Bravo L.A. Times on Salman Rushdie

Amazing but the L.A. Times of all newspapers had the balls to call out the western media on it's cowardly complete lack of courage on the Salman Rushdie Knighting affair...an important piece.

Why no mention of this as a New York Times lead? Answer: Because the New York Times is becoming irrelevant.

Where is the West's outcry?
June 23, 2007
By Tim Rutten, The Los Angeles Times

FOR a writer, Salman Rushdie has had a rather turbulent career.Even by his standards, however, this has been quite a week for the Indian-born, British-educated Booker Prize-winning novelist, now a resident of New York:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-rutten23jun23,1,6014697.column?coll=la-news-columns&ctrack=1&cset=true

Major Crackdowns on Dissent in Iran

Crackdown on Dissent Is Under Way in Iran

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
Published: June 24, 2007

Iran is in the throes of one of its most ferocious crackdowns on dissent in years, with the government focusing on labor leaders, universities, the press, women’s rights advocates, a former nuclear negotiator and Iranian-Americans, three of whom have been in prison for more than six weeks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/world/middleeast/24iran.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Al-Ahram: More of the Same, How Pathetic.

Is it any wonder why the middle east is such a miserable mess? Five years under the world's spotlight after 9-11, we have all been forced to see the mechanics of the region as it really is. Even today we have the "highly respected" Egyptian weekly Al-Ahram posting it's lead editorial blaming America and Israel for the Mid Easts woes ...

It is pathetic beyond belief. Any same Westerner would know our only strategy is to create energy substitutes as quickly as possible and leave this miserable section of the planet to it's own demise.

A matter of legacy:
Normally a president would aim to leave office on a note of goodwill. George W Bush doesn't seem to care, writes Ayman El-Amir* , Al-Ahram Weekly

With 18 months to go before the expiry of his presidency, George W Bush must be anxious about the question of his place in history. This, at least, is usually symptomatic of world leaders, who entertain belated self-doubt as to how historians and future generations will judge their era, their actions and their achievements. Not George W Bush. He has dedicated his two-term presidency to the global war on terrorism. Regardless of the dismal failure in Iraq, Afghanistan and the war-by-proxy against Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Bush administration has one more prized target to attack -- Iran. Without arresting Iran's budding nuclear capability, whether by regime change or military strike, President Bush's messianic mission will never be accomplished.

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/850/op21.htm

The Guardian: Taliban Using Children on Suicide Missions

Just a reminder of the sort of animals we are up against. Where is the world outcry, the marches, the New York Times headlines denouncing this sort of activity?

The West has become a theater of the absurd, denying reality at all costs. I'm amazed The Guardian of all papers had the balls and decency to actually post this story.

Nato accuses Taliban of using children in suicide missions·
Troops say bomb defused on six-year-old boy· Claim follows 13 civilian deaths in air strike Chiade O'Shea Islamabad, Saturday June 23, 2007 The Guardian

Children as young as six are being used by the Taliban in increasingly desperate suicide missions, coalition forces in Afghanistan claimed yesterday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,2109574,00.html

Al Jazeera Readrs Sound off on Salman Rushdie

An always fascinating look at how other parts of the world think about specific issues. This week I have selected the feedback of Al Jazeera readers worldwide on the issue of author and former assignation target Salman Rushdie being selected for knighthood.

Should Britain withdraw an honour given to Salman Rushdie?

Salman Rushdie, the author of a novel considered blasphemous by many Muslims, has been awarded a knighthood. Pakistan's parliament has demanded that the title is withdrawn and an apology issued. Should the British government take back the award?

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E9A36960-AB5A-43E7-A637-4628328249EB.htm?&choice=3&dgDiscID=166&dgPoolID=27d03f54-e23c-4850-a88e-e419a10e84fa

The New York Times: Relentless in their Objective to Paint a Portrait of Failure at all Costs

What's a news day be without the blatantly biased The New York Times choosing to open their page one lead without a story slamming events in Iraq. It does not matter that most of the news reported elsewhere depicts a story of new found success with a change in strategy. All the Times wants is to brainwash the American Public into thinking all is lost and to bring the troops home.

No where do they determine what should be done after that catastrophe takes place. The New York Times is a far left, highly partisan disgrace.

Militants Said to Flee Before U.S. Offensive
By JOHN F. BURNS
Published: June 23, 2007

BAGHDAD, June 22 — The operational commander of troops battling to drive fighters with Al Qaeda from Baquba said Friday that 80 percent of the top Qaeda leaders in the city fled before the American-led offensive began earlier this week. He compared their flight with the escape of Qaeda leaders from Falluja ahead of an American offensive that recaptured that city in 2004.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/23/world/middleeast/23iraq.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin