News from LDH: April 2018

Why is Friday the 13th unlucky? A look back at the history of this ominous date: Roots of superstition can be traced back to arrest of Knights Templar in Middle Ages, subsequently burnt at the stake and condemning us all to misfortune for the wrongs done to them

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/friday-the-13th-why-is-it-unlucky-superstition-history-bad-luck-last-supper-knights-templar-a8302571.html

John Fogerty - Centerfield

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc

Military related links 041618

Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC): The Rules of War

https://www.thebalance.com/law-of-armed-conflict-loac-3332966

The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)

https://loacblog.com/loac-basics/4-basic-principles/

Introduction to the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) LOAC PPT (163 pages)

http://www.genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2013/11/The-Law-of-Armed-Conflict.pdf

LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT DESKBOOK

http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/pdf/LOAC-Deskbook-2015.pdf

Trump appointee at Defense Department resigns after CNN reveals birther postings

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/03/politics/trump-dod-appointee-resigns-birther/index.html

China Military Tells Russia 'We've Come to Support You' Against U.S.

http://www.newsweek.com/china-military-tells-russia-weve-come-support-you-against-us-870070

The Pentagon Is Planning a Three-Front ‘Long War’ Against China and Russia: If you thought the "global war on terror" was a significant overreach for a single power, just wait.

http://fpif.org/the-pentagon-is-planning-a-three-front-long-war-against-china-and-russia/

Space war is coming — and the U.S. is not ready: ‘We are now approaching a point where “Star Wars” is not just a movie,’ one government adviser warns.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/06/outer-space-war-defense-russia-china-463067

Troxell: NCOs Must Keep Growing, Learning, Setting Example

https://americanmilitarynews.com/ai/troxell-ncos-must-keep-growing-learning-setting-example/

Patriot Missiles Are Made in America and Fail Everywhere: The evidence is in: the missile defense system that the United States and its allies rely on is a lemon.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/03/28/patriot-missiles-are-made-in-america-and-fail-everywhere/

How to Start a War in 5 Easy Steps: A brief checklist to know whether Trump is getting serious about attacking another country.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/02/how-to-start-a-war-in-5-easy-steps/

President Trump broke with national security procedure when he tweeted Syria threat — and contradicted himself

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/trumps-syria-threat-tweet-violates-national-security-procedures.html?utm_source=WTF+Just+Happened+Today%3F&utm_campaign=2cde004989-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_19_2018&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9813b73b1a-2cde004989-165827861

Terrorism related links 041618

No Requiems for a Terrorist in Austin

http://rudepundit.blogspot.ca/2018/03/no-requiems-for-terrorist-in-austin.html

This War Will Destabilize The Entire Mideast Region And Set Off A Global Shockwave Of Anti-Americanism vs. No It Won’t

https://www.theonion.com/this-war-will-destabilize-the-entire-mideast-region-and-1819594296

The Onion Predicted The Rise Of The Islamic State In 2003: The satirical news site warned the Iraq War would fuel “a million bin Ladens.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-onion-islamic-state_us_5649fb70e4b08cda3489a3b0

Trump privately presses for military to pay for border wall

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-privately-presses-for-military-to-pay-for-border-wall/ar-BBKMvlw

Trump administration announces anti-immigrant census question, gets sued within hours

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/27/1752433/-Trump-administration-announces-anti-immigrant-census-question-gets-sued-within-hours?detail=emaildkre

Half of immigrant Texans were worried to seek help after Harvey out of deportation fear, study finds

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/27/1752529/-Half-of-immigrant-Texans-were-worried-to-seek-help-after-Harvey-out-of-deportation-fear-study-finds?detail=emaildkre

8 reasons why Trump's John Bolton appointment is causing a frenzy among Jews: Let’s get out of the way some of the more commonly known stuff that’s fueling this frenzy.

http://www.jpost.com/american-politics/8-reasons-why-trumps-john-bolton-appointment-is-causing-a-frenzy-among-jews-546961

Sec. of State nominee ‘very positively disposed’ to Israel, strong critic of Iran deal: Having a secretary of state who does not conform to the State Department worldview “is very good for us,” Deputy Minister Michael Oren said.

http://www.jpost.com/American-Politics/Pompeo-very-positively-disposed-to-Israel-strong-critic-of-Iran-deal-545010

'Oil Prices Could Rise Considerably' If U.S. Imposes New Sanctions On Iran

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4112566-oil-prices-rise-considerably-u-s-imposes-new-sanctions-iran

“Breaking the deal (with Iran) will mean the return of Iran's oil sanctions, rising oil prices, and more profits for the koch brothers.” See page 15 of The Week, March 30, 2018

http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/668198/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%88-%DA%86%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AF

KOCH INDUSTRIES, INC., P.O. Box 2256, Wichita, KS 67201-2256

http://www.kochind.com/

Former Wichita Congressman Mike Pompeo Nominated To Be Secretary Of State

http://kcur.org/post/former-wichita-congressman-mike-pompeo-nominated-be-secretary-state#stream/0

The Pompeo plan: Kill the Iran deal, and go to the brink with Tehran: US hardliners' real goal isn't the mere scuttling of the nuclear deal, it is regime change

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/us-hardliners-real-goal-regime-change-tehran-1295044835

Welcome to Israel: Are you ready for fast and furious? Op-ed: Why do many immigrants and expats find it difficult to understand and acclimatize to the Israeli culture? Part of it may have to do with the lack of understanding of Israeli cultural values: Courage, energy, opinionated views, impatience, creativity and improvisation, which are manifested in the day-to-day living as well as through conducting business in Israel.

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5147319,00.html

Medic who documented Nazi camp horror dies at 93

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/08/health/world-war-ii-medic-anthony-acevedo-obit/index.html

The New Cold War Is Here—and Now 3 Major Powers Are Involved: The world contains more potential flash points than ever before.

https://www.thenation.com/article/the-new-cold-war-is-here-and-now-three-major-powers-are-involved/

Crossing Borders: Zadie Smith’s Dream City.

https://www.thenation.com/article/zadie-smiths-dream-city/

It’s Time to Abolish ICE: A mass-deportation strike force is incompatible with democracy and human rights.

https://www.thenation.com/article/its-time-to-abolish-ice/

It Has Been 210 Days Since Amanda Morales Last Saw the Sun: For the undocumented mother of three, taking sanctuary in a church seemed the best way to keep her family together.

https://www.thenation.com/article/it-has-been-210-days-since-amanda-morales-last-saw-the-sun/

Think the War in Syria Is Winding Down? Think Again. The conflict, having long since fallen into the hands of foreigners, is flying along on its second wind.

https://www.thenation.com/article/think-the-war-in-syria-is-winding-down-think-again/

Relief for Some

http://www.populist.com/24.06.artcullen.html

The Stunning New Cruelty of Immigration Enforcement: Whatever your views on immigration, we should all agree not to torment small children.

http://www.populist.com/24.06.richardson.html

Sanchez: Send in the lawyers

http://cumberlink.com/opinion/columnists/sanchez-send-in-the-lawyers/article_455ec32f-be0f-562c-97d8-7f0ef1f12b1c.html

Don’t Fear Nuclear Missiles. Fear Those Who Deploy Them

http://www.populist.com/24.06.uretsky.html

America's Top High School Science Students Are the Children of Immigrants

http://time.com/money/4700743/immigrants-top-high-school-students-science/

In Easter Sunday tirade, Trump says he will make no deal to help Dreamers, threatens again to scrap NAFTA

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-daca-mexico-20180401-story.html

Trump freezes $200 million in funds earmarked for Syria recovery

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-donald-trump-freezes-200-million-in-funds-earmarked-for-syria-recovery/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6a&linkId=49907616

Saudi crown prince recognizes Israel’s right to exist, talks up future ties: Mohammed bin Salman tells Atlantic the Iranian ayatollah is 'worse than Hitler' because he is 'trying to conquer the world'

https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-crown-prince-recognizes-israels-right-to-exist-talks-up-future-ties/

Where's the Immigration Crisis? U.S. Border Patrol Reports Illegal Border Crossings At Record Low

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2017/12/05/wheres-the-immigration-crisis-u-s-border-patrol-reports-illegal-border-crossings-at-record-low/#5fa8afd24b73

Homeland Security considers black clothing and carpools evidence of ‘anarchist extremists’

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/homeland-security-considers-black-clothing-carpools-evidence-anarchist-extremists/#.WsUaLTVTjxM.facebook

Trump orders National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/04/politics/trump-national-guard-troops-border/index.html

Trump asked CIA official why drone strike didn't also kill target's family: report

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381925-trump-asked-cia-official-why-drone-strike-didnt-also-kill-targets?amp=1

Mexican politicians unite to slam deployment of US guardsmen

https://www.apnews.com/183fa1d9e40c4de6b696409b63c6ebda

Oregon gov. refuses Trump’s order to send National Guard to US-Mexico border

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2018/04/oregon-gov-refuses-trumps-order-to-send-national-guard-to-us-mexico-border/

Syria conflict: Strikes hit Syrian airfield, state media report

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43694588

Trump Says 'Big Price to Pay' for Syria Chemical Attack

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-04-07/rebels-say-syrian-forces-dropped-chemicals-on-douma-government-denies-accusation

Does Trump Even Know What He Wants From Kim Jong-un? The president has shown no indication that he has any plan for next month’s all-important North Korea summit.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/does-trump-even-know-what-he-wants-from-kim-jong-un.html

Kim Jong Un Talks Nukes On Secret Trip To China

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/28/597507942/on-trip-to-china-north-koreas-leader-says-denuclearization-is-reachable

Give peace a chance: Our president gets to crow

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2018/apr/02/give-peace-a-chance-20180402/?opinion

Environmentalists Are Teaming Up With Immigrant Rights Activists To Stop Trump’s Border Wall: In South Texas, a community rallies to protect both its wildlife and residents.

http://inthesetimes.com/article/20968/environmentalists-are-teaming-up-with-immigrant-rights-activists-to-stop-tr

Is There Anything Left To Say About the Holocaust?

http://jewishjournal.com/cover_story/232667/anything-left-say-holocaust/

Russia is jamming US drones in Syria, officials say

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2018/04/russia-is-jamming-us-drones-in-syria-officials-say/

Searching for Acceptance: Though Founded As A Beacon Of Religious Freedom, America Hasn’t Always Lived Up To Its Promise Of True Tolerance

https://www.au.org/church-state/april-2018-church-state-magazine/featured/searching-for-acceptance

One-Third of Americans Don't Believe 6 Million Jews Were Murdered During the Holocaust

http://www.newsweek.com/one-third-americans-dont-believe-6-million-jews-were-murdered-during-holocaust-883513

Gina Haspel’s Role in the Torture Era Demands Attention: Democrats need to insist on the fundamental principle that a torturer is unfit to serve in government in any capacity.

https://www.thenation.com/article/gina-haspels-role-in-the-torture-era-demands-attention/

Under Trump, ICE Has Become a Vast, Cruel Bureaucracy: Children seeking asylum are being separated from their parents for no good reason.

https://www.thenation.com/article/under-trump-ice-has-become-a-vast-cruel-bureaucracy/

Russia prepares for nuclear war with US

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-prepares-for-nuclear-war-with-us/ar-AAvMByY?ocid=ob-fb-engb-1511253547831