Report on Farrakhan's Caribbean Tour (FinalCall.com)

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Shockingly Brutal Video from Egyptian Riots

America Hijacked! Who loses when the country’s political reality, finances and foreign policy are dictated by lobbyists?

America Hijacked! 
Who loses when the country’s political reality, finances and foreign policy are dictated by lobbyists?
By Ashahed M. Muhammad

Minister Louis Farrakhan in a recent message to nearly 4,000 on the campus of Prairie View A&M told the naked truth about America’s corrupt political system.

“When you become a governor or a senator—somebody in political power, you don’t see the power behind the power,” the Minister said. “The real power is not what you see. The real power is the unseen reality that moves what you see.”

The unseen powers in America’s political system are the advisers and lobbyists operating in the shadowy corridors near decision-makers in Washington D.C.

In 2007, Professors Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer’s groundbreaking work titled, “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” opened many eyes to the powerful influence of the Israel lobby in America. Since then, more have come to the realization that like-minded groups of wealthy donors pour money into the political system with the goal of electing officials that will govern in the best interests of the moneyed few.

The rapacious greed and fraud committed by highly placed members of the global financial services industry within America’s economic hierarchy has been revealed and the Occupy Wall Street movement is a sign of the anger and dissatisfaction that is boiling just under the surface.

Recent polling data from Real Clear Politics shows that nearly 82 percent disapprove of the job being done by the U.S. Congress and over 73 percent believe the country is on the wrong track. Much of this dissatisfaction seems to arise from feelings that the American political system only benefits wealthy campaign donors and only responds to powerful lobbying groups.

One of the groups accused of hijacking the American political system is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Leading the Israel-first lobby, AIPAC with its 100,000 members uses political leverage to shape American foreign policy. According to its website, AIPAC believes: “These efforts are critical to Israel’s security and to American interests in the Middle East and around the world.”

AIPAC also relies heavily on its contacts with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, an umbrella group composed of 52 national Jewish organizations working on Israel’s behalf.

To AIPAC, it doesn’t matter whether the president is a Democrat or a Republican, or which political party dominates the U.S. Congress. At AIPAC’s annual conference, both parties bow in deference to the powerful lobby and will kowtow to its demands. Republicans and Democrats have been engaged in political gridlock during President Barack Obama’s entire tenure in office, but when it comes to Israel, there is total agreement. To use the president’s words, the relationship between America and Israel is “sacrosanct.”

Some activists have called for shutting down powerful lobbying groups like AIPAC and its tax-exempt appendage, the American Israel Educational Foundation (AIEF) which sponsors annual trips to Israel. During this year’s summer recess—with congressional approval ratings in the teens—instead of going back to their districts to deal with the needs of their constituents, 81 members of Congress went on a trip to Israel.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) led the Democrats and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) led Republicans straight to Israel. Among those making the journey was Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Illinois) along with 47 freshman congressmen who were just voted into office in 2010. Some question whether the time and resources could be better used.

According to the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, the total amount of military aid to Israel, for fiscal years 2009-2018 will reach $30 billion. The share of that financial burden for the state of Illinois is approximately $1.47 billion. In the state, that amount of money could provide 17,916 households per year with affordable housing grants, or 24,493 job seekers per year with green jobs training or, 43,627 children per year with early reading education or 1,194,940 people per year with primary health care.

In an article titled “Robbing Peter to Pay Israel,” Josh Ruebner, national advocacy director for the group took Rep. Jackson to task for the trip.

“Nearly 20 percent of the constituents of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Illinois) live under the poverty line, and nearly 15 percent are unemployed. Jackson’s congressional district, covering parts of the south side of Chicago and its southern suburbs, has been hit harder than many others by the crises plaguing the economy. Many of his constituents are looking at even more cutbacks in social services, higher prices for food and fuel, and ever scarcer jobs,” wrote Mr. Ruebner. “Constituents should be irate that members of Congress accept fancy trips from AIPAC-affiliates and contributions from AIPAC-inspired political action committee (PACs) that result in the United States prioritizing weapons to Israel above our basic economic rights,” he continued.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate in America hovers near 9 percent. Black unemployment stands at nearly 16 percent.

By contrast, according to Bloomberg, Israel’s unemployment rate has reached historically low levels declining to 5.5 percent in the second quarter.

America’s national debt is heading speedily towards $16 trillion. According to economists, each U.S. citizen’s share of the national debt is approximately $48,300. The total U.S. debt, which includes households, businesses, state and local governments, financial institutions and the federal government is close to $60 trillion—approximately $180,201 per citizen, $682,827 per family.

At a recent fundraiser in Manhattan, speaking before wealthy campaign donors at the residence of Jack Rosen, chairman of the American Jewish Congress, Pres. Obama defended his administration’s policy towards Israel, and pledged his commitment to Israel’s security.

“No ally is more important than the state of Israel,” Pres. Obama was quoted as saying in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. “We don’t compromise when it comes to Israel’s security,” he added.

In 2008 Mr. Obama got over 80 percent of the Jewish vote and needs support on that level to win re-election in 2012. Despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize, critics describe Pres. Obama as being hawkish after ramping up drone attacks in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. All of the Republican obstructionism seems to have pulled the “change candidate” to the political right while the conservatives have become even more xenophobic and militaristic.

Alison Weir, president of the Washington D.C.-based Council for the National Interest, told The Final Call Pres. Obama’s extrajudicial assassinations, inability to obtain justice for the Palestinians, and Iran are perfect examples of how the Israel lobby—using its shadowy influence through political operatives—hinders conflict resolution and causes war.

“Obama was elected because people wanted a candidate of change. They wanted what he represented—an unbigoted nation where an intelligent African American could be and would be president without race preventing it. That’s what people voted for, but then we have that person who got that mandate then continuing policies or increasing policies that were unacceptable,” said Ms. Weir.

The same groups that pushed America towards war in Iraq have now set their sights on the Islamic Republic of Iran, she said.

“They are no threat to Israel, they don’t have any nuclear weapons and I think it’s unlikely they’re trying to develop them, (but) it’s plausible, there’s every motivation to develop them when you’ve got a neighbor (Israel) that has nuclear weapons and has a history of invading,” said Ms. Weir. “Think if you had a neighbor that had a hundred machine guns and had a habit of invading all his neighbors you’d think ‘I’d better get at least one machine gun.’”

It appears as if the efforts of the Israel-first lobby and the gay rights lobby have been successful, as many of their talking points have become central pillars of America’s foreign policy.

Pres. Obama recently issued a directive through his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordering U.S. agencies located internationally to use foreign aid on behalf of gay rights.

In a Dec. 6 speech by Sec. Clinton delivered at the European headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland , she also announced that $3 million would go to establish a Global Equity Fund that would be used along with the considerable diplomatic power of the U.S. to work on behalf of LGBT rights.

The Republican Jewish Coalition held a Dec. 7 forum at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. with six of the Republican presidential candidates all doing their best to prove they will be “Israel’s best friend” in the White House, maintaining America’s “unwavering and unshakeable” support.

Of the Republican candidates for president, only Rep. Ron Paul said he would cut all foreign aid, including aid to Israel.

“On foreign aid, that should be the easiest thing to cut,” said Rep. Paul in a televised debate two months ago. “To me, foreign aid is taking money from poor people in this country and giving it to rich people in poor countries.” As a form of retaliation, Rep. Paul was not invited to participate in the forum sponsored by the RJC.

All the other Republican presidential hopefuls are trying to outdo themselves in pledging fealty to Israel, described as America’s “special ally” and “only friend” in the Middle East.

During this time of American economic insecurity, skyrocketing debt and rising income inequality, hard questions are being asked regarding whether this “relationship” with Israel has now become a liability.

At a recent forum discussing the topic, Dr. Norton Mezvinsky, president of the Washington D.C.-based think-tank, the International Council for Middle East Studies, said the “exclusive and discriminatory” nature of Israel has a detrimental effect on America in terms of diplomacy and national security. This is especially clear when looking at the Palestinian conflict, he said.

“The Zionist character of the state of Israel is the central conflict of the Palestinian problem,” said Dr. Mezvinsky.

Many Muslim countries disagree with America’s one-sided policies designed to protect the interests of Israel, and others reject America’s global expansion and military actions. Some outspoken leaders such as Hezbollah’s popular leader Hassan Nasrallah refers to Israel as the “American project in the Middle East.”

An increasing number of foreign affairs analysts believe Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu wants the U.S. to conduct a strike on Iran’s nuclear development facilities, which they insist are being used to create nuclear weapons. Though he has taken a strong rhetorical stance against Iran, Pres. Obama’s reticence to act militarily—in this particular case—could be another reason for tense relations between the two leaders.

More than fearing attack from Iran, Dr. Mezvinsky said, Israelis should be concerned about the demographic shift taking place resulting from their low birth rates, and the high birth rates of the Palestinians.

Zionism is a political movement which began in the late 1800s with the goal of creating a Jewish homeland. In 1897, Theodor Herzl brought together the First Zionist World Congress in Basel, Switzerland and out of that came the group known as the World Zionist Organization. Through ardent advocacy, influence peddling, violence and dispossession of the indigenous people of the land, what is now known as modern Israel came into existence in 1948.

Dr. Mezvinsky says Herzlian political Zionism—“a secular brand of Jewish nationalism”—visibly manifests itself in the powerful political sway of evangelical Christian Zionists, and the lengths to which candidates will go to appease the Israel-first lobby. For example, borrowing rhetoric from intolerant Zionist settlers in Israel, surging Republican presidential hopeful Newt Ginrich referred to the Palestinians as an “invented” people in an interview with Steven Weiss of The Jewish Channel. Despite widespread international condemnation, when questioned at a Dec. 10 GOP presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Gingrich stood by his comments.

Experts like Dr. Mezvinsky are not surprised by anything that comes out of the mouths of American politicians concerning Israel.

“Especially in a presidential election year, candidates go as far as they think they can—there’s almost no limit to how far they will go—with praise and support for the State of Israel.”

[Link to entire article with graphics @ http://bit.ly/tSW5hw]

(Follow Ashahed on twitter @AshahedM & via his blog @ http://ashahed.blogs.finalcall.com )

My Interview w/ Dr. Francis A. Boyle on Palestinian Statehood

While in Rosemont, Illinois recently at the American Muslims for Palestine conference, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Francis A. Boyle, a scholar in the areas of international law and human rights. Dr. Boyle has written and lectured extensively in the United States and abroad on the relationship between international law and politics especially relating to the Palestinian struggle for statehood. Currently Professor Boyle lectures on international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. 

*****

Ashahed M. Muhammad: I enjoyed the forum as well as the panel discussion that followed. What is the most important thing you think the people should come away with leaving this conference after listening to your words relating to Palestinian statehood?

Dr. Francis Boyle: There are many issues that I could have talked about because it’s so complex, but the matter of fact is we need to let the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah know that we want them to go for full-fledged United Nations membership despite the enormous pressure that is being put on them by the Americans, the British, the Canadians, the so-called Quartet in the United Nations—that they have to do this. I think if all the supporters weigh in with Ramallah, with (Palestinian Authority) President (Mahmoud) Abbas with the PLO Executive Committee, hopefully they’ll do it. There are no legal obstacles to their membership. The votes are there in the UN General Assembly and President Abbas just needs to take the next step.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: So with the overwhelmingly supportive UNESCO vote recently with only a few abstentions and the number of nations who voted against only in the teens, you think that portends heavily in favor of official recognition.

Dr. Francis Boyle: Right. If this UNESCO vote was a test vote by the Palestinian leadership to see how many votes they’d get in the General Assembly and they need two-thirds to vote in the General Assembly not counting abstentions, no shows or ‘no’ votes. So if you look at the UNESCO vote they had two-thirds of those states voting either yes or no. So clearly the votes are there in the General Assembly. So it really—now—I’ve done all I can as a lawyer to set this thing up. Where we’re really now is (we need) people to say to President Abbas and the PLO Executive Committee—ignore the Americans, ignore the British, ignore their flunky Ban Ki-moon and go for that full UN membership and then we can launch and wage a legal intifada against Israel all over the world. That’s the most important message.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: Tell us a bit about the book ‘The Palestinian Right of Return Under International Law’ and why you wrote it?

Dr. Francis Boyle: I wrote it because when it was announced the peace negotiations were opening again—the new round—I knew at the heart of these negotiations would be the ‘Right of Return.’ I also knew that again, the usual culprits the British, the Americans, the UN, would put enormous pressure on the Palestinians to compromise on the ‘Right of Return.’ So I wanted to write a book that would provide counter pressure and counter information so that all Palestinians could understand the legal, political and diplomatic basis to the ‘Right of Return.’ So that’s why I wrote the book the way I did.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: Any final words or thoughts you’d like to add?

Dr. Francis Boyle: I just want to express my best personal regards to Minister Louis Farrakhan and all at the Nation of Islam. We’ll be having a convention—an organization that I work with in Chicago—I think in late April where I’ll be lecturing on African-American’s right of self-determination so, maybe Minister Farrakhan would be so kind as to come. It will be at East-West University in April.

Ashahed M. Muhammad: Thank you.

NABJ Congratulates TJ Holmes on Move from CNN to BET

NABJ Congratulates TJ Holmes on his Move to BET College Park, MD (December 7, 2011)-Today the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) congratulates member T.J. Holmes on his decision to move to BET. BET has announced a multi-platform deal with Holmes which includes a newly developed show hosted by the veteran journalist on BET, as well as content on BET.com in which Holmes will report on important and interesting stories for BET's growing audience. Holmes currently anchors CNN Saturday & Sunday Morning, the weekend edition of CNN Newsroom. He joined the network in October of 2006. "NABJ extends our sincere congratulations to T.J. on his move to BET and applaud the network for reemphasizing the importance of news as part of its programming," said NABJ President, Gregory Lee Jr. "At the same time this is a loss for CNN for whom T.J. has been at the forefront on a number of important stories. We hope that CNN is considering replacing him with a journalist who reflects the network's continued commitment to diversity." Since joining CNN, Holmes has anchored numerous major breaking news stories, including the network's coverage of the tornadoes that destroyed Joplin, MO, the Gulf oil spill in 2010, terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India and the conflict between Russia and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in 2008; the Virginia Tech shooting from location in Blacksburg, Virginia and the terrorist attacks at the Glasgow Airport in Scotland in 2007; and Saddam Hussein's execution in 2006.  "T.J. is a dear friend and valued member of NABJ and he always answers when called upon to assist the association, said NABJ Vice President of Broadcast, Bob Butler. "We're proud that T.J. will now have a unique opportunity to engage BET's audience .This couldn't happen to a better person and we wish him much success."

A Note To The Readers & Reflections on 2011

As-Salaam Alaikum!

(Peace Be Unto You)

In my unique position at The Final Call, I have the opportunity to witness the activities of God’s servant, and the world’s number one news maker, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Minister Farrakhan is magnetic. He is bold and uncompromising as he represents truth and speaks for the voiceless challenging the corrupt powers of this world.

I have had the blessing and honor of traveling to many different cities covering him. I have watched the fulfillment of prophecies, history being made, and the future being brought into existence. When on location, I see myself as a servant with the duty of bringing you (the reader) into the atmosphere and to the location where events are transpiring.  After you finish reading, it is my hope is that you feel like you were right there with all of us.

It is a blessing to be able to write and report for an independent media entity that is not muzzled because of corporate control and I thank our publisher and founder, Minister Farrakhan, for his visionary leadership in emphasizing the importance of an independent Black press.

As I looked over the many things that happened over the past year, I realized that while traveling, fulfilling  deadlines, researching, reading and typing, things are happen very fast. Undoubtedly, you as readers of  The Final Call experience the very same thing, so I thought it would be a good idea for a review.

Over the few weeks as we head into 2012, I will be re-posting some of the articles I’ve written in 2011. Many of you have emailed me or told me what you think about the articles and I am grateful. Some of you who have not now have another opportunity to provide me with some feedback as together, we recap some of the year’s most notable news making events.

I am grateful to all of you who continue to support The Final Call newspaper and The Final Call Inc., and I am thankful for the experienced guidance of the Final Call’s General Manager Fontaine Muhammad and Editor-in-Chief Richard B. Muhammad, for opportunities to manifest my skills and talents for the benefit of Our Nation.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Production Staff of The Final Call responsible for designing the great covers and graphics, the great Photographers who lend their skills and talents to ensure that moments in time are captured, as well as the men of the FOI who tirelessly deliver the paper to the people. I thank the online staff, at Final Call.com and the emerging new media division that keeps our Twitter feed updated and Facebook presence fresh and the transcribers who diligently work to bring digital recordings into a text based reality, as well as the proofreaders who read thousands of words daily. 


Let's see what 2012 brings.

Sincerely, your brother and servant,

Ashahed M. Muhammad

Farrakhan 'Connects the Dots' in Nov. 23 national radio interview w/ host Robert Muhammad

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was interviewed for "Connect the Dots" Radio Show on Nov. 23rd, 2011.

Robert Muhammad, host of  "Connect the Dots" radio show on 90.1 KPFT FM in Houston interviewed The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan for one hour on Wednesday, November 23.

Minister Farrakhan delivered analysis of national and international affairs in light of history, scripture, and prophecy for the radio listeners and those tuning in nationwide via internet.

He also had some words for Mr. Abraham Foxman of the ADL.

No technical disruptions. No commercial interruptions.  

Click here to listen  to the replay now!   

Jews and Slavery in the Caribbean & South America

A new book released by Tony Martin which provides a comprehensive treatment of Caribbean history. Currently available only through Amazon.com.

Jews and Slavery in the Caribbean and South America

Nine out of ten captured Africans were shipped to Brazil. Jewish scholar Dr. Arnold Wiznitzer described the early Jewish presence: “[Jews] dominated the slave trade ... The buyers … at the auctions were almost always Jews, and because of this lack of competitors they could buy slaves at low prices.”

According to Jewish scholar Dr. Harold Brackman, during the 1600s “slave trading in Brazil became a ‘Jewish' mercantile specialty in much the same way it had been in early medieval Europe.” In fact, wrote Jewish scholar Jonathan Schorsch, “Jewish merchants routinely possessed enormous numbers of slaves temporarily before selling them off.” If a slave auction fell on a Jewish holiday it was postponed due to lack of buyers and sellers!

The Jewish Encyclopedia adds that “Jewish commercial activity” in this time included a “monopoly of the slave trade.” Jewish traders bought Africans in lots from the Trans-Atlantic shippers and retailed them to inland plantation owners.

The Jews of Surinam gave their slave plantations Hebrew names such as Machanayim, Nachamu, and Goshen. According to Dr. Marcus Arkin, they used “many thousands” of Black slaves. Rabbi Herbert I. Bloom added that the “slave trade was one of the most important Jewish activities ...” In 1694, Jews owned 9,000 Africans, and by 1791 there were 100 “Jewish mulattoes” in Surinam—the result of the rape of African women by their Jewish enslavers.

The prominent Jewish historian Dr. Cecil Roth wrote that the slave revolts in parts of South America “were largely directed against [Jews], as being the greatest slave-holders of the region.” Jews set up militias with the sole purpose of fighting the Black Maroons, the escaped Africans who were fighting to free their enslaved brethren.

The first Hebrew poem written in the New World was an attack on the Black Maroon leader. The Jewish militias murdered the Maroons and cut off their hands to award as trophies.

The Jews of Barbados, wrote one Jewish scholar, “made a good deal of their money by purchasing and hiring out negroes ...”

All Barbadian Jews—including the rabbi—owned Black slaves. Jews warehoused so many African slaves in Barbados that authorities moved to limit the number of captives they could possess. Jews became the major traders in “refuse slaves”—Africans who were weak and sick from the Middle Passage voyage. Jewish traders “fattened them up” and sold them at a profit.

A major Jewish shipper from France had a monopoly on trade to the notorious slave dungeon at Gorée Island—the Auschwitz of the Black Holocaust. Sugar fueled and expanded the slave trade, and according to Jewish scholars, Jews “acquired large sugarcane plantations and became the leading entrepreneurs in the sugar trade.”

Jewish scholars Isaac and Susan Emmanuel reported that in Curacao, which was a major slave-trading depot, “the shipping business was mainly a Jewish enterprise.”

(Source: Historical Research Department, Nation of Islam)

Muammar Qaddafi: A Revolutionary, A Hero, A Freedom Fighter

Defending Farrakhan: The Campaign to Free the Real Children of Israel [Book Review]

For nearly three hate-filled decades, Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the American Jewish Committee, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center have written and spoken ill of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, seeking to tarnish his good name and works.

Many admirers and supporters of the work of Minister Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam have been angered by the arrogant and paternalistic attitude of the aforementioned organizations, as well as their constant attempts to hinder Black unity and progress. 

Minister Farrakhan is far different from the mean-spirited, vituperative anti-Semitic specter created in the controlled media.

There are those who sincerely misunderstand and have allowed the warped caricature presented in the media to form a distorted view of who Minister Farrakhan is and what he has worked to accomplish in some 56 years at the forefront of the struggle to free the oppressed. Others in positions of influence intentionally misrepresent the Minister's words for malicious purposes. Why?

Despite their calculated words, deliberate deceptions, and conniving opposition to his mission and work, not one of them has ever accused Minister Farrakhan of being a liar. Despite their efforts, the spiritual, mental and economic growth of the Nation of Islam has continued and Minister Farrakhan remains as the last uncompromising voice of truth. Why?

Answers to the questions presented are all found within the pages of the recently released book Defending Farrakhan: The Campaign to Free the Real Children of Israel.

Page after page reveals an assortment of thematically related articles, written in various styles, which effectively repel and demolish the defamatory attacks against the Minister. Some articles offer straight news coverage, others take on the tone and tenor of detailed research documents, others are written in a more conversational style and still others are commentary. All are absorbing, thought-provoking and compelling.

To understand how a book like this came into being, you must consider the historical context.

On June 26, 2010, Minister Farrakhan announced the release of the second volume of The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews: How Jews Gained Control of the Black American Economy. The predictable howls of anti-Semitism were heard from some critics; however, this time, there was a very unpredictable result. This time, their lies and cries were ignored by the masses, who continued to turn out by the thousands to hear Minister Farrakhan represent the truth!

Around that same time, individuals began writing articles, published consistently in The Final Call, defending the scholarship presented by the Minister and refuting the slanderous charge of anti-Semitism. The articles cover a wide variety of topics: Jim Crow, Zionism, sharecropping, genetics, the Talmud and ancient history, among other subjects. Out of those writings has come the book Defending Farrakhan.

When Morton Klein of the Zionist Organization of America attacked the Minister, Cedric Muhammad responded with an open letter picking apart Klein and the “oldest pro-Israel group in the U.S.”

When Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center attacked, Jackie Muhammad and Tingba Muhammad responded with missiles of truth aimed directly at the Center's body of lies.

Minister Farrakhan's critics were no longer safe to make unfounded assertions and not be met with swift retaliation. The premises upon which they built their arguments were being smashed. When Stanley Crouch and Abraham Foxman joined in a wicked union of convenience to slander and defame the Minister on Michael Eric Dyson's radio show, they were thoroughly discredited.

The Minister triumphantly took the truth to Pittsburgh, appearing at a town hall meeting hosted by legendary radio talk show host Bev Smith. The threats were so heavy that one person scheduled to appear dropped out for fear of a loss of Jewish financial sponsorship. Despite the enemy's attempts, Minister Farrakhan and the people won that battle!

The details of the skirmishes involved in this “word war” are all chronicled in Defending Farrakhan.

Minister Farrakhan took the truth to Jackson State University in Mississippi—the Deep South—then to prestigious Howard University, working to form the next generation of conscious and aware future rulers.

It was clear that the Black/Jewish “relationship” would no longer be defined by those who have benefitted from exploitation, and most importantly, the articles and the book send a signal that a discussion of this so-called relationship will no longer be framed by that which they write.

In the foreword, which eloquently sets the tone for the entire 368 pages of very valuable data, Minister Farrakhan writes:

“(T)he studious writings of these brothers and sisters should be read, analyzed and ultimately must be acted upon so that throughout America and the world wherever this false charge is raised we may have the scholarship to refute these charges.”

It makes perfect sense that after defending the downtrodden and voiceless for all these decades, those who have been impacted and inspired by Minister Farrakhan should be found on the front lines wielding the sword of truth, writing to defend him against the venomous words of the enemies of our rise.

As it is written in the front pages of the book, “The ink of the scholar is more precious than the blood of the martyr.” This is a very important and appropriate quote from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because we in the Black community have allowed others to tell our story and have not placed an emphasis on the importance of writing and reading. The importance of the Minister, the power of economics, the complicity of government and media in spreading falsehood are topics approached in this book, and compiled in one place. The articles can be used as a research and learning tool by students and truth-seekers alike.

This book presents another volume of important material and consider this—it only chronicles one year of The Final Call, which has now entered into its 31st year of publishing. Really, Defending Farrakhan in its own unique way demonstrates the vital role of independent Black media that are unafraid to tell and print the truth. It is also demonstrative of the power of those who write and document. This is critical to the furtherance of society, because it is from that material teachers will extract information that will be used to form new minds for the world to come.

Get this book! Do your part! Read this book and inform others of its existence.

[Defending Farrakhan: The Campaign to Free the Real Children of Israel, ISBN-13: 9780963687746, Publisher: The Nation of Islam Research Group, 368 Pages, Perfect bound.]

This entire review can be re-posted or republished in its entirety it is available @ FinalCall.com

ANC Youth League slams ICC hypocrisy, says NATO killing Libyan civilians

African National Congress Youth League says the continent is facing a real threat of re-colonisation

ANC YOUTH LEAGUE FULLY AGREES WITH DEPUTY PRESIDENT KGALEMA MOTLANTHE  THAT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINALS’ COURT SHOULD PROBE LOSS OF CIVILIAN LIVES IN LIBYA DUE TO NATO ACTION:

The African National Congress Youth League fully agrees with ANC Deputy President’s view that the International Criminals’ Court should probe the loss of civilian lives due to the actions of NATO and all the countries that sent their military forces to Libya. What is happening is Libya today is very sad, repugnant and represents a very dark moment in efforts to totally liberate the African continent. This is due to some of African countries’ decisions and the insensitivity, greed and viciousness of imperialist forces, who used multi-lateral institutions to justify their invasion of Libya.

If the rebels ultimately take over Libya, everyone will know that these are rebels who were propelled to power and imposed on the people of Libya by imperialism through military violence, which led to loss of many civilian lives. Africa is now facing a real threat of re-colonisation, which comes with the brutality and violence that defined earlier forms of the battering of Africa as if in Africa resides people who are unable to take their own decisions and determine their destiny.

The ANC Youth League humbly requests all African leaders to do the humble of not recognising imposed regimes in the African continent. If the African Union recognises imposed regimes and government, then imperialist forces will be encouraged to fund and assist more rebel groups to illegally remove governments without the will of the people.

If the ICC is not a hypocritical institution established for the prosecution of people from Africa only, it should indeed take up the issue of civilian losses of lives caused by NATO bombings in Libya. Imperialist invasions and re-colonisation of Africa will never be allowed and it is high time, the youth of Africa stand firm to oppose everything that treat Africans as sub-human.

(Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, August 25, 2011)

What Will You Do Once You Know The Truth?

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Farrakhan Rebukes the Blood Shedders - Exclusive Coverage

Why the Western Powers Want Muammar Gadhafi Dead (FinalCall.com)

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Akbar Muhammad Back in U.S. After False Arrest in Guyana (FinalCall.com)

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'Hip Hop Is Bigger Than The Occupation' World Premier Screening May 30th!

For Activists in NYC!

"Hip Hop Is Bigger Than The Occupation"

A documentary about a ten day journey of artists traveling through Palestine, teaching and performing Non Violent Resistance through the arts.

The tour included M1 of Dead Prez, Shadia Mansour, Marcel Cartier, Mazzi of Soul Purpose, DJ Vega Benetton, Lowkey, Jody McIntyre and Trinidad, Brandon and Lavie from the South West Youth Collaborative/University of Hip Hop Chicago.

Staying in the heart of Balata Refugee Camp @ the Yafa Cultural Center in Nablus the group witnesses night raids, toured places like Hebron where there are roads for the Arabs and roads for the Jews, they meet families of shaheeds as well as young Palestinians who have been jailed, shot, humiliated, the group visits Bi'lin where they get shot at and tear gassed and experience first hand what it felt like living under occupation.  Watch this emotional and educational journey.

See TRAILER @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvP0OREI2E

World Premiere Screening!

When: Monday May 30th, 2011 @ 6.30pm

Where: Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets $10

For more info please email eir.nyc@gmail.com or call 917-294-6781

All proceeds will be donated towards this year's tour.

www.existenceisresistance.org

After killing of Osama bin Laden, questions & inconsistencies remain (FinalCall.com)

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Read my latest News Analysis piece for The Final Call :

Killing Bin Laden: Hit, Execution or justified military action?

http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_7823.shtml

Hawkish Israeli government opposes Palestinian reconciliation

A recently announced reconciliation deal brokered in Egypt could mean the end of a bitter and bloody divide between the two main rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.

Details are not yet finalized, however the agreement reportedly calls for the establishment of an interim unity government and legislative elections within one year.  Currently, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank while Hamas controls the Gaza Strip. The initial agreement was announced during a joint press conference in Cairo on April 27.

Immediately, Israel’s hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke out against the move towards Palestinian reconciliation. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman joined the chorus, saying, “Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] and the PA must understand that it is not possible to be a partner with terrorists without being a partner to terror,” according to The Jerusalem Post.

Mr. Netanyahu—who is scheduled to deliver a speech before a joint session of the U.S. Congress in May—encouraged the international community not to recognize the deal, and delivered an ultimatum to Mahmoud Abbas telling him to choose between peace with Israel or peace with Hamas.

Read the full article here:

Hawkish Israeli government opposes Palestinian reconciliation

Your Tax Dollars at Work...For Israel! (FinalCall.com)

"The Elevated Places" w/ Dr. Ava Muhammad - TONIGHT at 8PM EST!

I'm scheduled to be a guest on "The Elevated Places Show" with  Sister Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad tonight at 8P Eastern Time.

Listen Live @ www.blogtalkradio/elevatedplaces

I think we will be taking a few calls as well, so tune in for an enlightening discussion covering a range of topics relevant to the political, social and economic status of those like you, who seek truth.

Blog posting will resume on April 19th 2011!

Farrakhan to hold March 31 Press Conference on Obama and Libya

Minister Louis Farrakhan The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan will hold a press conference on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at Mosque Maryam, the international headquarters of the Nation of Islam located at 7351 S. Stony Island Avenue in Chicago, Illinois at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. (6:00 GMT) Minister Farrakhan feels compelled to deliver a word of guidance and warning during this time of upheaval and trouble. Minister Farrakhan watched with great interest and concern along with millions across the globe, President Barack Obama's March 28 address from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He has also followed the recent comments of the Obama administration officials and advisors. The press conference will be shown live via internet webcast at http://www.noi.org All media are invited to attend and directly ask questions of Minister Farrakhan. Doors open for Media setup at 11:45 a.m. For those media organizations interested in coverage, please go to http://www.finalcall.com/press

Deconstructing the Zionist Myth by Ashahed M. Muhammad

Deconstructing the Zionist Myth

By Ashahed M. Muhammad

I shook hands with an 86-year old holocaust survivor the other day, and I don't feel any different. Don't misunderstand me, this is not being written to diminish the suffering of those placed in concentration camps and killed by those under the command of Adolph Hitler and through the enforcement of his henchmen.

I write this to point out the absurdity of those who have suffered unspeakable crimes, yet often find themselves diminishing and/or trivializing the suffering of others.

The holocaust survivor I shook hands with was author and outspoken political activist Dr. Hajo G. Meyer. He expressed his disgust at the moral collapse of Israeli society and by extension, world Jewry. This Dutch national of German-Jewish origin who survived Auschwitz said, “Zionism is contrary to Jewish ethics. Judaism was supplanted by the holocaust religion.”

I couldn't have said it better myself.

He went on to say it is “bad that the holocaust is used in order to defend crimes by Israel.”

No truer words have been stated.

Overwhelming evidence suggests that modern day adherents of Zionism have exploited the human tragedy of the holocaust in order to establish and maintain religious, economic, political and social supremacy over the indigenous population of Palestinians. In fact, the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, sponsors of the “Never Again for Anyone” lecture tour—which provided me the opportunity to shake hands and talk with Mr. Meyer—in a statement, said the “Zionist narrative withstands neither historical nor moral scrutiny.”

Since using their own words has been very effective for us in The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews Volumes One and Two, let's continue this method as we demonstrate our points. What are the facts?

Theodor Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism (and in effect the State of Israel) and founder of the World Zionist Organization, in The Complete Diaries, June 12, 1895 entry wrote that his desire was to “spirit the penniless population across the frontier by denying it employment...Both the process of expropriation and the removal of the poor must be carried away discreetly and circumspectly.”

Ze'ev (Vladimir) Jabotinsky is considered among the greatest Jewish statesmen of the twentieth century. As the founder of Revisionist Zionism, the political movement acting as a precursor to the modern-day Likud Party of current Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Jabotinski's staunch belief in armed Jewish action spawned bigoted ideological progeny including the Jewish Defense Organization. Yes, the same group that in the past chanted “Who do you want? Farrakhan! How do you want him? Dead!” Interestingly, he was also a journalist, and in The Iron Wall (1923) he wrote:

“A voluntary reconciliation with the Arabs is out of the question either now or in the future. If you wish to colonize a land in which people are already living, you must provide a garrison for the land, or find some rich man or benefactor who will provide a garrison on your behalf. Or else-or else, give up your colonization, for without an armed force which will render physically impossible any attempt to destroy or prevent this colonization, colonization is impossible, not difficult, not dangerous, but IMPOSSIBLE!... Zionism is a colonization adventure and therefore it stands or falls by the question of armed force.”

A garrison is defined as a body of troops stationed at a military post. Clearly, this course of action recommended by Mr. Jabotinsky has been adopted as policy since it is the current reality in the land called Israel.

Mr. Jabotinsky died in 1940, never witnessing the birth of the Jewish state in 1948.

According to the book, Ben Gurion and the Palestine Arabs (Oxford University Press, 1985) David Ben-Gurion, future first Prime Minister of Israel, was quoted in 1937 as saying, “We must expel Arabs and take their places.”

Israel's main airport is named in his honor. He is also referred to as the “Armed Prophet” and his memory is treated with great reverence by those who write and recount Israel's history.

The “high priest” of the holocaust religion, Elie Wiesel, said, “Every Jew, somewhere in his being, should set apart a zone of hate—healthy, virile hate—for what the German personifies and for what persists in the German.” (Legends of Our Time, Appointment with Hate, NY, Avon, 1968, pp. 177-178).

Where is the forgiveness? In Judaism's Mishneh Torah, Teshuvah 2:10 it reads, “It is forbidden to be obdurate and not allow yourself to be appeased. On the contrary, one should be easily pacified and find it difficult to become angry. When asked by an offender for forgiveness, one should forgive with a sincere mind and a willing spirit. . . forgiveness is natural to the seed of Israel.”

In fact, the Simon Wiesenthal Center freely and frequently uses the term “Nazi-hunter” in their official correspondence and in many writings and reports. If one were to use the term “Slavemaster-hunter” that would be considered hate speech and even a threat, would it not?

Who is the real hater?

There a standard applied to Black people and our suffering that is not applied to anyone else who has suffered. We are expected to “move on” and “forget about the past” while others say “Never Again!” We are expected to “turn the other cheek” while others in the spirit of self-defense and self-determination created a nation-state in a land that belonged to others.

We could go into further discussion of the Judenrat, Jewish councils set up by the Nazis to send their fellow Jews to Death Camps. We could discuss the kapos who acted as Jewish informants, acting as stool pigeons against their fellow Jews in concentration camps who had the idea to resist their captors during the holocaust. We could discuss those wealthy Jews who negotiated to save their own skins, while the skins of other less wealthy Jews were used for lampshades and soap.

We could, but for right now, we won't.

I realize this seems strange because most have only heard (or more accurately—been taught) the “accepted” version of the Zionist drama, a sanitized version of events which states that because of the persecution they faced during WWII in Germany, there was the need for a refuge—a peaceful Jewish homeland—which became the state of Israel.

The previously mentioned International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network further stated, “To this end, Zionism both exploited and hinged upon the rise of Nazism, and later, the Holocaust, to transform what had been a small nationalist movement with little support (even among Jews) into one capable of achieving statehood, based on support from the United States and other imperial powers.”

Remarkably, in a stunning parallel, historically, the economic success of those same people has hinged upon the exploitation of Black people. Their control is maintained by using as their primary weapon, the dastardly appellation of “anti-Semite” against those daring to speak or write words critical of their errant ways.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has spoken courageously for decades, and, despite what is reported by unscrupulous writers, he has never advocated harming anyone of the Jewish faith, nor has he called for the boycott of Jewish-owned establishments.

These are false charges, designed to create a false view of The Minister, but now, facts are being brought to bear that are at odds with the false reality that has been created. Whether in Soweto, Warsaw, Egypt, Palestine or Chicago, where there is suffering and injustice, it is the responsibility of right-thinking and rational beings to speak up and do something about it.

In all cases, a review of previously accepted historical realities is necessary. As time goes on, new information becomes available challenging previously accepted views.

We are now living in the time of the revelation of all truths.

(Ashahed M. Muhammad is a writer, researcher and the Executive Director of the Truth Establishment Institute.)

Farrakhan advises Obama on Libya policy, proper guidance for America (FinalCall.com)

Farrakhan advises Obama on Libya policy, proper guidance for America (FinalCall.com)

CHICAGO (FinalCall.com) - In his first interview since the successful Nation of Islam Saviours' Day 2011 convention, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan sat down in the studio with popular radio host and long-time friend Cliff Kelley on WVON-AM 1690 for a two and a half hour conversation.

A critically important portion of the discussion centered on the unrest in the North African country of Libya which the Minister spoke about for the very first time during his recent keynote address. He provided even more layered contextual understanding when questioned by Mr. Kelley March 10.Then the subject of Libya was raised. When the western media began reporting on Libya, Feb. 15, it seemed as if it was a foregone conclusion that Col. Muammar Gadhafi would be ousted in the country he has led for over 42 years. Now, nearly a month later, he remains in power.
On Mar. 12, the Arab League agreed on asking the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, days earlier, the African Union voted against it.

Al-Arabiya reported Mar. 14 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Paris to sit down with Foreign Ministers from Russian, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. A no-fly zone plan is reportedly being presented to NATO on Mar. 15, according to Secy. Clinton.

It is no secret that the Nation of Islam and Minister Farrakhan have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the Libyan leader for decades. The United States has long opposed Col. Gadhafi and attempted to force him out of office even bombing his country during the Reagan administration, Min. Farrakhan noted.

The Minister blasted President Obama and Secy. Clinton for their arrogance in meddling in another sovereign nation's affairs and publicly recommending regime change.

Min. Farrakhan instructed Americans to look beneath the surface to see who stands to benefit from the unrest, and warned Pres. Obama to be careful of the words coming from advisors lobbying him to move in with military forces to depose Col. Gadhafi.

“Well, today our dear brother (Obama) has to be very, very careful in this decision that he and his Secretary of State, and [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy and [British] Prime Minister [David] Cameron and others are planning. They would love to go into Libya and kill Brother Gadhafi, and kill his children as they did with Saddam Hussein and his sons, Qusay and Uday. You must remember, dear people of America, that whenever government wants you to think and act in a certain way that would bring justification to an action that they are already planning to make, they must make the person that they hate a ‘boogey man,' ” he said. Col. Gadhafi, who led a bloodless coup against a U.S. ally over 40 years ago, has seen constant negative publicity and was once called the “Mad Dog of the Middle East” by American leaders and analysts.

People unhappy with government are not solely in Libya, he pointed out. Many are unhappy with Mr. Obama, he said.

The U.S. government has a long history of deposing leaders of other nations in order to get natural resources, more specifically—oil, he continued, saying the imperialistic forces are not interested in saving those being killed, it is just a “noble motive to hide your (the U.S. government's) wicked agenda!”

“When George W. Bush was president, he said they wanted regime change in Iran, in (North) Korea regime change—how do you get regime change America? How do you do that? Congress, the Congress of the United States, voted to spend $150 million to replace the government in Iran that America doesn't like, so they send their agents in to work among the dissatisfied. So when they had this election, and the people in Iran rose up, they have legitimate grievances, all right—but stimulated from the outside,” Minister Farrakhan continued. “Well, what about Libya? How much money is being spent to arm the so-called rebels? They're dissatisfied! Well, what is their dissatisfaction about? Do they (Libyans) have jobs? Yes. Do they have food? Yes. Has Gadhafi used the oil money to build Libya? Yes. Did Gadhafi use oil money and discover water under the Sahara Desert, and brought that water to the surface; and brought water from Benghazi all the way to the border almost of Tunisia? Did he impose farming in the desert so that they could feed their own people? Yes. Are there billions of dollars that he's spending building homes, building apartments for his people? Yes. So something is under this!” said Min. Farrakhan.

“Is it that you're (U.S. officials) so concerned over the blood that is being shed in Libya, when you looked the other way when the Israeli Defense Force was bombing the innocent people of Gaza, unarmed men, women and children? … You looked the other way when the Israeli Defense Force went into Lebanon thinking that they were going to have an easy victory, then you had to come out with your tail between your legs?”

Min. Farrakhan said Col. Gadhafi has been investing money in Africa, enjoys international friendship, and should not be killed simply because he is not America's friend.

“Now, I want to warn you, in the Name of Allah, that this is more complex than what you think! Go into Libya if you want to. The Libyans do not want foreign occupation on their land. And when you make that kind of move, if you're not careful, you'll unite the Libyan people against you!”

Inside America members of the Branch Davidian religious sect were killed in 1993 in Waco, Texas, by federal law enforcement, while men, women and children of the MOVE organization were killed when police bombed their home during a 1985 standoff in Philadelphia, he said. Current American outrage is nothing but hypocrisy, the Minister said.

To President Obama, Minister Farrakhan delivered a pointed warning: “Don't let these wicked demons move you in a direction that will absolutely ruin your future with your people in Africa and throughout the world. They don't like the way you handled (former Egyptian President Hosni) Mubarak! They don't like the way you're handling the situation in the Arab world! So I would advise you to be careful—and move with wisdom and skill.

And then, Min. Farrakhan offered Pres. Obama some divine advice.

“Why don't you organize a group of respected Americans, and ask for a meeting with Gadhafi? You can't order him to step down, and get out—who the hell do you think you are, that you can talk to a man that built a country over 42 years, and ask him step down and get out? Can anybody ask you? Well, well there's a lot, now, [that are] going to ask you to step out of the White House, because they don't want a Black face in the White House,” said Min. Farrakhan.

“Be careful, brother, how you handle this situation because it is coming to America! It has already started. Look in Wisconsin! Look in Ohio! Look at what's going on in your country! And remember your words because the American people are rising against their own government: It's not Muslims; it's not Black people! It's White militias that are angry with their government, and they are well armed. Are you going to tell them—‘Put your arms down, and let's talk it over peacefully?' I hope so. But if not, America will be bathed in blood, not because Farrakhan said so, but because the dissatisfaction in America has reached the boiling point. Be careful how you manipulate the dissatisfaction in Libya and other parts of the Muslim world,” he warned.

Bev Smith Refuses to Bow Down to Jewish Pressure (FinalCall.com)

Bev Smith refuses to bow down to Jewish pressure

(FinalCall.com) --Recently, several articles have appeared in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle criticizing the decision by radio host Bev Smith and American Urban Radio Networks for inviting Minister Louis Farrakhan to a March 11th Town Hall Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA. to discuss issues affecting the Black community.

In writings appearing in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle over the past two weeks, its Executive Editor Lee Chottiner, Jeffrey Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and David Ainsman, chairman of the Community and Public Affairs Council of the Federation, were all critical of Ms. Smith and Pittsburgh's Black leadership for inviting leaders to discuss Black issues that had not been pre-approved by the Jewish community. 

If they thought their veiled threats would undermine support for the event, their efforts have backfired. It is being reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that there are no more tickets available to the event and, according to a spokesperson for the August Wilson Center, the nearly 500-seat auditorium will be filled with an overflow room set up in order to accommodate even more people interested in solutions to the problems plaguing Pittsburgh's Black community. 

On March 4, Bev Smith, who is spearheading the town hall meeting themed “The Disappearing Black Community” wrote an open letter responding to Jewish pressure for inviting Minister Farrakhan to the March 11th gathering. 

Read the full text of her letter @ http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_7640.shtml