by David Rosen | CounterPunch
More lunacy from the Christian Right, who may have found their man for the 2012 US presidential election.

Apart from some exceptions, the powerful international media has ignored a recent Cuban parliamentary bill that would deepen democracy on the island. The reason is obvious: the news is not convenient. The initiative is made within socialist institutionalism, not in terms of the “transition” whose staging is highly anticipated and promoted by certain hegemonic interests in this world.

This is an incredible story. There is no reason to believe that the situation in Tripoli is as Nato and the rebel forces are claiming.

See also: Reported arrested, Saif Qaddafi makes appearance | CBS

“When asked about the ICC’s claim that he was arrested by rebels, he said: “The ICC can go to hell,” and added “We are going to break the backbone of the rebels.”"

“The lawyer, Kenneth P. Thompson, said he would take the extraordinary step on Monday because he believed that the office of Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, had mishandled the case and treated his client, Nafissatou Diallo, more like a defendant than a victim. … Mr. Thompson’s motion will almost certainly fail, legal experts said, because under the law his client has no authority to ask for Mr. Vance’s office to be replaced by a special prosecutor.”

“With two drawn-out, unaffordable, imperial wars already under way…in addition to the three covert wars in Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan…how long’s it going to take and how expensive will it be to “wage the peace” in Libya now?”

See also: U.S. has nearly doubled air attacks on Libya in past 12 days | CNN

“South Africa continues to insist that it holds the moral high ground. Richer nations were only after Libya’s oil; African Union members would have achieved the same results with less bloodshed, South African officials insist.”

“Even before taking power, the rebels were suggesting that they would remember their friends and foes, and negotiate deals accordingly. … Russia, China and Brazil did not back strong sanctions on the Qaddafi regime, and they generally supported a negotiated settlement to the fighting.”

New Democrat Leader was a political Moses who never entered Promised Land. | By John Ward, Today, Canadian Press | via The Tyee

“American cash, equipment and training were used to carry out spying operations and smear campaigns against Supreme Court justices, Uribe’s political opponents and civil society groups … Some of those charged or under investigation have described the importance of U.S. intelligence resources and guidance, and say they regularly briefed embassy “liaison” officials on their intelligence-gathering activities. … Some were given scholarships to complete coursework on intelligence-gathering at American universities.”

“[The] decision in the highly charged case, which ultimately became a credibility contest of sorts between Ms. Diallo and Mr. Strauss-Kahn … She is the only witness who could testify to the central allegation in the case: that Mr. Strauss-Kahn forced her to perform oral sex. … From his first court hearing, Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers indicated that a sexual encounter did take place in the suite but suggested that whatever occurred was consensual.”

“The comment signals the potential for a major setback for Russia, China and Brazil, which opposed tough sanctions on Gaddafi or pressed for more talks”

“For if Gaddafi proved too weak to stay in power, this does not mean that the rebels have overwhelming strength. They were saved from defeat last March by Nato aircraft striking at Gaddafi’s armour as it advanced on Benghazi. They are entering Tripoli now only because they have received tactical air support from Nato.”

“Alliance military planners are racing against a deadline next month, when member states must vote on a second three-month extension of the mission. Approval for an extension may prove problematic, since support for the bombing campaign has eroded among allies”

“The new figures bring the total of recognised victims to 40,018.”

“The U.S., the U.K., Italy and France indicated last month they were willing to accept an outcome that may allow Qaddafi to stay in Libya, avoiding an exile abroad or a trial on war crimes charges.”

See also: New Democrats call for end to military mission in Libya | The Globe and Mail

“Mr. Dewar noted that Norway has ended its role in the military mission, and argued Canada should do the same, and focus on diplomacy. … Canada, he said, must focus on a political settlement and ceasefire, including putting forward its position on ways for Col. Gadhafi to leave, and whether a settlement could be negotiated where Col. Gadhafi leaves power but remains in Libya.”

“Some people are leaving Tripoli but it’s hard to estimate how many. Most people I have asked say they will stay and they do not think “NATO rebels” can enter this well-armed and apparently well-organized city of still around 1.5 million people.”

“[M]ounting debt worries in Europe and the US showed that Venezuela needed to diversify where it kept its reserves.”

See also: Is Hugo Chavez ahead of the investment curve? | Reuters

“[I]n this case investors might be wise to take an asset transfer cue from him.”

And: Venezuela’s international reserves| Reuters

By Benjamin Dangl | CounterPunch | Cocaine, the drug fueling the trade that’s left thousands dead in Mexico and Central America since 2007 and which 1.4 million Americans are addicted to, originates with two species of the coca plant grown in the South American Andes. Ninety percent of the U.S. market for cocaine is fed by Colombia . . . Along with exporting cocaine northward, Colombia has become a laboratory for failed drug war policies that are finding their way to Central America and Mexico.

Restoring the “royal” designation to Canada’s air force and navy has been praised as a nod to Canada’s rich military history, but some critics argue the move is regressive and unnecessary and will backfire on the Conservative government. | CBC

by Jean Bricmont and Diana Johnstone | CounterPunch

Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Tuesday his government has corrected a historic mistake by restoring the “royal” designation to the air force and navy, a move he says will come at a minimal cost. | CBC

Liberalism’s remarkable adaptability explains its bewildering variety. It is perhaps the very political condition of modernity | Ed Rooksby | The Guardian