Link: http://socialistworker.org/2011/08/25/rule-of-the-minority

The deal on the debt ceiling accomplished the opposite of what most Americans want, according to polls. Why is a vocal minority dominating mainstream politics? ►A stake in the heart of the welfare state ►Apologists for austerity

Link: http://dont-tread-on.me/btfd-silver-shields-final-warning/

One year ago marked the beginning of silver returning to it’s rightful role as money in the world. One year ago silver was at $17.76 an ounce after a very long and drawn out consolidation that went all the way back to St. Patrick’s Day 2008. One year ago was the beginning of silver’s breathtaking run to almost $50 an ounce, a 178% return. Even today, despite the massive paper attack in May and the last two days, we are still up 104% year over year.

Link: http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/gilad-atzmon-the-flag-and-the-penis.html

The Daily Mail reported this week that young Paul Donnachie was found to have acted in a racially aggravated manner when he defiled an Israeli flag in a supposed political protest.

Link: http://rt.com/news/russia-democracy-senator-mccain-091/

"Russia needs democracy just like Libya does" - Senator McCain. US Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain has lashed out at Russia, saying it could be the next country to experience a Libya-style uprising. McCain is sure that the Arab Spring will rage on and will make it to countries like China and Russia, which according to him “need democracy” just as Libya does.

Link: http://www.truthout.com/new-wikileaks-cables-show-us-diplomats-promote-genetically-engineered-crops-worldwide/1314303978

Dozens of United States diplomatic cables released in the latest WikiLeaks dump on Wednesday reveal new details of the US effort to push foreign governments to approve genetically engineered (GE) crops and promote the worldwide interests of agribusiness giants like Monsanto and DuPont.

Link: http://youtu.be/7mo8b3M4QBc

Libyans Are Fighting NATO Troops

Link: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28943.htm

With Gaddafi at large, a guerrilla war eroding the new powers is inevitable. Doomed always to fight the last war, we are recommitting the same old sin in Libya.

Link: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28939.htm

A more severe crash than the one triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers could be on the way, according to alarm signals in the credit markets. "The Guardian" - -Insurance on the debt of several major European banks has now hit historic levels, higher even than those recorded during financial crisis caused by the US financial group's implosion nearly three years ago.

Link: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article28937.htm

CARACAS, Venezuela—Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that Libya's crisis is just beginning with the fall of Moammar Gadhafi's government. Chavez has been a staunch defender of Gadhafi throughout the conflict, and he condemned NATO airstrikes and killings of civilians. "The drama of Libya isn't ending with the fall of Gadhafi's government. It's beginning," Chavez said. "The tragedy in Libya is just beginning."

Link: http://bellaciao.org/en/spip.php?article21134

In the 19th year of the war, the states of the US-UK-Germany war alliance are facing bankruptcy. Yet, instead of transforming the military-industrial complex into a peace economy and making the economic power serve the people, the wars are carried on, even extended – and states like Switzerland are attacked, in order to raise money for the empty war chest. Instead of following the guidelines of international law, the belligerent states always follow the same pattern:

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/08/25-2

So-called “business as usual” is neither sustainable, nor even possible, for much longer. Out-of-control energy corporations, Wall Street, the Pentagon, agribusiness/biotech corporations, and indentured politicians have driven us to the brink. They tell us: don’t worry; trust the experts, things will soon return to “normal.” But reality and common sense tell a different story.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/08/25-11

With housing prices dropping sharply [1], and foreclosure filings against more than 1 million properties [2] in the first half of this year, the Obama administration is scrambling for ways to help homeowners. A representative from Bank of America meets with homeowner Alysa Cerisier, right, to discuss mortgage modifications at a workshop on Aug. 25, 2011, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) One place they won't be looking: An estimated $30 billion from the bailout that was slated to help homeowners but is likely to remain unspent.

Link: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/and-meantime-fax-flash-crashes?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29

While Buffett is forced to bailout America's most insolvent bank, which just confirmed our prediction that it will need to raise capital (although this capital raise was far lass than what will be finally needed), Europe has realized that it has no kindly-looking, ukulele-playing, no-income-tax-paying billionaire equivalent to bailout Intesa, SocGen, UniCredit, etc, etc, oh, and tomorrow, the short-selling bank is supposed to expire. End result: DAX flash crashes, and no rebound yet.

Link: http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/201182114309779831.html

Ten years after September 11th, human rights flounder in the United States but flourish in the Middle East. Since September 11th, the United States and the Arab world have traveled a treacherous road together. Where they have arrived after ten years sets them apart. In the US, the embrace of human rights as a defining value and ideal worthy of considerable sacrifice is gradually fading, while the Arab world is in the midst of a rights revolution.