Wednesday, March 5, 2008

So we're at it again

Recently, the U.S. engaged in a brief airstrike (excuse the euphemism) and bombed a village in Somalia which had suspected links to Al-Qaida. The Associated Press termed the radical Somali factions as part of a "lawless African nation" in the very first paragraph. It's a bit hard on my stomach to continue with the Western-leaning contortions that pass for "unbiased" journalism. Indeed, the U.S. bombed a government that has resisted through organized struggle UN-imperialist actions - I mean, don't forget, we did bomb them a year ago, under the same pretense of "terrorism" (cf. BBC). Yet, nothing we do seems to stop the growing tsunami of discontent with U.S. Foreign Policy. Just recently, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela denounced Columbia's imperialist actions as promulgating more U.S. imperialism. Yet, this time, Chavez is mobilizing troops against America's pet-regime (Columbia that is). One can only wonder how long the U.S. will tolerate Chavez before labeling his government as having "suspected ties to terrorists"? Anyhow, what is certain with the Somalia episode is that the Somalis have not taken to U.S. imperialism kindly, and some have protested, denouncing the act as one of terror in that four of the eight reported killed were not Al-Qaida henchmen, but innocent children. No doubt, the pentagon will label them as "collateral damage". Sad. Strangely, with the U.S. patroling the "hostile" waters off the coast of Somalia-waters which have linked East Africa to Asia via the Indian ocean in historic trade routes- one can only feel an eerie sensation of preemptive war in the works again. Will the American people ever wake up? Better yet, will the international community ever wake up? Hope so.

4 comments:

The Paste-UP Mechanic said...

Have any of the current U.S. presidential candidates responded or countered the present administration's decision to conduct the "brief" airstrike in Somalia or Chavez's military response to Columbia's assault in Ecuador / FARC alliance?

imhotepn said...

I'll check it out

The Founders Library said...

I think we'll see more of a discussion between the candidates when it becomes John McCain versus whoever the Democratic Nominee is. McCain is going to make sure National Security is in the forefront of these upcoming debates.

imhotepn said...

True...though I haven't been able to find out comments on Somalia by the Presidential candidates, I agree with the above post that McCain is going to stress the National Security issue to the max. Problem is though, his record is not as flawless as many think. Though he's considered a "bulwark" for "ethics and reform" (whatever that means in respect to an American politician), he's had some very questionable dealings in the past. Check out - www.nationalreview.com/contributors/levin040501.shtml
I'm sure he'll dodge that issue altogether.