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Archive for the ‘Rachel Corrie’ Category

>In Memory of John Lennon

Posted by Barrie on October 11, 2010

>There are many who have died in the course of fighting for Peace. In this blog alone, I have mentioned heroes and heroines like Rachel Corrie, Furqan Dorgan and of course my favourite, high profile celebrity Pat Tillman.

In this article, I will go back down Memory Lane to have a look at another high profile celebrity peace campaigner, John Lennon. Lennon was not only remembered for his music. He was a member of the sensational Beatles that took the world by storm.

Lennon was also a well known peace activist. He was very much against war, in particular, the Vietnam War, which was at its height during his reign as a celebrity. He was assassinated in Dec 1980.

Was he killed because of his anti-war stance? Just like Pat Tillman? Here’s a video to give you an idea of Lennon’s ideology. On hindsight, after his death, his ideals look very anti-war. Something the US Govt could well do without.

LemonAid

The Vietnam War was bogging down America in the 1970s. It was a very unpopular war among the Americans, because it killed many young American men. Lennon was campaigning against the war. The US govt couldn’t afford high profile celebrities campaigning an already unpopular war then. Just like it couldn’t afford a high profile celebrity (Pat Tillman) campaigning against the Afghan War today.

Here is Lennon’s hit, “Imagine”, which has an anti-war theme.
John Lennon Imagine

Lyrics

Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Posted in John Lennon, Pat Tillman, Rachel Corrie, World Issues | Leave a Comment »

>Contact with Rachel Corrie Lost – Sabotage from Israeli Terrorists Suspected

Posted by Barrie on June 5, 2010

>The Rachel Corrie, another ship heading towards the Gaza Strip for humanitarian relief has lost contact with the organizers.

‘Sabotage by the Israelis’

Organisers of the Gaza flotilla said they lost contact with the Gaza-bound MV Rachel Corrie on Friday just as they are seeking to delay the latest bid to bust the embargo with an aid-laden ship.

The ship had been on course for arrival in the Palestinian enclave on Saturday, just five days after Israeli commandos killed nine activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in a botched raid that plunged Israel into a diplomatic crisis.

“The situation is we lost all contact with the boat. We assume this was sabotage by the Israelis,” said Audrey Bomse of the Free Gaza Movement.

It was now unclear whether the Irish and Malaysian activists aboard the ship would turn around or steam on towards the Hamas-run Gaza which is under a crippling blockade which Israel says is aimed at halting Palestinian rocket fire.

=======

Update – 5 Jun 2010 0900h SGT
Looks like contact re-established.

News from Flotilla on Rachel Corrie
http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15441987924

Ninety miles from Gaza. Rachel Corrie should be there by 10:00 am.

(Above message was posted by organizers of Flotilla on 6 Jun 2010, approximately at 0500h SGT)

PS – If I am not mistaken, 1000h local time in Gaza is 1600h SGT.

=========

More updates 5 Jun 2010 1720h SGT

The Israeli Navy has been harassing and shadowing the Rachel Corrie the last few hours. Mainstream Media has reported Rachel Corrie has been stopped. With Israel jamming Rachel Corrie’s communications, we do not know if that is the truth or not.

Conflicting reports from the office of the organizers of the Flotilla over here.

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15476393176
The Rachel Corrie has been forcibly seized by the Israeli navy and is being towed to Ashdod. All on board are reported safe. From Perdana
27 minutes ago via web

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15476553130
Eyewitnesses in Gaza say they can see the boat.
23 minutes ago via web

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15476788993
IDF denies they have boarded, but they are going to post ‘their’ video tape soon. Eyewitnesses can see the boat from the shore
17 minutes ago via web

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Update 5 Jun 2010 1800h

Confirmation from Office office of organizers of Flotilla
http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15478249417
IDF boarded the Rachel Corrie with permission of the crew, did so by sea, no helicopters no reports of violence.

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15478276078
Do they not understand that it’s violent to board the ship in international waters and force it into Ashdod.

http://twitter.com/freegazaorg/status/15478631141
Were guns involved in this alleged granting of permission to board?

Live Streaming on the Rachel Corrie
http://cdn.livestream.com/grid/LSPlayer.swf?channel=shiptogaza&autoPlay=false

Watch live streaming video from shiptogaza at livestream.com

In the meantime, why would any Palestinian fire a rocket at Israel at this stage? Wouldn’t this jeopardize Freedom Flotilla’s Mission? Isn’t it just an attempt by Israel to launch a false flag? Gaza rocket strikes Israel, no casualties Yeah, right. Conveniently, no casualties too.

Click here for archives on Freedom Flotilla

Posted in Freedom Flotilla, Israel, Israeli Atrocities, Rachel Corrie, World Issues, World Politics | 2 Comments »

>Humanitarian Irish Ship heading on Collision Course with Terrorist Israeli Navy

Posted by Barrie on June 3, 2010

>Brave men and women fear no terrorists. After more than a dozen peace activists were murdered by the Israeli Terror Forces on the Flotilla Convoy, another ship named Rachel Corrie is heading towards the Gaza in an attempt to break through the illegal and criminal blockade by the Zionist nation.

Irish ship on collision course with Israeli navy near Gaza

The ‘Rachel Corrie,’ the Irish-owned ship with Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire on board, continued to sail towardsGaza waters despite Israelmaking it clear they were giving no guarantees about its safety.

Maguire said the deaths of ten flotilla members at the hands of Israeli commandos had not deterred her of her fellow Irish blockade-runners. “We’re not frightened, no,” she said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s leader warned that the Irish government was watching the fate of the ‘Rachel Corrie’ very closely.

“If any harm comes to any of our citizens, it will have the most serious consequences,” Prime Minister Brian Cowen said.

The Rachel Corrie, called after an American activist who died protesting Israeli actions, had been left behind the main flotilla in Cyprus for repairs and is only now approaching Gaza.
On board the boat is an aid cargo of cement, medical equipment (including a CT scanner) printing paper, schoolbooks and toys.

The ship, which was bought by the Irish Free Gaza Movement and refitted after it was abandoned in port at Dundalk, County Louth, is now heading for a showdown with the Israeli navy.

But Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin confirmed to the Irish parliament that he had received no undertaking from Israel that the ‘Rachel Corrie’ would be given safe passage.

“In terms of the ‘Rachel Corrie’, we have received no assurances other than that the ambassador has conveyed to us that the Israeli government does not want conflict or confrontation with the ‘Rachel Corrie’. So one would hope that a different mindset will prevail,” he said.

Martin warned the Israeli government he would take “appropriate diplomatic action” if the ship was not allowed through.

“We will be watching this situation very closely and it is imperative that Israel avoid any action which leads to further bloodshed,” he said.

Prime Minister Brian Cowen reinforced the message by saying Israel “did not have a leg to stand on” and warned there would be “serious consequences” if the Irish crewmembers of the ‘Rachel Corrie’ were harmed.


These activists are heroes. Such bravery displayed by these men and women must be admired. They do not fear terrorists. May god bless them and keep them safe from the Zionist Monsters who respect no human life.

Click here for archives on Freedom Flotilla

Posted in Freedom Flotilla, Israel, Israeli Atrocities, Rachel Corrie, World Issues, World Politics | 55 Comments »

 
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