Thursday, 30 December 2010

Assange: I'll Reveal Info That Will Spark Arab World Coups

By Roee Nahmias

WikiLeaks founder tells Al Jazeera leaked documents in his possession show top Arab officials disclose sensitive information to CIA. Continue
Justice Has Prevailed
Khodorkovsky's Trip to the Slammer: "Booyah, Putin"

By Mike Whitney

Khodorkovsky was convicted because he's a crook and because the Russian justice system is less corrupt than the one in the US. Continue
America Has Gone Away

Paul Craig Roberts

Anyone who doesn’t believe that the US is an incipient fascist state needs only to consult the latest assault on civil liberty by Fox News (sic). Instead of informing citizens, Fox News (sic) informs on citizens. Continue
2010: The Big Con Continues

By Ted Morgan

While the Republican party holds our government hostage, Democrats typically collaborate in public policies that don't have a prayer of resolving the deeply serious problem we face. Continue
'The Next Financial Crisis is Not Far Off'

By Jayati Ghosh

We were told the world economy was back on track, but festering problems threaten to hit developing countries hard. Continue
At least 20 suspected militants killed in Pak tribal region: Helicopter gunships pounded the militant hideout, killing at least 20 suspected insurgents and also destroying an explosives-laden vehicle, the Dawn reports.
Pakistani Taliban kill 2 over espionage charges: A note in the local Pashto language was placed near the bodies, saying that the slain men were spying on Taliban for the Americans.
One killed as NATO tankers set ablaze in Quetta: At least one person was killed when some unidentified persons opened fire on Nato oil tankers while two tankers set ablaze, sources said on Thursday.
Blast kills at least 14 civilians in Afghanistan: A roadside bomb blew up next to a minibus at a crowded intersection on a major highway in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least 14 civilians, officials said.
US military investigates 'death squad' accused of murdering Afghans: Brigadier general to conduct review of 5th Stryker brigade as evidence emerges of widespread complicity in deaths
West quickly agreed to back Afghan resistance in 1980: files Western powers met in secret soon after the Soviet "invasion" of Afghanistan and formed plans to back Islamic resistance, according to British files from 1980 released Thursday.
Somali government: 18 militants killed in Mogadishu confrontations: Troops of the transitional federal government of Somalia killed 18 Al Shabaab extremist fighters during fierce clashes in parts of Mogadishu, an official said.
4,000 civilians killed in Iraq in 2010: The Britain-based organisation said that the "persistent low-level conflict will continue to kill civilians at a similar rate for years to come."
Judith Miller: From the Times to the nuts: Since her early days at the Times, when she inserted CIA misinformation into a piece on Libya, she's always been a tool of power. She was the voice of the Defense Department, embedded at the Times. She was hyping bullshit stories about Iraq's WMD capabilities as far back as 1998, and in the run-up to the war
US against anti-settlement resolution in Security Council: The draft resolution reaffirms Palestinian claims that “Israeli settlements established in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including east Jerusalem, are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”
Why Israelis emigrate? : Those remaining in Israel are increasingly ethno-nationalists such as religious Zionists, Russians, traditional-minded Sephardim and Ethiopians.
Report: Israelis Paid Spy $1.5M for Info on suspected Syrian reactor: Egyptian media released more details today about the breakup of an alleged Israeli spy ring, including leaked interrogation transcripts indicating Israeli intelligence was given information about a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor in exchange for $1.5 million.
US Embassy Cables: : US Spies on Iran from Turkey According to the cable released from the U.S. embassy in Turkey, the information was gathered through Iranian citizens living in Turkey
WikiLeaks, Indian official says U.S. cable a lie: A former Indian official criticised for making unauthorised contact with the United States embassy and angling for a junket in order to “feed” American views on Iran into the Indian system, has accused a senior American diplomat of fabricating the contents of the confidential cable — published by WikiLeaks earlier this month — which “outed” him.
Manning chat logs contain no smoking gun, Wired editors claim: Editors with Wired Magazine have finally come forward to say that the chat logs in their possession contain no further evidence of a conspiracy between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the soldier accused of leaking 250,000 US State Department cables.
The US embassy cables: Omar Bongo pocketed millions in embezzled funds: Gabon's late president allegedly channelled money to French political parties in support of Nicolas Sarkozy
Wikileaks : USkilled up to 4000 civilians in Panama invasion: The Noriega military dictatorship was supported by the United States as Noriega played a double role in Central America under the supervision of the CIA. George H.W. Bush was head of the CIA 1976-77.
In case you missed it: The Panama Deception: This film shows how the U.S. attacked Panama and killed 3 or 4 thousand people in an invasion that the rest of the world was against. (Sound familiar?) : The untold story of the December 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama; the events which led to it; the excessive force used; the enormity of the death and destruction; and the devastating aftermath.
Assange Alerts His Hostages: Julian Assange just made it clear who his hostages are:
Yemen: Saleh could be president for life: party: Yemen’s parliament is discussing a draft amendment to the constitution under which President Ali Abdullah Saleh could be made life-president, a lawmaker with the ruling party said yesterday.
lsraeli ex-president guilty of rape: An Israeli court found Moshe Katsav, the country’s former president, guilty of rape and other offences in a unprecedented conviction for a former head of state.
Italian judge upholds seizure of Vatican assets: A judge has upheld the seizure of euro23 million ($30.2 million) in Vatican assets in a money-laundering probe involving the Holy See's bank, the second time the bank has been denied the return of the funds.
US revokes Venezuela ambassador's visa amid "Chavez row": "If the US government wants to expel our ambassador there, let them. If they cut off diplomatic relations, let them," Mr Chavez said on state television.
Bomb explodes outside Athens court building : Raw video: A bomb hidden on a parked motorcycle exploded outside two court buildings in central Athens on Thursday, damaging cars and shattering windows but leaving no one hurt. The powerful rush-hour blast occurred at 0820 (0620GMT) following a warning telephone call to a newspaper and private TV station.
UK: Police demand new powers to stop and search terror suspects: Police have asked the government for a new counter-terrorism power to stop and search people without having to suspect them of involvement in crime, the Guardian has learned.
TSA bans bikini woman for ‘unusual contour’ around buttocks: A woman who became a YouTube sensation earlier this month when she went through airport security in a bikini spent a night at the airport Tuesday because of TSA agents' concerns about an "unusual contour" around her buttocks.
Sending Money Overseas for the Holidays? The Government Wants to Know.: What do an online donation to the International Red Cross, a bank transfer to family members living in Vietnam, and a payment sent through PayPal for an expensive rug in Turkey have in common? The government wants to know about them.
Congressman John Hall Warns Against Creeping Fascism: In a wide-ranging interview before he prepares to leave the House of Representatives, Hudson Valley Congressman John Hall warned that the nation could quickly descend into Fascism if more is not done to curb the influence of corporate money in politics.
Tax cuts move U.S. closer to fiscal crisis: President Barack Obama is receiving congratulations for moving to the center on the tax agreement with Republicans last week. - The truth is, the deal moved us closer to a fiscal crisis, just as the euro zone now is experiencing.
As Home Prices Drop, 'Serious Reasons To Worry' About Economy (VIDEO): Six cities -- Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Tampa, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Portland, Oregon -- have hit new lows since the housing market began to struggle in 2006 and 2007. Atlanta showed the steepest decline, with prices falling 2.9 percent from the prior month.
Wish you were here? President spends $1.5m on his holiday in Hawaii... while the rest of America faces a bleak New Year
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Wednesday, 29 December 2010

Clinton Plays Russian Roulette With Justice

By Yvonne Ridley

Instead of sticking her nose in to other countries' judicial processes, perhaps the US Secretary of State would care to look into her own backyard and tell us why one of her soldiers was given a mere nine month sentence earlier this month after shooting unarmed civilians in Afghanistan? Continue
US Drone Attacks Are No Laughing Matter, Mr Obama

By Mehdi Hasan

The president's backing of indiscriminate slaughter in Pakistan can only encourage new waves of militancy. Continue
If Obama Could Put America’s Own Real Interests First

By Alan Hard

How The US can win the respect, friendship and support of not less than 95 per cent of all Arabs and very probably that of almost all Muslims everywhere. Continue
Counter-terror ‘Expert’ Tells Cops: Kill Militant Muslims, ‘Including Children’

By Daniel Tence

The comment highlights growing concerns among human rights advocates that US law enforcement is turning to extremists for training in the fight against terrorism. Continue
FoxNews Keeping You Safe From Terrorism?
Indy Woman Linked to Terrorist Groups

By Heather Gillers

FoxNews.com has brought to the attention of authorities an Indianapolis woman accused of making anti-American comments and showing support for alleged terrorist groups. Continue
US Cities at Risk of Bankruptcy

By Press TV

Next to the housing crisis, some economists say cities declaring bankruptcy is the biggest threat to the U.S. economy in 2011 More than 100 cities could go bust in the new year derailing the economy in America. Continue
Eight Homeless Youth Die in Fire
What Does it Say About the U.S.?

By Bill Quigley

Will we look into our abandoned buildings and look into the eyes of our abandoned daughters and sons and sisters and brothers? Continue
Obama Likely to Pursue Corporate-Tax Cut

By David Wessel

Any Obama pitch, perhaps in the State of the Union, will be that corporate-tax reform will make America "more competitive," induce more companies to invest here, reduce costly complexity and improve long-term growth prospects. Continue
Did Pfizer Bribe Its Way Out of Criminal Charges in Nigeria?

By Walter Armstrong

The cables suggest that the world's largest drugmaker may have blackmailed the head of Nigeria's Ministry of Justice into dropping a $6 billion criminal lawsuit. Continue
The Trials of Henry Kissinger
The Making Of A War Criminal

Video Documentary

"A fascinating, bombshell documentary that should shame Americans, regardless of whether or not ultimate blame finally lies with Kissinger. Should be required viewing for civics classes and would-be public servants alike." Continue
Supermarkets: What Price Cheap Food?

By BBC Video

Reporter Paul Kenyon looks behind the cellophane wrappers and the "Buy-one-get-one-frees" to examine the true cost of our cheap food. He visits the mega-farms coming our way from the United States, with cows being kept indoors and milked on giant "dairy-go-rounds", and pigs housed in "sty-scrapers". Continue
Suicide bomber kills two Afghan soldiers: officials: "Two soldiers were martyred and another was injured in a suicide bombing on Tuesday in Barmal town," the defence ministry said, giving no further details.
Canadian occupation force soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan: A Canadian soldier with the Alberta-based 1st battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry who had only two days left “outside the wire” was killed by a homemade landmine Thursday while on a night patrol near the village of Nakhoney, 15 southwest of Kandahar City.
US Government Can't Account For Billions Spent In Afghanistan: One large part of the problem is that the United States is not demanding accountability for outgoing funds from U.S. companies which have little incentive to fully disclose where the U.S. money is going.
Four cops killed in Iraq suicide attack : Two suicide bombers yesterday killed four policemen in a police station in Iraq’s northern city of Mosul, including an officer who oversaw a deadly raid on militants, security officials said.
Iraqi PM rules out US troops' stay beyond 2011: The US troops will leave Iraq by 2011, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said and ruled out the possibility of extension of their stay any more as Iraq's own forces were capable of confronting remaining threats to the country.
Manufacturing Consent For Attack On : Israeli Deputy PM: West has three years to stop Iran nuclear program: Moshe Ya'alon says Iran remains the govern
Britain forms plan for Gulf evacuation in event of war with Iran: The British armed forces are drawing up contingency plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands of British residents and tourists from Dubai and other Gulf cities in the event of war with Iran.
British secret file confirms Israeli nukes: Secret files released by Britain's National Archives said on Wednesday that British officials feared Tel Aviv would use its nuclear weapons in case of another war with Arab countries in the region.
Report: Accused Egyptian spy says Israel paid Syrian agent for nuclear plan details: According to Egyptian media, the official's information led to Israel's alleged bombing of a Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007.
Mossad agent 'brought down Egypt's internet': An Egyptian national accused of spying for Mossad has allegedly told his interrogators that Israeli sabotage brought down the country's internet network two years ago.
UAE 'held back full story of hotel assassination': The newly released cables also show that the UAE explicitly sought Washington's help in tracking down details of credit cards obtained in the US by members of the hit squad.
Palestinians turn to UN for support: Proposed draft resolution calls on Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements after impasse over US-brokered talks.
Anti-Arab letters by rabbis and rabbis’ wives leading Israel into dark place: During the last month, several letters have been published urging Jews not to date, lease or rent to Arabs, African refugees or migrant workers.
Seattle transit agency rejects bus ads alleging 'Israeli war crimes': King County Metro Transit will not allow bus ads alleging "Israeli war crimes" after all. Transit officials Thursday rejected a proposed ad from the Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign that ties alleged war crimes to U.S. military aid.
Seattle anti-Israel demonstration in wake of Metro ad controversy : "We'd like Israel to be held accountable for its actions and our government to stop spending our tax dollars to support Israel's war crimes," said Ed Mast, Mideast Awareness Campaign.
Cote d'Ivoire on 'edge of genocide': Ambassador to the UN appointed by rival to incumbent president warns of growing tribal unrest following disputed poll.
Nigeria to drop Dick Cheney charges after plea bargain: Halliburton agrees to pay $250m in fines in lieu of prosecution over alleged multimillion-dollar bribes
Many Arab officials have close CIA links: “These officials are spies for the US in their countries,” Assange told Al Jazeera Arabic channel in an interview yesterday.
Capital's war against WikiLeaks: When your Swiss banker throws you overboard, you know you've made some very powerful enemies.
Affidavit Details FBI "Operation Payback" Probe: The FBI has raided a Texas business and seized a computer server that investigators believe was used to launch a massive electronic attack on PayPal, The Smoking Gun has learned.
Terrorist watch list: One tip now enough to put name in database, officials say: Senior counterterrorism officials say they have altered their criteria so that a single-source tip, as long as it is deemed credible, can lead to a name being placed on the watch list.
Drug gang 'threatens Guatemala war': Group claiming to belong to Zetas cartel issues warning on radio broadcasts after Guatemalan forces launch crackdown.
More than 25% of Kids and Teens in the U.S. Take Prescriptions on a Regular Basis: children and teens are also taking a wide variety of other medications once considered only to be for adults, from statins to diabetes pills and sleep drugs, according to figures provided to The Wall Street Journal by IMS Health
22 Statistics That Prove The Middle Class Is Being Systematically Wiped Out Of Existence In America: Compared to the rest of the world, American workers are extremely expensive, and the government keeps passing more rules and regulations seemingly on a monthly basis that makes it even more difficult to conduct business in the United States.
In Money-Changers We Trust: Two years into the Obama presidency and the economic data is still looking grim. Don’t be fooled by the gyrations of the stock market, where optimism is mostly a reflection of the ability of financial corporations—thanks to massive government largesse—to survive the mess they created. The basics are dismal:
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Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Top Ten Myths about Afghanistan, 2010

By Juan Cole

10. “There has been significant progress in tamping down the insurgency in Afghanistan.” Continue
WikiLeaks Exposed US and Hillary's Hopelessness

By Robert Fisk

That Clinton should want her State Department slaves to play secret agents on the poor old UN shows what an utterly worthless institution the US State Department has become. Continue
The Merger of Journalists and Government Officials

By Glenn Greenwald

It's not news that establishment journalists identify with, are merged into, serve as spokespeople for, the political class: that's what makes them establishment journalists. Continue
The Gaza Massacre And The Struggle For Justice

By Ali Abunimah

The Gaza massacre, which Israel launched two years ago today, did not end on 18 January 2009, but continues. It was not only a massacre of human bodies, but of the truth and of justice. Only our actions can help bring it to an end. Continue
2011

By Paul Craig Roberts

The most uncomfortable truth that emerges from the WikiLeaks saga is that American public discourse consists of cries for revenge against those who tell us truths. Continue
2011: Prospects for Humanity?

By Francis A. Boyle

Future, what future? I am extremely pessimistic. In my opinion the world is moving ineluctably towards a third world war—a strategic nuclear war. I do not believe that anything can be done to prevent it. Continue
US Kills Another 16 People In Pakistan: At least 16 people were killed in four consecutive U.S. drone strikes Tuesday afternoon in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of North Waziristan, reported local media.
US strikes kill 46 People In Pakistan: US drone attacks on tribal areas in northwest Pakistan have killed and wounded scores of people in the past two days.
Obama’s CIA War in Pakistan: Obama’s favorite war is in Pakistan, near the Afghanistan border. He has had the CIA ramp up the number of missiles making attacks.
Eight killed in Iraq : Eight people were killed, five of them police officers, in two separate incidents in the northern Iraqi province of Mosul Tuesday.
19 killed, 45 wounded in Iraq bombings: Back-to-back suicide bombings at a government compound in this western Iraqi city yesterday killed 19 and wounded 45, police said, in an attack that heaped tragedy on the families of victims of a similar recent bombing.
Explosion kills 3 in northern Afghan province: A bomb blast left three people dead in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, an official said.
NATO occupation force soldier, civilian killed in Afghanistan: One foreign soldier, one insurgent and one civilian were killed in Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.
Palestinian killed in Israeli attack: Hassan Abu Rok, 22, was killed in the Israeli gunfire attack on the village of Khuza'a, east of Khan Yunis on Tuesday, said Hamas spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya.
State Department Lied, Denying Dubai Asked for Assistance in Tracking Mossad Assassins: To those who say that Wikileaks hasn’t told us anything we didn’t already know–think again.
Alan Hart: IF Obama could put America’s own real interests first…: Unconditional support for the Zionist state of Israel right or wrong is not in America’s own best interests because it’s a prime cause of Arab and other Muslim hurt and humiliation, which is being transformed into a rising tide of anti-Americanism.
'Shin Bet tortures prisoners and denies access to lawyers': As many as 90% of Palestinian prisoners are denied this basic right despite civilian and military legislation, says study produced by Public Committee Against Torture and Palestinian Prisoners' Society.
Make no mistake - Israelis have always been racist: In its early days, when Israel's character was taking shape, it determined that the white race was superior.
In case you missed it: The Transfer Agreement : 1933 - Zionists sign a deal with Hitler
Which ISPs Hand Private Surfing Info Over To Secretive Private Group Who Monitors It For The Feds?: This is just bizarre. I saw a Wired report about a talk by a guy named Chet Uber, who claimed he helped connect Adrian Lamo to the feds in order to turn in Bradley Manning
Ex-Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012: "I'm predicting actually the worst outcome over the next two years which takes us to 2012 with higher gasoline prices," he said.
Nearly 100 bailed-out banks may collapse all the same: analysis: The $700-billion bank bailout, launched in the final months of the Bush administration, was meant to save US financial institutions from a systemic collapse. But an analysis of banks' earnings statements concludes that nearly 100 bailed-out banks are at risk of collapsing all the same.
Number Of Uninsured Americans Soars To Over 50 Million: Among the report's most troubling findings: The number of Americans without any health care coverage grew by more than four million in 2009. That left almost one-fifth of non-elderly people uninsured. Among those between 19 and 29 years old, nearly one-third lacked coverage.
Job Market Booming Overseas For Many American Companies: Corporate profits are up. Stock prices are up. So why isn't anyone hiring? Actually, many American companies are – just maybe not in your town. They're hiring overseas, where sales are surging and the pipeline of orders is fat.
US Changes How It Measures Long-Term Unemployment: So many Americans have been jobless for so long that the government is changing how it records long-term unemployment.
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Monday, 27 December 2010

Leaked U.S. Cables
Discuss Mexican Drug Lord and Panamanian President's Request For Wiretaps

By William Booth

The Mexican government has repeatedly denied that Mexican military forces are receiving training from U.S. armed forces, but diplomatic cables leaked earlier this year appear to confirm that Mexican marines have been receiving special operations training from U.S. Continue
The National Image and its Contradictions – An Analysis

By Lawrence Davidson

Benjamin Disraeli once labeled Britain’s government "an organized hypocrisy." That was in circa 1845. Things have not changed much and by now hypocrisy might well be seen as a common sin of democratic government. Continue
WikiLeaks May Spawn New Sedition Act

By Bob Barr

We can only hope Jefferson’s wisdom and understanding will speak from across the ages to shine the bright light of constitutional truth on such dark plans. Continue
Gibbs: Indefinite Terrorist Detentions Regrettable

By Politico

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says it's unfortunate that some terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay need to be held indefinitely without trial. Continue
‘Homeland’ Security Coming to Hotels, Shopping Malls

By Agence France-Presse

Napolitano said international travelers in the United States also face tight intelligence screening even before they reach the boarding gate. Continue
2011: A Brave New Dystopia

By Chris Hedges

Orwell and Huxley were both right. Huxley saw the first stage of our enslavement. Orwell saw the second. Continue
The Working Poor

By EC Blog

As the middle class in America continues to be slowly wiped out, the number of working poor continues to increase. Today, nearly one out of every three families in the United States is considered to be "low income". Continue
Hollywood and the War Machine

Video Report By Al Jazeera

Empire examines the symbiotic relationship between the movie industry and the military-industrial complex. Continue
US Kills 24 People In Pakistan: At least 25 people were killed in three U.S. drone strikes launched on Monday in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of North Waziristan, reported local media.
Twin suicide bombings kill 17 in Iraq's Ramadi: Twin suicide bombings rocked a government compound in Iraq's western city of Ramadi on Monday, killing 17 people, a deputy interior minister said.
Three killed in suicide car bombing in Afghanistan: A suicide car bombing in the southern Taliban stronghold of Kandahar killed three people and wounded 26 others, mostly police, officials said, in an attack spotlighting instability in Afghanistan as the Nato-led fight against insurgents there approaches the start of its 10th year.
NATO occupation force soldier killed in southern Afghanistan blast: - A soldier of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed in southern Afghanistan, the alliance said on Monday.
Russian court: ex-tycoon guilty: Moscow court convicts Mikhail Khodorkovsky along with his business partner of embezzling $27bn.
US Embassy Cables: Rule of law in Mikhail Khodorkovsky trial merely 'gloss': US dismisses Russian efforts to show due process in tycoon's trial, as 'lipstick on a political pig'
WikiLeaks founder baffled by sex assault claims: ONE of the women claiming she was sexually assaulted by Julian Assange took a "trophy photo" of him lying naked in her bed, he says.
Why Wikileaks will be the death of big business and big government.: The Wikileaks revolution isn’t only about airing secrets and transacting information. It’s about dismantling large organizations—from corporations to government bureaucracies. It may well lead to their extinction.
The Bank of America attack today, will they succeed?: Everything point to the fact that in a few hours Anonymous will be attacking Bank of America.
Assange to write autobiography for over USD 1 million: I don't want to write this book, but I have to," he told the Sunday Times. "I have already spent GBP 200,000 (USD 309,000) for legal costs and I need to defend myself and to keep WikiLeaks afloat."
Rare earth metals mine is key to US control over hi-tech future: It's a deep pit in the Mojave desert. But it could hold the key to America challenging China's technological domination of the 21st century.
US threatens China with WTO case on rare earth exports: US trade officials Thursday threatened trade action against China over exports of rare earth materials, one day after embarking on a separate case before the World Trade Organization (WTO) against wind power subsidies.
Change? What Change? Executive order for detainee reviews being drafted: Such an order would be further acknowledgment by Obama that his campaign pledge to close Guantanamo Bay will remain unfulfilled for the foreseeable future
Conservative chorus calling for states’ right to declare bankruptcy: A chorus of conservative pundits are calling for bankruptcy laws to be changed so that all 50 US state governments might have the chance to restructure their debts, an ability currently limited to corporations, municipal entities, and private citizens.
The rich are much richer than you and me: The average family's net worth plunged 41% -- to just $62,200 -- from 2007 to 2009, according to EPI's calculations.
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Sunday, 26 December 2010

We Can't Always Be Lucky

By Charles Peña

Americans need to realize that building an absolute and perfect defense against terrorism is a Quixotic quest. - Intrusive pat-downs and body scans could be just the beginning. Continue
Lawmakers Seek Cash During Key Votes

By Carol D. Leonnig and T.W. Farnam

Numerous times this year, members of Congress have held fundraisers and collected big checks while they are taking critical steps to write new laws, despite warnings that such actions could create ethics problems. The campaign donations often came from contributors with major stakes riding on the lawmakers' actions. Continue
The Pentagon's Revolving Door:

By Boston Globe

From the Pentagon to the private sector. In large numbers, and with few rules, retiring generals are taking lucrative defense-firm jobs. Continue
Struggling for Peace in the Season of Christmas

By Tom Turnipseed

With over a trillion dollars budgeted for the military and defense related expenditures in 2011 we should emulate Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jesus who engaged in civil disobedience and gave their all for peace and poor people. Continue
And What Rough Beast Slouches Towards Gaza?
Operation Cast Lead and the Dismembering of a People

By Vincent Di Stefano

The horror of Gaza cannot be dismissed as a distant phenomenon that does not concern us. We may withdraw into our own complacency and comfort, but in truth, no one is exempted from the pain visited upon innocent households. No one can evade the consequences of the destructive exercise of brutal force. Continue
"Jewish women for Jewish men."
Is Judaism a Race? Ask Israelis

By Zvi Bar'el

Can Israeli racism be eliminated through law, trial and punishment, or is it already part of the Israeli identity? Continue
Pakistan: 80 killed in suicide bombing and raids: More than 80 were killed in a suicide bombing on a World Food Programme project and a series of helicopter raids against militant camps in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, officials said.
40 militants killed in Pakistan's northwest tribal area: At least 40 militants were killed in a large-scale operation launched by the Pakistani security forces Saturday in the country's northwest tribal area of Mohmand Agency, local Urdu TV channel Geo News reported.
Attacks in Philippines and Nigeria kill at least 38 as church leaders call for peace: Fresh attacks against Christians in the Philippines and Nigeria have marred Christmas festivities as church leaders condemned religious persecution and called for global peace and reconciliation.
Nigeria vows to hunt bomb suspects: Friday's explosions in villages near the city of Jos killed 32 people. Six other people died in attacks on two churches in the northeast of Africa's most populous nation, officials said on Saturday.
German development "aid" worker killed in Afghanistan: - A German development aid worker has died from serious wounds suffered in an attack in northern Afghanistan, Berlin said Saturday.
Kabul slams US over security violations: The Afghan Interior Ministry said NATO was violating a security agreement it had signed with the Kabul government based on which all NATO operations in Kabul must be cleared with the government.
Israeli occupation troops kill 2 Gaza resistance fighters: Two members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, killed by Israeli soldiers.
Ecuador Joins Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay And Bolivia To Recognize Palestine: This is part of a diplomatic push by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to win a United Nations recognition of a Palestinian state. Abbas is hoping to gain international recognition as an independent state which would bypass an elusive peace agreement with Israel.
Paraguay to recognize Palestinian state in 2011: Paraguay's Foreign Minister Hector Lacognata told the Palestinian ambassador to Paraguay that his country will recognize the Palestinian state on the lands that Israel has occupied in 1967 in the spring, the Palestinian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Palestinians slam U.S. for not recognizing a state: "The U.S. is supposed to be a fair mediator and a real sponsor of a successful peace process with specific targets," Majdalani said. "Instead of blaming the Israeli government, which obstructed the peace process, the U.S. is blaming other world countries that did its political duties and recognized the state."
Gaza doctor takes Israel to court: Father of three daughters killed by Israeli forces files case after failing to reach compensation deal.
Manufacturing Consent For Attack On Iran: Will Israel really attack Iran within a year?: After interviewing dozens of Israeli, American and Arab officials, Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic Magazine concludes Israel may not even ask for a U.S. 'green light' to attack Iran nuclear sites.
US Embassy Cables: : U.S. tried to stop Spain's torture probe: — It was three months into Barack Obama's presidency, and the administration -- under pressure to do something about alleged abuses in Bush-era interrogation policies -- turned to a Florida senator to deliver a sensitive message to Spain:
US Embassy Cables: : Panama leader denies he sought phone taps on political rival.: A leaked US diplomatic cable from August 22, 2009, quotes Barbara Stephenson, the then US ambassador to Panama, as saying the newly elected conservative president asked for help with wiretaps soon after he took office on July 1.
US Embassy cables sheds light on U.S.-Mexican relations: The backdrop to the WikiLeaks cables was a U.S. Defense Department report about eight months before, saying the U.S. military might have to intervene in the war on the cartels.
US Embassy Cables: DEA reach goes global, and beyond drugs: The US Drug Enforcement Administration has grown into a global intelligence organization whose reach extends far beyond international drug trafficking, The New York Times reported.
NYTimes Editorial: Banks and WikiLeaks: The whistle-blowing Web site WikiLeaks has not been convicted of a crime. A bank’s ability to block payments to a legal entity raises a troubling prospect. A handful of big banks could potentially bar any organization they disliked from the payments system, essentially cutting them off from the world economy.
Ukraine arrests ex-foreign minister: Yuri Lutsenko detained on corruption charges is latest case of probes against members of former administration.
The economic outrage of 2010: Cowardly leaders failed to help working people -- and coddled the rich
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Friday, 24 December 2010

Bradley Manning An "Ethical Giant"
Manning Speaks About His Conditions

By David House
Bradley Manning confidant David House reports on the alleged whistle-blower's confinement. Continue
The Government's One-way Mirror

By Glenn Greenwald

One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian government is its fixation on hiding everything it does behind a wall of secrecy while simultaneously monitoring, invading and collecting files on everything its citizenry does.  Based on the Francis Bacon aphorism that "knowledge is power," this is the extreme imbalance that renders the ruling class omnipotent and citizens powerless. Continue
Avatar Story Was So True to Life

By Jonathan Glennie

Sadly, the violent displacement of indigenous people by ruthless companies doesn't happen just on screen. Continue
How Do We Shift Power to the People
and Away from Concentrated Corporate Power?

By Kevin Zeese

Corporate capital dominates the government and prevents the changes urgently needed in so many crisis issues for the nation and the world. Continue
35 Killed as Pakistan militants mount attacks on Afghan border: Eleven troops and 24 militants killed after insurgents strike five security checkpoints in north-west tribal region
As US drone strikes have increased, so have assassinations, Pakistanis say: As often as seven times a week, tribesmen there say, corpses appear in fields and on roadsides with dark warnings pinned to their tunics: All American spies will meet the same fate.
Pakistan sells sovereignty: US pays Pakistan more than $600m in "aid": Washington transferred more than 600 million dollars to the Pakistani government this week to pay for its efforts in the fight against violent extremists, the US embassy in Islamabad said Thursday.
2 Afghan civilians killed in US-led attack: NATO forces attacked a construction company. Two of the company's security personnel were killed and two others were injured. NATO has claimed that the attack was aimed at a suspicious militant base, but Afghan police say no militants were in the area.
Seven killed in Iraqi violence: Seven people were killed and eight injured Friday in two separate attacks in Iraq, according to police sources.
Top Shiite cleric says new Iraqi government is sub-standard: Sheikh Abdel-Mahdi al-Karbalaei, a confidant of influential Shiite spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said that the new cabinet is 'below the standards' Iraqi citizens had hoped for and suggested it could prove to be weaker than the previous government.
US Congress approves $725bn defence spending: Other provisions in the legislation include: $205m for a programme with Israel to develop a mobile defence system
Military sexual abuse 'staggering': In part two of our series, Al Jazeera examines the often hidden world of rape and abuse in the US military.
US Embassy Cables: : Israel destroyed Syria nuclear reactor: WikiLeaks: srael destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor in an air raid just weeks before it went online in 2007, said a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks and published on Friday in an Israeli daily.
12 Israeli jets violate Lebanon airspace: The Israeli jet fighters penetrated Lebanese airspace on Friday in defiance of the UN Security Council resolution 1701.
Egyptian has 'revealed three Israeli spy cells': The confessions of an Egyptian accused of spying for Israel have led to three espionage cells being dismantled in Lebanon and Syria, where an agent was executed in November, Cairo newspapers said Friday.
Turkey probes US nukes at airbase': Turkish parliamentarians are discussing a report revealing that the United States has deployed 90 nuclear bombs at Turkey's Incirlik Air Force base, a report says.
The tyranny of the Israeli majority: The present political balance of power has created a Knesset that has become an assembly line of legislation that is dragging Israel down to the bottom of the list of civilized countries.
It's not anti-Semitic to say that Hasidic Jews are intolerant of goyim : “I didn’t realise that goyim were about as welcome in the Hasidic Jewish shops as Martin Luther King at a Ku Klux Klan convention,”
Cadets For Christ Solicits Letters to the Air Force Academy to Use as Ammo: This is the most recent development in an outrageous story that has been developing over the better part of this year, so, for those who need to be brought up to speed, here's what's going on in as small of a nutshell as I can put it:
C.I.A. Secrets Could Surface in Swiss Nuclear Case: A seven-year effort by the Central Intelligence Agency to hide its relationship with a Swiss family who once acted as moles inside the world’s most successful atomic black market hit a turning point on Thursday when a Swiss magistrate recommended charging the men with trafficking in technology and information for making nuclear arms.
Cuba puts 'imperialist' US Wikileaks online: Cuba says it will publish on the internet more than 2,000 US diplomatic cables released by the website Wikileaks. It says the documents prove links between Cuba's "so-called internal dissidence" and the US government.
Assange says 'high chance' he would be killed in US jail: Assange added that if the United States succeeded in getting him extradited from Britain or Sweden, then there was a "high chance" of him being killed "Jack Ruby-style" in an American prison.
US Congress blocks Guantanamo closure: US lawmakers have effectively blocked President Barack Obama's efforts to close the controversial terror prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by approving a Pentagon budge that forbids spending money on the move.
Welcome to America: Woman arrested at ABIA after refusing enhanced pat down: "I told them, 'No, I'm not going to have my breasts felt,' and she said, 'Yes, you are,'" said Hirschkind.
ACLU placed on Tennessee terror map for letter to schools: The ACLU of Tennessee says it ended up on a map of potential terrorist threats after it sent a letter to school superintendents asking them to be "inclusive" in their holiday celebrations.
More anti-war activists subpoenaed, attorney says: More federal grand jury subpoenas went out this week as part of an apparent investigation into possible links between U.S. anti-war groups and foreign terrorist organizations, according to an attorney for the anti-war activists.
Irish developers still living the high life: For some property magnates, it's like the financial crisis never happened.
Deutsche Bank pays half a billion to escape US tax probe: Germany's biggest bank, Deutsche Bank, has agreed to pay US authorities $554 million (421 million euros) to end a fraud investigation and compensate the government for lost tax revenues.
Some investors fear collapse of municipal bonds across nation: Investors have fled municipal bonds in recent weeks, leading to rising fears about investments in state and local government debt and increasing the potential for higher rates for when governments look to borrow money.
16 US Cities Facing Bankruptcy If They Don't Make Deep Cuts: 2011 will be the year of the municipal default. At least that's what analysts like Meredith Whitney predict, as do bond investors that have been fleeing the muni market.
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Thursday, 23 December 2010

US Stepping Up Pressure on Pakistan

By Gareth Porter

The proposed U.S. cross-border operations are "a perfect recipe for ruining even this bad relationship", said Nawaz. They would "disrupt the whole enterprise in Pakistan, including the civilian government". Political opponents of the existing government would be "screaming for blood" Continue
Nixon adopted this tactic in Vietnam.
It won't work any better now than it did then

By Patrick Cockburn

Could US Special Forces make a lunge across the Pakistan border in pursuit of the Taliban just as American and South Vietnamese troops briefly invaded Cambodia in pursuit of the Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces in 1970? Continue
WikiLeaks to Release Israel Documents in Six Months

By Peninsula News

“The Guardian, El-Pais and Le Monde have published only two percent of the files related to Israel due to the sensitive relations between Germany, France and Israel. Even New York Times could not publish more due to the sensitivities related to the Jewish community in the US,” he added. Continue
Believe in Violence and Be Saved

By Robert C. Koehler

“the mob” is the reservoir of human empathy and the pulsing ocean of our evolution. When it comes to war, “the mob” may be the only voice of restraint and concern for the common good. Continue
Don't Go, Don't Kill!
The repeal of don't ask, don't tell

By Cindy Sheehan

The US military is not a human rights organisation and nowhere near a healthy place to earn a living or raise a family. Continue
In Case You Missed It
'The War on Democracy'

Documentary By John Pilger

'The War on Democracy' was John Pilger's first major film for the cinema. Set in Latin America and the US, it explores the historic and current relationship of Washington with countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Chile. - It allows us to understand the true nature of the so-called war on terror". Continue
UN: 173 killed in Cote d'Ivoire: The United Nations said on Thursday that at least 173 people have been killed and 114 others have gone missing or been tortured following the disputed presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire.
Afghan forces kill 6 militants, capture another: Afghan forces backed by NATO-led troops killed six Taliban fighters and arrested another in the eastern Ghazni province 149 km from capital Kabul on Thursday, an army officer Daud Shah Wafadar said.
Afghan policeman killed in checkpoint suicide blast: A suicide bomber killed an Afghan policeman and wounded five civilians in Kunduz on Thursday, the second deadly attack on government security forces in the northern city this week.
British occupation force soldier killed in Afghan bomb blast: A British soldier has died following a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday.
25,000 soldiers headed to Afghanistan in 2011: Defense Secretary Robert Gates signed the deployment orders a day after President Obama said he will start bringing troops home from Afghanistan in July. In the same breath, he said the U.S. will not finish transitioning military forces out of Afghanistan until 2014.
Gunmen kill Iraqi general in Baghdad: Gunmen have opened fire on an army brigadier's general car, leaving the general dead and his daughter wounded in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials say
Israeli attack kills one Gazan: Staff at a local Palestinian hospital named the dead man as Salama Abu Hashish, 22, a shepherd, and said he had been shot in the back.
Israel prepares ground for military operation in Gaza: PLO official: - Israel has been preparing the ground for a new military operation in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official said Thursday, following Israeli fire injured two people in northern Gaza.
Palestinians: Draft condemning West Bank settlements ready for UN: Chief Palestinian negotiator says he expects resolution to be put forth at Security Council in February, and hopes U.S. will not use its veto.
Israel 'approves 13,000 settlement units': A new report reveals that Israel has approved 13,000 settlement units in the occupied West Bank since Tel Aviv's partial freeze on the projects expired late September.
Democrats up in arms over hints of reduced aid for Israel: – Democrats are blasting the prospect that a GOP-led House of Representatives might trim aid to Israel or consider it separately from the rest of the foreign aid budget.
Palestinian delegate to U.S.: Congress shouldn't interfere in Mideast peace process: Maen Rashid Areikat: Israelis and Palestinians, not the U.S. Congress, will decide the future of the conflict; parents of Rachel Corrie receive award at event marking International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Uruguay plans to recognize Palestinian state: Joining Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, Uraguay Foreign Minister Luis Almagro says his country is studying implications of decision with regard to international law.
'WikiLeaks to publish Israel cables on Second Lebanon War, Dubai assassination': Julian Assange, founder of whistle-blowing website, says thousands of documents related to Israel are due to be released over next six months
North Korea ready to unleash 'Holy Nuclear War' on South : The North's defence minister's statement was reported by state media there. The minister accused Seoul of deliberately stoking tension by staging successive joint military drills with the U.S. next to the North's territory. - Rt talks to Glyn Ford, who's a former British EU parliament member and author of the book 'North Korea on the Brink: Struggle for Survival'.
Leaks show Indonesia military abuse: Memos revealed by WikiLeaks show US diplomats aware of extensive corruption and rights violations in West Papua.
UN Special Rapporteur on Wikileaks and the Promotion and Protection to Freedom of Opinion and Expression: The right to access to information protects the right of every person to access public information and to know what governments are doing on their behalf. - Without the protection of this right, it is impossible for citizens to know the truth
UN probes Manning's jail treatment: Special rapporteur on torture looking into claims that US soldier suspected of feeding WikiLeaks is being mistreated.
Julian Assange interview on Al-Jazeera: The WikiLeaks founder speaks to David Frost about secrets, leaks and why he will not go back to Sweden.
Fresh humiliation for eurozone as China says it will bail out debt-ridden nations: China has said it is willing to bail out debt-ridden countries in the euro zone using its $2.7trillion overseas investment fund.
How the Fed let small banks take on too much debt, then fail: The Federal Reserve Board, chastised for regulatory inaction that contributed to the subprime mortgage meltdown, also missed a chance to prevent much of the financial chaos ravaging hundreds of small- and mid-sized banks.
Pension Checks Stopped in Alabama City: The pension fund of Prichard, Alabama has run dry. It only impacts a small number of retired town workers, but it provides a hint at what might happen on a larger scale when some biggies run out of dollars.
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