Pakistan market blast ‘kills at least 20’

“Although Obama declared that success in Afghanistan is “inextricably linked” to our “partnership” with Pakistan, he has turned reality on its head by embracing the Pakistan myth: that stabilizing Afghanistan is the key to stabilizing Pakistan. But US pressure on the Taliban in Afghanistan is pushing more militants into Pakistan, with the potential for upsetting the delicate political balance there and spreading the Pakistani insurgency beyond the border regions.” Editorial, The Nation, Dec 2, 09

Watch here.

Obama’s turn in the “great game”

THIS GROUNDWORK paid off for the U.S. in the aftermath of 9/11. The U.S. immediately set up military “facilities” in the five Central Asian states formerly part of the USSR that would play an important role in the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Suddenly, the strongest military on earth had secured a position that greatly furthered its aims–militarily pressuring Iran to the west, and giving the U.S. military a key airbase within short flying times of key cities in both Russia and China.Certainly, control of proposed oil and gas pipelines is a key part of the equation. But what the U.S. is after is even bigger–limiting Russia’s economic, political and military revival, and raising the stakes for China as it attempts to turn its growing economic power into greater political clout. Full article.

howard zinn on bill moyers journal

“If democracy were to be given any meaning, if it were to go beyond the limits of capitalism and nationalism, this would not come, if history were any guide, from the top. It would come through citizen’s movements, educating, organizing, agitating, striking, boycotting, demonstrating, threatening those in power with disruption of the stability they needed.” (howard zinn)

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Suisse : J’ai construit ce minaret pour protester

Il est suisse, il s’appelle Guillaume Morand, il n’est pas musulman, il est propriétaire de la chaîne de magasins de baskets Pomp it up et il vient de construire un minaret sur le toit du siège de son entreprise à Lausanne pour manifester son opposition à l’interdiction de construire des minarets, décidée par 57% des votants lors du référendum organisé en Suisse le 29 novembre. Article complet.

The Swiss Minaret Ban: What Are Voters Really Trying to Outlaw?

I suppose that my parents’ guiding principle was that they had to choose the best neighborhood school. The fact that it happened to be run by Catholics did not scare them–they understood that being in daily contact with another religion is not dangerous. It does not mean you will be converted. It does not mean that you will have to change. Religion is not passed through the air you breathe or the sidewalk you tread or the classroom you share. Full article.

Market bombs kill dozens in Pakistan’s Lahore

The death toll in two bomb blasts at a busy market in the centre of Pakistan’s second largest city, Lahore, has risen to 48, police and medics say.

The attack, which injured over 100 people, sparked a huge blaze at the city’s Moon Market.

The toll has risen with the death of 12 more people overnight, police said.

The blasts came just hours after a suicide bomber on a rickshaw killed at least 10 people in Peshawar when he blew himself up near the courthouse. Full article.

Allama Iqbal, God’s Command To Angels

an english translation of iqbal’s poetry:

Marshall the meek of my world. Arise, set them free.
Seize the towers of the rich. Shake their tyranny.

Lift the slaves. Ignite them. Instill a faith that rocks.
Teach the feeble sparrow to fight the taloned hawk.

Power belongs to the people: their kingdom has come.
Burn the totems of tyranny: their history is done.

Full translation.