Iran Sanctions Strengthen Ahmadinejad Regime – Karroubi
THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: Former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi tells Guardian US and British policy is a gift to Ahmadinejad regime

Mehdi Karroubi, the leading reformist politician in Iran, says sanctions 'have given an excuse to the government to suppress the opposition by blaming them for the unstable situation of the country'. Photograph: The Guardian
Punitive international sanctions imposed on Iran have strengthened the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and assisted its post-election crackdown on the opposition Green movement, the leading reformist politician and former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi has told the Guardian.

In his first interview with a British newspaper since widespread unrest erupted after Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election as president last June, Karroubi blamed the US and Britain for adopting counterproductive policies to combat Iran's suspect nuclear programme, describing sanctions as a gift to the Iranian regime.

"These sanctions have given an excuse to the Iranian government to suppress the opposition by blaming them for the unstable situation of the country," Karroubi said in emailed responses to the Guardian's questions.

Karroubi, 73, a former speaker of the Majlis (Iranian parliament) under the reformist president Mohammad Khatami, and a candidate in last year's election, said that isolating Iran would not bring democracy to the people.

"Look at Cuba and North Korea," he said. "Have sanctions brought democracy to their people? They have just made them more isolated and given them the opportunity to crack down on their opposition without bothering themselves about the international attention." >>> Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Liberalism's Surrender of America to Radical Islam
at Ground Zero
WORLD TRIBUNE: America is surrendering in the war against radical Islam. This is the real meaning behind the decision to build a 13-story mosque and Muslim cultural center 600 feet from the site of ground zero. A New York City panel gave the green light Tuesday for the project — despite intense resistance from many families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Most New Yorkers and Americans do not want this mosque erected: It will be a symbolic monument to the triumph of Islamism in the United States.

Ground zero is more than where the World Trade Center came crashing down. It is not simply where an immense crime took place. Rather, it is the site of an act of war, hallowed ground that contains the blood of 3,000 human beings, mostly Americans, murdered on that fateful day. Like Pearl Harbor, it is a national shrine that should be dedicated to honor the memory of the victims — an eternal reminder of the atrocity perpetrated by Islamic fascism on U.S. soil.

The Sept. 11 attacks were committed by Muslim extremists in the name of holy war against the West. They used the Koran and Islamic principles to justify their actions. Their goal was to bring jihad to America, unleashing a clash of civilizations. Across the world, Islamists seek to impose a world Muslim empire based on Shariah law. Ground zero is where the war came home to America.

Hence, the building of this mosque is a sacrilegious act — a deliberate slap in the face to the victims, their families and all Americans. It also is why the sponsors of this project refuse to back down. They realize what is at stake: The mosque will cast a giant, dark shadow over ground zero, serving as a testament to the Islamist conquest of America. If Islamism can impose its will near the site of Sept. 11, then it can impose its will anywhere. >>> Jeffrey T. Kuhner* | Wednesday, August 11, 2010

*Jeffrey T. Kuhner is a radio talk show host (570 am WTNT, 5 to 7 pm daily) and a columnist at The Washington Times and WorldTribune.com.

More Hate from the Left, Aimed This Time at the 'Iron Lady', Margaret Thatcher
Lady Thatcher's family members were 'appalled' to learn that she will be depicted as a dementia sufferer looking back on her career with regret. Photographs: World Tribune
WORLD TRIBUNE: Liberals can't seem to leave anything alone, and they soil everything they touch. In another world, you might think that liberals would celebrate a woman from a middle-class background who rose in politics through sheer talent and willpower to become the first female Prime Minister of the history of Great Britain; and who then, in that position, led a renaissance that resurrected her country as an economic and military power for a generation.

Of course, that isn't the world we live in. In this world, liberals hate that sort of achievement; even more so if the hero of the story is a woman. So they are making a movie that trashes Margaret Thatcher.

The cameras have not even started rolling on a new film being made about Margaret Thatcher's life in which she is expected to be played by Meryl Streep, but already the project has been tainted by controversy over the negative way it intends to portray the former Prime Minister.

On first hearing about the production last month, a member of Lady Thatcher's family, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were 'appalled' to learn that she will be depicted as a dementia sufferer looking back on her career with regret. >>> | Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ramadan Starts for Sunni Muslims
THE TELEGRAPH: Muslims began the fasting month of Ramadan on Wednesday during an especially gruelling time of the year, with sweltering heat and extremely long daylight hours across the Middle East.

Muslims and Muslimatoon at prayer. Photographs: The Telegraph
Religious authorities in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, announced the siting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening, fixing the start of the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar on the following day.

Officials in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Syria, Libya, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Algeria and Tunisia also announced a Wednesday start to the month.

The same was true for Sunni Muslims in Iraq, but the larger Shia community will not begin Ramadan until Thursday, as is the case with Oman.

Muslims observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset.

Pregnant and menstruating women, the sick, travellers and prepubescent children are exempt from the fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. >>> | Wednesday, August 13, 2010

Giant Mecca Clock Seeks to Call Time on Greenwich
THE TELEGRAPH: For more than a century, a point on the top of a hill in south-east London has been recognised as the centre of world time and the official starting point of each new day.

Big Ben (L) and the Mecca Clock Tower (R) are now in competition to be recognised as the centre of time. Photo: The Telegraph
But now the supremacy of Greenwich Mean Time is being challenged by a gargantuan new clock being built in Mecca, by which the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims could soon be setting their watches.

Due to start ticking on Thursday as the faithful begin fasting during the month of Ramadan, the timepiece sits atop the Royal Mecca Clock Tower which dominates Islam’s holiest city.

It is at the heart of a vast complex funded by the Saudi government that will also house hotels, shopping malls and conference halls.

Bearing a striking resemblance to both St Stephen’s Tower, which houses the bell of Big Ben, and the Empire State Building, the Saudi upstart aims to outdo its revered British rival in every way.

The clock’s four faces are 151ft in diameter and will be illuminated by 2million LED lights along with huge Arabic script reading: “In the name of Allah”. The clock will run on Arabia Standard Time which is three hours ahead of GMT.

When a glittering spire is added, topped with a crescent to symbolise Islam, the edifice will stand at nearly 2,000 ft, making it the world's second tallest building.

The clock of Big Ben, by comparison, is just 23ft in diameter, while its tower stands at a mere 316ft.

Residents of Mecca will also be reminded that it is time to pray when 21,000 green and white lights, visible at a distance of 18 miles, flash five times a day.

But Islamic scholars hope the clock’s influence will stretch far further than the sands of Saudi Arabia, as part of a plan for Mecca to eclipse the Greenwich Observatory as the “true centre of the earth”. >>> Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent, and Martin Beckford | Wednesday, August 11, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Mecca clock: Greenwich Mean Time only recently synchronised world’s watches – Throughout the vast majority of human history, the time was calculated locally according to the rising and setting of the sun. >>> Martin Beckford | Wednesday, August 11, 2010


MAIL ONLINE asks whether we’ll soon be setting our clocks to Mecca Mean Time! >>>

Related articles here and here

Senators Demand Lockerbie Bomber's Medical Records
THE TELEGRAPH: US senators have called on the Scottish government to disclose the Lockerbie bomber's full medical records in an attempt to understand why he was released early.

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi in hospital in Tripoli shortly after his release. Photo: The Telegraph
In a letter to First Minister Alex Salmond they asked for the release of all medical documentation for Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi both while under Scottish care and after.

They also asked the Scottish government to issue the names, medical training and specialisations of the doctors who examined Megrahi.

The Libyan, who has cancer, was diagnosed with three months to live and was freed on August 20 last year.

The medical report which led to Megrahi being released on compassionate grounds went to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on August 10 last year.

Andrew Fraser, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) director of health and care, said in the report no specialist ''would be willing to say'' if a three-month prognosis was reasonable.

The four senators said that examining the Libyan's full medical records would help clarify the circumstances surrounding his release. >>> | Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Drogenpolitik: Mexikos Ex-Präsident fordert Legalisierung von Drogen
ZEIT ONLINE: Vicente Fox will der Rauschgiftmafia das Handwerk legen. Die Lösung: Den Drogenkrieg beenden und den Konsum legalisieren. Der Haken: Die USA müssten mitziehen. M. Schmidt

Will Drogen in Mexiko legalisieren: Der ehemalige Präsident des Landes, Vicente Fox. Photo: Welt Online
Bestialische Morde, schrecklich zugerichtete Leichen, mehr als 28.000 Tote in dreieinhalb Jahren: Der Drogenkrieg in Mexiko hat ein hierzulande kaum vorstellbares Maß an Gewalt und Grausamkeit erreicht. Die Kriminalität schwächt den Staat, die geschwächte Regierung stärkt die Killer. Deshalb fordert der frühere Präsident Vicente Fox jetzt eine Legalisierung von Rauschgift. Sein Argument: Nur so lasse sich die wirtschaftliche Macht der Drogenkartelle brechen. "Wir sollten überlegen, die Produktion, den Vertrieb und den Verkauf von Drogen zu legalisieren", schrieb Fox in seinem Blog – und unterläuft damit die regierungsamtliche Strategie seines Nachfolgers und christdemokratischen Parteifreundes, Präsident Felipe Calderon. >>> Von Michael Schmidt | Dienstag, 10. August 2010

Will man zum Frühstück Brötchen essen? Kein Problem!
Brötchen in einem Korb. Bild: Google Images
Man kann sie kommen lassen – fliegend! Genau wie der Bundespräsident Deutschlands! >>>

THE TELEGRAPH: German president criticised for importing bread 180 miles from home to Berlin: Christian Wulff, the new German president, has been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money after importing bread and baked goods 180 miles from his home state to Berlin. >>> | Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Levi Johnston Grabs for Sarah Palin's Old Job in Wasilla Mayoral Run
THE TELEGRAPH: Levi Johnston, the former fiance of Bristol Palin, will follow in Sarah Palin footsteps by running in the mayoral election of the Alaskan town of Wasilla.

The 20-year-old father of the grandson of Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate in the 2008 US election, will run for mayor in his hometown as part of a reality TV show, his manager, Tank Jones, said.

Wasilla, population 10,250, is where Mrs Palin, who is widely touted as a potential candidate for the Republican presidential ticket in 2012, got her start in politics, moving up from city council to mayor before winning election as Alaska's governor in 2006.

Mr Jones said Mr Johnston, whose career thus far has included stints in the Alaskan oil fields and posing nude in Playgirl, is serious about politics. >>> | Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Levi Johnston, the 20 year-old high-school “drop-out” for mayor of Wasilla? Give me a break! If the voters of Wasilla vote for this guy, they’ll need their heads read – they’ll need a phrenologist!

Don’t the Americans have any standards in politics anymore? Doesn’t one need a certain level of education, doesn’t one need to have a modicum of experience of life, doesn’t one need a mature intellect to enter into the political arena? This is really depressing! Before long, they’ll be telling us that Levi is running for president! – © Mark

Bounty Hunters to Cut Benefit Fraud by £1bn
THE TELEGRAPH: Private agencies are to be paid by the Government to reduce benefit fraud by £1billion, David Cameron is to announce.



Finance experts will identify welfare cheats by trawling through their records, household bills and credit card applications.

The agencies will get a “bounty” payment for each fraudster they identify under government plans to cut the £5.2billion annual fraud bill.

By having access to the Government’s database of incapacity and housing benefit claimants, the companies believe they can shave at least £1billion from the welfare bill, earning as much as £50million.

The Prime Minister will say today that the level of fraud is “absolutely outrageous” and an “uncompromising” strategy is needed.

Mr Cameron will also call on members of the public to report suspected cheats and promise tougher punishments for offenders. >>> Holly Watt, Rosa Prince and Robert Winnett | Tuesday, August 10, 2010

This is so 'old Tory'. Whilst I am not in favour of people cheating the system for benefits, I feel that Cameron should have the balls to target the fat cat bankers who are stealing far more from the system with their multi-million pound bonuses than the paltry sums of money that Jo Average is getting in the form of welfare. Why doesn't Cameron come up with something new and original like jailing bankers who milk the system, and thereby endanger capitalism's very existence? – © Mark | Comment also posted here

U.S. Footing Bill for Imam's Trip? : Imam from 'Ground Zero mosque' going to Mideast on government's tab


Related >>>

Bankers Party Like Recession Never Happened
SKY NEWS: Over 1000 bankers have been quaffing champagne like the recession never happened at the largest City party since the economic crash of 2007.

UK Couple Murdered In 'Honour Killing'
SKY NEWS: A couple from Birmingham have been murdered in Pakistan in a suspected "honour killing". They have been named locally as Gul Wazir, who was in his mid-50s, and his wife Begum. Kitty Logan reports.

Duchess Of York Close To Bankruptcy
SKY NEWS: The Duchess of York is reported to be close to bankruptcy.

Dennis Miller Locked & Loaded: Funnyman fired up about Ground Zero mosque, Lady Gaga madness

ARD TV: Deutscher Konvertiert zum Islam 2010

Deutscher Wissenschaftler konvertiert zum Islam


RTL: Immer mehr Deutsche konvertieren zum Islam

Razzia in Hamburger Taiba Moschee - Treffpunkt von Terroristen?


WELT ONLINE: Terror-Moschee – Muslime fürchten Kontrollverlust über Islamisten: Erschwert das Verbot der Taiba-Moschee die Überwachung der Islamisten? Die Angst, sie könnten sich auf andere Gemeinden verteilen, ist groß. >>> Von Florian Hanauer | Dienstag, 10. August 2010

WELT ONLINE: Moschee hätte viel früher geschlossen werden müssen: Wenn Behörden fast neun Jahre brauchen, eine terroristische Keimzelle zu schließen, ist unser Rechtsstaat zu schwach. >>> Von Jörn Lauterbach | Montag, 09. August 2010

WELT ONLINE: Hamburg – Muslimverband findet Moscheeschließung unpassend: Dass die Hamburger Taiba-Moschee ausgerechnet kurz vor dem Fastenmonat Ramadan geschlossen wurde, missfällt dem Zentralrat der Muslime. >>> KNA/dpa/cn | Dienstag, 10. August 2010

Iran's Revolutionary Guard 'Digging Mass Graves for US Soldiers'
THE TELEGRAPH: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard is digging mass graves for American soldiers in preparation for a war over its nuclear programme, according to a former senior commander.

The scene in the south of Iran where hundreds of mass graves have been dug. Photo: The Telegraph
General Hossein Moghadam, the Guard's former deputy chief, was speaking after film footage showed strings of freshly dug graves in the south of the country.

They were close to the site of war graves for the dead of the long war between Iran and Saddam Hussein's Iraq, which devastated the region in the 1980s.

"The mass graves that used to be for burying Saddam's soldiers have now been prepared again for US soldiers, and this is the reason for digging this big number of graves," Gen Moghadam told the Associated Press, which obtained the footage. >>> Richard Spencer | Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Steuerbetrug und Bankenboni – und wo bleibt die Ethik?
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN – STERNSTUNDE: Auf die Finanz- und Bankenkrise folgte die Eurokrise. 750 Milliarden Euro haben die Europäische Union und der Internationale Währungsfonds hochverschuldeten Euro-Ländern zur Verfügung gestellt. Das Unbehagen vieler Menschen gegenüber dem Kapitalismus hat zugenommen. Wie sicher ist das Finanzsystem? Sollen Bankenboni auch in Krisenzeiten in gewohnter Höhe ausbezahlt werden? Der deutsche Wirtschaftsethiker Ulrich Thielemann kritisiert die weitverbreitete Marktgläubigkeit und fordert einen Wandel von der «Hofierung zur Moderierung des Kapitals».

Video hier abspielen | Samstag, 08. August 2010