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Vile, Filthy, Bloody, Dirty Wars
By David Swanson
Jeremy Scahill, author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army, has a new book that should be required reading for Congress members, journalists, war supporters, war opponents, Americans, non-Americans -- really, pretty much everybody. The new book is called Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield.
Of course, Scahill is not suggesting that the world should be a battlefield. He's reporting on how the Bush and Obama White Houses have defined and treated it as such.
The phrase "dirty wars" is a little less clear in meaning. Scahill is a reporter whose chronological narrative is gripping and revealing but virtually commentary-free. Any observations on the facts related tend to come in the form of quotations from experts and those involved. So, there isn't anywhere in the book that explicitly explains what a dirty war is.
Towards Understanding Global Peace: Warlords are Killing Mankind
Mahboob A. Khawaja, PhD
Global political affairs are a complex discipline and often require serious, critical and impartial mindset to see the man-made problems truthfully, objectively, rationally and dispassionately. The 21st century of hope for Peace is fast turning into a fraught history of highly sophisticated wars both on Earth and in Space poised to destroy the mankind. Previous wars of centuries were aimed at annihilation of political and economic enemies but the 21st century conflicts are ready-made recipes not only to eliminate the mankind but also the environment in which human beings survive and the planet Earth that sustains life. Given the strategic know-how and the scientific-technological developments, it is an established fact that any futuristic global warfare could end the very existence of man and humanity on this planet.
"They have no souls"
By Michael Collins
That's what Patricia Maisch of Arizona said about the United States Senators who failed to vote on legislation broadening background checks on gun purchasers. A majority of Senators were ready to vote in favor of the legislation but that's not how democracy works in the nation's capital. In order to have a simple majority vote, 60 out of 100 Senators need to vote against allowing a filibuster. Instead of majority rule, we have super majority rule. It's absurd and a nasty little inside the beltway trick but more on that later.
The legislation that stumbled and fell due to the super majority hurdle would have required expanded background checks for gun purchasers. If discovered in the background check, certain types of criminal records and serious mental illnesses would have denied the ability to purchase a weapon. The law is currently in place for weapons purchased at gun stores but not for those acquired at gun shows, conventions held all over the country where the seller is an exhibitor rather than a local business.
Post-Boston Bombings Fear-Mongering
by Stephen Lendman
On April 17, major media reported Obama and Senator Roger Wicker (R. MI) receiving letters containing suspicious substances.
FBI testing continues. Initial evaluations confirmed ricin. A subsequent statement reported "inconsistent results." Further analysis is being conducted.
Ricin is poisonous if inhaled, injected or ingested. It's deadliest if inhaled. It's potentially lethal. It's not contagious. There's no antidote.
Washington v. Venezuela
by Stephen Lendman
Longstanding US plans prioritize regime change. It's the oil, stupid! Venezuela has the world's largest reserves. It's a prize Washington covets. More on that below.
Post-election US-orchestrated destabilization continues. Venezuelans elected Nicolas Maduro president. The electoral process was scrupulously open, free and fair. The result is indisputable.
World leaders congratulated Maduro on his victory. Obama remains silent. On April 16, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventell alleged "outstanding voting irregularities."
America: Running Out of Time
By Timothy V. Gatto
I’m going to ask you to read this with an open mind. The hardest thing to do is to take our preconceived notions and ignore them. The fact is that every one of us is steeped in preconceived notions and faulty belief systems. Writing for a progressive audience doesn’t mean that the average reader is “open-minded”. In fact, there are just as many progressives and liberals that tend to have as many rigidly held beliefs as our more conservative cousins.
I have a few concerns that seem to dominate my thoughts more than others. I’m going to keep these to a minimum as I could probably fill volumes if I let myself have free reign. Since I’m not writing a book here, I’ll just bring out those things that I see as the most important stumbling blocks to the success of our American culture.
Two Obamas, Two Classes Of Children
By Ralph Nader
The lifeless bodies of Afghan children lay on the ground before their funeral ceremony, after a NATO airstrike
killed several Afghan civilians, including ten children - Sunday, April 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Naimatullah Karyab)
An Associated Press photograph brought the horror of little children lying dead outside of their home to an American Audience. At least 10 Afghan children and some of their mothers were struck down by an airstrike on their extended family household by order of President Barack Obama. He probably decided on what his aides describe as the routine weekly “Terror Tuesday” at the White House. On that day, Mr. Obama typically receives the advice about which “militants” should live or die thousands of miles away from drones or aircraft. Even if households far from war zones are often destroyed in clear violation of the laws of war, the president is not deterred.
Anti-Zionism Not Anti-Semitism
by Stephen Lendman
Ronnie Fraser heads The Academic Friends of Israel (AFI). According to its mission statement, it was established to "fight the academic boycott of Israel and all other forms of anti-Semitism in the UK and the International academic and scientific arenas."
In 2011, Fraser sued Britain's University and College Union (UCU). He did so on anti-Semitism grounds. As a member, he claimed its "degrading, humiliating and offensive environment" harms Jewish members.
Its policies "violate his dignity." They breach Britain's Equality Act, he alleged. "In simple terms," he said, "the UCU is not a place that is hospitable to Jews."
His lawyer, Anthony Julius added:
"My client has had enough. He believes that the UCU's conduct, over so many years now, has limited his options to either resigning or suing. He has chosen to sue."
Marathon Terror: Homegrown or State-Sponsored?
by Stephen Lendman
Boston's marathon is the modern world's oldest. It's the best known. It's an annual tradition. It's been held since 1897. It's one of six World Marathon Majors.
Thousands of runners participate. Professionals and amateurs compete. Hundreds of thousands of spectators watch it. They do so throughout its 26.2 mile route.
In 1996, a 62-year old Swedish participant died of a heart attack. In 2002, a young woman runner succumbed to hyponatremia.
Destabilizing Venezuela
by Stephen Lendman
On April 14, Venezuelans elected Nicolas Maduro president. He won fair and square. It's official. A nationally televised Monday ceremony announced it.
Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles cried foul. He called Maduro "illegitimate." He refuses to recognize election results. He demands a recount. He wants "every vote" counted. National Electoral Council (CNE) president Tibisay Lucena responded.
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