US and Israeli Season’s Greetings

Stephen Lendman
Both countries wage war on humanity. They do it no-holds-barred. They perpetuate wrong over right. They flaunt rule of law principles.
Their agenda reflects gross injustice, institutionalised persecution, racist hate, mass slaughter, destruction, and ruthless exploitation.
Harshness persists throughout the holiday season. Imperial lawlessness takes no time off to pause. It continues relentlessly. It does so viciously. It does it throughout the year.

It’s the America way. It’s the Israeli way. It’s their long-standing way. There’s no other way.
Obama’s direct and proxy wars rage. They do so while he takes time off. He’s relaxing. He’s vacationing in Hawaii.

Controversy accompanies him. Festering problems deepen. His trips cost plenty. He’s away for 17 days. One week away costs an estimated US$100 million. It includes hundreds of secret service staff and others.

Travel, accommodation, security and other costs are enormous. Military cargo planes bring special vehicles and equipment.
They’re specially built for security. Bulletproof glass replaces hotel windows where Obama and his family stay. Entire floors are blocked off. They’re needed for security and staff traveling with him.

US fighter jets provide round-the-clock air cover. In 2011, estimated White House expenses were around US$1.4 billion. Odds are they’ll top US$2 billion this year.

They include staff, housing, travel, entertainment and perks.
Expenses rise annually. They’ve increased exponentially during Obama’s tenure. Exact amounts are classified.

Air Force One expense is secret. It’s estimated hourly rate is about US$180 000. Washington to and from Hawaii flying time takes about 18 hours. It costs US$3 240 000.

Security away from home is costly. Presidential aircraft domicile at Andrews Air Force Base. It has its own security. It guards Air Force One when it’s not elsewhere. It makes certain it’s airworthy.

Many other security related categories are involved when Obama travels. Imagine how many gratuitous trips could be avoided. Imagine how much staying at home would save.

Imagine the good his travel budget could do. Imagine how many  impoverished, unemployed, hungry and homeless people could be helped.
Americans pay plenty for rogue presidents. Most people on the ground where he visits deplore him. He exceeds the worst of his predecessors.
His agenda explains why. He’s the latest in a long line of warrior presidents. Imperial lawlessness rages. Humanity’s survival is threatened. So are diminishing chances to avoid the worst of all possible outcomes.

America’s wealth used constructively could change things for the better. It could ensure greater safety, security and equity.
It could improve chances for world peace. It could help make planet earth more fit to live in. It could prevent flora and fauna from dying. Current policies are polar opposite.

US spending for militarism, global wars, homeland security, state terrorism, its gulag prison system, mass surveillance, intelligence over and above what’s needed, and trillions of dollars of waste, fraud and grand theft go all out to destroy what’s too precious to lose.

Israel operates the same way. It conducted multiple holiday season attacks on Gaza. A three-year old girl were killed. Hala Abu Sbeikha was murdered in cold blood. Others were wounded.

Hundreds of Palestinians mourned. Hala’s father laid her to rest. Her mother said: “I was busy teaching my children while (she) was playing in the courtyard, and suddenly a missile came and I couldn’t rescue her. The area was quiet before the missile landed.”

Israel’s attack injured Hala’s mother and brother. It breached international law. It demands accountability. Under Geneva’s Article 147, grave breaches include “wilful killing, torture or inhumane treatment”, great suffering, serious injury to body or health, and other acts of extreme harshness.

On Christmas eve, Israeli forces conducted multiple community incursions. Bethlehem, Nablus and Ramallah were targeted.
Homes were ransacked. At least 10 Palestinian civilians were kidnapped. Israel’s Christmas message is the same one Palestinians get year-round.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago in the United States. He can be reached at [email protected].