US Commander Condemns Quran Burning As “Hateful”

The top U.S. and NATO Commander in Afghanistan General David Patraeus spoke out Sunday against Florida pastor Terry Jone’s burning of the Holy Quran last month. The action sparked violence protest and death in Afghanistan.
“We condemn the action of an individual in the United States who burned a holy Quran. That action was hateful, intolerant and it was extremely disrespectful. And again we condemn it in the strongest manner possible,” said Patraeus.

MN Investing In Apartheid Say Protesters

By Bill Sorem

The Break the Bonds Campaign gathered about 80 protesters in the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda in St. Paul on Wednesday, March 30. The assembled group represented about half the legislative senate districts in the state. They gathered for a rally before talking to legislators about divesting from Israeli bonds. Minnesota’s investment board currently holds about $18.4 million is Israeli bonds.

Break the Bonds Campaign includes Palestinians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, students, professionals, parents, community members and allies working together to bring Palestine-centric education to Minnesota in order to promote justice and human rights. They are committed to non-violent actions including divestment. sanctions and boycott of Israeli goods.

The Minnesota Break The Bonds Campaign was founded about two years ago to bring attention to Israel-Palestine issues and to further the belief that, “We, the people of Minnesota, have the moral obligation to make sound investments that will not aid the oppression of any one race, creed or people. Minnesota’s investment in Israel supports an apartheid system in both Israel and the Occupied Territories that causes thousands of civilian deaths, many of whom are children, and which involves the widespread abuse of human rights. This system defies a ruling by the International Court of Justice as well as more than 65 UN Resolutions, and violates the Fourth Geneva Convention. We demand that the state of Minnesota act on its good conscience and support the breaking of economic ties with the apartheid state of Israel.”

Afghan Activist Malalai Joya Speaks in Minneapolis

Afghan activist, writer and a former politician, Malalai Joya spoke tonight at St. Joan of Arc church in Minneapolis. She was dismissed from the Afghan parliament for publicly denouncing the presence of what she considered to be warlords and war criminals in the Afghan parliament. Joya is an outspoken critic of the Karzai administration and its western supporters, particularly the United States. Her suspension from parliament in May 2007 generated protest internationally and appeals for her reinstatement have been signed by high profile writers, intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky, and politicians including Members of Parliament from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. She is called by some “the bravest woman in Afghanistan.”

Malalai Joya also spoke to the press before her St. Joan of Arc appearance (video below):

Marines Deploy to Libya

More than 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Union, 2nd Marine Expeditionary force, deployed along the Amphibious Squadron 6 for Libya March 29.

Obama Explains Libya Military Action

Remarks as prepared for delivery— … Continue Reading

Obama: US Prevents Libyan “Humanitarian Catastrophe”

President Obama tells the American people that the military mission in Libya is succeeding even as responsibility is transferred to our NATO allies and partners. Qaddafi’s air defenses have been taken out, his forces are no longer advancing across the country, and in places like Benghazi, his forces have been pushed back. The President says every American can be proud of the lives we have saved and of the service of our men and women in uniform who once again have stood up for our interests and our ideals.

Sen Franken on Libya: We Should Have Gone in Earlier

After an appearance at the Minnesota State Office Building in St. Paul today to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the passage of Health Care reform, Senator Al Franken told The UpTake that he supports President Obama’s military intervention in Libya and the grand NATO-Arab League coalition that the State Department appears to have built. Franken only lamented that we didn’t go into Libya sooner.

Rep. Ellison Comfortable With Libya Action

By Bill Sorem
March 23, 2011. Speaking after a health care forum in Minneapolis, 3rd CD Congressmen Keith Ellison was asked for his comments on the US action against Libyan forces that are attacking their own people. He says we have to abide by UN mandates and protect vulnerable populations. No one knows how long we’ll be there. When asked about an increase in peace protest activity, he said he stands for peace, but hopes the those folks will realize what Muammar Gaddafi was doing to the rebel forces.

US Fighter Jet Crashes In Libya

Two US Airmen are safe after their fighter jet crashed during a mission over northeast Libya. The F-15 E strike Eagle went down Monday. The two pilots were able to eject safely from the aircraft and are back with US forces. They reportedly suffered only minor injuries. Military officials say the F-15 crashed after the plane malfunctioned and hostile fire did not play any role in the crash. Navy officials say coalition airstrikes have rendered Libya’s air defenses ineffective.

Libya “No Fly Zone” Brings Quick, Loud Response

Minneapolis, MN, March 21, 2011. Minnesota peace groups are loudly denouncing the air attack against Libya. US, French and and British forces are firing missiles into Libya to enforce a No Fly Zone. The rally was in front of the US Courthouse in downtown Minneapolis. Just two days after the biggest peace march in years, a smaller group of activists chanted and listened to speeches firmly against this action. They recalled President Reagan’s announcement 25 years ago of a similar air attack against Libya.

Today they chanted, “No Blood For Oil,” and, “Hands Off Libya,”