Link: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article27941.htm

"Information Clearing House" -- The US department of justice (DOJ) has submitted a written defence of the US role in this new war in Libya to the US Congress. The DOJ claims the war serves the US national interest in regional stability and in maintaining the credibility of the United Nations. Who knew?

Link: http://bellaciao.org/en/spip.php?article20722

Hundreds of Palestinian have died inside Israeli prisons and now an Israeli television channel has aired shocking footage of Israel’s so-called Control and Restraint unit, or Masada, attacking Palestinian prisoners. Activists have demanded people in charge of the operation, carried out in 2007, be charged and the family of one of the victims told Al Jazeera that they would consider suing Masada.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/04/22-6

A U.S. drone attack in Pakistan killed 23 people this morning, and this is how The New York Times described that event in it headline and first paragraph: "ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — An American drone attack killed 23 people in North Waziristan on Friday, Pakistani military officials said, in a strike against militants that appeared to signify unyielding pressure by the United States on Pakistan’s military amid increasing opposition to such strikes." When I saw that, I was going to ask how the NYT could possibly know that the people whose lives the U.S. just ended were “militants,” but then I read further in the article and it said this: "A government official in North Waziristan told Pakistani reporters that five children and four women were among the 23 who were killed." So at least 9 of the 23 people we killed -- at least -- were presumably not "militants" at all, but rather innocent civilians.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/04/22-9

It is time to apply the standard of patriotism to the U.S. multinational corporations and demand that they pledge allegiance to the United States and “the Republic for which is stands…. with liberty and justice for all.” This July 4, 2011 would be a good day for Americans to demand such a corporate commitment.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/04/22-6

Many Americans increasingly feel like a trap door has suddenly dropped them into economic quicksand, with major corporations and their government allies pulling them further away from the middle-class security they once had. Today, as America's prolonged and severe employment crisis continues, multinational corporations continue to unilaterally repudiate their side of the “social contract.” The country's business leaders should hardly be surprised to hear Americans questioning the “free market” shield they use to justify their outrageous abandonment of American workers, their renewed attacks on decent wages by imposing two-tier wage structures, and their refusal to contribute their fair share of taxes to cope with the social damage that they are causing. A wave of public-sector union-busting laws in Wisconsin and Ohio that will encourage more private sector wage-cutting (already at a record level ), revelations about the extent of corporations “off-shoring” jobs while creating virtually no new jobs in the U.S. for the entire 1999-2009 decade and news that two-thirds of major corporations are paying no federal income taxes.

Link: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/21/iowa-professor-to-republicans-f-you/

A professor of anthropology at the University of Iowa has found herself in hot water after responding to an email sent out by a campus Republican group with the simple inflammatory message, "F*** YOU, REPUBLICANS." The response was prompted by an email promoting "Conservative Coming Out Week" that was sent to the entire University of Iowa community. The email advertised a week of conservative events, such as the showing of a movie to honor George W. Bush. Ultimately she is forced to crawl and lick their fascist feet for her grievous offense. Such is the nature of freedom of speech in America.

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/04/201141816294891732.html

If rebels start using violence, as has happened in Libya, then decades of turmoil could follow, professor argues. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said revolutions in the Arab world could be just a "mirage in the desert". Reading the chronicle of the violence and death that have blanketed the western Libyan port city of Misurata during the last week, I couldn't help thinking of a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1967 classic, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/video/americas/2011/04/2011422201723775658.html

Music lessons offer an alternative to the culture of brutality in violence-torn Ciudad Juarez. Violence has taken its toll on the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez where even children have been targeted. That culture of brutality has led some of them to respond with violent behaviour. But one programme is trying to make a difference by giving children at risk a reason to hope.

Link: http://www.alternet.org/media/150703/ayn_rand_movie_fails_in_free_market_%28despite_tea_party_hype%29/

The reviews of "Atlas Shrugged" have been merciless. And despite a major push by Tea Party networks, Ayn Rand's paean to ego-centrism has not drawn audiences. The film version of Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand’s soporific paean to malevolent ego-centrism, has finally been released to the throngs of slobbering Tea Baggers desperate for some cinematic validation. Sadly for these pathetic flim(flam) buffs, this flick hardly fills the void in their lost souls.

Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/42703813

Weakness in the US dollar, which is causing everything to go up—including gas prices, food and stocks—is unlikely to go away soon as a selling frenzy hits the currency market. CNBC.com The greenback is approaching pre-financial crisis lows and threatening to smash through its all-time low when measured against the world's predominant national currencies.

Link: http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/gilad-atzmon-the-israeli-so-called-left.html

We learned today that some 300 prominent Israeli left-wingers, including some cultural leaders, gathered in Tel Aviv to call for the Jewish state to embrace the creation of a Palestinian state.

Link: http://wsws.org/articles/2011/apr2011/poll-a21.shtml

As a series of US opinion polls showed massive popular opposition to the bipartisan drive to slash Medicare and other vital social programs, President Obama sought to reassure the financial markets that he would reach agreement with congressional Republicans on major spending cuts.

Link: http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24741

I don’t care what you say about astrological misgivings…this is important. Celestial bodies pull on each other and things happen. Just a full moon sways our oceans, affects menstrual cycles and changes moods. What do you think major galactic events will precipitate? We’re already in a heavy duty solar cycle and are entering a galactic alignment called the ‘precession of the equinoxes’ that happens only every 26,000 years.

Link: http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/?p=24710

Cancer radiotherapy dose is fatal? Okay, so wait a minute. A dose of 10,000 is fatal, yet the cancer industry uses twice that dose to “treat” cancer? I knew cancer radiation treatments were barbaric, but I never knew they were twice the amount considered absolutely fatal.

Link: http://www.rense.com/general93/curr.htm

In the latest example of blatant Federal negligence (coverup), the valiant and ever vigilant FDA and EPA have determined they will not be testing ANY fish from the Gulf Of Alaska. This is another egregious (not that they give a rat's tail) abandonment of their obligation to watch over the public health and welfare. In this case, the Feds have chosen to protect the Alaskan fishing industry...the public's right to know and to be kept safe and informed be damned.

Link: http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/2011/04/20/radioactive-iodine-phoenix-arizona-milk-samples-1600-epa-drinking-water-limits-18630/

Japan nuclear radiation in Phoenix Arizona milk samples show radioactive Iodine contamination levels up to 1600% above EPA drinking water limits. To make matters worse those contamination levels of radiation do not even include Caesium or other radioactive isotopes which were not even reported in the Arizona tests. An anonymous tip points me to Phoenix Arizona Japan Nuclear Radiation tests for radioactive Iodine-131 has been detected in milks samples at levels up to 1600% above federal EPA drinking water standards. These are the highest known levels of nuclear fallout in tests to date for Iodine radiation in any milk samples.

Link: http://farmwars.info/?p=5860

With help from the FDA and USDA, the biotech industry is set to completely take over our food supply with genetically modified ingredients, irrespective of the wishes of “we the people.” Through collusion, subterfuge, and a bit of back-door manipulation, Monsanto can write it’s own ticket with the U.S. Federal Government’s stamp of approval. If the rules get in the way, then change the rules, or at least their interpretation, to fit the situation.

Link: http://bellaciao.org/en/spip.php?article20716

Agidea Prata, the mother of Vittorio Arrigoni, the Italian activist and journalist killed in Gaza on Friday, said that she will be sailing to Gaza on May with the Free Gaza flotilla. Prata on Saturday told Italian news sources that “I want to see Gaza that my son loved and sacrificed for, I want to meet the good people living there that my son Vik always talked about”. She added that Vittorio work will go on though his friends.

Link: http://www.counterpunch.org/baker04202011.html

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced earlier this month that it was raising its overnight lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 1.25 percent. This is very bad news for people across the eurozone countries and possibly the rest of the world as well.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/04/20-5

In her book The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein demonstrates how wealthy elites often use times of crisis and chaos to impose unpopular policies that restructure economies and political systems to further advance their interests. She calls these orchestrated raids on the public sphere in the wake of catastrophic events, combined with the treatment of disasters as exciting market opportunities, “disaster capitalism.”

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/04/20-0

I recently returned from a visit of several days to an alternate universe: Canadian health care. As a physician who has practiced in the United States for 44 years, I have experienced many aspects of our health care system, including its terrible inequities. Although some Americans get very good health care, there are many who get little or none. Then there are others who get too much: tests, procedures and drugs that they don’t need. The whole system is fragmented, chaotic, inefficient and terribly expensive. We are not getting good value for our enormous expenditure on health care.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/04/20-12

"The unfortunate truth is we are likely to see more such disasters. The world has witnessed an unnerving history of nuclear accidents," he said at a conference, calling for a global debate on the safety of nuclear energy.

Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8462626/Energy-saving-light-bulbs-contain-cancer-causing-chemicals.html

Fears have been reignited about the safety of energy saving light bulbs after a group of scientists warned that they contain cancer causing chemicals. Scientists claim that several carcinogenic chemicals are released when energy saving light bulbs are switched on. Their report advises that the bulbs should not be left on for extended periods, particularly near someone’s head, as they emit poisonous materials when switched on. Peter Braun, who carried out the tests at the Berlin's Alab Laboratory, said: “For such carcinogenic substances it is important they are kept as far away as possible from the human environment.”

Link: http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/radiation-fallout-affects-food-safety/

“Dr. Robert J. Gilbert has a multi-faceted background in both spiritual and scientific studies. He is a former U.S. Marine Corps Instructor in Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Warfare Survival; since leaving the service in 1985 he has conducted independent research into the Geometric basis of modern science and new technologies…..”

Link: http://www.lewrockwell.com/maloney/maloney34.1.html

As I imagine everyone reading this will agree, the American empire our politicians have foisted on the world must be ended, and the sooner the better. The loss of life, the squandering of wealth and the inroads to our liberty engendered by their foolish quest to bring the world to heel all argue for it. Yet, nothing should be started without first thinking it through, and it must be realized that ending our empire brings with it a unique set of dangers. Specifically, we need to be wary about bringing onto our shores a large, standing army.

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/04/201142016514562449.html

Palestinian father demands justice for his wife and daughters killed in air attacks. Israel and Hamas have kept up a tentative truce, with Hamas fighters in Gaza halting rocket fire and the Israelis suspending their air raids. But the families of Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli air attacks are calling for justice. Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston speaks to the family of one of the victims.

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2011/04/201142016503942929.html

Unnamed US military official says drone programme will proceed with both sides to determine the way forward. The US will maintain its drone programme in Pakistan but the way forward will be determined by both sides, an unnamed US military official has said. The issue has been a bone of contention between the two nations, with some Pakistani officials calling for sharp cuts in drone attacks. "The [programme] is something that we have said we go ahead on. The question is how," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/04/2011420104533120290.html

One year after BP's Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, the number of lawsuits against the oil giant continues to mount. BP announced on June 1, 2010 that they were instituting a $20bn compensation fund to aid those affected by the oil spill, although residents complain they can't access the money. Ryan Lambert is enraged. The owner of a charter fishing business, he had always supported the oil industry in his home state of Louisiana. He previously trusted BP, and the rest of the oil industry, to do the right thing in case an accident happened. But not any more. "I'm seeing people starving to death and BP won't pay them," said Lambert. His business drop of 94 per cent in the last year has cost him more than $1.1mn, he told Al Jazeera, "They won't pay me, they owe me well over a million dollars just for last year, and all they do is send more papers to fill out."

Link: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2011/04/20/stranger-than-fiction#more10424

Contrary to what the Jewish-Zionist occupiers of Palestine are saying, the “Facts on the Ground” are all but a humanistic achievement. The most visible part of it, the criminal behavior, the sociopathic cruelty and violence, is there for everyone to see. This however stems from a total absence of empathy and compassion. This absence is what these sadistic occupiers of Palestine in fact do give evidence of.

Link: http://revolutionarypolitics.com/?p=5379

#1 According to the World Bank, 44 million people around the globe have been pushed into extreme poverty since last June because of rising food prices.

#2 The world is losing topsoil at an astounding rate. In fact, according to Lester Brown, “one third of the world’s cropland is losing topsoil faster than new soil is forming through natural processes”.

#3 Due to U.S. ethanol subsidies, almost a third of all corn grown in the United States is now used for fuel. This is putting a lot of stress on the price of corn.

Link: http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=24409

Many banks are insolvent, yet are allowed to stay in business. Being allowed to keep two sets of books is obscuring their real estate loan problems. This is the shadow inventory you sometimes hear about. Those millions of homes “that exist, but they don’t.” They presently admit to owning some 1 million homes they cannot sell, which is almost 25% higher than last year. If you put everything together you could be looking at an 8-year supply. Making matters worse lenders are holding homes on the books at values 40% higher than what they are worth. This is very similar to what is going on in Spain presently. We’ll say this one more time. Most major banks and some middle tier and small institutions are broke and you are being lied to regarding their condition.

Link: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dollar-hits-15month-low-cnnm-3322792671.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=

The dollar took a beating Wednesday, losing ground to a range of currencies, and falling to its lowest level against the euro in 15 months. And that's pretty much been the trend in recent months. At the start of the year, the euro was trading at $1.33 against the dollar, but has since surged to $1.45 against the beleaguered greenback.

Link: http://theintelhub.com/2011/04/20/radiation-fallout-from-japan-affects-food-safety-across-north-america/

“AREAS WHOSE FOOD PRODUCTS MAY NOW CARRY RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT

►The Entirety of the Northern Hemisphere around the world is affected by fallout, as well as the Pacific Ocean.
►Most Serious: Japan, Pacific Ocean, and Pacific Rim States

Link: http://enenews.com/highest-78-pcil-iodine-131-found-raw-milk-san-francisco-bay-area

JUST EAT ORGANIC!

Link: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/20/big-pharma-set-to-take-over-medical-marijuana-market/

Just as the federal government is clamping down on medical marijuana dispensaries, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) may be set to give Big Pharma the clearance to take over the market. In 2007, GW Pharmaceuticals announced that it partnered with Otsuka to bring "Sativex" -- or liquefied marijuana -- to the U.S. The companies recently completed Phase II efficacy and safety trials testing and began discussion with the FDA for Phase III testing. Phase III is generally thought to be the final step before the drug can be marketed in the U.S.

Link: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/20/paul-ryan-already-benefitted-from-the-social-security-fund-he-now-wants-to-gut/

Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP's most outspoken advocate for cutting and privatizing Social Security, has already benefited from Social Security himself, in the form of survivor benefits he received after his father's untimely death.

Link: http://www.truthout.com/fracking-blowout-causes-massive-spill-pennsylvania/1303282800

Thousands of gallons of potentially toxic hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," liquids spilled across pastures and into a stream in rural Pennsylvania early this morning, after a natural gas well suffered a blowout at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday night.

Link: http://socialistworker.org/2011/04/20/new-urgency-on-earth-day

The desire to stop the corporate assault on the environment is giving rise to activism. THE FIRST Earth Day was organized in 1970 in response to a period that had seen one ecological disaster after another. One of the most frightening had come the year before--the devastating Santa Barbara oil spill caused by a blowout on a Union Oil drilling platform just six miles off the coast of Southern California.

Link: http://dont-tread-on.me/beware-of-the-great-silver-correction/

There seems to be a big debate going on now about silver going up too far, too fast. Paper money traitors traders have tried to call the silver top all the way up and have had their heads handed to them by the market. Technical analysts have called for pull backs based off of some squiggly lines on their computer screens. Even Academy members, who get the idea of owning real physical silver, have been asking me about keeping some “powder dry” for the correction.

Link: http://www.opinion-maker.org/2011/04/us-the-kill-team/

The latest issue of German daily Der Spiegel and US journal Rolling Stone disclose an abominable and grotesque specter of psychopaths in the United States Army, who murder Afghans in cold blood and brandish their victims’ severed heads like hunting trophies. TheDer Spiegel story is aptly titled: ‘Das zweitte Abu Ghuraib’; while the Rolling Stone Op-Ed ‘The Kill Team: How U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan Murdered Innocent Civilian’ tells the same story.