Does this nonsense ever end?
AnonymousApril 11, 2014 at 1:11 PMPen,US UK claims/investigating FOUR chem weapon attacks by Assad http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-11/usuk-investigating-new-assad-c…
I have not read zerohedge so can't tell you all what they are writing about- but- Anonymous had to know that was going to pique my interest! Thanks anonymous, with that tip under my hat, I began my own searchThat’s the way I like to do things...I found some site called Mediaite- Spinning on 'New Chemical Attacks in Syria"Obviously trying to pass itself off as ‘trendy’ or ‘hip’ Whatever?! Looks to be affilliated with CNN.Affiliation with CNN saysMediaite- you know like Meteorite has borrowed from another source. Mediaite tells their reader the source has compiled credible evidence, or did they say convincing evidence? They wrote "convincing evidence" Problem being...The evidence is NOT convincing. It’s just a bunch of stuff uploaded by the NATO mercs to antisocial media and compiled by Reddit users.What is with Reddit? I have seen this “compiled by Reddit previously”. I remain completely unimpressed with their compilationsBack to the source used by mediaite- Interpreter magazine I read through their article- despite their heavy handed spin -they do not seem convincedExample 1
2055 GMT: As we’ve been reporting, there are unconfirmed reports of another chemical weapons attack earlier today in Harasta, Damascus. 5 people reportedly died in that attack. Below we post two videos, though they aren’t terribly helpful. They reportedly show victims of the chemical weapons attack. Someone helps verify the date by showing their cell phone, but the victims don’t appear to have any clearly identifiable symptoms that could help confirm that this was a chemical attack.
Not convincingExample 2
2034 GMT: A potentially very important video.(in whose opinion?) This claims to have been taken this evening in Kafr Zita, and it is uploaded by a channel that has posted videos nearly exclusively from Kafr Zita. It claims to show a helicopter dropping a barrel bomb filled with the chemical weapons.A quick analysis – "there is a clear editing mark right before the explosion"- That’s a huge problem!
"The edit may severely damage the video as a piece of evidence" Ya think?
Example 3
2013 GMT: Before the chemical weapons attack was reported, the town of Kafr Zita was already under attack. Note from the lighting conditions that this was taken earlier than the videos of the reported chemical attackAre there alternate explanations for the chemical weapons attack? Yes. Incendiary weapons are often used in Syria, and could have created toxic smoke. Similarly, explosives could have hit chemicals that were stored on the ground, creating a similar effect.
The videos for these reports will be included at the bottom of the post.More issues with the Interpreter article- No credibility on casualty claims- This is extremely sloppy stuff
"Now it’s time for perspective. The highest estimates for the confirmed chemical weapon attack in East Ghouta on August 21st is about 1800, with most estimates running between 1200 and 1600"
The highest estimate for Ghouta is about 1800? Is it really? I don’t think so.In fact I know that number is wrongInitial overblown estimates when the story first broke were “up to”1300. The numbers then dwindled down almost immediately into the 100'sFrankenKerry quoted some nonsensical number- he surely had to have pulled out of the empty space between his ears— In this post we have HRW & others tossing around numbers
“The Obama administration says 1,429 people died in 12 locations”
In 12 locations, 1429 is the number. Not at Ghouta alone, as the Interpreter claims while providing some weird version of perspective
*Syrian National Coalition- When asked for victims' names, however, the group provided a list of 395
*The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says it only counts victims identified by name, and that its current total stands at 502. *Doctors Without Borders says it has not been able to update its initial Aug. 24 estimate of 355 killed
Bluntly speaking “The Interpreter” is full of shit. Same with Mediaite.Setting aside the videos that show nothing and the silly numbers game that have already made both reports non credible. The Interpreter is actually using Brown Moses as a source! Yup, Brown Moses. Loved by the Guardian and all other NATO news outlets. Touted as a weapons expert. And dismissed by me, always.Before I end this lengthy post and get to the videos I could not help but notice “The Interpreter” is “A special project of Institute of Modern Russia” What in the heck is the ‘Institute of Modern Russia”?Stinks like a NATO funded psyop. Perception Management outfit. Let’s have a poke around? Carefully, lest the putrid smell wafting through my computer screen gets any more overwhelming. ;)Through watering eyes, while fighting the overwhelming urge to vomit, what do I see?!!The Institute of Modern Russia (IMR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization—a think tank—with offices in New York and Washington DC. IMR's mission is to foster democratic and economic development in Russia through research, advocacy, public events, and grant-making. Look at some of IMR's recommendations...About UsThis one really caught my eye! Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications CenterAll credibility is shot to hell!Videos:Barrel bomb, allegedly, with clear editAftermath of something, allegedly a chemical weapon, but not necessarilyMan laying in bed with an inhaler mask?If this is what the US/UK and Israel are "investigating" it's pretty useless stuff.