PressTV: "'Gaddafi forces use Israeli weapons'"

How would we ever be in the know without PressTV?

Libyan revolutionary forces have found evidence showing that government forces are using Israeli bombs and rockets against them, a report says.

The opposition forces in the Libyan city of Misratah displayed weapons that they have seized from the forces supporting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Al Jazeera reported Thursday.

They said that some of the confiscated rockets and bombs had signs imprinted on them, clearly indicating that they are manufactured in Israel. [...]

Fars News: "Iranian students" chant "Down with Zionist Saudis" and "Down with American-style Islam"

I wonder what's wrong with "American-style Islam." In any event, the point of this demonstration was to assert the Khomeinist fiction that only US allies are oppressive:

Large numbers of Iranian students staged a rally in front of the UN office in Tehran to protest at the massacre of peaceful protestors in Bahrain and other Islamic countries in the region.

Protestors voiced their support for Muslims in Bahrain and other Islamic countries and underlined that they will continue their support for the oppressed people in those states.

The students chanted various slogans such as 'Allaho Akbar', 'Down with the USA', 'Down with the Zionist regime', 'Down with Zionist Saudis', 'Down with American-style Islam' and 'Saudi commits crimes and the UN backs it' to voice their support for people in Bahrain and other Islamic countries.

The students urged the Iranian government to dispatch voluntary forces to Bahrain and in other Islamic states.

They also called for formation of a fact-finding committee to pursue recent events in those countries.

"A fact-finding committee"? That's something a mass demonstration can really get behind.

Angry Martian: Earth--why its years are numbered

His English prose sometimes needs a little help, so I adjusted the wording here and there to bring out his true message a bit more effectively:

There is something really bizarre about the Earth. Self-declared "biospheres" usually perfect themselves and improve the rights of their hatchlings. Not in the case of Earth--the disgrace unto the planets. The planet is becoming more and more mammalian by the day: and it insitutionalizes its mammalianism on continuous basis. Earth? Its years are numbered. I told an audience of Reptiles on Venus recently: I can't wait to celebrate the demise of Earth.

An Israeli product I bought on Wednesday

What this is all about.

Fars News: "Muslim Students in Europe in Letter to Obama: World Not Controlled by US Anymore"

Fars wants you to take this as representing the point of view of Muslim students in general, but it sounds like the work of a Khomeinist front-group (not that generic Muslim groups don't sometimes sound like Khomeinist front-groups):

The Union of Islamic Student Associations in Europe in a letter warned US President Barrack Obama to stop oppression against Muslim nations and support for long-time US allies and dictators in the region, saying that Islamic awakening, inspired by the Iranian Revolution, is spreading throughout the world and that the world is no more the US playground.

"Unlike the past, the world is no longer your playground where you make up rules and force them upon oppressed nations in order to determine their destiny. The nations of the world have vowed and are determined to shape their own destinies by overthrowing and driving out the western imposed puppets and dictators," the Union said in its letter.

The full text of the letter follows:

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

President Obama,

We are the Union of Islamic Students Associations in Europe and we are writing on behalf of the Iranian youth born after the Islamic Revolution. We are certain that we speak not only for the majority of the youth in Iran, but also for most of the freedom loving young people around the world. We live among the common people and we are well aware of their views and conditions and we are not like the aristocratic minority that lives in secluded mansions far away from the realities of our country. In addition, we should add that the forthright expression of views is a notable characteristic of the Iranian youth.

Mr. President, have you asked yourself why world nations and their youth are disgusted with the current system of aggressive world domination and why their numbers are increasing daily?

There is not enough space in this letter to enumerate the many crimes committed by the United States in the past - from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that caused the death of countless civilians and the crippling damage to successive generations of human beings, to the massacre of the people of Vietnam, to the overthrowing of scores of democratic governments throughout the world through military coups and the blind support of dictators whose hands are soaked with the blood of their own people. Nor is there enough space in this letter to recount the more recent crimes carried out under the cover of "The War on Terror " with trillions of dollars flowing into the pockets of weapons companies and the spilling of the blood of countless innocent women and children in Iraq and Afghanistan. This abhorrent game of death serves the interests of powerful corporations and investment holdings and has led to the massacre of over a million people in Iraq and Afghanistan alone.

Is not the extent of this tragedy similar to the often propagated Holocaust? Would it not have been better to provide convincing answers to thousands of independent experts, researchers, and journalists regarding the events surrounding the September 11 attacks, before launching these bloody wars? The crime file of the United States government is so heavy that it causes deep regret to every sincere liberated human being throughout the globe. Despite these crimes, you still have the "audacity " to declare yourselves the champions of human rights and freedom and to interfere in the domestic affairs of peace loving nations such as Iran who has not attacked any foreign soil in the last 200 years!

Mr. Obama,

Today the people of the world are no longer deceived by your attempts at deception and the iron fist hidden by the velvet glove has been exposed. We have witnessed your order to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan, we have seen your orders to keep the Guantanamo prison open and we regularly witness your coldhearted vetoes of UN resolutions against the Zionist regime, which give it the green light to perpetrate the massacre of innocent women and children, young and old in Gaza. Remember that God's hand is more powerful and above all others, and that divine destiny will destroy the oppressors.

The US government's actions in support of Netanyahu, Mubarak, and Mahmoud Abbas during the cruel and merciless Gaza blockade and war, whose aim was to destroy an innocent and defenseless nation, and the US government's support for dictators around the world, are all great injustices which will shorten the life of any oppressive regime. The great leader Imam Khomeini bravely announced with deep insight the fate of oppressors such as the Great Satan.

How astonishing it is to see the devil stand by the people, after the victory of the people over their US imposed dictators in Egypt and elsewhere. The world has witnessed the massacres in Bahrain and they have seen the Bahraini dictator - your close friend and ally - killing his own people right in front of the eyes of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet stationed there. Similarly, everyone can clearly see that the most despotic and backward kings and dictators in the Middle East and North Africa, such as the King of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Yemen, Bahrain and others in the Persian Gulf region are all under your protection and support. These governments are not simply your "allies " but in fact they are kept in power by your overt and covert support. These despotic and backward regimes would have been overthrown long ago by their own people had your backing - overt and covert - not existed.

The shah of Iran was one such brutal dictator supported by the US government, whom the brave Iranian nation overthrew in 1951, replacing him with a democratic government. However, the US government orchestrated a military coup in 1953 overthrowing the national government and re-imposing this blood thirsty dictator onto the Iranian nation. Our people can never forget this nor will they ever forget their decade's long sacrifice and struggle against the Shah's inhumane dictatorship which was supported by the US government. The result of this struggle was that they finally overthrew him for the second time in 1979. Sadly, your so called experts are still stuck under the illusion that they can impose the same westoxicated dictators and criminals upon our people once again.

However, your government's response to our people's liberation was a very bitter one. We are witness to continued interference by you and your predecessors in the domestic affairs of Iran. It is 33 years now that Iran has been illegally and immorally sanctioned by your government and billions of dollars of assets belonging to the people of Iran have been improperly ceased. This does not include the billions of dollars stolen by the ex-dictator's family stored safely in your banks and financial institutions. Furthermore, your government is harboring and supporting terrorists and criminals who have committed atrocities against the Iranian people and their extradition and prosecution has been repeatedly blocked by you and your allies. What excuse do you have for supporting terrorist groups, such as the MKO and Jundullah? These groups that you and your government support, have killed tens of thousands of innocent people in Iran in their bloody terrorist campaigns over the past three decades.

The awakening of the youth in the Islamic world today is rooted in the awakening of the Iranian youth that took place in 1979. The Iranian youth successfully proved that it is possible to permanently overthrow a dictator that is fully supported by the US. The Iranian youth successfully proved that it is possible to stand firm against all the unjust and merciless sanctions, terrorist campaigns, conspiracies, and imposed wars for over thirty years. [...]

There is more of interest in the rest of the letter, but it might as well be an Ahmadinejad speech.

SANA (Syria): "Mass Popular Rallies in Syrian Provinces, Supporting National Unity, Security and Stability"

Don't believe the Imperialists! Everything is peachy except for a few conspiracies:

Mass popular rallies embracing millions of Syrian citizens on Tuesday prevailed the Syrian provinces expressing loyalty to the motherland.

The participants in the rallies stressed the importance of preserving the national unity, security and stability, voicing support to the comprehensive reform program led by President Bashar al-Assad.

SANA reporters in Damascus and other Syrian provinces mentioned that all the spectrums of the Syrian people have flocked to the big squares since the early morning to express their loyalty to the homeland rejecting all attempts of sowing sedition which target the exemplary coexistence prevailing among the Syrian citizens.

Millions of people around Syria rallied in the cities' main squares to express loyalty to homeland and underline its national unity.

Syrian people gathered on Tuesday to stress the importance of maintaining security and stability and to support the massive reform program led by President Bashar al-Assad.

SANA reporters in the Syrian provinces said that citizens of different social segments headed to the main squares and streets, expressing their loyalty to their country and refusing plots to sow sedition in order to undermine the exemplary union of the Syrian people.

In Damascus, masses of citizens from Damascus, its countryside and Quneitra headed towards Saba Bahrat Square, as cheers mixed calling for national unity, refusing to undermine security and stability and calling for continuing reform.

The cheers and placards raised reflected the public awareness, high patriotic feeling towards national issues. They called for national unity, not to be drawn behind calls for divisions and continuing the process of massive reforms under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad. [...]

Another headline from SANA reads "Lebanese Parties: Syria Impervious to Israeli Zionist Plots":

A number of Lebanese figures representing different parties have stressed that the conspiracy facing Syria is a tax for its resilience against the Israeli project and its commitment to the Arab Nation causes and resistance.

In separate statements made on Tuesday, leaders of a number of Lebanese parties and forces denounced the suspicious plots and the inflammatory media campaign against Syria, which are aimed at targeting its security and stability, as well as driving the country into internal strife.

They stressed that Syria, with its people and leadership, is impervious to all plots hatched against it.

"The terrorist campaign targeting Syria today and the dilemma the Zionist project immersed in are inseparable," Head of the Lebanese Democratic Party Talal Arslan said in a press conference, adding "hitting Syria's stability means hitting Lebanon's stability, as Syria is the strategic depth of Lebanon and the geographical lung it breathes through."

Arslan denounced the attacks which targeted Syrian students and workers in Lebanon who were spontaneously marching to express support to Syria's stability and security, calling on the Lebanese authorities to assume responsibility in getting the attackers arrested and punished.

Those attacks were also condemned in a joint statement made by the leaders in Beirut of Hezbollah Party, Amal Movement, the Union Party, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, the Socialist Progressive Party and the Free Patriotic Movement, following a meeting today. [...]

Are Social Nationalists anything like National Socialists?

PressTV (Iran): "Egypt ready to promote ties with Iran"

Great news!

Newly appointed Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi has said that his country is ready to promote ties between Tehran and Cairo.

In his first press conference as the country's foreign minister on Tuesday, al-Arabi said Cairo is ready to open "a new page with Iran," IRNA reported.

The official went on to say that the Egyptian government does not see Iran as an enemy state, noting the two countries have historically rooted relations.

He further stated that the establishment of diplomatic ties depends on the Iranian side.

Earlier in March, head of Iran's Interest Section in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Mojtaba Amani said long-stalled relations between Iran and Egypt can be expanded.

"In view of the current developments in Egypt, the time is ripe for expansion of relations between Tehran and Cairo," Amani said.

The Iranian official stated that diplomatic ties between the two states have only been limited to interest sections since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, but it is high time the two sides made appropriate decisions based upon the current events and developments in Egypt.

Eighteen days of anti-government protests in crisis-hit Egypt resulted in the historic overthrow of the 82-year-old former President Hosni Mubarak, who quit on February 11, handing over power to a military council.

Tehran and Cairo have not had full diplomatic relations since 1979.

Iran severed ties with Egypt after Cairo signed the 1978 Camp David Accords with Israel and provided asylum to Iran's deposed shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

IRIB Radio: "Syrians rally in support of gov't, decry American plots"

Iran serves up propaganda on behalf of its ally:

Millions of Syrians came out on the streets of Damascus and several other cities in support of President Bashar al-Assad, and decried the US plot to create sedition in the country.

State-run television showed live footage of hundreds of thousands pouring onto the main streets of Damascus, Aleppo, Hama and al-Hassakah today.

In the meantime there are reports that Syrians opposed to the government have captured Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Is it possible that the New Middle East will have some advantages compared to the old one?

Must-read post from Richard Millet on trial of "Anti-Ahava activists"

He does a good job of summarizing the jaw-dropping and semi-farcical proceedings. The denizens of that part of the political spectrum regularly used to call Tony Blair a "war criminal," so if their arguments are valid, what would stop them from ignoring any laws against trespassing, creating a public nuisance, etc. in order to target any business or any other institution that meets with their ire? It should be an open-and-shut case, but it probably won't be considering the current political climate in Britain and much of the rest of Europe.

Angry Arab deploys his "dirty hands" meme again

This time his indignation is aroused because Israel advised Tunisian Jews that the mob that surrounded the Tunis synagogue chanting "Khaibar, Khaibar ya Yahud" was not issuing an invitation to a celebrate difference dinner and that it might be time to join the vast bulk of Jews of Tunisian extraction in the great wide world beyond Tunisia. He asks, "Who appointed the Zionist usurping entity as spokesentity for Jews around the world?" Angry Arab thinks "Jews around the world" care for his opinion? As he likes to say, I kid you not.

"Ahmadinejad Terms Nowrouz Symbol of Human Being's Survival"

You would never know it from Iranian propaganda, but some of the hard-line Mullahs are not so happy about the promotion of a festival with pagan origins. I wonder if that is in the background of the extra-thick layer of blather which Ahmadinejad emits here:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underlined the importance of the International Nowrouz Celebrations in Tehran, and said Nowrouz is the symbol of human being's survival.

Ahmadinejad said here in Tehran on Monday that Nowrouz has brought two historical gifts to humanity which are "sacrifice and love".

'…but the autocrats' gifts to humanity have been bomb and massacre,' President Ahmadinejad made the remarks on the second day of the 2nd world Nowrouz celebrations which began in this capital city Sunday morning at the Saad-Abad Cultural Complex.

Iran's President further said 'This is the difference between our culture and the culture of our enemies.'

Ahmadinejad said Nowrouz is a symbol of human beings' survival.

President Ahmadinejad's counterparts from Armenia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iraq are special guests to these global celebrations being held Monday in the Tehran Vahdat Hall.

Over 100 reporters, photographers and photo journalists from Iran and abroad have been covering the 2nd world Nowrouz festival in Tehran.

Annually, 300 million people across the world celebrate Nowrouz. Nowrouz (literally meaning New Day), is the celebration of the onset of spring and the solar Iranian year.

It is the most cherished festival celebrated by all Iranians, irrespective of race, religion, status or location.

Iran first organized the International Nowrouz Celebrations after the International Day of Nowrouz was registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on February 23, 2010. [...]

Is there another list for tangible heritage?

Al Manar (Hezbollah): "Chavez: US Plots to Topple Syria’s Assad, Seeks Libya Scenario there"

All the Axis-of-Evil Superfriends together in one article!

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that the US is plotting to topple Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to prepare the ground for looting the resources of the Arab state.

"The attack on Syria has begun, there have been some supposed peaceful protests and some deaths (...) and they are accusing the president [Assad] of killing his people," AFP quoted Chavez as saying at a political event. "And then the Yankees come in to bomb the people in order to save them. What cynicism on the empire's part," he noted.

The southern Syrian city of Daraa -- located close to Jordan's border -- has emerged as the center of Syria's unrest and the scene of demonstrations for the past week.

Comparing the Syrian situation with the crisis in Libya, Chavez said, "It's the same model."

A NATO-led coalition is enforcing a UN-approved no-fly zone over troubled Libya by striking forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

"Generate internal conflicts, bloodshed, in a country in order to then step in, seize its natural resources and make it a colony. It is a new model they have come up with," Chavez said adding that he had spoken with Assad by phone.

Earlier on Thursday, Syrian authorities publicized a string of reforms in response to the protests, including the possible end to the emergency rule set in place since 1963.

Assad's government has announced the release of 260 detained activists. The government also said its troops would be withdrawn from Daraa.

SANA: "President al-Assad receives calls from King of Bahrain, Emirs of Kuwait and Qatar, Iraqi President, supporting Syria in face of conspiracy"

Glad to know there is still some loyalty in the world:

President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday received phone calls from King of Bahrain Hamad bin Issa al- Khalifa, the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, President Jalal al-Talabani of Iraq , Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

King of Bahrain, Emirs of Kuwait and Qatar, Iraq's President expressed their countries' standing by Syria in the face of conspiracy to which it is exposed, targeting its security and stability.

They underlined confidence in Syria's capability, as leadership and people, to foil that conspiracy.

SANA, Syria's official news site, is usually rather boring and colorless compared to the lurid official news sites of other oppressive states such as North Korea and Iran. However, SANA has become more paranoid-sounding lately for obvious reasons, and it is coming into its own, perhaps, as a source of constant blog-fodder. Here is another headline: "Religious scholars: Syria is impervious to those who wish to tamper with its stability":

Religious scholars, preachers and Imams in Damascus and its countryside affirmed on Sunday that Syria is impervious to any external interference that wishes to tamper with its security, safety and stability.

During a meeting with Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) Mohammad Abdulsattar al-Sayyed, the religious scholars said that Syria, with its national and religious structure, is targeted by external parties to undermine its national unity under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad.

They added that Syria is also targeted because of its national and patriotic role in defending the rights of the nation and supporting the legitimate resistance against Israeli occupation.

Sheikh Mohammad Saiid Ramadan al-Bouti warned the nation against being swept by parties that want to harm the unity of the Syrian people, saying that these calls are coming from various suspicious mass media sources, and that Syrians must not fall victim to anonymous calls that attempt to exploit mosques to incite sedition and chaos in Syria.

For his part, sheikh Adnan Afiuni underlined the external plots targeting Syria's security and stability, cautioning against following those who conspire against the unity of Syria and its people.

Gotta be vigilant.

Press TV (Iran): "'US drops uranium bombs on Libya'"

The PressTV article is based on this Stop the War Coalition article. What is the evidence for the claim? The Stop the War author states "we know that DU is or has been used in the following ordnance" and provides a list. Then he offers the following:

My view is that we have to assume that DU remains in use in the ordnance listed above and that the list is likely to be incomplete. Since we are being told, when we're told anything, that DU is not dangerous and is an effective tool for warfare why would they not continue its use?. So long as that is the official opinion from the military and the politicians we must take it at face value and force them to confirm with evidence that we are wrong and DU is no longer used.

That's a pretty interesting rationale for a lead paragraph that goes like this:

In the first 24 hours of the Libyan attack, US B-2s dropped forty-five 2,000-pound bombs. These massive bombs, along with the Cruise missiles launched from British and French planes and ships, all contained depleted uranium (DU) warheads.

Now let's see what Iran's PressTV makes of this story:

The Stop the War Coalition says the bombs and missiles that the US-led military alliance has dropped on several Libyan cities contain depleted uranium (DU).

The report recently published on the Coalition's website said that in the first 24 hours of the war on Libya, dozens of bombs and cruise missiles were launched by US, British, and French forces -- all with depleted uranium warheads.

US B-2 aircraft dropped forty-five 2,000-pound bombs on key Libyan cities, it added.

DU munitions are controversial because they raise long-term health concerns like kidney damage, cancer, skin disorders and genetic defects.

"[Depleted uranium tipped missiles] fit the description of a dirty bomb in every way... I would say that it is the perfect weapon for killing lots of people," said Marion Falk, chemical physicist (retd.), Lawrence Livermore Lab in California.

The report comes as the Western forces claim the operation in Libya is aimed at protecting civilians.

Director of the US military's Joint Staff Bill Gortney has told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that he is not aware of any use of depleted uranium munitions in Libya.

Libya says at least 114 people -- many of them civilians -- have been killed in US-led airstrikes in the country.

"We are losing many lives, military and civilians," Libyan government Spokesman Mussa Ibrahim said in Tripoli.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in Libya since US-led forces launched aerial and sea attacks on the North African country.

Libyan troops have also killed thousands of civilians since a revolution started against Colonel Gaddafi in mid-February.

If that sounds like a stab at balance, you might be interested in the picture that accompanies the story:

And that's where propaganda comes from.

Ikhwanweb: "MB Calls on Military Junta to Break the Siege of Gaza"

You may have seen the NY Times article about Muslim Brotherhood collaboration with the Egyptian Army. Here is an article from Ikhwanweb presenting one aspect of the MB agenda:

The Muslim Brotherhood has called on the Supreme Council of the armed forces, that reflects the people's will, to break the siege which is suffocating the lives of the people of Gaza, adding that Arab peoples must take a decisive stand on this issue.

In an exclusive statement to "Ikhwanweb", the group added that people's concern with popular revolutions, which is now sweeping the region, and the winds of change that have uprooted the Mubarak's and other US-backed Arab regimes, cannot dissuade Arabs from their fundamental cause of Palestine and other Islamic and Christian sanctities, explaining that it is time for the Zionists to review their accounts, after the ouster of their dog who saw him as the strategic ally and a treasure for Israel that promotes the latter's policies, and supports their malicious scheme and strikes with its sword.

Mubarak assisted Israel in strangling the people of Gaza while he and his cronies live off the largesse of Washington and he betrayed his people because his subservience to American interests allowed Israel to massacre more than 2,000 Gazans with impunity in 2008 and 2009.

Mubarak's opprsessive regime tortured detainees from the people of Gaza in search of Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh who was at war with Israel, and the place of detention of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit for the benefit of the Israeli occupation authority (IOA), the statement said.

The Brotherhood calls on rival Palestinian factions, especially Fatah and Hamas, to seek reconciliation and form a unity government, taking care of the Palestinian people's interests, affirming their unity and supporting the larger goal of liberating the land and regaining the rights of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.

"The conditions have changed and the people have regained their sovereignty that was stolen by the authoritarian regimes, liberated their own will, and the army has already proved that it is the People's Army", the statement added," in response to the continuation of Israel's brutal oppression in the region and its new military attacks on Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the deaths of four and the injury of many civilians."

The MB called the moderate camp, or rather those subservient to US-Israel dictates, to teach the West, which supports the Zionist aggression, that Arabs, who have tasted their liberation, refuse to do harm or practice slavery against their brothers. People must determine their own fate, restore their usurped rights, and liberate their sacred lands, the Brothers said. [...]

Iran is pleased.

IRIB (Iran): "Islamic jihad vows to hit Israeli cities"

Let's see, Islamic Jihad has "entered a new phase of resistance." They probably have some upgraded weapons and irresistably itchy trigger-fingers.

Palestinian resistance movement, Islamic Jihad has pledged to strike cities deep inside occupied lands, following a Zionist deadly attack on Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian resistance movement said on Wednesday that it has entered a new phase of resistance and will launch new operations penetrating Zionist regime.

The announcement was made following the recent deadly shelling of Gaza, where at least 10 Palestinians, including four children, were martyred and dozens injured.

The Palestinians were martyred after a Zionist tank fired shots at a home in the coastal sliver, medics reported on Tuesday.

Volume of eagerly-anticipated 5-volume work on how great Kim Jong Il is just published

Great news! I'll probably never get to read this, but I'm sure my favorite chapter would be "Teacher Indicating the Road to Be Always Followed by Mankind":

Five-volume book "Comrade Kim Jong Il, Legendary Great Man" will be published on the occasion of his birthday in Juche 101 (2012).

The Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House brought out its first volume "Great Philosopher".

It comprehensively deals with the great idea, leadership ability, exploits and traits of Kim Jong Il.

The book has four chapters.

The first chapter "The Genius Glorifying the Idea of the Times" deals with the greatness of Kim Jong Il who has made the immortal Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung shine as the guiding idea in the era of independence.

The second chapter "Great Master of Political Philosophy" deals with the greatness of Kim Jong Il who regarded philosophy as a powerful weapon for putting socialist politics into practice.

The third chapter "The Great Master of Popular Philosophy" tells about the leadership ability of Kim Jong Il who enunciated the philosophical idea pervaded with his warm love for people, giving every thought and making inquiries on the basis of his noble outlook on people and has armed the masses with it.

The fourth chapter "Teacher Indicating the Road to Be Always Followed by Mankind" deals with the exploits performed by Kim Jong Il as a genius of philosophy who developed the Juche philosophy into an immortal idea visualizing the future of mankind.

"Give us examples!" you exclaim enthusiastically. Read on about the following great scientific leap forward:

Central Cooking School in Pyongyang has invented a new method of preparing fondue, a Swiss traditional dish.

Fondue is usually prepared with cow cheese and white wine.

But the school prepares it with goat cheese and Taedonggang beer produced in the DPRK.

The school proved in a scientific and theoretical way that goat cheese can be used for fondue and that Taedonggang beer is better than white wine in melting cheese.

It also standardized the new method.

Fondue prepared by the new method is excellent in taste, color and fragrance and is easy to make at restaurants and households.

I wonder if it goes well with eels.

Angry Arab pitches in

Did I ever mention that the chief aim of blogging is to stave off boredom? Before I got bored with him, I used to occasionally point out the anti-Semitism of Dar Al-Hayat columnist Jihad Khazen. Here is Angry Arab lending a hand and reporting that Khazen wrote "Judaism is a savage religion." A country can be the object of bigotry also, As'ad.

Mondoweiss: "Nasrallah manages in an hour to discuss current events across the Arab world, succinctly, accurately and honestly"

The new, improved Mondoweiss: 10 percent more Khomeinist!

I urge everyone to watch Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's speech from March 19th, he speaks a lot about Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon and Palestine. Nasrallah manages in an hour to discuss current events across the Arab world, succinctly, accurately and honestly. While he usually uses tempered language to discuss Arab regimes, especially those that have consistently aligned themselves against Hezbollah and Shia in the Middle East he used this opportunity to let loose on Qadhafi and express his support and solidarity with the brave Libyan people that are fighting against this madman.

And speaking of Khomeinism . . .

Obama's "War Crimes"

The list of leftists who have called Obama a war criminal is growing. Let's see, Andrew Sullivan:

The cloak of secrecy he is invoking is not protecting national security but protecting war crimes. And this is now inescapably his cloak. He is therefore a clear and knowing accessory to war crimes, and should at some point face prosecution as well, if the Geneva Conventions mean anything any more.

Chomsky, of course:

He’s involved in war crimes right now. For example, targeted assassinations are war crimes. That’s escalated quite sharply under Obama. If you look at WikiLeaks, there are a lot of examples of attacks on civilians.

And most recently, Ralph Nader:

"Why don't we say what's on the minds of many legal experts; that the Obama administration is committing war crimes and if Bush should have been impeached, Obama should be impeached,

Dennis Kuccinich is also calling for impeachment although he seems to have avoided "war crime" rhetoric. This is all extremely illuminating and illustrative of the malicious nonsense that is often directed against Israel. There is a saying that the fifth book of the Shulchan Aruch ("The Code of Jewish Law," in four volumes) is common sense. Common sense is, or should be, one of the articles of the Geneva Conventions also.

Update: Case in point:

Neither Israel nor the Palestinians has made significant progress in investigating claims of war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead, said a United Nations committee in Geneva on Monday.

The committee was addressing the 16th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which on Monday debated a report on Israeli and Palestinian compliance with the 2009 conclusions of the UN fact finding mission led by South African judge Richard Goldstone.

As valuable as a Hamas self-investigation would be, I think UNHRC should now devote its main efforts to Obama's ongoing war crimes.