it, the blood of the entirely innocent .

Our own 'Gert' has for a long time regularly blogged about Israel, Israelis, Zionism, Zionists and Jews in general. Though not to the exclusion of all else we would hasten to add. And he's certainly much more patient than we would ever be, regarding some extreme comments which have recently proliferated at his place.

Sheesh! You should see some of them. Really, you should.

Anyway, in his latest piece, Gert says something very similar (and equally sensible), to that which Wolcott does. Go see for yourself.

And guess what?

Gert's another of the 'goodies' upon whose blogroll we're pleased, nay proud, to remain. Just as we are with some of our other regular readers/posters.

Including Jultra, Mark from Ireland, Gorrila's Guides, Gordo at Appletree and Tom (the video whiz) at Current Era.

Thanks, fellahs. Your reciprocal inclusion on our own blogroll certainly ain't set to change: of that you can be sure.

Perhaps seeing today's extra plug-links will remind everyone that you all come highly recommended, and are absolutely 'must visits' -- on a regular basis.

Main point we're making? Meme of the day?

United we stand. Divided we fall.

Incidentally, if we've inadvertently ommited mentioning mates who didn't deserve such mistaken ommission, please excuse us muchly -- and please make an appropriate, sympathetic age allowance.

Then, quickly call us to account in our comment box and see how swiftly we can set about setting things straight.

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Technorati THIS ...

'Technorati' is BIG in the blog world.

It does all that new fangled, hi-tech electronic tracking, ranking, collating and analyzing sort of stuff.

Far, far too technical for the likes of us two to fathom fully, or to attempt to talk about in any detail.

But one thing we definitely do know is that it covers the cavortings, trials, tribulations et al, of a phenomenal 48.2 million blogs, worldwide.

Wow! What a wonderful watcha-m'callit, eh?

Anyway, 'This Old Brit' (so 'Technorati' told us), used to be permanently linked to 34 different blogs -- meaning we were deemed worthy of a permanent place on their blogrolls.

That in turn meant that those 34 blogs must have seen something at least slightly special about 'This Old Brit' -- and about the words we wrote.

Which, we'd like to add, were often written in our own bloody, blood.

Sometimes, in our sweat and tears too.

If you take our meaning.

Today, 'Technorati' says said 34 have (sadly), shrunk to 29.

Could it be that we're considered to have become crap?

Or maybe it's something we've said?

Eh? Maybe?

Well, since it's so late we're both about ready to bugger off to bed right now.

But we'll do our damnedest not to lay awake tossing & turning and wondering & worrying.

Oh, the big picture?

Bloomin' eck -- it almost slipped our minds.

It's David and Goliath.

We want to do a bit of bedtime reading re; the two of them.

You know, refresh our failing memories kind of thing.

Especially, as to how the story ended.

Maybe some others could do worse than the same.

Ya think?

G'night friends. Sweet dreams.

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Israel - Super-Semites' Inhumanity Toward Semites Of A Lesser God ...

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Today, This Old Brit presents for your perusal a photograph of This Old Palestinian lady being helped across a road ...

... by an Israeli (IDF) tank, manned by a (hidden) crew of heroic, Jewish freedom fighters.

A picture no artist could paint, eh?

God's chosen children rule, eh?

The middle-East's, master-race, eh?

Might is right, eh?

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, eh?

What an infantile and futile philosophy.

Well, whatever.

So as it's our belief that a picture's worth a thousand words, we're going to leave things at that today.

Since we're both worn almost right out, courtesy all the horror stories of this last several days.

That's why this is it --- for today --- we hope you have a nice one.

N.B. Information for the uninitiated: while we warmly welcome reader discussion and comment, and invariably respond -- please note that we old pair (personally), definitely don't do debates.

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Former Brit Ambassador Warns Of Blair's Planned Web Clampdown ...

Craig Murray's the man caught on camera and shown left. He's one of the old school:the pre-Blair, Old Brit school.

What's more, Mr Murray's a true gentleman as well as an honest and true, through & through patriot.

As soon as he saw what sort of shameful shysters had hijacked this sceptered isle's corridors of power, and the kinds of almost unimaginably awful acts they were party to - along with the equally obnoxious occupiers of our American cousins' beloved White House - he stood up and said so.

He spoke out publicly, sincerely and vociferously. But almost all alone.

Ever since, for his pains, Blair & Co [particularly enthusiastically, helped by Tony Blair's since estranged, slimy side-kick Jack Straw] have sought to multiply this man's pains. Not to put too fine a point on it, they've continously connived to crucify Craig Murray. And now they're upping the ante.

No doubt some of you are already asking yourselves, 'But who the heck is he?'

He's a former British ambassador, and here's a tiny tid-bit about him.

Memos 'prove evidence used from Uzbek secret
police'

RAYMOND HAINEY

Key points

• Former Uzbekistan ambassador leaks confidential documents on internet
• Data shows UK used information obtained by torture in war on terror
• Murray also writing book based on experiences as ambassador

You can read the rest of the above old 'Scotsman' report right here.

But to get back to the business in hand, of today.

What follows below is the content in full of an email freshly received in This Old Brit and Richard's mailbox.

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I am sorry to trouble you, but believe that we now face a threat both to the Web and to Freedom of Information in the UK which must be challenged.

The British government is arguing that government documents, even if released under the Freedom of Information Act or Data Protection Act, cannot be published, on the web or elsewhere, as they remain Crown Copyright.

They have required me to remove documents from my website on that basis, under threat of legal action - see the attached letter from the Treasury solicitors.


If you think about it for a moment, the government could thus cancel out almost the whole purpose of the Freedom of Information Act; information released would be just for the private use of an individual. Newspapers - or bloggers - could not publish it in any detail.


If accepted, this extraordinary use of copyright could give the government completely arbitrary power to keep literally everything - everything - produced by government a secret for a hundred years.

It is yet another assault on civil liberty by the Blair government, and in it's potential impact one of the most monstrous.


If the media do not react to this, they will lose the ability to report in any detail material released under the Freedom of Information Act.


The documents in question are the supporting evidence for my book, Murder in Samarkand, which has just been released. The government continues to claim my story is untrue. There is one important advance in all this. Up until now the government refused to acknowledge the documents were authentic. Now Buttrill's letter specifically acknowledges all of the documents and claims copyright over them.

Some of these documents have already been published widely on the web, particularly the "Tashkent telegrams" on CIA and MI6 use of intelligence obtained under torture. Those are now admitted as authentic, for the first time.


Some are new to the web. Perhaps the most important is the chart of the changes the British Government insisted be made to the book.

These are extremely revealing for what they admit to be true - for example, only minor changes are requested in the key meeting between senior officials on the legality of using intelligence from torture, at which it was confirmed that this is US and UK policy.

Perhaps still more revealing is the insistence on removal of the assertion that "Colin Powell knowingly lied" when he claimed that bombs in Tashkent were the work of al-Qaida. The British government insisted on removal not because it was untrue - as detailed in the book, they know full well it is true - but because it would "Damage UK-US relations".


The changes requested were made in the book, because my publisher would not publish without. That is why the truth needs to be out there on the web.


It is on the face of it very strange that the British Government is going after me over the Copyright Act and not the Official Secrets Act. The answer is simple - under the Copyright Act there is no jury. A jury would never convict for campaigning against torture, and be most unlikely to accept that documents released cannot be published.

The table of changes requested by the government is not even a classified document in the first place. But a single judge may be more malleable - John Reid has put a huge effort lately into browbeating judges over anything connected to the so-called War on Terror.

As the government know very well I have no money to pay a large, or even small fine, they can get the book and documents banned and me in jail without having to convince any jury of pesky citizens.

Finally, the government made plain to parliament that it would act against the book itself if it was published. As it only came out on Friday, no injunction yet but it could happen any time. So if you are interested in getting it, buy now and beat the injunctions!

Many Thanks,

Craig Murray

This Old Brit & Richard would add only the following:

(A) Any emphasis is ours.
(B) We forgive his book plug since we know Blair's set him up to starve.
(C) Here's his own website - it's not to be missed.
(D) Everyone, especially bloggers everywhere, please help us to spread this as far & wide as possible -- before we are all fucked -- forever.

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President Putin - Much More Than That 'Boy Kiss' on BBC Web-Cast ...

We hear there's a hint of a bit of a hullabaloo blowing up among some of our American cousins across the Atlantic.

And apparently it's all about a certain senior Soviet statesman showing some affection, towards a small fellow citizen.

So, as dependable, reliable, eager to please, etc, as This Old Brit & Richard ever were and still are ....... da, da, da, dah ......

Right here & now the pair of us proudly present for your personal perusal & pleasure, Russian President Vladimir Putin's first ever, live Web-cast via the BBC.

When you watch and listen to this ground-breaking broadcast, you'll hear him answer lots & lots of questions, all plainly put to him by a varied bunch of Brits -- including a query on kissing the kid.

So what are we waiting for?

Let's get this show on the road.

Please pass the popcorn.

Then let's all look, listen and learn.

And to pile on the agony just that last, little bit longer --- lets roll!

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Re: 7/7 London Tube Train Terror Attack ...

Here's Rachel North in the BBC pic above.

What a brave and lovely lady she is.

So please, please, please and please again -- visit the links below.

Then please sign the petition.

And please leave a message.

Here's your chance to tell Blairco ... well ... go see.

Whatever your nationality, race, religion, politics, gender, age, etcetera.

Because, like the very brave Rachel from North London says at the end of her lastest, heartfelt blogpiece:

This is for all of us.

And that includes you and we.

Many sincere thanks in advance.

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An All-in-One Story Of The US Army In Iraq, Gang-Rape, Multiple Murders, Mutilation And More ...

* * Update: 5th July

Call for Iraq probe in rape case

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki questions coalition immunity

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is demanding a fresh inquiry into the alleged rape and murder of an Iraqi woman by US troops.

Her father, mother and young sister also died in the March attack at their home in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad.

"We will demand an independent Iraqi inquiry, or a joint investigation with multinational forces," Mr Maliki said during a visit to Kuwait.

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As sickening as it may sound, a single story including vicious gang rape, multiple murder [including that of a child] and mutilation by burning would normally be every newspaper and TV news desks' editor's 'dream'.

But will the one to be found below be?

Or will the horror of it all be hidden? Or ignored by most of MSM? Or glossed over? Or trivialized? Or excused?

Well, we'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime read this extract from an Associated Press writer's piece currently appearing online at Forbes.com.

And please particularly note that this updated report from Forbes -- detailing the alledged, apalling 'pre-planned' element while also naming names -- appeared on the web just an hour or so ago.

So, like so many especially shocking stories before it, it may soon alter - via official 'sanitization'.

Or it could completely disappear into the depths of the [now so fabled], 'memory hole'.

As we said, we'll have to wait and see.

(snip)

The charges grew out of a military investigation involving up to five soldiers in the March rape and killing of the woman in Mahmoudiya and three of her relatives.

Prosecutors said Green and others entered the home of a family of Iraqi civilians, where he and others raped the woman before Green shot her and her relatives.

According to an accompanying affidavit, photos taken by Army investigators showed a burned body of "what appears to be a woman with blankets thrown over her upper torso."

FBI agents arrested Green on Friday in Marion, N.C., where he is being held without bond pending a transfer to Louisville, Ky.

The case is being handled by federal prosecutors there because Green, who served 11 months with the 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Ky., is no longer in the military.

(snip)

FBI special agent Gregor J. Ahlers of Louisville, said Green and three other soldiers from the 101st's 502nd Infantry Regiment were working a traffic checkpoint in Mahmoudiya on March 12 when they conspired to rape a woman who lived nearby.

According to the affidavit's account, the soldiers changed their clothes before going to the woman's residence to avoid detection. Once there, the affidavit said, Green took three members of the family into a bedroom, after which shots were heard from inside.

"Green came to the bedroom door and told everyone, 'I just killed them. All are dead,'" the affidavit said.

The affidavit is based on interviews conducted by the FBI and investigators at Fort Campbell with three unidentified soldiers assigned to Green's platoon. One of the soldiers said he witnessed another soldier and Green rape the woman.

"After the rape, (the soldier) witnessed Green shoot the woman in the head two to three times," the affidavit said.

Ahlers said in the affidavit that he also reviewed photos taken by Army investigators in Iraq of bodies found inside a burned house, including photos of an Iraqi man, woman and young girl who all appear to have died of gunshot wounds.

He said he also reviewed a photo of a burned body of "what appears to be a woman with blankets thrown over her upper torso."

An official familiar with details of the investigation in Iraq has told The Associated Press that a flammable liquid was used to burn the rape victim's body in a cover-up attempt. U.S. officials have said they believed the victims were killed in sectarian violence.

On Friday, the U.S. military acknowledged that Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, had ordered a criminal investigation into the alleged slaying of a family in Mahmoudiya.

Four members of the 502nd have had their weapons taken away and were confined to a U.S. base near Mahmoudiya, officials said.

Maybe some readers had heard or read something of this over the last couple of days, just as we had.

However, to learn that this whole thing was premeditated -- yep, actually planned in advance by the cold blooded, killer-pervert[s] responsible -- makes it all the more nightmarish, if that's at all possible.

(snip)

Read the revolting rest, right here.

P.S.

This Old Brit wants demands to be the very first to comment on today's post:

"Fuck you, whoever you all are, if you're found to be the guilty filth of 502nd of 101st US Army Infantry."

I hope they carve the following few words on your tombstone[s].

And I hope they carve them deep -- in the largest possible letters.

PART TIME RAPIST-MURDERER.

FULL TIME WANKER-CUM-COWARD'."

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*** WARNING & UPDATE ! ***

A strongly suspected DOS and/or IDENTITY THEFT attack on This Old Brit has occured -- but has already now been countered. I strongly advise that nobody clicks on the live name/id link to basilbeast, in our comments section. I've deleted the relevant comment but his/her 'link' will probably remain there. Such is blogger's lame-brain mechanism.

BUT, REMEMBER -- BEWARE OF BASILBEAST! (It had to happen sooner or later I suppose).

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