Freedom of Conscience To What Extent

The Price of Freedom: Renewing Courage and Conscience

The Perspective

Freedom is sweat, tears and blood. Indeed, history is replete and continues to repeat itself in a cause of a struggle to redeem one's nation and people. When men and women brush aside the fear for personal safety, ready to pay a price for human dignity and discover strength by confronting evil and say "NO MORE", swift victory is certain to be won. When men and women who live by the power of inward moral conviction, and are not under bondage to outward restrictions; energy is bond to release that conquer's evil.

This article is a testimony of my effort to deepen the understanding of our readers and as a medium to express my respect, pay tribute to and applaud the Liberian Human Rights Community that has paid, and continues to pay, a thankless price for raising an active voice against the evil and human rights tragedy that is consuming our country and its people. The Liberian Human Rights Activists with firm sense of social responsibility who are compelled by international standards to call the Government of Liberia to judgment for its horrible human rights violations, and change its policies and implement good governance, have suffered severe punishment under the regime of Charles Taylor.

Instead of giving respectability to these national heroes of conscience for their service to humanity, they are imprisoned and charged with bogus crimes, tortured and forced to leave the country for fear of their lives.

These unplanned departures of the lucky ones have proven too bitter a pill to swallow. These faint-hearted, spirited and dashing young men and women whose struggle and crusade for the respect of human dignity and the rule of law are made to suffer because of their commitment to protecting the rights of the people. Taylor sanctions these inhumane acts and his loyal disciples have destroyed the souls and hope of these courageous people for trying to save their beloved country. Yes, their escape has destroyed families, as some were breadwinners for their families, leaving what they have worked for and owned.

In this vein, we pray for our colleagues back home who in the face of growing threats continue to speak out and face persecution at the hands of the government's insane security men, who are graduates of the school of death and holding the sword in their hands waiting for order from their supreme commander to persecute and execute human rights defenders. These mass murderers and high-core sadists and their chief have considered human rights defenders (moral crusaders), as troublemakers and enemies of the state. What a pity!

I write from experience. I was there and felt the pains and wrath of these mass murderers. I experienced the cruel hands of torture administered by these tugs. They told me "who do you think you are - we will skin you death". I was stripped naked at the police headquarters and one of the officers with "muscled jacket dealt" with me. He kicked me with his booth while he escorted me into the cell. I was pushed into the inner room among the high-core criminals. I shivered, hating the environment, hating the tightness in my throat and told myself not to cry. I tried to be brave to cope with my new environment, but raindrop-sized tears rolled down my cheeks. I got angry with myself for behaving like a child and used the back of my hand to stifle my tears.

In my hour of contemplation, I was greeted by one of the prisoners with "welcome to our den and be a man". While grief is normal and natural, clearly the most powerful of all emotions, it is also the most neglected and misunderstood experience, often by both the griever and those around him. I was weeping because a nasty man, a drug addict was torturing me - kicking and hitting me all over my body because I was part of the voices that echoed loud and clear, telling the angels of terror and death, men who engaged in relentless campaign of anarchy and bloody games that this thing is wrong. This thing must stop! That was a price for standing up for what is morally right and trying to secure justice for our people. 

The irony and saddest fact of it all is, the engagement role played by Liberian politicians during this horrible situation in Liberia. Politicians that should be vocal on these ills in our society, sit in the corner mute - watching these demons displaying their cruelty, they wait on elections' timetable. It is indeed an unpardonable sin for these political leaders to not condemn or criticize Taylor and his followers. These crude and murderous politics in our country will have to STOP. 

However, I salute and pay tribute to the Human Rights defenders in Liberia and encourage them to continue because they are our only hope in these darkest hours in our country. Their relentless crusade and commitment to be the voice that continues to speak on behalf of our people. The facts remain that we are part of the whole (society) and as such, we cannot seek personal comfort within the context of threatening national disasters. When we allow the fear and uncertainty of our security to isolate us from looming threat only would we suffer personal loss and jeopardize the peace of our families and the larger society. Failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to becoming a victim of what is criminally wrong. 

Though, you expose yourself to danger in honoring your conscience for a noble and humble cause, it is worth bearing in mind that you represent courage, strength, suffering and sacrifice- the courage of conviction, strength of character, suffering for rights and sacrifice of life. Those who carry sinister agenda and whose conscience and influence are designed to blight the soul of a nation and its people, and who are purveyors of terror, sow seeds of anarchy are always on the wrong side of history. But your faith, moral conviction and willing commitment to answer the call of duty, brings fore the reality that, indeed, you are a catalyst of change for a better Liberia.

And in the words of Sir Winston Churchill, "history will be kind to me because I intend to write it". And that is true we write our own history and eulogy through the choices we make and the consequences they leave us and future generations. Based on this reasoning, when we are true to our conscience, and work to bring relief in the lives of our people and our neighbors to experience peace, then satisfaction is guaranteed. To this effect, I say Bravo to the Liberian Human Rights Defenders! 

Joseph F Barber

By James Torh

How It Could Finally Be Possible to Prosecute War as a Crime

How It Could Finally Be Possible to Prosecute War as a Crime

By David Swanson

War is a crime. The International Criminal Court has just announced that it will finally treat it as a crime, sort-of, kind-of. But how can war’s status as a crime effectively deter the world’s leading war-maker from threatening and launching more wars, large and small? How can laws against war actually be put to use? How can the ICC’s announcement be made into something more than a pretense?

The Kellogg-Briand Pact made war a crime in 1928, and various atrocities became criminal charges at Nuremberg and Tokyo because they were constituent parts of that larger crime. The United Nations Charter maintained war as a crime, but limited it to “aggressive” war, and gave immunity to any wars launched with U.N. approval.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) could try the United States for attacking a country if (1) that country brought a case, and (2) the United States agreed to the process, and (3) the United States chose not to block any judgment by using its veto power at the U.N. Security Council. Desirable future reforms obviously include urging all U.N. members to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ, and eliminating the veto. But what can be done now?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) can try individuals for various “war crimes,” but has thus far tried only Africans, though for some time now it has claimed to be “investigating” U.S. crimes in Afghanistan. Although the U.S. is not a member of the ICC, Afghanistan is. Desirable future reforms obviously include urging all nations, including the United States, to join the ICC. But what can be done now?

The ICC has finally announced that it will prosecute individuals (such as the U.S. president and secretary of “defense”) for the crime of “aggression,” which is to say: war. But such wars must be launched after July 17, 2018. And those who can be prosecuted for war will be only citizens of those nations that have both joined the ICC and ratified the amendment adding jurisdiction over “aggression.” Desirable future reforms obviously include urging all nations, including the United States, to ratify the amendment on “aggression.” But what can be done now?

The only way around these restrictions, is for the U.N. Security Council to refer a case to the ICC. If that happens, then the ICC can prosecute anyone in the world for the crime of war.

This means that for the force of law to have any chance of deterring the U.S. government from threatening and launching wars, we need to persuade one or more of the fifteen nations on the U.N. Security Council to make clear that they will raise the matter for a vote. Five of those fifteen have veto power, and one of those five is the United States.

So, we also need nations of the world to proclaim that when the Security Council fails to refer the case, they will bring the matter before the U.N. General Assembly though a “Uniting for Peace” procedure in emergency session to override the veto. This is what was just done in December 2017 to overwhelmingly pass a resolution that the U.S. had vetoed, a resolution condemning the U.S. naming Jerusalem the capital of Israel.

Not only do we need to jump through each of these hoops (a commitment to a Security Council vote, and a commitment to override the veto in the General Assembly) but we need to make evident beforehand that we will be certain or likely to do so.

Therefore, World Beyond War is launching a global petition to the national governments of the worldasking for their public commitment to refer any war launched by any nation to the ICC with or without the Security Council. Click here to add your name.

After all, it is not only U.S. wars that should be prosecuted as crimes, but all wars. And, in fact, it may prove necessary to prosecute junior partners of the United States in its “coalition” wars prior to prosecuting the ring leader. The problem is not one of lack of evidence, of course, but of political will. The U.K., France, Canada, Australia, or some other co-conspirator may be brought by global and internal pressure (and the ability to circumvent the U.N. Security Council) to submit to the rule of law prior to the United States doing so.

A key detail is this: how much organized murder and violent destruction constitutes a war? Is a drone strike a war? Is base expansion and a few home raids a war? How many bombs make a war? The answer should be any use of military force. But in the end, this question will be answered by public pressure. If we can inform people of it and persuade the nations of the world to refer it to trial, then it will be a war, and therefore a crime.

Here’s my New Year’s resolution: I vow to support the rule of law, that might may no longer make right.

This article was originally published by World Beyond War -

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Pro Deo et Constitutione – Libertas aut Mors

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis

Joseph F Barber 

U.S. Military Massacred Civilians in Somalia

U.S. Military Massacred Civilians in Somalia

By atenda Gwaambuka

On the 25th of August, the United States of America’s military led an operation in Somalia's Bariire region that resulted in the death of 10 civilians and at least one child on the 25th of August. It was a massacre whose taint on the U.S. forces’ reputation can be compared to the Black Hawk Down incident of 1993. The victims of the operation were farmers and in its wake, hundreds of people in the Somali town of Afgoye protested, demanding justice for those killed. Survivors refused to bury the dead until the Somali government withdrew allegations that they were members of Al-Shabab and paid reparations. This was revealed in a Daily Beast report written by Christina Goldbaum.

Here's what we learnt:

U.S. Military Lies About its Operations in Africa

AFRICOM claims all its soldiers do is advise, assist and in very limited circumstances, accompany missions. This implies that U.S. soldiers do not go in the front line yet that is exactly what happened in Somalia. The Daily Beast report says U.S. Special Operators fired upon unarmed civilians as bullet casings found on the scene were American, instructed Somali counterparts to collect weapons stored inside a home and place them beside the bodies of those killed before photographing them. American diplomats are said to have also pressured the Somali government to bury unfavorable findings of a Somali Federal Government investigation. This is the height of dishonesty.

U.S. Intelligence is not as reliable as we think

The operation in Somalia is said to have been based on information from unreliable sources. The U.S. soldiers got their information from a Somali National Army brigade leader who is a former Al Shabab commander as well as from a militia leader who is in direct rivalry to the clan of the killed farmers. The translator they used was the same person who they used in another operation that resulted in the death of civilians. These three may have misled the U.S soldiers who are also to blame for their lapse in vigilance. The military was thus sucked into what seems to be a local clan conflict.

Predictably, however, the United States Military denied the claims.

This article was originally published by The African Exponent -

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Pro Deo et Constitutione – Libertas aut Mors

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis

Joseph F Barber

Has America gone stupid

But there was a special kind of gift that came with embracing the chaos, even if I cursed most of the way. I'm convinced that, when everything is wiped blank, it's life 's way of forcing you to become acquainted with and aware of who you are now, who you can become. What is the fulfillment of your soul?

The Price of Freedom: Renewing Courage and Conscience

The Perspective

Freedom is sweat, tears and blood. Indeed, history is replete and continues to repeat itself in a cause of a struggle to redeem one's nation and people. When men and women brush aside the fear for personal safety, ready to pay a price for human dignity and discover strength by confronting evil and say "NO MORE", swift victory is certain to be won. When men and women who live by the power of inward moral conviction, and are not under bondage to outward restrictions; energy is bond to release that conquer's evil.

This article is a testimony of my effort to deepen the understanding of our readers and as a medium to express my respect, pay tribute to and applaud the Liberian Human Rights Community that has paid, and continues to pay, a thankless price for raising an active voice against the evil and human rights tragedy that is consuming our country and its people. The Liberian Human Rights Activists with firm sense of social responsibility who are compelled by international standards to call the Government of Liberia to judgment for its horrible human rights violations, and change its policies and implement good governance, have suffered severe punishment under the regime of Charles Taylor.

Instead of giving respectability to these national heroes of conscience for their service to humanity, they are imprisoned and charged with bogus crimes, tortured and forced to leave the country for fear of their lives.

These unplanned departures of the lucky ones have proven too bitter a pill to swallow. These faint-hearted, spirited and dashing young men and women whose struggle and crusade for the respect of human dignity and the rule of law are made to suffer because of their commitment to protecting the rights of the people. Taylor sanctions these inhumane acts and his loyal disciples have destroyed the souls and hope of these courageous people for trying to save their beloved country. Yes, their escape has destroyed families, as some were breadwinners for their families, leaving what they have worked for and owned.

In this vein, we pray for our colleagues back home who in the face of growing threats continue to speak out and face persecution at the hands of the government's insane security men, who are graduates of the school of death and holding the sword in their hands waiting for order from their supreme commander to persecute and execute human rights defenders. These mass murderers and high-core sadists and their chief have considered human rights defenders (moral crusaders), as troublemakers and enemies of the state. What a pity!

I write from experience. I was there and felt the pains and wrath of these mass murderers. I experienced the cruel hands of torture administered by these tugs. They told me "who do you think you are - we will skin you death". I was stripped naked at the police headquarters and one of the officers with "muscled jacket dealt" with me. He kicked me with his booth while he escorted me into the cell. I was pushed into the inner room among the high-core criminals. I shivered, hating the environment, hating the tightness in my throat and told myself not to cry. I tried to be brave to cope with my new environment, but raindrop-sized tears rolled down my cheeks. I got angry with myself for behaving like a child and used the back of my hand to stifle my tears.

In my hour of contemplation, I was greeted by one of the prisoners with "welcome to our den and be a man". While grief is normal and natural, clearly the most powerful of all emotions, it is also the most neglected and misunderstood experience, often by both the griever and those around him. I was weeping because a nasty man, a drug addict was torturing me - kicking and hitting me all over my body because I was part of the voices that echoed loud and clear, telling the angels of terror and death, men who engaged in relentless campaign of anarchy and bloody games that this thing is wrong. This thing must stop! That was a price for standing up for what is morally right and trying to secure justice for our people. 

The irony and saddest fact of it all is, the engagement role played by Liberian politicians during this horrible situation in Liberia. Politicians that should be vocal on these ills in our society, sit in the corner mute - watching these demons displaying their cruelty, they wait on elections' timetable. It is indeed an unpardonable sin for these political leaders to not condemn or criticize Taylor and his followers. These crude and murderous politics in our country will have to STOP. 

However, I salute and pay tribute to the Human Rights defenders in Liberia and encourage them to continue because they are our only hope in these darkest hours in our country. Their relentless crusade and commitment to be the voice that continues to speak on behalf of our people. The facts remain that we are part of the whole (society) and as such, we cannot seek personal comfort within the context of threatening national disasters. When we allow the fear and uncertainty of our security to isolate us from looming threat only would we suffer personal loss and jeopardize the peace of our families and the larger society. Failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to becoming a victim of what is criminally wrong. 

Though, you expose yourself to danger in honoring your conscience for a noble and humble cause, it is worth bearing in mind that you represent courage, strength, suffering and sacrifice- the courage of conviction, strength of character, suffering for rights and sacrifice of life. Those who carry sinister agenda and whose conscience and influence are designed to blight the soul of a nation and its people, and who are purveyors of terror, sow seeds of anarchy are always on the wrong side of history. But your faith, moral conviction and willing commitment to answer the call of duty, brings fore the reality that, indeed, you are a catalyst of change for a better Liberia.

And in the words of Sir Winston Churchill, "history will be kind to me because I intend to write it". And that is true we write our own history and eulogy through the choices we make and the consequences they leave us and future generations. Based on this reasoning, when we are true to our conscience, and work to bring relief in the lives of our people and our neighbors to experience peace, then satisfaction is guaranteed. To this effect, I say Bravo to the Liberian Human Rights Defenders! 

Joseph F Barber

By James Torh

https://youtu.be/T6JYLtwNCgQ

This is your life use it well

They want us to be afraid. 
They want us to be afraid of leaving our homes. 
They want us to barricade our doors 
and hide our children. 
Their aim is to make us fear life itself! 
They want us to hate. 
They want us to hate 'the other'. 
They want us to practice aggression 
and perfect antagonism. 
Their aim is to divide us all! 
They want us to be inhuman. 
They want us to throw out our kindness. 
They want us to bury our love 
and burn our hope. 
Their aim is to take all our light! 
They think their bricked walls 
will separate us. 
They think their damned bombs 
will defeat us. 
They are so ignorant they don’t understand 
that my soul and your soul are old friends. 
They are so ignorant they don’t understand 
that when they cut you I bleed. 
They are so ignorant they don’t understand 
that we will never be afraid, 
we will never hate 
and we will never be silent 
for life is ours!

https://youtu.be/NBR-eGtr4Po

The man who is most aggressive in teaching tolerance is the most intolerant of all: he wants a world full of people too timid and ashamed to really disagree with anything

https://youtu.be/T6JYLtwNCgQ

There is no way to peace, peace is the way.

https://youtu.be/L4xBUOWliC0

Homeless “survival kits.” We Create and distribute kits

Homeless “survival kits.” We Create and distribute kits that include items such as cups, pots, pans, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cosmetics. ( We Try coordinating this through a group that gives out meals from a van, for example.)  During cold weather, organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and the like.
Phone calls.  Help people experiencing homelessness contact loved ones by offering the opportunity to make free long distance calls on holidays. Donate to or organize a cell phone drive for the homeless.

Homeless “survival kits.” We Create and distribute kits
Help ease their burden. Just $25 helps provide homeless survival packs 4veterans.
Mail your Donation 4784 dalea pl oceanside ca 92057
Care of Suzanne D Button Project manager,Contact Info
Phone 760-643 6134 or 442 251 6553
email:veteransproject@yahoo.com  

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10208621969666759&id=1835402667

Why are police no longer respected? What happened to Protect and Serve?

Why are police no longer respected? What happened to Protect and Serve?

https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2016/8/13/1559885/-Why-are--no-longer-respected-What-happened-to-Protect-and-Serve

FREEDOM OR ANARCHY,Campaign of Conscience

FREEDOM OR ANARCHY,Campaign of Conscience: is an alternative media and Information site that is dedicated to the truth, true journalism and the truth movement.

To Serve and Protect is missing from Police Cars Nationwide... , page 1

To Serve and Protect is missing from Police Cars Nationwide... , page 1: To Serve and Protect is missing from Police Cars Nationwide... , page 1

To Serve and Protect is missing from Police Cars Nationwide... , page 1

To Serve and Protect is missing from Police Cars Nationwide... , page 1: To Serve and Protect is missing from Police Cars Nationwide... , page 1