Thursday, June 15, 2017

Iraq and more


After a zoo was abandoned in war-torn Iraq, only a bear and lion survived. They were just rescued ❤️ (via )
Bear And Lion Rescued From Mosul Zoo
To sponsor the ongoing care of Lula and Simba, you can support their rescuers at Four Paws International: http://thedo.do/fourpaws.



This is the Iraq created by the US-led war.

The ongoing war, by the way -- see Elaine's "Thank you, Barack, for ending the Iraq War."


Meanwhile, note this:

  1. Must read: How neoliberal capitalism has led to "the age of anger" in the US and abroad, by



This is C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"


Thursday, June 15, 2017.  And look at all that 'progess' in The Mosul Slog.



More than 100 Islamic State militants launch counterattack in Mosul after months of heavy fighting with Iraqi forces





Day 239 of The Mosul Slog and still it continues.

239 days ago, the Iraqi government finally launched an operation to liberate or 'liberate' Mosul.  The city was seized by the Islamic State in June of 2014.

239 days later and still the slog continues.

Situation in on 14 June 2017 - claims counterattack against forces south of the old city failed to capture ground







The Mosul Slog has increased the number of refugees.


The US criticizes Assad & Russia for bombing hospitals but does exactly the same in




And the destruction -- of hospitals, homes . . .


And it has increased the amount of  War Crimes.

Civilians have been harmed by Iraqi forces, disappeared by them, killed by them.

And there's the use of White Phosphorus.


US-led coalition acknowledges use of white in amid mounting criticism



It's a city still filled with people, still filled with children.

And White Phosphorus is being used.


Meanwhile in Iraq. 100,000 children threatened as conflict escalates in west . via


Time to invade the US for some regime change? US using chemical weapons in Mosul & Raqqa:








In the US, many Iraqi immigrants are being threatened with deportation.





Trump pledged to protect Iraqi Christians from ISIS, now he's deporting them





Is that accurate?  Because it's being repeated.

Perspective | promised he would protect persecuted . Instead, he's sending them back to .



Niraj Waikoo (DETROIT FREE PRESS) reports:


Immigration officials today strongly defended their arrests of Iraqi immigrants over the weekend, saying the U.S. detained 114 people in metro Detroit with criminal pasts who posed security threats.
Today's statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was the first time officials said how many were detained in sweeping raids of Iraqi nationals targeted for deportation. Many of the detained immigrants are Christians who say they fear that deportation to Iraq would jeopardize their lives since they are a minority there and under siege.
But ICE said today the detainees have criminal pasts and already faced final removal orders from a judge.
"The operation in this region was specifically conducted to address the very real public safety threat represented by the criminal aliens arrested," Rebecca Adducci, field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit, said in a statement. "The vast majority of those arrested in the Detroit metropolitan area have very serious felony convictions, multiple felony convictions in many cases. I applaud the efforts of the law enforcement personnel who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line to protect this community."



See the problem?

Donald Trump also promised to enforce immigration laws.

If you're building your coverage on one promise only and not noting the other, you're discrediting yourself at a time when journalism is already discredited.

That's not advocating for the immigrants to be removed from the country, that's saying you need to tell the truth.  And you also need to investigate ICE's claims because they're saying something doesn't make it so.


The following community sites -- plus Jody Watley, PACIFICA EVENING NEWS, GORILLA RADIO and DISSIDENT VOICE -- updated: