“We evolved on the savannahs of Africa. We now live in Candyland.”
--Michael L. Power and Jay Schulkin in their book, “The Evolution of Obesity.”
VIDEO
American Propaganda Films – Good Eating Habits (1951)
DOCUMENT
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Hearts, minds and tongues in Cambodia - Julie Masis, Asia Times: The United States Embassy in Cambodia is financing the publication of new textbooks for minority Cham Muslims, a public diplomacy initiative that will revive a forgotten traditional writing system and attempt to discourage the use of Arabic as a language of instruction in this predominantly Buddhist Southeast Asian nation. The textbooks, the first to be printed in the Cham script since the Khmer Rouge's 1975-1979 reign of terror, will initially teach more than 200 Cham Muslim children to read and write in a script derived from Sanskrit, according to the US Embassy, which is also financing the production and publication of the first Cham language dictionary. ... A US Embassy spokeswoman in Phnom Penh would not confirm that teaching Cambodia's Cham Muslims how to read and write in their own script - rather than Arabic - was related to US counter-terrorism efforts in the region. She referred to the Cham textbooks as 'a cultural heritage preservation project'."
Public Schedule for April 17, 2012 - U.S. Department of State: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TARA SONENSHINE [:] 10:15 a.m. Under Secretary Sonenshine addresses new U.S. Ambassadors participating in the Ambassadorial Seminar at the Foreign Service Institute, in Arlington, VA. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 11:30 a.m. Under Secretary Sonenshine addresses new Foreign Service Officers of the 166th A-100 class, at the Foreign Service Institute, in Arlington, VA. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 12:00 p.m. Under Secretary Sonenshine attends the Swearing-In ceremony for U.S. Ambassador-Designate to India Nancy Powell, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) ... ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ANN STOCK [:] Assistant Secretary Stock accompanies Secretary Clinton on foreign travel in Brasilia, Brazil to participate in the U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue. Please click here for more information."
Fresno businessman will visit Malaysia - the Fresno Bee: "Fresno businessman Harry G. Harris will visit Malaysia next week at the request of the U.S. State Department for an entrepreneurial networking and globalization tour. Harris is the founder of HealthCare California, a Fresno-based home-health agency.
130 Thousand Students go to the United States Every Year - Himfr Mary, dailyfresharticles.net: "According to feb. 15 issue of global times reported, AFP 13 reported, the United States senate foreign relations committee 15th will be released a report that America should send more foreign students to study in China, and to bid for 2020 expo. Report says, China now every year who go to number of nearly 13 million, it is the United States to 10 times of the number of Chinese students, reports on Obama over the next four years, will be to China increased to international students each year 25,000 appeal of welcome. 'If we want to have enough commercial, academic and policy experts to deal with a constant powerful China, increase the number of students in beauty is critical.' Report, Chinese in the United States has about
US embassy cable - 09BEIJING1134 MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, U.S. POLICY, CHINA'S GOLD RESERVES - occupythebanks.com: "Origin: Embassy Beijing Created: 2009-04-28 08:23:00 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED ... DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007)"
U.S. Public Diplomacy: Background and Current Issues - apuntesinternacionales.cl: "Documento elaborado Kennon H. Nakamura y Matthew C. Weed, publicado en diciembre del
The news may be good... - Paul Rockower, Levantine: "I got to partake in a fascinating tour about Voice of America. I ended up having a personal tour, as the tour group that was slated to join me never materialized. As I was waiting for the tour group that didn't show, I got to admire some of the beautiful WPA murals by Seymour Fogel and Ben Shahn. See under: When Art Worked. I couldn't help but think how shocking it would be
Broadcasting Board of Governors to Meet on April 20 – Press Release, BBG: “The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will meet on Friday, April 20 at the headquarters of Radio and TV Marti in
Broadcasting Board of Governors – BBG Strategy: We’reAbandoning Our Mission and We Don’t Care! - The Federalist: USG Broadcasts/BBG Watch: “The ‘BBG Strategy’ is a strategy of defeat. These internationalists/globalists are just that: defeatists. They are embarrassed by the American historical record of greatness and the inspiration that greatness gives to others. They are not up to the task. They have reduced
No doubt BBC is disappointed that Julian Assange chose RT over it for his new chatshow - Kim Andrew Elliot reporting on International Broadcasting: [Elliott comment]: "Not all international broadcasting entities are mere mouthpieces of their sponsoring governments. The audience for international broadcasting is looking for a credible and reliable alternative to their state-controlled media. The government-funded international broadcaster that best
Turkish Islamic soft power expansion - Ioannis Michaletos, Modern Diplomacy, presscode.gr: "Turkey steadily since the rise of AKP party in 2002 in power, is investing considerable resources upon expanding its reach both in the Islamic and in the Western world, by the use
Israeli beating of activist causes uproar - unpromisedone.blogspot.com: "A senior Israeli military officer’s seemingly unprovoked assault against an unarmed pro-Palestinian activist drew sharp condemnations Monday, raising questions in Israel over whether the country’s heavy-handed approach to nonviolent protesters was exaggerated and causing damage to Israel’s image. The assault, captured on video and featured in all major newspapers and TV broadcasts, follows Israel’s high-profile interception at its main airport of dozens of international activists who had planned a solidarity mission with Palestinians in the West Bank. Adding to the sense that Israel may have gone too far, officials said Tuesday that nearly 500 people were erroneously blocked from visiting. Israel has branded the activists 'provocateurs' who posed a security threat to the country. Calling itself the Middle East’s only democracy, it says the protesters have their priorities wrong and should instead focus on rampant human rights violations in neighboring Arab countries. Israel feels it is unfairly singled out internationally and is obsessed about its international image. Leaders often complain about what they say are unfair efforts to 'delegitimize' the country with boycotts, divestment calls and other campaigns. The country even has a ministry of public diplomacy that aims to promote the country’s image overseas. ... Yuli Edelstein, Israel's minister for public diplomacy, rejected the notion that Israel was overreacting with the foreign activists and thus damaging its own image. He said the incident with Eisner highlighted the danger of letting activists roam freely."
Praise from the Right, condemnation from the Left - yonitheblogger.com:"Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner's filmed assault on an unarmed left-wing activist from Denmark, which gained large-scale exposure on Sunday, has won praise from the Right and harsh condemnation from the Left. ... Peace Now General Director Yariv Oppenheimer insisted that Eisner be removed from the IDF.
Flytilla: Prevent, arrest and deport - Danny Danon, worldlikud.org.il: "The unfortunate incident which took place in the Jordan Valley on Saturday where an IDF officer was forced to fight off an anti-Israel activist has proven once again that we are not dealing correctly with this latest attack on the very legitimacy of our existence. We witnessed this regrettable phenomenon again this week with the ludicrous internal debate that has surrounded the 'flytilla' attack on Israel. Our society is busying itself with an absurd internal debate that includes calls from the extreme Left to welcome these anti-Israel activists and open a dialogue with them. This is not only misguided, but actually endangers the foundations of our society. Attempts to explain the rationality behind the Zionist dream of building a state in our historic homeland will simply not work with those who are attempting infiltrate Israel’s borders only to attack us from within. It is time that we recognize the reality we are faced with. The State of Israel is at war. This war is being fought on a completely different battlefield than in the past, one in which the word de-legitimization has replaced bullets and provocative actions such as the flotilla have replaced tanks and fighter planes. ... These[...] so-called activists not only take part in these violent attacks on our security forces, but
RELATED ITEMS
Lock up your poor - Rob Gowland, The Guardian: The Worker's Weekly: The United States, the world’s richest country – and according to its own propaganda the world leader in democratic freedoms – has the largest prison population in the world today.
Legalize drugs? It's a valid discussion for U.S., Mexico and others - Latin American leaders, weary of the drug war, are calling for an important discussion on drug legalization. The U.S. should not turn away - Editorial, latimes.com: With the U.S. presidential electionjust months away, the Obama administration is not going to engage in discussions about liberalizing drug laws just at the moment. But Latin American leaders, weary of failed enforcement policies, are calling for an important discussion. The United States should not jump on the decriminalization bandwagon without a lot of serious thought and careful analysis. But nor should it shut itself out of that debate. Alternative approaches that hold out hope for a regional solution deserve a fair hearing.
Afghanistan's Bloody Spring: Mr. President, have you heard there's a war on? - Review and Outlook, Wall Street Journal: The Taliban's weekend raids on Kabul and three other cities show the progress of Afghanistan's military. At least 36 insurgents were killed, along with eight Afghan policemen and three civilians, but no NATO forces.
Afghanistan: Propaganda by both sides - Jim Rafferty, Royal Military Police Association - Isle of Man Branch: The attacks carried out by the Taliban in the heart of Kabul have once again exposed the increasingly glaring discrepancy between the official version of the Afghan war and the actual situation on the ground. For the last year, US and British military commanders have painted an upbeat picture of the war in which their forces are "gaining momentum," "disrupting Taliban activity," "degrading their capabilities" or "denying them control of population areas." So where did it all go so wrong. Now the Taliban have carried out the most serious assault in Kabul in 11 years, simultaneously attacking embassies, a supermarket, a hotel and the Afghan parliament, in addition to attacks on US bases and Afghan police stations in three other provinces. Hardly a spent force. In fact these attacks managed to achieve a great deal.
Iran strikes a new tone on nuclear talks - Editorial Board, Washington Post: For now
Talking With Iran - Editorial, New York Times: Iran’s nuclear ambitions
Iran’s Phantom Menace - Ray McGovern, consortiumnews.com: For years, a propaganda drumbeat has been rising to justify a war to stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb, though U.S. intelligence agencies say Iran isn’t building one and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has decried nukes as a “great sin.” But nothing has stopped the drumbeat.
Western propaganda on Iran fictitious: Nigerian Foreign Minister - presstv.com: Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Viola Onwuliri has dismissed the Western propaganda against Tehran, praising Iran’s ‘vigorous’ social and economic environment. Onwuliri made the remarks at a Monday meeting with Iran’s top diplomat Ali Akbar Salehi in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Cautious hope for Syria - Marc Lynch, Foreign Policy: The fetish for military intervention among so many in the Syria policy debate has been counter-productive. The Obama administration and most of the key governments involved in the Syria crisis clearly believe that military intervention and arming the opposition are bad ideas -- not viable solutions which they are avoiding for political reasons, but potential fiascos which they are avoiding out of prudence.
Playing Nice With Pyongyang - Mary Kissel, Wall Street Journal: North Korean doves will no doubt advise more talking, and more reliance on China—as if that's ever worked in the past. The only prudent policy is for the White House to junk its speak softly, carry a little stick approach, but don't count on that happening in an election year.
Echoes of the End of the Raj - Kwasi Kwarteng, New York Times: America’s position today reminds one of Britain’s situation in 1945. Deep in debt and committed to building its National Health Service and other accouterments of the welfare state, Britain no longer could afford to run an empire. Moreover, Britain, which so proudly ruled the waves a generation ago, was tired; it lacked the willpower to pursue its imperial destiny.
America’s role as an imperialist is even more fragile, as it never had Britain’s self-confident faith in its own imperial destiny. Americans have always been ambivalent about the role of global hegemon. Today, American retreat is not motivated by traditional isolationism, but by practical necessity. Like post-World War II Britain, contemporary America no longer has the financial resources to maintain an empire — one which, in America’s case, was pursued only halfheartedly in the first place. Deficits and debt have been more damaging to dreams of empire than any genuine shift in ideology. Image from, under the headline "Talking growth with Raj Manufacturing, makers of Hurley and Reef swimwear"
China’s censorship can never defeat the internet - Ai Weiwei, thepeninsulaqatar.com: Chairman Mao used to say: “As communists we gain control with the power of the gun and maintain control with the power of the pen.” You can see propaganda and the control of ideology as an authoritarian society’s most important task. Before the internet, all people could do was watch TV or read the People’s Daily. They would carefully read between the lines to see what had happened. Now it is very different. The papers try to talk about things, but even before they appear, everyone has talked about it on the internet.
China: Battle over the spread and deletion of “rumors” - Global Voices Online: "The China propaganda machine continues to launch the war against 'rumors' distributing via social media. However, many still believe that people will eventually win in this online battle. Yesterday People's Daily had a featured article on 'Internet rumors harm people and harm our society. The public must not believe or transmit rumors'. ... The cracking down of online rumors is so hard handed that most of the micro-blogs that I collected via Sina Weibo were deleted."
Palestinians are not wanted in Jordan: Jordanian spokesmen insist over and over again that Jordan is not a Palestinian state, and the assertion heard now and then that Jordan is Palestine is considered subversive propaganda in Amman - Moshe Arens, haaretz.com: Jordan refuses to let in the more than 1,000 Palestinians stranded along the Syria-Jordan border, even though it has allowed 100,000 Syrian refugees to enter.
Gunter Grass's Tin Ear: 'The Germans will never forgive the Jews for Auschwitz,' runs a mind-bending quip - Josef Joffe, Wall Street Journal: Nobel laureate Günter Grass, 84, is a poster boy of "re-education," America's therapy for post-Hitler Germany. Or he was. In 2006, this chest-thumping anti-Nazi laid bare his long-concealed career in the Waffen-SS.
Lamb's Legs: Drinks Bats Milk - DJ Hostettler, avclub.com: The closing track to Drinks Bats Milk—the debut demo cassette from the recently birthed Riverwest combo Lamb’s Legs—is named “Topping Topsy,” after the elephant electrocuted on film by that dickhole Thomas Edison. Somehow, a turn-of-the-century corporate propaganda film is the perfect visual accompaniment for LL’s deranged, hyper-smart post-punk—they’re both unsettlingly ugly/beautiful abominations created by brilliant minds who really should have known better.
ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
“We have killed all the slow and stupid ones. But that means the ones that are left are totally dedicated.”
--US Ambassador to Afghanistan Chester Crocker, regarding the Taliban; via
AMERICANA
IMAGE
--From Boing Boing: visitor looks at a work by South Korean artist Hyung Koo Kang at China International Gallery Exposition 2012 in Beijing, April 13, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment