Blackwater...involved in sneak raids in Afghanistan & Iraq! Denial! Denial! Denial!

CIA thick in intrigues!

On Thursday, the New York Times published a report on their website alleging that Blackwater security guards were actively involved in clandestine CIA raids in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A representative at the company - now professionally known in industry circles as Xe Services - stated for the record that Blackwater was never under contracct with the CIA or Special Forces in those worn-torn countries.

"Any allegation to the contrary would be false," Mark Corallo asserted in no uncertain terms on behalf of Xe Services.

The key words are "under contract".

It is quite possible that Blackwater security guards were enlisted on the sly on a crisis-by-crisis basis.

In fact, one news organization was quick to point out that the roles and responsibilities of security officers and special forces often became blurred (or shifted into higher gear) in the battlefield setting at a moment's notice out of necessity.

It is alleged that Blackwater security officers were drawn in by the powers-that-be to take advantage of their high-level skills and their familiarity with the "territory".

The CIA has remained mum to date on the issue.

Over the past year or so - I reported on a couple of  Blackwater incidents (currently under investigation) - which resulted in the deaths of innocent citizens in the streets of Iraq.

Post::  10/29/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/blackwatercourt-hearing-for-trigger.html

Post:  10/24/07

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/blackwatertrigger-happy-security-for.html


In view of the foregoing, it's obvious why  Blackwater owners changed their company name to Xe Services.

To distance themselves from their prior image - as cold-blooded mercenaries -  of course!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Asian Pacific Film Festival...@ glittering opening night Beau Sia, Cindy Cheung & Art Hsu stroll red carpet! Bai Ling reveals Angelina Jolie "sexy"...

Bai Ling dazzles on red carpet!

There was a show of force from the Asian community last night at the Director's Guild as the Asian Pacific Film Festival broke out the bubbly to celebrate their 25th Silver Anniversary.

The glittering event was awash with film celebrities who strode down the red carpet in high-style as the paparazzi snapped away.

Beau Sia (Deaf Poet @ HBO) was a fashion plate who piqued a lot of interest as he ran the gauntlet.

When I jotted down his comment about being artsy-fartsy he was pleased.

"I'm into individual style," he quipped wickedly.

And, on occasion, the performance artist doesn't hold back when it comes to taking up a social or political cause.

Last night, for example, he sported a brilliant green neckerchief which sparkled under the bright overhead lights as a show of "Solidarity for the Swine Flu".

Bai Ling dazzled everyone when she glided up in an Italian Couture outfit which certainly overwhelmed me!

Her chic cocktail outfit was fashioned from a flutter of pink feather-like flourishes on top (a plunging neckline didn't leave much to the imagination by the way) which were the perfect foil for the body-hugging black skirt that accented her petite sexy figure.

Although SANS necklace, a stunning one-of-a-kind designer bracelet - and matching signature ring - struck gold in the accessories department.

The other evening Ms. Bai Ling and I danced the light-fantastic at the beach-side Newport Film Fest.

Ms. Ling is becoming a regular fixture at "The Tattler" & "Pop Culture" sites - a darling gorgeous one, I might add - with a frenzied fan base!

Look for the sensuous actress in Crank (2) in the near future.

"I'm the color in the film," she giggled.

Not surprising!

When I asked Bai who she liked in the industry, I was quite surprised by her response.

"Angelina Jolie. She's so sexy," she purred.

I was tempted to pose a question - Miss Ling are you bisexual? - but opted not to get too personal.

She noted that one of her faves in the biz is Richard Gere- a close friend - who she may work with in the future.

But, she's pining to be cast opposite Johnny Depp.

"You'd make a dazzling couple," I piped up as I noted I would get the word out.

Johnny, give Ms. Ling a call, will 'ya?

As Bai started to drift off down the carpet to a handful of photogs drooling at the mouth, she leaned into me and whispered:

"Come to my web site - Bai Ling dot com - so we can get intimate."

If anyone could turn a guy's - um - persuasion - it's definitely Ling!!!

The two young stars of "Children of Invention" were such a delight as they strolled by.

Michael Chen (11 years old) showed up in a Rock 'n Roll shirt etched with eye-catching glitter.

The charismatic young actor currently resides and attends school in upstate New York.

His favorite MBA team? The Houston Rockets.

When I asked the polite young actor what was the most difficult aspect of working on the project, he was quick to respond that it was the script.

"It was about this thick," he quipped, as his hands demonstrated a depth of about 5 inches.

There was one boo-boo that caused Chen a little discomfort during filming, too.

One morning before heading off to the set, his parents took him to the dentist to have braces installed on the lower teeth, without informing the director.

On location that evening when the shoot started up, the ubiquitous silver contraption turned out to be such a glaring continuity problem, that the crew was forced to summarily remove 'em pronto.

"It hurt," he recalled with a grimace.

Crystal Chiu, who played Michael's young sister in "Invention", looked for all-the-world like a perfect little China Doll, with her porcelain skin, deep soulful eyes, and enchanting party dress.

Although a bit shy on the carpet, she managed to confide in me that memorizing the scripted lines was a bit tough.

Jun Kim (West 32nd Street) just made the trek out to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career in Tinsel Town.

Mr. Kim is currently seeking an agent, so I promised to put the word out.

I've included a publicity still to help along the process.

Good luck Jun!

The Director and two actors who star in "Karma Calling" were on hand to promote their film which screens on Sunday.

One plot line reminded me of another popular Indian feature - "Outsourced" - which I penned a review on last year.

See for yourself how the film compares when it screens this Sunday (May 3rd).

The co-producer and Director of "All About Dad" had some interesting input in respect to their film.

The project focuses on conflicts that often arise with 2nd Generation Asian-Americans in respect to family and traditions in their culture.

An aggressive outgoing (handsome) young director from Alabama (Nathanial Nuon) strode up and invited me to his screening at 9:45 on Sunday evening at the Laemmle Sunset 5 venue.

"When I was a kid, I lived with some Cambodian refugees. So, I speak the language fluently. I promised I would tell their story one day."

"Residue" is a controversial and intriguing story about the CIA's involvement in Cambodia during the war in Vietnam and the chilling aftermath that follows several years later, according to the press blurb.

Art Hsu is a tall articulate man (handsome, too, though not reflected in the character shot opposite) with a distinctive voice who sauntered in to mix & mingle and exchange ideas with the filmmakers and actors at the DGA.

Just what I envisioned Film Fests should be all about: a forum for a meaningful dialogue about the film, the state of the industry, you name it.

In the near future, you can catch the dashing actor on the wide screen in the upcoming Crank 2 (High Voltage).

In the recent past, Mr. Hsu appeared in EQUUS (he played one of the horses) opposite celebrated Star Trek actor, George Takei.

David Magdael, head of Public Relations for the festival again this year, was thrilled with the large turn-out.

"There is quite a variety. 181 films," he beamed.

Before the opening night feature film - "Children of Invention" - sprang to life on the state-of-the art wide screen, a DGA rep welcomed the Asian Pacific Film Festival back to the fold for the 14th consecutive year.

"Treat this like your home this weekend," she urged.

"And think of it as your home in the future."

The perky young woman noted that a handful of DGA reps were in the audience to be of assistance to Asian Filmmakers in their bid for membership into the Guild in the event they were prepared to go one step further in their professional career pursuits.

Shinae Yoon, the Executive Director for the Festival, dashed up to the podium at one point and enthusiastically chirped:

"It's all about you!"

Yoon welcomed all the filmmakers to the annual event which is sure to be a resounding success this year in view of the slated line-up.

Info: http://www.vconline.org/festival/

Director Nathanial Nuon (left) with crew of "Residue"

http://www.julianayrs.com

CIA...memogate! Barack Obama to investigate torture techniques?

That was then, this is now!

The Secretary of State - Hillary Clinton - emphatically stated on a morning news broadcast that the Government should get to the bottom of it.

Later, a network news shows aired a terse statement Dick Cheney issued to the press in which he asserted for the record that he previously urged that pertinent CIA documents be declassified to shed light on the controversy over CIA interrogation "techniques".

Understandably, in the wake of a big brouhaha building momentum across the Nation, President Barack Obama is now pushing for an investigation of "memogate" and subsequent allegations that the CIA engaged in questionable information-gathering techniques that may have included acts of outright torture (such as "waterboarding").

A spokesperson for the Government was inclined to defend the CIA and its questionable conduct, after offering up two comments in support of his position.

First, he noted for the record that precautions always have to be taken to ensure the values of the American people are upheld in a civilized society.

Then, on the heels of that loaded statement, he inferred by virtue of his follow-up comments, that he was inclined to back CIA arm-twisting tactics now in controversy, due to the extraordinary circumstances that have faced the Nation since 9/11.

We must also defend the people from acts of terrorism and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure their safety and well-being, he added in so many words.

In other quarters, an official attempted to assay the fears of his underlings this past week, by alleging that the "interrogations" produced valuable information.

However, he stopped short of any bold-faced claims that the controversial techniques - which some say amounted to primitive acts of torture on foreign prisoners of War - made the practice acceptable.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, President Obama expressed his own private outrage by noting for the record that the "methods" allegedly used by the CIA underscored that Americans were "losing their bearings".

Even still, the news keeps flip-flopping on Capitol Hill, as politicians appear to be taking cover to save their own sorry hides.

For example, Dennis Blair (Director Of National Intelligence) contradicted his own "statement" twice in one day.

In one memo that was circulating in the hallowed halls of Justice (!) in Washington, Blair asserted that useful information was obtained through the controversial CIA techniques.

Critics jumped on that issue when it was revealed that in a statement released later the same day, the top Intel honcho appeared to be reticent about taking the position that the interrogations - that facilitated physical abuse to extract information - netted any worthwhile data.

Blair is ignorant to at least one truism which may be his downfall.

For an untruthful individual to make their way successfully through a web of deceit without hitting a land mine or two, it is always of paramount importance to keep track of (and remember) the lies!

Yup, the fiasco did not end there.

In a third communication, after the press threw a spotlight on all the irregularities to date, an official turned everything on its ear when he piped up that the techniques were, in fact, fruitful.

"However, there was no way of knowing whether the same information could have been obtained through other means."

Bullsh**!

Does Blair think we all have "stupid" written on our foreheads?

Read between the lines, take stock of what has unfolded to date, and it should be obvious.

A whole can of worms is about to expose the ugly underbelly of the CIA.

Ultimately, it is only through the CIA memos, classified documents, and direct testimony of expert witnesses in the proper forum, that the truth will be ferreted out - eventually (!).

The Watergate break-in comes to mind at this juncture.

Which was the most egregious act - the actual break-in itself - or the attempted cover-up of the illegal activities after-the-fact?

Curiously, it was announced today that any CIA agent who simply carried out orders at the behest of superiors - will not be charged or prosecuted for any criminal acts.

Was there a behind-the-scenes agreement pacted with said Agents recently in order to pave the way for their eye-witness testimony?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Meanwhile, the henchmen - upper level management types at the CIA who structured the operations - may not get off the hook so easily.

In retrospect, it appears there was a "secret Government" within the "outer" one elected by the "people", operating beyond the arm of the law without any oversight or checks or balances.

And, they should be nailed to the proverbial cross, for that!

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Barack Obama...torture bill signed. Human Rights advocates applaud move...

Human Rights advocates are applauding three executive orders Barack Obama's signed into Law the first day in office.

On their face, the orders seek to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, end the CIA's use of interrogation techniques that many in the civilized world regard as outright torture - and ultimately - shut down a network of shadowy overseas prisons where the dirty work of the intelligence agency has been carried out since the war in Iraq began.

Many Americans may recall viewing a shocking expose about the issues on Sixty Minutes last year which established wrongdoing on the part of the CIA.

The in-depth probe established that sly government agents registered a plane to a P.O. Box under a fictitious business name - and under the guise of being a private enterprise - flew alleged terrorists overseas to allies of the U.S. who were ready able and willing to torture the suspects to extract information.

The feature film, Rendition (a thinly-veiled account of the scandal) stirred up a lot of controversy, too, when it was released in theatres nationwide and pointed an accusing finger at the wrongful (and potentially illegal) activities of the CIA.

In that feature, Meryl Streep's character - a U.S. Official - uttered a line that resonated with hundreds of thousands of filmgoers here and abroad.

"Americans do not torture people."

No, they just farm the work out, to keep their hands clean.

Post: 10/11/07

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/renditionamericans-dont-torture-people.html

Although the executive orders ensure that the U.S. will break free from a Bush administration policy that has been highly criticized - and likewise brought a lot of scorn upon Americans - the new President has not addressed any of the particulars.

For example, no decisions have been made about what to do with the detainees when Guantanamo is shuttered for good.

In addition, sources note that in spite of the executive orders signed this week, the CIA appears to still have a bit of "wiggle room" in respect to methods used to extract highly-sensitive information from terrorists.

The surprisingly quick move on the part of Obama was based on his position that the "executive orders" reflected an understanding that dates back to the Founding Fathers.

"We are willing to observe core standards of conduct not just when it's easy, but also when it's hard."

As John Adams astutely noted:

"People and Nations are forged in the fires of adversity."

http://www.julianayrs.com