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Here is a special from Now on PBS that I contributed some footage to.

Special Screenings of July War

With Filmmaker Brandon Jourdan
New Nothing Cinema
16 Sherman Street
Between 6th street and 7th street, parallel to Folsom and Harrison, in the SOMA district of San Francisco.
Free To All, Donations Accepted.
Sunday, May 31
8 p.m.

Oakland: Tuesday, June 2
AK Press
674-A 23rd St. (Between MLK and San Pablo Ave.)
7 p.m.
415.255.6304 for information


About the Movie
July War takes a raw and unflinching look at the devastating first-hand effects of the 2006 Israeli military offensive in Lebanon. This powerful documentary examines the broader impact of the global war on terrorism, using the war in Lebanon as a specific case study, and questions whether it has actually curbed, or perhaps increased, Islamic militancy. It also reflects on the US and Iranian role in the war and the failures of current policy in the Middle East by Western governments and their allies.

The documentary covers many angles of this complex war and its devastating impact on Lebanon's people, economy, and environment, and allows for a broader public audience to access this complicated political situation. Simultaneously, this documentary carefully deconstructs Israel's pretext for starting the conflict, the failure of both sides to avoid civilian deaths, the United States' role in the conflict, the role of Hizbullah in Lebanese society and as a proxy for Iran and Syria, and the failure of the United Nations to implement a ceasefire. July War combines stock footage and interviews with academics, politicians, human rights' experts, military officials, and journalists with cinema verite footage of Lebanese civilians in areas hard hit by the 2006 war.

Riots in Turin

From the AFP:

TURIN (AFP)--Italian police fired tear gas Tuesday to break up
thousands of students protesting against the economic crisis on the
sidelines of an international meeting of university leaders.

The students tried to break through a security cordon around the
Valentino Castle in Turin where 40 university rectors from 19
countries were meeting, an AFP photographer said.

The demonstrators hurled rocks and fire extinguishers at police, who
responded with baton charges and volleys of tear gas. The students
tried to attack several nearby banks.

The university chiefs are in Turin to discuss the impact of the world
economic crisis and durable development. The meeting was organized by
the Group of Eight leading nations which is to hold a summit in
ItalyJuly 8-10.

Watch Video

Great Article on Lebanon’s Upcoming Elections

This article argues that “Cedar Revolution”, a term coined by the US State Department, is coming to end in Lebanon. The term “Cedar Revolution” referred to the massive street protests that forced Syrian troop withdrawal following the assassination of Rafic Hariri. Author Nicholas Noe questions the US and European role in Lebanon if there is a victory of the opposition, a movement led by Hezbollah and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement, in the upcoming June 7 elections.

From The Article

As a number of western election observers, diplomats and even ardent supporters of the current March 14 majority (named after the date of the Cedar Revolution) now publicly acknowledge, it is likely that the opposition led by the militant Shia party Hezbollah and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) will take control of the next four-year parliament when elections are held on 7 June.

If that happens, the US and Europe will face an immediate dilemma as to how best to approach the new cabinet and prime minister, given past statements and policies that bet heavily on the parties and personalities in the majority – not to mention the Obama administration's position that Hezbollah remains an international terrorist organisation.

Full Story in the UK Guardian

May Day, May Day, May Day

Teenage Pirate Faces Life in US Prison

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, the accused ringleader of the pirates that held a US captain hostage, is facing life in prison. Apparently, the pirate is very young and doesn’t come from the best circumstances. Prosecutors are claiming that he is 18 or 19 years old, while Muse’s court-appointed lawyer says that he is only 15 years old. According to his family, they have no money their only resources are a small amount of livestock. According to Associated Press, Muse’s mother sells milk at a small market, saving around $6 every month for school fees for her oldest son and around $15 a month in rent. I wonder when all of those who are raping the Somali coasts of its aquatic life and contaminating it with nuclear waste will get prosecuted. It’s good that the US government is managing to stay ahead in the competition for world’s biggest assholes.

From Rebel Voices

Huffington Post

Just Seeds

All The Hypocrisy Fit to Print

As NY Times managers are cutting employees payments by five percent and demanding more cuts to NY Times-owned Boston Globe, the guys at the top have received bonuses and fringe benefits well above their salary. This is yet another picture of the inequality within the US capitalist system that is now making some headlines in this time of populist bandwagon that many journalists are jumping on. The funny bit is that the NY Times has led the way in criticizing CEO bonuses at failing companies.

More On NY Times Hypocrisy

The Israeli Influence on Washington: Looks at Haim Saban

For years, AIPAC, The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has had an incredible influence on United States foreign policy. The United States’ unwavering support for Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967, has brought fury from the Arab and Muslim world and greatly jeopardized US security. When the US Department of Justice attempted to prosecute two AIPAC staffers, billionaire media mogul Haim Saban flew to the rescue.

These are few links to articles on the Zionist media mogul Haim Saban:

LA Times Article Praises Saban


Gawker Gets It Right