Iraq

Protests throughout Iraq have further undermined the position of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Almost buried by the momentous occurrences in the Middle East, the events here are, nevertheless of some significance. There is no unified movement against the government but a great deal of discontent is coming to the surface in many, often good-natured demonstrations.

Monday Valentine’s day protest

Brandishing roses and balloons and dressed in Valentine red, hundreds of young Iraqis denounced the greed of their leaders in a protest on Monday inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
Dont build palaces - fix the sewers, proclaimed a banner carried by protesters at Baghdad’s Tahrir Square.
Another banner denounced the $11,000 monthly salary - before benefits - that Iraqi MPs approved for themselves. Prime Minister Nouri Maliki called the protesters demands real, and urged officials to address them.

Wednesday

Two people were killed and many wounded when police shot at a crowd of protesters in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. Protesters carrying slogans against corruption and high unemployment, tried to storm the local government offices in Sulaimaniya.

Three people were killed in clashes with police in the southern city of Kut.

The Prime Minister appealed for calm.

Thursday

Two people were killed and dozens wounded when protesters looking to oust the local government and seeking better services rallied at the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, which is headed by Kurdish president Masoud Barzani.

Security forces swarmed the streets of Sulaimaniya after the incident.

Barzani called on the government to open an investigation into the incident.

Friday Protesters calling for a provincial governor to resign blocked a bridge in the southern Iraqi city of Basra today, as demonstrations against government continued across Iraq.

Saturday

Hundreds crying for political reform came into the streets in Kurdistan .

A thousand people in Bagdad demanded better rights for orphans and widows.

Demonstrators in Kut calling for the removal of the provincial governor; Deaths during the week in the northern city of Sulaimaniya brought further hundreds into the streets.

In a separate protest at Sulaimaniya University on Saturday, hundreds of students condemned the KDP and called for political reforms and justice.

Protesting appears to have become the norm as throughout the country there are cries against corrupt government and electricity and food shortages.

Day of Rage

Day of Rage

Millions of people throughout the Middle East are gathering together in a demonstration to their leaders that they will no longer tolerate their incumbent regimes.

In alphabetical order

Bahrain

My heart goes out to the protesters here in Bahrain where people are faced with an extremely violent response to their protests. Bahrain is also very important to the US and UK economic interests in the Gulf. Britain is known to have sold weapons to the government here and the UK has a long history with Bahrain since they became independent. The US navy's fifth fleet is headquartered in Bahrain so there is much at stake for the Obama administration. Besides fear of losing a foothold in the Gulf, the West also fears a link between a new democratic Government and Iran.

The Royal family is Sunni but it appears that, despite claims to the contrary, both Sunni and Shia are demonstrating.

Today an estimated 30,000 attended a funeral rally for those slaughtered in the pre dawn raid by government forces on Pearl Square. The people chanted that they want the removal even the death of the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa and the prime minister of 40 years, Shaikh Khalfa bin Salman Al Khalifa, also a member of the royal family;

"We know they have weapons and they are trying to drag us into violence," said Sheik Ali Salman, the leader of the largest Shia party, al-Wifaq, whose 18 MPs have resigned in protest from the 40-seat parliament to deepen the political crisis.

Egypt

I have mixed feelings about today’s demonstration and I am not at all sure that anyone can distinguish the main feelings of the people. There is certainly a massive turnout of close to a million people.

On one hand the military are said to be handing out Egyptian flags to the people; on the other hand the military have blocked an important route into the Square and they are putting a stamp of control on the proceedings by demanding ID from everyone seeking to join the demonstration.

Some are protecting a small pro-Mabarak demonstration within the large one

Jack Shenker of the Guardian reported on a speech made by Yusuf al-Qaradawi, head of the Muslim Brotherhood. The leader praised the role of the Coptic Christians and Muslims as they worked together and protected each other in the revolution in Egypt.

Iran

True information is very difficult to ascertain about Iran, mostly because international news agencies are not allowed to speak to the opposing forces there. Unfortunately I also find it hard to trust Western sources because the powers behind these groups definitely would like to see the downfall of this country. Poor as it may be this is my take on the situation there.

I am certain, that the USA and UK will be very happy to support any insurgency in the country. The State Department has openly said that it

"recognises historic role of social media among Iranians We want to join in your conversations."

Twitter feeds began on Sunday with US officials accusing Iran of double standards by supporting the anti-government revolt in Egypt on one hand but suppressing anti-government demonstrations in Iran on the other.

The State Department said in another tweet, "Iran has shown that the activities it praised Egyptians for it sees as illegal, illegitimate for its own people."

In a third tweet, it said "US calls on #Iran to allow people to enjoy same universal rights to peacefully assemble, demonstrate as in Cairo."

On the other hand these reports from Iran are very worrying,

“Thousands of government supporters called for the execution of opposition leaders at Friday prayers in Tehran this morning, the Associated Press reports.

Hardline cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said during the Friday prayers that the opposition leaders have lost their reputation among people and are practically "dead and executed," while worshippers chanted for their actual executions.

Janati proposed more restrictions on Mir Hossein Mousavi on Mahdi Karroubi, opposition leaders who are under house arrest, but still managed to organise the largest opposition protest in more than a year on Monday.

"Their communications with people should (be) completely cut. They should not be able to receive and send message. Their phone lines and internet should be cut. They should be prisoners in their home," he said.

Iran's Opposition Leaders are Missing

Since anti-government protests swept Iran on Monday, the government has not-so-quietly moving to get rid of its detractors, the New York Times reports. Iranian opposition leader Mir Hussein Moussavi hasn't been seen since Tuesday, his daughters told an anti-government website yesterday, and sources report that the home of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi's son was raided this week. On Tuesday, lawmakers took to parliament to call for their prosecution—according to the Times, both men have been "accused repeatedly of waging war against God," a sentence that carries the death penalty—and later today, pro-government forces are slated to hold a rally to express their "hatred, rage and disgust" for the opposition movement.

The opposition demonstrations on Monday aimed at showing solidarity with Egypt's uprising, but turned into a major opposition rally. Two people were killed in clashes with police.

Mousavi and Karroubi are leaders of a protest movement that grew after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June 2009. Hundreds of thousands of protesters poured into the streets then calling the results fraudulent. Opposition says scores were killed after the massive government crackdown and both international and local media were banned from freely covering the mass protests. Following this, dozens of opposition members and activist were sentenced to prison terms from six months to 15 years in the crackdown.

I suspect that the Iranian Government was forced to ‘celebrate’ the Egyptian uprising as a subterfuge to disguise what was in effect a protest against themselves. This is pure speculation on my part. The calls for death and harsh treatment of the opposition is not a popular movement but a government worried about revolution coming its way.

The Iranian Government may have support of many people but any Government which fails to recognize the power of those same people to seek change will find that the clock is ticking for them too.

Still to come my blogs on Iraq Jordan Libya Syria and Yemen

Bliar on BBC

Bliar on BBC

I watched in horror this morning as the BBC once more gave legitimacy to one of the greatest criminals the Uk has ever had as a Prime Minister. I did not see the whole interview but I am guessing that there were no questions about the lies he told to take us into a war in Iraq. I am guessing he was never challenged about his role in the complete destruction of Iraq. I am guessing that he was never asked why there was no condemnation of Israel during his leadership of this country. I am guessing he was not asked why there was no enquiry into the 7/7 bombs in London.

Instead, I watched as he was asked for his opinion about Egypt and other countries in the Middle East seeking freedom from their tyranny. It was interesting only in so far as his words will give us a preview of the soundbites we will be getting from our current government in the coming weeks.

Bliar was allowed to sidestep the question about his opinion about Israel’s behaviour in the settlements.

Bliar and the interviewer, Andrew Marr, shared a joke that

‘Mubarak was a bastard but at least he was our bastard.’

Bliar was also allowed to evade commenting on that too.

In other words this was another wasted opportunity to take Bliar to task for his crimes.

The BBC carried out their role as the leading edge in government propaganda perfectly.

Just noticed that Jeremy Paxman is actually being taken to task by the BBC for an article where he openly acknowledged what every thinking person already knows that Bliar is a liar. No wonder the people of our country are being duped daily by the media.

Congratulations Egypt

Congratulations Egypt

Through the media of cable tv and the internet, we have shared this wonderful experience with you.

I don’t know who your heroes are but you are all my heroes.

You showed unstoppable courage,

Single minded dedication to your purpose.

And you did it all with dignity and in peace.

You showed intelligence and integrity en masse.

I know this is the beginning of your journey but I am certain you have what it takes to show the world what DEMOCRACY really means.

Can we learn from Egypt and Tunisia

What would be a great government system to come out of these wonderful people-led revolutions in the Arab nations?
I hesitate to use the word democracy because I would see little to be gained from western style democracy replacing the western puppet dictators they are throwing out.
Today I am going to indulge in a flight of fantasy that may bear no relationship to the real world but then that is a pretty good description of my life anyway.

Let us start by imagining what a great government would be like. What ideals would we want to incorporate.

The system of elections would ensure that those with high ideals and integrity came into positions of power.

The power of big business and media would have to be answerable to the people. They would not be allowed to pull the strings of government the way they do in the West.

Because the leaders are the embodiment of high ideals, they would certainly be open to the needs and wants of the people. I think truly great leaders also guide those wants and needs so that our humanity is raised and not abased.

Every person of intelligence should have a say in creating the government of their choice.

The government in power would ensure that all in the country were treated fairly and the weak are taken care of.

The justice system is free and impartial.

The laws are simple and apply to all.

The political institution would reflect the diversity of the country that it represents.

Positions of power in the government would go to those with the best credentials and knowledge for the job.

There would be regular elections and a mechanism for the removal of any government that does not live up to its promise.

Reflexology

I had a fantastic reflexology session today. This is the first time I have had this and I was amazed at how effective it was. In fact I am sitting here tonight still totally chilled. I broke my wrist at the end of the year and my friend offered a free session to help it recover.
If you are wondering whether to give some complementary therapy a go, I would say go for it. I felt absolutely pampered throughout and the treatment didn't only help my wrist, I felt other things going on as well. My big toe for example broken many years ago and completely unbendable, is bending. I didn't even think that was possible.
Try out the Paradise Clinic in Kemnay and I promise you wont regret it.
http://www.reflexologyandacupuncture.co.uk
I spent a lot of my life studying science; physics, maths, psychology etc so I have to wonder why compementary healing works often when our traditional medicine fails us.
Dr Bruce Lipton has a take on the problem,
http://www.brucelipton.com
He is a cell biologist who found that the standard view of our biology was missing some key factors. During many years of research he discovered that the cells of an organism respond to messages from the mind more readily than to their actual environment.
This is one explanation for the placebo effect but may also be a part of the story about reflexology, acapuncture, reike and even prayer and visualisation.
Personally, I think there is more going on and that we need to be looking at fields generated by the body to answer questions like this and the documented evidence of non physical communication and paranormal activities. Dr. Rupert Sheldrake has some interesting experiments on- line regarding what he calls morphic resonance. You can take part here.
http://www.sheldrake.org

US warships go to Egypt

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/164038.html
The United States has sent warships and troops to Egypt.
The US military on board have been told they cannot contact anyone.
It looks therefore like they are ready to move soon.
What is this show of force there for?
Are they there as a threat to those hoping to change and create democratic govt in Egypt?
Are they there to warn those wanting to keep the dictator, Mubarak, and his entourage in power?
It is clear that the general opinion in the streets of Cairo is that people want rid of the US just as much as they want Mubarak and his cronies to go. They know perfectly well that the US have supported a corrupt government in Egypt financially. The US has reportedly given 1.3 billion dollars per annum in military aid. ie the US has supplied this dictator with the tanks and teargas now threatening protesters in the streets of the city.
Even greater sums in aid were given supposedly for education and to alleviate poverty. Sums that have most likely gone directly to line the dicators pockets.
It is obvious that the cash is a reward, paid to Mubarak, as long as he is willing to look after US and the West's interests in the Middle East regardless of poverty and suppression in the country.

It seems to me that the US arriving with a show of force in this situation could be construed as readiness to protect Western interests rather than support for a grass roots heartfelt revolution.
The only place I can find coverage of the arrival of warships is on Press TV. No other channel seems to find it news worthy that the greatest force in the world is showing up on the doorstep of a Middle East country in the throws of revolution.
Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that when Press TV went offline, I got very worried. There have already been leaks showing that certain members of our Government are looking for excuses to get Press TV off the air.
It is back on now thank goodness.
Egypt is in a very important place for the West and its corporate interest in the Middle East. It is obvious that whoever the Egyptian people choose to govern will not be supporters of the Israelis. That is very threatening to our corporate dictators in the west.
For many years now their puppet has ensured that the balance of power is firmly in Israeli hands.
The explosions of a pipeline to Jordan seems quite significant to me. Surely a threat to gas supply like this will be a cause for concern. The media is very quiet about it. Is that because it was a false flag operation in the hope that the cry of 'terrorism' would allow MUBARAK to put down the revolution with force?
I do not believe I will be able to sit back and watch our Govt destroy Egypt as it has destroyed Iraq. If 2 million did not stop Blair marching into Iraq in our name, How many of us will need to get out there demonstrating on behalf of Egypt?
I think the boil of corruption in the Middle is at a head and beginning to burst. Hope our students will be ready to mass for something a bit more important than there own self interest. If the arab nations can do something in the face of their suppression. Surely we can too.