Tag Archives: obama

International, Opinion, U.S.

9/11 Remembered? Who will remember the thousands of U.S. troops killed in Iraq? Who will remember the more than 1 million Iraqis killed in a U.S. war started by lies?

11 September 2012

“The immorality of the United States and Great Britain’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003, premised on the lie that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, has destabilised and polarised the world to a greater extent than any other conflict in history…….They have driven us to the edge of a precipice where we now stand – with the spectre of Syria and Iran before us…….The cost of the decision to rid Iraq of its by-all-accounts despotic and murderous leader has been staggering…”-Desmond Mpilo Tutu, South African activist and retired Anglican bishop, 01 September 2012

Approximately 3,000 people were killed on 11 September 2001 attacks on World Trade Center, in New York.

“I think that things have gotten so bad inside Iraq, my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”-Dick Cheney, Vice President of the United States, April 2003 Meet the Press interview

4,488 U.S. troops killed, and 100,000 U.S. troops wounded during invasion and occupation of Iraq.

More than 1.5 million Iraqis have been killed since the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Iraq had no connection to 9/11 attacks, Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, the Iraqi government (under Saddam Hussein & the current government) has always been opposed to al Qaeda, no Iraqi has ever been involved with terrorist attacks against the United States (apart from actions during the U.S. led 1991 war against Iraq, and the alleged assassination attempt against George Bush senior in 1993)!

Thousands of U.S. military personnel killed or wounded because of a lie!  Millions of Iraqis killed and wounded because of a lie! Was 9/11 a lie as well?

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 03 Sep – 07 Sep. U.S. still imprisoning Afghans by the hundreds! Peace talks underway! Mo’ money for Afghanistan from the World Bank!

07 September 2012

British Red Coat, Henry of Wales (aka Prince Harry), returned to Afghanistan as a Apache gunship co-pilot/gunner.  He is part of the current rotation of British troops in Afghanistan, and should be in country four months.

The Pakistan based Haqqani Network was officially declared a terrorist organization by the Obama administration.  U.S. officials named the supposed group after Sirajuddin Haqqani, whom they accuse the Pakistani ISI of providing safe haven for.

06 September 2012

The group Open Society Foundations investigated Bagram prison and found that even though the United States officially turned it over to Afghan officials, it is actually still under direct control of  U.S. forces.  This violates the latest agreements signed between the Afghan government and the U.S.

Open Society Foundations reports that they discovered that at least 600 Afghans have been detained by U.S. forces since the agreement was signed in March 2012!   The group says this is proof the U.S. will stay in Afghanistan for a long time because it “….appears to want continued detention powers in Afghanistan beyond September 2012.”

In Baghlan Province, U.S./ISAF/NATO occupation forces handed military control of five districts to the Afghan National Army.

In Nuristan Province: “Deputy Taliban financial chief Mullah Mohammad was also arrested along with Mawlawi Gul Mohammad and a number of the other Taliban militants including three Pakistani nationals.”-Mohammad Zareen, provincial government spokesman

05 September 2012

Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States revealed they are now planning for official peace talks with Mujahideen (aka Taliban).  They were working on a plan to provide safe passage for Mujahideen leaders to attend peace talks.  Pakistani media reported it was called the The Safe Passage Working Group’s meeting.

The World Bank announced it is giving even more money to Afghanistan.  This time $125 million USD for the Ministry of Education.

ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today.”  Mujahideen claim they shot down the ‘copter in Logar Province. Provincial government officials say a heavy firefight broke out after the ‘copter crashed.  Logar is patrolled mainly by U.S. forces.

In Maidan Wardak Province, six fuelers destined for U.S./NATO forces were set on fire. Mujahideen claim it was 17 fuelers burned, along with 20 drivers and security guards killed.

The Afghan Defense Ministry announced that, after an investigation, they have fired hundreds of Afghan National Army (ANA) troops because of connections to Mujahideen.  The Afghan government is trying to stop the increase of insider Green on Blue attacks.

The Afghan Defense Ministry also announced that at least 24 ANA troops were killed, 19 wounded, in battles in the provinces of Maidan Wardak, Farah, Badghis, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Helmand and Uruzgan.  They say only four Mujahideen were killed, six wounded.

04 September 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) claim they killed a Mujahideen leader, and two other Mujahideen, in Logar Province.  They believe the Mujahideen were part of the so called Haqqani Network based in Pakistan.

In Kunar Province, local government officials claim Pakistan launched another round of rockets into the province. They say at least three civilians were wounded after a barrage of 80 rockets were launched over a two day period.

Also in Kunar, a man was sentenced to death for beheading a 17 years old girl because she did not want to marry him.  Two other men were sentenced to 17 years in prison for helping him.  The girl’s father testified that the man threatened to kill him as well.

In Nuristan Province, local government officials say there is an increase in the number of Pakistani ISI agents in their area.  An Afghan security official said about 50 ISI agents were seen, with weapons, meeting with Mujahideen.

In Nangarhar Province, at least 25 people were killed and more than 50 wounded after a explosion at a funeral. Officials say a suicide bomber was targeting a number of government officials attending the funeral.

In Farah Province, yet another fuel convoy headed for troops of the U.S. led occupation was ambushed.  Mujahideen claim to have destroyed 13 fuelers and killed ten drivers and security guards.

Responding to pressure from the United States, Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) refused to halt any trade deals with Iran: “…if an official request comes from the U.S. government, I am sure the Afghan government will be clear in its quick reaction against it…If the U.S. makes us stop business with Iran, we will face an economic crisis!”-Khan Jan Alokozai, ACCI

Iran buys at least $1.3 billion USD worth of products from Afghanistan.  What has the United States done for Afghanistan’s economy?

In Helmand Province, seven people were wounded: “Two explosive laden tricycles went off in a quick succession near a car market in Lashkar Gah Tuesday morning, leaving the casualties.”-Farid Ahmad Farhang, provincial police spokesman

03 September 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan, September 3.”

In Laghman Province, a ANA soldier shot and killed two occupying U.S./NATO personnel.

In Balkh Province, and bicycle bomb exploded, wounding several people including the suicide bomber using the bicycle.

The Afghan parliament has accused the Defense Minister, and the chief of the Afghan High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption, of rigging contracts worth $30 million USD.

New Zealand has formally announced it will withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April, 2013.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Corporate Crimes & What Economic Recovery? Capitalist shipping companies level the playing field by bid rigging, price fixing, ripping off troops in Afghanistan and even dumping expensive oil into the oceans!

“Our men and women in uniform overseas deserve the highest level of support provided by fair and honest contractors. As the Justice Department’s continuing efforts to fight procurement fraud demonstrate, those who put profits over the welfare of members of our military will pay a hefty price.”-Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice

09 September 2012, justice officials in Japan, European Union and United States revealed that the capitalist system of shipping is corrupt, big time!

In Japan, the Japanese Fair Trade Commission raided the offices of at least one dozen shipping companies on 06 September.  Investigators say the companies formed a cartel to monopolize the shipping industry.

The companies raided were Japanese and foreign.  Nippon Yusen, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Kawasaki Kisen were among the top Japanese companies publicly named.

However, the EU’s European Commission is refusing to name names, but they had raided several European companies in conjunction with the Japanese raid.

In the United States, investigations of shipping companies, by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) have been ongoing for a long time.

Since January 2012 convictions, and even guilty pleas, have resulted from investigations into shipping companies ripping off U.S. taxpayers regarding the shipment of supplies to U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq, all the way to dumping petroleum wastes into the oceans.

Those cases include Greece’s Efploia Shipping, Denmark’s Aquarosa Shipping,  Keoje Marine of Korea (south), Denmark’s Maersk Line Limited, Italy’s Giuseppe Bottiglieri Shipping Company,  Singapore’s Target Ship Management, and Greece’s Ilios Shipping Company.

Currently, the DoJ is working with European and Japanese investigators, trying to break up cartels that have been formed by shipping companies.  The shipping cartels are accused of price fixing, bid rigging, illegal market allocations, monopolization, attempts to monopolize, predatory pricing, tying arrangements and price discrimination.

The investigations include ground shipping, as well as by sea.  Products being shipped by these cartels include paper products, telecommunications, soft drinks, highway and airport paving, life sciences, health care, furniture, coalbed methane gas and baked goods.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Obama praises auto industry bailout, yet they’re to blame for latest layoffs! By the thousands, young adults quit looking for work!

“…there were 884,000 discouraged workers in August…..Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them.”-Employment Situation Summary, U.S. DoL Bureau of Labor Statistics

“I don’t think they’re more lazy. It’s that there are less opportunities for them. They have it rough.”-Heidi Shierholz, Economic Policy Institute

07 September 2012, the expected 120,000 new jobs never happened (Once again the “experts” got it wrong).  According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), the official number of new jobs was only 96,000!

7,000 government jobs were lost in August, but the amazing thing is that the bailed out, and supposedly recovered, auto industry (Including parts makers) laid off 8,000 people!  That’s according to the DoL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In fact most of the job losses were in the Manufacturing Sector (A total of 15,000 jobs lost), the very sector that President Obama was touting during his DNC speech the night before the jobs numbers were released.

Another interesting note; the official unemployment numbers fell, ever so slightly, to 8.1% (A 0.2% drop from the month before, big freakin’ whoop! By the way, it depends on which Table your looking at.  Table A-14 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the rate is 8.2%, and for July it was 8.6%).  But here’s the significant part; DoL admits the unemployment drop is not because people found work, it’s because tens of thousands of young adults quit looking for a job!

People who do not look for work for 4 weeks are not counted in the unemployment numbers.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 30 Aug – 02 Sep. U.S. ends training of Afghan troops! U.S. bullying Afghanistan to end trade deals with Iran. Cops kill civilians! Australia will now stay in Afghanistan! Jihad called against Pakistan! Children beheaded!

02 September 2012

“The training of the ALP [Afghan Local Police] recruits has been paused while we go through this re-vetting process, to take a look at this process to see if there’s anything that we can improve. It may take a month, it may take two months, we don’t know.”-Lieutenant Colonel John Harrell

Reports that the United States has halted training of new Afghan soldiers, until every one can be investigated for ties to Mujahideen.  Of course this means that the United States can not meet its troop pullout goal, because that is based on Afghan government troops taking over most of the work, and if they are not going to be trained anymore, well then so much for the 2014 U.S. withdrawal date.

The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that the United States has been bullying them to end all trade deals with Iran.  Iran is now the biggest supplier of fuel to Afghanistan, and Iran is now buying $1.3 billion USD worth of products from Afghanistan.  What has the United States done for Afghanistan’s economy?

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in eastern Afghanistan today.”

Just four days after firing his intelligence chief, President Hamid Karzai now says the guy can stay until the end of his term in office.  Apparently it’s because the man intended to replace the current intelligence boss is being accused of running private prisons for torture!

In Kunduz Province, deputy provincial governor, Hamidullah Danishi, confirmed a report which said police massacred a village, killing at least 15 people. Some cops said they did it in retaliation for a policeman being killed by one of the villagers!  The result is an ongoing war between villagers and police, so far 10 cops have been killed in explosions and gun battles since the 15 civilians had been killed.

Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, says Australia will not withdraw their Diggers early as planned.  A few months ago they said they would leave by early 2013, now they will stay until the end of 2014.

In Herat Province, a spokesman for the governor said a battle between local forces and Mujahideen left three Mujahideen dead.

01 September 2012

ISAF said: “Two U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service members died following an insurgent attack in Ghazni province, Afghanistan today.”

In Maidan Wardak Province, suicide bombers killed as many as 12 people. Local government officials say two cops and ten civilians were killed, but the Mujahideen say the ten were all U.S. led occupying forces.  “There were two heavy blasts which damaged some parts of the district chief’s office and the police headquarters, and ISAF forces are also there.”-Shahidullah Shahid, provincial government spokesman

The Hezbe-e-Wafaq Millie (National Unity Party) of Afghanistan has made the first national call to launch Jihad against Pakistan. The holy war was declared in Kabul.   The political party claims they have more than 1,000 signatures from Afghans wanting war with Pakistan: “Crossborder shelling from Pakistan is a clear invasion into Afghanistan and this cannot be ignored. We will go to eastern Kunar province with our volunteer brothers and will defend Afghanistan.”-Bismillah Sher, National Unity Party

President Hamid Karzai has condemned yet another night raid by U.S. troops. Government officials from Uruzgan Province said not only were people killed, but U.S. led forces kidnapped nine people!

31 August 2012

In Uruzgan Province, U.S. led occupying forces conducted an illegal night raid, which killed a 70 year old man and his son.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials claim Mujahideen assassinated five people for being anti-Mujahideen. The problem is that the so called ‘Mujahideen’ also burned Qurans, it sounds more like a U.S. led occupying force tactic.

Boys and girls are being found beheaded. In Kandahar Province, two boys, one 12 years old, and one 14 years old, were found beheaded in separate cases.   In Kapisa Province, a seven years old girl was found beheaded and her legs cut off.  Strangely no one has claimed they are missing a daughter!  Local government officials are blaming it on Mujahideen, of course.

30 August 2012

In Farah Province a fuel convoy headed for U.S. occupying NATO troops was ambushed. Four security guards were killed, two people wounded, two fuelers burned.

In Logar Province, five people were killed, 10 wounded, after a rocket hit the bus stop they were waiting at.  Local government officials speculate that Mujahideen were targeting a military base, and the rocket missed the intended target.

ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Herat Province, Mujahideen attacked a security checkpoint, killing three Afghan government troops.

In Ghor Province, locals say a U.S. airstrike killed 12 civilians. U.S./ISAF/NATO claim the targets were Mujahideen.

In Helmand Province, Australian officials revealed that five of their Diggers were killed.  Three were killed by an Afghan government soldier, and two were killed when their helicopter went down.  “This is a very big toll… This is our single worst day in Afghanistan. Indeed this is the most lost in combat [for Australia] since the days of the Vietnam War.”-Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 25 Aug – 29 Aug. Green on Blue attacks continue. Hundreds more Afghan soldiers die fighting for the U.S. than U.S. soldiers! Mujahideen execute one of their own! Afghan soldiers attack each other! Afghan soldiers assassinate Musilm boss!

29 August 2012

ISAF said: “An individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in southern Afghanistan yesterday, killing three…”

In Kunar Province at least five Afghan government soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded.

In Ghazni Province, the provincial council chief was assassinated.  He was gunned down.  He had survived several prior attempts to end his life.

Also in Ghazni, four people were killed, one wounded, when they drove over a mine.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has fired his intelligence chief.   In response to criticisms, Karzai claims the guy was at the end of his two year contract anyway.

It was also revealed that two former officials, forced to quit over border disputes with Pakistan, will be nominated for the positions of interior and defense ministers (the very jobs they were forced to quit!).

28 August 2012

In Kandahar Province, four people were killed, 20 wounded including a police chief, when a bomb attached to a fueler exploded.

In Ghazni Province, a suicide bomber attacked a funeral. However, local government officials say only the bomber was killed, and no one was hurt.  They also say a gun battle took place following the blast, but the gunmen ran away.

ISAF says: “An International Security Assistance Force helicopter made a forced landing in eastern Afghanistan today. There were no reported fatalities and the site of the incident is secure. Initial reporting indicates that there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.”

A total of nine U.S. Marines and U.S. Army soldiers got slaps on the wrists, “non-judicial punishment”, for directly violating the U.S. Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding desecration of bodies and religious books!

ISAF claims they captured a bomb expert in Paktiya Province.

27 August 2012

In Laghman Province, two U.S. led occupying troops were killed by an Afghan government soldier: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died when a member of the Afghan National Army turned his weapon against ISAF service members in eastern Afghanistan today. ISAF troops returned fire, killing the ANA soldier who committed the attack.”

USMC (United States Marine Corps) General John Allen is contradicting Pentagon estimates of Green (Afghan government forces) on Blue (United States/ISAF/NATO coalition) attacks.  The Pentagon claims only 10% of insider attacks are by Mujahideen who infiltrate Afghan government forces.  General Allen saying the Mujahideen are involved in at least 25% of Green on Blue attacks. To make things more confusing, recently the Afghan government claimed the Green on Blue attackers were spies for Pakistan and Iran!

The Afghan Defense Ministry says more than 600 Afghan soldiers died in the past two months, helping the United States led occupation forces! Afghan officials say it’s a big jump in deaths, fighting for the U.S. empire, from the same time last year!

Despite all the anti-Pakistan rhetoric in the U.S. media, the U.S. Army (USA) has been working with Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). An unnamed Afghan government official revealed that the USA and ISI recently worked together to assassinate a “leader” in Pakistan.  The leader was killed by U.S. drone strike a week prior.

In Ghor Province, Mujahideen publicly executed, by hanging, one of their own.  They say the man had committed murder during an argument with other Mujahideen.

In Helmand Province, Afghan government forces attacked each other. At least ten were killed, four wounded.  A local government official says the battle was the result of Mujahideen who had infiltrated the Afghan Army!

In Uruzgan Province, a suicide bomber exploded too soon. Local government officials claim the bomber was just being handed a suicide bomb vest when it went off.  They believe he was to target local police.  Several people were wounded and, of course, the bomber was killed.

26 August 2012

In Helmand Province, local government officials say Mujahideen beheaded 15 men and three women. The reason is not known.  Mujahideen groups have not commented on the local government’s claim.

In Ghor Province, local government leaders claim that Mujahideen have switched sides and are now helping villagers fight the Mujahideen.

In Baghlan Province, a convoy of fuelers for U.S./ISAF/NATO occupying forces was attacked.  Local government officials say one tanker was destroyed, but an opposition political party (who claim they launched the attack) says six fuelers were destroyed.

The Afghan Defense Ministry says they’ve killed 33 Mujahideen in battles in Kunar, Ghazni, Logar, Helamnd, Kunar and Farah provinces.  The defense ministry claims only three Afghan National Army troops were killed, three wounded.

In Logar Province, the Hajj and Islamic Affairs chief was assassinated by Afghan National Army troops! Local officials suspect it was a family feud, as the Islamic Affairs boss was known to have problems with his cousins.

25 August 2012

U.S. led ISAF/NATO claims two airstrikes killed 12 militants from Pakistan in Kunar Province.  However provincial official, Aslam Gul Mujahid, said at least 20 people were killed, including Afghan civilians.

In Uruzgan Province, four occupying Australian Diggers were wounded after a bomb exploded.

Afghan Interior Ministry claims 17 Mujahideen killed, two wounded and 30 captured in battles in the following provinces: Kabul, Logar, Ghazni and Paktika.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai, and a delegation of 70 Afghan officials, left to attend the anti-U.S. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Iran.

 

 

U.S.

Obamacare, Romneycare: More proof the Republicans and Democrats are just two sides of the same coin!

From Robert I. Field, PhD, JD, MPH www.philly.com:

Mitt Romney says his Massachusetts health reform plan is much better than Obama’s. He claims it’s different in important ways.

If there are big differences, it’s difficult to find them.

In an interview last week with a Denver TV station, Romney cited the key features that differentiate his reform approach from Obama’s.

He declared, “My healthcare plan I put in place in my state has everyone insured, but we didn’t go out and raise taxes on people and have a unelected board tell people what kind of healthcare they can have.”

Let’s do some quick fact checking.

Does Romneycare have everyone insured? Close, but not fully there. The plan cut the state’s rate of uninsurance by almost half. As of 2010, the rate was just over 6% for the nonelderly population, the lowest of any state. That’s a huge accomplishment, but there is still a ways to go before everyone has coverage.

Did Romneycare raise taxes? No, but the state didn’t need to. It covered the cost of reform with larger payments that it negotiated from the federal government for its Medicaid program. [In other words, Massachusetts’ Romneycare is actually a huge burden on all taxpayers throughout the United States!]

Does Romneycare have an unelected board that tells people what kinds of healthcare they can have? It does. The Massachusetts Connector Authority serves as the state’s insurance exchange. It sets standards for the types of plans that may be sold, thereby determining the kind of access residents will have to healthcare services.

Is Obamacare any different? Not really.

 It will extend coverage to 30 million more people, which will reduce the country’s rate of uninsurance by about half to roughly 8 percent. Not too different from Romneycare.

 It does raise taxes in a number of ways, including new levies on tanning salons, medical devices, and high-end insurance policies. But, unlike Massachusetts, it doesn’t have a higher level of government to turn to for help, so it needs a new source of revenue to cover the cost.

 It does let unelected officials determine what kind of insurance people can receive by setting standards for coverage under the state exchanges that will sell it. Just like Romneycare.

 Romney’s comment about an unelected board was probably also a reference to a new board that Obamacare created called the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). It recommends cost-cutting measures under Medicare. Romney, along with several fellow Republicans, has complained about the scope of its power. But Romneycare is a state-based program while Medicare is purely federal. It couldn’t have included an IPAB or any other measure concerning Medicare, even if Romney had wanted it to.

 After all is said and done, these aspects of the plans are relatively minor, anyway. In their underlying structure, Obamacare and Romneycare are almost identical.

 Both expand coverage in the same three ways. They reform the market for individual insurance by creating exchanges to sell it, subsidizing those with low incomes, and mandating that everyone maintain coverage in some form. They expand Medicaid to cover more people. And they penalize employers who don’t offer coverage to their workers.

 Romney and his fellow Republicans should be proud that Obama copied their health reform approach. Instead of drawing false distinctions between the two plans, they should boast of leading on health reform and leaving Obama and Democrats to follow.

 Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Let’s not forget that Romneycare also penalizes those who can’t afford insurance, just like Obamacare does. Romneycare has also destroyed mom & pop businesses.

Watch the Need to Know report, The Massachusetts mandate, here.

Watch the PBS Newshour report, Four Years After Health Reform, an Update on Care in Massachusetts, here.

There are other similar reports, but for some reason the videos don’t work, or you get a 404 error message.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 21 Aug – 24 Aug. Karzai blames Green on Blue attacks on Iran & Pakistan!

24 August 2012

In Farah Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. At least three security guards were killed, one wounded, and 12 fuelers burned.

In Kandahar Province, six people were killed after a vehicle ran over a mine. The occupants were killed, as well as people riding a motorcycle.

Also in Kandahar, villagers are claiming they were forced to destroy recently built roads.  Panjwai district officials say people from at least three villages tore up about 15 meters of newly laid roads.

In Ghazni Province, a former provincial governor was attacked by suicide bomber. He was wounded.

23 August 2012

Local government officials in Kunar Province say at least 30 more rockets have been launched against them from Pakistan.  No person was hurt, but farm fields were destroyed.

In Parwan Province, a U.S./NATO vehicle patrol was hit by an explosion. It took place near Bagram. No further details from U.S. led sources, but Mujahideen claim they killed six U.S. personnel.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials claim there were several battles with Mujahideen. Interestingly, the Afghan government forces say they left the bodies of Mujahideen, including those still alive but seriously wounded, on the battlefield.

In Nangarhar Province, local government officials say the U.S. conducted yet another illegal night raid. This time a chicken farmer was killed and at least four people arrested.  Mujahideen claim the people killed/arrested are not militants.

Spokespeople for President Hamid Karzai try to blame Iran and Pakistan on increasing Green on Blue attacks. They claim most of the attackers are really spies that have infiltrated Afghan military and police units.  This conflicts with ISAF/NATO’s own investigation, which says most Green on Blue attacks are caused by U.S. led troops acting the ass hole towards Afghan government forces.

22 August 2012

The New York Times reports that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan have reached 2,000 since the U.S. invasion in 2001.  At least half those deaths happened in the past 27 months.

In Nangarhar Province, Mujahideen claim they shot down a U.S. drone, near Jalalabad airport.

In Kabul Province, senior Mujahideen leaders escaped from the Pul-e-Charkhi prison. Mujahideen claim 15 of their top guys escaped the prison after breaking down the doors.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) claim they captured a Mujahideen leader in Kandahar Province.

21 August 2012

Mujahideen attacked the C-17 transport used by USA (United States Army) General Martin Dempsey.  The attack missed the plane, slightly damaging a door: “International Security Assistance Force can confirm that shrapnel from an indirect fire round at Bagram Air Field damaged the military aircraft that brought Gen. Martin E. Dempsey to Afghanistan.”  Dempsey was not on the plane at the time.

ISAF claims they killed a leader with connections to al Qaeda, in Kunar Province.

A video has been released showing a U.S. led occupying soldier hitting an Afghan government soldier.  Going by the uniform the occupying troop is not U.S., but that doesn’t matter to the Afghan’s ’cause the U.S. led occupiers all look the same.

 

International, U.S.

Diplomat Incompetence: Former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan involved in hit & run accident

It has been revealed that on the night of 14 August 2012, Ryan Crocker ran into a tractor trailer, then fled the scene.  He was later arrested.  His blood alcohol was twice the legal limit in the state of Washington.  He pled ‘not guilty’ in court.

Crocker recently stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: USS Stennis sets sail for Persian Gulf, 4 months early. U.S. says “world calls” for war with Syria & Iran

“…we are not in the habit of repeating a warning and we warn only once.”-Major General Ataollah Salehi, Iranian Army, 03 January 2012 threat against USS Stennis

“We’re asking an awful lot of each of you.  And frankly, you are the best I have, and when the world calls we have to respond.”-Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense, 22 August 2012 statement regarding early deployment of USS Stennis

22 August, the aircraft carrier USS Stennis will set sail for the Persian Gulf.  Back in July it was announced the USS Stennis would return to the Persian Gulf four months earlier than planned.  The aircraft carrier will also stay in the region for eight months, four months longer than originally planned.

The Pentagon wants to keep at least two aircraft carrier groups on station in the Persian Gulf at all times. Panetta said it was to fight threats and “Obviously Iran is one of those threats that we have to, we have to be able to focus on……Secondly, it is the turmoil in Syria….”

Back in January 2012, Iranian officials singled out the USS Stennis, threatening military action against that specific aircraft carrier if it ever returned to the Persian Gulf.  They claimed the aircraft carrier deliberately sailed through Iranian naval war games in December 2011.  They also accuse the U.S. Navy of sailing ships dangerously close to Iranian oil platforms.