Iraq executes 21 men in one day on ‘terror’ charges

"Iraq put 21 men to death on Tuesday, a senior justice ministry official told AFP, the latest in a series of mass executions that have drawn international condemnation. All of the men were Iraqis and had been convicted on anti-terror charges, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The latest executions brought to 50 the number of times Baghdad has carried out the death penalty so far this year, despite widespread calls for a moratorium on the country’s use of capital punishment. Justice Minister Hassan al-Shammari insisted last month that Baghdad would continue to implement the death penalty." Continue reading

Continue ReadingIraq executes 21 men in one day on ‘terror’ charges

Baghdad cafe bombing kills 27 ahead of elections

"The bombing comes ahead of provincial elections on Saturday in which an estimated 13.8 million Iraqis are eligible to vote for more than 8,000 candidates, with 378 seats being contested. Diplomats have raised questions over the credibility of the vote, however, as a spike in violence has left at least 14 candidates dead and a third of the country’s provinces are not even taking part, including two where authorities say security cannot be guaranteed. Thursday’s bombing struck at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) in the mostly-Sunni Amriyah neighbourhood and also wounded more than 50 people, security and medical officials said." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBaghdad cafe bombing kills 27 ahead of elections

Kerry blames Iran for attack on Iraq camp

"US Secretary of State John Kerry blamed the Iranian government for a deadly attack on an opposition camp in Iraq, and voiced fears of another assault. 'We are deeply engaged in this. I am very concerned about the potential of another attack,' Kerry told US lawmakers when asked about the February attack on a camp housing members of an exiled Iranian dissident group, the MEK. The People’s Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) has accused Tehran of being behind the rocket and mortar attack on Camp Liberty, a former US military base near Baghdad housing about 3,000 members of the MEK, in which seven people died." Continue reading

Continue ReadingKerry blames Iran for attack on Iraq camp

Iran condemns Boston blast, criticizes US policy

"Iran's top leader on Wednesday condemned the twin bombing attacks in Boston, yet chided the U.S. for employing a double standard when it comes to drone attacks that kill innocent civilians. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran, which follows the logic of Islam, is opposed to any bombings and killings of innocent people no matter if it is in Boston, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq or Syria and condemns it,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Iranian military leaders he was addressing in Tehran. Khamenei criticized the U.S. for killing people with drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan and backing forces that kill others in Iraq and Syria." Continue reading

Continue ReadingIran condemns Boston blast, criticizes US policy

David Koresh’s Revenge: Waco and 20 Years of State Terror

"About once a day police kill an American, often a marginalized person like the homeless Kelly Thomas, beaten in July 2011 by five officers in Southern California, dying of complications five days later. Or they are veterans like Jose Guerena, at whom Tuscon police fired 71 rounds in the middle of the night in May 2011 – innocent of any crime, just in his own house at the wrong time. The state saves most of its killing for abroad, where killing is its very policy. And now, thanks to the war on terror, Obama calls America his battlefield and the world his jurisdiction. He has made it official doctrine that the president can order anyone’s death." Continue reading

Continue ReadingDavid Koresh’s Revenge: Waco and 20 Years of State Terror

Glenn Greenwald: The Boston bombing produces familiar and revealing reactions

"Regardless of your views of justification and intent: whatever rage you're feeling toward the perpetrator of this Boston attack, that's the rage in sustained form that people across the world feel toward the US for killing innocent people in their countries. Whatever sadness you feel for yesterday's victims, the same level of sadness is warranted for the innocent people whose lives are ended by American bombs. However profound a loss you recognize the parents and family members of these victims to have suffered, that's the same loss experienced by victims of US violence." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: The Boston bombing produces familiar and revealing reactions

Glenn Greenwald: The Boston bombing produces familiar and revealing reactions

"Regardless of your views of justification and intent: whatever rage you're feeling toward the perpetrator of this Boston attack, that's the rage in sustained form that people across the world feel toward the US for killing innocent people in their countries. Whatever sadness you feel for yesterday's victims, the same level of sadness is warranted for the innocent people whose lives are ended by American bombs. However profound a loss you recognize the parents and family members of these victims to have suffered, that's the same loss experienced by victims of US violence." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: The Boston bombing produces familiar and revealing reactions

Muslim woman reports assault following ‘dark-skinned’ Boston bombing suspect reports

"A Muslim woman in Boston says that she was attacked by a white man on on Wednesday morning because he was apparently enraged by the Boston Marathon bombings and convinced, despite a lack of evidence, that the perpetrators were Muslim. Heba Abolaban told Malden Patch that she and her friend, who were both wearing hijabs, were walking on Commercial Street with their children when a white male in his thirties punched her in her left shoulder. 'He was screaming ‘Fuck you Muslims! You are terrorists! I hate you! You are involved in the Boston explosions! Fuck you!’' she recalled. 'Oh my lord, I was extremely shocked.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingMuslim woman reports assault following ‘dark-skinned’ Boston bombing suspect reports

Muslim woman reports assault following ‘dark-skinned’ Boston bombing suspect reports

"A Muslim woman in Boston says that she was attacked by a white man on on Wednesday morning because he was apparently enraged by the Boston Marathon bombings and convinced, despite a lack of evidence, that the perpetrators were Muslim. Heba Abolaban told Malden Patch that she and her friend, who were both wearing hijabs, were walking on Commercial Street with their children when a white male in his thirties punched her in her left shoulder. 'He was screaming ‘Fuck you Muslims! You are terrorists! I hate you! You are involved in the Boston explosions! Fuck you!’' she recalled. 'Oh my lord, I was extremely shocked.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingMuslim woman reports assault following ‘dark-skinned’ Boston bombing suspect reports

Mob Rule in Boston

"Demonstrating that the media is just as incompetent as the authorities, reckless and breathless photos of brown-skinned and Middle Eastern-looking people plastered across the pages of the (thankfully) dying corporate print media are terrorizing innocent teens who are nevertheless pictured as 'persons of interest.' It is a mob rule mentality, fanning the flames of the lynch mob. What a horrible time to be living-while-Muslim (or appearing that way to some morons) in the New England area. As Politico points out, the corporate media no longer even plays lip service to the basics of reporting and fact-checking." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMob Rule in Boston