By Dmitry Orlov. Although this is a gloom and doom prediction for the coming decade, it is one that many informed people see as very possible if action is not taken soon to avert these events. Dmitry Orlov was born in Leningrad and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. He was an eyewitness to the Soviet collapse over several extended visits to his Russian homeland between the late eighties and mid-nineties. He is an engineer with a BS in Computer Engineering and an MA in Applied Linguistics.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
See how major sportswear brands rate on workers' rights
From Clearing the Hurdles website.
...in 2008, Play Fair and The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) published a report called Clearing the Hurdles: Steps to improving working conditions in the global sportswear industry. We identified four key hurdles facing workers in the sportswear industry and recommended four ways to overcome them:See the response chart.
1. Develop a positive climate for freedom of association and collective bargaining;
2. Eliminate the use of precarious employment in sportswear supply chains;
3. Lessen both the frequency and negative impacts of factory closures; and
4. Take steps to improve worker incomes, with the goal of reaching a living wage for all workers.
In these pages the Play Fair Campaign and MSN present responses from Nike, Adidas, Pentland, Puma, Lotto, New Balance, Asics and Mizuno on their willingness to meet 36 specific targets to overcome the four hurdles facing workers in the sportswear industry. Although company responses on all 36 proposals are available here, we are highlighting their responses on 12 key proposals that best illustrate the brand’s commitment to meeting the Play Fair targets. Where necessary we have summarized brand answers to fit in the allotted space, while providing access to the full answers (in the company's own words) via links below [adjacent to] each summary.
Disappearing Options
A new study quantifies for the first time what happens to long-term policy options if mid-term emissions targets are not met.
The study was published by scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, and the Energy Research Center in the Netherlands.
Jevons’ Law: Enforcing the Age of Energy Decline - Part 1
From the Oil Drum website:
This is a guest post by Lionel Orford. Lionel is a professional electrical engineer with an interest in peak oil and sustainability. This past year he has been researching and developing a book with the working title, "Peak Capitalism: Our Opportunity to Choose between Transformation and Collapse."
*******************************
We do have a culture capable of solving problems – but only when it is widely understood by the general populace that emergency measures and major changes are required. Once we shift to emergency mode, we can overcome our cultural resistance to change and make major changes to the way we operate our society. I believe (and hope) that once the failure of our economic system becomes obvious to all, we will have an opportunity to form the political will to make the fundamental changes required to avoid catastrophe.
'The Slums of the 21st Century Are Being Built in Dubai'
Spiegel Interview with Architect Albert Speer Jr.
Money from taxpayer bailout that went to help US banks recover, also went to Dubai’s extravaganza
Dubai is where the rich and wannabees go to party. “It will take more than bad debt to stop the partying in Dubai, as Collette Lyons found out when she took a job on a magazine in the hedonists' paradise”
See what life is really like in this “glittering monument to Arab enterprise and Western capitalism”.
Money from taxpayer bailout that went to help US banks recover, also went to Dubai’s extravaganza
Dubai is where the rich and wannabees go to party. “It will take more than bad debt to stop the partying in Dubai, as Collette Lyons found out when she took a job on a magazine in the hedonists' paradise”
See what life is really like in this “glittering monument to Arab enterprise and Western capitalism”.
Flight 253: Anatomy of a Cover-Up
By Tom Burghardt from the Global Research website. He concludes his analysis of a number of bits of information that he has assembled:
As of this writing, it is not yet possible to provide a comprehensive answer as to why these events unfolded as they did. I am however, certain of one thing: the Obama administration, the security agencies presumably under its control and the corporate media, johnny-on-the-spot when it comes to covering-up imperialism's multitude of crimes, are lying to the American people.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Reflections on the End of the World as We Know It (22:07m video)
A conversation on rebuilding communities for survival.
Taped in late 2005 before Peak Moment began, this conversation feels eerily prescient about the effects of the 2008 financial collapse. William Stewart reflects on the shadow side of the fossil fuel bonanza, which enabled hyper-individualism and mobility that have shredded our connections to community and place, along with increased violence and dysfunction. Likening our oil-dependent culture to an addict who must first bottom out, he suggests there may be a silken lining after collapse: the possibility of more communal and connected ways of life.
A New Paradigm for Development (27:33m video)
A conversation about a new development model.
The corporate capitalist system is destroying people and the planet. Can we imagine alternatives? Ravi Logan and Jason Schreiner’s model is based on valuing our interrelatedness and interdependency within the natural world. It replaces profit-driven with cooperative enterprises, and emphasizes a balance between local self-reliance and bioregional networks, with some global structures to meet global needs like telecommunications. They describe applying permaculture principles like the zone approach in on-the-ground projects in Eugene, Oregon.
Lost Decade for Jobs or Disturbing Trend in Graphs
Dramatic graphic evidence of the decline in jobs since globalization started under the Clinton administration.
President Obama, the CIA and the Master of the Cover-Up
By Melvin A. Goodman, Truthout.org. About...
the appointment of John McLaughlin, former deputy CIA director, to head the internal investigation of the intelligence failures that led to the Christmas Day attempted bombing of a Delta airliner headed for Detroit as well as the events leading to the shootings at Fort Hood in November.
Wall Street Will Be Back for More
By Chris Hedges. About corporate culture and the sociopaths it fosters.
The shadow war in Afghanistan
By Tom Engelhardt and Nick Turse from Asia Times website.
Talk about "counter-insurgency" as much as you want, but this is another kind of battlefield, and "protecting the people" plays no part in it. And this is only what can be gleaned from afar about a semi-secret war that is being poorly reported. Who knows what it costs when you include the US hired guns, the Afghan contractors, the bases, the drones and the rest of the personnel and infrastructure? Nor do we know what else, or who else, is involved, and what else is being done. Clearly, however, all those billions of "intelligence" dollars are going into the blackest of black holes.
Taking Tea with the Lizards
By Joe Bageant. About Tea Parties, health care, and managing the consent of working people in the US.
...the truth is that the same pack of greaseball oligarchs have done it again. Managed to slip the schnickle to the proles – again. Because in the big picture, the one where the money is counted (and money is the only thing that counts in capitalism's big picture) they own the game and make the rules.
America slides deeper into depression as Wall Street revels
The author, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, has covered world politics and economics for a quarter century, based in Europe, the US, and Latin America. He joined the Telegraph in 1991, serving as Washington correspondent and later Europe correspondent in Brussels. He is now International Business Editor in London.
World's biodiversity 'crisis' needs action, says UN
According to Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Program:
"The urgency of the situation demands that as a global community we not only reverse the rate of loss, but that we stop the loss altogether and begin restoring the ecological infrastructure that has been damaged and degraded over the previous century or so."
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Yemen – America’s second Afghanistan and third Vietnam
An essay of recent US invasions in the Mid East by Uri Avnery in Redress Information & Analysis.
I agree with much of what he writes (especially about "terrorism"), except his take on these invasions as a product of American naiveté. On the contrary, even though the invasions create a lot of chaos and destruction, they are intentionally planned to insure US ruling class domination of the resource rich Middle East and thus the world. I think a case can be made that they deliberately create chaos in these countries the better to control them and to justify a long term presence. All the media propaganda about Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and terrorists is mostly for public consumption to justify US aggression and the cost in lives and weapons of war that working people have to pay for.
I agree with much of what he writes (especially about "terrorism"), except his take on these invasions as a product of American naiveté. On the contrary, even though the invasions create a lot of chaos and destruction, they are intentionally planned to insure US ruling class domination of the resource rich Middle East and thus the world. I think a case can be made that they deliberately create chaos in these countries the better to control them and to justify a long term presence. All the media propaganda about Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and terrorists is mostly for public consumption to justify US aggression and the cost in lives and weapons of war that working people have to pay for.
The Other Plot to Wreck America
Op-ed by Frank Rich of the NY Times
It’s against this backdrop that this week’s long-awaited initial public hearings of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission are so critical. This is the bipartisan panel that Congress mandated last spring to investigate the still murky story of what happened in the meltdown. Phil Angelides, the former California treasurer who is the inquiry’s chairman, told me in interviews late last year that he has been busy deploying a tough investigative staff and will not allow the proceedings to devolve into a typical blue-ribbon Beltway exercise in toothless bloviation.I must admit, I have my doubts (to say the least).
The (In)dispensable Public: Public opinion mainly a prop for corporate press
By Janine Jackson of FAIR
Tax the speculators and create a public bank (12:29m video)
The Real News Network interview with Robert Pollin is Professor of Economics and founding Co-Director of the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Excellent exposé of the recent bankster shenanigans and changes that should be made (but likely will not be).
JAY: Now, one of the things that came out of the McClatchy series was that Goldman was betting against its own properties it was selling clients. So it was selling these bundled mortgages to a pension fund, and over here is buying insurance from AIG because they knew that the whole thing was going to crash. But there was no regulation that caused them to disclose to their clients that they're betting the other way over here. What do you do in an environment where the people writing the regulation, they're all coming from Goldman, so that the people who were playing that game are the ones supposed to be writing the rules now?
"False values" and "structural blackmail" Part 2 (7:27m video)
Interview with James Crotty, an economist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, by Real News Network. (Note: the first part of interview, which I have not posted to this website, took place on January 8.)
Evils of False Progress Interfere in Fight for Climate - Now It's up to Us
By Jan Lundberg of Culture Change
Factory Farmed Meat Can Trigger a Global Pandemic That Wipes Out Sixty Percent of Those Infected
By Kathy Freston, AlterNet
I find it very interesting that MSM has completely ignored the issue of factory farmed meat, and the fact that the common name of the virus was changed from "swine flu" virus to H1N1. Can't offend the big agri-businesses, can we?
I find it very interesting that MSM has completely ignored the issue of factory farmed meat, and the fact that the common name of the virus was changed from "swine flu" virus to H1N1. Can't offend the big agri-businesses, can we?
Venezuela Surrounded
An IPS article by Ignacio Ramonet, editor of Le Monde Diplomatique.
Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution find themselves surrounded by no less than thirteen US military bases in Colombia, Panama, Aruba, and Curacao, as well as the aircraft carriers and warships of the 4th Fleet. President Obama seems to have given the Pentagon a free hand. Would the people of the world allow a new crime against democracy to be carried out in Latin America?
Nigeria: Lake Communities Left High and Dry
From Inter Press Service (IPS)
Be prepared to be reading more and more articles like this in the decades ahead.
Be prepared to be reading more and more articles like this in the decades ahead.
Planning for plan B
I think George Monbiot (read article below) is appropriately depressed over the results of Copenhagen. It appears from this article that the earth's ruling classes are counting on geoengineering to rescue them from the head-on crash of their favorite system of capitalism with the self-regulating systems of the earth. I think this is pure insanity!
After this 60-year feeding frenzy, Earth itself has become disposable
By George Monbiot of the Guardian
My only criticism of this fine article is the use of the word "consumerism". It seems to me that it is used to hide the system of capitalism, because capitalism is not something that the liberal British newspaper wants to challenge in any way. "Consumerism" elevates the practice of consuming to an ideology, but in fact it is only a necessary component of the capitalist system. So I think that this is another way, among many others, to deflect any examination of the system which provides the governing class with so much wealth and power.
My only criticism of this fine article is the use of the word "consumerism". It seems to me that it is used to hide the system of capitalism, because capitalism is not something that the liberal British newspaper wants to challenge in any way. "Consumerism" elevates the practice of consuming to an ideology, but in fact it is only a necessary component of the capitalist system. So I think that this is another way, among many others, to deflect any examination of the system which provides the governing class with so much wealth and power.
The year climate science caught up with what top scientists have been saying privately for years
From ClimateProgress.org
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
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