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The noose is tightening around Syria’s Palestinians
Franklin Lamb
Yarmouk camp, Damascus
Several credible reports this week from Palestinian refugees in Syria and Europe, the latter among those who by various means managed to escape the Syrian conflict with their lives, illustrate the increasing pressure and dangers Palestinians are facing here just trying to survive. And the chances of survival are not likely to improve anything soon.
Three serious cases over the past few days were reported to the Beirut-Washington DC based Sabra-Shatila Scholarship Program (sssp-lb.org) which since the beginning of this year has been able to modestly assist a number of Palestinians from Syria obtain visas and refuge in Europe. Providing some cash, sometimes intervention with the Kafkaesque problems they face at the Syria-Lebanon Masnaa border crossing and often contacting Lebanese General Security regarding those agencies seemingly ever changing requirements and unannounced restrictions. Problems for arrivals from Syria trying to reach European embassies in Lebanon have recently been compounded as the government imposes yet more strict measures for their entry and forward movement to Europe. SSSP has been able to provide some housing in South Beirut while Palestinians from Syria wait to receive their visas-usually a six day process- and then provides transportation to Beirut airport as the Palestinians seek a new life in Europe, pending return to their own country, Palestine.
A reflection on Pope Francis’ clarion call to #sharetheplanet
Adam Parsons
The Catholic Church has embraced a radical position on sharing the world’s resources, one that we would all do well to heed and ponder. But the real significance of Laudato Si’ is its powerful message on the centrality of ending poverty for healing the wider crises of climate change and environmental degradation.
Since the long-awaited papal encyclical ‘on care for our common home’ was published on the 18th June, progressives and campaigners of all types have enthusiastically hailed Pope Francis’ latest teaching – and for good reason. The diverse causes championed in this compelling 180-page treatise could fill an activist’s manifesto, on everything from agroecology to degrowth economics, fossil fuel divestment and global monetary reform. Many progressive writers have remarked upon the Pope’s extraordinary critique of neoliberal capitalism, and his paradigm-shifting vision of human progress beyond consumption-driven economic growth. Not only has the Catholic Church now officially embraced the environmental crisis as the most pressing issue of our time, but it has also called for a dramatic overhaul of the global economy in order to put people and the planet before transnational corporate interests.
Pope Francis in Ecuador
by Stephen Lendman
Since early June, disruptive/at times violent US-orchestrated protests on the pretext of announced higher inheritance and capital gains taxes largely affecting Ecuador's wealthy (about 2% of its population) aim to replace President Rafael Correa with fascist leadership exclusively serving monied interests.
They paused during Pope Francis' visit - now resumed on Saturday following his departure. The Pontiff rhetorically expressed support for Ecuadorean social progress, saying:
"(M)y best wishes for the achievement of your mission, that you achieve what you want for the good of your people…(Y)ou may always count on the commitment and collaboration of the church. For serving Ecuador's people, who have risen with dignity."
Sellout in Athens
by Stephen Lendman
Popular Greek sentiment on Troika imposed austerity is clear and unequivocal. Last Sunday's referendum left no doubt. Voters overwhelmingly said "OXI" - "NO."
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras ignored them - despite pledging no more austerity, calling the referendum, publicly urging Greeks to vote "no," and by implication indicating he'd support the will of the people.
It bears repeating what other articles stressed. He's like all the rest - promising one thing, delivering another, betraying his supporters disgracefully for his own political interests. It's up to millions of long-suffering Greeks to decide what's next - accept more austerity harshness or refuse by committed, sustained mass activism for new governance serving all citizens equitably and fairly, not just its privileged few.
Abuse of Minors in Adult US Prisons
by Stephen Lendman
Among developed countries, American and Israeli prisons (for persecuted Palestinians) are most abusive. Torture and other forms of mistreatment are commonplace - including against minors.
A new Huffington Post report titled "Cruel and All-Too-Usual: A Terrifying Glimpse into Life in Prison - As a Kid" discusses how minors are mistreated in America's gulag prison system. Long-lasting scars remain after release.
A 17-year-old girl called Jamie, to conceal her identity, was sentenced to two concurrent six-month terms on assault and property destruction convictions for allegedly throwing a brick at a roommate, then banging it on the front door of their house to get in.
LaRouche on the Greek Crisis: The Only Way Out of This Mess Is To Repudiate the Greek Debt
LaRouche
The European Union is just stalling, economist Lyndon LaRouche said today. The Greeks have made it clear that the issues are limited, that they can not and will not pay illegitimate debt by killing their citizens. Otherwise,
the Greeks will simply leave Europe. Some parts of Europe are refusing to admit the fact that their governments, or their representatives, have committed a fraud against the Greek people. Those elements are demanding that the Greeks have to pay the debt, which a fraud has created. We must tell them: The fraud will not be honored.
US Obstructing Iran Nuclear Deal
by Stephen Lendman
Talks post-Lausanne's preliminary agreement were supposed to conclude by June 30 - then July 7, now July 13 or perhaps never.
Israel and its US Lobby reject any deal. Congress is amenable to terms no responsible governments would accept.
Obama wants Iranian subjugation, not a fair and equitable agreement all negotiating countries can accept - one that ends all sanctions straightaway, maintains all sovereign Iranian rights, and at least takes an important step toward normalizing Iranian-Western relations remaining unjustifiably hostile.
Iran Bashing in Late Stage Nuclear Talks
by Stephen Lendman
Netanyahu and the Israeli Lobby are in full battle mode as talks continue in Vienna aiming to resolve remaining sticking points this week - whether possible remains to be seen.
On July 4 at the US ambassador's residence in Tel Aviv, he ranted irresponsibly like he always does claiming "Zionism has always been about freedom" - ignoring how it harms Jews and non-Jews alike, a humanity destroying cancer.
"Israel stands out as a beacon of freedom and human right, with unfailing constancy, an island of democracy in a sea of despotism," he absurdly claimed.
On Child Protective Services, Part 1: Putting Children Before the Family
by Michael Minkoff
Many of you in the South may be familiar with DFCS (pronounced dee-fax), the Division of Family and Child Services. In California, this same agency is called DCFS, the Department of Children and Family Services. I think these labels say a lot about what the agencies are designed to do. While the service DFCS renders is the “division” of family and child, at DCFS, they put children before the family—to the detriment of the family unit, the authority of the parents, and even the well-being of the children. Paradoxically, putting the individual interests of the children before and above the interests and integrity of the family unit is actually bad for children.
Recently, a story circulated about the Sacramento parents that lost custody of their children after a run-in with hospital protocol and CPS. We featured an article about it. According to the top commenter on that article, the parental abuse that went on in Sacramento is just “a sign of the times we live in and the Police State Obama is developing.”
Irresponsibly Calling Argentina's President Kirchner Anti-Semitic
by Stephen Lendman
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is no Western favorite. Her forthright outspokenness is irresponsibly criticized.
Last October, her Security Council remarks denounced US-led Western foreign policies, questioning illegitimate reasons for waging war.
"Where do ISIS and Al Qaeda (get) their guns from," she asked? "Yesterday's freedom fighters are today's terrorists."
They're US allies - trained to fight America's enemies. Kirchner called financial predators "economic terroris(ts)." She urged multi-lateral cooperation to regulate sovereign debt.
"The vulture funds threaten and attack with actions against our country's economy, causing rumors, mistruths and outright lies," she said.
"It is almost a type of economic and financial terrorism. We have also claimed the need to reform the UN security organisms and the International Monetary Fund based on what has happened in Argentina."
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