How to guarantee some populist violence at a peaceful Anti-APEC protest

The Pinochet Solution will not save the discredited Howard government, nor will it particularly help 'bridesmaid' a change to Labor's Kevin Rudd. There should be a full independent inquiry into the NSW government's handling of the anti-APEC protests, A$170 nmillion they spent and the instructions officers were given as their paramilitary 'Rules of Engagement". See this photo-video from the Sydney Morning Herald Photos: protest right

It is not very often that I find it necessary to quote from commercial television, but we all deserve to view this footage that shows what police brutality means in New South Wales, when our present Prime Minister wants to impress world leaders:
http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm?g=347cf87c-50ab-47a3-a0be-da23de81841c&f=39&fg=email
I would call this video "NSW Police demonstrate the Pinochet solution"

There is plenty of evidence that shows that at least 200 police officers removed their name tags. They could only have been directed to do this by their officers, who would take their orders from NSW Premier, Morris Iemma and from the Prime Minister's Office.

Let us not easily forget what Premier Iemma said on ABC TV:
QUENTIN DEMPSTER: Under Ken Moroney's performance contract policing seems to have been turned into what's known as authoritarian populism. The police - a force for retribution and revenge for the community's fear, distress and anger.

This was best illustrated by Premier Iemma's advice to recruits at Ken Moroney's final parade at the Goulburn Academy.

MORRIS IEMMA: Be as tough on the criminals as they are on us. Give them the same consideration as they give our kids when they deal them drugs, when they assault and rob a senior citizen, when they rape someone's daughter, when they deface a war memorial. In other words, be faithful to the police motto "let punishment swiftly follow crime".
http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nsw/content/2006/s2021285.htm

Expect full force of law: Iemma
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22348896-5001021,00.html

When it comes to getting tough on demonstrators no one in power wants to be left out. John Howard had enough to say ... and aspiring Prime Minister in waiting Kevin Rudd had to put his impramata on the expected 'biff':

Rudd backs APEC crackdown http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/03/2022379.htm

When our governments steal oil this violent act make all of us unsafe

Since I uploaded this post there has been further discussion on the topic:

All about oil ? - repost By jquiggin | July 6, 2007 http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2007/07/06/all-about-oil-repost/#more-3597

A worthy read. You decide who to believe - not John Howard's spin doctors.

Dear Prime Minister,

For years your Government has adopted the Bush administration's Iraq policy as our own, even as that policy has repeatedly failed. With Australian troops still at risk and the situation in Iraq deteriorating, Australia urgently needs an independent Iraq policy.

We ask that you announce a plan for a new way forward, including a clearly defined exit strategy for Australia in Iraq.

*Petition updated as of February 15, 2007

www.getup.org.au/campaign/PleaseMrHoward

I thought going to war in Iraq was supposed to make us safer, not put us in more danger. And now we're hearing it was for their oil. Some of you may have seen me ask John Howard from my hospital bed whether he thought what happened to me was a result of the war in Iraq.

I did not think then that two years later we would be still be in this position, where I feel compelled to ask Mr Howard the same question. Yet here we are - our military presence is not making the Iraqis any safer; it is not making Australians any safer. Why, exactly, are we there then?

Louise Barry

Survivor, 2005 London Bombings

GetUp member

Howard, Bush stand firm on Iraq timeline, Reporter: Jim Middleton http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1418872.htm

Bomb victim grills PM Howard in new TV ad http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,22027003-1702,00.html

Howard links Iraq war to oil, Brendan Nicholson | July 5, 2007 http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2007/07/04/1183351327508.html

Well, Brendan Nelson also knows why Australian troops were used to illegally invade and occupy Iraq:

Nelson: Oil a factor in Iraq deployment, July 5, 2007 - 10:50AM http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/howard-links-iraq-war-to-oil/2007/07/04/1183351291906.html

Speaking this morning, Dr Nelson said oil was among the reasons to keep troops in Iraq.

"Energy security is extremely important to all nations throughout the world, and of course, in protecting and securing Australia's interests," he said.

"The Middle East itself, not only Iraq, but the entire region is an important supplier of energy oil, in particular, to the rest of the world."

Govt splits on Iraq war oil link

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/05/1970982.htm

My comment:

These pernicious politicians should look straight into the eyes of soldiers who risk their lives and tell them that they are asked to do this so that we can drive cars without paying for the petrol we use. How many would agree to fight if they knew it was to enable us to steal the oil that belongs to the people of Iraq on whom we have heaped nothing but misery and destruction. John Howard and his cohort are unfit for public office. He and George W Bush and Tony Blair should be tried as war criminals.

Iraq: Growing opposition to oil law

http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Iraq/214809

War criminal Dick Cheney threatens Iran and the world

A Navy F/A-18 fighter jet is seen in the background as Vice President Dick Cheney arrives to greet sailors and Marines at a rally aboard the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, Friday, May 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert - AP)

As reported today in the Washington Post, the USA is now ready to launch an unprovoked and illegal act of military aggression on Iran.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/11/AR2007051100572.html?hpid=sec-politics

"Throughout the region our country has interests to protect and commitments to honor," Cheney told Navy staff aboard the USS John C. Stennis. "With two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we're sending clear messages to friends and adversaries alike. We'll keep the sea lanes open. We'll stand with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt attacks on our own forces. We'll continue bringing relief to those who suffer and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom."

War criminal, US Vice President, Dick Cheney issued his threats in much the way George W Bush announced, "mission accomplished" in May 2003. We may be surprised to see whether loyal allies, Britain and Australia will join this latest irresponsible militarist adventure, whilst their troops are bogged down in the un-winnable conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Read this update from Noam Chomskey on the American plans to attack Iran:
US-Iran Policy Dynamics
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/

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