Category Archives: Civil Unrest

The Anti-Russian Lying Machine in Action

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The Anti-Russian Lying Machine in Action Stephen Lendman, Global Research, October 02, 2015   It never rests, now in high gear following Russia’s announced aerial campaign against ISIS in Syria, beginning on September 30. For the first time since WW II, Russian and US warplanes are bombing the same country – each for entirely different reasons. Moscow’s campaign aims to defeat ISIS, eliminate its scourge. Washington actively supports it, striking Syrian targets exclusively, duplicitously claiming otherwise. The US State and Defense Departments’ lying machine has sprung into action, criticizing Moscow instead of praising its efforts, vital against terrorists ravaging Syria. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter claimed Russian airstrikes are tantamount to “pouring gasoline on the fire.” “By supporting Assad and seemingly taking on everyone who is fighting Assad, you’re taking on the whole rest of the country of Syria,” he blustered. That is not our position. At least some parts of … Continue reading →

A Franciscan Alternative: the People’s Pope and a People’s Bank?

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A Franciscan Alternative: the People’s Pope and a People’s Bank? ELLEN BROWN, JULY 7, 2015 www.counterpunch.org/2015/07/07/a-franciscan-alternative…   Pope Francis has been called “the revolutionary Pope.” Before he became Pope Francis, he was a Jesuit Cardinal in Argentina named Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the son of a rail worker. Moments after his election, he made history by taking on the name Francis, after Saint Francis of Assisi, the leader of a rival order known to have shunned wealth to live in poverty. Pope Francis’ June 2015 encyclical is called “Praised Be,” a title based on an ancient song attributed to St. Francis. Most papal encyclicals are addressed only to Roman Catholics, but this one is addressed to the world. And while its main focus is considered to be climate change, its 184 pages cover much more than that. Among other sweeping reforms, it calls for a radical overhaul of the banking system. … Continue reading →

The Problem of Greece Is Not Only a Tragedy

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The Problem of Greece Is Not Only a Tragedy It Is a Lie John Pilger, Global Research, July 13, 2015 http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-problem-of-greece…   An historic betrayal has consumed Greece. Having set aside the mandate of the Greek electorate, the Syriza government has willfully ignored last week’s landslide ‘No’ vote and secretly agreed a raft of repressive, impoverishing measures in return for a bailout that means sinister foreign control and a warning to the world. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has pushed through parliament a proposal to cut at least 13 billion euros from the public purse 4 billion euros more than the austerity figure rejected overwhelmingly by the majority of the Greek population in a referendum on 5 July. These reportedly include a 50 per cent increase in the cost of healthcare for pensioners, almost 40 per cent of whom live in poverty; deep cuts in public sector wages; the complete privatization … Continue reading →

Grexit or Jubilee? How Greek Debt Can Be Annulled

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Grexit or Jubilee? How Greek Debt Can Be Annulled Ellen Brown, Web of Debt, Posted on Jul 16, 2015   Greece’s creditors have finally brought the country to its knees, forcing President Alexis Tsipras to agree to austerity and privatization measures more severe than those overwhelmingly rejected by popular vote a week earlier. No write-down of Greece’s debt was included in the deal, although the IMF has warned that the current debt is unsustainable. Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis calls the deal “a new Versailles Treaty” and “the politics of humiliation.” Greek defense minister Panos Kammenos calls it a “coup d’état” done by “blackmailing the Greek prime minister with collapse of the banks and a complete haircut on deposits.” “Blackmail” is not too strong a word. The European Central Bank has turned off its liquidity tap for Greece’s banks, something all banks need, as explained earlier here. All banks are technically … Continue reading →

Sovereign Money offers an opportunity for Greece

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Sovereign Money offers an opportunity for Greece to stimulate a more rapid and sustinable recovery. WRITTEN BY FRANK VAN LERVEN ON JULY 3, 2015. http://positivemoney.org/2015/07/grexit-seize-opportunity/   A Grexit might never happen, but it could also be just days away. If a Grexit does happen, is it all doom and gloom, or is there a glimmer of hope? The re-establishment of the World’s oldest currency could represent a new path for monetary reform. One which is fit for purpose and designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. A Sovereign Money system could bring a number of benefits to Greece. Not only would it offer a better and safer banking system, but it would also give Greece a much better opportunity to recover from its on-going crisis. By not relying on bank lending and increased levels of debt to grow the economy, Sovereign Money offers the Greek people a more … Continue reading →

The May 2nd Odessa Massacre

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The May 2nd Odessa Massacre Why Obama’s Coup-Regime Still Runs Ukraine Eric Zuesse, Global Research, May 01, 2015   The May 2nd Ukrainian massacre of anti-regime pamphleteers last year at the Odessa Trade Unions Building, burning these pamphleteers alive there, was crucial to the Obama Administration’s solidification of its control over Ukraine. That massacre was designed to, and it did, terrorize the residents in all areas of Ukraine which had voted overwhelmingly for the man whom Obama had just ousted, Viktor Yanukovych. Especially in the Donbass region, Yanokovych had received 90%+ of the votes. In Odessa, he had received three-quarters of the votes. (Later will be explained why this terror against the residents of such regions was necessary for Obama’s purpose of solidifying his control over Ukraine’s government.)  So, the shocking methods of executing these people, and its being done in public and with no blockage of video images being recorded of these events by their many witnesses, and … Continue reading →

Greece’s Parliament Cannot Override the NO Vote

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Greek Parliament Cannot Override the NO Vote The Agreement with the Creditors is Illegal Prof Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, July 21, 2015 http://www.globalresearch.ca/greeces-parliament…   FIRA, GREECE. On Sunday  July 5, the Greek people voted in a historic referendum to refuse the Troika’s draft agreement.  The Referendum was an outright  ”ritual of democracy”.  The Greek people were betrayed. On Monday morning, July 6, on the day following the referendum, Prime minister Tsipras put forth a 13 page draft proposal which included most of the demands of the creditors.  This proposal, which was drafted before the referendum in close consultation with the creditors was essentially intended to lead towards the acceptance of the creditors’ demands, namely to support the YES vote which was defeated in the July 5 Referendum.   This about-turn had been carefully engineered. The Greek people were misled and deceived. PM Tsipras was “in bed with the creditors” while leading the No Campaign. He had … Continue reading →

Deadly Disinformation: War, the Mainstream Media

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Deadly Disinformation: War, the Mainstream Media and the Tragic Death of African Refugees Julie Lévesque, Global Research, April 28, 2015 http://www.globalresearch.ca/deadly-disinformation-…   The tragic death of hundreds of refugees last week in the Mediterranean Sea has once again brought to light the deadly hypocrisy of Western leaders and their mainstream press. Omissions and distortions are disconnecting the catastrophic event from its roots, preventing the real culprits from being publicly exposed. Were the victims Libyan “migrants seeking a better life in Europe,” or rather refugees fleeing a war zone created and fueled by Western powers? The way the story is told and the wording are deceptive. Danish scholar Jan Oberg explains: In various media reports and political statements the word ”refugee” is increasingly being replaced by ”migrant”… A migrant, according to the UN, is a person who is engaged in (seeking) a remunerative activity in a state of which he or she … Continue reading →

Tsipras and Varoufakis Approve of Home Evictions

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Tsipras and Varoufakis Approve of Home Evictions — and Expropriation of Depositors By Ernst Wolff, Global Research, July 27, 2015 http://www.globalresearch.ca/tsipras-and-varoufakis-…   During their election campaign, the Syriza movement promised the people of Greece an end to the inhumane politics of austerity and the dictatorship of the Troika. After being elected in January, Prime Minister Tsipras and his Finance Minister Varoufakis negotiated with the EU commission, the ECB and the IMF for almost five months. While fulfilling almost all of their financial demands, Syriza’s leaders openly criticized the “institutions” for their tough bargaining and resisted some of their harshest measures. At the beginning of July, the Troika tightened its grip on Greece. Tsipras and Varoufakis in return called for a referendum in which the people of Greece took a very clear stance and said “no” to the continuation of austerity politics. Rather than fulfill this mandate, Tsipras responded with a … Continue reading →

Greece and the European Union

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Greece and the European Union First as Tragedy, Second as Farce, Thirdly as Vassal State By Prof. James Petras, Global Research, July 28, 2015 http://www.globalresearch.ca/greece-the-refugee-crisis…   The Greek people’s efforts to end the economic depression, recover their sovereignty and reverse the regressive socio-economic policies, which have drastically reduced living standards, have been thrice denied. First, the denial came as tragedy: When the Greek majority elected Syriza to government and their debts increased, the economy plunged further into depression and unemployment and poverty soared.  The Greek people voted for Syriza believing its promises of ‘a new course’.  Immediately following their victory, Syriza reneged on their promise to restore sovereignty – and end the subjugation of the Greek people to the economic dictates of overseas bankers, bureaucrats and political oligarchs.  Instead Syriza kept Greece in the oligarchical imperialist bloc, portraying the European Union as an association of independent sovereign countries.  What began as a great victory of the Greek … Continue reading →