ISIS takfiri terrorists: McCain-Obama’s offspring

Despite propaganda, the ISIS-takfiri terrorists are being supported, trained and armed by the US, NATO and its regional puppets. Washington just signed an agreement with Turkey to train “moderate” rebels to fight in Syria. Isn’t this what the US has been doing in Jordan for more than two year? ZAFAR BANGASH*

The horrific video released on February 3 showing the burning death of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh has sent shockwaves throughout the world. Such barbarism has few parallels in history and certainly none in Islamic history. Islam expressly forbids such cruel punishment despite the demented logic of the takfiris who go by different names: Da‘ish, ISIS, ISIL or even IS.

The demonization of Arabs, Muslims: The Harper government spreads hate in Canada while it supports terror overseas

From Ottawa and Washington to Paris, governments and the media sympathetic to those in power take advantage of attacks to drum up support for military adventures abroad. In this context, it is important to take a look back and see how Canadian troops got wrangled into Washington’s ever-expanding “war on terror” in Iraq and Syria. MAHDI DARIUS NAZEMROAYA

How Harper leveraged the Parliament attack to mislead Canada into Iraq

(March 18) – Speaking on January 22, 2015 about the multinational insurgents that he deployed the Canadian military to fight in the Middle East, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper confidently declared to reporters in St. Catharines, Ontario, that, “If those guys [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants] fire at us, we’re going to fire back and we’re going to kill them.”

Harper government’s motion to ‘extend and expand’ Canadian mission in Iraq

‘Fight against terrorism’ – Cover to support U.S. aggression against Syria and Iraq

Harper stated in Mississauga, “The current authorization laid open the possibility of going into Syria, though we have not done that.” He will “address those issues” when the new proposal is revealed, he said. LOUIS LANG

(March 21) – In a speech in Mississauga on March 18, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he would be presenting a motion to the House of Commons the following week to “extend and expand” the Canadian mission in Iraq.

Human Rights Watch: Uses photo of US bombing destruction of Syria to condemn Assad

Putting its hypocritical and biased nature on full display once again, the alleged human rights organization, Human Rights Watch, was recently caught in an attempt to fabricate “evidence” of Assad’s use of barrel bombs in civilian areas for the purposes of further demonizing the secular Syrian government. BRANDON TURBEVILLE*

Word. Testimony of Mi’kmaq activist Pam Palmater at committee studying Bill C-51

Prof. Pam Palmater speaks at Toronto Day of Action against Bill C-51, March 14, 2015 | OFL

Pam Palmater is a Mi’kmaq lawyer, professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University, a noted media commentator, activist and advocate for the rights of First Nations people, women and children. Ms. Palmater appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on the morning of March 24 as a witness to speak to her concerns about Bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015. Her eloquent testimony reveals the extent to which people are already targeted by security forces for being political in Canada and how Bill C-51 aims to go further. Palmater also provides an example of the refusal to be intimidated by state forces and why it is necessary to stand up for rights.

Related: Harper government irrationalism at Bill C-51 committee

Calendar: Events across Canada to defeat Bill C-51 and defend the rights of all

Harper government irrationalism at Bill C-51 committee

Pam Palmater speaking at the Toronto March 14 action against Bill C-51.

(MRCH 26) – The Harper government’s response to the testimony of Mi’kmaq activist, lawyer and professor Pam Palmater on Bill C-51 was an example of crude irrationalism and diversion from substantive issues. Dr. Palmater explained in her submission to the committee that, despite having never been arrested or charged with a crime, or having advocated violence, freedom of information requests show that she is being actively monitored and investigated by CSIS, the RCMP and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

Bill C-51, Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015: Private interests dictate state policy on matters of security

Day of Action against Bill C-51, March 14, 2015 (Click to enlarge)

(March 21) – In reviewing the examples of rampant criminality among the police, intelligence service and state agencies reported since the government introduced Bill C-51 on January 30, it is apparent that private interests are dictating state policy on matters of security. TML Weekly thinks that this is an important aspect for people to investigate as they continue to oppose the bill and the government’s agenda. The neo-liberal restructuring of the state brought monopoly right to the fore and the old mechanisms of a public authority have been smashed.

State-sanctioned black ops and cover-ups

Arson attack on BC headquarters of CPC(M-L), August 12, 1983.

By PULINE EASTON and ANNA DI CARLO

Aftermath of a police raid on a CPC(M-L) research institute in 1973

According to official and media accounts of crimes committed against Canadians, Quebeckers and Indigenous peoples by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), some crimes never took place and others were unacceptable aberrations. They say that, in any event, the door for such things to be repeated was closed in 1984, when the Canadian Security Intelligence Review Service (CSIS) was created to collect intelligence but not pass to action. In this context, concern is expressed about Bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 extending powers to CSIS to allow it to conduct activities that resemble those of the RCMP prior to 1984. Of course, it is not true that after 1984 the security services stopped violating the rights of the people.

Revelations on the subversive operations of the Turkish intelligence agency MIT against Syria

Canada: Actions in defence of Venezuela’s sovereignty and right to be

Click to enlarge

Canadians from all walks of life are in action to reject the U.S. government’s intensifying plans to undermine the democratically-elected government of Venezuela, under the bogus pretext of defending human rights and democratic freedoms. Through demonstrations, press conferences and public meetings, they aim to block this disinformation and defend Venezuela’s sovereignty, the Venezuelan people and their Bolivarian Revolution. With utter shamelessness, the U.S. imperialists and monopoly media repeat bankrupt lies about Venezuela in the vain hope that they can fool the gullible. It is equally shameful that the Canadian government and MPs, who posture as defenders of human rights, are utterly silent on this fundamental violation of international law and human rights – the right of the Venezuelan people to democratically decide their own affairs.

ALL OUT TO SUPPORT VENEZUELA! CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Fidel sends message to President Nicolás Maduro

The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution emphasizes the heroic attitude assumed by the Venezuelan people, as well as the exemplary discipline and spirit of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces in the face of U.S. sanctions

Author: Fidel Castro Ruz | internet@granma.cu

March 17, 2015 09:03:04

Honorable President of the BolivarianRepublic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro:

As the press has reported, tomorrow Tuesday March 17, an Alba Summit will take place in Caracas to analyze the outrageous policy of the United States government toward Venezuela and Alba.

The idea of creating this organization came from Chávez himself, wanting to share with his Caribbean brothers and sisters the enormous economic resources with which nature had blessed his native homeland, the benefits of which had however landed in the hands of powerful U.S. corporations, and a few Venezuelan millionaires.

Letter to the People of the United States: Venezuela is not a threat

An open letter from Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the people of the U.S., published today in the New York Times.

By NICOLAS MADURO & THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA, March 17th 2015

We are the people of Simon Bolívar, our people believe in peace and respect for all nations.

Freedom and Independence

More than two centuries ago, our fathers founded a Republic on the basis that all persons are free and equal under the law.

Our nation made the greatest sacrifices to guarantee South American people their right to choose their rulers and to enforce their own laws today. The historical legacy of our father, Simón Bolívar, is always remembered. Bolívar was a man who gave his life so we would inherit a nation of justice and equality.

An American in Cuba … and the life that isn’t

Entrance to Cuba Libro, R Muck

By DEBRA BRUNO, Wall Street Journal

(March 9) – For Conner Gorry, there’s the image of Cuba that is portrayed in the press, and the Cuba that she has known and loved since she moved to the country in 2002.

Netanyahu’s speech to the US Congress really helps Obama against Iran

By MAHDI DARIUS NAZEMROAYA*

Americans protest against Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the US Congress.

(March 3) – A lot of focus has been made about the tensions between US President Barack Obama’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The tensions pivot on Iranian-US nuclear negations and Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of the US Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 3, 2015.

Obama’s declaration is as hypocritical as it is hysterical

Venezuela’s response: “Defend the human rights of the black U.S. citizens being killed in U.S. cities every day, Mr. Obama,” Maduro stated.

Canadians respond: Emergency demonstration in support of Venezuela and to oppose U.S. threats, Vancouver, March 10, 2015.

(March 11) – U.S. President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order against Venezuela on March 9 aimed at interfering in the country’s sovereignty. His Executive Order is based on arguments claiming Venezuela is a threat to national security because of alleged human rights violations and widespread corruption. It reads:

Venezuelan parliament passes law to confront US aggression

On March 10, the Venezuelan National Assembly passed an enabling law that allows the country’s president to act to protect the peace against recent threats made by the United States government of Barack Obama, especially the March 9 statement that declared Venezuela a “threat to the national security” and calling the situation a national emergency.

UNASUR convokes summit on ‘gross’ US threat to Venezuela

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa announced that the foreign ministers from the member states of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)* will meet on March 12 to discuss the “gross, illegal, shameless, outrageous, and unjustified act of interference by the United States” in Venezuelan affairs.

US preparing for military aggression on Venezuela

By ATILIO BORON

teleSUR (March 10) – Barack Obama, an ornamental figure in the White House, who was not able to impede a lunatic like Benjamin Netanyahu from addressing both houses of Congress to sabotage the talks with Iran on the country’s nuclear program, has received a strict order from the “military-industrial-financial” complex: he must create the conditions to justify a military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Fidel Castro, Evo Morales, Rafael Correa condemn US sanctions on Venezuela

Obama’s executive order on Venezuela draws international condemnation. In unison with Latin American leaders’ comments, social media users have coined the hashtag #ObamaYankeeGoHome, posting over 80,000 tweets with the tag within the first 24 hours following Obama’s announcements.

teleSUR (March 10) – More Latin American countries rallied behind Venezuela Tuesday to condemn new U.S. sanctions against the South American nation.

Defend the Bolivarian Revolution and Venezuela’s Right to Be!

Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) condemns latest U.S. sanctions against Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

The Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) condemns the hostile statements made by U.S. President Barack Obama against Venezuela. On March 9, Obama used emergency executive powers to label Venezuela as “an extraordinary threat to US national security.” The U.S. has also tightened unjust and illegal sanctions against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Canada is also part of U.S. attempts to stir up counter-revolution and several failed attempts to overthrow the democratically-elected government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Graphic details. The anatomy of a Color Revolution

Source: Sputnik International News Agency. (Click to enlarge)

Move ‘Memorial to the Victims of Communism’ to a different location, or terminate the project entirely.

Petitioning the Government of Canada

The National Capital Commission approved a request to release a 5000 square meter plot of land located between the Supreme Court and Library Archives Canada to the private charity, A Tribute to Liberty, for the purpose of constructing a monument called Memorial to the Victims of Communism. The location is absolutely inappropriate, and the NCC’s recommendations have not been followed. The land which has been given to A Tribute to Liberty is part of Canada’s Judicial Precinct and, as such, is land that belongs to all Canadians. Further, that land has been clearly designated by the Government of Canada as the future site of the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Judicial Building, a building that would complete the judicial triad, in balance to the Parliamentary triad. Placing this memorial, which essentially demonizes (either rightly or wrongly) a particular socioeconomic system, next to the Supreme Court of Canada undermines the very foundation of that institution, which is its independence and impartiality, and, as a result, erodes our own democracy.

Sign this petition

Venezuelan president responds to latest US accusations

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  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro | Photo: teleSUr

(March 9) – The Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro responded late Monday to the United States government declaring his country a “national security threat.”

Maduro rejected President Barack Obama’s measure and explained the executive order signed by the U.S. president coincided with a failed coup attempt in Venezuela last month, which had links to U.S. citizens.

“After we dismantled the coup attempt … the U.S. and President Barack Obama … decided to personally fulfill the task of ousting my government,” Maduro said.

History: When Iceland’s women went on strike

Thousands of striking women gather in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1975.

On October 24, 1975, Iceland’s women went on strike, refusing to do any work – outside or inside the home – taking “the day off” from paid labour, housework, and child care. An estimated 90 per cent of Icelandic women participated & 25,000 – a tenth of the population – gathered at a rally in Reykjavik. Held during the period of Icelandic resistance against British plunder of its cod stocks (the Cod Wars), it was the largest demonstration in the nation’s history since the 1949 popular opposition to Iceland’s membership in NATO and the presence of U.S. military bases, and shut down the entire country. Airports were closed, schools were closed, and hospitals couldn’t function. An article the day after said, “The militant women…staged their token stoppage to show just how indispensable they are. And the men, who treated all the strike threats as a huge joke, began to get the point.” The day was later remembered as “the long Friday.” The following year, Iceland’s Parliament (now half women) passed a law guaranteeing women equal pay and paid maternity leave. Four years later, Iceland elected the world’s first female President. And today, Iceland has the highest gender equality in the world.

From Women’s History Archives: Women’s Strike in Reykjavik, Iceland, 1975.

Israeli forces respond to Womens’ Day march with violence

Israel has kidnapped nearly 15,000 Palestinian women since 1967

Palestinian detainee Lina Jarbouni, 40, from ‘Arraba al-Batouf in the Galilee, has been held by Israel for the thirteenth consecutive year without trial.

More than 30 Palestinians, mostly women, were injured as Israeli troops forcibly dispersed a peaceful march marking International Womens’ Day on Friday, Ma’an News Agency reports. Israeli soldiers fired tear-gas canisters, stun grenades, rubber-coated bullets, and pepper spray at hundreds of women to prevent them from reaching the Qalandiya checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah . Fourteen of the 30 injured were evacuated to hospitals.

US declares Venezuela a threat to ‘national security’

UPDATE: Venezuela’s foreign minister says Caracas will soon respond to Washington’s statements.

U.S. President Barack Obama issued a new Executive Order against Venezuela Monday aimed at interfering in the country’s politics, claiming, “Venezuelan officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome” in the United States.

Immediately after, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry announced the government of President Nicolas Maduro would “soon” respond to Obama’s executive action against the Latin American country.

National Day of Action to Defeat Bill C-51

Defend the Rights of All! Criminalization of Dissent Must Not Pass!

Calendar of Events

A National Day of Action against Bill C-51, Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 has been called for March 14. Demonstrations will take place in cities across Canada with more being organize by the day. The Day of Action is spearheaded by the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) with events sponsored by various organizations concerned about the criminalization of dissent, the creation of a police state and attacks on civil liberties.

March 8 – International Women’s Day 2015

All Out to Uphold the Rights of Women! Join In! For Calendar of Events across Canada, see here

Women in the front ranks of the demand for Renewal

On March 8, women and their allies will be holding actions to mark International Women’s Day, an important occasion to affirm that women have rights by virtue of their womanhood as well as all the other rights which belong to them as members of society said to be based on equal rights, human rights, citizenship rights, minority rights, civil rights, etc.

Chronicle Herald: The backward logic of privatization

Public sector workers are not a cost to the economy; quite the contrary, they are producers of value

An article in the Halifax Chronicle Herald suggests public sector workers are a cost to the economy and should be eliminated. The item entitled “John Bragg: Cut civil service to help dig N.S. out of debt” quotes Bragg, the president and CEO of Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd. saying, “Reducing Nova Scotia’s civil service down to the national average would result in savings of $836 million a year.”

Chronicle Herald fails to challenge outrageous remarks from CEO of Oxford Frozen Foods

Defend Public Services and the Workers Who Provide Them, Halifax May Day 2012

Anti-worker comments from John Bragg, president and CEO of Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd. are the latest in the neo-liberal propaganda war for privatization of public services and seizure of public assets. The ruling capitalist elite are in crisis over where to invest their accumulated social wealth. They are in a blind alley as they refuse to look to a new pro-social direction for the economy. With few options open to them on the front of private enterprise that would boost their profits, they are desperate to pillage public services through privatization and to plunder the public treasury with handouts and public-private-partnerships.