Source: U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center Report: Mass Attacks in Public Spaces 2018 (15-pg PDF)
Showing posts with label Crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crime. Show all posts
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Random charts - Yemen (war crimes)
Source: The Strategies of the Coalition in the Yemen War: Aerial bombardment and food war (23-pg PDF)
"If one places the damage to the resources of food producers (farmers, herders, and fishers) alongside the targeting of food processing, storage and transport in urban areas and the wider economic war, there is strong evidence that Coalition strategy has aimed to destroy food production and distribution in the areas under the control of Sanʿaʾ. As described above, from the autumn of 2016, economic war has com-pounded physical destruction to create a mass failure in basic livelihoods. Deliberate destruction of family farming and artisanal fishing is a war crime. Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United Kingdom and France are signatories to the 1977 Protocol I additional to the Geneva Conventions, which gives the fullest statement in International Humanitarian Law on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.
If the Coalition war in Yemen is not to mark the erasure of legal referent in war, other forces and institutions will need to call into question the blanket ‘legitimacy’ accorded the Coalition to date by the world’s highest legal body, the UN Security Council. If UN Security Council resolution 2417 (24 May 2018), condemning starvation of civilians in wartime, is to be meaningful, then it is necessary for the UNSC and its member states to halt such crimes in Yemen, to investigate them, and to call to account those responsible for perpetrating them."
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Confirmed! (Powell & torture)
Earlier blog entries (see below) had looked at Colin Powell related to the "Iraqi WMD" imbroglio and his knowledge re the use of 'enhanced interrogation tactics" (EITs, more commonly known as torture).
In the case of the first he acknowledge mistakes being made, but worked diligently over the years to transition from his initial 'I verified all the allegations myself' version to the current 'we need to ask the CIA and DIA why the source's unreliability wasn't identified before false information was put into my presentation to the UN' Note especially the artful, and 3rd person, "put into."
On the torture issue Powell kept quiet while his aide Colonel Wilkerson stated multiple times that he had not been in the loop on EIT...This was first shown to be false by a Senate committee report. When asked re this Colin Powell had to resort to torturing the English language - stating that he didn't have "sufficient memory recall" about the meetings referenced; that he had participated in "… many meetings on how to deal with detainees…”; and that he was not "aware of anything that we discussed in any of those meetings that was not considered legal…”
Now with the CIA's former top lawyer John Rizzo speaking publicly about EIT we have further proof, were it really necessary, that Colin Powell was fully in the know. Colin Powell and Colonel Wilkerson confirmed as bald faced liars...
Previous blog entries concerning Colin Powell:
Great quotes ... - Feb 21, 2011
Random picture - December 22nd, 2010
Powell... Tekel... - April 15th, 2009
And yet... - December 14th, 2008
As expected... - October 20th, 2008
The Powell rehabilitation project? - July 13th, 2008
Did they say that (III) - April 20th, 2008
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Monday, February 21, 2011
Great quotes....
"It has been known for several years that the source called Curveball was totally unreliable. The question should be put to the CIA and the DIA as to why this wasn't known before the false information was put into the NIE sent to Congress, the president's state of the union address and my 5 February presentation to the UN."
- Colin Powell, now blaming the CIA and DIA for his presentation to the UN (which turned out to be equal parts fantasy and conjecture....). See 'Colin Powell demands answers over Curveball's WMD lies'
So now cometh Colin Powell, he of forked tongue, "demanding" that the CIA and DIA "... explain why they failed to alert him to the unreliability of a key source behind claims of Saddam Hussein's bio-weapons capability..." At the U.N. he said in 2003 "My colleagues, every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources. These are not assertions. What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence..."
How did we know this was the case? Because at the time Powell claimed that he and his team had spent days reviewing and vetting the information to be used in the speech; that all items that were doubtful were removed (e.g. the uranium from Niger claim, the software from Australia claim, the pictures of pictures of Iraqi ''nuclear mujahedeen,", among others); and that he only used what had been checked and verified... For example: "... Months later, news articles reported that Powell had spent several days at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., looking over the intelligence, and that he put only the strongest evidence in his briefing, tossing out many claims—for instance, the business about uranium-shopping in Niger—that he considered flimsy, if not fraudulent..." And another example: "Mr Powell said he had all but "moved in" with US intelligence to prepare his briefings for the UN security council, according to the transcripts..."
Yet now he has the unmitigated gall to "demand" explanations of the CIA and DIA... Equally duplicitous, his aide at the time, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, has pronounced himself "extremely angry" (see here) that he and Powell were victims of "serious manipulation" and "outright lying" Yes, this is the self-same Wilkerson that made the rounds in 2008 providing Powell 'cover' re the mistreatment of detainees, which subsequently turned out to be wholly false (see below).
As recounted in 'The Powell rehabilitation project?', "... following Powell’s exit from the government, his former aide Colonel Larry Wilkerson came out strongly against the poor treatment of U.S. detainees; laid full responsibility at the door of Vice President Cheney and his staff; and said that Powell had no first-hand knowledge of how abuse/torture had come about. While this occurred, Powell remained silent on the issue and made no public proclamations. Due to the close relationship between the two Wilkerson’s views were taken as reflecting the views of Powell. Wilkerson's denunciations were part of an effort to preserve Powell's legacy and indicate that he hadn't been part of the administration's efforts to institutionalize torture... and Wilkerson saved Powell's reputation in the eyes of many people… Powell got “credit” for being a “good soldier”, “team player”, etc. while Wilkerson laid down cover for him…
Recently, however, it has come out that the "enhanced interrogation techniques" were discussed in excruciating detail on multiple occasions at the Principals meeting with Colin Powell present. Powell has not really been called out on this. Once when Diane Sawyer asked re him this apparent contradiction Colin Powell said that he didn't have "sufficient memory recall" about the meetings; that he had participated in "… many meetings on how to deal with detainees…”; and, “… I'm not aware of anything that we discussed in any of those meetings that was not considered legal…” However, so far he has not had to explain why he let Wilkerson so publicly exonerate him as not being involved while he was actually very much in the loop."
Powell's doubts over CIA intelligence on Iraq prompted him to set up secret review
Powell presents US case to Security Council of Iraq's failure to disarm
Focus on Iraq: Powell's UN speech dissected
The Powell Presentation - Harry Browne
Lie After Lie: What Exactly Colin Powell Knew Five Years Ago Today, And What He Told The World
Warnings on WMD 'Fabricator' Were Ignored, Ex-CIA Aide Says
THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ: INTELLIGENCE; Powell's Case, a Year Later: Gaps in Picture of Iraq Arms
The U.N. Deception: What Exactly Colin Powell Knew Five Years Ago, and What He Told the World
Colin Powell's Disgraceful Lies
Colin Powell’s Former Aide Angry Over Curveball Lies
Previous blog entries concerning Colin Powell:
Random picture - December 22nd, 2010
Powell... Tekel... - April 15th, 2009
And yet... - December 14th, 2008
As expected... - October 20th, 2008
The Powell rehabilitation project? - July 13th, 2008
Did they say that (III) - April 20th, 2008
- Colin Powell, now blaming the CIA and DIA for his presentation to the UN (which turned out to be equal parts fantasy and conjecture....). See 'Colin Powell demands answers over Curveball's WMD lies'
So now cometh Colin Powell, he of forked tongue, "demanding" that the CIA and DIA "... explain why they failed to alert him to the unreliability of a key source behind claims of Saddam Hussein's bio-weapons capability..." At the U.N. he said in 2003 "My colleagues, every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources. These are not assertions. What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence..."
How did we know this was the case? Because at the time Powell claimed that he and his team had spent days reviewing and vetting the information to be used in the speech; that all items that were doubtful were removed (e.g. the uranium from Niger claim, the software from Australia claim, the pictures of pictures of Iraqi ''nuclear mujahedeen,", among others); and that he only used what had been checked and verified... For example: "... Months later, news articles reported that Powell had spent several days at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., looking over the intelligence, and that he put only the strongest evidence in his briefing, tossing out many claims—for instance, the business about uranium-shopping in Niger—that he considered flimsy, if not fraudulent..." And another example: "Mr Powell said he had all but "moved in" with US intelligence to prepare his briefings for the UN security council, according to the transcripts..."
Yet now he has the unmitigated gall to "demand" explanations of the CIA and DIA... Equally duplicitous, his aide at the time, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, has pronounced himself "extremely angry" (see here) that he and Powell were victims of "serious manipulation" and "outright lying" Yes, this is the self-same Wilkerson that made the rounds in 2008 providing Powell 'cover' re the mistreatment of detainees, which subsequently turned out to be wholly false (see below).
As recounted in 'The Powell rehabilitation project?', "... following Powell’s exit from the government, his former aide Colonel Larry Wilkerson came out strongly against the poor treatment of U.S. detainees; laid full responsibility at the door of Vice President Cheney and his staff; and said that Powell had no first-hand knowledge of how abuse/torture had come about. While this occurred, Powell remained silent on the issue and made no public proclamations. Due to the close relationship between the two Wilkerson’s views were taken as reflecting the views of Powell. Wilkerson's denunciations were part of an effort to preserve Powell's legacy and indicate that he hadn't been part of the administration's efforts to institutionalize torture... and Wilkerson saved Powell's reputation in the eyes of many people… Powell got “credit” for being a “good soldier”, “team player”, etc. while Wilkerson laid down cover for him…
Recently, however, it has come out that the "enhanced interrogation techniques" were discussed in excruciating detail on multiple occasions at the Principals meeting with Colin Powell present. Powell has not really been called out on this. Once when Diane Sawyer asked re him this apparent contradiction Colin Powell said that he didn't have "sufficient memory recall" about the meetings; that he had participated in "… many meetings on how to deal with detainees…”; and, “… I'm not aware of anything that we discussed in any of those meetings that was not considered legal…” However, so far he has not had to explain why he let Wilkerson so publicly exonerate him as not being involved while he was actually very much in the loop."
Powell's doubts over CIA intelligence on Iraq prompted him to set up secret review
Powell presents US case to Security Council of Iraq's failure to disarm
Focus on Iraq: Powell's UN speech dissected
The Powell Presentation - Harry Browne
Lie After Lie: What Exactly Colin Powell Knew Five Years Ago Today, And What He Told The World
Warnings on WMD 'Fabricator' Were Ignored, Ex-CIA Aide Says
THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ: INTELLIGENCE; Powell's Case, a Year Later: Gaps in Picture of Iraq Arms
The U.N. Deception: What Exactly Colin Powell Knew Five Years Ago, and What He Told the World
Colin Powell's Disgraceful Lies
Colin Powell’s Former Aide Angry Over Curveball Lies
Previous blog entries concerning Colin Powell:
Random picture - December 22nd, 2010
Powell... Tekel... - April 15th, 2009
And yet... - December 14th, 2008
As expected... - October 20th, 2008
The Powell rehabilitation project? - July 13th, 2008
Did they say that (III) - April 20th, 2008
Monday, December 27, 2010
Random chart
Source: The Conservative World View and Prison Populations, Broken Windows. "... There’s been a massive explosion in the rate of prison population in the United States since 1970 ..."Thursday, December 23, 2010
Great quotes I
"Freedom House today renewed its deep concern about the fairness and impartiality of the pending court decision in the case of former Yukos head, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, in light of comments made by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a call-in session with the Russian public.
Asked by a viewer about the fairness of the eight-year sentence Khodorkovsky is currently serving on charges of tax evasion, Putin borrowed a famous line from a popular Soviet film, replying “a thief must sit in prison.” He also said that the crimes of Mr. Khodorkovsky "were proven in court," before any verdict has been rendered in this latest trial. Putin concluded his remarks by calling the Russian court one of the “most humane in the world.”
Asked by a viewer about the fairness of the eight-year sentence Khodorkovsky is currently serving on charges of tax evasion, Putin borrowed a famous line from a popular Soviet film, replying “a thief must sit in prison.” He also said that the crimes of Mr. Khodorkovsky "were proven in court," before any verdict has been rendered in this latest trial. Putin concluded his remarks by calling the Russian court one of the “most humane in the world.”
“The Russian prime minister's remarks are utterly irresponsible and make a mockery of the justice system by overtly prejudging a verdict before the court issues its decision,” remarked David J. Kramer, Executive Director of Freedom House. “Mr. Putin once again has demonstrated his scornful disregard for rule of law, directly contradicting President Medvedev’s pledges to eradicate legal nihilism and dashing hopes for a justice system free from political pressure.” See Putin’s Remarks on Khodorkovsky Show Blatant Disrespect for Rule of Law.
Ok, so let's understand this. A viewer asked about the sentence Khodorovsky is currently serving i.e. Putin was asked about Khodorovsky's last trial, back in May 2005. When Putin opines that Khodorovsky got what he deserved (and would one expect anything different to come out of his mouth?), this is "utterly irresponsible" and "prejudging" the current case?
Additionally, speaking of prejudging, how is this that different from President Obama and AG Holder suggesting (in response to Republican criticism of their proposals) that convictions would be all but guaranteed if/when "terrorists" would be tried in civilian courts ??
Ed note: OK, for those readers who are turning purple with apoplexy at this 'heresy', this blogger understands that it is not free in Russia.... that the administration there is an autocratic and authoritarian kleptocracy... that the courts do what they are told versus applying the law impartially, etc. , etc. The criticism here is directed at these NGOs (Freedom House, Amnesty International, etc.), who take a comment about the past and huff and puff as if it is about the future (Note: here I'm going by their own reporting of what transpired!!), and apparently need to gin up fake outrage when there's manifestly plenty of real outrages present that need to be exposed and denounced!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Great quotes
“... We have 18 states who are taking DNA upon arrest. It’s no different than fingerprinting or a booking photo..." - John Walsh, meeting with President Obama, who agreed wholeheartedly.
President Obama backs DNA test in arrests
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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