*WINTER IN AMERICA

*AL QAEDA THREATENS MORE

*NEW CRISIS COVERAGE COMING

SEE ANNOUNCEMENTS BELOW

It is snowing as I write. The East Coast is being socked in by a winter storm that has the entire news media on alert, in galoshes., out on the highways, standing in front of snow removal centers, filming plows at the ready, and treating this onrush of a new season as if it was the apocalypse. They told us that the storm would happen before the morning rush hour, but as is often the case, they were wrong. Weather stories like this are news staples, and they are often as wrong as they are right. Each station has a media-ologist (I know the spelling is wrong, it’s the concept I am getting at here.), those pricey “doppler radars” aside. Most of this news comes from the National Weather Service, a US government agency. It is simply being relayed by the haircuts on TV with a slew of spins, anecdotes, warnings and trivia. This AM, it constituted most of what I watched on local news and CNN.

RANTING AGAINST RITTER

Over on Fox, it was the Terror War as usual, with Murdoch’s minions denouncing what was titled “Ritter’s Rant.” The “we report, you decide” net showed a 20-second comment by former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, who has been critical of the Administration’s war-in-waiting, praising the inspectors and then followed it with a nearly two-minute, two-person rant against Ritter, that questioned his bona fides and echoing Administration utterances.

Iraqi officials seem to be sending contradictory messages. Saddam says (sounds like Simon Says) that they are cooperating fully and that ZERO — NONE — NOT ONE — NADA — weapons of mass destruction have been hatched since l998 — when the inspectors were removed by the UN and not ordered out by Baghdad. Clearly the US has not accepted this claim, and hints at having “intelligence” and “proof” to prove otherwise. Yet that intel is not being shared with the UN, though the US says it supports its mission. AP reported that Iraq’s Vice President, known as loose cannon, fired off a broadside to some visiting Egyptians:

“Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, … charged - in language reminiscent of clashes with inspectors in the 1990s, that the new teams of U.N. monitors are gathering intelligence for Washington and Israel. ‘Their work is to spy to serve the CIA and Mossad,’ Israel’s intelligence service, it now turns out that Iraq’s weapons ‘declaration,’ expected to be flown to the UN in New York on Saturday, will be some 13,000 pages in length. It is also in Arabic and will take days to translate and assess. So don’t expect a war this weekend.

WAR DELAYED FOR POLITICS, SAYS GUARDIAN

In fact, according to a report in The Guardian, it may be delayed–for politics. Dan Plesch speculated yesterday:

“President Bush may have put an invasion of Iraq on hold until it can best help his 2004 re-election campaign. The administration would prefer to see change in Iraq by subtler means than 300,000 troops and mass bombing. He does not want to relive his father’s experience of winning a war a year too early and finding that come the election the victory was forgotten or, worse, the post-war peace was turning sour.”

AL QAEDA MAY NOT DELAY

If there is no war right away, we might expect a terror attack instead. According to CNN: Al Qaeda says it has surprise up its sneaky sleeve.

“The end of Ramadan has stirred renewed concerns over the threat of a terrorist attack against U.S. citizens and the nation’s allies. Earlier this week, an al Qaeda statement posted to the Internet threatened a strike to coincide with the end of the Muslim holy season — which is December 5 and 6. The statement warned: ‘The gift for the holiday is on its way.’

“Israel cancelled flights to Cyprus as a security precaution and is charging that al Qaeda is operating in Gaza. One source there reports: “Al-Qaeda planned to perpetrate a major terror attack against an Israeli soccer team in Malta a few weeks ago. The plan was nipped in the bud when the Malta police arrested a Tunisian citizen with connections to Al-Qaeda.”

There was more evidence of screw-ups in the global terror war. Israel’s Ha’aretz reported (via Globalvision News Network) “Intelligence services in Israel had prior information suggesting that al Qaida intended to carry out a terrorist attack in Africa, with Mombasa as one of the possible sites, but no details that Israelis would be targeted.

“Brig. Gen. Yossi Kupperwasser, head of the military intelligence research division, told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday that Israel did not have specific information - like Germany and Australia did - that attacks were being planned in Mombasa, Kenya, Knesset spokesman Giora Pordes said Tuesday.

WILL PEACE BREAK OUT?

At the same time, Israel’s Sharon, probably with US prodding, is making some new peace noises. The New York Times reports: “Sharon Tentatively Backs Plan for Palestinian State.”

“Prime Minister Ariel Sharon offered tentative backing on Wednesday night for a United States “road map” to an Israeli-Palestinian peace.” An article in the LA Times suggests that Israel is following another strategic approach:

Sandy Tolan and Jason Felch suggest: “If you want to know what the administration has in mind for Iraq, here’s a hint: It has less to do with weapons of mass destruction than with implementing an ambitious U.S. vision to redraw the map of the Middle East.

“The new map would be drawn with an eye to two main objectives: controlling the flow of oil and ensuring Israel’s continued regional military superiority. The plan is, in its way, as ambitious as the 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement between the empires of Britain and France, which carved up the region at the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The neo-imperial vision, which can be ascertained from the writings of key administration figures and their co-visionaries in influential conservative think tanks, includes not only regime change in Iraq but control of Iraqi oil, a possible end to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and newly compliant governments in Syria and Iran — either by force or internal rebellion…”

“NOT IN MY NAME” SAY SOME SOUTH AFRICAN JEWS

Some prominent Jews in South Africa continue to press Israel to do more. Ronnie Kasrils, ANC stalwart turned Member of Parliament and Minister in Mandela’s and then Mbeki’s cabinet, sent me a statement signed by 300 members of the Jewish Community in South Africa where most organized Jewish groups back Israel. It reads in part:

“A year ago we published a Declaration of Conscience which was signed by about 300 prominent South Africans of Jewish descent, most of whom had been active in the struggle against apartheid and for the liberation of South Africa.

“We issued the Declaration because we were outraged by the policies of the Israeli government towards the Palestinian people and the brutality of the ongoing military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Whilst the Israeli government and Zionist organisations, including in South Africa, claim to speak on behalf of all Jews, we say: Not in Our Name!”

The statement then condemns terrorism and counter terrorism, concluding:

“We encourage all fellow South Africans, including those like us of Jewish descent, to raise their voices in unison for a just and peaceful resolution of the conflict in the interests of Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

MORE ON MAXWELL

Speaking of Israel, yesterday I reported on London Daily Mirror investigation charging that Isarel’s MOSSAD intelligence agency was behind the death some years back of British media mogul Robert Maxwell. My editor, recounting a conversation with someone in the Maxwell inner family circle, says they blame it on the KGB. The London Times has a story on this too, reporting that the publication of a book about Maxwell is being held up:”Publication has been mysteriously delayed of a new book, apparently supported by a number of FBI documents, which alleges that the tycoon had links to organized crime in the Balkans and that he worked for Mossad, the feared Israeli intelligence service.

“Unknown to Gordon Thomas and Martin Dillon, the authors of The Assassination of Robert Maxwell: Israel’s Super Spy, their American publisher, Carroll-Graf, allowed an uncorrected proof copy of their manuscript to fall into the hands of Maxwell’s daughter, Isabel. She took it to Israel. where she showed it to a family friend, David Kimche, who just happens to be a former deputy director of Mossad. Publication has now been delayed until December 16 with no promise of any promotional drive. The authors have yet to establish why their manuscript was sent to the Maxwell family.

“Thomas said: ‘The US publisher won’t even confirm what his print run is or whether he is taking even a small advertisement. In 50 years of being a published author I have never encountered such a situation.’ But then he was writing about Robert Maxwell.”

SPEAKING OF BLIMEY….

The other day, I reported on a high profile British government dossier denouncing human rights abuses in Iraq. It was Page One news in the New York Post. The Post has not carried any of the ensuing debate reported on the World Socialist Website:

“The latest propaganda initiative in support of a US-led war against Iraq by Britain’s Labour government backfired badly this week…..

“The human rights organization Amnesty International was highly critical as to the timing of the dossier’s publication. Spokesman Richard Bunting said, ‘We are afraid this is opportunistic and selective…. The British and US are being selective, conveniently ignoring other countries and using that record to drive forward foreign and military goals.’

“Hania Mufti of the US-based Human Rights Watch said, ‘The timing would not be so much of an issue if it came against a background of previous actions by the Government to expose human rights violations.’ The group said that when it collected evidence of Saddam Hussein’s abuses at Halabja and elsewhere in the Kurdish area of Iraq, the Foreign Office ignored it.

“Labor MP Tam Dalyell, who is Father of the House of Commons as the longest serving parliamentarian, said, ‘I think that this highly unusual, indeed, unprecedented publication is cranking up for war.’

FINED FOR BRINGING MEDICINES

To round out this war related news, this just in from the US of A: The organization will respond today with a l0 AM press conference in Chicago.

“HUMANITARIAN GROUP FINED $50,000 FOR BRINGING MEDICINE TO IRAQ:”

“On November 6 the U.S. Treasury Department imposed $20,000 in fines on Chicago-based Voices in the Wilderness (VitW), a campaign to end the sanctions on Iraq. … These fines are for delivering medicine to Iraq without a permit in 1998. They are directed against VitW co-founder Kathy Kelly of Chicago. Dan Handleman, of Portland, Oregon, was simultaneously fined $10,000 for alleged travel-related expenses incurred during a 1997 VitW delegation to Iraq. Earlier this year, Bert Sacks and Rev. Randall Mullins, both of Seattle, were fined $10,000 each for taking part in the same 1997 delegation. They refused to pay, and instead raised over $10,000 to buy more medicine to bring to Iraq. This medicine was delivered by Sacks last September.”

PHIL BERRIGAN ON THE VERGE

Those in the peace movement may soon be mourning one of its most courageous advocates. Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now radio is reporting that “anti-war icon Philip Berrigan is quietly dying at home surrounded by family and friends from the Jonah House resistance community in Baltimore.”

Another long time activist, historian Howard Zinn writes in the Progressive:

“Don’t make me point out how this fear of weapons of mass destruction does not extend to the United States. Bush officials think if they use that phrase ‘weapons of mass destruction’ again and again and again that people will cower, cower, cower. Never mind that Iraq is a fifth-rate military power and not even the strongest military in the region. Israel, with 200 nuclear weapons, has that distinction. Bush is not demanding that Ariel Sharon rid himself of his weapons of mass destruction or face ‘regime change.’

“The media are a pitiful lot. They don’t give us any history, they don’t give us any analysis, they don’t tell us anything. They don’t raise the most basic questions: Who has the most weapons of mass destruction in the world by far? Who has used weapons of mass destruction more than any other nation? Who has killed more people in this world with weapons of mass destruction than any other nation? The answer: the United States….”

SAVING THE TOWERYesterday, I dropped over to the UN for a luncheon announcing a new exhibit about the restoration of the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was organized by an Italian firm, Ultima, and included a fascinating briefing on how this cultural treasure was saved. The exhibit will be at the UN next summer. The Mayor of Pisa made a touching remark about his tower and New York’s Twin Towers, expressing his city’s solidarity with NYC and the USA.

As long as we are talking about Italy, there is this:

“South Africa’s Mail and Guardian reports that that country’s media mogul, President is back in the news: “Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, was in personal contact with some of the Mafia’s most senior bosses, a major mafia turncoat has told investigators in a deposition revealed yesterday.”

A CALL FROM FAIR: PROTEST HBO

Yesterday, I carried journalist Lucy Komisars’s report on inaccuracies in the forthcoming HBO film “Live From Baghdad.’ Now Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting is calling for protests. See Fair.org for more….While HBO goes timely in its docu-dramas, Britain’s ITV is going another way. ITV is to air a drama about Jesus Christ returning to earth as the owner of a Salford video shop. Can’t wait.

DEBATING THE LENGTH OF THIS WEBLOG

Also yesterday, I mentioned a discussion with a friend, a highly placed news exec who likes the weblog but thinks it should be shorter so that more busy newsies can read it. I think she has a point. But some of our readers are not so sure. I am very grateful for all the mail that I have been getting on this, but I caution that fans of the column have to think with me about how to promote it better and get it read more widely. Here are some of your comments:

“Dear Danny,

“Leave such soundbites to CNN and their likes. It only takes about 10 minutes to go through your column and I can’t see what should be taken out. You do a great job.Kind regards, Mike Garvin”

Writes Fritz Pratt:

“I am the public. A workin’ stiff who has grown suspicious of his own government since the eleventh day of last year’s September. I am deeply concerned with where the United States appears to be headed. I can easily see my grandchildren living in an America which, governmentally, hardly resembles the system of liberty, freedom, and justice in which I was grew believing. Poindexter’s outfit has one thing right. Knowledge is power. You seem to dedicated to getting knowledge disseminated to folks like me.

You asked for feedback. Keep it up. Hold their feet to the fire. Kick some conspiratorial butt. And remember. You ain’t doin’ it for yourself, or for me. You’re doin’ it for my four little granddaughters. Thank you.”

Robert Shaw adds: “I like your articles man. I, too, seek my news outside of mainstream to get to the real and yes, I was a Hoffman fan too. Keep spreading the word from the ‘man in the street’ Sooner or later the light of the Ombudsman will shed light on the scam these fascists roaches are perpetuating. Peace.”

And then there was a communique from a mysterious RW:

“Danny, who told you that you were running too long? I think your work this week has been the best since I started following it. But…your editor still sucks.RW” (ed. Note: gee, thanks. Nice ain’t he?)

DISSECTOR SPEAKS TONIGHT

Two announcements of interest: New Yorkers willing to brave the storms can come hear me talk about the media and human rights at an event organized by Falun Gong at 594 Broadway, suite 1010, 6-8 PM. The venue is between Houston and Prince. (Prince ST station on the N/R) The other announcement is more exciting.

COMING: EXPANDED CRISIS COVERAGE

Mediachannel and Globalvision News Network are expanding war-related coverage. See the front page of Mediachannel.org for a new War and Peace monitor. As for Globalvision News network, editor Tim Karr announces:”On December 10, 2002, Globalvision News Network will launch the Crisis Capsule to monitor and offer an assessment of reporting on the War on Terrorism and the conflict with Iraq. Written and edited for GVNews.Net by leading international journalists, the Crisis Capsule will tap the reporting of thousands of journalists at affiliated GVNews.Net newspapers, websites, news services and broadcasts worldwide.

“This globally diverse report will be available in daily summaries designed for publication. The Crisis Capsule will also included longer analytical reports, global op-ed, and feature stories culled from hundreds of sources offering angles not available at the more conventional news outlets — such as the Associated Press, Reuters, CNN and the New York Times.

“‘The Capsule will underscore the Globalvision difference,’ says Executive Editor Timothy Karr. ‘It is time for our reporting and analysis to draw on internationally available information and not be perceived as a megaphone for parties to the conflicts. Credibility depends on balance based on diverse sources in a conflict where propaganda of all kinds can all too easily drive the news agenda.’

“GVNews.Net will offer the service in full to media, corporate and institutional subscribers. An abridged version will also be available to readers at Globalvision’s two industry-leading websites: The MediaChannel (www.mediachannel.org) and the Globalvision News Network (www.gvnews.net). Senior Journalist Ian Williams and Ankara based correspondent Adam McConnel will contribute to this new experiment in global reporting.

So please watch for all of this, our serious response to the mess we now confront. Subscribe to the Mediachannel.org email update and the column, and keep your comments and items coming. Write to me, Danny Schechter, your news dissector at dissector@mediachannel.org