History says, don't hope/On this side of the grave./But then, once in a lifetime/The longed-for tidal wave/Of justice can rise up,/And hope and history rhyme. -- Seamus Heaney
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Most Transparent Administration Ever™ - Salon.com
It’s hard to overstate how difficult (and commendable) it is for the ACLU to endorse propositions such as 'in some ways, [Obama's] administration is even worse than the Bush team when it comes to abusing the privilege of secrecy,' or for its Executive Director to say things like: 'I’m disgusted with this president.' The ACLU has long been one of the most admired organizations among liberals, progressives, Democrats, etc., and many of its donors, members, and the like do not want to hear that Obama is worse than Bush in many of these vital areas, or that his actions should provoke 'disgust.'... Not only are these remarkable statements from the ACLU a reflection of its typical organizational integrity, but they are also an obvious reflection of just how extreme and radical the Obama administration is.
The Most Transparent Administration Ever™ - Salon.com
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
U.S. filmmaker repeatedly detained at border - Salon.com
U.S. filmmaker repeatedly detained at border - Salon.com:
If you’re not somebody who films the devastation wrought by the U.S. on the countries it attacks, or provides insight into Iraqi occupation opponents and bin Laden loyalists in Yemen, or documents expanding NSA activities on U.S. soil, then perhaps you’re unlikely to be subjected to such abuses and therefore perhaps unlikely to care much. As is true for all states that expand and abuse their own powers, that’s what the U.S. Government counts on: that it is sending the message that none of this will affect you as long as you avoid posing any meaningful challenges to what they do. In other words: you can avoid being targeted if you passively acquiesce to what they do and refrain from interfering in it. That’s precisely what makes it so pernicious, and why it’s so imperative to find a way to rein it in.
Strip-Searches: Obama Wants You to Bend Over (Or Squat) and Spread ‘Em | Black Agenda Report
Strip-Searches: Obama Wants You to Bend Over (Or Squat) and Spread ‘Em | Black Agenda Report:
"The decision throws out laws against unreasonable strip searches in at least ten states, and overrides federal law enforcement regulations against intrusive searches. The High Court decision also flies in the face of international human rights treaties to which the United States is a signatory."
"The decision throws out laws against unreasonable strip searches in at least ten states, and overrides federal law enforcement regulations against intrusive searches. The High Court decision also flies in the face of international human rights treaties to which the United States is a signatory."
America's hall of mirrors recovery | Robert Reich | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
America's hall of mirrors recovery | Robert Reich | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk:
"US economic growth is grotesquely distorted, with the benefits bloating the 1%, while middle-class Americans are still pinched."
"US economic growth is grotesquely distorted, with the benefits bloating the 1%, while middle-class Americans are still pinched."
Obama Justice Department indicts ex-CIA agent for exposing torture
Obama Justice Department indicts ex-CIA agent for exposing torture:
"This marks the sixth government whistleblower to be charged by the Obama administration under the Espionage Act, twice as many such prosecutions as have been brought by all preceding administrations combined. Prominent among them is Private Bradley Manning, who is alleged to have leaked documents exposing US war crimes to WikiLeaks. He has been held under conditions tantamount to torture and faces a possible death penalty.
In all of these cases, the World War I-era Espionage Act is being used to punish not spying on behalf of a foreign government, but exposing the US government’s own crimes to the American people."
"This marks the sixth government whistleblower to be charged by the Obama administration under the Espionage Act, twice as many such prosecutions as have been brought by all preceding administrations combined. Prominent among them is Private Bradley Manning, who is alleged to have leaked documents exposing US war crimes to WikiLeaks. He has been held under conditions tantamount to torture and faces a possible death penalty.
In all of these cases, the World War I-era Espionage Act is being used to punish not spying on behalf of a foreign government, but exposing the US government’s own crimes to the American people."
Monday, April 2, 2012
Foreign Aid Set to Take Hit in U.S. Budget Crisis - NYTimes.com
Foreign Aid Set to Take Hit in U.S. Budget Crisis - NYTimes.com:
one of the largest portions of foreign aid — more than $3 billion for Israel — is left untouched in both the House and Senate versions, showing that, even in times of austerity, some spending is inviolable.
one of the largest portions of foreign aid — more than $3 billion for Israel — is left untouched in both the House and Senate versions, showing that, even in times of austerity, some spending is inviolable.
Conspiracy Phobia On The Left | Disinformation
Conspiracy Phobia On The Left | Disinformation:
Often the term “conspiracy” is applied dismissively whenever one suggests that people who occupy positions of political and economic power are consciously dedicated to advancing their elite interests. Even when they openly profess their designs, there are those who deny that intent is involved.
Often the term “conspiracy” is applied dismissively whenever one suggests that people who occupy positions of political and economic power are consciously dedicated to advancing their elite interests. Even when they openly profess their designs, there are those who deny that intent is involved.
Media’s Belated “Acknowledgment” of Saudi 9/11 Story - WhoWhatWhy | WhoWhatWhy
Media’s Belated “Acknowledgment” of Saudi 9/11 Story - WhoWhatWhy | WhoWhatWhy:
This article begins by asserting that “For more than a decade, questions have lingered about the possible role of the Saudi government in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.” Where have they lingered? They have lingered on the Internet, while being essentially ignored by virtually all of the so-called legitimate media.
This article begins by asserting that “For more than a decade, questions have lingered about the possible role of the Saudi government in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.” Where have they lingered? They have lingered on the Internet, while being essentially ignored by virtually all of the so-called legitimate media.
Foreign Aid Set to Take Hit in U.S. Budget Crisis - NYTimes.com
Foreign Aid Set to Take Hit in U.S. Budget Crisis - NYTimes.com:
"One of the largest portions of foreign aid — more than $3 billion for Israel — is left untouched in both the House and Senate versions, showing that, even in times of austerity, some spending is inviolable."
"One of the largest portions of foreign aid — more than $3 billion for Israel — is left untouched in both the House and Senate versions, showing that, even in times of austerity, some spending is inviolable."
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