Category Archives: terrorism

Germany′s right-wing AfD is ′guarantor of Jewish life,′ Petry says | News | DW.COM | 06.04.2017

‘Racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic’The ex-president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Charlotte Knobloch, reacted strongly, saying that the AfD stands for “openly and inconspicuously expressed racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic statements, falsification of history, relativization or even denial of the Holocaust, as well as open closeness to the neo-Nazi scene.”The party distances itself, “if at all, half-heartedly and without lasting consequences from these phenomena and people standing in their ranks and top positions,” Knobloch said.

Source: Germany′s right-wing AfD is ′guarantor of Jewish life,′ Petry says | News | DW.COM | 06.04.2017

“True this!” Trump’s change of heart on Syria isn’t reassuring, it’s profoundly disturbing | David Shariatmadari | Opinion | The Guardian – #LoserTrump-#TraitorTrump is just about the tweet, the sale and looking good for the minute of the next thing

All this may just be routine strategic ambiguity. But, as ever with the Trump administration, we are in uncharted territory. No one quite knows whether Haley et al are speaking from a Trump-approved hymn-sheet, or concerned with protecting their own reputations in an administration not exactly known for its message discipline. No one quite knows whether Haley’s statement, only last week, that “Our priority is no longer to sit there and focus on getting Assad out,” will stand or be overturned. Since the latter would represent a 180-degree turn, however, it’s worth considering in more detail.AdvertisementThose celebrating the possibility of a shift should ask how it may have come about. If there’s one thing we do know, it’s that Trump wants us to see that he cares. This is a president who is obsessed with how he is perceived, griping about unflattering photos and the size of the crowd at his inauguration.It’s not even clear that he has any ideological aims, other than to win, and to be liked. He has, after all, donated to both Republicans and Democrats. He supported the Iraq war, then didn’t, then claimed that he never had.

Source: Trump’s change of heart on Syria isn’t reassuring, it’s profoundly disturbing | David Shariatmadari | Opinion | The Guardian

Trump condemns chemical attack as his U.N. ambassador assails Russia’s role – The Washington Post #TraitorTrump, #LoserTrump still just selling himself and could care less about facts – Who unleashed the gas? All sides of this conflict spin and lie, so how are we to know who to blame?

“History will judge all of us in how we respond to these unforgettable and unforgivable images of the innocent,” British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said. “How long are we going to sit here and pretend that actions in these chambers have no consequences?”

Source: Trump condemns chemical attack as his U.N. ambassador assails Russia’s role – The Washington Post

Trump: ‘If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will’: Shanghaiist

“Well if China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you.”Asked if that meant dealing with Pyongyang one on one, Trump said, “I don’t have to say any more. Totally.”Dennis Wilder, a former CIA China analyst, tried to shed some light on what exactly Trump meant with these cryptic statement. Wilder told Financial Times that the president is trying to warn China that the US is about to begin instituting “secondary sanctions” on North Korea, including sanctions on “Chinese companies and individuals who deal with North Korea.”Still, others aren’t so sure that Trump will back up his tough talk.

Source: Trump: ‘If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will’: Shanghaiist

Trump & Co.’s Daily Assault on Women Isn’t News. It’s Our Every Day | Dame Magazine

I am thrilled because they are scared: Their racist, sexist comments and actions aren’t made by people of character or legitimate confidence. They are terrified of women, women in positions of power, women of color, and especially women of color with clout. I am even more thrilled because these comments, these slurs and dog whistles to the Trump base only serve to embolden women everywhere.

Source: Trump & Co.’s Daily Assault on Women Isn’t News. It’s Our Every Day | Dame Magazine

Bill O’Reilly Mocked Maxine Waters’ Hair As She Pleaded To Protect Democracy: LAist

O’Reilly was shown a clip of Waters speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives. In the footage, Waters said that Trump supporters “turned a blind eye to the destruction” that is imminent. Waters went on to say that African-Americans “fight against this president” and “point out how dangerous he is for this society and for this country.” She added, “we’re fighting for the democracy.”O’Reilly’s response was dismissive, to say the absolute least. “I didn’t hear a word [Waters] said. I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James, it’s the same wig,” said O’Reilly. Co-host Brian Kilmeade decided he’d chime in with, “It’s the same one,” adding that Brown is “not using it anymore” and that “they just, they finally buried him.” Brown died in 2006.Co-host Ainsley Earhardt jumped in and tried to salvage the situation. “You can’t go after a woman’s looks. I think she’s very attractive,” said Earhardt.O’Reilly, however, was intent on digging himself a bigger hole to step into. “I love James Brown, but it’s the same hair, James Brown—alright, the ‘Godfather of Soul’— had,” said O’Reilly. Then he decided to cut her some slack to show what a swell guy he is. “She’s a sincere individual. Whatever she says she believes. she’s not a phony,” said O’Reilly, though the damage had already been done.People took to social media to call for the firing of O’Reilly. They say that his words were not only blatantly sexist, but also explicitly racist.

Source: Bill O’Reilly Mocked Maxine Waters’ Hair As She Pleaded To Protect Democracy: LAist

Extremist settlers vandalize Spanish consulate in Jerusalem – PNN

Extremist Israeli settlers on Monday afternoon have sprayed racist slogans on the walls of the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem, according to local sources in the city.Sources said that the ultra-orthodox Jewish “Pay the Price” groups have vandalized the walls of the consulate located in East Jerusalem.Settlers also partially damaged and vandalized some of the cars parked outside the building.

Source: Extremist settlers vandalize Spanish consulate in Jerusalem – PNN

Should we blame Islam for terrorism? | David Shariatmadari | Opinion | The Guardian – And blame slaughter of North and South American native people on Christian Theology, as well as convert or die in Spain? Slaughter of Muslims in Burma on Buddha’s followers?

For some – and I suspect this includes Steve Bannon, Marine Le Pen and more than a few British pundits – the natural conclusion is that people should be convinced to abandon Islam, and if that doesn’t work, it should be driven out. This, of course, would be a grossly illiberal and violent programme – but one, I suppose, that sits in a rather long tradition of nationalism and supremacism in the west.Remind me: who’s special again?

Source: Should we blame Islam for terrorism? | David Shariatmadari | Opinion | The Guardian

“Hate Group” Inclusion (to US delegtion by Trump) Shows UN Members Still Divided on LGBT Rights

C-FAM – one of the invited members of the United States official delegation to the meeting – has been designated as an Anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center “for its often violent rhetoric on LGBTQI rights” according to the International Women’s Health Coalition, who opposed the appointment.Including C-Fam on the US delegation reflects ongoing disagreement between UN member states – and even within UN member states domestically – about the importance of including LGBTI rights within the UN’s work.For the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) community, there were many reasons to come to this year’s annual women’s meeting with “battle scars,” and “eyes open” says Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International.

Source: Inoreader – “Hate Group” Inclusion Shows UN Members Still Divided on LGBT Rights