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GORDON DUFF: FLOTILLA HERO KEN O’KEEFE, VETERANS TODAY WRITER ON BBC “HARD TALK”
HERO OF GAZA FLOTILLA GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH BIASED BBC “ISRAELI FIRSTER”
WATCH THE SPARKS FLY….
By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER/Senior Editor
For those Americans that don’t know, Ken O’Keefe is the United States Marine combat veteran who captured two Israeli’s suspected of the murder of a Turkish photojournalist during the battle on the Mavi Marmara. Veterans Today staff writer, O’Keefe was captured, taken to Israel and beaten, tortured for two days before being released. Israeli’s claimed O’Keefe was planning to set up a training school for terrorists inside Gaza while on the ill fated relief mission attacked in international waters by 24 Israeli ships and dozens of American built Blackhawk and Apache helicopters. As many as 6,500 Israelis are believed to have taken part in the operation, deemed a “war crime” by maritime law experts with the British government.
Nine are known to have died, with autopsies showing “execution style ” killings and many more are still missing, fate unknown. Verified witness reports indicate that Israeli soldiers threw four wounded humanitarian workers overboard to their deaths, victims not listed on the official tally. Other victims are unaccounted for, either killed in Israeli custody, dead from lack of medical care for wounds or being held in secret detention facilities. It is believed these names were withheld because the victims had no affiliations with any Islamic organization and one or more may have been American citizens.
Over the weeks since the dramatic Mediterranean confrontation between the Freedom Flotilla and Israeli “sort of” commandos, Ken O’Keefe and I have developed a friendship. Veterans Today is always glad to bring another Marine onboard as a writer as we are overloaded with retired spies, Army people or even worse. I talked extensively with Ken prior to his famous televised interview on BBC.
Ken O'Keefe Bloodied on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Ken has become representative of a large group of, what is to us younger veterans who are sick of the American policy, now increasingly discredited, of believing anything Israel says and supporting everything they do.
Our contention is that Israel has suffered a coup, a military take-over which has left their democratic government as little more than a debating society while extremists are running amok, as Israeli Ambassador Oren calls them, “rogue groups.”
Increasingly, our Israeli based writers, such as former Irgun and IDF fighter, Uri Avnery, have come under physical attack, some inside Israel, some out. Ken O’Keefe was attacked in London this week. Others, many, have received death threats and more, such as Noam Chomsky, have been refused travel restrictions. Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu was arrested in Tel Aviv and put in solitary confinement and more have been subjected to cars stolen, laptops seized and homes broken into by “black bag” crews in areas as remote as Sudan and even in the US and Western Europe.
The surprise announcement by Israel through Ambassador Michael Oren that they have lost control of violent groups of right wing Likudists responsible for acts, as Oren admits, including spying on the United States, caught Mid-East observers off balance. Attempts to get information on other operations, such as the Dubai assassination or the London Bombings of 7/7, which could possibly be attributed to this ultra-nationalist cabal referred to by Ambassador Oren have been stonewalled.
This O’Keefe interview, an unsuccessful attempt at an “ambush” by a BBC “Rush Limbaugh clone” fails at its task. Continual interruptions, misstatements and eventually outright propagandizing by the BBC pundit with an embarrassing pro-Israeli agenda isn’t enough to get O’Keefe to walk away. Veterans Today thanks the BBC for allowing Ken O’Keefe an opportunity to show, not only how transparent their bias is but why underestimating United States Marines has been a foolish endeavor since November 10, 1775.
Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=38101
Posted by Gordon Duff on Jun 29 2010, With 0 Reads, Filed under Israel, WarZone. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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the bbc gets its marching orders from washington
“Underestimating United States Marines has been a foolish endeavor since November 10, 1775.” I love that… because it is true.
Thank you Ken O’Keefe.
Semper Fi.
3 words concerning Mr O’Keefe–HE KICKS ASS. Anyone who would like to hear another great interview he did can go here–
http://theuglytruth.podbean.com/2010/06/16/the-ugly-truth-podcast-june-17-2010/
Letting Ken O’Keefe on their program in hopes of making him look bad may be the biggest BBC mistake since they announced the collapse of Building 7 of the World Trade Center more than a quarter of an hour before it surprisingly fell. See http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2007/260207building7.htm .
The law around the attempted turning back of the ‘flotilla’,
which led to a boarding, which led to ‘peace’ activists
pummeling the boarders, which led to nine deaths, is
patently not cut and dried, rather a subject of dissent.
Each side quotes what it believes to be the truth,
and some are so vehement, you would think that they would
kill for their belief. I.e. “I am right (on a point of law)
and you are wrong. If you don’t agree; I will kill you.”
The original principles: ‘humanitarian aid’, ‘break the blockade’,
‘humiliate Israel’, ‘all aid must be inspected at Ashdod’,
‘no Gaza port for Iranian weapons’, get lost in the ‘fog of law’.
Every statement made so far, is about a perceived situation.
Yet the language is so concrete and judgemental:
‘piracy’, war-crime’, ‘murder’, even ‘international waters’ ad infinitum.
Compare that to the equally ad nauseam usual MSM comments used about
domestic crime: like ‘accused’ serial killers, or ‘charged with’ rape.
Until conviction.
Israel is guilty because IHH, Erdogan, and the MSM say so.
Why not say: “It looks bad for Israel. Have a judicial inquiry.”
Doesn’t sound exciting. Doesn’t raise the adrenalin; make the blood boil.
Can’t be used to incite hate and revenge in Turkey.
Doesn’t sell newspapers. There you have it.
Israel refuses an independent international investigation. It wants to investigate itself and then tell the world its findings. Do you go along with that?
Turkey’s redsponse to the murder of nine of its citizens has been very toned down. The US destroyed Grenada on a pretext much shorter than that. Come to think of it, the US even killed some forty patients when they bombed a mental hospital there.
We need more people like O’Keefe, articulate, determined and calm.
“apoplectic”? I don’t think we watched the same videos.
We have already seen what ahppens when Israel investigates itself. Latest to date was its war on Gaza. Funny how its findings differ from every other international investigation. No, I don’t trust Israel to investigate itself. Why did they destroy the pictures of those who were on the ships?
Times have changed. Israel and its promoters are on the defensive in Public Opinion. They have to change their tactics if they want a chance in this war of words.
hubris
you are a spammer/troll
meaning…you are shilling
go someplace else
any idiot can see through you
g
[...] Duff Veterans Today 29 June [...]
Ken O’Keefe is simply magic.Articulate,passionate and courageous.These are rare qualities today.I am really impressed.
Excellent work by O’Keefe! I don’t give the U.S. full credit for the global war crimes as he does. It’s all bankster run. The citizenry in the U.S. supplies the troops and picks up the bill. Ben Freedman said it best in 1961, “the Zionists and their co-religionists rule these United States as though they were the absolute monarchs.” He was going all the back to pre-WWI days on the subject. Henry Ford discussed their control of the media in his book The International Jew – an apt title as Churchill gave international Jewry the “credit” for the Russian Revolution in his Zionism vs. Bolshevism piece in the Sunday Illustrated Herald of 8 Feb 1920.
Foundational texts for understanding the modern world in my opinion. Do share them. Peace.
Freedman (http://iamthewitness.com/archive.php?dir=audio%2FBenjamin.H.Freedman%2F)
Ford (http://iamthewitness.com/books/index.php?dir=Henry.Ford%2FThe.International.Jew%2F)
Churchill (http://www.patriot.dk/churchill.html)
All the Proof in the World (http://theinfounderground.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5367&start=0&sid=75c0151d587d2d7350be6200a6d6a0a7)
Let’s examine this article.The assumption is that O’Keefe was a VT writer before joining the flotilla.After reading a bit further it is clear that he is now a writer for VT after the fact.
He alleges that four additional passengers were thrown overboard to their death and those individuals are not listed as official casualties.He goes on to say that others were killed in interrogations etc.We have no accountability of these allegations and I would think that the Turkish government or agencies involved would make the world aware of these assertions.
I for one would appreciate a formal list by the Red Cross,United Nations,Turkey,The US and even Israel.Maybe we Army guys can do a better job of reporting.
This is supposed to be the Veterans Today.I suggest that the name be changed the Marine Veterans Today.
Hey, don’t blast other grunts. I am ex RA and I write. I appreciate good arguments which ever branch they come out of.
Forward Observer,
Please know that there are
A Lot of Army 1st CAV Combat Veterans who participate here frequently.
That keeps things fairly balanced between US Army and USMC. So I have found.
But I am unable to provide you with a print-out of the statistic of who and when. Hang out a while… you will see. In my opinion, we are ALL AMERICAN VETERANS.
My husband is a American Combat Veteran. He served in the 1st CAV, US Army.
As for myself… Semper Fi.
Forward Observer-
There are a quite a few here who have served with 11B here.
I have the most respect and admiration for the men, (and their families), who were in the US Army, 11B, and served in the Air Cavalry as aeroriflemen, some as point-men in Vietnam. They are part of the finest group that I have ever met and am proud to know.
I also believe that having Ken O’Keefe here as a writer now is a great thing for Veterans Today and he may prove to be a wonderful asset.
(Just my opinion.)
As far as the great point that you brought up about the missing people unaccounted for… I do know that Turkey had live news feed going on – on the flotilla at that time and at THAT TIME… Turkey ‘decided to ban Youtube and Google from their country’.
I believe that it is part of the American Media Black-out that is and has been taking place for some time.
You also brought up the fine point of Amnesty, UN and the Red Cross… that they should be reporting on this. I agree there should be more reporting on this. I do know that I am finding out more and more that Amnesty, the UN and Red Cross don’t necessarily get the media coverage that we would expect in America… especially when dealing with Israel.
I will in a short time post some links for you to have a look at and review for your own conclusions.
Respectfully,
Fran Lawrence
BREAKING NEWS: Amnesty reports US, Europe shielding Israel over Gaza war crimes 05.27.10 http://australiansforpalestine.com/22552
United Nations asked for these aid ships to go to Gaza and break the blockade! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0dlg5NOQ5o
NBC BREAKS THE NEWS BLACKOUT ON GAZA
GAZANS LIVING IN “120 SQ MILE PRISON” Starts at 12:36.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#37581514
VIDEO: If Americans Knew What Israel Is Doing! VIDEO WAS CENSORED!
UN Special Rapp (http://bit.ly/bykS83): Israel’s actions in E. Jerusalem “violate international law… potentially amounting to war crimes”
http://youtu.be/ynWjYHP91gA
Former CIA Officer: Israel Controls U.S. Government & Media
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVkjqrF00FM&sns=em++
Pro-Israel Highlights of Barack Obama Speech for AIPAC http://youtu.be/033gCiurxbg
Dual US / Israeli Citizens Running American Government http://bit.ly/axfh3I
Nearly 300 Congress members declare commitment to ‘unbreakable’ U.S.-Israel bond – Haaretz – http://bit.ly/bg44k9 via @addthis
Hear from American Survivors of Israel’s Attack on Aid Flotilla: http://bit.ly/aAUaFB
Gaza Flotilla Testimony of Alex Harrison | Palestine Solidarity Campaign meeting | London | Jun 9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWVSsI_mSzA
GAZA IN PLAIN LANGUAGE: http://j.mp/9GGo59 Israelis Celebrate IDF Flotilla Attack 06.01.10 http://youtu.be/ZWha0aMGIlQ?a
UN Special Rapp (http://bit.ly/bykS83): Israel’s actions in E. Jerusalem “violate international law… potentially amounting to war crimes”
The Two Sides of a Barbed-Wire Fence By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
http://nyti.ms/dB3Jx1
Jews United Against Zionism http://bit.ly/bCdZaY
UK Jewish MP Testimony: Israel in Gaza (Please Listen) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMGuYjt6CP8&feature=player_embedded#!
USS LIBERTY REMEMBRANCE DAY, FORGOTTEN, SUPPRESSED, SILENCED http://bit.ly/bZ7LLm via @AddToAny
USS LIBERTY: WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/ussliberty.html
I can’t find the article from the Red Cross on this matter at the time. I hope that this is orderly, concise and makes sense.
Respectfully,
Fran Lawrence
Thank you Ms. Lawrence but my point is to ask why these other deaths haven’t been published in any media?I learned a long time ago that just because,”He said so”,that doesn’t qualify as verifiable information.There are too many people who are on the mailing lists and receive emails concerning black propaganda,misdirection,half truths and flat out lies.These same people can Ber of the belief that if it is on the internet it must be true.
The fine artist today demonstrates how easy it is to deceive others with an agenda that is nothing but a political paid message.Both sides do it.The people deserve better than to not be told the truth as the writer understands it to be.
I will read these links with interest even though the first three have material that I have already read.
You are asking why the media is not reporting on these things of which we speak…
The title alone of the first link that I had posted might provide a clue:
“Amnesty reports US, Europe shielding Israel over Gaza war crimes”
It is my hope that the rest of the links that I have posted might be able to shed more light on this matter. Thank you for taking the time to review.
Fran
Here is another title of a link that I had posted. These guys are not actors pretending to be ex-CIA officials… They really are just that. The title alone might shed some further light on your question as to why the media is not reporting on these matters of which we speak of.
“Former CIA Officer: Israel Controls U.S. Government & Media”
VIDEO: If Americans Knew What Israel Is Doing! VIDEO WAS CENSORED!
http://youtu.be/ynWjYHP91gA
I messed up on posting this video. This is a good one to help explain the situation.
I am aware that these things may be hard to accept. However, fact are facts. Change cannot happen if the situation will not be acknowledged.
Though our government may have failed American citizens this far…
Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall”. The ‘we’ in there is:
“We, the People”.
This dance ain’t over yet…
So, are you gonna sit this one out?
Hope not, cause everyone needs to wake up and rock the house, the senate, the governors and all of the treasonous elected trash who chose to declare a Commitment to an Unbreakable US -Israel Bond off the floor and out the door.
We are AMERICANS.
My Unbreakable Bond and Commitment is to My Country…
AMERICA.
Analogy: I have friends that I have commitments and bonds with.
BUT it is with my spouse that I have declared a commitment to an unbreakable bond.
And that is sacred.
So, WHY did Obama in his address to AIPAC say that the US – Israel relationship is sacrosant?
Because he and every other politician who is declaring an Unbreakable Bond with Israel is committing political adultery against America. That is Treason.
Okay, so you want to know why these deaths are not being reported by any other media. Well, they are here and there… are articles… not American… of other people who were there and are saying that one of their friends or fellow reporter is missing. These mentions are not in major papers and are being supressed. Look at the first link that I had posted. It is from Austrailia… who by the way, lately have had major changes to their Internet uses by law. The link with the ex-CIA… that took place with a Middle East news source. The MSNBC ‘Big Breakthrough’ report on Gaza was not mentioned in the beginning of the news show… and was a blurb 12 minutes into the program. The recent news article… by Nicholas Kristof… he is only one of less then a handful of major media reporters who have the guts to begin reporting the truth of Occupied Palestine. Gordon Duff and Jeff Gates have been the first to have the sand to speak out when no one else would dare to think it. It’s time for American to look in the mirror and admit what we have allowed ourselves to do… fall asleep at the wheel. Time to snap out of it and get this show back on the road… like our Forefather would have us do… as they would do if they were here today… Stand up and be counted.
http://whitewatch.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/wtwtwg.png
Discussion of an Israeli enquiry is insulting to any normal human. This could only come from a shill.
Mr.Duff,why do people who think differently than you have to be a troll,shill or whatever you decide to call them.I would think that you would welcome all sides not just those that support your agenda.Please allow us,the readers to research and make up our own minds.
Larry
His tone is continually derisive, his comments uninformed and repetitive, he has no name and uses a screen name that violates our terms of service.
g
Minor screen name note: A screen name indicating that the Islamic religion is offensive to g-d is a TOS violation. TOS violations also include insults against writers but we do let fly at politicians, even the commander in chief. We can replace them, we can’t replace writers.
g
I went to a multi-service school where I trained as a journalist-newspaper journalist. We used to make fun of the tv journalism students because we knew the interview was all about the ratings or digging up dirt. This interviewer was about ratings. I’m glad that O’Keefe didn’t let her pull him off the subject which was the need of humanitarian aid for Gaza. When I see how the Palestinians have had their land and homes confiscated, it p****es me off. I like his interview. Makes me feel kind of good I used to hang around with some of the Marines on post. When they want to get it done, they go in to get it done. No excuses, no whining, no mumbling and no crying. Semper fi guy.
test comment by webguy
Ken O’Keefe is islamofascist prostitute, profoundly ignorant idiot and pathological liar