Editorial: Deeper Malaise Afflicting Europe
ARAB NEWS: THE American educational system was a pioneer in abandoning corporal punishment in schools, preferring to trust children would be influenced to do the right thing by pure reason and such minor penalties as detention. But things have changed. When some high schools open in Texas for the next school year, some teachers will be carrying guns to defend themselves from their pupils who often themselves bring guns and knives to class.

That a society which forbids the cane for serious cases of indiscipline is nonetheless prepared to let teachers fire guns at students in self-defense is mind-boggling. It does not matter that this astonishing development is currently taking place in a handful of schools in only one state. It is a further searing indictment of the continuing right to bear arms enshrined in the second amendment to the US Constitution. It also points to a deeper malaise which is by no means confined to America but which clearly affects Europe as well.

Western societies have lost control of their children. Since the 1960s, youth culture has been progressively commercialized. From the minute they are able to watch TV, billions of advertising dollars target children. Vulnerable young minds are being pressed to grow up too fast and encouraged to believe that they have a useful contribution to make to society — at the very time when society should, in fact, be educating them, both in academics and character-building. Editorial: Deeper Malaise Afflicting Europe >>> | August 17, 2008

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Ukraine Offers Satellite Defence Co-operation with Europe and US
THE INDEPENDENT: Ukraine inflamed mounting East-West tensions yesterday by offering up a Soviet-built satellite facility as part of the European missile defence system.

The proposal, made amid growing outrage among Russia's neighbours over its military campaign in Georgia, could see Ukraine added to Moscow's nuclear hitlist. A Russian general declared Poland a target for its arsenal after Warsaw signed a deal with Washington to host interceptor missiles for America's anti-nuclear shield.

The move came as the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, signed a cease-fire deal that sets the stage for a Russian troop withdrawal after more than a week of warfare with its neighbour Georgia.

The deal calls for both Russian and Georgian forces to pull back to positions they held before fighting erupted on August 8. As of last night, though, there was little apparent evidence of a Russian pull-out from the Georgian town of Gori, which Russian tanks and troops took last weekend. Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, insisted a broader withdrawal would be contingent on further security measures.

Just hours before Mr Medvedev put his signature to the ceasefire deal, Russian forces blew up a Georgian railway bridge on the main line west of the capital, Tbilisi, an act that critics interpreted as a malacious attempt to cripple the country's infrastructure. Moscow at first issued a denial, but television footage shot by the Reuters news agency clearly showed the bridge's twisted remains. Ukraine Offers Satellite Defence Co-operation with Europe and US >>> By Damien McElroy in Tbilisi | August 17, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Georgia: Let's Not Start World War III >>> By Mike Jackson* | August 17, 2008

*Sir Mike Jackson served as Chief of the General Staff

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US Demands Russian Troop Pull-Out
Photo of Saakashvili courtesy of Google Images
Watch video: President Saakashvili and the US secretary of state give a news conference >>>
BBC: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has demanded that Russian forces withdraw from Georgia immediately.

It comes after Georgia's president signed an EU-brokered ceasefire deal, after nearly five hours of talks.

In angry comments at a news briefing in Tbilisi, President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept the loss of any of its territory.

The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia a week ago sparking Russian intervention.

President Saakashvili said he had signed the six-point ceasefire agreement - brokered by France - but that it was not a permanent solution. US Demands Russian Troop Pull-Out >>> | August 15, 2008

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Bush Condemns ‘Bullying’ Russia
Watch video: President Bush: "Russia must respect the freedom of its neighbours"
BBC: US President George W Bush has accused Russia of "bullying and intimidation" in its military actions inside Georgia.

Mr Bush demanded that Moscow respect Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraw the troops it sent in a week ago - or risk international isolation.

The crisis began when Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia, sparking Russian intervention.

Meanwhile Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili said his country would never accept any foreign occupation.

In a joint news conference with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Mr Saakashvili criticised the West for not granting his country Nato membership earlier this year.

It followed nearly five hours of talks on an EU-brokered ceasefire deal.

The Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, has demanded that Georgia sign the deal immediately - but said only Russia could guarantee peace in the region. Bush Condemns ‘Bullying’ Russia >>> August 15, 2008

THE SPECTATOR:
Russia’s Aggression In Georgia Is A Portent Of Perils To Come: Philip Bobbitt says that the crisis reflects Russia’s determination to remain an old-fashioned nation state, dominating its region. Intellectual imagination will be needed to thwart that ambition: a recognition that the post-Cold War world needs new global institutions >>> By Philip Bobbitt | August 13, 2008

TIME:
Staring Down the Russians: The end of the Cold War was supposed to usher in a new age in which the major powers would no longer dictate to their neighbors how to run their affairs. That is why Russia's invasion of Georgia is so tragic and so potentially ominous. Russia is now on watch: Will it continue to rely on coercion to achieve its imperial aims or is it willing to work within the emerging international system that values cooperation and consensus? >>> By Zbigniew Brzezinski | August 15, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
After Russia's Invasion of Georgia, What Now for the West?: At least for now, the smoke seems to be clearing from the Georgian battlefield. But the extent of the wreckage reaches far beyond that small country >>> By John R Bolton | August 15, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH - Related:
Russian General Says Poland a Nuclear 'Target': Poland has made itself a nuclear target for Russia’s military by hosting elements of a US anti-missile system, a senior Russian general warned >>> By Damien McElroy in Tbilisi | August 15, 2008

MAIL Online:
Russian General Threatens Nuclear Strike on Poland as Bush Demands Moscow Withdraws from Georgia >>> | August 15, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Russia Threatens Nuclear Attack on Poland over US Missile Shield Deal: Russia threatened a nuclear strike against Poland after a landmark deal to site American global anti-missile shields in the country >>> By Harry de Quetteville and Andrew Pierce | August 15, 2008

THE GUARDIAN:
Abdullah Gül Challenges US Superpower Status: US must share power in new world order, says Turkey's controversial president >>> By Stephen Kinzer | August 16, 2008

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US Attends Historic Iran Meeting
BBC: A senior United States official is taking part for the first time in international talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.

The official, William Burns, is joining envoys from the EU and permanent members of the UN security council.

They are expected to discuss with the country's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, incentives for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.

Mr Burns' attendance is being seen as a major shift in US policy.

The US and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the taking of hostages at the US embassy in Tehran.

Formal contact between the two countries have been extremely limited, though last year they met at ambassadorial level to discuss security in Iraq. US Attends Historic Iran Meeting >>> | July 19, 2008

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US Warns Iran on Missile Threat
Watch BBC video: Iran test-fires missiles in the Gulf - footage from Iranian state TV >>>
BBC: The US has said it will not hesitate to defend its interests and those of its allies as Iran continues missile tests.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US had increased its security in the region and Iran should not be "confused" about US capabilities.

Iran tested missiles on Wednesday that could reach Israel, and on Thursday carried out further tests.

Meanwhile French energy giant Total has said it will not invest in Iran because it is too politically risky.

New tests

Condoleezza Rice was speaking during a visit to Georgia.

She said: "We take very strongly our obligation to defend our allies and we intend to do that. US Warns Iran on Missile Threat >>> | July 10, 2008

BBC:
Israel ‘Ready to Act’ over Iran >>> | July 10, 2008

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Ahmadinejad Plays Down War Talk
BBC: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has played down the threat of an armed conflict between his country and the United States or Israel.

"I assure you... there won't be any war in the future," he said in Malaysia.

Earlier, an aide to Iran's supreme leader said Tehran would strike Israel or the US navy in the Gulf if it was attacked over its nuclear programme.

The comments come amid reports of possible Israeli or US plans to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran Leader Plays Down War Talk >>> | July 8, 2008

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More Wiretapping Nonsense! This Time from the US
BBC: US lawmakers have passed a bill to shield telephone companies who helped in the White House's controversial warrantless wiretaps programme.

The bill also grants the US government the power to continue with its warrantless surveillance scheme.

The Bush administration faced criticism when details emerged of its programme to monitor the phone calls of foreign targets in the US without warrants.

President Bush said the scheme was needed to prevent attacks on the US.

Telephone companies were facing as many as 40 lawsuits for their involvement in the scheme. US Lawmakers Pass Wiretaps Bill >>> | June 20, 2008

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Hook-Handed Muslim Fanatic Loses US Extradition Appeal

THE TELEGRAPH: Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza lost his High Court battle today against extradition to the United States where he faces a potential jail sentence of 100 years.

The decision means the hook-handed fanatic can be sent across the Atlantic to face terror charges and is likely to spend the rest of his natural life locked up for 23 hours a day in a "super-maximum" security jail in Colorado.

Two High Court judges sitting in London ruled that the decision to extradite Hamza was "unassailable" but they also gave his lawyers 14 days to apply for leave to make a last ditch appeal to the House of Lords, the highest court in the land.

Ultimately, he could delay the move further by taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights. Abu Hamza Loses US Extradition Appeal, Faces 100-Year Jail Sentence >>> By Nick Allen | June 20, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Prosecute the Racists Not the Reporters >>> By Philip Johnson | September 24, 2007

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Repeal Hate Speech Laws
FRONTPAGEMAG.COM: On June 9, a 53-year-old man named Mahmoud Alkhazaleh stood in the middle of a street in Chicago, and refused to get out of the way of traffic. Soon enough a car approached, but when the driver honked at him, Alkhazaleh didn’t move. The driver tried to go around him, but at that point Alkhazaleh allegedly started to hit him and throw rocks at him. And shortly thereafter, three of Alkhazaleh’s sons ran up, started to beat the driver, spit on him, and throw rocks at him.

Alkhazaleh’s sons have been charged with felony aggravated battery. And that is all to the good. But Mahmoud Alkhazaleh himself has been charged with a “hate crime.” A “hate crime”? That charge comes because apparently Alkhazaleh called the driver who tried to get him to move out of the middle of the road a “blue-eyed devil.”

Now, I have no idea why Mahmoud Alkhazaleh wouldn’t get out of the middle of the street. Maybe it really did have to do with some deep hatred of American blue-eyed devils, but I couldn’t care less if it did. The only thing the law should really be concerned about here is that he and his sons apparently gratuitously beat up this driver. He should be prosecuted fully for that, and deported if he is not a citizen. If he called the driver a “blue-eyed devil” and the driver called him a “Pakistani [expletive],” their mothers should remind them that “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me,” and that should be the end of that. Repeal Hate Speech Laws >>> By Robert Spencer | June 18, 2008

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Iran Will Be Obliterated if It Dares to Launch a Nuclear Attack on Israel – Hillary Clinton
BBC: Hillary Clinton has issued a stark warning to Iran, as Democrats in Pennsylvania vote to choose between her and Barack Obama to run for president.

She said the US would attack, and could "obliterate" Iran, if it launched a nuclear strike on Israel.

Mrs Clinton has been playing up foreign affairs and leadership as she tries to make up ground in the Democratic race.

She leads polls in Pennsylvania, the largest remaining state, but analysts say her hopes depend on a big victory. Clinton's Poll Day Threat to Iran >>>

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The Pope Attacks the US Sex Abuse Scandal
Watch BBC video of Pope Benedict XVI on the sex abuse scandal
BBC: Pope Benedict XVI has criticised US bishops for their handling of child sex scandals, saying their response to the crisis had sometimes been very poor.

He laid part of the blame for the crisis, of which he feels "deeply ashamed", on a breakdown in US values.

On his first official US visit, the Pope said he hoped the "time of trial" would help start a Church purification.

On Thursday, the German Pontiff is due to celebrate Mass for 45,000 people at a new Washington baseball stadium.

On Wednesday morning, thousands of guests welcomed the Pope, who was 81 on Wednesday, to his first White House meeting with President George W Bush.

Problematic faith

Pope Benedict's remarks on the sex abuse scandal came at a prayer service with hundreds of US bishops. Pope Attacks US Sex Abuse Record >>>

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Crazy Is as Crazy Does
EUROPE NEWS: The decision by Britain, America and certain other European countries to recognise Kosovo as an independent state is mind-blowingly stupid and suicidal and of a piece with their obvious determination to capitulate in the war for civilisation. It is a rotten decision for the following reasons:

1. It endorses a breach of a country's right to maintain its own integrity. Serbia is a properly constituted democratic country. To recognise the validity of such a secession is to undermine the principle of a country's right to determine its own composition. It puts up two fingers to international law, which explicitly recognises Serbian authority over Kosovo and upholds a state’s right to its own sovereignty. It opens the way for any other breakaway movement to do the same, both in the Balkans and around the world. So Tamils can now claim a precedent for seceding from Sri Lanka, Corsicans from France, Basques from Spain. And after Kosovo, can Scotland be far behind? Is this crazy, or is this crazy? >>>

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’Hooks-R-Us’ Preacher of Hate Launches Yet Another Appeal Over US Extradition
DAILY EXPRESS: Islamist preacher Abu Hamza has lodged an appeal against his extradition to the United States.

A Home Office spokeswoman said that the appeal will now be considered by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith but could not say when a decision will be made.



Ms Smith signed papers paving the way for Hamza, 49, to face terror charges in the US on February 7.



There was a 14-day deadline, which was due to end on Wednesday, for Hamza's legal team to mount an appeal.



Hamza, who has served two years of a seven-year sentence for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred, is wanted in the US to face charges that include providing support to al Qaida and involvement in a hostage-taking conspiracy.



The US government claims he was involved in a global conspiracy to wage jihad against the US and other western countries. Hamza Appeals Over US Extradition >>>

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)

Bandar bin Sultan Feels a Chill Wind on His Assets
TIMESONLINE: PRINCE Bandar Bin Sultan, the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to America, has been hit by a court order in effect freezing some of his US assets, as part of a class-action lawsuit over bribery allegations at British defence giant BAE Systems. Saudi royal Prince Bandar Bin Sultan's assets frozen >>> By Grant Ringshaw

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’Hooks-R-Us’ Preacher of Hate, Abu Hamza, to Be Extradited to US
DAILY EXPRESS: Hook-handed preacher of hate Abu Hamza will finally be kicked out of Britain after Home Secretary Jacqui Smith signed his extradition papers.

Hamza, who has called for non-Muslims to be killed and branded Jews “filthy blasphemous traitors”, will be sent to the US to face terror charges.

The former Imam of Finsbury Park Mosque in North London is wanted in the US on 11 terror charges including playing a key role in a kidnap plot which ended with the deaths of four people.

If convicted Hamza faces a lifetime behind bars. At Last: Hamza Is Kicked Out to Face Trial in US >>> By Sara Dixon

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Mark Alexander (Hardback)

Moral Judgement
SOCIAL SENSE: For quite some time, I’ve been bothered by the fact there are people migrating to the United States, and who after living here for the required period of time, petition the United States to become naturalized citizens. Then, at the naturalization ceremony where every applicant swears an oath of loyalty to our Constitution, immigrants promise to be citizens of good repute, joining with us as full members of our society, enjoying the benefits of freedom, and pledging to defend America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Subsequently, many of these people begin working in opposition to our society of laws. Some of them demonstrate actively, others are covert in their work to refute their voluntary obligation to obey our secular laws, claiming that their religious law demands their first devotion. Moral Judgement >>> By Mustang

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)

Beware: “Free” Medical Care Will Kill You – On Purpose!
CANADA FREE PRESS: The great debate on medical care is taking place in this year’s presidential campaign. Much is made of the fact that care costs too much and that government isn’t doing enough to provide coverage for the poor and elderly. Be careful - you may regret ever-encouraging government - controlled medicine.

Case in point, this report from England (Don’t treat the old and unhealthy, say doctors) where full government health care is “provided” free to every citizen. For years, free market advocates like myself have had to endure lectures from our little socialist friends about the glories of “free” health care. We keep pointing out that nothing is free - and now the folks in England may be paying for that health care with their lives - literally.

When government gets overburdened and revenues don’t keep up with all the grand plans of a horde of politicians, someone has to feel the pain. Today, England’s treasury can’t keep up with the massive costs of health care. So the bureaucrats, such fiscally responsible folks - just serving the people, you understand - have decided the best way to cut costs is to stop providing health care to those who are too old or those who leave “unhealthy lives.” Of course, government gets to decide who they are.

It’s important to note here that the reason health care cost so much today is because government got involved in health care in the first place. It mostly started for the United States back in the 1960’s under Lyndon Johnson’s “compassionate” policy of universal health care. From that time a visit to the doctor went from costing a few dollars to hundreds, affordable only through insurance payments. It’s no coincidence that the quality of health care also started to go down as the costs soared. Socialized medicine does not work. Period. Beware: “Free” medical care will kill you - on purpose! >>> By Tom Deweese

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)

Prince Andrew in an Extraordinary Attack on President George W Bush
Photo of Prince Andrew courtesy of the International Herald Tribune
THE TELEGRAPH: The Duke of York has launched an unprecedented attack on President George W Bush's White House administration for failing to listen more to the advice of the British Government over the Iraq war.

The Duke's criticism of Washington represents an extraordinary departure from normal protocol, which determines that members of the Royal Family refrain from public comment on sensitive international and political issues.

In a rare newspaper interview, with the International Herald Tribune, the Duke expresses his strong personal regret that the US failed to heed British advice over the post-war strategy for Iraq, with disastrous consequences.

On the eve of a 10-day mission to America in his role as British trade envoy, he told the newspaper that there were "occasions when people in the UK would wish that those in responsible positions in the US might listen and learn from our experiences".

He said that because of Britain's imperial history, it had experience of many of the foreign policy challenges now facing the US.

"If you are looking at colonialism, if you are looking at operations on an international scale, if you are looking at understanding each other's culture, understanding how to operate in a military insurgency campaign - we have been through them all," Prince Andrew said. Prince Andrew rebukes America over Iraq >>> By Toby Helm, Public Policy Editor

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U.S. Worried Anti-Muslim Film Could Trigger Violence Abroad
ABC NEWS: The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Wednesday circulated a report on the expected release of a 10-minute anti-Islam film by Dutch far-right Party for Freedom Founder and Chairman Geert Wilders, which is expected to spark global protests and raises the possibility of violence in Europe.

The DHS/FBI report was published in anticipation of a Friday release of the film; however, Wilders himself told a Dutch newspaper yesterday that he needs at least two more weeks to finish the film. So far, no one has seen even as single pre-release frame of the film.

The DHS/FBI report follows weeks of speculation on the reactions to the film that continues to gain momentum in overseas media and online outlets. The DHS/FBI report states clearly in its headline and key findings section that "the film is unlikely to incite violence in the United States but may provoke protests overseas."

The film, however, reportedly will show a Quran being destroyed, which the report states is "tantamount to heresy" in Islam. In the past, Wilders has stated that the Quran should be banned like Adolph Hitler's "Mein Kampf."

A spokesperson for Wilder's political party said he would not be available for comment, and they would neither confirm nor deny whether the Quran will be depicted as destroyed in the film. U.S. Worried Anti-Muslim Film Could Trigger Violence Abroad >>> By Richard Esposito and Christine Brouwer

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