Another Salvo for the New Year:

Then, Emile Zola Wrote His “J’Accuse”; Now, Tina Staik Asks, “Is it a coincidence...?”

by Tina Staik

Is it a coincidence that bin Laden's threats to destroy the U.S. economy appear to be aligned with the goals of oil and war industries?

Is it a coincidence that bin Laden's threats to destroy the U.S. economy appear to be aligned with the goals of oil and war industries? First, didn't oil and war puppet Bush and their media machine talk up recession and war from day one, effectively lowering consumer confidence? Then, how about the failed attempt (thank you Governor Davis!) of energy companies to destroy California's economy, which would have also seriously harmed our national economy? Next, what about the outrageous tax cut for the rich that ate up our surplus, which, combined with war and missile defense spending, brought radical conservatives closer than ever to their goal of dismantling social security? Then, what about the radical conservatives who are still hotly pursuing to do more damage to our economy (and the middle class) by passing tax cuts for the rich that did not go through in the first round? In short, Is it a coincidence that oil and war radicals and bin Laden are on the same page? [Ref. Bin Laden Calls Anew for Attacks ]

Is it a coincidence that 9/11, which created additional damage to our economy and middle class American citizens, has also been tremendously "beneficial" to Bush, radical conservatives, oil and war industries? Is it a coincidence that current administration, CIA, Bush, and Texas oil companies have had warm relations with the Taliban? Is it a coincidence that, upon taking office, Bush asked FBI to stop probes and close file on bin Laden? Is it a coincidence that oil negotiations occurred between oil and war administration and the Taliban between February and August of this year, and that by July 2001, plans were allegedly under way to invade Afghanistan by October 2001 (apparently due to U.S. dissatisfaction with "negotiations")? Is it a coincidence that the major media have all failed to investigate reports that the number of transactions in financial markets indicate criminal foreknowledge of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?
[Ref. 1. Page Not Found
2. FBI AND US SPY AGENTS SAY BUSH SPIKED BIN LADEN PROBES BEFORE 11 SEPTEMBER
3. US efforts to make peace summed up by 'oil'
4. US 'planned attack on Taleban'
5. Mystery of terror 'insider dealers'
6. Suppressed Details of Criminal Insider Trading lead directly into the CIA`s Highest Ranks ]

Is it a coincidence that one industry after another justifies getting rid of their employees (perhaps cooking their books?), which results in sudden rises in unemployment, and, in turn, is also damaging to our economy and middle class America? [Ref. Layoffs nearly triple in 2001 ]

Is it a coincidence that oil and war puppets in Congress just passed a so-called "leave no child behind" education bill that does more damage than good by bringing radical conservatives closer to their goal of dismantling public education? While the bill promises more funds, though not nearly enough, it also gives local control, which has been one of the problems allowing money to be diverted to anywhere but education, and threatens to test and privatize failing schools. The bill does nothing but give undeserved credit to Congress and administration, and, like many other bills in the last ten years that have chipped away at our civil rights, voting rights, affirmative action, this bill begins chipping away at poorly funded public schools that are "set up" to fail "testing." [Ref. President Bush Plays Scrooge to Our Nation's Schoolchildren ]

Is it a coincidence that, following the footsteps of Congress, a Republican governor arrogantly ignored the people's will, taking over their "failing" school system with plans to privatize? [Ref. In Largest Schools Takeover, State Will Run Philadelphia's ]

Is it a coincidence that citizens fear privatization of social security and public schools, considering that corporations, who have bought the lie of derugulation, are spinning out of control in a "screw the American public" mode?

Is it a coincidence that higher levels of unemployment and lower levels of education will increase poverty, homelessness, despair, and violent crimes (with disproportionate incarcerations of blacks and hispanics), and that this will effectively demoralize more citizens into being the type of "silent" and "obedient" citizens that DICTATORS can better control and RELIGIOUS fundamentalists can more effectively appeal to?

Is it a coincidence that domestic right wing terrorist groups have received "special" treatment by this administration and media (and that other reports indicate international cooperation between right wing groups, regardless of their differences)? (Also, Is it a coincidence that right wing members of Congress and media have been zealously creating "associations" between environmental activists and dangerous domestic "terrorists"? If there are ANY violent environmentalists, at this point, the first thing to do is question whether they have been "planted" by right wingers, before drawing any conclusions...)
[Ref. Are right-wing hate groups behind anthrax terror?
The Terrorists Here At Home ]

Is it a coincidence that, up until recently, Muslim countries were outspokenly unified in their "hatred" of America for "supporting Israel," "killing Palestinians," etc., yet are suddenly SILENT in response to the recent U.S. backed conquer-and-divide attempts of Sharon to stir civil war among Palestinians and overthrow their leader Arafat? Is it a coincidence that the Muslim oil and war profiteers are warmly involved with Christian and Jewish oil and war profiteers, and likely have a "unified" own hidden agenda?

Is it a coincidence that bin Laden and Taliban leaders escaped "unharmed"?

Is it a coincidence that the media blame the Northern Alliance for their escape to safety, disregarding the totality of evidence? Looking back over events since 9/11, didn't the U.S. military first appear to be working against the efforts of the National Alliance, and then, after being pressured to coordinate their "bombings," didn't they seem both surprised AND DISAPPOINTED that the National Alliance ended the war so fast? And, what about all the "careful" bombing from the start? What about the fact that bin Laden and the Taliban are products of U.S. training and covert intelligence operations? What about evidence of a profuse number of fighters who are "double" agents, switching from one side to another?

Is it a coincidence that oil and war industries, and those who love war for war's sake, benefit most from "prolonged" war? (Is this what the war in Vietnam really was, intentionally a prolonged war?)

Is it a coincidence that fundamentalist religious interpretations are also being used as conquer-and-divide tools to stir animosity and hatred among Christians, Muslims and Jews, while oil and war profiteers, who are increasingly SAYING they are faithful Christians, Muslims and Jews, are essentially unified in their worship of oil and war gods and intentions of duping the "masses" with religion?

Is it a coincidence that the media is marketing Bush as the new leader of American "Christians," since the "fall" of Pat Robertson? Isn't it time faithful Christians set him straight that Jesus was anything BUT a fundamentalist religious oppressor? Isn't it time real believers ask Bush why he doesn't daily ask the Christian question "What would Jesus do?" with regard to the treatment of the poor, children, widows, women? Is it because Jesus was a liberal, an outspoken peace activist who specifically preached that weapons were NOT God's way, and referred to leaders who were outwardly pious, and inwardly heartless, as HYPOCRITES? [Ref. The Choice of Christmas Future ]

Is it a coincidence that religious fundamentalist interpretations of Christianity have been growing in the U.S., following the footsteps of mounting fundamentalist Muslim interpretations within the countries that U.S. oil and war industries have the "warmest" relations with?

Is it a coincidence that domestic right wing terrorist groups predominantly use Christian Identity ideology and the Bible as the source of their ideology (instead of Mein Kampf, and that, in 1999, the FBI completed a report entitled "Project Megiddo" that described Christian Identity as "a belief system that provides its members with a religious basis for racism and an ideology that condones violence against non-Aryans"? [Ref. Should Homegrown Terrorism Be Targeted? ]

Is it a coincidence that right wing terrorist groups have grown exponentially in the last two decades, and that such expansion requires financial backing? One wonders WHO has given financial backing to right-wing terrorist groups to spew hate propaganda against women, blacks, Jews, Indians, immigrants, and so on? [Ref. U.S. MAP OF HATE GROUPS IN 2000 ]

Is it a coincidence that government programs, like COINTELPRO, have been used to infiltrate and dismantle the civil rights movement and that organizations like the ACLU and NOW, which were once at the center of effective civil rights and pro-woman and pro-child reforms in the early 1970s, no longer represent mainstream civil rights and women's rights values, and haven’t since the 80s?

Is it a coincidence, that, instead, the ACLU has increasingly focused on a narrow agenda--predominantly attacking school prayer and any public mention of "God," or fighting for protection of violent/sex/pornography entertainers as "free speech"? That the ACLU, simultaneously, barely advocates for "free speech" rights to protest government policies, neglects to address the attacks on civil rights of government programs like COINTELPRO, and is totally SILENT regarding civil rights of women and children to live free from harms caused by hate propaganda spewed by violent/pornography entertainment? It is a coincidence that this opens the doors wide for the right wing to strengthen their movement, considering many Americans want ecumenical prayers and most women find violent/sex/pornography entertainment unwarranted at best? Is it a coincidence that the right wing now effectively uses the ACLU's discredited "liberal" reputation in well-timed pushes of their agenda?

Is it a coincidence that feminist organizations, such as NOW, have been "persuaded” to more narrowly focus on issues, predominantly abortion and gay and lesbian rights? That, as a result, NOW has dropped other issues vital to women, such as domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, pay equity, paid maternity leave and child care? That this has permitted the right wing to easily discredit feminism to the point that most men--and women--shudder at its mention? Is it a coincidence that most women's groups have achieved gains for women by not referring to themselves as feminists?

Is it a coincidence that radical conservatives and right wing groups, having effectively "discredited" once-major symbols of civil rights and the women's movement, now have easy weapons to throw at democracy-loving progressives, discrediting them as "immoral," "godless," "liberals," "feminists," and so on? Isnt it time our non-profits examined themselves against their missions for possible conflicting “influences”?

Is it a coincidence that those who expose abuses--and thus are VITAL to the preservation of democratic checks and balances--find themselves in danger? That the so-called “terrorist bill” passed by Congress poses greater threats to civil and human rights and peace activists than to terrorists? That the U.S. government has "assisted" countless of governments in the last few decades with research-based methodology, training and financial support in CRUSHING civil and human rights and peace activist and environmental groups--in short--the VOICES OF DEMOCRACY? [Ref. 1. Russia: Rights Defender Reported Killed in Chechnya
2. Homeland Security, Homeland Profits ]

Is it a coincidence that Bush tells the world he is fighting terrorism, yet the U.S. is increasingly the easiest place to buy guns at bazaars, and still refuses to ratify international treaties curbing the proliferation of small arms?
[Ref. 1. Leftover arms fuel continent's ruinous wars
2. Gun markets for terrorists
3. Time to shut down the gun bazaar ]

Is it a coincidence that the oil puppet Bush administration is not moving to protect Afghanistan from civil unrest with peacekeeping forces and nation-building initiatives, in spite of the fact that the U.S. has acknowledged its shameful abandonment of Afghanistan to the very terrorists, bin Laden and Al Qaeda, which it trained? That oil and war profiteers know that civil war and lawlessness is what "justifies" installment of another oppressive-to-people/pandering-to-business regime? [Ref. Tribal leader warns Karzai of war over US raids ]

Is it a coincidence that the oil and war puppet Bush administration refuses to consider investing in earth-friendly solutions to our energy problems, proven viable in other countries? [Ref. Iceland launches energy revolution ]

Is it a coincidence that the Reagan administration in the 80s dismantled government offices such the National Center for Prevention of Rape, and the National Clearinghouse on Rape, and the current administration plans to eliminate ten offices dealing with women's labor issues and civil rights in the U.S. Department of Labor? That the U.S., compared to other industrial democracies, has a far higher incidence of rape of women and sexual abuse of children, to the point of being a national crisis? That these "issues" have never been election issues for fear of appearing "soft on war," which eliminates the possibility for campaign financing by war and oil industries? That those who are greedy for war and dominance, as a way of life, zealously pursue means of silencing and subjugating women because, historically, women are faithfully outspoken advocates for peace and social justice? [Ref. 1. CHECK IT OUT! Tips, Leads and Links
2. Bush Bashes Women Again ]

Is it a coincidence that the Bush administration has its warmest relations with the regimes, such as Saudi Arabia and theTaliban, that are the MOST oppressive to women? That hatred toward women is historically known, among Christian, Muslim and Jewish war lords, to be instrumental in training "ruthless" warriors? Is it a coincidence that the Taliban sexually and physically abuses male children as means of shaping them into warriors? [Ref. Saudi Arabia's Apartheid ]

Is it a coincidence that news coverage appears to be more fashioned to SHAPE our thinking (social conditioning) rather than inform, investigate and report the truth, or otherwise treat us as intelligent beings?

Is it a coincidence that a media hoarding frenzy has taken place in the last decade, resulting in a handful of media giants owning all major media worldwide? That the ideology of "deregulation" duped (or bought...) the U.S. Congress into passing legislation that made this possible? That those greedy for wealth and world dominance would gravitate toward monopolizing the media as a means of having the POWER to dominate the world, by shaping world events, AND covering wrongdoings by disseminating false reports, books, research, etc., to create mass confusion with regard to what is true? (From the beginning of recorded history, religious and secular scholars have known and described the "power of the pen" to be mightier than the sword...in control the behavior of the "masses.") [Ref. The Big Ten Media Conglomerates ]

Is it a coincidence that news reports attempt to convince us that Al Qaeda terrorists were the masterminds responsible for taking over one country after another in the Middle East? That this distracts our attention away from oil and war industries that have made these groups possible through their FINANCIAL SUPPORT? That this prevents us from asking: Who were the major stakeholders in supporting oppressive regimes and fueling radical religious fundamentalist movements? Who has conducted research on controlling human behavior? Who has developed programs like CAMELOT, designed to subvert protesting citizens? Who BOTH trained and funded terrorists, provided weapons and incentive for civil wars, perhaps funding both sides? Who has profited most from terrorism, civil wars, oppression of human rights? Doesn't this point to OIL and WAR profiteers, as well as BANKERS? Isn't this HIGH-level "organized crime"? [Ref. Holy War Lured Saudis as Rulers Looked Away ]

Is it a coincidence that there is so much media confusion over the shoe terrorist, regarding whether he acted on his own, as oil puppet Bush and the FBI claim, or whether there are connections to Al Qaeda? [Ref. 1. Analyst: 'Shoe Bomber' Probably Not Acting Alone
2. Identity of Shoe Bomb Suspect Probed ]

Is it a coincidence that the FBI's reluctance to share information hampered the US intelligence community's attempts to grapple with the network? [Ref. FBI failed to share al-Qaeda leads: report ]

Is it a coincidence that terrorism, following the war in Afghanistan, seems to be characterized by double agents and terrorists who move from one side to the other? (Is it a coincidence that this seems analogous to shifting party alliances and allegiances of Republicans and Democrats in the last few decades?) [Ref. Sergeant served U.S. and bin Laden ]

Is it a coincidence that bully puppet Bush has a record of hindering investigations since he served as governor, yet the major media have failed to cover the story? That the same funeral corporation is currently the target of a class-action lawsuit in Florida, again accused "of desecrating remains--breaking open burial vaults and dumping the contents in the woods, crushing vaults to make room for others, mixing body parts from different individuals and digging up and reburying remains in locations other than the plots purchased"? [Ref. 1. Funeralgate
2. Ex-funeral agency chief settles suit
3. Funeral Company Accused of Desecration ]

Is it a coincidence that Funeralgate and Enrongate are FAR BIGGER stories than Condit's affair with a missing intern, or Clinton's oral sex lie, which, in contrast, were repeatedly covered in great detail 24/7 for months, and years?

Is it a coincidence that the media-owned entertainment industry has served as a political force for decades, particularly promoting military interests and the status quo? That, following the Vietnam War era, there has been a dramatic increase in violence/sex/pornography entertainment? That this has resulted in desensitizing young people, particularly boys, to violence, and significantly damaging their ability to empathize? That, since the Vietnam era, Hollywood and TV programming has increasingly glorified violence, sex, decadence, drugs, alcohol, consumerism, and otherwise warred against the development of healthy, meaningful lives and relationships between men and women, particularly among our young people? That our government has KNOWN from research that this increases the risks for violence and rape? That this turns out to be ideal "pre-military training" of our young men and women, ensuring military readiness (and no repeat of Vietnam)? [Ref. Media Violence in 2001: Some Good News, Some Bad ]

Is it a coincidence that we have become a society desensitized to the outrageous content in TV/movies, to the point to where it seems "normal" to most? That many, particularly our young people, have been socially conditioned to think of this "let it all hang out" programming as evidence of their "freedoms" thanks to "godless liberals"? That we have been socially conditioned to be passionate about preserving the "free speech" of artists and pornographers, while simultaneously SILENT about the preservation of our "free speech" to protest against government policies? That the images of women and children in the last two decades have been particularly damaging, that women have been glorified as victims sacrificing themselves to rape and violence, that career women have been depicted as selfish, cold, calculating, and overall, despicable, that children have been depicted as unruly, wild, disrespectful--in short, shamelessly disobedient and disorderly?

Is it a coincidence that there have been exponential increases in violent crimes committed by women and children in the last two decades, yet individuals or groups who attempt to curtail this form of "entertainment," i.e.,Tipper Gore, are ridiculed into silence?

Is it a coincidence that women are increasingly depicted as foul-mouthed, trigger-happy, violence-prone, sex mongering characters "asserting" themselves, often debasing men? That there has been an explosion of talk shows that PAY people to come on stage to reinforce images of women and children as sexually out of control, wild, violent, promoting the idea of military boot camp as the "only" viable solution to "dominate" them like animals? That right-wingers have used these images of decadence to BLAME "feminists" and "liberals," AND effectively draw more women to the Republican, or "conservative" party? That, unlike the U.S., most other industrial democracies balance "free speech" with "civil rights" of citizens so they are able to live free from fear and harm?

Is it a coincidence that the Taliban also stepped in to justify "virtue and vices" controls, particularly over women, with similar attacks of "decadence" of the West?

Is it a coincidence that we cannot believe a thing we are being told about this war against terrorism, and this is a repeat of fabrications, schemes, hoaxes and lies we have experienced in every other war escapade since WWII? [Ref. Headlines From the Cutting Room Floor ]

Is it a coincidence that media giant AOL Time Warner justifies cutting out Goodwill Games, originally founded to promote international peace and brotherhood? [Ref. The US: Rogue Nation ]

Is it a coincidence that media coverage about John Walker emphasizes his upbringing in a "Democratic community in California" and his experimentation with non-Christian religions, as responsible for turning him into a Taliban terrorist? (Is it a coincidence that the media for decades have neglected to connect the dots between violent domestic terrorists and a Christian religious fundamentalist upbringing?) [Ref. Page Not Found ]

Is it a coincidence that reporters seem to know where to find bin Laden for interviews, yet U.S. intelligence does not? Is the U.S. really "looking for bin Laden," or is this more like a media-created game show thriller engaging American citizens in a "Where in the World is bin Laden" distraction, while covert operations proceed with "conquer and divide" tactics that lead to civil wars, destruction of nations’ economies--all in the name of hoarding wealth and maintaining world dominance?

Is it a coincidence that the "careful bombing" ended up killing so many civilians, bombing Red Cross warehouses several times, bombing elderly tribal leaders supportive of the new Aghan government, yet sparing of bin Laden and top Taliban officials? [Ref. Another Deadly, Errant US Attack is Alleged ]

Is it a coincidence that the U.S. has refused to support nation-building efforts in Afghanistan? Is it because oil and war industry profiteers and the heads of states they have bought do not want democracy in Afghanistan? According to the India Times, "unless the economy (in Afghanistan) begins to move and jobs are created, young men will use weapons they find or already have to increase their standard of living through violence. That will only undermine the potential for reconstruction." [Ref. 'Afghan warlords pillaging humanitarian aid' ]