Pengantar ; Begitu rumit dan peliknya permasalahan sehingga untuk menjelaskan persoalan yang terjadi dalam dunia Islam saat kini, (seperti yang digagaskan Bpk. Riano Putra), membutuhkan methodology yang tepat. Al qur'an menceritakan bagaimana umat-umat terdahulu, bagaimana kearifan dipergilirkan antara umat satu ke umat yang lain, bagaimana peran para nabi-nabi memberikan kesadaran kepada umatnya masing-masing. Dan bagaimana kemudian umat mereka kesudahannya. Semua itu bisa kita baca dan kita kaji sekarang. Maka dengan methodology itulah saya mencoba mengkajinya. Semoga bermanfaat. Amin
Konsepsi Dunia dan Akhirat
Konsep yang diusung semua agama, dalam memaknai kehidupan di dunia ini adalah sebuah konsep keseimbangan dan perimbangan antara dunia dan akhirat. Akhirat adalah kehidupan yang kekal, sementara dunia adalah sementara. Agama kemudian mengkhabarkan bagi orang-orang yang mempercayai adanya kehidupan akhirat, dan menginginkan kehidupan akhirat yang kekal; hendaknya melakukan amal kebajikan. Sampai disini; Ternyata semua agama memiliki kesamaan.
Setiap agama dalam dinamikanya masing-masing, akhirnya melahirkan methodology yang harus diikuti para pemeluknya. Methodology inilah yang mengarahkan setiap pemeluknya, untuk mencapai syurga dan kehidupan kekal di akhirat. Dengan methodology tersebut di harapkan para pemeluk agama tidak tersesat; dengan hasil; kepada suatu hasil perilaku yang baik, bagi dan antara sesama umat manusia. Perilaku 'baik' inilah yang akan menghantarkann para pemeluk agama ke syurga, dan menghantarkan kepada kekekalannya di akhirat. Sampai disini; Ternyata semua agama memiliki visi dan misi yang sama.
Jika semua agama memiliki visi dan misi yang sama, kenapa menghasilkan 'produk' perilaku yang berbeda, pada setiap generasinya pada umatnya masing-masing?. Mulai dari Agama Hindu, Budha, Yahudi, Kristen hingga Islam, ternyata pernah melahirkan 'sejarah kelam'. Di mulai dari Padang Kuruseta hingga Padang Karbala. Di mulai dari Perang Mahabarata hingga Perang Perang Shiffin. Inikah sejarah kehidupan anak manusia ... ?. Jika mau disebutkan, maka terdapat ribuan kisah perang yang menyedihkan yang tidak tercatat di seluruh permukaan bumi ini. Kisah pilu dari setiap peradaban manusia dari generasi ke generasi. Bagaimana pembunuhan manusia atas manusia lainnya terjadi!. Bagaimana anak dan istri, serta kekasih-kekasih mereka meratapi!. Dan ibu-ibu yang melahirkan nestapa tiada henti!. Berapa gallon air mata tertumpah karena kesakitan kehilangan ini (?). Mereka semua menjerit kepada langit dan kepada bumi yang mengangkat dan membenamkan mayat-mayat ayah, suami, anak, dankerabat-kerabat mereka !!!. Jeritan yang yang mendirikan bulu roma, sampai-pun terasa hingga kini ... !?!.
Masih lekat sejarah mencatat, ketika Hitler membunuhi ratusan ribu nyawa orang Yahudi (Jumlahnya mungkin mencapai jutaan). Dan begitu juga tercatat, kekejaman pasukan Jepang, Pasukan Romawi, Persia, Mongolia, serta Majapahit, hingga Pasukan Mataram di Indonesia. Maka jika kita mau mengendapkan 'ego' kita. Dan kita telusuri fakta sejarah perkembangan umat manusia. Sejarah peradabannya dan agama-agama di dunia ini, maka kita akan dapati fakta yang mencengangkan. Setiap pertumbuhan agama, setiap perkembangan agama dipastikan telah memakan korban ribuan nyawa manusia. Mungkin bahkan bisa mencapai puluhan jutaan manusia. Masing-masing agama mencapai jaman keemasan mereka dengan cara-cara yang fantastik,, melalaui pengorbanan nyawa para pemeluknya sendiri. Maka hanya orang-orang yang tidak pernah melihat fakta sejarah saja, jika menganggap bahwa 'KEKERASAN' adalah monopoli ISLAM saja.
Maka karena itu saya menolak jika KEKERASAN di klaim dan dituduhkan milik monopoli suatu agama tertentu. Saya lebih suka menyikapi dan memaknai bahwa KEKERASAN adalah milik MANUSIA bukan milik agama. Terlepas apapun agama mereka. Hal ini sesuai dengan firman Allah:
Ingatlah ketika Tuhanmu berfirman kepada para malaikat: "Sesungguhnya Aku hendak menjadikan seorang khalifah di muka bumi." Mereka berkata: "Mengapa Engkau hendak menjadikan (khalifah) di bumi itu orang yang akan membuat kerusakan padanya dan menumpahkan darah, padahal kami senantiasa bertasbih dengan memuji Engkau dan mensucikan Engkau?" Tuhan berfirman: "Sesungguhnya Aku mengetahui apa yang tidak kamu ketahui." (Al Baqarah: 30)
Setiap agama telah mengajarkan, bahwa jika manusia berbuat kerusakan di muka bumi dan menumpahkan darah sesama manusia, maka orang itu akan mengalami siksaan di akhirat nanti. Ini adalah konsekuensi perimbangan dunia akhirat. Perilaku baik akan di ganjar syurga atau akhirat yang kekal , sebaliknya perilaku jahat akan di ganjar neraka atau siksa akhirat. Maka terserah kepada manusia mau percaya atau tidak atas khabar yang di sampaikan agama-agama tersebut. Maka seterusnya, kembali kepada kesadaran manusia; Jika dia percaya maka dia akan meyakini kebenaran itu, maka dia dengan sendirinya akan merubah perilakunya menjadi baik . Begitu pula sebaliknya !.
Seharusnya dengan ini kita menjadi tenang. Maka cukuplah bagi kita orang Islam berpegangan dengan firman Allah :
"Wahai orang-orang beriman! Jagalah diri kamu dan ahli keluarga kamu dari neraka yang bahan bakarnya adalah manusia dan batu" [Surah al-Tahrim, ayat 6].
Kemudian sebagai umat muslim yang meyakini kehidupan akhirat dan hari pembalasan, cukuplah bagi kita agar berserah diri dan bersiap menjadi saksi, serta menyerahkan semua urusan tersebut kepada Allah, karena sesungguhnya " ....... Tuhan berfirman: "Sesungguhnya Aku mengetahui apa yang tidak kamu ketahui."(Al Baqarah: 30). Semua yang terjadi dalam liputan Allah, kekejaman manusia atas manusia lainnya sudah dalam ilmu Allah. Allah yang mengetahui hikmah semua yang terjadi pada setiap generasi , pada setiap peradaban. Dengan inilah kita berpegangan, agar kita tidak terjerumus kepada penghakiman atas apa yang terjadi dewasa ini. Sebagaimana yang kita lihat pada tayangan televisi dan media-media lainnya. Subhanalloh. Maka seyogyanya dengan keyakinan-keyakinan seperti itulah, mestinya kita melihat film-film kehidupan manusia. Dan sesungguhnya kita harus yakin bahwa sejatinya Allah SWT, sesungguhnya yang memegang skenarionya.
Film yang tidak pernah usai
Di sepanjang peradaban, manusia senantiasa tak lelah terus bertanya. Kebaikan apakah yang bisa di nikmati dengan perang ... ?). Kebaikan apakah yang bisa diperoleh dengan pembunuhan ... (?). dan kebaikan seperti apakah yang bisa di dapat dengan kerusakan ... (?). Ibarat sebuah film yang di putar. Ketika film masih di tengah-tengah yang dapat kita lihat adalah, peperangan itu, pembunuhan itu, kerusakan itu, dan lain sebagainya, kita terpukau , terpana, tidak mengerti, kecewa, gusar, seluruh perasaan di aduk-aduk, sedih, lara, dan lain sebagainya. Seketika pada saat itu, kita akan langsung menyalahkan, menghakimi, bahkan melakukan anarki , saking kesalnya. Hanya setelah film usai, baru kita mengerti, hikmah apa-apa yang ingin disampaikan sutradara melalui para pelaku di film tersebut. Begitulah Allah mengajarkan manusia, mungkin untuk ber abad-abad kemudian, dimana diharapkan manusia mampu memahami skenario, dan hikmah atas semua kejadian itu.
Kita sering hanya melihat, kemudian menjadi saksi. Dengan ini kemudian kita sudah ber presepsi. Namun sebuah pertanyaan menggelitik; bagaimana jika kita yang menjadi pelaku dalam film tersebut; bagaimana jika Allah menunjuk kita menjadi pemeran, menjadi lakon yang akan di mainkan dalam skenarionya. (?). bagaimana jika kita ber peran sebagai Arjuna dalam kisah perang Mahabarata..?. Bagaimana jika kita berperan sebagai Muawiyah dalam kisah perang shiffin. Kita tahu, Kedua tokoh tersebut memiliki kesadaran yang tinggi, tingkat spiritual yang luar biasa, dan ketauhidan yang menakjubkan. Bagaimana saat keduanya dihadapkan kepada suatu situasi sulit, yang harus diputuskannya. Arjuna dihadapkan kepada situasi perang dimana lawannya adalah saudara-saudaranya sendiri. Begitu juga Muawiyah harus berhadapan dengan orang-orang yang seganinya, dikaguminya, saudara se iman. Bagaimana pergumulan batin mereka, sering luput dari pengamatan kita semua. Kita hanya melihat dari sisi yang kasat mata saja.
Manusia sering tidak pernah peduli bagaimana kesudahannya, bagaimana Arjuna kemudian menuju ke puncak gunung, menjauhi dunia dengan memohon pengampunan begitu penyesalannya. Bagaimana Muawiyah dan para pembantunya kemudian memohon ampun tak berkesudahan, hingga di ceritakan air mata membekas di pipi para sahabat saking sedih dan takutnya pada Allah. Jikalau mereka bisa menolak peran tersebut, pasti mereka akan menolak. Sungguh Tuhan maha memaksa kepada hambanya, dan Dia yang mengetahui semua yang Ghaib. Maka apakah manusia tidak melihat, bagaimana kesudahan dari semua yang terjadi. Setelah perang diantara kesedihan mereka; mereka ber kasih sayang. Perang telah menyadarkan semuanya, manusia bahu membahu melakukan perbaikan, terjalin tali silaturahmi lebih kuat lagi, dunia bergulir lagi. Kemudian selanjutnya, manusia menciptakan tekhnologi untuk mempertahankan diri, dan sebagainya dan sebagainya. Tumbuhlah peradaban sebagaimana sekarang ini. Munculah perimbangan, kehidupan kemudian menuju kepada keseimbangan dunia baru.
Mengapa kita melupakan. Sungguh, ternyata kearifan tersebut sudah diajarkan semenjak dahulu. Di kisahkan; kearifan tersebut, diajarkan oleh Kresna kepada Arjuna dalam cerita Bhagavat Gita; saat ketika Arjuna mengalami 'kegamangan' dalam menetapi peran yang harus di lakoninya. Ketika Arjuna ‘gamang’ menghadapi ‘perang’ nya. Kresna kemudian memberikan 'semangat' bahwa semua itu adalah takdir yang harus di jalani Arjuna. Sebuah keyakinan yang harus dipertahankan. Bukan hanya sekedar benar atau salah. Namun lebih kepada, bagaimana manusia harus tunduk kepada skenario Tuhan yang maha Perkasa. Tanpa keraguan, tanpa kegamangan sedikitpun. Lancung sedikit berarti mati, tanpa makna diri. Demikianlah Arjuna mesti berperang , meski dia tidak pernah menyukai perang tersebut.
Bukankah Islam kemudian juga membenarkan bagaimana semestinya umat Islam menghadapi 'perang'nya masing-masing. Dengan satu kata JIHAD. Sesungguhnya kearifan ini juga sudah diajarkan melalui kisah Bhagavat Gita. Padang Kuruseta telah menjadi saksi Perang Besar dalam kisah Hindu. Padang Karbala telah menjadi saksi Perang Besar dalam kisah Islam. Kisah yang terpisahkan ribuan tahun, menjadi saksi dan pengajaran kepada manusia. Semoga manusia dapat memetik hikmah dan pelajaran; kearifan diantara keduanya.
Semua manusia hanyalah menjalani laku, sebatas 'keyakinannya' atas ‘kebenaran’ atas niat yang menjadi landasan dalam setiap geraknya. Apakah diniatkan karena Allah sebagaimana yang diajarkan Islam atau kepada lainnya. Inilah yang memberikan arti tersendiri atas 'kebenaran' !. Selebihnya hanya Allah yang maha mengetahui. Dan kepada orang-orang yang telah menjadi korban, yang jatuh dari setiap kelompok, atas mereka akan mendapatkan neraca (timbangan) yang se adil-adilnya. Mereka akan mendapatkan ganjaran sesuai dengan amal perbuatannya masing-masing di dunia. Mereka akan mendapatkan 'pahala' tersendiri atas setiap yang telah mereka mainkan, dengan segenap kesungguhannya; sesuai kadar ke imanan mereka masing-masing. Akankah manusia terus menghakimi (?). Maka kesemuanya, kembalinya hanya kepada diri kita saja !. Subhanalloh...!
Kamis, 03 Maret 2011
Unverified Misreporting on Libya
By Stephen Lendman
March 01, 2011 "Information Clearing House" -- America's media, Britain's state-controlled BBC, other Western sources, and Al Jazeera are spreading unverified or false reports on Libya's uprising.
On February 25, writer Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya, a Middle East/Central Asian specialist, based on reliable in-country contacts, headlined an important article, "Libya: Is Washington Pushing for Civil War to Justify a US-NATO Military Intervention?"
Access it through the following link: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23375
For greater readership, this article covers key information in it. Its entirety explains much about what's ongoing - what major media accounts misreport or suppress, especially television reaching large audiences, presenting distorted managed news. It shouldn't surprise. Representing powerful interests, carefully filtered sanitized reporting substitutes for the real kind.
Gaddafi indisputably is despotic, governing by "fear and cronyism," treating Libya as his "private estate," and spawning "an entire hierarchy of corrupt officials," disdainful of popular interests.
Nonetheless, something is "(r)otten in the so-called 'Jamahiriya' (state of the masses) of Libya." Popular anger is justified and real. At issue is whether it's spontaneous or externally generated, and, if so, by whom and for what reasons.
Western powers, especially America, gladly support despots. They only fall into disfavor by forgetting who's boss. Mubarak forgot. So did Gaddafi, long targeted for removal despite rapprochement with America and Western nations. As a result, in-country reports lack credibility without verifiable proof. Much of it is lacking.
At issue is removing an outlier while keeping his regime intact, one friendly to Washington and Western interests. Acquiescence assures support for the world's most ruthless tyrants. Straying gets them in trouble. Gaddafi strayed, leaving him vulnerable for removal.
Comparing Yugoslavia to Libya
In the 1990s, "pack (or) advocacy journalism" substituted for the real kind, including by promoting the 1999 US-led NATO war of aggression to complete Yugoslavia's long-planned balkanization, characterized as "humanitarian intervention," the same theme repeated now.
From March 24 - June 10, 1999, daily attacks were relentless. Around 600 aircraft flew about 3,000 sorties, dropping thousands of tons of ordinance as well as hundreds of ground-launched cruise missiles. Its ferocity to that time was unprecedented. Large numbers were killed, injured or displaced. Vast destruction was inflicted. Two million people lost their livelihoods, many their homes and communities, and for most their futures under military occupation.
Diana Johnstone's "Fools' Crusade: Yugoslavia, NATO and Western Delusions" remains the definitive Balkan wars history, explaining what Western media reports suppressed. For America and European powers, it was about deterring Slobodan Milosevic's "Greater Serbia" ambitions, a gross mischaracterization about 1990s events, culminating in naked aggression.
Libyan turmoil appears headed for a similar resolution, driven by unverified misreporting of events on the ground. In Yugoslavia, it was about removing Milosevic for a more accommodative replacement. In Libya, Gaddafi appears headed for the same fate, again by raw force, Washington's alternate "diplomacy," the same kind used to "liberate" Iraq and Afghanistan, destroying both countries, causing millions of deaths as well as vast devastation and despair.
Libyan Analysis in Bullet Points
-- Unlike Tunisia, Egypt, and other regional allies, "upsetting (Libya's) established order is a US and EU objective," by replacing one despot with another.
-- the West "seek('s) to capitalize on the revolt" for new leadership it controls.
-- Heavy weapons are coming in.
-- Destabilizing Libya affects its vast energy reserves and neighboring states, perhaps the entire region.
-- Tensions among Libyan factions complicate matters further, including between Gaddafi's son, Saif Al-Islam, "and his father's circle of older ministers. Libyan ministers are generally divided amongst those (close to Said) and" member's of the "old guard."
-- Other tensions exist between Gaddafi and his sons, perhaps one generation against another, each with its own ideas incompatible with the other.
-- Gaddafi spent years purging opposition. Even so, "little loyalty is felt for (him) and his family." Fear alone gives them power. Now it's gone, denunciation of his regime openly stated. "Aref Sharif, the head of Libyan Air Force," renounced him. Ministers and ambassadors resigned, some going abroad. "Defections are snowballing amongst the military and government." Yet what's ongoing may differ significantly from unverified or willful major media misreporting, including by Al Jazeera.
-- Authentic opposition is real, but not organized. It's "been encouraged and prompted from outside Libya through social media networks, international news stations, and events in the rest of the Arab World." As a result, major media reports are suspect. Accept nothing from them at face value.
-- Internal opposition leadership comes "from within the regime itself." However, corrupt officials aren't populists. They oppose Gaddafi but not tyranny, corruption, and other trappings of power and privilege. Some of them, in fact, wish "to save themselves, while others" want to "strengthen their positions." It's also possible or likely that they've allied with Western powers for their own self-interest.
-- Major media reports, including by Al Jazeera, "about Libyan jets firing on protesters in Tripoli and the major cities are unverified and questionable....No visual evidence of the jet attacks has been shown." Gaddafi, in fact, controls cities reported to be occupied by opponents. Moreover, some accounts of violence are spurious. Stories are invented to "justify no-fly zones," perhaps heading for war led by America and NATO.
-- Corporate and Western interests in Libya, not despotism, explain what's ongoing. They're fueling civil war to replace one despot with another, one they control. "Chaos in the Arab World has been viewed as beneficial (to) Washington, Tel Aviv," and other Western powers. Balkanization may be planned, similar to Yugoslavia, culminating as explained above - "liberation" for control, not democracy America won't tolerate, including at home. If it happens, regional destabilization may follow, leaders everywhere wondering who's next.
-- Henry Kissinger once said: "to be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal." If balkanization is planned, friends and foes alike may be targeted if thought unreliable. Libya's chaos also affects Europe and global energy issues, including price, for oil heading over $100 a barrel and maybe much higher, threatening fragile economies with deeper crisis.
-- Washington wanted Gaddafi replaced for years. Former NATO commander General Wesley Clark once included Libya among future targeted countries besides Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Divide, conquer and control, a game way pre-dating modern America.
-- Libya conducted secret negotiations with Washington in 2001. Formal rapprochement followed, but doing business with imperial powers is dangerous, and in Gaddafi's case perhaps fatal with no safe haven if civil war or NATO ousts him. Either "provides the best cover" for controlling Libya's "energy sector and to appropriate (its) vast wealth."
-- Libyans should be wary. America and Western powers play hardball against popular interests throughout the region.
-- "Actions of opposition to Gaddafi are strong, but there is no strong organized 'opposition movement.' The two are different." Moreover, no opposition force wants democracy.
-- Serious discussion suggests a Yugoslav-type "humanitarian intervention." A "no-fly" zone is mentioned, an act of war if imposed, giving Western powers the right to intervene militarily the way Iraq was bombed in the 1990s. Invasion and occupation, in fact, could follow to replace the already weakened regime. Libya's assets would be plundered, its people left with one despot replacing another.
A Final Comment
For decades, Gaddafi denied Libyans democratic freedoms. Imperial occupation, however, is worse, creating nightmarish conditions for Iraqis, Afghans, and others experiencing US-style rule, exceeding the worst of regional despots' harshness, making some look benign by comparison.
Under more populist leaders than Gaddafi and internal opposition forces, mobilized resistance may prevent it, but not easily or quickly. Libyans must now liberate themselves, independent of Western powers wanting to exploit them for their own self-interest.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
March 01, 2011 "Information Clearing House" -- America's media, Britain's state-controlled BBC, other Western sources, and Al Jazeera are spreading unverified or false reports on Libya's uprising.
On February 25, writer Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya, a Middle East/Central Asian specialist, based on reliable in-country contacts, headlined an important article, "Libya: Is Washington Pushing for Civil War to Justify a US-NATO Military Intervention?"
Access it through the following link: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23375
For greater readership, this article covers key information in it. Its entirety explains much about what's ongoing - what major media accounts misreport or suppress, especially television reaching large audiences, presenting distorted managed news. It shouldn't surprise. Representing powerful interests, carefully filtered sanitized reporting substitutes for the real kind.
Gaddafi indisputably is despotic, governing by "fear and cronyism," treating Libya as his "private estate," and spawning "an entire hierarchy of corrupt officials," disdainful of popular interests.
Nonetheless, something is "(r)otten in the so-called 'Jamahiriya' (state of the masses) of Libya." Popular anger is justified and real. At issue is whether it's spontaneous or externally generated, and, if so, by whom and for what reasons.
Western powers, especially America, gladly support despots. They only fall into disfavor by forgetting who's boss. Mubarak forgot. So did Gaddafi, long targeted for removal despite rapprochement with America and Western nations. As a result, in-country reports lack credibility without verifiable proof. Much of it is lacking.
At issue is removing an outlier while keeping his regime intact, one friendly to Washington and Western interests. Acquiescence assures support for the world's most ruthless tyrants. Straying gets them in trouble. Gaddafi strayed, leaving him vulnerable for removal.
Comparing Yugoslavia to Libya
In the 1990s, "pack (or) advocacy journalism" substituted for the real kind, including by promoting the 1999 US-led NATO war of aggression to complete Yugoslavia's long-planned balkanization, characterized as "humanitarian intervention," the same theme repeated now.
From March 24 - June 10, 1999, daily attacks were relentless. Around 600 aircraft flew about 3,000 sorties, dropping thousands of tons of ordinance as well as hundreds of ground-launched cruise missiles. Its ferocity to that time was unprecedented. Large numbers were killed, injured or displaced. Vast destruction was inflicted. Two million people lost their livelihoods, many their homes and communities, and for most their futures under military occupation.
Diana Johnstone's "Fools' Crusade: Yugoslavia, NATO and Western Delusions" remains the definitive Balkan wars history, explaining what Western media reports suppressed. For America and European powers, it was about deterring Slobodan Milosevic's "Greater Serbia" ambitions, a gross mischaracterization about 1990s events, culminating in naked aggression.
Libyan turmoil appears headed for a similar resolution, driven by unverified misreporting of events on the ground. In Yugoslavia, it was about removing Milosevic for a more accommodative replacement. In Libya, Gaddafi appears headed for the same fate, again by raw force, Washington's alternate "diplomacy," the same kind used to "liberate" Iraq and Afghanistan, destroying both countries, causing millions of deaths as well as vast devastation and despair.
Libyan Analysis in Bullet Points
-- Unlike Tunisia, Egypt, and other regional allies, "upsetting (Libya's) established order is a US and EU objective," by replacing one despot with another.
-- the West "seek('s) to capitalize on the revolt" for new leadership it controls.
-- Heavy weapons are coming in.
-- Destabilizing Libya affects its vast energy reserves and neighboring states, perhaps the entire region.
-- Tensions among Libyan factions complicate matters further, including between Gaddafi's son, Saif Al-Islam, "and his father's circle of older ministers. Libyan ministers are generally divided amongst those (close to Said) and" member's of the "old guard."
-- Other tensions exist between Gaddafi and his sons, perhaps one generation against another, each with its own ideas incompatible with the other.
-- Gaddafi spent years purging opposition. Even so, "little loyalty is felt for (him) and his family." Fear alone gives them power. Now it's gone, denunciation of his regime openly stated. "Aref Sharif, the head of Libyan Air Force," renounced him. Ministers and ambassadors resigned, some going abroad. "Defections are snowballing amongst the military and government." Yet what's ongoing may differ significantly from unverified or willful major media misreporting, including by Al Jazeera.
-- Authentic opposition is real, but not organized. It's "been encouraged and prompted from outside Libya through social media networks, international news stations, and events in the rest of the Arab World." As a result, major media reports are suspect. Accept nothing from them at face value.
-- Internal opposition leadership comes "from within the regime itself." However, corrupt officials aren't populists. They oppose Gaddafi but not tyranny, corruption, and other trappings of power and privilege. Some of them, in fact, wish "to save themselves, while others" want to "strengthen their positions." It's also possible or likely that they've allied with Western powers for their own self-interest.
-- Major media reports, including by Al Jazeera, "about Libyan jets firing on protesters in Tripoli and the major cities are unverified and questionable....No visual evidence of the jet attacks has been shown." Gaddafi, in fact, controls cities reported to be occupied by opponents. Moreover, some accounts of violence are spurious. Stories are invented to "justify no-fly zones," perhaps heading for war led by America and NATO.
-- Corporate and Western interests in Libya, not despotism, explain what's ongoing. They're fueling civil war to replace one despot with another, one they control. "Chaos in the Arab World has been viewed as beneficial (to) Washington, Tel Aviv," and other Western powers. Balkanization may be planned, similar to Yugoslavia, culminating as explained above - "liberation" for control, not democracy America won't tolerate, including at home. If it happens, regional destabilization may follow, leaders everywhere wondering who's next.
-- Henry Kissinger once said: "to be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal." If balkanization is planned, friends and foes alike may be targeted if thought unreliable. Libya's chaos also affects Europe and global energy issues, including price, for oil heading over $100 a barrel and maybe much higher, threatening fragile economies with deeper crisis.
-- Washington wanted Gaddafi replaced for years. Former NATO commander General Wesley Clark once included Libya among future targeted countries besides Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Divide, conquer and control, a game way pre-dating modern America.
-- Libya conducted secret negotiations with Washington in 2001. Formal rapprochement followed, but doing business with imperial powers is dangerous, and in Gaddafi's case perhaps fatal with no safe haven if civil war or NATO ousts him. Either "provides the best cover" for controlling Libya's "energy sector and to appropriate (its) vast wealth."
-- Libyans should be wary. America and Western powers play hardball against popular interests throughout the region.
-- "Actions of opposition to Gaddafi are strong, but there is no strong organized 'opposition movement.' The two are different." Moreover, no opposition force wants democracy.
-- Serious discussion suggests a Yugoslav-type "humanitarian intervention." A "no-fly" zone is mentioned, an act of war if imposed, giving Western powers the right to intervene militarily the way Iraq was bombed in the 1990s. Invasion and occupation, in fact, could follow to replace the already weakened regime. Libya's assets would be plundered, its people left with one despot replacing another.
A Final Comment
For decades, Gaddafi denied Libyans democratic freedoms. Imperial occupation, however, is worse, creating nightmarish conditions for Iraqis, Afghans, and others experiencing US-style rule, exceeding the worst of regional despots' harshness, making some look benign by comparison.
Under more populist leaders than Gaddafi and internal opposition forces, mobilized resistance may prevent it, but not easily or quickly. Libyans must now liberate themselves, independent of Western powers wanting to exploit them for their own self-interest.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
US prepares to launch Libya attack
Latest media reports suggest that the United States and its allies may be preparing the ground for a military intervention in Libya.
The US Senate has unanimously passed a resolution calling for a no-fly zone over Libya.
The US Senate Armed Services Committee said all options, including the military option, should be on the table.
Earlier, the US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Washington is looking at a full range of options for Libya.
Meanwhile, the US dailies, New York Times and Washington Post said the dissident leaders in the Libyan city of Benghazi have been debating about making a request for foreign air strikes against Gaddafi forces.
The report said the dissident leaders are growing frustrated over Gaddafi's iron grip on power.
Moreover, two US warships bound for the Mediterranean have entered Egypt's Suez Canal.
The USS Kear-sarge and the USS Ponce are carrying hundreds of marines, a fleet of helicopters and military equipment.
This comes as speculations escalate about a possible foreign military intervention in Libya.
Many observers believe that the US is concerned about the safety of Libya's oil reserves and not the country's people.
Libya holds the largest proven oil reserves in North Africa.
Meanwhile, the Israeli regime has reportedly authorized a security firm to send mercenaries to Libya to crush anti-government protesters there.
A journalist from Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot states that Tel Aviv has decided to recruit African mercenaries to fight against anti-government protesters in Libya.
The journalist says the director of the security firm was allowed to provide Libya's intelligence agency with the mercenaries.
Israel Zef, has reportedly met with Abdullah Assinousi, one of the leaders in Libya's intelligence agency.
Reports also indicate that the company has recruited 500,000 African mercenaries, charging the Libyan regime 200 dollars per day for each mercenary.
The revelation comes a few days after the United States demanded immunity for the foreign mercenaries in the International Criminal Court.
The forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are struggling to prevent the protesters from taking the fight to Tripoli, where the ruler is holed up.
Libyan Human Rights League has said that a brutal crackdown by the regime on opposition protests that began nearly two weeks ago has left an estimated 6,000 people dead so far.
The US Senate has unanimously passed a resolution calling for a no-fly zone over Libya.
The US Senate Armed Services Committee said all options, including the military option, should be on the table.
Earlier, the US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Washington is looking at a full range of options for Libya.
Meanwhile, the US dailies, New York Times and Washington Post said the dissident leaders in the Libyan city of Benghazi have been debating about making a request for foreign air strikes against Gaddafi forces.
The report said the dissident leaders are growing frustrated over Gaddafi's iron grip on power.
Moreover, two US warships bound for the Mediterranean have entered Egypt's Suez Canal.
The USS Kear-sarge and the USS Ponce are carrying hundreds of marines, a fleet of helicopters and military equipment.
This comes as speculations escalate about a possible foreign military intervention in Libya.
Many observers believe that the US is concerned about the safety of Libya's oil reserves and not the country's people.
Libya holds the largest proven oil reserves in North Africa.
Meanwhile, the Israeli regime has reportedly authorized a security firm to send mercenaries to Libya to crush anti-government protesters there.
A journalist from Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot states that Tel Aviv has decided to recruit African mercenaries to fight against anti-government protesters in Libya.
The journalist says the director of the security firm was allowed to provide Libya's intelligence agency with the mercenaries.
Israel Zef, has reportedly met with Abdullah Assinousi, one of the leaders in Libya's intelligence agency.
Reports also indicate that the company has recruited 500,000 African mercenaries, charging the Libyan regime 200 dollars per day for each mercenary.
The revelation comes a few days after the United States demanded immunity for the foreign mercenaries in the International Criminal Court.
The forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi are struggling to prevent the protesters from taking the fight to Tripoli, where the ruler is holed up.
Libyan Human Rights League has said that a brutal crackdown by the regime on opposition protests that began nearly two weeks ago has left an estimated 6,000 people dead so far.
Who is Muammar Gaddafi?
By Antonio Cesar Oliveira
March 02, 2011 "Pravda" -- How can you call someone a dictator leader who overthrew a corrupt monarchy, modernized the country, won the highest HDI in Africa, and applied a direct democracy system of government?
Gaddafi has always supported revolutionary movements around the world. When the media - in the service of the U.S. - praised the apartheid regime South Africa, young Gaddafi in Libya trained and sent them back with the best weapons to win freedom in South
Africa.
Suddenly the press began a daily attack on the leader Muammar Gaddafi, to distill hatred, spreading lies, forging videos for what? What does it prove? The crimes of the Libyan government? Apparently this journalistic line was caused by popular uprisings in Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen and Egypt.
In fact, it is more a question of one more terrorist strategy of the government of the United States of America to recover influence in the Arab world. In Egypt, the government fell in U.S. confidence. Mubarak was merely an agent of U.S. and Israel interests in the region. With the fall of Mubarak, Iranian ships began to circulate in the vicinity of Israel, causing unease and anger in the diplomatic environments subservient to imperialism and Zionism.
After losing Egypt, the U.S. government tries to divide and weaken Libya, and this effort receives support from the supporters of Bin Laden, and thousands of Egyptian refugees that over the years have taken refuge in eastern Libya, fleeing the repression in Egypt. After the Egyptians came Algerians, Tunisians and Somalis, followers of Al Qaeda. They enjoyed the hospitality of the Libyans and then the next thing they stabbed them in the back, triggering a revolt that has left tens of victims, through sabotage, terrorism and destruction of public property.
But who is this Qaddafi that the media suddenly started to attack in all forms, and even in a most cowardly form? Gaddafi led a revolution to overthrow King Idris, a puppet of Italian and American interests in the region. At the time, the largest U.S. military base abroad was in Libya, Qaddafi and his supporters surrounded the base and gave 24 hours for all invading foreigners to leave the country.
In power, Gaddafi did not like the Arab monarchs, did not build palaces with gold, not buy luxury yachts or collections of imported cars. He devoted himself to rebuilding the country, ensuring better living conditions for the people. Today Qaddafi is not president or prime minister of Libya, but the media wants him to resign a post which does not exist.
The lies of the media cannot hide the fact that Gaddafi has supported the struggles of peoples for liberation in Nicaragua, Cuba, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and many other countries, specifically concretely helping the people who fought for liberation. In practice, Gaddafi has always been a benefactor of mankind, but for the mercenary media, a benefactor is one who creates wars in search of profits for the arms industry or to dominate the world, as were the wars created by the U.S. in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Nicaragua and many other countries.
This utterly ridiculous gossip of wealth and strange customs have always been exploited by the media, it was with Saddam Hussein, Yasser Arafat, Fidel Castro, Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez and etc. It is enough to be a serious ruler that does not seriously kneel down and cower in fear before the United States and is not intimidated to be demonised and disparaged by the mercenary media.
Another fact that the media cannot falsify is the HDI (Human Development Index) measured by UN officials. These data indicate, for example, that Libya had in 1970, a situation a little worse than Brazil (HDI of 0.541, against 0.551 of Brazil.) The Libyan index surpassed the Brazilian years later, and in 2008 was well ahead: 0.810 (ranked 43rd), compared to 0.764 (ranking 59th). All three sub-indices that comprise the HDI is higher in the African country: income, longevity and education.
In the HDI recast the difference remains. Libya is ranked the 53rd (0.755) and Brazil 73rd (.699). Libya is the country with the highest HDI in Africa. Therefore, the best distribution of income, and health and public education are free. And almost 10% of Libyan students receive scholarships to study in foreign countries.
So what kind of dictatorship is this? A dictatorship would never allow this kind of policy for the benefit of the people.
Gadhafi wrote the Green Book, the Third Universal Theory, which deals with controversial and real issues. He complains, for example, about the falsification of democracy through parliamentary assemblies. In most countries that consider themselves democratic, including the United States of America, political parties are organized criminal gangs to loot the people's money in legislative assemblies, City Councils, House of Representatives, etc.
This observation - and a book in publication - certainly irritate and anger them? The defenders of parliamentary democracy? The Green Book, written by Gaddafi, says that workers should be involved and self-employed, and that the land must be of those who work it and those who live in the house. And power shall be exercised by the people directly, without intermediaries, without politicians, through popular congresses and committees, where the whole population decides the fundamental issues of the district, city and country. These words, which everyone knows are true, revolt and irritate those few who benefit from the falsification of democracy, especially the capitalist regimes.
But the press will keep on on forging the news, boiling hatred by spreading lies, because it is following orders from the U.S. government, very interested in the large oil reserves of Libya.
Major newspapers and television channels in the world use news agencies from the United States, all biased, misleading and deceptive. The lies that the news agencies sell buy public opinion, and most people? By naivete or misinformation they behave like puppets, repeating whatever the U.S. government determines and imposes.
This is not the first nor will it be the last, the Libyan Arab people face powerful foreign powers. Again the Libyan people will win, because they have the leadership of Muammar Qaddafi, an effective, strong and honorable guide.
*In a rare interview with Western journalists in January 1986, only months before the U.S. terrorist bombing of Libya, the Leader of the Revolution spoke frankly about his life and how he had been misunderstood by the West. Meeting the journalists in his tent he told of how he admired former US Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and of other world leaders he admires like "Egypt's late Gamal Abdul Nasser, India's Mahatma Gandhi, Sun Yat-Sen of China and Italy's Garibaldi and Mazzini." (Really, I'm a Nice Guy, Kate Dourian, Tripoli, Libya.)
He spoke of his favourite book The Outsider by British author Colin Wilson and others he likes such as Uncle Tom's Cabin and Roots. Throughout this interview the profound thinking and innate humanity of Muammar Qadhafi shone through.
He also stated in another interview: "I see the press as being the messengers between me and the world to tell them the truth."
March 02, 2011 "Pravda" -- How can you call someone a dictator leader who overthrew a corrupt monarchy, modernized the country, won the highest HDI in Africa, and applied a direct democracy system of government?
Gaddafi has always supported revolutionary movements around the world. When the media - in the service of the U.S. - praised the apartheid regime South Africa, young Gaddafi in Libya trained and sent them back with the best weapons to win freedom in South
Africa.
Suddenly the press began a daily attack on the leader Muammar Gaddafi, to distill hatred, spreading lies, forging videos for what? What does it prove? The crimes of the Libyan government? Apparently this journalistic line was caused by popular uprisings in Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen and Egypt.
In fact, it is more a question of one more terrorist strategy of the government of the United States of America to recover influence in the Arab world. In Egypt, the government fell in U.S. confidence. Mubarak was merely an agent of U.S. and Israel interests in the region. With the fall of Mubarak, Iranian ships began to circulate in the vicinity of Israel, causing unease and anger in the diplomatic environments subservient to imperialism and Zionism.
After losing Egypt, the U.S. government tries to divide and weaken Libya, and this effort receives support from the supporters of Bin Laden, and thousands of Egyptian refugees that over the years have taken refuge in eastern Libya, fleeing the repression in Egypt. After the Egyptians came Algerians, Tunisians and Somalis, followers of Al Qaeda. They enjoyed the hospitality of the Libyans and then the next thing they stabbed them in the back, triggering a revolt that has left tens of victims, through sabotage, terrorism and destruction of public property.
But who is this Qaddafi that the media suddenly started to attack in all forms, and even in a most cowardly form? Gaddafi led a revolution to overthrow King Idris, a puppet of Italian and American interests in the region. At the time, the largest U.S. military base abroad was in Libya, Qaddafi and his supporters surrounded the base and gave 24 hours for all invading foreigners to leave the country.
In power, Gaddafi did not like the Arab monarchs, did not build palaces with gold, not buy luxury yachts or collections of imported cars. He devoted himself to rebuilding the country, ensuring better living conditions for the people. Today Qaddafi is not president or prime minister of Libya, but the media wants him to resign a post which does not exist.
The lies of the media cannot hide the fact that Gaddafi has supported the struggles of peoples for liberation in Nicaragua, Cuba, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and many other countries, specifically concretely helping the people who fought for liberation. In practice, Gaddafi has always been a benefactor of mankind, but for the mercenary media, a benefactor is one who creates wars in search of profits for the arms industry or to dominate the world, as were the wars created by the U.S. in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Nicaragua and many other countries.
This utterly ridiculous gossip of wealth and strange customs have always been exploited by the media, it was with Saddam Hussein, Yasser Arafat, Fidel Castro, Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez and etc. It is enough to be a serious ruler that does not seriously kneel down and cower in fear before the United States and is not intimidated to be demonised and disparaged by the mercenary media.
Another fact that the media cannot falsify is the HDI (Human Development Index) measured by UN officials. These data indicate, for example, that Libya had in 1970, a situation a little worse than Brazil (HDI of 0.541, against 0.551 of Brazil.) The Libyan index surpassed the Brazilian years later, and in 2008 was well ahead: 0.810 (ranked 43rd), compared to 0.764 (ranking 59th). All three sub-indices that comprise the HDI is higher in the African country: income, longevity and education.
In the HDI recast the difference remains. Libya is ranked the 53rd (0.755) and Brazil 73rd (.699). Libya is the country with the highest HDI in Africa. Therefore, the best distribution of income, and health and public education are free. And almost 10% of Libyan students receive scholarships to study in foreign countries.
So what kind of dictatorship is this? A dictatorship would never allow this kind of policy for the benefit of the people.
Gadhafi wrote the Green Book, the Third Universal Theory, which deals with controversial and real issues. He complains, for example, about the falsification of democracy through parliamentary assemblies. In most countries that consider themselves democratic, including the United States of America, political parties are organized criminal gangs to loot the people's money in legislative assemblies, City Councils, House of Representatives, etc.
This observation - and a book in publication - certainly irritate and anger them? The defenders of parliamentary democracy? The Green Book, written by Gaddafi, says that workers should be involved and self-employed, and that the land must be of those who work it and those who live in the house. And power shall be exercised by the people directly, without intermediaries, without politicians, through popular congresses and committees, where the whole population decides the fundamental issues of the district, city and country. These words, which everyone knows are true, revolt and irritate those few who benefit from the falsification of democracy, especially the capitalist regimes.
But the press will keep on on forging the news, boiling hatred by spreading lies, because it is following orders from the U.S. government, very interested in the large oil reserves of Libya.
Major newspapers and television channels in the world use news agencies from the United States, all biased, misleading and deceptive. The lies that the news agencies sell buy public opinion, and most people? By naivete or misinformation they behave like puppets, repeating whatever the U.S. government determines and imposes.
This is not the first nor will it be the last, the Libyan Arab people face powerful foreign powers. Again the Libyan people will win, because they have the leadership of Muammar Qaddafi, an effective, strong and honorable guide.
*In a rare interview with Western journalists in January 1986, only months before the U.S. terrorist bombing of Libya, the Leader of the Revolution spoke frankly about his life and how he had been misunderstood by the West. Meeting the journalists in his tent he told of how he admired former US Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and of other world leaders he admires like "Egypt's late Gamal Abdul Nasser, India's Mahatma Gandhi, Sun Yat-Sen of China and Italy's Garibaldi and Mazzini." (Really, I'm a Nice Guy, Kate Dourian, Tripoli, Libya.)
He spoke of his favourite book The Outsider by British author Colin Wilson and others he likes such as Uncle Tom's Cabin and Roots. Throughout this interview the profound thinking and innate humanity of Muammar Qadhafi shone through.
He also stated in another interview: "I see the press as being the messengers between me and the world to tell them the truth."
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