US military and Iraqi Deaths

As of Friday, 16 May 2008, at least 4,079 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

The British military has reported 176 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, 7; El Salvador, 5; Slovakia, 4; Latvia, 3; Estonia, Georgia, Netherlands, Thailand, Romania, 2 each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, South Korea, 1 death each.

Furthermore, and it is only an estimate, over one million Iraqi’s have perished on this war for global domination, this includes civilian men, women and children.

Bush Meets with Global Terrorist in Egypt

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) gestures as he speaks to the press after a meeting with global terrorist Mahmoud Abbas (R) at the Hyatt Regency in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on 17 May 2008.

U.S. President George W. Bush said today, he was confident about a Middle East peace deal being reached before his term ends, amid growing Arab criticism that he is biased towards Israel.

Even with high criticism at home, not being able to pull Americans out of an increasing economic slump, the war in Iraq, which is an ever-increasing ocean of blood with many more Americans refusing to serve in the military and low approval ratings.

Furthermore, in regards to Iraq from almost the onset of the war, there is so many Iraqi dead, that people cannot keep up with the burials. So they lay bloated everywhere one looks and the wild street dogs when they are hungry come along an eat the meat of a leg, arm bone or off a head of the deceased bloated victims or just someone lay dying, of Bush’s freedom for Iraq.

Nevertheless, it is a thought that the people of Afghanistan surely are suffering a similar fate.

Who is the Loved One?

La ilaha illa Allah
Muhammadun Rasulu Allah,
Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger
To Allah is our return
La illaha illa Allah
Muhammadun Rasulu Allah
Allah; Allah;
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
All praise is due to
The One and the Only
He is the Master
Of all creation
He’s the Sustainer
And the Maintainer
Of the whole universe

Nasheed by Sami Yusuf

May Allah protect the people of the world, from those who wish them harm and suffering upon all humanity; may everyone love each other instead. -Deborah

Bush Focuses on Middle East Trip

U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush take part in a tour of the Bible Lands Museum on 16 May 2008 in Jerusalem. Facing dismally, low approval ratings at home.

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 17, 2008

Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm speaking to you from the Middle East, where Laura and I are on a trip to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

When Air Force One touched down at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, I was greeted by Israel's President and Prime Minister. I joined them in celebrating an historic milestone: Israel's 60th anniversary as an independent nation. And I assured them that Israel could count on America as a strong and steady ally long into the future.

During our visit I had conversations with Israel's leaders about their efforts to forge peace with the Palestinians, and our shared belief that a peace agreement is possible this year. I also had the opportunity to address members of the Knesset, Israel's elected legislature. I reminded these democratic leaders that America was the first nation in the world to recognize Israel's independence. I told them that 60 years later, America is proud to be Israel's best friend in the world. I reaffirmed the principles that make our alliance strong: a love of liberty, a devotion to justice, and a respect for human dignity. And I said that standing firm on these ideals is the surest way to defeat the extremists and build a future of peace for people throughout the Middle East.

For Laura and me, this visit to Israel was an especially moving experience. We toured the Bible Lands Museum, saw the Dead Sea Scrolls, and visited Masada -- an inspiring shrine to Jewish courage and sacrifice in the first century. From the window of our hotel room we had a magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem, home to some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. And on our final morning in the city we met some of Israel's young people, talented and hopeful citizens who gave me confidence in Israel's future.

On Friday we visited another of America's friends in the Middle East -- Saudi Arabia. I had a series of productive meetings with King Abdullah at his farm. We celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. We reaffirmed our shared objectives of peace in the Holy Land, a secure and united Iraq and a sovereign, independent Lebanon that is free of outside interference. We talked about oil production and gasoline prices. We discussed the King's efforts to diversify his nation's economy, and the importance of political reform. And I thanked him for Saudi Arabia's strong commitment to fighting terror.

Our final stop is Egypt, where we are visiting the beautiful resort city of Sharm el Sheikh. I am meeting with a number of key leaders from the region, including President Mubarak of Egypt, President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, King Abdullah of Jordan, President Karzai of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan, and several senior officials from Iraq's democracy.

I will also address the World Economic Forum in the Middle East. I will stress the importance of building dynamic and diverse economies that unleash the creativity and enterprise of citizens throughout the region -- especially women and young people. I will make clear that the only way to ensure true prosperity is to expand political and economic freedom. And I will urge leaders across the region to reject spoilers such as the regimes in Iran and Syria, move past old grievances and embrace the changes necessary for a day when societies across the Middle East are based on justice, tolerance, and freedom.

Reaching that day will not be easy. But with continued leadership from America and our friends in the region, I am confident that it can happen. And when that day arrives, the Middle East will be more hopeful, the world will be more peaceful, and the American people will be more secure.

Thank you for listening.

END

Osama bin Laden Condemns Israel

Now that is a mouth full since the majority of his messages have so far been a fraud nor has Bin Laden been seen in years.

Makes me think of a joke and American told me a little time back, that Bin Laden was in Crawford, Texas sitting at the ranch pool with sunshades in a chaise lounge, sipping a cool drink.

Does make one wonder?

Supporters of Palestine rallied in NY Rain

Supporters of Palestine stand in the rain at a rally to mark 60 years of Palestinian displacement in front of the United Nations headquarters 16 May 2008 in New York. The rally comes as Israel celebrates 60 years of independence.
It was reported, that these supporters along with those from the Orthodox Jewish community are not just in support of Palestine herself, but the Queen of Palestine’s leadership.

Furthermore, it must be admitted the outpouring of love and support towards me and my country is overwhelming, as well as so very kind.
Nada Al-Khatib stands with a Palestinian flag in the rain at a rally to mark 60 years of Palestinian displacement in front of the United Nations headquarters.

Mohammed Kassim stands in the rain during a rally to mark 60 years of Palestinian displacement in front of the United Nations headquarters.

Orthodox Jews rallied across from United Nations Headquarters

Men from Neturei Karta International, Orthodox Jews united against Zionism, participate with Palestinian and Arab Americans as they rally in the rain to mark 60 years of displacement on 16 May 2008, across from United Nations headquarters in New York.

Iran slams murder attempt at embassy

16 May 2008

Tehran-Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Thursday condemned the assassination attempt on lives of four Iranian diplomats and embassy staff in Baghdad.

"The onus is on the occupying forces to ensure security of embassy personnel in Baghdad. The distrustful safety measures taken by US military forces in Iraq have become a serious cause for concern as it is stoking instability in the country," said Hosseini on Thursday.

"The Islamic Republic is determined to launch extensive investigations on the assassination attempt and will pursue the incident through Iraqi officials," he added.

Hosseini criticized US President George W. Bush for attempting to portray Iran as a threat, describing the echelon's effort as an example of an inhumane act committed in violation of the international regulations by the invaders and terrorist groups.

Four Iranian embassy staff and diplomats were seriously injured after unknown terrorists opened fire on their car on Thursday.

Bush Has Meeting with Hamid in Egypt

U.S. President George W. Bush walks with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai following their meeting in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, 17 May 2008.

While U.S. President George W. Bush may look like a man on a mission, he also looks like a man in some form of desperation, scrambling for when his next meal will come; makes one put fingers on the chin.

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Iraq

17 May 2008

By SINAN SALAHEDDIN

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a top Democratic critic of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, met with the Iraqi prime minister Saturday during a surprise visit to Baghdad.

Pelosi went into the meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki shortly after arriving in the Iraqi capital, a government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo confirmed that the California Democrat had arrived and said she would be meeting with senior U.S. and Iraqi leaders.

Pelosi's visit comes a day after she led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding.

Pelosi has criticized the Bush administration's strategy of taking a "pause" before deciding whether a major drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq was warranted, advocating a faster troop withdrawal.

She also has led calls for the Iraqi government to contribute more financially to the reconstruction of the country.

On Thursday, President Bush's Iraq war funding request failed in the House as anti-war Democrats and Republicans unhappy about added domestic funding formed an unlikely coalition to kill, for now, $163 billion to support U.S. troops overseas.

Republicans had been expected to provide the winning margin for the Iraq and Afghanistan funding but instead sat out the vote in protest. Their revolt was spurred by Democratic tactics in advancing the must-pass measure, as well as their efforts to add money for the unemployed and an expansion of GI education benefits to the bill.

The defeat of the Iraq funding measure came on a 149-141 vote. Nearly two-thirds of the House's Democrats voted against continuing to fund the war as 132 Republicans sat out the vote in protest.

The practical effect of the GOP protest is likely to be minimal. While it kills the war funding component of the bill for now, the Senate is sure to revive it next week.

US soldier refuses to serve in 'illegal Iraq war'

17 May 2008

by Karin Zeitvogel

Matthis Chiroux is the kind of young American US military recruiters love.

"I was from a poor, white family from the south, and I did badly in school," the now 24-year-old told AFP.

"I was 'filet mignon' for recruiters. They started phoning me when I was in 10th grade," or around 16 years old, he added.

Chiroux joined the army straight out of high school nearly six years ago, and worked his way up from private to sergeant.

He served in Afghanistan, Germany, Japan, and the Philippines before he was honorably discharged and placed in the reserves.

As a reservist, he was due to be deployed next month in Iraq.

On Thursday, he refused to go.

"I stand before you today with the strength and clarity and resolve to declare to the military, my government and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq," Chiroux said in the sun-filled rotunda of a congressional building in Washington.

"My decision is based on my desire to no longer continue violating my core values to support an illegal and unconstitutional occupation... I refuse to participate in the Iraq occupation," he said, as a dozen veterans of the five-year-old Iraq war looked on.

Minutes earlier, Chiroux had cried openly as he listened to former comrades-in-arms testify before members of Congress about the failings of the Iraq war.

The testimonies were the first before Congress by Iraq veterans who have turned against the five-year-old war.

Former army sergeant Kristofer Goldsmith told the landmark haering of "lawless murders, looting and the abuse of countless Iraqis."

He spoke of the psychologically fragile men and women who return from Iraq to find little help or treatment offered from official circles.

Goldsmith said he had "self-medicated" for several months to treat the wounds of the war.

Another soldier told AFP he had to boost his medication to treat anxiety and social agoraphobia -- two of many lingering mental wounds he carries since his deployments in Iraq -- before testifying.

Some 300,000 of the 1.6 million US soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or both, an independent study showed last month.

A group of veterans in the packed hearing room gazed blankly as their comrades' testimonies shattered the official version that the US effort in Iraq is succeeding.

Almost to a man, the testifiers denounced serious flaws in the chain of command in Iraq.

Luis Montalvan, a former army captain, accused high-ranking US officers of numerous failures in Iraq, including turning a blind eye to massive fraud on the part of US contractors.

Ex-Marine Jason Lemieux told how a senior officer had altered a report he had written because it slammed US troops for using excessive force in the face of a feeble attack -- they took four rounds of enemy fire.

Goldsmith accused US officials of censorship.

"Everyone who manages a blog, Facebook or Myspace out of Iraq has to register every video, picture, document of any event they do on mission," Goldsmith told AFP after the hearing.

Officials take "hard facts and slice them into small pieces to make them presentable to the secretary of state or the president -- and all with the intent of furthering the occupation of Iraq," Goldsmith added.

Chiroux stood fast in his resolve to refuse to serve in Iraq.

"I cannot deploy to Iraq, carry a weapon and not be part of the problem," he said.

One of thousands of US soldiers who have deserted since the Iraq war began in 2003, the young reservist vowed to stay in the United States to fight "whatever charges the army levels at me."

Many deserters -- defined by the army as someone who has been absent without leave for 30 days -- seek refuge in Canada.

In the hours following his announcement, Chiroux received some 300 emails of support, he told AFP.

"I've been offered places to stay in all 50 states if I want to lie low.

"I've told them, 'That's very nice, but I'm not trying to hide.'

"I want to stand up to the powers that be and send a message that there are still people in this country fighting for peace," Chiroux said, steadfast in his resolve to not report for duty on June 15.

Jews Question the Validly of the Nakba?

17 May 2008

Is it possible, that the Jewish people consider a historical event that occurred in 1948, as part of the Palestinian holocaust, such as the Nakba (catastrophe) as not true, but rather propaganda?

Even going as far as saying to the United Nations, “Nakba is a tool of Arab propaganda used to undermine the legitimacy of the establishment of the State of Israel, and it must not be part of the lexicon of the UN.”

It must be assured, that the Nakba, did occur and Palestinians are still suffering from its effects, to this very day.

Furthermore, whoever is spreading falsified rubbish about the Palestinian people, something that the Palestinian people never do, is neither lie nor believe in snap firing into a war mode, because warmongering is not within our sphere of knowledge.

Because the more one looks at the above statements, one wonders who is actually behind such a situation.

When Shaytan Pricks a Demon

When a Demon is upon the earth and their mission from Shaytan begins to fail, they will become agitated, have unstable emotions and speak in violent tones and messages, because Shaytan is pricking them for there failings and the more they fail the madder Shaytan becomes and the more violent he is towards the Demon.

The Day Allah Caused Palestine to Shake

A woman holds up a candle during a gathering in Tehran 15 May 2008, as Palestinians marked the Nakba.

16 May 2008

After U.S. Presidents George W. Bush’s speech at the Knesset on 15 May 2008 towards the horror of how he viewed not just Islam, but everyone in the Arab world, with also Bush’s support of Israel and the go to hell attitude towards the Palestinians and the whole of the Islamic world.

Apparently, Israel’s insistence of no right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendents has sparked an outpouring of cries as well as protests across the globe, even at the United Nations building.

While on other front’s, the more personal outpouring of love and support for the Palestinian plight, apparently has accelerated.

While the Palestinian condition was steadily improving at an enormous rate, after Bush’s visit, it has appeared to have taken a complete bout face.

Bush with finger gun at Masada?

One can only hope that the situation, will improve after the smoke of Air force one as dissipated from Palestinian land.

However, reviving old wounds thought closed by Bush was not the way, to win popularity points in the world of Islam.

Furthermore, it was reported, that Palestine had an actual earthquake on this day.

Saudis see no reason to raise oil production now

U.S. President George W. Bush and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz walk with an entourage of greeters Friday, 16 May 2008, after the President’s arrival at Riyadh-King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.

16 May 2008

By JENNIFER LOVEN

RIYADH-Saudi Arabia's leaders made clear Friday they see no reason to increase oil production until customers demand it, apparently rebuffing President Bush amid soaring U.S. gasoline prices.

It was Bush's second personal appeal this year to King Abdullah, head of the monarchy that rules this desert kingdom that is a longtime prime U.S. ally and home to the world's largest oil reserves. But Saudi officials stuck to their position that they will only pump more oil into the system when asked to by buyers, something they say is not happening now, the president's national security adviser told reporters.

"Saudi Arabia does not have customers that are making requests for oil that they are not able to satisfy," Stephen Hadley said on a day when oil prices rose above $127 a barrel, a record high. "What the Saudis wanted to tell us was we're doing everything we can do ... to meet this problem, but it's a complicated problem."

The Saudi oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, announced that the kingdom decided on May 10 to raise production by 300,000 barrels at the request of customers, including the United States. He said that increase was sufficient.

"Supply and demand are in balance today," he told a news conference. "How much does Saudi Arabia need to do to satisfy people who are questioning our oil practices and policies?"

Bernard Picchi, an energy analyst at Wall Street Access, an independent research firm, said the 300,000-barrel Saudi production increase was "a token amount" that is not expected to have much impact on prices.

It would be different, he said, if Saudi Arabia boosted production by 1 million or 1.5 million barrels a day. The announced increase will have Saudi Arabia pumping 9.45 million barrels a day by June, Saudi officials said. That's about 2 million barrels below its capacity.

Oil prices advanced Friday as traders, unimpressed by efforts to boost supply, kept buying on the expectation that prices would keep setting new records.

Saudi Arabia often adjusts its output to meet demand, and the increase coincides with the start of the peak driving season in the U.S. "It's a way to raise production without raising production," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Alaron Trading Corp. "I think it was a way to save face."

Hadley never mentioned the Saudi's new production in his recap with reporters. He said the Saudis briefed Bush again on their plan to increase their production capacity over time. They also argued that even an increase would be unlikely to bring down the soaring prices, driven more by uncertainty in the market, lack of refining capacity for the type of oil readily available and other complicated dynamics, he said.

Economists say prices are being driven up by increased demand, not slowed production. Energy-guzzlers China and India are stretching supplies.

As a result, Hadley suggested the White House was satisfied with — or at least accepted — the Saudi response. He added, however, the Bush administration will see if the explanation "conforms to what our experts say."

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said the discussion with Bush about oil was friendly. "He didn't punch any tables or shout at anybody," the minister said. "I think he was satisfied."

High energy costs are a major drain on the U.S. economy, which is experiencing a slowdown that some think is already a recession. At the pump, gas prices rose to a national average of $3.78 per gallon on Friday, according to a survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

When Bush and Abdullah met in the kingdom in mid-January, the president also sought more Saudi output in a plea that also ultimately was for naught.

Iran was the other dominant topic of Bush's overnight visit with the king.

The two shared a concern over the recent violence in Lebanon, where Hezbollah overran Beirut neighborhoods last week in protest of measures aimed at the group by the country's government. The display of military power by the Shiite militant group, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, resulted in the worst internal fighting since the end of Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

With Shiite-dominated Iran backing Hezbollah, Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia — eager to stop any advance of regional power by Tehran — joins the West in supporting Lebanon's government. Hadley said Bush and Abdullah shared a concern that the recent events would "embolden Iran." The U.S. and Saudi Arabia, he said, "are of one mind in condemning what Hezbollah did."

On Thursday, Hezbollah and the government reached a deal to end the violence after Lebanon's Cabinet reversed measures aimed at reining in the militants.

Bush's Saudi stop was intended, in part, to celebrate 75 years of formal U.S.-Saudi relations and strengthen ties that, once strong, have frayed over the perception Washington favors Israel too much in the dispute with the Palestinians, the Iraq war and the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Fifteen of the 19 airline hijackers were Saudis, and Americans blamed Saudis for allowing the religious extremism that gave rise to them, an accusation that stings here.

Bush was spending the day with Abdullah at his lavish farm complex outside Riyadh, talking mostly out of public view over multiple tea services and meals. Abdullah greeted Bush warmly at the airport, and rode with him in his limousine out into the desert.

The White House hoped that new agreements formalized during Bush's visit would give the relationship a boost.

Among them was an agreement for the U.S. to assist the kingdom in developing civilian nuclear power. Another agreement involves U.S. promises to help protect any Saudi nuclear infrastructure with training, the exchange of experts "and other support services as needed." Hadley said it would not involve U.S. troops.

But the rising price of oil commanded attention.

When Bush first ran for president in 2000, he criticized the Clinton administration for high fuel prices and said the president must "jawbone" oil producing nations and persuade them to drop rates. At that time, oil was nearing $28 a barrel — less than a quarter what it is now.

Bush's visit comes two days after Congress voted to temporarily halt daily shipments of 70,000 barrels of oil to the nation's emergency reserve.

After Bush's talks on Friday, his administration announced in Washington that it has canceled oil shipments into the reserve beginning in July, when the current purchase contract expires. Bush has refused to stop pouring oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, saying the stockpile was meant for emergencies and that halting the shipments would have little or no impact on gasoline or crude oil prices.

Ayat. Kashani: Iran's N-package to foster global peace, security

16 May 2008

Tehran-Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani said Friday that Iran's proposed nuclear package is for restoration of peace and security worldwide.

Ayatollah Kashani said in his second Friday prayers sermon at Tehran University campus that Iran wants nothing but independent and cientific progress.

"Opposition is raised against Iran's peaceful nuclear activities because the country's progress in the field of science will be a menace to goals of the arrogance and the Zionist regime," he said.

Referring to the wide-scale plans of the world of arrogance to counter the world of Islam, Ayatollah Kashani said the world of blasphemy and arrogance has created a strange condition for the world of Islam.

"All these issues are alarming and Muslims should get awakened to understand their conditions," he said.

Touching on recent claims of the US President George W. Bush that Iran is a danger to regional states, Kashani said, "Bush's goal in raising the claims is portraying Iran as an enemy of regional states and make Arabs less sensitive towards the Zionist regime." He said Iran's sincerity and engagement with the world states, especially the regional and Muslim countries, have led to such claims.

He said gestures of some political officials in the world of Islam serve interests of the US and Israel.

"Muslim states are expected to think of their own nations," he declared.

He said Lebanese Hizbollah has been resisting the Zionist regime for years, adding, "(Hizbollah Chief, Sheikh Hassan) Nasrollah's reaping honor and defeating Zionists is a source of honor for the whole Muslim world."

He then said,"To Iran there is no difference between Shiites and Sunnis."

"No matter Shiite or Sunni; if a student is found to win an honor in Saudi Arabia today we in Iran will be proud of the progress in the Muslim state."

He said all Muslims should be proud of Lebanese Hizbollah.

"If Iran has been able to acquire peaceful nuclear energy that's a source of honor for the Muslim world. That will be an honor too if it occurs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen because it will be the dignity of the world of Islam."

He said Lebanese Hizbollah owes its victory today to unity among all Muslims and Muslims in turn should take such an important issue into consideration.

In his first sermon, Ayatollah Kashani urged whole the Muslim world ulema to safeguard Islam and Quran against different kinds of plots hatched by the world arrogance.

On the Occasion of the Palestinian Nakba

This picture represents the Queen of Palestine as a mother, caring and crying over global injustice.

When I first saw this picture, I was a bit taken back, that this is how many people see me and I have to admit, it was as though they could see me or within my heart, because I have felt this way, too many times.

I wish to thank the artist, for there kindness towards me, especially during the Nakba.

Truman’s Popularity with the American People

U.S. President George W. Bush mentioned in his speech to the Knesset yesterday, a reference to Harry S. Truman, so it was only befitting to look at Truman’s popularity at the time he was President with the American public's opinion.

Truman was 33rd U.S. President (1945–1953), public opinion ratings reached the lowest of any U.S. President, until George W. Bush in 2008.

Famous attributes, for Truman was the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, strikes and economic upheaval, racism, cold war, among many others.

There is an historical opinion, that Truman allowed at the last moment the final vote for the “State of Israel,” because he wanted Jewish refugee’s from the Holocaust off American soil.

Truman furthermore, set-up the initial scheme in 1945 to watch and then in 1947 when it was felt necessary by the U.S. government, to exterminate the Palestine Royal family, with the intent to destroy the Palestinian government.

Truman was worse then the 37th U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and to think Nixon resigned by some views and others he was impeached. Nixon is known for the Watergate Scandal.

Nakba a Time of Displacement Sorrow

Some 30 Palestinian born Czechs stand behind the word Palestinian overlaid with candles on 15 May 2008 on the Old Town Square, in Prague, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the al-Nakba the 'Day of the Catastrophe.'

Nakba refers to the day, 15 May 1948, when the state of Israel came into being, which led to the displacement of an estimated 700,000 Palestinians, along with numerous destructions of homes and whole villages.

The Nakba is the sorrow of becoming a refugee and forced into the Palestinian Diaspora.

The majority of these families are homeless or displaced, to this very day and was last estimated to range into over 4 million people.

Propaganda Explains “Naqba”?

16 May 2008

American media propaganda is on the march again, accusing the Palestinian people that the Nakba had to do with ‘catastrophe of Israel’s birth,’ which is not what the Nakba is at all. They could not even spell Nakba right, instead it is spelled, “Naqba.”

Who ever these journalists are, they need to go back and read the history books of what really happened to the Palestinian people in 1948, instead of misinformation and insults.

In this particular writing, as far as the Nakba and what really happened, I think if one bothered to tell it right, it would not in this case, make any difference to these journalists.

Some of these journalist are even heralding, U.S. President George W. Bush’s speech towards the extermination of Arabs in the Middle East, with falsified accusations.

When there is such black instead of yellow journalism as this, it is a sinking day for all humanity.

What was worse, in following through with this one particular story, there were numerous names on the same story and oddly enough, Arabia names, which I find hard to believe or by chance absent of author at all; makes one really question the creditability.

We can only hope for better days, that some people come to the realization to love your fellow man, instead of slandering them and wish there demise.

A Day for Black Balloons

Palestinians release black balloons during a ceremony marking the 'Nakba' (Catastrophe) at the Aida refugee camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on 15 May 2008.


I wish the Palestinian people to know, I love you very much and have always kept you in my heart.-Deborah

U. S. President Bush Addresses Members of the Knesset

U.S. President George W. Bush receives a standing ovation by members of the Knesset Thursday, May 15, 2008, in Jerusalem. Acknowledging the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence, the President told the Israeli parliament, “Earlier today, I visited Masada, an inspiring monument to courage and sacrifice. At this historic site, Israeli soldiers swear an oath: "Masada shall never fall again." Citizens of Israel: Masada shall never fall again, and America will be at your side.”

The Knesset
15 May 2008

THE PRESIDENT: President Peres and Mr. Prime Minister, Madam Speaker, thank very much for hosting this special session. President Beinish, Leader of the Opposition Netanyahu, Ministers, members of the Knesset, distinguished guests: Shalom. Laura and I are thrilled to be back in Israel. We have been deeply moved by the celebrations of the past two days. And this afternoon, I am honored to stand before one of the world's great democratic assemblies and convey the wishes of the American people with these words: Yom Ha'atzmaut Sameach. (Applause.)

It is a rare privilege for the American President to speak to the Knesset. (Laughter.) Although the Prime Minister told me there is something even rarer -- to have just one person in this chamber speaking at a time. (Laughter.) My only regret is that one of Israel's greatest leaders is not here to share this moment. He is a warrior for the ages, a man of peace, a friend. The prayers of the American people are with Ariel Sharon. (Applause.)

We gather to mark a momentous occasion. Sixty years ago in Tel Aviv, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence, founded on the "natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate." What followed was more than the establishment of a new country. It was the redemption of an ancient promise given to Abraham and Moses and David -- a homeland for the chosen people Eretz Yisrael.

Eleven minutes later, on the orders of President Harry Truman, the United States was proud to be the first nation to recognize Israel's independence. And on this landmark anniversary, America is proud to be Israel's closest ally and best friend in the world.

The alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty. It is grounded in the shared spirit of our people, the bonds of the Book, the ties of the soul. When William Bradford stepped off the Mayflower in 1620, he quoted the words of Jeremiah: "Come let us declare in Zion the word of God." The founders of my country saw a new promised land and bestowed upon their towns names like Bethlehem and New Canaan. And in time, many Americans became passionate advocates for a Jewish state.

Centuries of suffering and sacrifice would pass before the dream was fulfilled. The Jewish people endured the agony of the pogroms, the tragedy of the Great War, and the horror of the Holocaust -- what Elie Wiesel called "the kingdom of the night." Soulless men took away lives and broke apart families. Yet they could not take away the spirit of the Jewish people, and they could not break the promise of God. (Applause.) When news of Israel's freedom finally arrived, Golda Meir, a fearless woman raised in Wisconsin, could summon only tears. She later said: "For two thousand years we have waited for our deliverance. Now that it is here it is so great and wonderful that it surpasses human words."

The joy of independence was tempered by the outbreak of battle, a struggle that has continued for six decades. Yet in spite of the violence, in defiance of the threats, Israel has built a thriving democracy in the heart of the Holy Land. You have welcomed immigrants from the four corners of the Earth. You have forged a free and modern society based on the love of liberty, a passion for justice, and a respect for human dignity. You have worked tirelessly for peace. You have fought valiantly for freedom.

My country's admiration for Israel does not end there. When Americans look at Israel, we see a pioneer spirit that worked an agricultural miracle and now leads a high-tech revolution. We see world-class universities and a global leader in business and innovation and the arts. We see a resource more valuable than oil or gold: the talent and determination of a free people who refuse to let any obstacle stand in the way of their destiny.

I have been fortunate to see the character of Israel up close. I have touched the Western Wall, seen the sun reflected in the Sea of Galilee, I have prayed at Yad Vashem. And earlier today, I visited Masada, an inspiring monument to courage and sacrifice. At this historic site, Israeli soldiers swear an oath: "Masada shall never fall again." Citizens of Israel: Masada shall never fall again, and America will be at your side.

This anniversary is a time to reflect on the past. It's also an opportunity to look to the future. As we go forward, our alliance will be guided by clear principles -- shared convictions rooted in moral clarity and unswayed by popularity polls or the shifting opinions of international elites.

We believe in the matchless value of every man, woman, and child. So we insist that the people of Israel have the right to a decent, normal, and peaceful life, just like the citizens of every other nation. (Applause.)

We believe that democracy is the only way to ensure human rights. So we consider it a source of shame that the United Nations routinely passes more human rights resolutions against the freest democracy in the Middle East than any other nation in the world. (Applause.)

We believe that religious liberty is fundamental to a civilized society. So we condemn anti-Semitism in all forms -- whether by those who openly question Israel's right to exist, or by others who quietly excuse them.

We believe that free people should strive and sacrifice for peace. So we applaud the courageous choices Israeli's leaders have made. We also believe that nations have a right to defend themselves and that no nation should ever be forced to negotiate with killers pledged to its destruction. (Applause.)

We believe that targeting innocent lives to achieve political objectives is always and everywhere wrong. So we stand together against terror and extremism, and we will never let down our guard or lose our resolve. (Applause.)

The fight against terror and extremism is the defining challenge of our time. It is more than a clash of arms. It is a clash of visions, a great ideological struggle. On the one side are those who defend the ideals of justice and dignity with the power of reason and truth. On the other side are those who pursue a narrow vision of cruelty and control by committing murder, inciting fear, and spreading lies.

This struggle is waged with the technology of the 21st century, but at its core it is an ancient battle between good and evil. The killers claim the mantle of Islam, but they are not religious men. No one who prays to the God of Abraham could strap a suicide vest to an innocent child, or blow up guiltless guests at a Passover Seder, or fly planes into office buildings filled with unsuspecting workers. In truth, the men who carry out these savage acts serve no higher goal than their own desire for power. They accept no God before themselves. And they reserve a special hatred for the most ardent defenders of liberty, including Americans and Israelis.

And that is why the founding charter of Hamas calls for the "elimination" of Israel. And that is why the followers of Hezbollah chant "Death to Israel, Death to America!" That is why Osama bin Laden teaches that "the killing of Jews and Americans is one of the biggest duties." And that is why the President of Iran dreams of returning the Middle East to the Middle Ages and calls for Israel to be wiped off the map.

There are good and decent people who cannot fathom the darkness in these men and try to explain away their words. It's natural, but it is deadly wrong. As witnesses to evil in the past, we carry a solemn responsibility to take these words seriously. Jews and Americans have seen the consequences of disregarding the words of leaders who espouse hatred. And that is a mistake the world must not repeat in the 21st century.

Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided." We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history. (Applause.)

Some people suggest if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of the enemies of peace, and America utterly rejects it. Israel's population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you. (Applause.)

America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal for future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. (Applause.)

Ultimately, to prevail in this struggle, we must offer an alternative to the ideology of the extremists by extending our vision of justice and tolerance and freedom and hope. These values are the self-evident right of all people, of all religions, in all the world because they are a gift from the Almighty God. Securing these rights is also the surest way to secure peace. Leaders who are accountable to their people will not pursue endless confrontation and bloodshed. Young people with a place in their society and a voice in their future are less likely to search for meaning in radicalism. Societies where citizens can express their conscience and worship their God will not export violence, they will be partners in peace.

The fundamental insight, that freedom yields peace, is the great lesson of the 20th century. Now our task is to apply it to the 21st. Nowhere is this work more urgent than here in the Middle East. We must stand with the reformers working to break the old patterns of tyranny and despair. We must give voice to millions of ordinary people who dream of a better life in a free society. We must confront the moral relativism that views all forms of government as equally acceptable and thereby consigns whole societies to slavery. Above all, we must have faith in our values and ourselves and confidently pursue the expansion of liberty as the path to a peaceful future.

That future will be a dramatic departure from the Middle East of today. So as we mark 60 years from Israel's founding, let us try to envision the region 60 years from now. This vision is not going to arrive easily or overnight; it will encounter violent resistance. But if we and future Presidents and future Knessets maintain our resolve and have faith in our ideals, here is the Middle East that we can see:

Israel will be celebrating the 120th anniversary as one of the world's great democracies, a secure and flourishing homeland for the Jewish people. The Palestinian people will have the homeland they have long dreamed of and deserved -- a democratic state that is governed by law, and respects human rights, and rejects terror. From Cairo to Riyadh to Baghdad and Beirut, people will live in free and independent societies, where a desire for peace is reinforced by ties of diplomacy and tourism and trade. Iran and Syria will be peaceful nations, with today's oppression a distant memory and where people are free to speak their minds and develop their God-given talents. Al Qaeda and Hezbollah and Hamas will be defeated, as Muslims across the region recognize the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause.

Overall, the Middle East will be characterized by a new period of tolerance and integration. And this doesn't mean that Israel and its neighbors will be best of friends. But when leaders across the region answer to their people, they will focus their energies on schools and jobs, not on rocket attacks and suicide bombings. With this change, Israel will open a new hopeful chapter in which its people can live a normal life, and the dream of Herzl and the founders of 1948 can be fully and finally realized.

This is a bold vision, and some will say it can never be achieved. But think about what we have witnessed in our own time. When Europe was destroying itself through total war and genocide, it was difficult to envision a continent that six decades later would be free and at peace. When Japanese pilots were flying suicide missions into American battleships, it seemed impossible that six decades later Japan would be a democracy, a lynchpin of security in Asia, and one of America's closest friends. And when waves of refugees arrived here in the desert with nothing, surrounded by hostile armies, it was almost unimaginable that Israel would grow into one of the freest and most successful nations on the earth.

Yet each one of these transformations took place. And a future of transformation is possible in the Middle East, so long as a new generation of leaders has the courage to defeat the enemies of freedom, to make the hard choices necessary for peace, and stand firm on the solid rock of universal values.

Sixty years ago, on the eve of Israel's independence, the last British soldiers departing Jerusalem stopped at a building in the Jewish quarter of the Old City. An officer knocked on the door and met a senior rabbi. The officer presented him with a short iron bar -- the key to the Zion Gate -- and said it was the first time in 18 centuries that a key to the gates of Jerusalem had belonged to a Jew. His hands trembling, the rabbi offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God, "Who had granted us life and permitted us to reach this day." Then he turned to the officer, and uttered the words Jews had awaited for so long: "I accept this key in the name of my people."

Over the past six decades, the Jewish people have established a state that would make that humble rabbi proud. You have raised a modern society in the Promised Land, a light unto the nations that preserves the legacy of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. And you have built a mighty democracy that will endure forever and can always count on the United States of America to be at your side. God bless. (Applause.)

END

Nakba: Girl Dressed as Traditional Bedouin

A Palestinian girl dressed in traditional Bedouin clothes attends a ceremony marking the 'Nakba' (Catastrophe) in Gaza City on 15 May 2008.

There are various styles of dress in Palestine over the centuries; mainly it had to do with the area of Palestine a person lived.

State of the World

Bush Lands in Palestine to Stub a Toe

U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. first lady Laura Bush wave at the door of Air Force One during a 'welcoming' ceremony upon their arrival 14 May 2008 at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Video

Bush is on his second visit to the country this year, this time for the Jewish 60th anniversary celebrations.

President Bush Arrives in Israel, Welcomed by President Peres and Prime Minister Olmert Video
President Bush Meets with Israeli President Peres Video

President Bush Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert Video

From my understanding, U.S. President George W. Bush wants Jewish Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to reengage in an operation to murder the Palestinian people and Olmert expressed he did not wish too.

Nakba: Schoolboys Stand Next to Historical Map

Palestinian schoolboys stand next to a map of historical Palestine prior to 1948, on the 60th anniversary of Nakba (Catastrophe) Day, 14 May 2008 in Gaza City.

Palestinian Boy Dressed Traditional Waves

A Palestinian boy dressed in traditional clothes waves his national flag during a demonstration marking the 60th anniversary of the 'Nakba' (Catastrophe) in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Helweh on 14 May 2008.

Flute of the Nakba

A Bedouin Palestinian plays the flute during a ceremony marking the 'Nakba' (Catastrophe) on 14 May 2008.

I do not know why, but the sound of a flute always seems to bring soft, gentle sounds of sweetness to the ears.

Mirror Image

In Jerusalem's old city, a woman passes by a display of mirrors in a market.

Illustrating of the 'Nakba' in Paint

A Palestinian student paints illustrations of the 'Nakba' (Catastrophe) in Gaza City on May 14, 2008.

Traditional Way of Baking Bread

Palestinian children observe a woman as she bakes bread in a traditional oven in her home in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on 14 May 2008.

The Creation of Terrorism

Before U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower left office in 1961, he had set up legislation for the creation and funding of the PLO terrorist organization to overthrow the Palestine royal family.

The PLO was not considered founded until 1964, because U.S. President John F. Kennedy apparently shelved the idea, it was felt by many that Kennedy was an honest man.
The finalization for the PLO came when U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson came to be president after the assassination of Kennedy in Dallas, Texas.

Furthermore, when Johnson was in office, he attempted the assassination of certain members of the Palestine royal family and while those who were targeted at that time were spared, others who was trying to protect them were killed. The majority killed where American civilians, one in particular was a Christian, who was a Church of Christ Minister, very beloved by there congregation.
It was not until the collaboration in 1969, that Yassir Arafat came aboard as the leader of the PLO terrorist organization, that later came under Mahmoud Abbas, when Abbas assassinated Arafat, to take his place.

The first terrorist attack by the PLO, came in 1970, with the hijacking of a civilian aircraft, when the PLO where exiled from Jordan to Lebanon.

Later, the PLO to hide or create some false form of legitimacy became known as Fatah or the Palestinian Authority. When this name was exposed for terrorism, they have attempted to use their former name, of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority.

In Memorandum:

Dora, who was the Queen of Palestine, was assassinated in 1973, for trying to help the Jewish people and free Palestine.

Zaytuna, when she was Queen of Palestine, was assassinated and died 7 November 1995, for trying to do the same as her mother; this was my mother.

The Bedouin Celebrate the Nakba

Bedouin Palestinian women cook traditional food during celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the 'Nakba' (catastrophe) on 13 May 2008.

I do not know if it still is, but many of us when we where children wished to be like the Bedouin, I think it goes along with some children in America wishing to live and be like John Wayne or Davy Crockett in the Old West, years ago.

Many Palestinians, myself included, use to look up to the Bedouin and had great respect for their way of life, as well as we see them as free people.

Furthermore, something I always admired about these people is the fact, that if one is crossing the desert and finds they need help, to always go to the Bedouin, for they would give one the up most of hospitality.

Nevertheless, when the 'Nakba' (catastrophe) occurred, in some manner every Palestinian was affected.

Bush to Skid into Palestine

Former U.S. president George H.W. Bush (R) puts his hand on the shoulder of his son U.S. President George W. Bush as they make their way to board Marine One 11 May 2008.

U.S. President George W. Bush is to skid into Palestine, on the first leg, of his Middle East tour, on 14 May 2008.

Housing Aid Bill Faces Veto By President Bush

House Passes Massive Homeowner Rescue Plan, Defying President Bush's Veto Threat

13 May 2008

Washington-Democrats' plans to help hundreds of thousands of homeowners struggling with rising subprime mortgage rates and plummeting house values could be sidetracked by President Bush's threatened veto and the backing of many congressional Republicans.

Opponents of the plan say more prudent homebuyers and renters shouldn't be called upon to bail out borrowers who gambled on ever-rising housing prices and lost.

"The American people don't want to make their neighbor's payment when they're having trouble making their own," said Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas.

The Democratic-controlled House on Thursday passed a homeowner rescue plan that would provide cheaper, government-backed mortgages to half a million debt-ridden borrowers and bolster an economy crippled by the housing crisis. The House approved the measure by a vote of 266-154, with 39 Republicans _ mostly from areas suffering worst from housing woes _ supporting it.

Defying veto threats, the House voted to let the Federal Housing Administration take on up to $300 billion in new mortgages so that financially strapped borrowers facing foreclosure could refinance.

The plan by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., is the centerpiece of a broader package of bills approved Thursday that Democrats say will prevent more foreclosures and help homeowners and communities deal with the fallout from the mortgage crisis.

The measure is targeted at homeowners facing default, including many who owe more than their houses are worth.

For instance, a homeowner who owes $290,000 on a house now worth $225,000 could refinance into an FHA-backed loan if the mortgage holder was willing to take a loss of about 36 percent. The borrower's monthly mortgage payments would fall from $2,200 to about $1,200.

Loan holders would have an incentive to participate, proponents believe, since the alternative would be costly foreclosures, which can involve losses of 50 percent or more.

Supporters hope the package _ which awaits action in the Senate _ will serve as the basis for a broad bipartisan housing compromise that could satisfy both parties' keen appetite for delivering election-year aid to anxious constituents.

But Bush's veto warnings, backed by staunch GOP opposition, are clouding its prospects.

"House Democrats passed bills that they know will never become law. Most Americans understand that we shouldn't create a taxpayer-funded bailout for lenders and speculators," said Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman.

Under Frank's plan, homeowners currently considered too risky to qualify could refinance into FHA-backed loans if their lenders agreed to take substantial losses on the original mortgages. Borrowers would have to show they could afford to make payments on the new loans. They would have to share with FHA at least half of their proceeds if they profited from selling or refinancing again.

The plan is projected to cost $2.7 billion over the next five years.

The House on Thursday also passed, 239-188, a bill to send $15 billion to states to buy and fix up foreclosed property. Bush has threatened to veto that measure also, contending it rewards the very lenders who helped caused the housing chaos and could act as an incentive for them to foreclose rather than find ways to help struggling borrowers stay in their homes.
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The bills are H.R. 5818 and H.R. H830
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On the Net:

For bill text: http://thomas.loc.gov

Bush 'Facing Tomorrow'

Jewish President Shimon Peres (C) opens the 'Facing Tomorrow' Presidential Conference at the International Convention Center on 13 May 2008 in Jerusalem.

The conference, an initiative of the veteran Jewish leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is being attended by world leaders and dignitaries from the past and present and is suppose to have an address tomorrow night, by U.S. President George W. Bush.

8,500 Killed in Massive China Earthquake

Rescuers search the rubble of the collapsed Juyuan middle school on Monday after the massive quake devastated a region of small cities and towns set amid steep hills north of Sichuan's provincial capital of Chengdu.

13 May 2008

CHONGQING-A massive earthquake struck central China yesterday, killing more than 8,500 people and trapping nearly 900 students under the rubble of their school, state media reported.

The official Xinhua news agency said 80 percent of the buildings had collapsed in Beichuan county in Sichuan province after the 7.8-magnitude quake, raising fears the overall death toll could increase sharply.

The earthquake sent thousands of people rushing out of buildings and into the streets hundreds of miles away in Beijing and Shanghai. The temblor was felt as far away as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand.

Xinhua cited the Sichuan provincial government as saying that “thousands” had died. Described as one of the deadliest in three decades, the quake hit about 60 miles northwest of Chengdu in the middle of the afternoon when classrooms and office towers were full. There were several smaller aftershocks, the US Geological Survey said on its website.

The temblor struck hilly country leading up to the Tibetan highlands, toppling buildings in small cities and towns in the largely rural area.

The earthquake occurred in an area with numerous fault lines that have triggered a destructive temblor before. A magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Diexi, Sichuan, that hit on Aug. 25, 1933, killed more than 9,300 people.

Xinhua said 50 bodies had been pulled from the debris of the school building in Juyuan town but did not say if the children were alive. Xinhua reported students also were buried under five other toppled schools in Deyang city. Xinhua said its reporters saw buried teenagers struggling to break loose from the rubble of the three-story building in Juyuan “while others were crying out for help.”

Two girls were quoted by Xinhua as saying they escaped because they had run faster than others.”

Photos showed heavy cranes trying to remove rubble from the ruined school. Other photos posted on the Internet and found on the Chinese search engine Baidu showed arms and a torso sticking out of the rubble of the school as dozens of people worked to free them, using their hands to move concrete slabs.

Calls into the city did not go through as panicked residents quickly overloaded the telephone system. The quake affected telephone and power networks, and even state media appeared to have few details of the disaster.

“In Chengdu, mobile telecommunication converters have experienced jams and thousands of servers were out of service,” said Sha Yuejia, deputy chief executive officer of China Mobile.

Xinhua said an underground water pipe ruptured near the city’s southern railway station, flooding a main thoroughfare. Reporters saw buildings with cracks in their walls but no collapses, Xinhua said.

The earthquake also rattled buildings in Beijing, some 930 miles to the north, less than three months before the Chinese capital was expected to be full of hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors for the Summer Olympics.

Many Beijing office towers were evacuated, including the building housing the media offices for the organizers of the Olympics, which start in August. None of the Olympic venues were damaged.

Raw : Rescue Operations After China Quake

Update:
Death toll is now estmated at 12,000, by some news sources.