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Once again, Nikki Haley, the American Ambassador at the
United Nations sounds ridiculous. The
last time I heard her was during the vote of the Security Council and the
General Assembly after the announcement of Mr. Trump regarding Jerusalem, threatening countries who would
vote against the USA. But in fact this
morning after Mr. Trump threatened to cut
aid to the Palestinians, she also
threatened to cut aid to UNRWA, the
organization that has been supporting Palestinian refugees until a just
solution is found for them. At the
beginning of her term she ridiculously threatened to hit with her shoe anybody
who would criticize Israel. Really that
was below the belt. However, the Defense
Minister, Mr. Liberman presented her
with a box of shoes when she visited Israel.
On another scene, but not completely disconnected, she was
quoted on the Israeli radio this morning commending the people of Iran for protesting against the regime. “People have the right to rise up against their oppressors.” It brought back the memory of the Americans
meddling in Iran in 1953 when the government of Mohammad Mosaddegh which was
commended for many social reforms, was
overthrown in a coup d’etat aided by the United States' Central Intelligence
Agency and the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service, basically for the
nationalization of the Iranian oil industry.
Colonial countries have a long history of abusing the resources of the countries they had
colonized and find it very difficult
to let go. The 1956 invasion of Egypt by Israel, Britain and
France was basically a reaction to the
courageous step that Gamal Abdel Nasser took to nationalize the Suez Canal.
Mr. Netanyahu never stops talking about the danger of
Iran. So it is not surprising that Mr.
Trump and his Ambassador Nikki Haley would risk getting the US in a war for the
sake of their staunch ally, Israel. I wonder what the ambassador thinks of the
rights of the Palestinians, who have been
oppressed for 50 years under Israeli
occupation? . Do they have the right to protest against
their oppressors?
Recently it was all over the media, Ahed Tamimi, her mother
and other members of the family from Nabi Saleh have been incarcerated for protesting
to retrieve their rights in the water source of their town, that has been depleted by the religious settlement
of Halmish. I would like to see how Ambassador Haley would react if she
cannot get a drink of water or her morning coffee and daily shower.
Haley's statement: “People have the right to rise up against their oppressors" reminds me of what Rev MLK, Jr. warned from Birmingham Jail: "Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever and if repressed emotions are not released in nonviolent ways, they will seek expression through violence; this is not a threat but a fact of history."
ReplyDeleteAs an American who has been to both sides of The Wall in the Holy Land 8 times since 2005, I have daily repented over USA policies and prayed for a media that would report accurately and when ever I reflect on the era of Trump, Bob Dylan comes to mind: "It's not dark- but it's getting there."
Unless the deluded Christians in the Tribe of Trump have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts that bleed for the 'least among us' Mr Trump may just push his "big nuclear button" before he and Haley ever READ the UN UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS which begins:
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Typo correction to Dylan lyric: "It's not dark YET, but it's getting there."
DeleteThe so-called champion of Human Rights, the US, has unfortunately fallen victim to ignornace of its leaders and at present its President and his UN representative, both of whom are ignorant of historical facts, blatantly ignore the human rights of the oppressed to promote their interest and that of their allies.
ReplyDeleteThe ignorance of our president cascades down into his underlings. And as we see their ignorance we also see how blind they are to irony and contradiction. The blind and deaf continue to lead the ignorant.
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson recommended periodic revolutions. America's most radical founding father was Thomas Paine who wrote:
Delete"Soon after I had published the pamphlet 'Common Sense' [on Feb. 14, 1776] in America, I saw the exceeding probability that a revolution in the system of government would be followed by a revolution in the system of religion...The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion."
Godspeed on that kind've religion in the White House --- which is over filled with Fundamentalist Christian Evangelical Zionists
Agreeing with Antoine and Tony I am reminded of what journalist Edward R. Murrow warned in In 1958, [can be seen at the climax of the 2005 motion picture "Good Night, And Good Luck"] in his speech to the Radio-Television News Directors Association, in which he nailed the establishment for its emphasis on popular entertainment over programs that would enlighten and EDUCATE the public.
ReplyDeleteWe the people in the USA have been dumbed down 'thanks' to a Media that seeks to entertain-- remember the presidential election process which gave Trump FREE air time as EVERY network catered to 'the ugly American' of which Mr Trump exemplifies.
Nikki Haley has no business acting as a player on the global stage. She is a mouthpiece for ill-informed and destructive U.S. policies. She brings no depth of understanding nor any background knowledge in international affairs. Her lack of expertise coupled with her lack of concern for the rest of the world makes her a shockingly poor choice for UN Ambassador. The fact that she is young, attractive, and Southern allows her to act as a palatable conduit for Trump's mad agenda.
ReplyDelete