U.S. nuclear policies – two world views

Last night I had the opportunity to discuss nuclear weapons with an experienced,  high-ranking security analyst who has been both a military, a scholar, an assistant secretary of defence, presidential adviser, a corporate man and now a think tank member, Lawrence J. Korb. We were discussing the issues touched upon in this and this article. I would assume that the debate – facilitated by Iran’s PressTV in … Continue reading U.S. nuclear policies – two world views

Danmark fejlbomber i Syrien – og hvad skal vi så spørge om, tro og lære?

Hvor er den officielle danske beklagelse og undskyldning til ofrene? Det vågne, skadereducerende diplomati lige nu?

Er påstanden om at det blot var en fejltagelse den mest bekvemme?

Har Pentagon ladet Danmark udføre et beskidt arbejde uden at vore piloter vidste det?

Hvor stor er splittelsen i den amerikanske udenrigsadministration og var det måske derfor ikke en fejltagelse?

Hvorfor mon vælger forsvarsminister Peter Christensen en så dum forhalingsstrategi og lader som om han ikke ved hvad der er sket? Og i stedet rakker ned på russerne, der fik dette vanvid stoppet med bedre efterretninger?

Kun et meget naivt menneske tror på officielle forklaringer fra krigsførende landes regeringer, uanset hvilket.

Og hvis det er en fejltagelse hvorfor sker den så – dybest set? Og er der noget at lære af den?

Kort sagt, en rigtig møgsag som følge af en møgpolitik.

For mediefolk, der ikke bare er mikrofonholdere, turde der være nok at grave i.   

På en stille søndag aften kommer den tragiske nyhed at Danmarks F-16 fly har været med at “fejlbombe” i Syrien.

Midt under en skrøbelig våbenhvile har den USA-ledte koalition bombet “de forkerte”, nemlig syriske regeringsstyrker istedet for Islamist Stat. er er ifølge forskellige kilder Det hér bør blive en meget meget interessant politisk historie for Danmarks stats-, udenrigs- og forsvarsminister. Gad vide hvilken (medie)strategi man vil vælge for at forklare og forsvare sig?

Tekniske spørgsmål

Hvorfra får danskerne sine oplysninger og koordinater for bombetogter? Hvor mange efterretninger samler det danske militær selv ind? Tør man stå imod med egne oplysninger hvis de ikke stemmer overens med dem, man får fra USA og andre?

Hvem fortæller Danmark hvor de skal bombe og hvorfor? Kan de sige nej til en ordre fra Pentagon? Eller går man ombord i hvad som helst for at se seje ud i  His Master’s Voice’s øjne?

Hvordan vil man beklage tabet og forklare at Danmark samtidig støtter fuld op om våbenhvilen?

Danmarks Radios  stjernerapporter, Steffen Gram, har naturligvis hurtigt den for USA og Danmark mindst dårlige forklaring nemlig at der er dårlig kommunikation og at Danmark har fået forkerte efterretninger. Man “har blot fløjet efter amerikanske instrukser.” Hvordan i alverden man blot sådan gør dét undlader han dog – researchfrit – at fortælle os.

Forsvarsministerens forhalingsstrategi – han har dårlig samvittighed

Forsvarsminister Peter Christensens strategi virker dum: forhalingens “lad os nu vente og se hvad der er sket – hvad der er op og ned i denne sag.”

Angrebet fandt sted den 17. september og allerede samme aften gik den amerikanske CENTCOM ud med en pressemeddelelse, der mere end antyder at der er sket en fejl, at russerne informerede amerikanerne herom – tænk hvis man i timevis havde fortsat og slået endnu mange flere ihjel? – og at man stoppede angrebeneefter at have fået informationen fra russerne.

Continue reading “Danmark fejlbomber i Syrien – og hvad skal vi så spørge om, tro og lære?”

Hvor fladpandet kan det blive på DR?

Se på dette indslag fra G20-mødet i Kina, højt placeret på DR’s hjemmeside den 5. september 2016. Er der en nedre grænse for hvor fladpandet det kan blive på DR? Dette er åbenbart det vigtigste DR’s to topjournalister får ud af det når verdens 20 vigtigste lande mødes og drøfter verdens fremtid. (DR har én anden superkort Reuters-artikel om mødet, ingen baggrund eller research whatsoever). Åh … Continue reading Hvor fladpandet kan det blive på DR?

The Clintons celebrated – but likely disastrous for the world

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Hillary Rodham Clinton was nominated last night by the Democratic Party as its candidate for the U.S. Presidency. She may well win on November 8.

What a tragedy for Western democracy that the leader of what is still called the free, democratic world cannot produce better candidates than Trump and Clinton through a disgustingly commercialized and corrupt political process where candidates like Jill Stein – did you ever hear of that candidate? – doesn’t have a chance because she cannot mobilize the funds.

As a European intellectual with a life-long commitment to peace and democracy, I find little reason to celebrate.

And why the total focus on a few individuals at the top but not the structures that will run them both, such as the Military-Industrial-Media-Academic Complex (MIMAC); the cancer in many societies, including Russia, that President Eisenhower warned the world about in his farewell speech already in 1961?

How short the media memory! Hillary Clinton’s nomination celebrated all over the mainstream press as a victory for the party – preventing it from splitting – and for all women.

But how can people – women in particular – really believe in such genderism: that she will be a better president for the US and the world because she’s a woman? Hasn’t the world learnt anything from the inverse racism:that Obama would be a great presidentbecause he is black?

How blind the media to militarism, war and other violence: Not one media focuses on the Clinton’s well-documented fascination with violence and war.

It’s time to refresh the memory of the Clintons:

Bill Clinton’s record

From 1994 BC broke all promises made by his predecessors and other Western politician to Gorbachev about “not expanding NATO an inch”. He started out in Tblisi, Georgia. I happened to be there, spoke with the U.S. representative to the country and got a sense what was coming. Later too in Yugoslavia.

There is a straight line from that fatal arrogance to today’s Second Cold War in Europe, Ukraine having – predictably – to be the this-far-and-no-longer country of that mindless and reckless expansion that should never have happened.

Continue reading “The Clintons celebrated – but likely disastrous for the world”

EU’s so-called refugee crisis – and what should and must be done

Commenting on PressTv on July 22, 2016 after yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean. But how much did the media cover that in comparison with the Nice tragedy – and Hollande’s killing of 120 innocent civilians as revenge for Nice (which at the time was not known to have any connections to ISIS or similar). Continue reading EU’s so-called refugee crisis – and what should and must be done

De udvalgte fås lidelser i stedet for medmenneskelighed og forsoning?

Statsminister Lars løkke Rasmussen udtaler om det grusomme angreb i Nice: “Vi er alle blevet ramt. Attentatet er ikke blot et angreb på Frankrig. Det er et klart angreb på de værdier, der danner grundlag for vores samfund.” Det kan være at han har ret, men alligevel: Hvordan kan han vide det få timer efter at det er sket? For det andet, hvorfor udtaler han kun … Continue reading De udvalgte fås lidelser i stedet for medmenneskelighed og forsoning?

Facebook’s grotesque nudity censorship policy

Open Letter

Lund, Sweden, July 1, 2016

Dear Facebook friends

Yes, I consider this blocking of me – because of posting an image of nudity – for one day unreasonable.

Here is why:

The image of a naked young woman in water was taken from the Danish daily newspaper, Politiken – one of Denmark’s most respected newspapers.

This image was generated automatically by Facebook when I posted the link to the article on my profile page – i.e. not something I did deliberately or to provoke.

Secondly, the image is created by a Swedish professional and respected artistic photographer, Matilde Grafstrom – and is part of a project “Nude In The Public Space”.

The article is about an exhibition of these her works at the main square in Copenhagen – for anyone from anywhere in the world to see.

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I am myself a PhD in sociology and have specialised during 40+ years in international peace-making and peace research. Have worked or visited some 60 countries on all continents. I am also an art collector and art photographer who has taken many photos of women, young and old – portraits and bodies.

I tell you this because I am not insensitive to the respect we must all show for each other’s cultures and sensitive ethical issues if and when we want to live and work together on this earth.

Continue reading “Facebook’s grotesque nudity censorship policy”

On Obama’s visit to Hiroshima – TFF PressInfo # 373

TFF PressInfo # 373: What Obama should do in Hiroshima tomorrowArticles by Jonathan Power & Richard Falkhttp://bit.ly/1U8PEq3 With an intro by Jan Oberg. Continue reading On Obama’s visit to Hiroshima – TFF PressInfo # 373

The Western moral decay

The World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul, May 23-24, 2016 failed to achieve its fund-raising goals. No one from the richest countries – except Angela Merkel – or of the UN Security Council attended – writes eminent observer Baher Kamal for InterPress Service, IPS. The richest and most powerful, the most militarized and the most greedy on earth of course stayed away. In addition, they … Continue reading The Western moral decay

Danmark skal ikke bombe – 6 artikler

Den 19. april 2016 havde Folketinget 2. behandling af forslaget om også at bombe og indsætte specialstyrker i Syrien.

Jeg mener at sagen er fundamentalt vigtig for Danmark, danskerne og vor fremtidige rolle og ‘image’ ude i verden.

Desuden finder jeg at beslutningsgrundlaget, mediedækningen og den offentlige debat giver anledning til den største bekymring.

At gå i krig er den vigtigste beslutning en regering kan tage og en befolkning bakke op om. Men det er som om dette at deltage i krig stort set rager både ministre, folketingsmedlemmer, journalister og befolkning en forårsblomst.

Med en vis fortvivlelse skrev jeg derfor 6 artikler med forskellige temaer og producerede en video, der også foreslår hvad vi kunne gøre i stedet.

Jeg ville have disse ting sagt og spredt inden beslutningen blev taget.

Herunder findes de én for én som jeg har skrevet dem med en lille kommentar til publiceringsprocessen, som også i et vist omfang vidner – for mig i hvert fald – om mærkelige prioriteringer hvad angår tidspunkt og længde.

Alt andet lige bliver redaktionerne ikke oversvømmet af kvalificerede, kritiske og konstruktive artikler af denne type – men det er dog kun meget korte ting, man kan få ind. Om overhovedet…

1. Dansk krigsdeltagelse i Syrien vil være landsskadelig

Politiken 16. april 2016. Problemfri publicering.

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Den 19. april skal folketinget have 2. behandling af forslaget om at Danmark skal deltage i krigen over Syrien og endog have specialstyrker på landjorden.

Det vil i så fald være sjette krigsdeltagelse siden 1999 – Serbien, Afghanistan, Irak 2003-2007, Libyen, Irak igen.

Continue reading “Danmark skal ikke bombe – 6 artikler”

Kunne Danmark også gøre noget godt for verden?

Danmarks stadigt mere triste retning i verdens øjne:   • Muhammetegningerne og afvisningen af diplomatisk samtale   • Bombninger, krig, besættelse – fra Jugoslavien i 1999 til Irak 2 x, Libyen   • Beredvilligheden at bombe Syrien   • Medansvar for ISIS gennem besættelsen af Irak   • Generel fremmedfjendtlighed – to say the least   • Håndtering af terrorangreb, der ikke var det – … Continue reading Kunne Danmark også gøre noget godt for verden?

Burundi’s crisis: Complacency, inaction or racism – or all of it?

There is no end, it seems, to diplomats and government representatives who “express concern”, appeal, urge the parties to show restraint, warn, condemn etc. All words, no deeds. European leaders reaction is basically silence – while 16 Europeans killed in the office of Charlie Hebdo made them walk arms in arm in Paris. When I think of Burundi today, all these words by Martin Luther … Continue reading Burundi’s crisis: Complacency, inaction or racism – or all of it?

Libya, “migrants” and EU military action

E.U. Seeks U.N. Backing for Military Action to Stop Wave of Migrants Fleeing Horrific Abuse in Libya | Democracy Now!I’ve been around for a long time but I can still get both surprised and angry when I see things like this and try to connect the dots: 1) NATO bombs the hell out of Libya and kills its head of state and many others.2) Predictably … Continue reading Libya, “migrants” and EU military action

Militarism, taxpayer money for war planning and lack of democracy

My deeply concerned wake-up call to YOU! Please share and spread further!NATO’s military leader is like a man given a scalpel to perform surgery without ever having opened a book on medicine.Taxpayers pay for getting less and less secure and risking war in Europe. These military elites have no democratic mandate – be it in the West, Russia, China or anywhere.My interview with RT International Continue reading Militarism, taxpayer money for war planning and lack of democracy

Behind every refugee stands an arms trader

It would be good if we could address the reasons why refugees come from Africa to Europe. It’s difficult to do anything serious about the problems – and avoid terrible human suffering like those we have just witnessed – if nobody bothers to talk about root causes and believe that the solution is just to allocate more money to deal with symptoms and “repair” work. … Continue reading Behind every refugee stands an arms trader

Valentina Lisitsa

Valentina Lisitsa – YouTubeThe world class pianist barred from playing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra because of her tweets about the Ukraine conflict.As if that had anything to do with her art. Shame on Toronto Phony! With suppression of such art by a Western cultural institution we are all doomed! And where are all the phony Paris marchers from Charlie Hebdo today – Netanyahu, Helle … Continue reading Valentina Lisitsa

Comments to Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post

Today Charles Krauhammer – a well-known extreme rightist usually advocating war – writes in the Washington Post under the headline “The Iran deal: The anatomy of a disaster”. My comments under the article goes: The day Mr. Krauthammer will write about• sanctions on Israel for its nuclear weapons and international law violations;• anytime/anywhere inspections in all nuclear weapons countries including Israel (does he really believe … Continue reading Comments to Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post

Comment to Israel’s defence minister in Washington Post

Israel’s defence minister Moshe Ya’alon writes in Washington Post under the headline “Current Iran framework will make war more likely”When I wrote my comment there were already more than 1100 comments – so here it is: “Israel’s defence minister is an echo of PM Netanyahu. Nothing new, Israel’s official views are well-known, beamed out a thousand times more effectively than Iran’s to the world, not … Continue reading Comment to Israel’s defence minister in Washington Post

The Zionist lobby does it again – and again

This is the second posting today on this issue…Please support Jake Lynch, a TFF Associate, from being sacked because of his solidarity with Palestine and SIGN this: Open letter to University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor:“Dr Spence, reject calls to punish Palestine-justice supporters”Sydney Staff for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (Sign after the list of signatures and before the comments) Continue reading The Zionist lobby does it again – and again

The Saudi Arabia – Sweden row

Saudi Arabia recalled envoy to Sweden amid diplomatic row – YouTube video with Iranian PressTV. I comment on the Sweden-Saudi Aabia conflict, points out that it is good that Sweden introduces some ethical consideration but that it lacks a positive vision in Swedish foreign policy. Certainly Saudi Arabia – now the world’s largest arms importer – doesn’t need more weapons. It is wrong to cut … Continue reading The Saudi Arabia – Sweden row

Olof Palme – murdered today 29 years

Olof Palme – murdered today 29 years ago • Wikipedia A politician who willed a better society, to whom politics was a calling – working for justice, international law, nuclear disarmament, against big countries bullying small countries, a person who made Sweden stand ut. Then. And it was the Palme Commission on Common Security that broke the ice towards the end of the Cold War … Continue reading Olof Palme – murdered today 29 years

TFF PressInfo # 310: Terrorism – small dot in a larger picture

TFF PressInfo # 310: Terrorism – small dot in a larger pictureWhat is terrorism? Why do we talk much more about that than other types of deaths? Why is the word misused?What has nuclear weapons – that politicians and media hardly ever talk about – got to do with terror?Why should we all be careful not to exaggerate the phenomenon of terror? Continue reading TFF PressInfo # 310: Terrorism – small dot in a larger picture

I am not a Dane: Short open letter

My short open letter concerning the horrific attacks in Copenhagen in the weekend and the official reaction to them.http://ow.ly/JdIgI – Share if you find it meaningful.Thanks! Continue reading I am not a Dane: Short open letter

Volden i København – og reaktionen på den

Hermed kommentarer jeg har gjort på sociale medier de sidste dage. De begynder kort efter attentatet på Krudttønden og afsluttes længst nede med indlægget “I AM NOT DANISH – I aften er jeg ikke dansk”, skrevet kort efter mindehøjtideligheden mandag aften den 16 februar. Statsministeren: Sådan skal Danmark ikke være http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2015/02/14/200623.htmDet kan man jo kun være enig i: Danmark skal ikke være et land som … Continue reading Volden i København – og reaktionen på den

Who are the barbarians of our time?

When I watch this documentary, Iraq: Shattered Heritage, I cannot but ask myself: Who are the barbarians of our time? What is the mote and what is the beam in this world? Who tells Russia that “big countries shall not bully smaller countries”? Isn’t it time for the Western world to acknowledge its own dark sides and stop projecting them on everybody else? I am … Continue reading Who are the barbarians of our time?

Wisdom of expression

Freedom of expression fundamentalism – or what happened to Charlie?Four main reasons you need to be wise – and not make New Atheism your new creed! This is TFF PressInfo # 304. You can get these fast-growing PressInfos winging into you e-box too. Just write to pressinfo@transnational.org Continue reading Wisdom of expression

The world’s richest 1% will own more than all the rest by 2016!

Richest 1% will own more than all the rest by 2016! – Oxfam report states. The West has had about 300 years to create a more fair world – as it thought of itself as a civilising factor and as the First World, as a model. But it has only made things worse. It has accumulated wealth to itself and elites in allied countries. This … Continue reading The world’s richest 1% will own more than all the rest by 2016!

If one could say so I would: “I’m Pope!”

After Paris attacks, Pope Francis speaks out against insulting religions: “You can’t kill in the name of a religion. That is an aberration.” And “You can’t provoke, you can’t insult the faith of others, you can’t make fun of faith.” Thank God there is such a wise Pope! If it couldn’t be misunderstood I would say “I’m Pope”! Remember also Gandhi: “There can be no … Continue reading If one could say so I would: “I’m Pope!”

“We Are All Charlie” – but is that story so simple?

Eleven points as a reflection on the terror in Paris and – not the least – the reactions to it*:

1. What was this an attack on?
Was that attack an attack on freedom of speech as such, on democracy, even on the whole Western culture and lifestyle, as was maintained throughout? Or was it, more limited, a revenge directed at one weekly magazine for what some perceive as blasphemy?

2. Is freedom of expression practised or curtailed for various reasons?
How real is that freedom in the West? Just a couple of days before the Paris massacre PEN in the U.S. published a report – Global Chilling – finding that about 75% of writers report that they are influenced by the NSA listening and abstain from taking up certain subjects or perspectives? Self-censorship, in other words. Finally, most of the political leaders marching in Paris on Sunday January 11 have clamped down on media, such as Turkey and Egypt.

I must admit that I have experienced limitations in the practise of that freedom in my work with Western media and it is decades ago I draw the conclusion that things like political correctness, ownership, commercial/market considerations and journalists’ need for good relations with power – e.g. to obtain interviews – play a role.

I’ve been on the ground in conflict zones and returning home to see reports so biased to tell very little of what I’ve seen myself. And we’ve recently seen lots of cases from the U.S. academic world where there’s been a clampdown on certain views, pulications, courses and professors – not the least in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Or, you look at the proportions between government fund available for peace research and military research in virtually every Western society; free research is a vital element in the self-understanding of the West. But how much of do we have?

3. Freedom doesn’t mean duty.
Is freedom of expression really 100% irrespective of how much the practise of that freedom is hurtful, offending, humiliating or discriminatory against other peoples, religions and cultures? Even if you can express your opinions freely it is not always what we should do.

Continue reading ““We Are All Charlie” – but is that story so simple?”

Depiction of the Spiral of Violence

Or, rather, of violence against violence + terrorism against terrorism. Among the marchers against terrorism and for freedom of expression we find leaders from France, Denmark, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Russia, the U.S., Israel, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Bahrein and Ukraine. What do they have in common? A deep belief in violence – violence of various types: 9-10 of them presently fighting foreign wars (mostly against or … Continue reading Depiction of the Spiral of Violence

Europe’s 9/11 moment ?

I believe this is going to be an iconic image of something that will be a turning point in Europe and, likely too, the generalised West. Is this the 9/11 moment for Europe? Whether intended or not, the government leaders marching in Paris today will tomorrow begin a special ‘war on terror’ in Europe – clamping down on all of us, curtailing freedoms – including … Continue reading Europe’s 9/11 moment ?

Partilederdebatten om attentatet på Charlie Hebdo

En beslægtet version på engelsk hér:

Blandt verdens mange voldelige handlinger, krige og terrorhandlinger vælger Danmarks Radio at afholde en partilederdebat om netop denne terroraktion, der – så tragisk og afskyelig som den er – kostede 12 mennesker livet på et lille ugeblad i Paris. Den skal, hedder det – og tages uden videre som udgangspunkt for hele debatten – handle om ytringsfrihed og demokrati. Her en video fra debatten.

Spørgsmål 1:
Hvad er kriterierne for hvornår der gøres så meget ud af en international begivenhed at der hasteindkaldes til en times partilederdebat direkte efter TV-Avisen? Jeg kan ikke huske det skete under f.eks. Jugoslavienkrigene, besættelsen af Irak, Libyen eller Israels angreb for nogle måneder siden på Gaza hvor over 2000 blev dræbt.

Spørgsmål 2:
Hvordan ser forbindelseskæden ud mellem drabene i Paris og det, der af DR og alle politikere forstås (uden diskussion) som et angreb, ikke på et bestemt medie men på hele “vores” demokrati og ytringsfrihed? Hvad der således tages for givet er altid interessant – og vigtigt for demokratiet og ytringsfriheden – at stille spørgsmålstegn ved. Det være hermed gjort fordi det er svært at tro at nogen fundamentalist eller forstyrret person skulle forestille sig at ét angreb på et lille ugeblad og 12 dræbte kan true hele den vestlige verden i sin grundvold.

De 8 politkere er helt enige om – og det er rigtigt og vigtigt at få sagt til alle i Danmark – at alle muslimer ikke slås i hartkorn med de formodentligt muslimske ekstremister som begik denne massakre.

Desværre bliver de også lynhurtigt enige – under ledelse af statsministeren – at det skete ikke har årsager, der har noget som helst med vor egen politik, holdninger, krige etc. at gøre. Jeg tager i parantes hatten af for de to udspørgere, Kim Bildsøe Lassen og Ask Rostrup, der flere gange forsøgte men blev afvist af alle otte. Een partileder mente endog at man ikke skulle analysere sig ihjel.

Nej, de to eneste argumenter vi fik

Continue reading “Partilederdebatten om attentatet på Charlie Hebdo”

Vi er alle Charlie: Er dén historie nu så enkel ?

En bredere version på engelsk hér

En 10-punkt reflektion om terror-aktionen i Paris og – ikke mindst – reaktionerne på den dagen efter:

1. Er de frygtelige mord i Paris et angreb på ytringsfriheden og hele vestverden eller en hævn for hvad nogen måtte anse som blasfemi?

2. Hvor reel er ytringsfriheden i praksis i den vestlige verden? Vi har lige set en rapport fra PEN i USA, der viser at henved 75% af skribenter siger at de er påvirket af NSAs aflytning og – selvcensurerende – afstår fra at tage visse ting op.

3. Selvom man kan ytre sig frit så hører det til god tone at ikke altid gøre det. Jeg kan f.eks. afstå fra en kommentar til et andet menneske om dette menneskes tro fordi jeg ikke ønsker at krænke hende eller ham i denne tro. Men jeg har friheden til at gøre det.

Hvordan er det gået til at ord som respekt, hensyntagen og indlevelse er gået i glemmebogen?

Continue reading “Vi er alle Charlie: Er dén historie nu så enkel ?”

Interview with RT International

Jan Oberg interview with RT International on rise of islamophobia in SwedenA slightly different perspective from what you generally hear again and again: everybody coming to Sweden is a burden.We have to stop this nonsense and stop the Swedish Democrats from getting away with it! Continue reading Interview with RT International

TFF PressInfo 284: The biiig thing we all deny

The biiiiig thing we all deny: Nuclear weapons and the risk of killing humankind.Intro by Jan Oberg to:“U.S. nuclear policy is taking the wrong road” by TFF Associate David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Continue reading TFF PressInfo 284: The biiig thing we all deny

Det Danmark jeg voksede op i eksisterer ikke mere

Løkke Rasmussen og Dansk Folkepartis forslag om at sende krigsflygtninge til Afrika. Hvor langt skal dette dog gå uden at retskafne danskere smider denne slags politikere ud på kynismens stinkende mødding? Dette siges af løkke Rasmussen, et magtmenneske, der selv savner moralsk kompas. Det siges i et land, der nu for 5. gang på 15 år er i krig langt borte: At flygtninge fra de … Continue reading Det Danmark jeg voksede op i eksisterer ikke mere

► ► TFF PressInfo 282: Instead of bombing IS (Part B)

TFF PressInfo 282 Instead of bombing ISIS – Concrete proposals (Part B) Lots of proposals, doable and much more efficient than war. Please SHARE, thanks. The alternative to war is not to do nothing, it is to do something else! Continue reading ► ► TFF PressInfo 282: Instead of bombing IS (Part B)

► ► New TFF PressInfo 281: Instead of bombing IS (Part A)

TFF PressInfo 281: Instead of bombing IS (Part A) – Please SHARE It’s easy to be pro-war. It is easy to be anti-war. But we need alternatives to war! The first of two comprehensive pro-peace analyses containing no less than 27 proposals as alternatives to war. This one contains principles, tomorrow’s Part B offers concrete proposals. YOU can get TFF PressInfos too winging into your … Continue reading ► ► New TFF PressInfo 281: Instead of bombing IS (Part A)

US-led coalition has neither a political nor an exit strategy

US-led coalition hits targets in Syria’s Homs province – YouTubeShort conversation with me about why I predict that the US-led bombing of ISIS structures will turn out to be an intellectual and moral disaster and that the Obama administration has neither a politico-military nor an exit strategy. Continue reading US-led coalition has neither a political nor an exit strategy

☮ ☮ World Peace Day on Sunday! ♫♥

☮ ☮ World Peace Day on Sunday! ♫♥ This is the incredible peace symphony by Beethoven that PLAY FOR RIGHTS performs in the Bern Cathedral, Switzerland, Sunday night with my saying a few words about global ethics and positive peace in between the movements. There are many ways to celebrate peace – just being against wars is not enough. We run on merrymaking and mindfulness … Continue reading ☮ ☮ World Peace Day on Sunday! ♫♥

Peace Through The Arts • Frieden durch Kunst

☮ ☮ Peace Through The Arts • FRIEDEN DURCH KUNST by “Play For Rights” Celebrating International Day of Peace on Sunday September 21 in the Cathedral of Bern, Switzerland. An event with Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, dancers and myself speaking words of peace interspersed with the music and the dances. Arranged by Elías A. Fóscolo, my former MA student and friend from Argentina and his “Play … Continue reading Peace Through The Arts • Frieden durch Kunst

US to strike ISIL ‘sanctuaries’ in Syria

US to strike ISIL ‘sanctuaries’ in SyriaI venture the following predictions: 1) This will lead to mass-killing of innocents too. 2) This will further undermine the United Nations since there is no mandate for bombing Syria. 3) It will strengthen the resolve of ISIL and other groups (see end statement). 4) This is done either without President Al-Assad’s acceptance and is thus international aggression or … Continue reading US to strike ISIL ‘sanctuaries’ in Syria

Six Steps Short of War to Beat ISIS – the speech Obama should have held!

Six Steps Short of War to Beat ISISBy eminent researcher Phyllis Bennis The speech President Obama ought to have held…based on brilliant intellectual points and the logics of ethics. With that the U.S. could lead. Without it, it just can’t. Continue reading Six Steps Short of War to Beat ISIS – the speech Obama should have held!

Obama’s plan to stop ISIS

☮ ☮ Obama’s plan to stop ISIS – video of speech, about 13 min.This speech is a record low in terms of moral and intellectual analysis: What it boils down to is war – i.e. killing every single ISIS person anywhere. The war on terror has always been about killing terrorists but you can not kill an ism – terrorism. Do something about the causes … Continue reading Obama’s plan to stop ISIS

☮ ☮ New TFF PressInfo 277 – After all this, what?

☮ ☮ New TFF PressInfo 277 – After all this, what?Messages to NATO – After Yugoslavia? After the fall of the US Empire? After NATO?And After Violence – the world needs something else… Continue reading ☮ ☮ New TFF PressInfo 277 – After all this, what?

Istedet for dansk militær transporthjælp til Irak og kurderne

Som følge af min intensive kritik af Folketingets beslutning den 27. august om at sende et Hercules transportfly til Irak for at hjælpe amerikanerne med at transportere våben og ammunition fik jeg spørgsmålet: Hvad vil du have foretrukket? Og det er da et godt og rimeligt spørgsmål.

På 20 minutter skrev jeg det følgende:

1. Omfattende humanitær bistand med indbygget forsoning og utveydig
undskyldning til det irakiske folk siden 2007.

2. Danmarks brud med de økonomiske sanktioner længe før andre – da de i praksis blev til et folkemord.

3. Tidlig afstandtagen fra USAs måde at administrere Irak på og spille shiiter ud mod sunnier, nedlægge hæren og baath-partiet.

4. En overgangsordning efter besættelsen med peace-building via det international samfund, specielt FN – hvad der havde været brug for ville være måske den største international fredsbyggende indsats siden 1945. Herunder fredsbevarende styrker fra FN-stater, der ikke har specielle interesser i området.

5. Ingen militær støtte fra vest til alt revl og krat i Syrien bare de var imod Assad. Ingen opdeling i to parter og ingen Syriens Venner. Men istedet en ordentlig tilrettelagt fredsprocess med konsultationer og senere forhandlinger med alle parter i Syrien, specielt civilsamfundet – og ikke de fuldstændigt inkompetente “forhandlinger” i Geneve.

Continue reading “Istedet for dansk militær transporthjælp til Irak og kurderne”

Debat med Pelle Dragsted, Enhedslisten, om militærtransporten til Irak og kurderne

Debatten begyndte med mit indlæg på Facebook den 25. august 2014:

“☮ ☮ Trist med et folketing blottet for moral og nytænkning hvor ikke ét eneste medlem tør gå imod tidens vås om humanistiske krige.
OK, danske F16-fly skal vel ikke bombe (endnu) men man ER i krig når man bistår USA og én part i en konflikt med våbentransport så de bedre i fællesskab kan smadre en anden part.

Beslutningen bygger ikke på nogen analyse af hvorfor ISIS er dukket op (USAs og Danmarks besættelse – og dumme administration – af Irak) men derimod på den meget tvivlsomme tanke at man med militære midler og drab på terrorisTER kommer terrorISMEN til livs.

Desuden strider beslutningen formentlig mod Artikel 1 og 33 i FN’s charter.
Jeg véd ikke hvor mange danskere, der synes at fredelige midler er bedre end voldelige, men vi må da være nogle procent? Vi har – som i Libyen – ikke én folkevalgt, der repræsenterer os. Konklusion: Folket må jo så vælge nogle andre.”

Det kommenterer Dragsted således:

Når man beskylder samtlige partier i DK for at mangle moral, så holder jeg op med at høre efter. Har ellers stor respekt for Øberg.

Hertil svarer jeg:

Pelle Dragsted – hvis man efter at have bestemt sig for en humanitær indsats konverterer den til at bringe våben i stedet for mad og medicin – hvad bidrager man så til? Vold og død, ikke overlevelse.
Det er umoral efter DKs erfaring med og i Irak at involvere sig igen i hvad der tjener til regelret krig. Og i krig bliver folk slået ihjel. Folketingsmedlemmerne, dit eget parti inkluderet, vil stemme for drab i s f humanitær hjælp.
I mine to artikler har jeg argumenteret hvorfor dette er at mangle moral. Hvis du er uenig så læs de to artikler og fortæl mig hvad du forstår ved moral. Det er dialog snarere end at du holder op med at høre efter, der vil give resultat. Og jeg kan ikke forstå dig når du bare blir fornærmet uden at uddybe din holdning. Og jeg VIL gerne forstå hvorfor du reagerer som du gør:
http://janoberg.me/…/hele-folketinget…/

Pelle Dragsted:

Kære Jan

Jeg har skam læst dit indlæg. Jeg vil gerne dialogen og jeg vil gerne uddybe. Men et tip: Hvis du reelt ønsker dialog, så tror jeg ikke det er et godt udgangspunkt at beskylde kammerater, der kommer til en anden konklusion end dig i et aktuelt spørgsmål for at være uden moral. Det er ikke fremmende for en dialog.

Nå, skidt pyt med det – her en uddybning af mine synspunkter og nogle rettelser af misforståelser: 

Continue reading “Debat med Pelle Dragsted, Enhedslisten, om militærtransporten til Irak og kurderne”

☮ ☮ NEW TFF PressInfo: All Danish MPs now turn humanitarian aid into a military mission for Iraq

☮ ☮ NEW TFF PressInfo: All Danish MPs now turn humanitarian aid into a military mission for Iraq Tragic. Nothing learnt from Denmark’s 4 wars since 1999. Risk of mission creep and spreading to Syria and splitting up Iraq. The Denmark I grew up in and the government commission I was a member of in the 1980s was competent and decent in comparison with this. Continue reading ☮ ☮ NEW TFF PressInfo: All Danish MPs now turn humanitarian aid into a military mission for Iraq