By Glenn Greenwald of Salon.com
Also, see this for Ray McGovern's answer to her question.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Yemen: Behind Al-Qaeda Scenarios, a Geopolitical Oil Chokepoint to Eurasia
By F. William Engdahl from Voltaire.net
Heads in the Sand? Or, Why Don’t Governments Talk about Peak Oil?
By Shane Mulligan, posted in the Oil Drum.
The ongoing borrowing binge, dressed up as a Keynesian stimulus, seems to many an utterly unsustainable corporate welfare scheme being loaded on the backs of generations yet to come. If governments realize that the old game of capitalism cannot be sustained under conditions of declining energy, then the future of capitalism – at least under existing rules – becomes somewhat irrelevant. In that case, perhaps the only thing to do is seek to gain whatever can be withdrawn from the system prior to a major rule-change. Whether these advantages will still hold under whatever new rules emerge remains an open question.Some knowledgeable sources have stated that we have already passed peak oil. But, in any case, it is clear to me that this is a major dilemma for the capitalist classes. Capitalism assumes unlimited growth, unlimited energy and other resources, and unlimited consumption. The system is in basic contradiction to the physical laws of our planet and universe. Because they so far have refused to face up to these facts, we will continue to experience more wars, environmental destruction, and energy depletion at an unacceptable rate--unless, of course, if we the people do nothing.
US scientists demand government ban on mountaintop mining
By Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent for The Guardian
Power versus the press
By Mark Weisbrot of The Guardian
Excellent article about the ongoing struggle in South America of the people versus the owning classes over the content of information that is allowed to be expressed in their media.
Excellent article about the ongoing struggle in South America of the people versus the owning classes over the content of information that is allowed to be expressed in their media.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Never Mind the Facts, let’s have a war…
By Finian Cunningham of Global Research
Good analysis of a frequent propaganda theme used by the Western press against Iran and to portray Israel as victim.
Good analysis of a frequent propaganda theme used by the Western press against Iran and to portray Israel as victim.
Letter from climate prisoners in Denmark
From Climate Justice Action website:
Something is rotten (but not just) in Denmark. As a matter of fact, thousands of people have been considered, without any evidence, a threat to the society. Hundreds have been arrested and some are still under detention, waiting for judgement or under investigation. Among them, us, the undersigned.
We want to tell the story from the peculiar viewpoint of those that still see the sky from behind the bars.
Obama rules out sackings over three main blunders
I'm posting this mostly to make a comment. It just seems so strange to me that in three of US's biggest disasters where gross incompetence was revealed--Katrina rescue efforts, 9/11, financial collapse, and now in this dangerous airline incident where flagrant blunders were made by intelligence agencies, no one has been fired or even disciplined!! On the other hand, Clinton was impeached for a blow job! Meanwhile, ordinary people will have to put up with more stress and hassles when they travel by air.
The United States of America - An American Tragedy
By Darryl Robert Schoon of 24hGold
This blogger provides an historical frame for the current crisis with a lot of valid insights on the finance industry. Also he quotes extensively from an excellent article published in the Atlantic Monthly last May. He, like many other people in business, look at the problem of economic collapse within the framework of capitalism. However, even being limited to this framework, the article is worth reading. You should note that he has a pro-gold bias because that is his business.
This blogger provides an historical frame for the current crisis with a lot of valid insights on the finance industry. Also he quotes extensively from an excellent article published in the Atlantic Monthly last May. He, like many other people in business, look at the problem of economic collapse within the framework of capitalism. However, even being limited to this framework, the article is worth reading. You should note that he has a pro-gold bias because that is his business.
A Destructive Culinary Preference
A book review of Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. The book is mostly about the hazards of factory farms.
Lying Big to the Public
By Kim Petersen from Dissident Voice
A review of a new book entitled, The Bid Lie, by Allen K. Smith re the ongoing theft from the Social Security fund.
A review of a new book entitled, The Bid Lie, by Allen K. Smith re the ongoing theft from the Social Security fund.
The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Ride: Bamboo Bikes
By Andrea Reidl of Der Spiegel
Carbon fiber and aluminum are so 2009. This year's best bicycling model is made out of bamboo and hemp. A new generation of manufacturers are coming up with some of the most environmentally friendly transport yet. Lighter, stronger, more comfortable and these bikes have also got a much smaller carbon footprint.
"The Worst is Yet To Come” (4:47m video)
This economist is obviously not giving CNBC, the guardians of public opinions, the kind of message that they would like to hear. Clearly they invited the wrong person to interview on their program. This cracked me up.
Viva Palestina's bumpy road
By Dr Hanan Chehata of Al Jazeera
She is travelling with the Viva Palestina convoy.
She is travelling with the Viva Palestina convoy.
In an international effort to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, Viva Palestina (VP) volunteers from around the world have left their families and in some cases resigned from their jobs in order to take part in this humanitarian undertaking.
They have done this for no other reason than that they feel strongly about the crisis in Gaza. The images that they saw flash across their television screens during the assault on Gaza in 2008-9 has been seared into their minds.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
It’s Time to View Good Jobs as a National Resource
By Robert Reich (former Sec. of Labor during the Clinton administration)
This article, IMO, is an excellent illustration of an American liberal point of view on the economy. Of course he assumes that there is no alternative to the capitalist system. He looks at the economy from a naively nationalistic point of view--what is good for ordinary Americans (as if this was of any interest to the governing class). It seems to me that he, intentionally or not, entirely misses the point of the globalization strategy under the capitalist system--to increase profits for the owning class. Why hire American workers at $15/hr when you can get the same work done in Cambodia from desperate workers at $.50/hr, where environmental and labor laws are not enforced, and the tax rate is low or non-existent? Capitalists are global profiteers first, and Americans or some other national identity, second.
Notice that the only industry that is not outsourced in the US is the so-called "defense industry"--the manufacture of weapons, including weapons of mass destruction. That is because the dominant capitalist class in the world are US capitalists, and they intend to remain the dominant enforcer of the capitalist system. Also the US needs to be the world's enforcer for the capitalist class in order to protect the value of its fiat money. Investors and capitalist-run countries will continue to buy US IOU's to secure their wealth as long as the US remains the "baddest ass" in the world community.
This article, IMO, is an excellent illustration of an American liberal point of view on the economy. Of course he assumes that there is no alternative to the capitalist system. He looks at the economy from a naively nationalistic point of view--what is good for ordinary Americans (as if this was of any interest to the governing class). It seems to me that he, intentionally or not, entirely misses the point of the globalization strategy under the capitalist system--to increase profits for the owning class. Why hire American workers at $15/hr when you can get the same work done in Cambodia from desperate workers at $.50/hr, where environmental and labor laws are not enforced, and the tax rate is low or non-existent? Capitalists are global profiteers first, and Americans or some other national identity, second.
Notice that the only industry that is not outsourced in the US is the so-called "defense industry"--the manufacture of weapons, including weapons of mass destruction. That is because the dominant capitalist class in the world are US capitalists, and they intend to remain the dominant enforcer of the capitalist system. Also the US needs to be the world's enforcer for the capitalist class in order to protect the value of its fiat money. Investors and capitalist-run countries will continue to buy US IOU's to secure their wealth as long as the US remains the "baddest ass" in the world community.
Are Progressives Depressed or Too Privileged to Produce Social Change? Or Are We Just Failing to Organize Effectively?
By Don Hazen and Les Leopold and Bruce E. Levine, AlterNet
I think that working people are still in a state of shock over the fact that their support for Obama has changed nothing, and are hoping that government and Wall Street are right about assurances that this is just another little cycle, soon things will be back to normal.
I think that working people are still in a state of shock over the fact that their support for Obama has changed nothing, and are hoping that government and Wall Street are right about assurances that this is just another little cycle, soon things will be back to normal.
Nation Ready To Be Lied To About Economy Again
Although this little jewel is from Onion's website of last May, it is still very timely. People appear to be still in a state of shock and want to believe anything positive.
Hundreds of Afghans rally against NATO forces
Unlike the protests in Iran, you will have to look long and hard to find out about these protests in the media.
Living on Nothing but Food Stamps
New York Times reports that 1 in 50 Americans (about 6 million people) are living on food stamps only!
The Anti-Empire Report [Jan. 7, 2010]
By William Blum
Sub-headings for this report are:
Sub-headings for this report are:
- The American elite
- Mothers, don't let your children grow up to be Nobel Peace Prize winners
- Cuba. Again. Still. Forever.
Who Would Benefit Politically from a Terrorist Incident on American Soil? The Strange Case of Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab
By Tom Burghardt on Global Research
Guantánamo Recidivism: Mainstream Media Parrot Pentagon Propaganda (Again)
By Andy Worthington, Truthout.org
The title says it all.
The title says it all.
'Sovereignty of Labor:' A Deeper Look at the Mondragon Principles
By John McNamara from SolidariyEconomy.net
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
China's netizens pressure Beijing
A 3:16m video.
The Chinese government is feeling threatened by citizen bloggers ("netizens") who criticize too much. In the US the ruling class has much more experience and skills in imposing there will on the public. They are attempting to use more indirect means of controlling internet content. See this, this, and this.
Bloggers arise, you have nothing to lose but your access to the internet!
The Chinese government is feeling threatened by citizen bloggers ("netizens") who criticize too much. In the US the ruling class has much more experience and skills in imposing there will on the public. They are attempting to use more indirect means of controlling internet content. See this, this, and this.
Bloggers arise, you have nothing to lose but your access to the internet!
Move Your Money: A New Year's Resolution
By Arianna Huffington and Rob Johnson of The Huffington Post
Personally I always bank at a credit union.
Personally I always bank at a credit union.
Baton of competition passes to Asia
By Joergen Oerstroem Moeller from Asia Times Online.
Shows how world financial institutions have greatly increased their concentration since the economic collapse and the difficulties this poses for the Asian economies.
Shows how world financial institutions have greatly increased their concentration since the economic collapse and the difficulties this poses for the Asian economies.
Fannie, Freddie, and the New Red and Blue
Matt Taibbi, a rising star in investigative journalism, tells it courageously like he sees it. I love this guy.
Everyone was involved in the mortgage scam. At the lender level the deceptions were myriad; liar’s loans, fraudulent income documentation, negative amortization loans, HELOCs, etc. The rush to get as many loans written as possible and then get those hot potatoes moved to the next sucker in the line was furious and extended from coast to coast, sinking one lender after another in Ponzoid debt and indictments.
Lawsuit Demands Answers About Social-Networking Surveillance
We can thank The Electronic Frontier Foundation for information about the latest Big Brother surveillance of our communications.
Joan Rivers Steamed Over Airport Incident (Humor)
"David Letterman joked on the "Late Show with David Letterman" that, "It's fascinating to me: We got Joan Rivers, and we still can't get Osama Bin Laden!
Personally I don't think that she would ever blow up a million dollars worth of plastic surgery.
Personally I don't think that she would ever blow up a million dollars worth of plastic surgery.
The New Scarlet Letters: ‘NC’
By Sybel Edmonds
About widespread use of security clearances among civilian employees in the private sector. This well known whistle blower, Sybel Edmonds, argues that the widespread use of security clearances is leading to its use as a widespread suppression of dissent.
About widespread use of security clearances among civilian employees in the private sector. This well known whistle blower, Sybel Edmonds, argues that the widespread use of security clearances is leading to its use as a widespread suppression of dissent.
How the Super-Rich Are Coping with the Crisis: The Dark Side of Wealth
If those of you who are living on unemployment checks and food stamps think you have it bad, read about the trials and tribulations of the super-rich.
Optimist? Or pessimist? Test your 2010 strategy!
By Paul B. Farrell of Market Watch.
Clearly some members of the ruling class are very concerned.
Clearly some members of the ruling class are very concerned.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Up in the Air and the social calamity in the US
By Joanne Laurier from World Socialist Website
A film review.
A film review.
The Year of the Assassin
By Tom Engelhardt and Nick Turse
A look ahead in this new year for likely developments in the Empire's never ending wars.
A look ahead in this new year for likely developments in the Empire's never ending wars.
Accuracy and Truth
By Douglas K. Smith.
I try to stay current, but just stumbled on this thought provoking essay which helps one to think a bit more critically about shared "truths" or assumed-to-be truths. The essay leads me to an even more profound understanding of the tremendous power that the powerful capitalist ruling class has at its disposal: the ownership of all major media that most people access for their "truths".
I try to stay current, but just stumbled on this thought provoking essay which helps one to think a bit more critically about shared "truths" or assumed-to-be truths. The essay leads me to an even more profound understanding of the tremendous power that the powerful capitalist ruling class has at its disposal: the ownership of all major media that most people access for their "truths".
Honduran Elections a Parody of Democracy
By Laura Carlsen, from Foreign Policy in Focus.
Looking at the Honduran elections as theater, very bad theater. But this is an excellent example of how the Empire crafts "elections" to cover the obscenity of imperialism--using brute force via the US trained Honduran military to bring the country solidly back into compliance with the needs of Empire.
Looking at the Honduran elections as theater, very bad theater. But this is an excellent example of how the Empire crafts "elections" to cover the obscenity of imperialism--using brute force via the US trained Honduran military to bring the country solidly back into compliance with the needs of Empire.
Sailing legend looks into power
Because of the resources marshaled for this film and the fact that the people with the money behind it are anonymous, I suspect that we have another example of important segments (energy industry?) of the ruling class that have decided to move back into nuclear energy in a big way and need to "manage the consent" of the general public ("educate the public about the subject").
Arne Duncan’s History Lesson to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT): Elevating the Teaching Profession? Part 3
By Danny Weil from Dissident Voice
I have only had the time to read this current article, Part 3, but it looks very interesting especially for those who follow educational issues. Here are the links to the previous articles in this series:
I have only had the time to read this current article, Part 3, but it looks very interesting especially for those who follow educational issues. Here are the links to the previous articles in this series:
- Arne Duncan’s History Lesson to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT): Elevating the Teaching Profession? Part 2
January 4th, 2010 by Danny Weil (1) - Arne Duncan’s History Lesson to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT): Elevating the Teaching Profession?
One teachers response: Part 1
January 3rd, 2010 by Danny Weil (3)
Working people’s blood for sale — prices lower than ever!
By Caleb T. Maupin
It appears that Big Pharma is literally sucking the blood out of workers for profit.
It appears that Big Pharma is literally sucking the blood out of workers for profit.
Monday, January 4, 2010
School to Prison Pipeline
Learn how easy it is to go from today's urban schools to the prison system. Take the ACLU test to find out if you could avoid prison.
A New Era Has Begun
By Richard C. Cook
A little inspiration always helps to greet in a New Year and decade. I can go along with god-stuff like this.
A little inspiration always helps to greet in a New Year and decade. I can go along with god-stuff like this.
Gandhi and The Dalai Lama Are Not Opposed to Guns
From Washington's Blog
A good review of the literature and arguments about gun control. This blogger is clearly getting to the end of his rope as many Americans are about the US government, and the need to change it.
A good review of the literature and arguments about gun control. This blogger is clearly getting to the end of his rope as many Americans are about the US government, and the need to change it.
Now I'm Really Getting Pissed Off
By David Michael Green
Great humor by D. Green about the Obama presidency. But, of course, he is expressing in his humor the great frustration and disappointment that many people who voted for Obama feel. I swear I saw this coming a year and a half ago and felt quite conflicted. On the one hand I thought it terribly funny, but at the same time I saw the swooning and fawning over Obama's candidacy disturbing because it reflected an exceptionally naive political understanding of power in the US. Is dark skin and a gift for rhetoric all it takes to make a great President that will serve the needs of ordinary people? I felt likewise about the positive reactions I saw from many women over Hillary's candidacy--as if the equipment one carries between one's legs makes a political difference. US elections are just spectacles choreographed much like the professional wrestling matches seen on TV. Or beauty contests to see who represent the country. Every candidate that the ruling class deigns to run in their election spectacles are carefully screened to make sure that they represent the interests of the ruling class. Yes, those people who give us never ending wars, bail out the banksters, and wreck the economy for ordinary people.
Great humor by D. Green about the Obama presidency. But, of course, he is expressing in his humor the great frustration and disappointment that many people who voted for Obama feel. I swear I saw this coming a year and a half ago and felt quite conflicted. On the one hand I thought it terribly funny, but at the same time I saw the swooning and fawning over Obama's candidacy disturbing because it reflected an exceptionally naive political understanding of power in the US. Is dark skin and a gift for rhetoric all it takes to make a great President that will serve the needs of ordinary people? I felt likewise about the positive reactions I saw from many women over Hillary's candidacy--as if the equipment one carries between one's legs makes a political difference. US elections are just spectacles choreographed much like the professional wrestling matches seen on TV. Or beauty contests to see who represent the country. Every candidate that the ruling class deigns to run in their election spectacles are carefully screened to make sure that they represent the interests of the ruling class. Yes, those people who give us never ending wars, bail out the banksters, and wreck the economy for ordinary people.
The Strange Case of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab
By Tom Burghardt
The article points out a lot of similarities with the 9/11 failures, and casts doubt on just "mistakes".
The article points out a lot of similarities with the 9/11 failures, and casts doubt on just "mistakes".
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Palestine/Israel: A Single State, with Liberty and Justice for All
By Susan Abulhawa and Ramzy Baroud