The Common Ills: Nouri threatens to open 'the gates of hell' if he doesn't get a third term

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Nouri threatens to open 'the gates of hell' if he doesn't get a third term

From 2010, that's Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "Not Quite There." And, call the midwife, Nouri's yet again trying to birth new problems in Iraq today.

Prime Minister and chief thug of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki gave his weekly televised address today. As usual, it was the sound of a fanatic raving.

Alsumaria notes that he declared the biggest bloc should be allowed to nominate the candidate for prime minister-designate. He insisted that the post isn't elected, it's merely the one with the largest bloc. To provide the context that human filth like Nouri doesn't, he's saying today that whomever got the most seats in the April 30th parliamentary elections should be able to put forward the prime minister-designate.

This is, of course, in complete conflict with what he said after the March 2010 parliamentary elections when Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya beat him -- even after the recount thug Nouri demanded. Back then, Nouri and his secret court verdict (obtained before the election and then kept secret unless and until he needed it) stated that it wasn't the results of the elections that determined it but who had the biggest number of supporters in the post-election wrangling.

If those dueling results don't confuse, try this: All Iraq News is reporting that followers of cleric and movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr are saying Nouri's withdrawn his name from consideration (Iraq should be so lucky) while Nouri's State of Law is saying that Nouri will be seeking the nomination (and, for once, you can probably trust State of Law on something). But Alsumaria reports State of Law has declared they will reject any candidate for prime minister that is not Nouri.

In his speech, Alsumaria notes, Nouri also insisted that the will of the people must be respected.

The will of the people?

In 2010, he had no concern about the will of the people when he lost to Iraqiya.

He also had no concern about the will of the people in 2011 when Iraqis protested in massive numbers. Or at the end of 2012, when Iraqis kicked off a year long wave of protests.

Back then, he responded to the will of the people by ordering his forces to threaten, intimidate, attack and kill peaceful protesters.

Today, Nouri pretends he's all about the will of the people.

In the speech's most provocative remarks, Nouri lays down a threat. Alsumaria quotes him declaring that any violations of the (don't laugh) "Constitutional process" will open the gates of hell.

No, Nouri's never cared about the Constitution before. This is most obvious in his attack on Iraq's two term Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi whom Nouri forced out of the country with false charges of terrorism and then staged a kangaroo court trial -- despite the fact that Tareq retained his office (he still does until vice presidents are named). As such, Tareq can't be charged with anything, per the Constitution, unless the Parliament strips him of his office. Parliament refused to. Nouri's actions were illegal. He repeated them with other rivals.

But today, in a speech filled with lies, he attempts to make the case that the Constitution guarantees him a second term and then he closes by insisting any efforts to prevent him from a third term will open the gates of hell.

Grasp that the thug controls the security forces -- illegally in some cases (both due to process as well as the militia aspect).

The thug the US keeps handing Hellfire missiles too, the thug who's been killing civilians for months now, just declared that the gates of hell will open if he doesn't get a third term.

Think maybe Jen Psaki, Marie Harf or anyone at the State Dept will deal seriously with this speech today?

(I doubt it too.)

Aid to the Church in Need's Global Day of Prayer for Peace is today:

Aug. 6, 2014--Feast of the Transfiguration

“Please stop, I ask you with all my heart, it’s time to stop. Stop, please.” Inspired by these words of Pope Francis (June 27, 2014), the international pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, united with His Beatitude Louis Rafael Sako, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Iraq, appeals to all persons of good will to join in a Global Day of Prayer for Peace to be held on August 6, 2014—the Feast of the Transfiguration. Chaldean Cross

The feast of Transfiguration marks the moment when Jesus, on Mount Tabor, appears to three of his disciples in a state of glory, shortly before His ultimate trial on Calvary. This feast holds out a sign of hope for humanity: it is a source of courage when obstacles appear impossible to surmount; a sign that light is stronger than darkness; and testimony that death can turn into life.

Meant to be observed in churches and homes across the country, this Global Day of Prayer in the midst of so much suffering in Iraq—particularly for the ancient Christian community of Mosul—tells the world at large that US Christians have not forgotten and abandoned their suffering brothers and sisters.

Patriarch Sako has personally composed the Prayer for Peace:

Lord,
The plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of Christians
is severe and frightening.
Therefore, we ask you Lord
to spare our lives, and to grant us patience,
and courage to continue our witness of Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the foundation of life;
Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us
to live with each other without fear and anxiety,
and with dignity and joy.

Glory be to you forever.

The Patriarch also said: “Let us unite our voices and hearts before the Lord of peace. May the light of Tabor fill the hearts of all suffering people with consolation and hope. May the message of Tabor, through our prayers, inspire the leaders of Iraq to sacrifice personal interests for the common good and welfare.”

Please click here and join ACN's candle vigil for Iraq.

The following community sites -- plus the Center for Constitutional Rights, Cindy Sheehan, Jake Tapper, McClatchy Newspapers, Pacifica Evening News and Antiwar.com -- updated: