5/26/2012
Fighting South Of The Wall
A poem by Li Po, Chinese warrior-poet (8th Century)
this year it was Onion River Road.
We've washed our swords in the Eastern Sea,
grazed our horses on T'ien Shan's snowy side.
A thousand miles are not enough for this war,
our armies grow old in their armor.
Husbandman of slaughter, the Huns
have sown the yellow desert with our bones.
Long ago the Ch'in built the Great Wall,
now it's the Han that light the signal beacon.
All night long the flames flicker,
year in year out, the war goes on.
Bright swords flash, brave men fall and die,
riderless horses whinny at the sky.
Kites and crows pluck out the guts,
hand them high on the withered trees.
Soldiers smear their blood on the dry grass
while generals map the next campaign.
Wise men know winning a war
is no better than losing one.
Anti-Fascist March
Pic from the anti-fascist demo which I attended on a beautiful sunny day in Edinburgh this morning:
5/25/2012
Hollande Exits With 'Mission Accomplished' Speech
I'm disappointed in President Hollande's remarks. I suppose he has to make the best of of a very bad job for which he had no responsibility.
Francois Hollande defends early Afghan pullout - Europe - World - The Independent:
Francois Hollande defends early Afghan pullout - Europe - World - The Independent:
Anti-NATO Demos Update
"Today I have with me my Global War on Terror Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, National Defense Medal and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. These medals, once upon a time, made me feel good about what I was doing … I came back to reality, and I don't want these anymore."
5/24/2012
5/23/2012
Yemen Malnutrition Crisis
Rendition - Straw To Face Legal Action?
The former Foreign Secretary, and Mark Allen, the former head of counter-terrorism at MI6, have been accused of being complicit in the return of Sami al-Saadi and Abdel Hakim Belhadj, leading to their alleged torture and incarceration.Legal action could see intelligence agencies including MI6 and MI5 brought to court to answer questions over allegations of illegal rendition.
Earlier this year, Mr Belhadj, 45, launched civil proceedings for compensation after claiming he was taken from Thailand to Libya by the CIA in 2004.He was the leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), which opposed Gaddafi's regime.Mr al-Saadi, 46, claims he was interrogated by a man and a woman from Britain while in detention at around the same time. He had been travelling to Hong Kong from China, believing he would be able to return to Britain, where he had lived since the 1990s. FROM HERE
5/22/2012
5/21/2012
Gunbattles In Beirut Raise Spillover Fears
At least part of the background in Lebanon is the continuing conflict between pro and anti-Syrian groups. Clip Here
Cinquante Ans D'Independence Pour L'Algerie
5/20/2012
G8 Summit Focus On Eurozone
Greece’s far left Syriza party favors staying in the euro, but only with less austerity and more pro-growth policies. U.S. President Barack Obama and newly-elected French President Francois Hollande share this view. They now hope to persuade Germany.
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