Filed under: History, Politics, religion | Tags: Ceasefire, Ehud Olmert, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Palestine, Palestinians, Propaganda, Terrorism, United Nations, War Crimes, War on Terror
Delivering a speech laced with propaganda Goebbels would be proud of, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
Apparently Israel has achieved its objectives in the war, which must have been to inflict as many casualties on the Gaza’s civilian population. Claims by Olmert that the military have resisted attacking “terrorists” in some cases during the operation because of the potential harm to civilians runs contrary to media reports and UN claims. No doubt the insulated ignorant within Israels borders will lap up Olmerts assurances. Few outside the nation will.
The unilateral ceasefire is hope for the gullible. Hamas is not a signitary and have pledged to continue the fight while occupying forces remain in Gaza. Israel have reserved the right to respond. Considering it was Israels inability to honour the conditions of the last ceasefire which began this disgusting war, this ceasefire is as worthless as Olmert’s word.
So what has been achieved? Israel points to the damage inflicted on Hamas and the governments infrastructure as evidence of the operation’s success. Hamas leaders are dead or in hiding. Many militants are dead. However Hamas will not struggle to recruit replacements. With over 1,000 dead and 5,000 injured, it won’t be hard to find people who want to fight against the Israeli aggressors. Israel has won no support from Palestinians. With every war crime a new terrorist/freedom fighter is born. Peace is very clearly not on Olmert’s agenda. And so the war continues.
Filed under: History, Philosophy, Science | Tags: 1421, 1434, China, Conspiracy theories, Deniers, Elvis, Evolution, Gavin Menzies, Global Warming, History, Roswell, Science
Not for the first time I have just had an argument with someone about the validity of “historian” Gavin Menzies’ work. Despite selling copies of 1421 by the shelf load, his theory that China discovered the world has been well and truly dismissed. The criticisms of established and respected historians make for hilarious reading. The fact his ‘ancient’ maps are written in modern Mandarin is comical. His follow up 1434 is refuted with equal ease. It truly is a wonder anyone swallows a word of his writings. So why do people believe his theories?
People love conspiracy theories. It’s fun to think there is more going on. Man never landed on the moon, Elvis is still alive and aliens crashed at Roswell. Some like to think the authorities are lying to them. Often they are, and there are countless proven examples. But almost as if they doubt their credentials, perhaps jealously of their vast intellects, some love to dismiss academics. Slated for being out of touch with society in their ivory towers, people believe scholars are pulling the wool over their eyes. Global warming? Hoax. Evolution? Lie. Established history? Bullshit. Each with their own motive, academics spin a web of deceit, enticing society to follow a tall tale which influences their worldview.
Menzies is in good company. A certain David Irving flew in the face of criticism and denied the Holocaust. And no doubt there are a few sales to be made from neo-Nazis, even though, like Menzies’, Irving’s theories a based on dodgy evidence and outright lies. But the more academics that criticise it, the more nutjobs that buy it. Ian Wishart clearly knows the formula too!
Menzies must have made a killing from his books. They have been hugely popular in China and have even been quoted by Chinese President Hu. And with China’s massive population, and the potential sales, there are one billion reasons to make shit up.
Filed under: History, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: ACT, Alliance, Election 2008, Greens, Helensville, Jim Anderton, Labour, Libertarianz, Maori Party, MMP, National, New Zealand, New Zealand First, Politics, Progressives, RAM, Satire, United Future, Worker's Party
What a lovely sunny day to go out to a polling booth and express your rights democratically! What a joy! Casting my votes I felt privileged not only that I get to vote, a right not extended to all the peoples of this earth, but that we have MMP in this country so I at least get a party vote, as no doubt my candidate vote will be wasted, as I live in conservative Helensville!
If there is anyone out there who doesn’t know who to vote for, particularly if you live in Wigram, please cast your vote for Jim Anderton and the Progressives, who my little brother would vote for if he were old enough, unfortunately he turns 18 on the 13th of this month.
It is a shame that whilst my little bro, who is very interested and knowledgeable in politics, cannot vote, many who do not care or know remarkably little can vote. So to help them with casting their vote, I have constructed a diagram to inform them of what each party stands for. Rather than being based on specific policy, which people clearly ignore, I have placed each party on a continuum through time. So if you are unsure today, cast your vote for your favourite era! (more…)
Filed under: Books, History, Journalism, Politics, Quotes | Tags: Auckland, Foreign Correspondent, Gaza, Independent, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Journalism, Lebanon, McCain, Middle East, New Zealand, Newspaper, Obama, Palestine, Reporting, Robert Fisk, Te Waha Nui, War, West Bank
A couple of years back I finished my BA in History and Sociology and had no idea what I was going to do with my life. Disillusioned, I spent two years working full time in a book store. I flirted with the idea of secondary school teaching until I read Robert Fisk’s Great War for Civilisation. People had suggested I look into journalism as a career before, but it was not until I read Fisk’s book on the history of the Middle East that I felt compelled to get into journalism. I loved the passion with which he writes with, the attention to detail, the sympathy he has for those who suffer in the troubled region. His knowledge on the area is unparalleled. I found his reporting inspiring. I feel I owe Fisk a lot, so imagine my delight when I was given the chance to interview my hero for Te Waha Nui.
This is the transcript from my 45 minute interview with the Independent’s Robert Fisk. Please forgive any grammatical errors – it took me eight hours to transcribe! Enjoy. (more…)
Filed under: History, Politics | Tags: Abel Muzorewa, Bush War, Elections, History, Ian Smith, Inflation, Joshua Nkomo, Land Reform, Mugabe, Politics, Rhodesia, Zanu, Zapu, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part One: Prosperity to Pain: How did it get this bad?
Here’s a bit of background on Zimbabwe, sourced from a few websites, although mainly old wikipedia. A lot of the articles on Zimbabwe have disputed neutrality and a lack of citations. Feel free to comment if there are any errors!
Formally Rhodesia and then Zimbabwe Rhodesia, Zimbabwe came into existence following the Bush War (1964-1979), with Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union and Joshua Nkomo’s Zimbabwe African People’s Union fighting the government forces of Ian Smith and then Abel Muzorewa, eventuating in the transition to majority rule in 1980. The country was then granted independence from Great Britain on April 18 of the same year. In 1965, Ian Smith had declared that “not in one thousand years, not in my lifetime” would black majority rule come to his country, but fifteen years later he had retired to his farm, ousted from power by Mugabe’s liberation movement. (more…)
Filed under: History, Politics | Tags: Edward Chikombo, History, MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, Nelsen Mandela, Nelson Chamisa, Politician, Politics, President, Rhodesia, Robert Mugabe, South Africa, Torture, Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe
Death of a nation – Part Six: Alternative: Who is Morgan Tsvangirai?
There is a consensus, at least in the West, that Mugabe is a pretty bad man, to apply a typical Kiwi understatement. But who is the man most would have replace him? Who is Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the MDC, who decimated Mugabe in the polls, all those weeks ago? (more…)
Filed under: History, Philosophy, Politics, religion | Tags: Adolf Hitler, Anti-Semitic, atheism, Atheist, Bertrand Russell, Catholic, Catholicism, Charles Darwin, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Communism, Deicide, Faith, Freedom, Gerhard Engel, Germany, God, government, Herman Goering, Islam, Jesus, Jewish, Jews, Lutheran, Martin Luther, Mein Kampf, Nazi, Nazism, Nihilism, Pagan, Paganism, Pol Pot, Pope, Positive Christianity, religion, Richard Dawkins, Secular, Secularism, Stalin, Totalitarianism, Vatican, World War One, World War Two
Unfortunately this is a common argument, devoid of historical support and logical reasoning. It is argued, usually in response to those who point out the many killed in holy wars, that atheistic leaders have killed more than religious ones. Evil dictators are bought forward as examples of what happens when society rejects religion and secularism takes hold. Although many theists employ this tactic, it does appear a ploy by the more conservative, as an underhand way of undermining secularism, freedom from religion and separation of the church and state, and in place installing theocracies (or at least religion based regimes) in western countries. Although many tyrants are put forward as examples, possibly the most common one is Adolf Hitler. And just like Christians try to claim Albert Einstein (and even sometimes Darwin!?), Hitler is cast off as an atheist. But was he? (more…)
Filed under: History, Philosophy, Science, religion | Tags: Arguments, atheism, Beliefs, Bertrand Russell, Blogosphere, Blogs, Debates, Empiricism, Faith, Philosophy, Politics, religion, Science, Truth, Worldview
Blog surfing can be an enlightening past time, not so much for what you can learn about the world, but about the people in the world. I do believe that for some things there are objective truths, things that either occurred or did not, things that exist or do not. The world is flat, or it isn’t, the bible is true, or it isn’t, evolution occurred or it did not. Unfortunately, for many of these truths, the answer has either not been discovered, or the answers are not accepted by all. So in the blogosphere debates fly around with two or more sides with contrary views, with no likely resolution or agreement. The cause of these differences are the different preconceptions we each enter the debate with, which are based on “facts” differing from their opponents. We each choose to believe the “truths” that reinforce our worldview, so where I might easily accept scientific findings, another may find them caustic. No amount of statistically citations, historical references or reasoned arguments will persuade the other side, who hold beliefs based on completely different stats, historical facts and arguments (or just blind faith!). Someone is misinformed, someone is probably wrong. But you never convince them otherwise, because their opinions are the product of years of experiences that differ from our own. And they will point to their “truths”, credible or not, and feel assured that they are right. As Russell once said, man is not after knowledge, but security (Quote is not verbatim. I read it in a book a while back, although I am questioning the books credibility because I cannot find the quote online!). So we are “destined” to disagree, and continue to always disagree, but the “truth” will never please everyone
So what good are these internet debates we have? (more…)
Filed under: History, Politics | Tags: Afghanistan, Africa, African National Congress, Algeria, America, ANC, Apartheid, Britain, Condoleezza Rice, Cuba, David Cameron, Freedom, Fulgencio Batista, George Bush, Human Rights, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, John Kerry, Margaret Thatcher, Martin Luther King, Nelsen Mandela, New Zealand, President, Ronald Reagon, Saddam Hussein, South Africa, Soviet Union, Springboks, Suharto, Terrorism, Terrorist, United States, West, Winnie Mandela
Finally! No more waivers from the Secretary of State to enter the United States for Nelsen Mandela. Now the former South African president can go to Disney World or see the Lakers play and not even have to get Condoleezza Rice’s permission to so. Nelsen Mandela is a free man! With the ANC scrapped from the US’s terror list, Nelsen Mandela is no longer a terrorist!
With all the sensational rhetorical from US leaders over the years, one must ask what the reality is. For all the grand speeches and claims of freedom, America has been time and time again to be shown on the side of oppressive regimes. This is not America bashing or “anti-Americanism”, this is the reality. America supported Suharto in Indonesia, Fulgencio Batista in Cuba and Saddam Hussein in Iraq. And they supported apartheid in South Africa. (more…)
Filed under: History, Journalism, Politics, religion | Tags: Afghanistan, Anti-Semitic, Ayatollah, Custer munitions, Der Speigel, Ehud Omert, Ervand Abrahamian, Europe, Gaza, George W Bush, Hillary Clinton, Human Rights, IAEA, Ideology, Independent, Iran, Iraq, Islam, Islamic Revolution, Israel, Israeli, Jimmy Carter, Lebanon, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, Matan Vilnai, Media, Middle East, Mordechai Vanunu, Nazi, Nazism, Non-Proliferation Treaty, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, Palestine, Palestinian, Persia, Propaganda, Racist, Robert Fisk, Shah, Terrorism, Theocracy, United Nations, United States, War, Zionism, Zionist
In the Western corner, nestled between the Mediterranean and half a dozen hostile neighbours, with a population of over 7 million, now 60 years young, with a nuclear arsenal believed to number 150 warheads, defender of Zionism…. ISRAEL!!!
In the Eastern corner, wedged between terrorist havens of Iraq and Afghanistan, with a population of over 65 million, with controversial nuclear programme claimed peaceful, defender of Theocracy… The Islamic Republic of IRAN!!!
Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!
All right, enough hype. Let us be serious for a moment. Iran versus Israel. Both are religious states, both have substantial military capabilities, and both are guilty of crimes against minorities in their population. Yet both are viewed very differently in the eyes of the Western media and politicians. Let us look at both countries, and how the media depicts them. (more…)
Filed under: History, Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: Aotearoa, AUT, culture, Don Brash, Election, Hoani Waititi, Hui, Journalism, Journalists, Maori, Marae, Media, New Zealand, Tikanga, Treaty of Waitangi, values, waiata, Winston Peters
If you stay on a Marae you may realise a few things. Firstly, there are some traditional Maori values Pakeha could do well to adopt, such as hospitality, respect, appreciation and a sense of community. In our individualistic society such values have been long forgotten. Secondly, our media does an adequate job depicting Maori as lazy, violent and corrupt, which is unfair and cruel. Finally you should marvel at the tikanga, the art and traditional waiata, which are worth all efforts to preserve, as promised in article two of the Treaty of Waitangi. To the red necks and racists who turn there nose up at any reference to the treaty and stereotype Maori, I can only pity your ignorance. (more…)
Filed under: History, New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: ACT, democracy, Election 08, First past the post, Green Party, Helen Clark, John Key, Labour, MMP, National, New Zealand, New Zealand First, NZ, Plato, Political, Politics, Referendum, Representation, Robert Muldoon, Tyranny of the Majority, Winston Peters
Alright, a little sensationalist, but, in my opinion, those who would have New Zealand revert back to first past the post from MMP are advocating a move away from democracy.
I’ve already covered this issue in a previous blog, however a recent poll has me concerned, as does John Key’s promise for a referendum on the issue if National are elected. So let me again outline why MMP is superior to FPP, which, in my humble opinion, can hardly be referred to as a form of democracy. (more…)
Filed under: History, Journalism, Politics | Tags: Politics, China, Asia, Journalism, Britain, BBC, News, al Jazeera, Impartiality, Guardian, Associated Press, ABC, Fox, Washington Post, Qatar, Middle East, CNN, Reuters, Media, Bias, New York Times, South Africa, Mail and Guardian, Africa, New Zealand Herald, Newspapers, Australia, Journalist, America, United States of America, CBS, MSNBC, Cyclone Nargis, Burma, Myanmar, Rangoon, Yangon, UN, United Nations, United Kingdom, Canada, Networks, Websites, Independent, Telegraph, Express, Times, Sky News, Europe, Der Spiegel, Bild, France24, Le Monde, La Repubblica, La Stampa, El Pais, El Mundo, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, USA Today, Washington Times, Newsweek, Time, National Post, The Star, Toronto Sun, Vancouver Sun, Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, West Australian, National Nine News, 7 News, Faifax, One News, 3 News, Asian, Dubai, Al Arabiya, Israel, Jerusalem Post, Independent Newspapers, The Times, South America, Argentina, Buenos Aires Herald, Brazil, Folha, Venezuela, El Nacional, Xinhua, Poeple's Daily, Japan, Japan Times, Hong Kong, South China Morning Post, Korea Herald, South Korea, Indonesia, Jakarta Post, Chosun Ilbo, Times of India, India, Calcutta Telegraph, New India Times, Aung Sin Suu Kyi
The recent devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis has displaced perhaps over a million and killed tens of thousands. The initial storm flattened villages and sent a tsunami wave crashing over low-lying coastal areas. Waterborne diseases now pose a further threat to those affected. The military dictatorship has hindered relief efforts from across the world, as agencies struggle to get the aid in to the country that is desperately needed.
When will the people of Burma get the assistance they so badly need? Or will the government of Myanmar continue to hinder relief efforts? (more…)
