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Syndicate
The Kalashnikov AK-47 is the weapon-of-choice for godless commies worldwide.
Yeah it does bother me, not that I can really do anything about it now, and I'm also a bit surprised. I really had no idea Bahrain was that fucked up a place for its people. I knew they had a monarchy but I also thought they had a parliamentary style system of government and were all (oil) rich like the Saudis. I hope they get what they want.
To answer your other question, per what I posted a up a bit...
I guess what I was saying was in the end it doesn't matter where they got the training or weapons from. Think about it: in the end it all comes down to the guy carrying the weapon... that is the trump card of the people in most cases (we hope). Saying he wouldn't have a weapon if it wasn't for the USA, while being a good talking point as to how evil (and stupid) the USA's international policies are, isn't a very realistic assessment of the availability of small arms (or even armored vehicles) is to the world. Every nation's military forces have small arms weapons, and I do mean everybody. If they aren't built in country they can be bought on the world market from any number of places. If they didn't get them from the USA they'd get them from Russia, China or France, to name a few countries or any myriad of third party arms dealers. Same can be said about training.
It sucks but it's the truth (about the world) and it sucks to me my country is helping contribute to it but I can't keep track of everything; like I said I hope this works out for them.
i think the point is that when the US keeps the dictator sheltered and in power and free from criticism, trains the army (in the US) with the full knowledge it is to be used against it's own people then gives it weapons and ammunition, the people who it's being used against are not likely to see the US government as any sort of ally, nor would you or I or any right thinking person.
sure, someone has to pull the trigger, but those people are trained to do so with our taxes and support, on our soil and in our military colleges and with funding from our taxpayers. And if it was done with another country's support/weapons they would be critical of them. the problem is that the US is the biggest supplier of weapons to illegitimate regimes, not china with their cheap ak's (which don't come with the training, logistical, technical and diplomatic support of the chinese government)
re: #30
and their little dog too...
"Canada views positively the political and social changes which have placed it among the most progressive Arab nations in the Gulf region...Canada cooperates with Bahrain in many multilateral initiatives..."
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/saudi_arabia-arabie_saoudite/bilate...
The rogues' list from Wiki... Whoops...which went all wonky. But imagining the vertical numbers under the horizontal listing of years, the nations are listed in order of prominence.
World's largest arms exporters
The unit in this table are so-called trend indicator values expressed in millions of US dollars at 1990s prices. These values do not represent real financial flows but are a crude instrument to estimate volumes of arms transfers, regardless of the contracted prices, which can be as low as zero in the case of military aid. Ordered by descending 2000-2009 values. The information is from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.[11]
Current RankOr, you could have just posted a link.
And here's the worlds leading arms importer or buyers...
Bahrain's royal rulers have been saying for more than a week they are willing to kick-start talks with the opposition movement but have made little headway so far.
Rather than sit down at the negotiating table, anti-government protesters have been amplifying their calls for change by staging thousands-strong daily marches, increasingly into the capital's central business district.
Protest signs hanging from tent posts and makeshift food stalls in Pearl Square where many are camped out offer scant evidence they are willing to talk. "No dialogue with dictators" reads one.
A big reason for the impasse is that the opposition itself is divided on how far to push its demands.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/02/bahrain-protest.html
Your selective quotation gives the impression that the opposition is in disarray. Read on:
'British Countess Betrayed Democracy' (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/219920.html
"It has been revealed that Countess Sophia of the British royal family has accepted a set of jewels from the Bahraini king after visiting the dictatorship last month.."
Those shameless British royals are always bumming off someone or other. No pride whatsoever.
US Will Maintain Full Support for Al Khalifa Regime (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226609.html
"As US-backed Bahraini forces intensify their brutal crackdown on Bahraini protesters, a political analyst tells Press TV that teh US intends to continue its full support of the Al Khalifa regime.."
notice the absolute silence of Canadian pols - the same that crow loudly against Assad and Ahmadinejad?
Bahraini Regime Forces Attack Protesters in Manama, Elsewhere
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226613.html
"Saudi-backed Bahraini forces attack anti-government protesters trying to march to Pearl Square..BREAKING
He's killing his own people! Where is the UN General Assembly resolution? Where is the Security Council's declaration of war? Where is Canada's loyal opizishin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5sVSMQzwmQ
The US-Bahraini Exchange: Tear Gas From Us, Kindness in Return
http://warisacrime.org/contrast/us-bahraini-exchange-tear-gas-us-kindnes...
"Today's demonstration in Bahrain's capital Manama, started out as a festive affair..."
Protesters in Bahrain Vow To March Back to Iconic Pearl Square
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226758.html
"The Coalition of YOuth of the February 14 Revolution, in a statement called on Bahrain's people to start returning to the square in the early hours of Wednesday. Bahrainis have been calliing for an end to the rule of Al Khalifa's dynasty since February last year. Scores of people have been killed hundreds of others have been arrested in Manama's brutal crackdown on protesters..."
Bahrain Protests a 'Coup Plot' Defence Chief Says
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-protests-a-coup-plot-defen...
"The recent unrest in Bahrain was a coup attempt supported by foreign forces, the commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) said on the anniversary of anti-government protests that swept the country last year. In an interview with a local Arabic daily, Shaikh Khalifa said that 22 NGOs have been plotting against Bahrain. 'Nineteen of them are based in the US and three in a Gulf country,' he said, without naming the Gulf state. 'They are all operated, funded and trained by the US and the Gulf country..."
That story sounds like a calculated plant. There's barely any western media coverage of the anti-government unrest and the subsequent torture and killing of civilians in Bahrain. It doesn't follow the pattern we've seen so far.
It does sound like that. And clearly seeks to blame a genuinely indigenous and popular resistance movement against the Khalifa dynasty on outside agitators, rather than its own oppressive, authoritarian rule. But we also know, especially after revelations coming out of Egypt, Libya and Syria, that influence, penetration and attempts to 'steer' these discontents into Western foreign policy designs via NGOs is not to be automatically discounted. And there's barely any western media coverage of that either.
did you enjoy the youtube vid upthread at #45 SL?
Bahrain Forces Arrest 15 Teenagers
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226913.html
"Saudi backed regime forces in Bahrain have launched nightly raids on homes in a flashpoint eastern town, detaining 15 teenagers.."
Bahrain Crisis Rages On
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226910.html
"...Nearly 200 years ago the Al Khalifa family occupied the island and has been ruling it ever since. The ruling Al Khalifa family has made almost three quarters of the country's land, which is worlth USD Billions, its personal possession. The power is exclusively in the hands of the ruling family.."
'Canada Complicit in Bahrain Crimes' (and vid) [Sept 2011]
http://presstv.com/detail/199533.html
"The Canadian government is silent and has made no objection over news that a Canadian citizen has been kidnapped, tortured and held by Bahraini forces.."
Canadian Man Arrested in Bahrain Court House (Feb 1, 2012)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/02/01/ottawa-bahrain-man...
Why Bahrain Is Not Syria - by Pepe Escobar
http://dissidentvoice.org/2012/02/why-bahrain-is-not-syria/
"...So just to recap, US President Barack Obama told Syria's President Bashar al Assad to 'step aside and allow a democratic transition to proceed immediately,' while King Hamas al-Khalifa gets new toys to crack down on his subversively pro-democratic subjects..."
Bahrain: Morality Does Not Rule in Washington - Analyst (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/230899.html
"Bahrainis have held a mass anti-government demonstration outside the capital, Manama, to demand an end to the rule of the Khalifa dynasty"
... You guys want a Milligan?
'United States Chooses Silence on Bahrain Crisis' (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/235083.html
"In Bahrain, thousands of protesters have come out to the streets calling for the release of prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi al Khawaja. Al Khawaja has been on a hunger strike for nearly two months. The deterioration of his health has caused a national and international outcry."
Not in Canada of course, where there is seldom an 'outcry' over anything.
Bahrainis Continue Opposition to Achieve Peaceful Demands (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/235067.html
"Prominent Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi al Khawaja has entered his 58th day of a hunger strike in detention as protests for his release continue.."
US Backs Al Khalifa's Brutal Crimes in Bahrain (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/236059.html
"Abdulhadi al Khawaja has spent more than 60 days on hunger strike in a Bahraini prison. The regime is resisting calls for immediate release by international human rights groups."
panel discussion of the issues in Bahrain
Bahrain Arrests Main Human Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab (and vid)
http://rt.com/news/bahrain-arrest-nabeel-rajab-673/
"Bahraini authorities have arrested Nabeel Rajab, rights activist and foremost critic of the Al Khalifa regime, as they continue their brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters. It comes after he was interviewed on Julian Assange's 'The World Tomorrow'..The fourth episode of Julian Assange's show featuring Rajab and Egyptian activist Alaq Abd El-Fattah will be aired on RT on Tuesday at 11:30 GMT
Saudi Merger Plan With Bahrain Similar to Hitler's Anschluss: Analyst (and vid)
http://presstv.com/detail/2012/05/13/241069/saudi-merger-bahrain-hitler-...
"The big difference is that the majority of people in Austria supported that, whereas today, the vast majority of people in Bahrain will be horrified to be occupied by and digested into Wahabbi Saudi Arabia,' Barrett added. 'I think the Saudis are trying to keep the lid on protests in the region and they are trying to strengthen their position in Bahrain which they already invaded last year.'
Members of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, are expected to meet and discuss closer union among the six countries on May 14.."
Bahraini Court to Try 11 - Year - Old Boy
http://presstv.com/detail/2012/06/12/245746/bahraini-court-to-try-11year...
"A Bahraini court will try an eleven year old boy for what the Manama regime claims was 'disturbing security' while being out on the street. The trial of Ali Hasan was adjourned to June 20, a lawyer familiar with his case said on Monday.."
World Silence Encourages Al Khalifa To Continue Brutal Crackdown (and vid)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/06/27/248237/al-khalifa-continues-brut...
"Bahraini protesters have once again held demonstrations against the Al Khalifa regime in several villages across the country.."
Remember Bahrain Canada? It hasn't gone away..its people still ask for help...
Sorry, but it's all about Egypt today and how the U.S.-backed military dictatorship there is to allow theocrats to share power with them. Uncle Sam and his colonial outposts are very progressive nowadays. Meanwhile...
Bahrain: Campaign to arrest Alkhalifa dictator's torturer son as repression intensifies
Funnily enough distractions with US-Qa'eda terror are conspicuously absent in Bahrain where a U.S.-backed imperialist dictatorship is in firm control of the western-backed counterrevolution against ordinary Bahrainis receiving little sympathy or mention from lapdog newz media.