News & Comment
Blogs and Opinion
The New McCarthyism by Joe Conason, Truthout | March 15, 2010
Today, Joe McCarthy's heirs are more slick and glib than he ever was, yet their fundamental methods are the same. When Elizabeth Cheney, William Kristol and their media friends slander Justice Department attorneys as the "al-Qaida 7" and malign the "Department of Jihad," they are engaging in the smear tactics that became synonymous with McCarthy. What is different now is the cynical hypocrisy of the new McCarthyites, who know that the flimsy accusations they level against Democrats in the Obama administration could just as easily be turned on Republicans who served President Bush. read more »War in a Box by Norman Solomon, OurFuture.org | March 11, 2010
The event on the House floor Wednesday afternoon was monumental -- the first major congressional debate about U.S. military operations in Afghanistan since lawmakers authorized the invasion of that country in autumn 2001. But, as Rep. Patrick Kennedy noted with disgust on Wednesday, the House press gallery was nearly empty. He aptly concluded: “It’s despicable, the national press corps right now.” read more »The New McCarthyism by Adam Serwer, prospect.org | March 4, 2010
The "Gitmo Nine" aren't terrorists. They weren't captured fighting for the Taliban. They've made no attempts to kill Americans. They haven't declared war on the United States, nor have they joined any group that has. The "Gitmo Nine" are lawyers working in the Department of Justice who fought the Bush administration's treatment of suspected terrorists as unconstitutional. Now, conservatives are portraying them as agents of the enemy. read more »The Bloom Box: What All the Fuss Is About by Katie Fehrenbacher, earth2tech.com | February 26, 2010
Watch the video clips, embedded below, to see what the Bloom Box actually looks like — kindof like an industrial-sized refrigerator, that sucks up oxygen on one side and fuel (natural gas, biomass, etc) on the other. read more »War Politics: Numb and Number by Norman Solomon, OurFuture.org | February 25, 2010
Playwright Lillian Hellman said: “I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year’s fashions.” The statement was in a letter to the House Un-American Activities Committee. The year was 1952. We tell ourselves that the McCarthy era was vastly different than our own -- but what about the political fashions of 2010? This year’s fashions cut mean figures on Washington’s runways. Conformities lie, and people die. read more »The Paranoid States Of America: 12-Year-Old Girl Arrested For Doodling by Mark Ames, smirkingchimp.com | February 24, 2010
"..Earlier this month, at a New York junior high school, a 12-year-old girl named Alexa Gonzalez pulled out a green magic marker during class, and doodled, “I love my friends Abby and Faith.” The teacher sent her to the principle, who promptly called the “Zero Tolerance” police..." Once you have absorbed the significance of this bizarre incident you are ready for this even more sinister one... The New McCarthyism: Today, Speaking With the Wrong Group Can Get You 15 Years In Prison read more »Does Flying a Plane Into a Building Make You a Hero or a Terrorist? by Terrance Heath, OurFuture.org | February 24, 2010
Here's a question I bet you thought didn't need to be asked in a post-9/11 America: Does flying a plane into a building make you a terrorist or a hero? Let's break this down. read more »Dollars for Death, Pennies for Life by Norman Solomon, OurFuture.org | February 15, 2010
When the U.S. military began a major offensive in southern Afghanistan over the weekend, the killing of children and other civilians was predictable. Lofty rhetoric aside, such deaths come with the territory of war and occupation. A month ago, President Obama pledged $100 million in U.S. government aid to earthquake-devastated Haiti. Compare that to the $100 billion price tag to keep 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan for a year. read more »America’s Confused Approach to Afghanistan by William Pfaff, truthdig.com | February 10, 2010
Richard Holbrooke's comments on reconciliation with the Taliban in Afghanistan, made during the recent Munich Security Conference, echoed earlier remarks by U.N. officials and American military commanders in Kabul that suggest that diplomacy might be coming alive on the Afghan front. This could be true despite, or in coordination with, a new NATO offensive in southern Afghanistan. For it to succeed, however, it has three enormous obstacles to overcome. read more »Don't Call It a "Defense" Bill by Norman Solomon, OurFuture.org | February 2, 2010
This isn't "defense." The new budget from the White House will push U.S. military spending well above $2 billion a day. Foreclosing the future of our country should not be confused with defending it. read more »
The Latest
The torture memos show how illegal wars turn even the nicest people bad, The Guardian | February 11, 2010
Summary:The so-called war on terror saw a politically weak American president seek popularity in redefining a criminal act as a "war between states". Tony Blair agreed. His assertion to the Chilcot inquiry that "9/11 changed everything" was self-serving. The attack was just the latest in a line of attempted terrorist atrocities by Islamist extremists, alb
An article on the Smirking Chimp website described the Chilcot inquiry as redundant to American Politics. Well just for the record or anyone out there with an abiding sense of right and wrong....... more »
UK Iraq inquiry: senior Government lawyers thought war unlawful, telegraph.co.uk | January 26, 2010
Summary:The voices drowned out by the clamour for war are speaking aloud once more.
Sir Michael Wood, the Foreign Office's chief legal adviser at the time of the 2003 invasion, and his then deputy, Elizabeth Wilmshurst, are reportedly planning to tell the inquiry that the conflict was not lawful without a second United Nations resolution.
Voices drowned out by the clamour for war are speaking aloud once more. Their accusing echoes will be America bound. Soon. more »
Soviet lessons from Afghanistan , BBC News | December 12, 2009
Summary:This BBC article remembers the fate of the Soviet forces in Afghanistan; the reasons for their failure and the merciless bloody carnage they inflicted. Afghanistan was a corrupt quagmire when the Soviets went in and it was a corrupt quagmire when they left.
The US, Britain and NATO should think very hard on the knowledge.
This BBC article remembers the fate of the Soviet forces in Afghanistan; the reasons for their failure and the merciless bloody carnage they inflicted. Afghanistan was a corrupt quagmire when the Soviets went in and it was a corrupt quagmire when they left.
The US, Britain and NATO should think very hard on the knowledge.
Blair 'was told Iraq had disarmed - but still went to war', independent.co.uk | December 8, 2009
Summary:Sir John Scarlett, who was the head of the Joint Intelligence Committee in the run-up to the war, said that two reports received in March 2003, which suggested that Iraq's weaponry had been taken to pieces, were sent directly to the former prime minister. He also said that Mr Blair was made aware of doubts over Saddam's access to need warheads...
Sir John Scarlett, who was the head of the Joint Intelligence Committee in the run-up to the war, said that two reports received in March 2003, which suggested that Iraq's weaponry had been taken to pieces, were sent directly to the former prime minister. He also said that Mr Blair was made aware of doubts over Saddam's access to needed warheads...
Obama Quietly Backs Renewing Patriot Act Surveillance Provisions, alternet.org | November 28, 2009
Summary:NEW YORK, 23 Nov (IPS) - With the health care debate preoccupying the mainstream media, it has gone virtually unreported that the Barack Obama administration is quietly supporting renewal of provisions of the George W. Bush-era USA Patriot Act that civil libertarians say infringe on basic freedoms.
NEW YORK, 23 Nov (IPS) - With the health care debate preoccupying the mainstream media, it has gone virtually unreported that the Barack Obama administration is quietly supporting renewal of provisions of the George W. Bush-era USA Patriot Act that civil libertarians say infringe on basic freedoms.
Welcome home, war , atimes.com | November 17, 2009
Summary:In his approach to National Security Agency surveillance, as well as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) renditions, drone assassinations, and military detention, President Barack Obama has to a surprising extent embraced the expanded executive powers championed by his conservative predecessor, George W Bush.
In his approach to National Security Agency surveillance, as well as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) renditions, drone assassinations, and military detention, President Barack Obama has to a surprising extent embraced the expanded executive powers championed by his conservative predecessor, George W Bush. more »
How the US army protects its trucks – by paying the Taliban, The Guardian | November 12, 2009
Summary:Catch 22? The loony tune corporate approach to war.
"Insurance, security or extortion? The US is spending millions of dollars in Afghanistan to ensure its supply convoys get through – and it's the Taliban who profit"
Catch 22? The loony tune corporate approach to war.
"Insurance, security or extortion? The US is spending millions of dollars in Afghanistan to ensure its supply convoys get through – and it's the Taliban who profit"
Students Who Exposed 30-Year-Old Wrongful Conviction Being Targeted By DA , alternet.org | November 10, 2009
Summary:Yes this is America, land of the free and home of the brave and..... the victimised.
The razzamatazz of the constitution and the red, white and blue of old glory are shed like a snakes skin upon the alter of injustice and abuse of law by its own officers.
Who cares about what tAmerica stands for anymore?
Wave the flag and be damned.
Yes this is America, land of the free and home of the brave and..... the victimised.
The razzamatazz of the constitution and the red, white and blue of old glory are shed like a snakes skin upon the alter of injustice and abuse of law by its own officers.
Who cares about what America stands for anymore?
Wave the flag and be damned.
Congress To Investigate CIA For Possible Violations Of National Sec. Act, commondreams.org | October 29, 2009
Summary:WASHINGTON - October 28 - Members of Congress have begun an investigation into allegations that the CIA intentionally violated the National Security Act of 1947 by misleading them about its intelligence activities and programs on several occasions, including the agency’s use of torture and the destruction of interrogation videotapes.
WASHINGTON - October 28 - Members of Congress have begun an investigation into allegations that the CIA intentionally violated the National Security Act of 1947 by misleading them about its intelligence activities and programs on several occasions, including the agency’s use of torture and the destruction of interrogation videotapes.
U.S. may be invited to become part of Southeast Asia, tajikistannews.net | October 25, 2009
Summary:"Southeast Asian countries want to form a bloc similar to the United States. In fact the group wants to include the U.S. in the bloc.
The initiative has come from Japan which is urging leaders of Southeast Asian nations to establish an east asian community which would include the United States as a member..."
Source URL:"Southeast Asian countries want to form a bloc similar to the United States. In fact the group wants to include the U.S. in the bloc.
The initiative has come from Japan which is urging leaders of Southeast Asian nations to establish an east asian community which would include the United States as a member..."
