The Weather Report: 07-27-2010
All the news that was fit to print
This is an opinionated blog of news commentary; archives are available!


"The time is always right to do what is right" Martin Luther King
"Last time people listened to a bush they wound up wandering in a desert for 40 years!" Joe Kmel
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Benjamin Franklin
From Dan:

Welcome to my "blog-like" report. Please find the nearly done daily
Daily Reports for your "news fix" . Below that, find the The News Archive, which began on the first day of this year. Below that are links to The Second News Archive'. which take you to back to those thrilling days of 2001, through the incompetency of G.W. Bush and onward through those sorrowful years.

If you'd like to know why this is done or some other basics: Why did I make this?Oh, and if ribald satire is your suit, then check out the "Songs of Bush" you'll have some fun if you do. For a grand vision of a political platform and papers on specific issues: see Political Solutions from the Planetary People's Party

The Nearly Daily Updates from the past 10 days or so!
(Click for prior stories
07/27/10:

Aarti Shahani updates us on the arguments Obamasan is offering in Arizona regarding its controversial immigration regulation. (072710a)

From the BBC we hear more about how the Iraq war was not justified on the grounds then being hailed as reason for it, i.e. weapons of mass destruction. (072710b)

From Aljazeera we hear about the "money mess" in Iraq. Yet another tale of billions of dollars unaccounted for. This problem has been around since the inception of the invasion and plagued the occupation despite the number of times it was said to be "cleaned up" (072710c)

Spengler reports on the shaky realm that is Pakistan. It seems everyone has an interest in propping it up even as corruption, double-dealing, poverty and various insurgencies rot away the "body-politic" (072710d)

From Robert Reich we have an analysis of a few basic facts to indicate how corporate profits have become decoupled from job increases. GM is cited as a particular egregious example of a company that took government money with the presumption that jobs would be created, but instead jobs went overseas and profits came home. (072710e)

Aljazeera has a report on the Israeli demolition of a Bedouin village. The method used stands in stark contrast to the methods employed when, on rare occasion, Israel makes a show of removing a settler outpost. (072710f)

From the AP we have a report of an oil leak in China. They don't seem to handle theirs any better than we handled ours, theirs was smaller, of course, but the article paints a similar portrait of incompetence. (072710g)

07/26/10

Steve Clemons gives us a review of the status quo of the "bomb or not bomb" Iran question. The status quo has been holding for some time now and, well, in my humble opinion only Israel or Iran itself can realistically change the calculus. (072610f)

Reuters gives us a bit of good news a rebound in new US homes. However the headline trumpets a reading of the story indicates, at best, a mixed picture of a "recovery". (072610a)

From Reuters, Washington DC we hear something of the Wikileaks of Afghan war documents. (072610b) The sampling does not surprise, and perhaps, for me, that is not surprising.: Ray McGovern gives us some perspective on the leaks. (072610c)

Marjorie Cohn reports on John "the jackass" McStain's recent comment regarding Iraq: "We Already Won That One". Unbelievable? Yes, but that what the "maverick" us all about. Maybe he's just off his meds? (072610d)

Dahr Jamail reports on BP's clean up efforts and guess what: workers get sick, lied to, shorted on pay checks, have poor morale and work with ineffective equipment. Somebody is making money though. (072610e)

07/25/10:

Teymoor Nabili has it that Mr. "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran has his idea getting a boost. (072510b) http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article26007.htm Jamal Abdi reports on a Rethuglican effort to get support for a resolution supporting Israel's use of force against Iran. (072510a)

Rinku Sen gives us a take on the Andrew Breitbart - Shirley Sherrod imbroglio. Mr. B got an uptick in ratings, Ms. S. got fired. The reichwing echo chamber took a heavily edited film clip and spread it like wildfire, much as the ACORN film clip was. ACORN is still knocked out, S is still fired. (072510c)

Jason Mark reports on what some are offering as a solution to global warming: geoengineering. This means using artificial means to regulate the globe's temperature. Interesting thought but there are problems not the least of which is getting global cooperation, which if that was possible, we'd have some other solution by now. (072510d)

Mel Frykberg reports on how Israel is garnering funds donated in the US to charitable causes to support their illegal settlements in the West Bank. Naturally the Palestinians are not happy with this. Now some half million settlers are in place despite a number of UN resolutions. (072510e)

From the Institute for War and Peace Reporting staff we hear of Turkmenistan's harvest, a good crop too, according to the figures. However the figures are soft and the farmers, caught in bureaucracy have either bad or worse choices. (072510f)

07/23/10:

Sara Kennedy talks about how BP, in the presence of a massive blow out gusher, denied that the oil beneath the surface came from the well, well they have been proven wrong. (072310a) From the Rachael Maddow show we understand that one way BP is handling the "science problem" is to go about hiring every scientist they can so that when trials come they'll be ineligible to testify - nice. (072310b)

By Pete Spotts we hear that the first half of this year has been the hottest six month period on record. Not in every place but still. (072310c)

Janan Abdu writes about a man imprisoned for legal actions. Problem is/was he is a Palestinian inside of Israel. Hillary Clinton is quoted throughout the article, lovely bits too, very much worth the read. (072310d)

Abubakar Siddique and Abdul Hai Kakar report on what is going on in Pakistan? Balochistan, one of its largest regions, which is also its poorest is in the midst of another violent attempt at secession. Other players are in the field as well. (072310)

07/22/10:

Bernd Debusmann talks about the "big lies" that infect any debate in the US. Sarah Palin's "death panels" being both recent and extreme, but as the "public" debate for immigration reform heats up expect more of the same, if not from "old pumphouse" herself then some other reich wing nut job in an aluminum foil beanie. (072210i)

Frank Joseph Smecker reports on how the US kills its workers, one way or another. OSHA plays a role as do other agencies meant to "serve the workers" (072210d)

Turkey and Iran agree to the building of a pipeline. Meanwhile the US and the world's sanctions regime against Iran make this a newsworthy event. One wonders. (072210a)

From the BBC we hear of an algal bloom in the Baltic Sea. This is said to be an annual event but this years is more threatening and warming temperature is listed as a reason for its severity. (072210b

Gary Leupp reports on "how we got into the Afghanistan War. (072210c)

Jayati Ghosh shows us how the IMF "works wonders" in Hungary. The people fed up with one government voted it out, because of how it bowed to the IMF, the new boss proved to be the same as the old boss however, and more is wanted. It seems, as in most of the world, the cry is "save the banks and the rich" bust down on the workers, the poor and those who are public servants. (072210e) From the AP we hear that the pace of bank failures in the US has topped 100 as business and development loans founder on the rough economic shoreline. (072210g)

William Rivers Pitt lets us in on what "dog whistle politics" is. You should know. Ordinary speech laced with "code" or "trigger" words meant to deliver messages that only a few truly hear. Tea Party is full of this sort of thing. (072210f)

From the Atlantic Wire we have a set of briefs concerning the sovereignty of some "islands" in the South China sea and the US interest in that area. (072210h)

07/19 - 07/21:

Scott Thill The picture for retirement is real good, if 2K is your idea of a "nest egg" (072110a) David Scrota reports on what "controversial" means when it comes to choosing someone to safeguard the financial systems of this country, that word means someone who threatens to make changes that favor the customer over the corporation. (072110i) From Robert Reich we hear that although we are not in a double dip recession/depression, he thinks we are in a 1.5 recession/depression. One wonders what it will take before some action is taken - well, action that means something. (072110j)

Mike Ludwig the Rethuglicans wanted to filibuster unemployment extensions but were beaten back by one vote. (072110b) William Rivers Pitt reports on the Rethuglican "strategy" to win in November: make as much a mess as possible and blame the Damnocraps. (072110c) it must look good on paper to someone.

Henry Fountain, reports that the BP well may have some seepage in areas close to the well. (072110d) Al Hart has us traipse through BP's colorful past and what this all has to do with Iran, Nazis, the CIA, Eisenhower, the Cold War and more. (072110e)

Stephen F. Rohde gives us a briefing on Habeas Corpus and allows one to understand how it can apply to Guantanamo. (072110f)

Gareth Porter talks about the Iranian scientist, or pawn, Amiri, who, it is said, did not give the CIA what it wanted, proof, or some such, of Iranian nuclear bomb ambitions. (072110g) H.P. Albarelli Jr. and Zoe Martell talk about the CIA and its "investigations" which included experiments using contagious diseases to explore the use of biological weaponry or the defense against such. Unwitting persons were used and there could well have been deaths. (072110h)

07/18/10:

Ian Fletcher talks about the global economy and looking into some simple facts comes to the surprising conclusion that it is not all it is touted as being. (071610d)

Nichole Sobecki reports on the continuing issues between Turkey and Israel as fall out from the famed flotilla continues. (071810c)

Dahr Jamail and Erika Blumenfeld the BP well is capped but there is a worrisome hint, the pressure at the cap is not as high as expected, as it should be, the thought is that, perhaps, the oil is venting elsewhere now. (071810b)

From Reuters we have the word that 2010 is the hottest on record, though the year is not out yet. Some drought stats are given indicating that some parts of the US have recovered. (071810a)

07/17/10:

Saransh Sehgal provides context for the talks between India and the Tibetan government in exile. Tibet, it seems, is a card to play in the shifting "dialogues" between Beijing and Delhi. (071710a)

Robert Fisk reports on the efficacy with which Israel's long reach takes out those who proffer any opinion from the vantage of any public position that is critical of Israel. From Obama on down the influence is undeniable just as it is understood. So what DO we stand for? (071710b)

Elizabeth McNichol, Phil Oliff and Nicholas Johnson provide an easy to comprehend set of charts and writing which portrays the budgetary problems of the 50 states, Nevada, the worst, has about a 50% shortfall in its upcoming budget for example. (071710c) And here we see some other interesting stats for the nation. Depressing even if understandable. (071710d) Joseph Pisani provides some stats to show that living closer to the bone is on the rise, even amongst those with six figure incomes. (071710e)

07/16/10:

From Robert Reich's blog of 7.16.10 we see how the financial reform package touted by Obama and others has a lot of language but not a lot of reform the basic structure of the industry, Glass-Steagal Act, derivatives and more are set to stay as they were. While the economy sheds jobs to overseas via imports. (071610a)

Jon Jensen reports on an off shore oil spill in the Red Sea. The government issued contradictory reports and no one seemed to know anything as the company, thought to be involved said they knew nothing. (071610b)

David Lightman illustrates Rethuglican "thinking" The deficit is the issue when it comes to 33 billion in unemployment benefits but not when some trillions of dollars of tax cuts are to stay in place. (071610c) Nice letters. Here is the same article but with a different set of interesting letters (071610d)

Jason Leopold reports on the legal opinions given to the CIA, amongst others, regarding torture techniques. Let's just say the CIA, and others, seemed to have had their own take on the opinions and went "their own way" (071610e)

From Media Matters we have, finally, the overview of the Faux (Fox) News News cycle: 1. Right-wing bloggers, talk radio hosts, and other conservative media outlets start promoting and distorting the story; 2, Fox News picks up the story and gives it heavy, one-sided coverage; 3, Fox News and conservative media attack the "liberal media" for ignoring the distorted story; 4, Mainstream media outlets eventually cover the story, echoing the right-wing distortions; 5, Fox News receives credit for promoting the story and 6, The story is later proven to be false or wildly misleading, long after damage is done. Plus they give examples (071610f)

07/15/10:

Mehdi Jedinia the Iranian aid ship that was to be sent to Gaza was not. Here is a take on just why that was. (071510a)

Elisabeth Bumiller takes us back to the Gulf Of Tonkin resolution and notes that, at the time, there were considerable doubts in the Senate concerning the truth of the matter, but such doubts were not investigated. (071510b)

Justin Raimondo gives us an update on the Iranian scientist who was or was not kidnapped, is or is not a nuclear scientists, knows or does not know about Iran's programs, did or did not provide intelligence to the US, was or was not tortured, was or was not allowed to freely return to Iran and was or was not part of a US intel plan to help ramp up the perception of Iran's nuclear ambitions. (071510c)

Regarding the US contention that "we do not kidnap" we have this article from Wikipedia. (071510d)

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reporting for the BBC tells of Russia's heat wave and its effects on crops - another "chaotic" large scale weather event. (071510e)

07/14/10:

From Reuters we hear about the risk to millions of Americans as the Senate debates extending unemployment benefits and pinpoints the suffering with some examples (071410a) David Lightman gives more information on the distribution of unemployment and why the Senate is being so slow about "doing anything" (071410b) Mike Whitney talks about the overall strategy of the Federal Reserve (071410g)

Matthew Brown and Ramit Plushnick-Masti discuss the effects the BP spill is having on the ecological web on the Gulf. (071410c) Vern Radul if all the "happy talk" about the BP well is not enough for you, then you can read this and see the real worst case scenario. (071410d) Mike Ludwig a oil well blow out in Pennsylvania was nearly a headline generating problem due to corporate errors and poor oversight. (071410i)

Tom Melle gives us a report that Fidel Castro is saying that a war on Iran is immanent - apparently he thinks it could ramp up any day now. (071410e)

Michael Reynolds brings us coverage or rather illumination of the American right-wing Christian movement (ARWCM) that is playing a role in the "development' of Kurdistan. The volatile mix in a volatile area being done in a volatile manner gets heavy support from the US in various ways. The Kurds take what they can from the deal as do the ARWCM - both think they are "getting over" it seems to me. (071410f)

Rachel Maddow has us going back to Katrina and what turned out to be lying, murdering police in action caught and now confessing to it all. (071410h)

07/13/10:

Henry A. Giroux talks about the "disappearing intellectual" in the mix of cacophony that public dialogue on "issues of the day" (071310a) Robert Reich gives us some basic "facts of the field" to explain how we got to be in this mess and why it may be a good long while before we "get out of it". (071310b) Ellen Brown gives us an overview of what I call the larger "climatic changes" that have effected what may be called the "economic ecology" of the US to the detriment of the individual fauna, as it were. (071310c)

Dahr Jamail and Erika Blumenfeld take us to Barataria, one time pirate hold of legend and now a place where the toxic effects of the BP disaster are in "full bloom" (071310d)

Jian Junbo adds to the recent information about China's burgeoning interest and proprietary interest in the seas near and about its long shoreline. (071310e)

From Aljazeera we hear of an Afgan soldier killing several Ghurkas. (071310f)

From the BBC we get an update that the aid ship from with Libyan connections is approaching Gaza. Later articles said that Israel was preparing to intercept and that the ship had turned toward Egypt. (071310g)

07/12/10:

Scott Horton: interviews Colonel Wilkerson regarding the operations at Guantanamo concerning why the prisoners there were not all that important in any way - and how this "problem" was massaged by the Bushite revisionistas (071210a)

From The Telegraph comes a brief which indicates the depth and heights to which the lying about Iraq, pre-invastion, sunk or rose to. (071210b)

Randy Boswell talks about the shrinkage of the Arctic ice sheet. (071210c) From Margaret Munro we have a counter balancing story which reports on a new method of assessing the state of the Arctic ice cover. (071210d)

Michael Winship reports on how the wealthy deal in housing, seems they know best when to beat out on a loan (071210e) Meanwhile, Alissa Figueroa, reports on how "ordinary folks" who did everything right are faring. Not well it seems. (071210f)

Joshua Mitnick reports on the latest personage sending a ship of aid to Gaza, hint it has to do with Libya (071210g)

Sudha Ramachandran reports on rising unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, other articles have reported Al Qaida wants a hand here, as do others with their agendas. India has reacted by sending in the army. (071210h)

07/11/10:

Robert Gavin illustrates what it is like to "stare down a depression" Could our congress be any more ineffective? While the answer is yes, the people still suffer. (071110a) Seth Freed Wessler reports on race and the recession, a few salient figures in the article introduce the case but the story exemplifying the condition is detailed enough for sympathy (071110c) James K. Galbraith proposes something of a cure at least for the banking crisis: rule of law. How about that? And the article contains a nutshell review of the crisis: its beginnings, its "flowering", how Obama missed the boat and how, still, there may be hope (071110b) David Sirota talks about the debate concerning how tax rates relate to economic growth. He points out instances where higher tax rates had better economic growth as well as occurrences of the opposite. My contention is that tax policy was not the sole determining factor in the cases cited. So??? (071110g)

Anthony DiMaggio reports on how the US and Israel are nuclear partners and the NPT seems to be brushed aside, even if quietly and confidently (071110d)

Mark Weisbrot talks about the "issues" the US "leadership" has with democracy in South America and how, down there, success has come to those who "share the wealth" (071110e)

Maggie Fox reports on a potential breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS. (071110f)

Jim Lobe reports on what is the "usual" these days, a report on the drumbeat for an attack on Iran. (071110h)

Chan Akya reports on what is happening with European banks. It seems their system is the exact opposite of that of the US, where we have mega corporations they have, overall, small individual institutions. (071110i)

07/09/10:

Joe Conason talks about what is called "conventional wisdom" the essence of this article is that in unconventional times or during similar conditions is "conventional" what is wanted? (070910b)

China seems to have its own way of viewing North Korea and that is to say it seems to be using it as a pawn in the regional struggle with the US and its allies. One would be excused for guessing such in any event. (070910c0)

William J. Astore writes about seven issues and cures for the rampant US militarism; you know it is always nice to see that there are solutions being thought of however unlikely it is that any will be implemented. (070910d)

Mark Seibel talks about how the effort to UNDO BP's error is going. Maybe by mid-August we could see some results. We shall see what we shall see. (070910e)

Mark Thompson reports on the US Navy presence changing up the mix in the oceanic regions near and about China (070910a)

07/08/10:

Joseph Y Lin looking at recent changes in how China budgets resources and promotes its military personnel gives us clues to China's plans for the mid term future. I think it does spell "Blue Water Navy" (070810a) Peter J Brown reports on a more active Chinese navy than many may assume it is (070810b)

David Ray Griffin talks about 9/11 and focuses on the "left wing" of the "denial school" who believe in all the government's "miracle stories". (070810c)

Patrik Jonsson reports on how the "climate gate" scandal of last year played out. It seems the science of global warming is fine but the behavior of some of its proponents is not. Not though the media back then and now will portray it that way. (070810d)

Anne McClintock reports on the implications of the militarization of the language being used to describe the BP disaster. Salient points are that the relief well is being drilled, since two weeks after the blowout, it says; the wide range of the estimates of just how much oil IS flowing and how difficult it is to actually cover the scene, take pictures now that, as stated in other articles, one has to have permission to approach clean up sites, do fly overs and more, thanks Obamawan Nobody. (070810e)

The News Archive: January 01, 2010 to the current week or so


News of the "Great" War ... Europe's News

Muddle East News, Central Theater: Palestine
Muddle East News: Western Theater: Egypt, Kurdistan, Turkey
Greater Islamic Region: East: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
News from Africa and the Sub Sahara Theater
Greater Asia Islamic Theater News: China, India, Russia, and the South East

Pacific and Australian News
News from the land south of the Ol' Rio Grande
It's not nice to fool Mother Nature .... The future in the News!
The legacy: News of America's "selection of 2000" "Repuglicans" and Obama

Economics 101 in the News ..... News of Hope! .... News from our "storied" Past

(
Click here for prior years)



News from the "Great" War:

(Author's note: The term teh "Great" War originally referred to Bush's Global War On Terror, G.W.O.T. Now It is beginning to include the other war news based upon the notion that the US should maintain complete superiority over all possible contenders and prevent any potential rival from becoming an actual one. Something the Bushites made specific and which, it seems, has carried on. 07/27/10)

Jim Lobe reports on what is the "usual" these days, a report on the drumbeat for an attack on Iran. (071110h)

Regarding the US contention that "we do not kidnap" we have this article from Wikipedia. (071510d)

Scott Horton: interviews Colonel Wilkerson regarding the operations at Guantanamo concerning why the prisoners there were not all that important in any way - and how this "problem" was massaged by the Bushite revisionistas (071210a)

Sudha Ramachandran reports on rising unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, other articles have reported Al Qaida wants a hand here, as do others with their agendas. India has reacted by sending in the army. (071210h)

William J. Astore writes about seven issues and cures for the rampant US militarism; you know it is always nice to see that there are solutions being thought of however unlikely it is that any will be implemented. (070910d)

David Ray Griffin talks about 9/11 and focuses on the "left wing" of the "denial school" who believe in all the government's "miracle stories". (070810c)

Mark Thompson reports on the US Navy presence changing up the mix in the oceanic regions near and about China (070910a)

From the AFP we hear that European nations are still relying on torture for their Intel. This makes for good PR with the world at large. (063010b)

Glenn Greenwald reports on the growing list of US citizens on the US governments assassination list. Interesting thought that (062710e)

Andrew Fowler The "WikiLeak" story keeps on thrillin' but we're waitin' on the Killin' (062410b)

Ira Chernus reports on the movement of US and Israeli naval units through the Suez canal. Iran says it is sending a pair of ships carrying relief to Gaza and Egypt says they'll let them pass, so what is a country to do? One wonders if this will result in the spark, at long last, that sets larger fires ablaze. (062210d)

From Reuters we hear that the SCOTUS has judged an anti-terror bill constitutional despite its conflicts with the first amendment. (062110a)

Jack Khoury reports on the movement of US and Israeli naval vessels through the Suez. (062010b) Protesters were kept off by the Egyptian military.

Allan Lengel gives us to understand that the Us govt. case against the "Times Square bomber" now states specifically that the Taliiban are involved. (061910a)

Amy Goodman reports on a Canadian who has had a run in with US extraordinary rendition "proceedings". Apparently things went awry from the beginning, well, even before the beginning really, and the upshot is that the Canadian man gets 11 million and change for compensation and Canada is looking to take action against those who "goofed up" in the US. (061610b)

Philip Shenon tells of a "secret cache of a quarter of a million "sensitive state department memos" that may be released by a whistle blower who is world renown. (061210c)

Stephen Maher has a piece on US foreign policy in the Middle East. The theme is that US power is waning, being challenged or countered, betimes successfully. The status quo, in existence as long as Israel, is breaking down. (060610a)

Peter Finn and Jerry Markon report on the trend of US citizens going overseas to join "terrorist" groups. (060710d)

Gareth Porter gives us more on the Brazil to Turkey to Iran nuclear fuel swap and how this may well shake things up a bit (053010c) and Steve Hynd reports the evidence that the plan had approval from Obamawankenobi but now it does not, the proof is in a letter published for the public. But not up here of course. (053010d)

Dilip Hiro provides support for the theory that the US century, begun so recently, is now over. (053010e)

John Nichols reports on a congressional move which will make clear the cost of a never ending war. (052510a)

Robert Naiman According to this the deal between Turkey and Brazil to assist Iran in a nuclear plan had Obama's go ahead. But, "Whoosh" it be gone an sheeeit". So US media coverage is made to fit the 180 degree turn of Obama and they go so far as to clean pages posted on the web. (052510d) Mark Weisbrot of The Center for Economic and Policy Research talks about how this plan is, in and of itself, a kind of threat to Obamasan and his crew. Yes, I've had a change of heart regarding "Da Masa- 'bamawankenobi" as my friend, "Fiteecent" has it (052510e)

Kathy Kelly and Joshua Brollier, drones and democracy - what details we, as US citizens do not know, about the strikes is causing a build up in pressure for "blow back" (052310a)

H.P. Albarelli Jr. and Jeffrey Kaye give an overview of "torture, American Style" a tour of the programs initiated in the early 50's up to the present date, also we get some coverage of a lying bastard who is "whitewashing" the worst of the events and who, of course, has "legitimacy" in the eyes of the media and so forth and so on. (052310b)

Chris Hedges reports on the "little Eichmans" in our world. How wonderful, a cute name for something so awful. (051710b)

Gareth Porter demonstrates yet another instance where US policy regarding Iran is, well, going nowhere. All while rhetoric, reported in other articles, is ramped up. (052010b)

David Sirota a brief reiteration of the notion that the New York Times Square bombing attempt was just a matter of blow back. (051410c)

from the BBC we hear of the latest US effort to defend Israel against its enemies. How wonderful. It is pathetic and, ultimately, self defeating but no one is going to be realizing that for some time to come. (051410d)

Barbara Plett reports on the changing perception of the Arab world regarding Iran's nuclear program - the brouhaha raised by the US has Iran's neighbors reconsidering Israel's weapons and programs and a 1995 accord calling for a nuclear free middle east, which the US endorsed. (051310e) Nice stuff to have in the "mix" of the debate, no?

Robert Dreyfuss has it that while the "big issue" in the US, regarding Iran is how to put more sanctions in place, the authors of the legislation and promoters of the effort agree that they won't really work, which is to say result in Iran changing its mind about what it is doing. So the question becomes "Well, why then is the US pursuing this means?" (050710d)

Alex Rodriguez provides coverage of the emerging tale of connections between the "Times Square, would be, Bomber and Pakistan. (050610e) Yana Kunichoff reports on this story, and some others, including a famous dimwad, Limpdick Lieberman who, it seems, has taken leave of his senses, such as they may have been, and inspiration, if after a fashion, from Arizona and proposed stripping citizenship from those accused of terrorism in the US. (050610f)

Ray McGovern talks about the talk revving up the US for war with Iran, the comparison is made to the efforts that led to Iraq; and we know how successful that has been. (050610a) Philip Giraldi goes a bit farther and offers prognostication: he thinks action on Iran will take place before August of 2010. (050610b) Scott Peterson then chimes in with another analysis of whether or not Iran stands in violation of the NPT, clearly the issue is not completely clear cut, but essentially they've been compliant, more so than Israel or Pakistan, US allies in the region. (050610c)

Francis Shor talks about how the war against terrorism needs to come home, indeed, should come home. (050510d)

Re the "Great War" Jeremy Scahill reports on an the over exposure of Blackwater's Erik Prince - keep in mine, while reading this, that he is influential and "can do things" Talk about "through a glass darkly" (050410a)

From Spengler at AToL we have a report on the Magic General Petraeus who has milking his "surge success" by attempting to duplicate it in Afghanistan and in the West Bank. Only time will tell how soon it all comes acropper but he already has a "fall guy" and Israel can't do a thing about it. (050310d) You'll want to read part one of the story first I guess (050310e)

From Reuters we see mention of the first car bomb attempt being foiled because of a food vendor's tip. The bomb would have gone off in Times Square when it was crowded; could have caused havoc. No one is bragging about it yet; I guess we'll have to wait until one goes off - then we'll get some coverage. (050210c)

From the Christian Science Monitor we see some coverage of the upcoming deadline for decision regarding the sanctioning of gasoline imports into Iran. Only a naval blockade could do that and that, my dear friends, is an act of war. (042510d)

Victor Kotsev reports that the US warms to strike on Iran. Whether it is all "smoke and mirrors" or rumor mongering with a purpose the tensions on the rise and rumors have the run of the news coming out of the region. (042510b)

Sami Moubayed reports on the SCUD affair, it seems that despite doubts as to verity, the "story" can stand and be very useful, if, as many fear, it will be used as an escuse for a new war in the Middle East (042510a)

Nicholas C. Arguimbau reports on: The Imminent Crash Of The Oil Supply What Iis Going To Happen And Why Weren't We Forewarned (042310a)

Congressman Ron Paul's statement in the US House of Representatives regarding HR 2194 the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act spoken on April 22, 2010 (042310b) Les and Wars

William Pfaff reports on Lies and Wars (042310c)

Michael Gass presents some speculation as to why the US "fears" a nuclear Iran. (042110a)

COHA Research Associate María Gabriela Egas reports on the annual human rights brouhaha prompted by the report issued by the US which points fingers every-which-way but home. (042110b)

Dr. Matthew Feldman talks about that "leaked tape" where US service personnel are heard laughing and cracking wise as the machines they control, some thousands of miles away slaughter innocents. (041910c)

Deepa Kumar wonders if we have a "green scare" meaning of Muslim peoples being promoted. I am to young to remember the "red scare" but the parallel begin drawn is interesting enough to consider. (041710g)

William Fisher talks about an individual caught up in the GWOT as the "great jackass" Bush was called it. The man, a US citizen, has been imprisoned for years without trial and, really, without much of a cause, yet ... there he remains. (041510d)

Grant Smith thanks to this article we have some idea of where Israel got its nuclear materials from, they were Made In The USA! (041510g) Ben Smith if you ever doubted the power of the "Israeli Lobby" in the US, this letter should put the doubt to rest. (041510h) and add to that this, a posting on the ICH website, interesting list of military figures who've visited Israel. (041510i)

J. Sri Raman, writes about the Mumbai terrorist attack and you know you read this story and you have to ask, well, I THOUGHT this guy was on OUR side? You have to wonder WTF is up with all this? (041410d)

Tom Engelhardt talks about hubris and an "Olympian perspective" have skewered the "humanity" of the US effort in Afghanistan. Thus atrocities that are not named as such occur daily and are working against whatever our efforts are in that forsaken land. (041410b)

Terry Macalister reports from the Guardian that the US military is becoming concerned about "peak oil", once the stuff of nut cases and odd ball web sites. The current price run up may only be greed, according to other articles I've not cited, but the limit may be real enough now. (041210c)

Alexander Cockburn reports on the murderous cover-ups that caused a bit of shit to hit the proverbial fan.Murder for hire by the US in Iraq (041110c)

Jason Leopold reports on the "worst of the worst" As Bush and Dumbsfeld called them, those definitely dangerous "Gitmo Guys". Turns out not only were a goodly number innocent but this status was known to "those on high". Amazing. (041110a) Andy Worthington expands the story talking about how prisoners were tortured into confessing, how the one time "most valuable prisoner" was treated and so forth (041110b)

Mark Weisbrot reports on what he calls a "great policy flaw" in US foreign policy. Are we "at it" again? (040810d) Is this why we get into so many "long wars" where we don't seem to belong?

Philip Giraldi speaks on the unspeakable "what if". That is to say Israel "going for it" vis a vis Iran. They are a wild and crazy bunch, he says, and "anything" is possible. Oh, but they'd have to use nukes to do it right, if that would be a proper word that is. (040810e)

Chris Hedges talks about a "yearning in the US for fascism (033010e)

Cesar Chelala the trivial lives of men in far away places make the life and death choices that kill anonymously. WWIV. (032510a) John Pilger reports on the "rumors" being heard and the extent of our new "long war" (032510b) Jeremy Bowen reports on the general perception that war, of some kind, between someone or other, is on the horizon as many see it in the Muddle East (032510c)

Barnabe F. Geisweiller discusses why and how Israel and the US seem to be diverging as to "what is best" in the greater middle east. (032410b)

M K Bhadrakumar reports on a "bit of a sticky wicket". It seems a US "asset" was "involved" in the "Murders in Mumbai" that caused a row not far back. The US does not want to let Indian authorities get a hold of him, because, well, other secrets or things might leak out. (032310f) India is, to say the least, not pleased.

David Michael Green want to know about the end of empire? I did, read this, oh well (032110e)

Dahr Jamail implies the musical question, "Hey, when de hail be we getsin outa dat flearidden dust bin called Eye-rak?" Well, maybe not musical, mystical maybe. (031810e)

Brad Knickerbocker talks about how the "radicals" are being made right here in the US of A. We have enough angry people to fill more than a few boats. And so we can only expect that as the economic downturn continues and violence grows overseas that the disaffected, disenchanted or disenfranchised will discover their determination to be destructive. It is early in this game yet. (031210d)

Ray McGovern reports on why Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is worried that Israel is getting a heat on or maybe a hard on and wants to "get it on" with that feisty skirt Iran. He's worried that the US will be drawn into a menage a trois, so to speak. (030810b)

William Fisher the title of the article provides more than is needed to see how far this nation has fallen from its prime: Senate Debates Indefinite Detentions, we hasten to add that these "detentions" are without recourse to trial, representation or facing one's accusers. (030610a)

The Decline of the American Empire Remains a Movie for the CIA Samir Amin "It is customary for the ruling classes not to imagine the possible end of the system that assures the perpetuation of their domination," (030310f)

Ian Traynor tells us that the US is concerned about the "pacification of Europe" I wonder if that would be the "old Europe as opposed to the "new Europe; just asking (022610a)

Dahr Jamail reports on a book which details the "life of a medic" in the war zones. One cannot imagine it really. (021810d) that's why the book was written I guess.

Nathan Vardi reports on the success the US and others have had in cutting of the cast flow to Al Qaida, however, being resourceful, the dude is morphing. (021610c)

From, you'll read this right, Pat Buchanan who reports that our own people state Iran cannot enrich to 20%. If that is true, why are we making such hay over them making a bomb - which requires a much higher percentage? (021610f)

Syed Saleem Shahzad reports on Al Qaida's latest "message" to the west. (021510c)

Jeremy Scahill reports on the "hidden" war the US is involved with in Pakistan. Blackwater is mentioned in the story, surprise, surprise. (020510d)

Julian E. Barnes reports on the US "beefing up" Iran's smaller neighbors, "defensively" as it were (020110a)

Ewen Cook reports on the killings at Fort Hood. The reflective piece had me consider this event as a harbinger of others, perhaps our "enemies" could do something like that, there are enough stories of lone gunmen or small teams of same "going postal" as it were. (011510a)

Melvin A. Goodman reports on Obama's "cover up man" who is to "investigate" the underwear bomber. Say it ain't so! I know, I know just another disappointing moment that will be flushed down this increasingly Bush like memory hole. (011110d)

One person, and only one, asks the vital question of "Why" As in why do they hate us, the Jihadists and AQ and others. No one in this administration, as with the last, seems to give a clear and direct answer to this. (010910b)

Tom Englehardt and Nick Turse take a speculative look at 2010 and what may be happening in the "Great" war. (010810g)

Paul Sullivan tells us that the recent reports of the US military meeting its recruitment goals have not been reflective of the truth (010810a)

Orville Schell reports on what the decline of the US looks like from abroad, where a compare and contrast study over the past number of years is now disconcerting, to say the least (010810d)



Europe's News:

Sebastian Abbot reports for AP about Pakistan's ISI and its support for the Taliban, this story has been around for some time, but this is the latest iteration and has riled up the Pak's something fierce. Do they protest to much? (061310f)

John Agnew and Claudio Guler this article provides an overview of the overstated effect of the Iraqi surge, that is to say the mainline US media promulgating the notion that it was the surge which ended the civil war in Iraq. (061310a) Claudio Guler provides the source article and web site for the information in the previous citation. Go to the sites and see for yourself. (061310b)

Jayati Ghosh reports on racism and recession in Europe one bad thing leads to another. And it seems the governments are pushing the trends (061210a Meanwhile in the US of A we have persons of Hispanic culture leaving Arizona. For a load of American style "dumbbell" argumentation read the comments - lots of heavy smokers in that bunch. (061210d)

Chronis Polychroniou talks about the Neo-LIberal attack on Europe, both old and new. I guess people don't like it when they first get ripped off, then are expected to pay the thieves to fix the problem. (060810a)

From Chris Bryant out of Vienna we hear of the "European Troubles" that have roiled the world's markets and harmed the Euro. (060710c)

Reuters has it that Hungary is going to make economic amends and balance its budget; it will not be Greece (060510a) Also from Reuters we've a speculation that zero growth in Europe is possible as are further dangers, time will tell (060510b)

From Reuters we hear of the European woes as economic turmoil, such as that in Greece, threatens nations such as Spain and France. (053110c)

Pierre Ivorra reports on the "troubles in Europe" and some of the "decision making processes that are, well, problematical (050510c)

Kate Connolly in Berlin tells us that the German people are just about fed up with the idea of helping out the Greeks. Politics being what it is, it may be difficult for an effective deal to pass in Deutschland. (042810d) Tom Petruno provides one reason why bailing out Greece is not such a good idea - it simply may not work. (042810e)

Hervé Kempf, Reporterre.net It seems the greedy bastards in charge of "FrankenFoodz" GMO have gotten a rotten potato to pass in the EU. Will the people react "over there" and tell us a thing or two? (031210e)

England:

Gilad Atzmon reports on the disproportionate influence of Jews in England's government and other areas. Simple statistics can be misleading or illuminating. The US, he says, is in the same boat. Why is that he asks, and what does it mean, he asks. (062420d)

France:

Angela Charllton gives some coverage of France where the people are not at all happy with government plans and are striking against those efforts. (062610b)

Greece:

Renee Maltezou and Yannis Behrakis give us an update on the protests in Greece and suggest that they may be on the wane (062910e)

Iason Athanasiadis reports on the "bullies in the streets" that target immigrants in Greece and drive them from neighborhoods. (051610d)

Maurice Ulrich reports on the "Great Greek Grab" seems like the rich of that nation made their bundles, shipped them out to Switzerland and then left a bankrupt government to balance the debt on the backs of the people, sure sounds like good work if you can get it. (051010a)

BBC advises that the Greek "crisis" has caused some exchanges to tumble a bit over the last couple of days. If the thread of instability has this much impact, how "strong" is this recovery? (050610h)

From the BBC we hear how global markets are being effected by the street action in Greece. (050510e)

News reports of protests, large scale national protests, in Greece. The stock markets round the world took hits based on the fear that the "game is up" and the people are "mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore" as it were (050410g)

Henry Chu gives us an update on the Greece Debt Plan, which is not yet passed, but totals out at an astounding 146 billion dollars worth of credit over a three yeare period, last I heard greek bonds were selling at 11%, now that is painful. (050210g)

Steven Hill reports on the way in which the "emergency in Greece" is being covered in the US, surprise - surprise it is not all as it seems. (042310a)

From Reuters we have word from Greece that after ousting thier previous government people are willing to give the "new boss" a chance but time is short and the medicine bitter. (041710h)

Michael Hudson for those curious about the Greek financial problem and "what all the fuss is" this article gives a few clues. (041110d)

Reuters has an article on Greece and its financial woes seem to be "coming to a head" there are some nasty comments about "nanny capitalism" and so forth and Germany harboring "responsibility" (040810c) The worry seems to focus on the crisis spreading.

By David Francis, Berlin Greeks riot and the Germans don't like the idea of bailing the lazy bums out. (031110e)

From the BBC we hear as bit about why the problems in Greece matter. I think it serves as a "wake up call" to other, more far flung nations in terms of understanding how "world debt" no matter where it is effects one's every day life. (021510a)

Italy:

From AlJazeera we hear of a large scale strike in Italy and that others are occurring as well. (062710f)

Spain:

We hear from Madrid that the protests in Spain and elsewhere are gathering momentum (060810b)



Muddle East News, Central Theater: Palestine

Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, The West Bank and Syria

The area in general:

Michael Gass asks the one salient question in this article regarding the US, Turkey, Israel and the "flotilla incident". What would happen if Turkey sent a naval escort along with the next flotilla? (062310a)

From Reuters we hear, ironically perhaps, that the "powers that be" in the UN have voiced support for a nuclear free Middle East idea. Of course we know how far that will go, why is won't go at all, who is targeted and who is being protected. I'd like to be surprised but don't think I will be. (050610d)

Bassem Mroue via the AP reports that the Hezbollah, Israel, Syria, Iran and Lebanon SCUD brouhaha continues on and on. (050110c)

Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff write about the MESS. No kidding it IS an acronym and as far as I can tell they named without a trace of irony. So, their Middle East Security Survey, not surprisingly reports that Israel is in trouble. Really? What a surprise. (042010a) Then, the AP, reports on the SCUD brouhaha with Israel accusing Syria of supplying Hezbollah with the aforementioned missiles ... well? (042010b) This is the long term picture: the population trends for "Palestine" and or Israel show that the percentage of Jewish populations declining as Palestinian percentages increase. What then? Whither democracy? One wonders about the long term. (042010f)

Haaretz Service reports on the rise of "other radicals" threatening Hamas in Gaza. Recall that part of Israel's "response' to the PLO was early support of Hamas, and now that Hamas is "to radical" and being forced into difficult straits by Israeli efforts, why we have another set of groups vying to take the place of Hamas. Sounds like "evolution to me. (030610c) Also from Haaretz Service we have word that certain West Bank shrines are the site of street battles but the reporting says there is considerable interest abroad. (030610d) This must be Haaretz's day, as they report that Dubai wants to seek NuttyYahoo's arrest over the Mossad's bungled killings in that same country. (030610e)

Gaza:

From the BBC we get an update that the aid ship from with Libyan connections is approaching Gaza. Later articles said that Israel was preparing to intercept and that the ship had turned toward Egypt. (071310g)

Joshua Mitnick reports on the latest personage sending a ship of aid to Gaza, hint it has to do with Libya (071210g)

Stephen Lendman has a round up of aid shipments being prepared to make runs for Gaza, the most interesting is that Turkey may escort theirs with their naval forces and carry along the nation's president. (062320e) This story is a few days old.

From Reuters the UN says the blockade of Gaza must end completely or more than what the Israelis want anyway. (062110c)

Mark LeVine talks about the meaning of the word "strangulation" as US Senator Mark Schumer used it in reference to Gaza. In a racist context his comments go unnoticed while Helen Thomas' has her career ruined by a similar statement. Fair is fair, after all (061710b)

Ian Black says that Iran might offer an escort to the next flotilla offering aid to Gaza, wonderful (060610b) Catrina Stewart reports on what was not seen when the Israeli's boarded a vessel and the killing began. (060610c)

Reuters reports on a peaceful boarding of a Gazan relief vessel called the Rachel Corrie. This protest action seems to be highlighting the plight of the Gazan people - the hope is that publicity will lead to change in policy. (060510c)

From Reuters we hear of the Gaza relief flotilla being fired upon by Israelis and at least 15 are dead; later reports have it at 20 dead. (053110a) From Gideon Levy of Haaretz, an Israeli paper, we have a blistering opinion on the event and a reasonable assessment of its ripple effect. (053110b)

Erin Cunninghamand Safwat Kahlout covers the financial crisis that is overlaid on top of all the others Gaza faces. (052210c) Max Aji describes to us the situation of a Gazan family harvesting lentils in the "borderlands" near Israel, harrowing is the word I would use and it is appropriate (051310c)

Max Ajl talks about tunneling in Gaza. Apparently it could be halted any time Egyptian police decide to do so .. well? (042810f)

Max Ajl gives us a bit of insight as to what his happening at the Gaza border with some nonviolent protests. (041710f)

Pam Rasmussen describes the "no go NGO zone" in Gaza, a place where Israeli security concerns remove vital territory from use. Another tale of suffering visited by the bully upon their victims. (030710a)

Al Jazerra reports on the status of the Gaza Egyptian border, a bit of an opening before an iron curtain goes down? (010810b)

Israel:

Mehdi Jedinia the Iranian aid ship that was to be sent to Gaza was not. Here is a take on just why that was. (071510a)

Anthony DiMaggio reports on how the US and Israel are nuclear partners and the NPT seems to be brushed aside, even if quietly and confidently (071110d)

Laila El-Haddad provides an interview with the author of "Israel's Secret Relationship with Apartheid South Africa"; the title says it all and it expands on the information in prior articles I've archived. (070310a)

Daniel Tencer has yet another report on an "impending attack by Israel on Iran". Well, a month from now we'll see what we see, I guess. (062910g)

Ari Shavit reports on the status of Israeli millionaires as well his belief in the angst that should be guiding the nation's policy, but is not. (062410e)

Reuters reports on another ripple of the Israeli's deadly raid on the high seas. (060710a) Reuters report on the continuing reaction to that raid; it may be that Israel's relations with many of its neighbors are going through a sea change. (060710b)

Ira Chernus reports that Israel is putting three submarines on station in the Gulf of Persia. These carry nuclear missiles. Could there be any MORE Israel can do to ramp up the pressure? (060310a)

Chris McGreal talks about the nuclear dealings between Israel, remember they are the "responsible nuclear power" and Apartheid South Africa. This was back in the day. You may recall a story about a nuclear like detonation that was seen from orbit and made the news for a couple of days, again, back in the day. (052410b)

Thalif Deen reports that Israel is catching some flack at a nuke conference. Who knows it could amount to something (050310c)

Ben Hancock reports on Israel's rejection of a US idea: limiting the housing construction in Jerusalem. (042210d)

Lara Friedman reports on the AIPAC "talking points" regarding the current brouhaha brewing between the US and Israel regarding housing, the peace talks and a host of other issues. (032310d) Oh, you'll have to speak either fluent "Dickwad" or "Anuswind" to make sense of it. And from the BBC, we hear about Hillasaurus Wrecks speaking out on how the "status quo" was "unsustainable" Well, No scheiss Sherlock but give her a break she's only had forty years to come to that "new idea". (032310e) Ralph Nader illuminates the "debt Israel owes the US" and how misappropriated US gift giving has become. (032310i)

Jim Lobe talks about the US - Israeli "spat" that has come to light regarding housing being build, Joe Biden's visit and more (031910c) David Moon speculates that the "real" story behind "Biden's backfire" is the idea that China needs to be convinced that Israel will act against Iran, if nothing is done, and create confusion in the sea lanes bringing the oil along with prosperity. (031910d)

Reuters reports on the latest unrest in Jerusalem where recent events triggered stone throwing and some shooting. (031610b) Ira Chernus has it that the real "news" is that the US military is finding it prudent to talk about the "Israeli" elephant in the lebensraum. (031610d)

Mark Perry has it that the US is "advising" Israel that its actions vis a vis the Palestinians is impacting the "broader interests" of the US in the greater middle east region. Supposedly there were "sharp" words (031510c)

From the BBC we hear that Israel is considering building a nuclear power plant. Now pardon me if I wonder, out loud, so how will this play in Iran? How can the US claim its nuclear plant is "bad" when Israel's is so much worse? They HAVE nuclear weapons, have stood in defiance of UN resolutions for 50 years and has been an impediment to peace for that long as well. (030810a)

James Petras reports on Israel's "long arm of the murdering law". It seem they too want to send out their own killing squads, no matter where their victims may be. (030310d) Ali Fathollah-Nejad demonstrates that when someone tries to speak up on any kind of national or international stage, well, Israel sees to it that problems "happen" (030310e)

William A. Cook If we looked at Israel as one might if one were not blinded by its "magic" and awed by its "mysterious power" one might be able to read this list and ask "What the hell are we doing supporting this apostate and vomitous state which stands for everything we do not stand for. Not that we don't lean, now, in their direction. (022310f)

Alan Hardt provides some thoughts on Zionism, not a flattering thing when "big lies" are exposed I guess (021310a)

Avi Issachar for HAARETZ quotes a US official stating that UN resolutions, regarding Hamas and arms in southern Lebanon, is being violated, imagine that, Israel complaining about those who violate UN resolutions. (013110b)

Ira Chermus reports on the growling growing from that blot on the map called Israel. Gaza is again generating wrath and not so veiled threats. (011410a)

Lebanon:

Syria:

The West Bank:


Muddle East News: Western Theater: Egypt, Kurdistan, Turkey

Egypt:

Eric Margolis gives us a peek into Egypt. "Our man" on the scene runs the place, of course, but who will replace the old futzakutzah? (052610c)

Kristen Chick explains what Egypt gets out of maintaining its half of the Gazan blockade (040310e) and here are some further details of that story. (040310f)

Turkey:

From Reuters we hear of further reactions by Turkey vis a vis Israel's raid on the "high seas". (061610c)

David Boyajian, has it that the recent brouhaha regarding Turkey and the Armenian genocide has had precedents, the US has made such a claim several times. I guess whenever it comes up they get pissed off. (041310g)

Robert M Cutler tells us that the Nabucco pipeline may yet come into being providing the "west" with something of a come back for other pipeline failures or the successes of those opposed to the west. (031110b)

Robert Tait in Istanbul and Ewen MacAskill in Washington consider Turkey's "upset" at a US congressional committee using the "G" word in reference to their actions of nearly a century ago. (020510c)

Caleb Lauer reports on the architect of Turkey's foreign policy. (022210g)

Also from Haaretz we have an update on relations between Israel and Turkey. Continued disagreement festers, consequences of this divergence may not be soon, but it could be a matter of time before it "matters" to someone, somewhere. (013110c)

Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler report on how a seating arrangement has added one more insult in an unexpected train of such which have chilled relations between Turkey and Israel. (011610c)


Greater Islamic Regional News: Eastern Theater: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and neighbors

Afghanistan:

From Aljazeera we hear of an Afgan soldier killing several Ghurkas. (071310f)

By James Denselow Does anyone know the count of Afghan dead during this war? (070510e)

Ann Jones reports on the disappointing answers to several essential questions concerning the "progress" the US is making in Afghanistan. (070110d)

Matthew Rosenberg talks about the river of cash flowing out of Afghanistan, if the legitimate flow is any indication, the illegitimate may be several times greater. (062910f)

Karen DeYoung reiterates a story that has been around for a while, how US funds the Taliban, indirectly in Afghanistan. (062210g)

Robert Fox asks whether or not there is any end in sight for Afghanistan. One wonders. (062210c)

James Risen reports on the "Afghan bonanza" and tempers the enthusiasm a bit. (061810c)

Jim Lobe looks behind the "Trillion Dollar Story" regarding Afghanistan, the news, it is true, is not new. So why the brouhaha? (061510a)

From James Risen we hear of the "wondrous wealth" that Afghanistan possesses. Some trillion or more dollars worth of a variety of minerals - sweet, now who will get what? (061410e)

Gareth Porter shows that Afghanistan is in need of a "successful surge" at this point in time as support for the war wanes. It is not good news that the "big operation in Kandahar" is delayed again. (061310c)

Gareth Porter shows that Afghanistan is in need of a "successful surge" at this point in time as support for the war wanes. It is not good news that the "big operation in Kandahar" is delayed again. (061310c)

Jim Lobe asks the musical question, do we have good news from Afghanistan? What happened to Marja the "big game changer"? (061110a)

Karim Talbi lets us know that the fighting in Afghanistan continues on with a particularly bad day for NATO forces. Also the big offensive is being readied. (060810h)

Ramzy Baroud reports on Karzai's visit to the US and the impending "action" to "save" Kandahar. (051810a)

From Aziz Ahmad we hear about how the price for the poppy is way up in Helmand province, Afghanistan - didn't we JUST have a big operation there? (050110a)

Jean MacKenzie reports from Kabul. A new offensive is to be laughed and it is called "hope". (041910b) Gareth Porter talks about why it has problems before it began, promises made and not kept already have the population more than 90% opposed to Allied military action. (041910) Murder for hire by the US in Iraq.

Eugene Robinson talks about a small place over a brief period of time, a valley in Afghanistan which the US never quite held, never quite lost but is leaving nonetheless to its enemy. (041710c) the macrocosm in a microcosm?

T. Christian Miller speaking of bungled and bollixed up we have a take on Afghanistan - a bit of analysis which shows the "hired guns" are being "offed" at an increasing rate. (041510b)

Habiburrahman Ibrahim talks about why Afghani's are so angry with the US, even when we make generous compensation for the killing of innocents. (041310a) Gareth Porter has some of the gruesome details that make the US effort SO unpopular there (041310b) Syed Saleem Shahzad has it that a planned offensive, a large one, has problematical conditions that are not being addressed. (041310c)

Afghanistan, the war is over, all but the shouting, touting and fighting. Karzai has verbally made himself a liability or, at best, is of no use to any real power broker in the country (041210a)

Reuters has it that although there is something of dent in Afghanistan's opium production, marijuana production is up. (033110a)

From TomDispatch we hear about the knotty problem of drug production in the narco-state, Afghanistan. The US pushed production to fund the anti-russian rebellion in the 80's in the decades since instability has led to many farmers depending on a dependable crop - current efforts by the US ignore the "on the ground, societal complexities" that make successful prosecution of the war so darned hard. (033110d)

From TomDispatch we hear about the "readiness" of the Afghan police and the effectiveness of the training program, we've a long way to go buddy, looks like (032310c)

Gareth Porter, So, Afghanistan, right? This place called Marja, you must have heard of it, even if you get your news from Fox (Faux) news. Well, this has been described as the one of the biggest cities in Helmand. It is vital. We'll make an impression. Well, the problem is this: it is not a city. There is no city called that. There is an AREA, a collection of villages and market towns, but no city. Why the lie? (030810c)

Dave Lindorff reports on a massacre of handcuffed children in Afghanistan. Well, they were not all children but they were handcuffed. (030510e)

Gareth Porter reports on the Marja offensive and how it may well be a "political move" meant to sway US polls concerning the "value" of "staying the course". (022310a) Rabi' al-aw gives the resistance's view o the Marja battle. Perhaps this is why the battle is proceeding so slowly? Whose to say. (022310d) Spencer Ackerman reports that Blackwater made off with hundreds of weapons and gave them to whomever for "personal use" The guns haves not been returned yet, but don't worry, no one seems worried. (022310e)From the BBC we hear that Karzai is "taking over" the Electoral Complaints Commission, which means he's in charge of who looks into electoral fraud ... nice move boy, now you won't have to worry about close elections any more. (022310c) Charles Fromm reports on the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan which may cause one of the NATO nations to pull out. (022310b)

Jean MacKenzie and Mohammad Ilyas Dayee talk about the current Afghan operation, the original article in Global Post has better comments but the gist of the article is a poor evaluation (022210c) Tom Engelhardt offers something of a take on the media coverage of the effort, how the language we use reflects upon the US in ways we do not appreciate and where do we get off being a model for good governance? (022210f)

Battle for Marjah: The US Has Already Lost by Dave Lindorff - need I write more? read on (021810e)

Glyn Strong has a report on the woman leading the Afghanistan government's resistance to treating with the Taleban. She thinks it would be bad for women, I'd have to agree. (021610d)

Nick Turse talks about the Afghan "Base Boom" good times for construction companies (021010e)

Rita Daou talks about the changes in Lebanon, after the Hariri assassination and a brush with civil war it may be that western allies in the nation are taking a back seat. (021010h)

Syed Saleem Shahzad lets us know what Pakistan, the US, India and other players in Afghanistan's ongoing tragedy hare having to say for themselves these days. Oh, a BIG offensive is brewing. (020810f)

Jean MacKenzie talks about the laughably silly and much touted poll that purports to show that 70% of Afghani's think the country is "moving in the right direction". (012910a)

Anand Gopal gives us some idea of why we are so disliked in Afghanistan and how Obama, continuing on with what is most disliked, is losing further ground especially in the "hearts and minds" region. (012810b) Andy Worthington reports on the "secret prisons" as a global phenomena. One wonders how long such abuse can go on and when, when Americans will wake up and smell the blood. (012810c)

Tom Englehardt answers the question as to how much longer we'll be in Afghanistan. According to the "ideas being floated" we'll be there through 2016. (012610a)

Jeffrey Kaye reports on the despair of Afghan women, I mean to say self immolation as a way out? (011910d)

Matt Renner reports on the attack inside Kabul. It seems to be modeled after the Mumbai attack in India, a platoon sized contingent in this case, wreaked havoc in the capital for several hours. (011810c)

Marisa Taylor, goes to Afghanistan and, guess what, finds enormous waste in a program that is supposed to bring electricity to the place, oopsie baby, Iraq Redux. (011710c)

BBC Aid programs in Somalia have been forced back from deliveries by violence. (010510b)

Iraq:

From Reuters we hear of more car bomb attacks against Baghdad's central bank. (062010e)

Jason Leopold provides us with some more details regarding the plans for invading Iraq, hint, it was long in the planning; I know surprise, surprise, the Plame affair, torture and more. (051310b)

Meanwhile back in Iraq Jonathan Adams reports that some 30 were killed today in attacks although later reports had the count at 100 or so. Can anyone spell Oopsie Daisey? (051010g)

And now a word from William Blum and the Anti-Empire report, a baby with three heads, a cyclops and much more (040610a) From Iraq and "other places"

By Rod Nordland and Riyadh Mohammed depict a spate of bombings in Baghdad, it is enough to make one wonder, again, about stability. (040510a)

From Kristen Chick we hear of the third day of bombing in Baghdad. If this goes on and escalates ... I would guess that is what people are thinking. What I'd like is the answer to that question. (040610b)

On the anniversary of the Iraqi invasion we have these thoughts to consider, first this: Lieven De Cauter provides a look at the cultural cleansing of Iraq (032010a) and then t r u t h o u t's Staff Editorial regarding a perspective on the war, now seven years old and its deleterious effects on the population the war was meant to "save", "serve" or "protect" (032010b)

Jane Arraf reports on the most recent bombings targeting Shiites in Karbala, Iraq. Sectarianism? If not that, certainly some one would like it to be. (020510a) Ayaz Gul, Islamabad Shiites targeted in Karachi, Pakistan (020510c)

Edward Yeranian, Cairo reports on the removal of Iraqi candidates from the lists, the court's decision to reinstate them and now the government's meddling, presumably, to keep them off. (020510b)

Janee Arraf reports on the ongoing bombings in Iraq, there seems to be an uptick, of sorts, but we've not returned to the "pre surge" levels. (020110d)

Dahn Jamail reports on the upcoming Iraqi election in which 14 parties, mainly Sunni, have been banned, arrests of Sunni men is ramping up and tensions are on the rise. Should Baghdad "stay the course" it has severe down side. (011510d)

Nick Mottern has a bit of a report on the prison system in Iraq, well that is a bit of an oxymoron but if a timely "withdrawal" or draw down is to proceed the justice system has to be better than this (011410d)

Raed Jarrar reminds us of how fragile "democracy" as it might be called, is in Iraq, banning parties and persons from the upcoming election has problems and Obama is the one that will get the criticism if things go awry, not that people will recall George "the global village idiot" Bush worked up this hell hole of a mess in the first place. (011110a)

Hannah Allam reports on the coalition of the willing becoming that of the one (010210c)

Iran:

Justin Raimondo gives us an update on the Iranian scientist who was or was not kidnapped, is or is not a nuclear scientists, knows or does not know about Iran's programs, did or did not provide intelligence to the US, was or was not tortured, was or was not allowed to freely return to Iran and was or was not part of a US intel plan to help ramp up the perception of Iran's nuclear ambitions. (071510c)

Robin Pomeroy reports from Teheran that some sanctions are generating reactions, plane fueling for one. (070610f)

From Reuters we have reports that the UK, UE and Germany are refusing to refuel Iranian commercial airliners. Iran says it will retaliate. My question is this, essentially, if the Iranian's refining capacity is their Achilles heel, so to speak, and this has been true for at least a few years, why haven't they done something about that? I know, I know, just asking (070510c) in another story on this issue, from the BBC, we hear "a supplier" has been at fault. No names are named however. (070510d)

Victor Kotsev has it that the "Iran Attack" reports are "up" and rumors are flying. People are thinking about "the impossible" again. (070210e) Regarding Iran, Matthew Cole reports on the near comedic antics of an Iranian nuclear scientist who, reportedly, is "re-defecting" to Iran. videos are on the web - is it a sideshow? (070210f)

Borzou Daragahi gives us the overview of the Iranian conditions for nuclear talks, the salient point is that they want a public commentary on Israel's weapons. Nice move on their part. (063010c)

Patricia Wilson and Mohammad Zargham have it that the US believes the sanctions are "biting" Iran. The main nugget seems to be the Russians changing their minds about supplying antiaircraft systems. No one from Iran is quoted in the piece. (062210h)

From Reuters we hear of the latest in Iran's struggle with the west, this time in the form of the IAEA. (062110b)

From the BBC we hear that Iran is has hanged one of its terrorists, one that claims he was on his way to get US support when he was captured. (061910b) from AFP we hear that polling shows support for military action against Iran. The support is quoted as coming from the US, much of Europe and some of Iran's neighbors,most notably Pakistan seems to be against the idea - now imagine that. (061910c)

Chris Zambelis reports on Iran's burgeoning relations with Central and South America whose leaders tend to distrust the US what after decades of "involvement."(061810b)

Ismael Hossein-zadeh talks about what ever happened to Iran's "Green Movement"? This is part one (061510b) In part two you see the specifics that are outlined as a cause for the evaporation of support for the Green Movement. I recall the stories which debated the issue at the time and thought that the election did have problems, this update argues that the opposite is the case. (061510c)

Reuters has it that Russia has flip-flopped on delivering "real" air defense missiles to Iran now they'll be more vulnerable to attack.(061110b)

Yana Kunichoff gives a brief update on several stories, the one I found interesting was that Iran has said it is sending two ships full of aid to Gaza, what remains to be seen is, of course, what happens. (061510e)

Peter Walker follows up with details about Iranian aid ships making their way to Gaza (061510f)

From Reuters we understand that there will be another round of sanctions against Iran as all the veto bearing powers seem to be "on board" (060810f)

Reuters reports that the honeymoon between Russia and Iran is over. Harsh words and raw feelings get the news. The key concern is whether or not this will so isolate Iran that the US, or Israel, will think an attack is now feasible. (052610c)

Borzou Daragahi talks about the "latest two step" in the Iran dance. Turkey and others are involved in a deal to provide enriched fuel to the Iranians. Only time will tell. (051710a)

Pepe Escobar the latest wrinkle in the "never ending dance" concerning Iran and nuclear power involves Brazil who may be interested in "doing some enriching" for Iran. The article covers the basic puzzle pieces and reiterates how stable the unstable situation seems. (042810h)

R. Jeffrey Smith and Joby Warri talk about Pakistan's "nuke man" the renown Mr. Khan. It seems the Iranians wanted to buy nuke stuff from him, despite no previous "revelations" to this effect. There are questions, now, about the "stories" he's told in the past and for that matter the ones the Pakistani government has told. Someone is lying. One suspects the timing? (031510a) Rob Edwards reports that some few hundreds of "bunker busters" are headed for Diego Garcia. The concern is that these are, ultimately, destined for Iran, or rather use in Iran. One more step in the tantalizing tango? (031510b)

Mahan Abedin reports on the demise of a US supported terrorist employed against Iran. (031310b) Amineh Soghdi follows up with a wider range of details concerning its import to the region. (031310c)

Noam Chomsky: Iran Pursuing Nuclear Weapons Out of Fear by Matthew W. Hutchins This says what needs to be said, but no on is listening, or rather those who matter will dismiss this perspective. (031210a)

Jim Lobe reports on the "pressure" for "action" against Iran. The cheerleaders are pantyless so it should be exciting and the team is not circumcised so it should have smelly smegma. (030510d)

Mark Landler examines the latest in the "love waltz" starring that daring wench Iran and the stodgy old US while there is a bit of a change in China's tune the ball goes on and on and on. (022610c)

Warren P. Strobel reports on another report that Iran wants to put nukes on missiles, what like the US, China, England, Russia, France or Israel? (021810c)

Gavin Dahl asks, have you heard of Iran's call for global nuclear disarmament? No? Not surprising if you live in the US. The "great electronic wall" is still up and running filtering the world's events for the convenience and profit of the few over the needs of the many. (021510e)

Reuters has it that Iran says it is near to making bomb grade HIU. (021010d)

Kaveh L Afrasiabi shows us the latest steps in the decades long ballroom extravaganza as the US and Iran compete for the longest dancing couple. (020810e)

From the BBC we hear of the "great waltz" with Iran still continues with this latest iteration. (020310c)

Grace Huang reports that the "Iran Sanction" bill has passed the Senate, the only questions are: does it still contain provisions which would allow a naval blockade of Iran and will Obama's promised veto be over ridden? (013010b) Recall that provisions in this act would allow a blockade, which is an act of war, which could be "bad". (013010b)

Kaveh L Afrasiabi reports on last weekends meeting concerning Iran. With China being a "hold out" it seems the fascists of Israel and the US have to wait on any real consequences what with the US military "a bit busy" However a "solution" is working its way through the Senate. (011910b)

Dilip Hero reports on the "at distance" analysis of Iran's protest, the camera reveals much, protests spread but do they grow? (011410b)

From the BBC we hear some more of the Turkmenistan deal to export "carbon wealth" to Iran and "cut out" the "Ruskies" (010810h)

Gareth Porter reports on the debunking of the "nuclear trigger" story regarding Iran. Now that this has been done away with, so who did the forgery? And why? (010510c)

From Reuters we have coverage of the most recent few days of Iranian unrest, the opposition leader's claim that he is willing to join martyrs and hard-liners getting harder. (010110d)

Pakistan:

Syed Saleem Shahzad reports the Pakistani military weapons has seized in have seized 28,000 kilograms of explosives in the city of Lahore, as well as antiaircraft guns, rocket-propelled grenades, small arms and ammunition and suicide vests - sounds like a party preparation to me. (062910h)

Joshua Brollier and Kathy Kelly talk about Pakistan. It is simmering to be sure. Protest is common as is dislike for the national government and the US. What is wanting is a means by which the disparate groups of the discontent can focus and take action. A spark is all that is needed. (062210k)

BBC reports a damaging attack on Nato supply trucks that happened just outside Islamabad, closest one yet. (060810i)

M K Bhadrakumar reports on the Iranians capturing the 31-year-old leader of the dreaded Pakistan-based terrorist group Jundallah, Abdulmalik Rigi. He may "spill the beans" concerning US involvement and support of his terrorist group, the US calls it that anyway, and its role in the efforts to destabilize Iran. Probably not a good bit of news for the US. (022610g)

Gareth Porter looks closely at the recent capture of a Taleban Big Wig by the Pakistani's seems he's still their man (021810a)

Liam Stack's story makes it official, the US is taking casualties in Pakistan now. The war has expanded. (020310b)

Saudi Arabia and neighbors:

Saudi Arabia:

Dubai:

Bradley Burston gives us a dissatisfied Israeli's opinion on the "Death in Dubai", the killing that keeps on dying. (022810b)

Yemen:

Oliver Holmes talks about Yemen, now a days, it is still an uneasy place and peace though present is not persistent. (041910a)

From Al Jazeera we hear of a partial cessation to the fighting in Yemen. (031910a)

From Al Jazeera reports that calls for secession in southern Yemen are gaining in popularity. (022710b)

From the BBC we have the Yemeni truce with one of the three "resistance groups" (021010c)

James R. King reports out on Yemen, its "triple threat" and its long standing problems. The article finishes off with reasonable suggestions that, of course, will not be a part of US policy. (012910b)

Diana Priest has it that US involvement with Yemen becomes direct,as Obama expands the war. (012710a)

Haley Sweetland Edwards reports on the training of Yemeni security by US and UK experts. The population does not like western presence at all and they believe we've been using drones to kill. It is touchy. (012410i)

Heather Murdock provides a "person on the street" perspective from Sanaa, Yemen (011110e)

Randall Amster J.D., Ph.D. reports on how the US is again, seeming to play into AQ's hand in Yemen. (010510d)

Eric Margolis gives "the skinny" on Yemen's counterattack on the US air liner. The appropriate term in as much as in the weeks preceding US forces participated in the ongoing, three or more way, civil war in Yemen. (010310e)

Maya Shenwar reports on Obama's statements on Yemen and how it may be the next "war" the US will wage. (010210a)

Sherwood Ross rails that there is no "new approach" in Afghanistan and that the surge there escalation, as it were, will effect none of the changes the US would like to see. (010210b)



Asia: Greater Asia Islamic Theater News: China, India, The Koreas, Russia,

China:

Jian Junbo adds to the recent information about China's burgeoning interest and proprietary interest in the seas near and about its long shoreline. (071310e)

China seems to have its own way of viewing North Korea and that is to say it seems to be using it as a pawn in the regional struggle with the US and its allies. One would be excused for guessing such in any event. (070910c)

Joseph Y Lin looking at recent changes in how China budgets resources and promotes its military personnel gives us clues to China's plans for the mid term future. I think it does spell "Blue Water Navy" (070810a) Peter J Brown reports on a more active Chinese navy than many may assume it is (070810b)

From Reuters we get a a vision of the long term view on the "movement" of the Yuan. The figures seem to off, however, when they talk about the US GDP, several recent articles pegged that at 13 to 14 trillion, however the article, when talking about debt to GDP, seems to think that a debt of 19+ trillion will be equal to the GDP. When it won't. This issue has cropped up in other articles too. (062310b)

Brian McCartan reports on China's moves to bridge the Mekong and bolster trade with the region. (061710a) Also from Reuters labor unrest spreads in China, how interesting. (061110d)

Reuters talks about a trend of labor unrest in China. Suicides got the headlines but times may be changing there. (061010a) Nick Harding has a more intimate story about how US consumers are only slowly becoming aware of the labor practices overseas that benefit them with low cost goods. (061010b) The comments are particularly salient, do a search for "Coltan Wars" and see the horrors mentioned.

Clayton Jones so why DID China go along with sanctions? This is another take on that question. (061010f)

Peter Lee talks about China's about face on sanctions for Iran. Rest assured all is not as it seems, that is what the Chinese officials are officially saying. (052410g)

Peter J Brown has a report on China's dealings with Iran and how this is playing out in that country's efforts to defend itself. (052110f)

Sudha Ramachandran reports on China's plans to tap the water sources of India's biggest river and so cause some concern in that country regarding plans for dams and diversions. (050110b)

Brian McCartan as in some prior reports the "hand of China" moves south, this time as a river, or rather, the lack of one. "Diplomacy" takes many damned forms it seems, pardon the pun. (031310e)

Ashwini Srinivasamohan reports on how China is taking the lead in "greening" its economy. You know, once the US was the preeminent leader in all manner of things but we've been giving away the store for some time now. (030310h)

From Reuters we get a quickie lesson on how the Chinese might "strike back" at the US for its recent dealings with Taiwan. The letters show the opposite tack. Which is right? Who cares? Stay tuned. (013010d)

From the CSM we have a two-pager on China's bubble, which, if it too goes pop it will be the equivalent of the second shoes dropping, the first was that of the US. (012410b) And part two, some salient details (012410c)

Part one: M K Bhadrakumar gives us the "skinny" on the US vs China in the greater Indian Ocean, specifically that area around Yemen, Aden, Somalia and Iran. The great game has a naval turn in this area as the US and its allies India and Israel seek to circumvent any Chinese naval or any other kind of presence in the area. (010910d) And part two of the article (010910e)

India:

Mark Magnier and Anshul Rana tell of a rebel - terrorist - insurgent strike that caused 75 or so deaths in India's military. (040610e)

Nita Bhalla reports from Lanjigarh, India where the famed movie "Avatar" is being played out in real life; will the natives win this one? (030710b)

Koreas:

From the BBC we hear of a South Korean rocket blowing up. The Korean peninsula has its own "space race"? (061010e)

Choe Sang-Hon says the Koreas are talking less, but we wonder if they are really enjoying it more? (052710a)

Reuters gives some coverage to the "tense" Korean situation. I guess keeping the "war game going" is to the benefit of many involved. The only concern will be when and if it boils over. (052410h)

Never far from the headlines the BBC shows that Korean peninsula has some troubled waters. If the original event is proven to be a hostile act it could only make matters worse. (040310d)

Kyrgyzstan:

M K Bhadrakumar talks about Kygryzstan's difficulties and how neither the US nor Russia are "taking hold" he speculates that China might. (062610d)

Reuters: Some shooting in Kyrgyzstan gets headlines (062110d)

Reuters has it that 400,000 refugees are homeless because of Kyrgyz violence. (061710c)

From the BBC we hear tell of the slow regional response to Kyrgyzstan's ethnic violence (061410a)

From Reuters we get some background on Kyrgyzstan's ethnic violence (061310d) Also from Reuters we hear that Russian paratroopers have landed to protect their base. The US base is in the North and is not in danger. I still wonder if there is some competition going on for this country. It remains to be seen. (061310e) Sasha Merkkushev and Yuras Karmanau report for AP that tens of thousands have fled Osh, victory has been delcared there and killing is rampant with more to come. (061310g)

Michael Schwartz has a report that Kyrgyzstan still has "blowback" from the recent overthrow of its government. My thinking is that a proxy struggle is being waged. Both the US and Russia have bases in the country and the US faction has the upper hand, at the moment. (061110e)

Fred Weir talks about the newest discontent in Kyrgyzstan - are things getting dicey? (042010c)

From the BBC we have a report that the US base in Kyrgyzstan is "ok for one more year" (041710b)

Owen Matthews offers an overview assessment of the Kyrgyzstan change. The US is down for the time bing but not out, nor is the ex-president. (041310e)

David L. Stern reports on the situation in Bishkek, Kygyzstan. Seems as though the new boss may not be the same as the old boss and the US is wondering about its "hold" there - Russia is not, it seems (041210b) 

M K Bhadrakumar The new regime in Kyrgyzstan has been a surprise to the US, Russia has made nice while the US, by having kept in place a minor corrupted tyrant, have some catch up to play. (041110f)

Kyrgyzstan is in the news, Peter Finn is first with the chaos (040810a) Rick Rozoff gives us some other details and some reports conflict (040810b)

Nepal:

Peter Lee talks about the instability in Nepal. It seems that the US has concerns, China has interests and India may be out in the cold. (051410g)

Russia:

Mary Beth Sheridan reports on how the US is still "supporting' Georgia and how Russia has bases in the so called "break away regions" which it calls independent nations. (070610e)

From Moscow we hear that the successor organization to the KGB now has the power to arrest and detain persons who may do something in the future. (061210b)

Fred Weir reports on Moscow's downplay of its involvement with Iran and burgeoning rapprochement with the US (052110g)

M K Bhadrakumar says that reports have appeared in the Russian media doubting the pedigree of the revolution in Kyrgyzstan, maybe, they speculate, that the US and some drub barrons were behind the "move" ot oust the erstwhile president. (042510c)

Simon Shuster reports on how the "gains" "against" Russia by the US have been reversed of late and what that means, signals or portends. (042310b)

From the BBC we hear that Russia's 2009 economy contracted nearly 8% as compared to 2008; that can't be good for the common man. (020110b)

Thailand:

Brian McCartan gives us some coverage of the aftermath in Bangkok now that the protesters have been cleared from the city's center. (052010g)

Simon Montlake covers the reestablishment of military control over the protesters' main site in Bangkok. What is next? We all want to know. (051910c)

From Reuters we hear of some military action in Bangkok where the protesters were pushed back a bit but the question is how risky are such moves. (051810b)

By Patrick Winn reports on the inconclusive street battles in Bangkok (051610e) Reuters reports that the situation may get much worse as the government has rejected talks, more protests sites come into existence, the emergency spreads and neither side shows signs of pulling back. (051610f)

Reuters has it that bloodshed may occlude any process at peaceful resolution of the crisis in Bangkok, Thailand. (051510a)

Reuters has an update on Thailand. It seems the protests continue as does some violence and death. This all goes back to a thwarted election of a populist leader who, surprise, surprise, wanted some reforms. (050810b) The economic situation in the world is now, no doubt, a factor in the situation.

BBC reports on "the action" in Thailand where the government is weakening and looks like to fall. The economic issues prompting the protests are present in other nations as well - a long, hot summer? (041210e)

Also from the BBC is a report that Thailand is in the throes of its own discontent and its government may fall to popular uprisings (040710d)

Ukraine:

From the Washington Post we have a report that Ukraine's "Orange Revolution" has seen better days with the election, near certain, of the one it threw out. Amazing. (020810a) The "roll back" of America's "Bush expansion" is clearly underway.

Clifford J. Levy reports on the "Battle for Ukraine" as the proxies for western and Russian influence "duke it out" in a run off. It is "Beauty vs. Blubber" while Mr. "Acid Face" is out of the running, everyone is free to speculate as to the outcome and its repercussions. (011810b) A rollback of the Bush "the Global Village Idiot's "color revolutions?


News from Africa and the Sub Sahara Theater

James McEnteer takes us to contemporary South Africa where there is quite a hoopla about hosting the World Cup. Well, there is a lot of history still burbling up from the festering dark that is the blind side of history - informative read however, you'll enjoy it. (061210g)

Morocco:

Stephen Zunes, gives us some insight, just as you think we could not possibly do more wrong we, the US goes and does it. For the first time the US is backing the legitimizing of a military take over by supporting Morocco's "claim" on Western Sahara (040510e)

Somalia:

Jeffrey Gettleman reports on the use of child soldiers by the US allies fighting in Somalia, a war that is a Bush legacy and now an Obama albatross (061410c)

From the BBC we hear of heavy fighting for Mogadishu as US backed forces challenge the local resistance, with most of the country still awaiting "conquest" or "liberation" you call it. (060310d)

Lutfi Sheriff Mohammed and Jeffrey Fleishman report on a Somali effort to establish control over Mogadishu. The "Bushist" efforts in this nation are still "coming a cropper" more legacy than we need. (051310d)

Tristan McConnell reports on the continued fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia - another example of US policy "working wonders. (050510a)

From the BBC we get a story that shows Islamists taking over a Somali pirate's town. It is not clear, from the article, if this means that piracy will decline or not. (050210d)

Brian Smith reports on the ongoing struggle of the US backed "government" of Somalia and its bid to retake almost the entire country including its capital Mogadishu from the people. (031310d)


Pacific and Australian News:

Australia:

Bertil Lintner has an article about Australia's "near abroad" as it might be called. They have some strategic little islands, as does England and France. They happen to be watching China's activities in getting naval stations in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. (062410c)

Japan:

Japan actually has deflation happening. Prices dropping, people having fewer or no children they must be second guessing their "can do" attitude (040610f) by Christopher Johnson (040610f) As for the other "Asian Giant" China Mike Whitney wonders if their time is short or their bubble(s) are about burst. (040610g)

From the BBC we hear of Japan's deflationary cycle ramping up. As prices drop people hold on to money, expecting further drops; so a cycle sets up. The US has avoided this by dumping huge amounts of cash into the economy if not into the hands of consumers overall. Here inflationary and deflationary pressures are balancing. (013010e)



News from the land south of the Ol' Rio Grande:

Mark Weisbrot talks about the "issues" the US "leadership" has with democracy in South America and how, down there, success has come to those who "share the wealth" (071110e)

Cyril Mychalejko reports on the trend of mercenaries being used by the US to tackle problems in South America with less oversight than is given to the toy industry one wonders what IS going on "down there" (061410d)

Brian Smith reports on the perspective of some who view US "developments" in South America as a prelude to military action of some sort, certainly the capability is "being grown" (031310a)

Columbia:

htmTom Hennigan in Bogotá - we hear of the easy way to deal with an insurgency, first hire cripples and the extremely poor then sell them off to the military who then slaughters them and counts the bodies as guerillas. Perhaps a few thousand have died this way. I guess a body count is a body count. (062010c)

Cuba:

Tom Melle gives us a report that Fidel Castro is saying that a war on Iran is immanent - apparently he thinks it could ramp up any day now. (071410e)

El Salvador:

Paul Jay presents the 100 million dollar law suit by a Canadian company against El Salvador. It seems a treaty that Canada did not sign is being touted as the vehicle which allows the suit - but they have a Cayman based subsidiary to its all good. Could this be why the peoples South of the Rio Grande don't like us murdering gringos? (062010a)

Haiti:

Beverly Bell and Laura Wagner report on the crisis of aid in Haiti; the news reports billions in aid has been set up but it has not arrived and a good portion of it winds back up in the US or in corporate pockets. It is a mixed bag at best. (062710b)

Beverly Bell, reports on the ten thousand Haitians, most of them peasant farmers, marched against Monsanto's recent donation of seeds and for food sovereignty on June 4 (061710i)

Beverly Bell tales us to Haiti to see how a center piece of the aid program, something called HOPE II for the "Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008" if you unscramble that puzzle you'll see it spells out "sweatshop" and other unsavory concepts. (061210h)

Beverly Bell provides coverage of the situation in Haiti. I had hoped that stories like this would be gone by now. My failure is not archiving the others, but this one gives a big as well as particulate portrait of the extent of the problem. (052310c) Peggy Simpson reports on the effect of micro loans in Haiti. This grassroots and simplified means of extending aid is off an running while other programs are just setting up shop, amazing. (020110e)

Ben Ehrenreich talks about Haiti and the beaurocratized US military response to the difficulty there. (012210e)

Greg Palast gives us the facts, Haiti, the Right Testicle of hell as it's been called. Why do they have problems? How is the US involved, over the decades, what about Aristide? Papa and Baby Doc? (011710a)

William River's Pitt continues, if indeed it is needed, to evidence how Jackass like Rushed Limburgher and Fat Robberson have become. Word Rush: Haiti has NEVER been under communist role so you cannot say that is the reason they are so damned messed up. Perhaps it was the decades under the DuValliers who ripped off 80% off international aid over those same years you fat blathering blubbering bloated piece of shark bait. (011710b)

Honduras:

Laura Raymond and Bill Quigley give us an update on Honduras and the US backed coup that is still in power despite justice and resistance. (062810c)

Well, if you can believe Pravda as a source the US and Honduras have joined to create a new naval base for the US. (042010d)

Mark Weisbrot gives us all the skinny on why such a behemoth and ubermachtigen leute als is der Vereinigten Staaten () US is, is interested in Honduras and Haiti. Is it (s) chess and pawns? (b) Is it simple zero sum thinking? (c) Or is it mindless, greed masquerading as beneficent bureaucracy? Or, (d), all of the above. Decode your answers now. (020410a)

From the BBC it seems that Sudan may let bygones be bygones and so to the North and South peaceably split? (012710b)

From the AP, we hear of Honduras putting its deposed president into exile. The US backed coup is complete (012710c)

Mexico:

Michael Smith talks about how US banks help the Mexican drug cartels with money handling/laundering. Nice profits too! (070610a)

Mike Whitney talks about "the war next door". In Mexico the drug war has caused thousands of deaths in a few years time. The role of US policy plays a part, an important part, in what goes on in the streets. (042610b)

Laura Carlsen takes a peek, and takes us along, to consider the "murder capital of the world" Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (020810d)

Peru:

Dan Collyns of the BBC reports on the government of Peru rejecting a law regarding the land rights of indigenous peoples. China is seen, in this piece, as a "big investor" and the reason for the law being rejected is that it could be "bad for economic development." (062510c)


It's not nice to fool Mother Nature:

Jon Jensen reports on an off shore oil spill in the Red Sea. The government issued contradictory reports and no one seemed to know anything as the company, thought to be involved said they knew nothing. (071610b)

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reporting for the BBC tells of Russia's heat wave and its effects on crops - another "chaotic" large scale weather event. (071510e)

Randy Boswell talks about the shrinkage of the Arctic ice sheet. (071210c) From Margaret Munro we have a counter balancing story which reports on a new method of assessing the state of the Arctic ice cover. (071210d)

Patrik Jonsson reports on how the "climate gate" scandal of last year played out. It seems the science of global warming is fine but the behavior of some of its proponents is not. Not though the media back then and now will portray it that way. (070810d)

Juliette Jowit and Christine Ottery talk about how the tipping point in global warming has been reached. Changes, once thought to be very risky, are now all but certain while much worse consequences are increasingly likely. (070610b) Carolyn Lochhead, Chronicle Washington Bureau reports that, when asked, environmentalists think the usual dead zone is comparable to the new dead zone created by BP and the corporate "interests", lobbyists, and bought off government officials and regulators. (070610c) Jason Leopold reports, if you need to know, about BP's Alaskan operations and how any whistle blower is "taken care of". (070610d)

Arthur Max has a report on the level of toxins present in whales the world over. It is something that needs to be known. (062410a)

Pallab Ghosh indicates how the scientific community is "divided" on the subject of Global Warming. It is amazing that though the science is nailed down the skeptics still hold so much sway (062210i)

BBC also reports on an experiment where painting a mountain white is an attempt to bring back a glacier. I've had similar ideas for the arctic ice cap. That is to say fields of inflated, biodegradable white balloons, fixed to the surface to protect the ocean beneath from heat pollution. What, no takers? (061710e)

Stephen Kurczy Continues the thread of stories regarding the decline of snakes. And while the story also provides an explanation for the decline in frogs and salamanders it does not indicate that that trend has reversed. (061010c) Stephen Kurczy, Correspondent also reports on the movement of Galapagos fauna to Peru, speculating on the cause experts cite global warming as a factor. (061010d)

From Richard Black of the BBC we hear about snakes being in decline. The newt's and frog's decline had a cause but there was no word on what kind of "fix" was made for that problem. (060810g)

Sue Sturgis of Facing South talks about the uses that coal ash are being put to. Some create more problems but much of this "recycling effort" including its use as a soil amendment in food crops, has little or no oversight. (053010b)

Jim Witkin reports on the mega study of bio-diversity reports and data which show that bio-diversity is, overall, decreasing - and seriously so (052410c)

Victoria Gill reports on an "artificial" life form, one that was made through the efforts of human kind and has replicated billions of times. Call me old fashioned but there is a danger here that cannot be matched by even global warming. (052110e)

Dahr Jamail has a story about the "development" of Canada's tar sands. It seems the "means of production" "has" to be hauled across the northern US, but the trucks to be used require a nearly complete retrofitting of the highways to be used. Then there is the fact that the whole project will aid and abet global warming - once started the project will be the single greatest source of carbon pollution on the globe. (052210d) Says here that spring is coming about 10 days earlier and that this is a global warming fact. (052010a)

Sebastian Smith reports on a dire prediction concerning the ocean's fish stocks - we are, amazingly enough, fishing them out, imagine that. (051810d)

Michael McCarthy and David Usborne let us know that the BP oil spill is not the worst one in history, right now it may only be fourth, however there is some dispute about just exactly how much oil is roiling out and into the ocean. (051710c)

Mark Sappenfield reports on the "biggest oil spill in history" it seems the science, for this kind of thing, is inaccurate and so some investigations are underway. It is thought that much of the oil rising is not coming to the surface. In fact the leak may be producing over 3 million gallons a day and wreaking unknown havoc at various layers of the ocean. Most all oil spills, up until this time, have been from ships already on the surface so this event is "new" (051610a)

Riki Ott has some suggestions as to what you can do about the "big spill" which is quite the gusher, some reports today suggest that instead of 200k gallons per day it is just over 800K, nice sweet oil, yup. It's a killer. (051410f)

H.P. Albarelli Jr. reports on a "new disease" making waves and the kicker is that it has a human element in its genesis (050710g)

Marcy Wheeler some whisper as to the "real cure" for cancer is in prevention. This would have us look at causes and then we'd find chemicals, reagents, industry, food companies and health methodologies and supplies. So I WONDER why we don't go down that path; could it be MONEY? Or would it be simple GREED? Your pick (050710e)

Greg Palast reports on the history of the current oil disaster by relating it to a previous one. Some of the same "players" are in the field again and so is corruption, wealth, ignorance, pride and probably each and every one of the seven deadly sins. (050510b)

William Rivers Pitt reports on a few domestic stories, the "great spill" for one - some science has it that, as big as it is, it could get very much larger. Also, the means need to repair it, conventionally, are wanting. Nukes are mentioned as a way of sealing it up. (050410b) Linh Dinh gives us a bit of a walk through the history of oil in this country. (050410c)

Rebecca Solnit talks about how we've already gone beyond the turning point when it comes to global warming (042210c)

Dr. Mercola brings us updates on the lawsuits facing Monsanto, the nature of their "business" and what is happening to agriculture that seems, to me, ominous. (042320e)

Prof. Michael Ash or Prof. James K. Boyce let us in on the biggest corporate polluters on record. Mother Nature must be mighty proud of them! (040310c)

If that is not enough for you Lamu, Kenya has it that dirty water kills more people, globally, than do the sprinkling of wars humanity currently suffers from (032310l)

Juliette Jowit reports on how the "human element" is driving up the rate of extinction's, primarily through environmental destruction. (030810d) Oh, yes, evolution cannot keep up.

By Les Blumenthal: Ok today's term children is hypoxia, that is the depletion of oxygen, generally in ocean water. What this means is fish die off. Well, at one time pollution was considered a factor, but now, it seems, a warming ocean can accelerate and extend the range of "dead zones" (030810e)

Reuters, Hmmm Methane, can't you just smell it now? Seems more of this GW gas is pouring into the atmosphere, warming it ever faster. This newly discovered source is big, but is it new? Inquiring minds want to know. (030510b)

From science we learn that the sea level rise that could come if Antarctica (022610b)

Agnés Rousseaux talks about the budding field of nanotechnology which is making its presence known in our food products among other things (022210d) 

Eugene Robinson talks about the "debate" over global warming as it relates to the snow dump this winter in the DC area. (022110a)

Matthew Berger lets us see how climate change deniers are using the cold snap back east, part of the global warming scenario by the way, to deny warming and talk about a cooling problem, amazing. (021310c)

Joshua Frank covers the ground with the "Global Warming" debate by outlining a point, counterpoint. (021010g)

From the BBC we hear of the latest storm to hit DC. It IS a storm by the way. Of a kind that the global warming theory predicts, as the Gulf Stream portion of the "great conveyer" breaks down the winters in the North East US and Northern Europe will get harsher. (020610b)

Jill Richardson reports on shrimp, America's favorite food - we eat tons of it and at such as cost as we do not consider. (020410b)

Michael Winship reports on the reports of "Global Cooling" He goes so far as to cite a pair of publicly make and purposeful lies to that effect. The persons quoted in the cooling articles never said what the media has stated they've said. Simply Amazing (011610a)

Kyra Ryan reports from Taos NM where food independence is on the menu so to speak and a movement is afoot. (011610b)

Kathy Freston talks about the current flu epidemics and how they are related to the production methods in the pork and poultry industry. We have already seen how this system produces deadly diseases, swine and bird flues for example, but the question is what is the downside. (010910a)

From the BBC we have more on the European "Snow Out". This is in line with the global warming scenarios wherein the Gulf Stream slows and, eventually, fails to deliver. First comes harsher winters, later springs and shorter summers. Later on, if it continues, spring migrates into summer and fall expands as does winter. (010910f) From Patrick Johnson we have a related story about a cold winter in Florida; it is a mixed blessing in that invasive species, some anyway, are being killed off. (010910g)

Art Levine covers, or rather uncovers a "dirty little secret" when nuclear power advocates talk about how clean the plants are they may have a point, somewhat, but what about the messes that the mining operations leave behind? (010810f)



The Future in the News! AND our Presstitutes inacton:

From Media Matters we have, finally, the overview of the Faux (Fox) News News cycle: 1. Right-wing bloggers, talk radio hosts, and other conservative media outlets start promoting and distorting the story; 2, Fox News picks up the story and gives it heavy, one-sided coverage; 3, Fox News and conservative media attack the "liberal media" for ignoring the distorted story; 4, Mainstream media outlets eventually cover the story, echoing the right-wing distortions; 5, Fox News receives credit for promoting the story and 6, The story is later proven to be false or wildly misleading, long after damage is done. Plus they give examples (071610f)

Henry A. Giroux talks about the "disappearing intellectual" in the mix of cacophony that public dialogue on "issues of the day" (071310a) Robert Reich gives us some basic "facts of the field" to explain how we got to be in this mess and why it may be a good long while before we "get out of it". (071310b)

From Rethinking Schools Editors we hear about the corporate media's trend to "bash teachers" It is a growing trend, threatening the equality and quality of education. (070610h)

From the BBC we see a sample of what passes for news. They are right, perhaps, in reporting the story, but the story itself boils down to reporting a kind of "he said; she said" exchange, except this is not on a elementary school playground but in the diplomatic theater of the greater muddle east. (070110e) Glenn Greenwald also reports on how US media is "slanted" to such a degree that it is easily demonstrable. (070110f)

Robert Fisk gives us some coverage of the language used when the muddle east is being discussed. The terms and how they are used shape the debate, discussion and perception of the peoples whose governments are involved - nice - but who makes these definitive choices? (062210b)

John Pilger write a piece that talks about the art of making a war happen. He calls it the "Black Art" (060610h)

Leslie Thatcher reviews a book on the media, its slanted approach to things and how out of kilter it makes the perspective with which we US citizens see the world. (052610a)

When Patrick J. Buchanan writes you have to "consider the source" but the point is to be considered, is the war coming back home? (051210a)

Julia Harte although consensus grows regarding peak oil and its event horizon is not seen to be in the mid term, less than five years, we have plenty of Egyptians, those in denial, holding on for dear life. (051210c)

Melvin A. Goodman reports on the leading CIA apologist, David "Ignatz" of the Moonie Rag, the Washington Post. Ignatz is all over the map explaining away and denying facts. Such is the state of our "media" (050810a)

Ernest Partridge brings us a cogent article on the uneven contest in the US media which is used to explain the "death of the left" in terms of effecting the nature of public debate, information and decision making. Perception is king and the truth will not, it seems, come out. (050610g)

Dave Lindorff talks about a specific incident of Iran demonizing which only makes the larger picture more clear. (050410f) Our lovely media strikes again.

Bill Quigley reports on the Arizona immigration "law" which though challenged has provided some other states with "inspiration" and the national government to agree, even if after a fashion (050110d)

Kevin G. Hall reports that the economy grew. This is the latest in the "good news" that has come to dominate the perception in the media and public debate. Everything is "getting back to normal" is the message. (050110f)

Noam Chomsky, what a writer, so read this. If you are tired of uninformed parallels being drawn between the US and fascist Germany, well this is a good one. He says "history is to complex to repeat itself" but hastens to add that we still have lessons to learn. The US is collapsing to the right it seems to me and out of that mess something God awful may arise - heads up ... yo. (042010g)

Emily Spence gives us another mention of "peak oil" and this source gives quick consideration as to what the event may mean for Americans, or those who live like them. (041710d

George Lakoff talks about democracy, but if democracy depends on an informed electorate then the nature of how a polling question, proposition, or ballot initiative is phrased becomes important. Phrasing counts and with swings of 60% or more possible, depending on how something is "framed" then you can see that word-smithing is "everything' especially in California. (041510e)

Art Levine reports on the latest mine disaster, one wonders if all the dozens, no many more than that safety violations were addressed would it have happened? The press seems to think that it is a dangerous job and leaves it at that. But the company running the place resists any and all oversight by a weak, underpowered governmental agency. (041210g)

Barnabe F. Geisweiller, the NYT and, by implication, other "information outlets" or "media" have an objectivity problem, I know, news flash, but this IS serious (040610c) Lewis R. Gordon says but this problem is broader than just the media, academia has been "polluted" as well. It is a place where "everyone" thinks it is a "liberal" place. NOT. The creepy creeping creeps have crept in and slept with them all (040610d)

Matthew Duss reports on the amazing amount of "flotsam and jetsam" that one finds in a single paragraph of the erstwhile "dimbulb" otherwise known as "Weird Al" Dershowitz in the "Gall Street Journal" basic facts are tossed aside. I think that is usually called lying, but it passes muster in today's world of Presstitution. (032410a) Why it's enough to drive a war with Iran through!

William Rivers Pitt talks about the recent Time Magazine cover which, again, reports on the most recent victory in Iraq. Lucky for us it is just in time. Now that you've stopped laughing read this article, lots of juicy quotes from "that whacky, whackoff Bush's admin and sycophants. (031810a) Meanwhile: Melvin A. Goodman has an arduous task, reporting on the lies of Karl "I can put anything up my ass and eat it" Rove. I know, I know, I cleaned up the quote, I had to. (031810b)

Scott Sanders and James Owens report on a plan to "balance the media" or ensure its neutrality. I think it is a great idea, but wonder how far the effort will go in terms of achieving its aim. (031610a)

Taboo Thwarts Candor on Israel/Iran by Ray McGovern - the writer poses questions that should be presented in the discussion were it "fair and balanced" which it was not. The Jewish Elephant with its giant pulsating and pearlescent pudenda precluded proper prioritizing. (021210b)

Glenn Greenwald talks about how "crazy" is defined. To the best of my limited understanding it "crazy" is used to describe anything or anyone that is not meet with the standards of those with the power to define others, set agendas, in short the powerful (030410b)

Tom Fenton reports on how reporting is being cut back. Not a new story, just the latest wave in the change which effects how the information stream people and their nations depend upon is being dammed and drying up. (030310g)

David Sirota reports on the frightening aspects of what our "media moguls" are supportive of, I mean Glen "Der ScheissGefressenden Uber Mensch" calls for death, and not really in a metaphorical sense, oh sorry Glen that is a word with more than two syllables. (022610f)

Glenn Greenwald reports on the American Torturers and how liars lie big to deny the truth, it is amazing what they do, watch the magic. (022210e)

Tom Engelhardt gives us a much needed perspective, which means you won't see this on prime time - covered are the media's "reaction" to the "underpants bomber" the notion of how "Big Terrorism" has changed the landscape of US politics and how the "Reich Wing" media megaphone has distorted the world for us. The casualty list for terrorism is minuscule compared to the "everyday" killing spree the US population is subject to. (021510b) In what I see as a related article, Norman Solomon reports on "Dollars for Death, Pennies for Peace" (021510d)

Sebastian Jones reports on the "experts" that the corporate news structure provides the public; what were not told would tell a tale, however (021310b) Speaking of the "media" however, Barry Eisler adds his bit as to how our media help the terrorists succeed beyond their means. (021310f)

Randy Baker reports on the reasons why Journalism, reporting and "hard nosed news" are failing, partly the model of advertising based support, partly corporatization, partly a lazy public, in my mind, and then the solution being suggested, something I thought of years ago, may well not be what it appears; you read; you decide. (010110a)



The legacy: America's "selection of 2000" Repuglican' Party, Obama and North of the Rio Grande

The lame George W. Jackass Legacy:

Michael Reynolds brings us coverage or rather illumination of the American right-wing Christian movement (ARWCM) that is playing a role in the "development' of Kurdistan. The volatile mix in a volatile area being done in a volatile manner gets heavy support from the US in various ways. The Kurds take what they can from the deal as do the ARWCM - both think they are "getting over" it seems to me. (071410f)

Rachel Maddow has us going back to Katrina and what turned out to be lying, murdering police in action caught and now confessing to it all. (071410h)

From The Telegraph comes a brief which indicates the depth and heights to which the lying about Iraq, pre-invastion, sunk or rose to. (071210b)

Jason Leopold reports on the legal opinions given to the CIA, amongst others, regarding torture techniques. Let's just say the CIA, and others, seemed to have had their own take on the opinions and went "their own way" (071610e)

César Chelala reports on George Wanker Bush, the historians are weighing in, as has happened before, he places in the bottom decile or so. I think that will be about as good as it gets for W. (070610g)

Adele M. Stan reports on the "Tea-Party" and the dismissive myths that occlude its reality and diminish its threat. (070510a)

Mark Weisbrot reports on the lack of congressional support for extending unemployment benefits. Other papers reported relief efforts from 200Bln to 100Bln down to 24Bln and now - zip. That is how powerful the Damnocrps are and the Rethuglicans they seem to think this is a "darned good idea". (062610b)

Prof. David Ray Griffin takes us back to the "real start" of Bushism, 9/11. The question of whether or not the Afghan war is legal turns on the events of that day, and the subsequent events related to it. The government's narrative falls apart upon examination. So what does that leave us? (062610g)

Eugene Robinson talks about the state of the "so called" GOP mindset. Joe Barton is still being defended for his carefully worded piece sympathizing with BP. (062210j)

Paul Owen and agencies report that G.W.Jackass, the one and only "Global Village Idiot" and president select has admitted to torture. Just as when his whacky, boozing, drugged out shotgun toting dimbulb compadre the "Dickless Wonder" himself, Chainey, was blathering about his okaying torture, the media ignores it, no charges will be brought, indeed no one gives a flying furburger, it would seem. (060310c)

Dave Johnson reports on the Regan legacy, which is the Repuglican legacy which is the Bush dynasty's royal flushdown of our economy. (052510f)

Eugene Robinson reports on the tea party's effects in the recent election, lots to speculate on (052110h)

Brad Knickerbocker reports on the Texan's effort to revise historical perceptions via the state's school books. Sounds like a "forward" step to me. (052210e)

Brad Knickerbocker reports on those "crazy Tea Partiers" raising a fuss again, this time knocking out a Repuglican who fell into their disfavor, well, well, well. Idiocy IS on the rise and the march. (050910c)

As if we need further proof that the nutjobs and flapdoodle squads are in charge of the media which "informs" the public we see some "revisionist screeds" gaining traction as Caroline Arnold reports on Kent State 40 years on. (050210a) Then, from Randall Amster, we have another "report" on the "coverage" of the Reich Wing Dimbulb, fat butted faction that the sunken oil rig off the US southern coast was an "act of war". If you can stand to even hear Rush's voice, or the other bottom feeding blimpoids, you'd have heard them blame the North Koreans, Eco-terrorists, Al Gore, the Russians and or the Chinese. (050210b) And from Wayne Hay we hear about the source of the well-known photo of a pistol toting "red shirt" at a protest in Thailand. (050210e) from the persons who took that picture. And now, from Patrik Jonsson we have the essential history that runs from the "there is no leak" phase to the "we have 1,000 bbls a day" to "we have 5,000 bbls a day" to "5,000 bbl/day is the extreme low end of the rate and there may be much more to come and a three month wait for a fix." and that wold be today. (050210)

James Howard Kunstler When G.W. Bush said "This sucker could go down" he was talking about the US economic system. Mr. Kunstler agrees and predicts that "all hell to pay day" is coming to a neighborhood near you. (042710a)

Chris Hedges reports on the newest and strongest secessionists. He mentions both Vermont and Texas where the sentiment is favored by about one in three persons. The common thread is that people believe the system, such as it is, has been corrupted and can not be fixed. (042610a)

Dr. Evaggelos Vallianato reports on those madcap daffy Bush years when the EPA was the best public servant money cold buy, and it did! (041110e)

Eric Boehlert reports on how the "militia movements message" gets into the media via "Big Mouth" Beck. (040710a)

From the BBC we hear of yet another Bush legacy falling and failing in its once touted promise - Kyrgyzstan's troubled government may h ave fallen and maybe no one can take credit except the people of the nation itself. (040710c)

From Daniel Cancel and Maria Kolesnikova we hear of Chavez and Putin firming up and expanding ties, yet another Bush legacy (040510b)

William Rivers Pitt knows it is not April Fool's Day but goes into the strange territory of the Reich wing nut jobs whose "antics" last week fomented a spate of hooliganism and violent threats. (040210a) Glynn Wilson follows up with another, pinpoint specific, example of the same "journey into hatesville" (040210b) And Bob Burnett provides a somewhat hyperbolic overview but the comments are both illustrative and illuminating. (040210c) From the NYT we have Frank Rich weighing in on the same topic as Burnett, perhaps more reasonably so. (040210d) And Joe Conason gives some other details regarding the issue at hand. (040210e)

David L. Clark reports on Canada and the simple tale that goes like this "Little Annie Coulter wants to talk to the "great white north" but her racist and violent rants area not welcome. So when the welcome mat is withdrawn "all Hades erupts from the bowels of the American Reich Wing, flapdoodle and wingnut set. (033110c)

Davidson Loehr note that meanwhile, in their own private Idaho, the whorey likes of Coulter, the buffalo buttiness of Limbugher and "speck brain" Beck have much in common with their NAZI precedents as far as ignorant, dimbulb, anus mouthed gimcrackery (031110c)

Rose Aguilar reports on the lack of intelligent life forms in our very own Utah. I know that is no surprise but they are now vying for "bottom feeder" status with the "old South." (031110d)

Jeremy R. Hammond takes us back to the thrilling days of yesteryear, 9/11 when he reports on a Washington Post editorial which "slammed" the 9/11 "conspiracists". Unfortunately, the slammer is slammed by the facts. The most damning of which is that thermite has been found in the dust from the 9/11 remains. Gee, how would that get there? (030910a) had the Washington Post considered the article found in The Open Chemical Physics Journal Volume 2 ISSN: 1874-4125 they would have found the link that would let them download the report in full, with photos, graphs and all sorts of data. (030910b)

Jason Leopold reports on the torture issue and John Yoo, Bush and others who were "on board with the waterboard" as it were. (022110b)

James Ridgeway reports on the Repuglican attitude toward those millions that their billionaire buddies have broken - it may be summed up as follows: "tough shit" (022810c)

From NTI we hear that the house wants to continue investigating into the Anthrax mailings that the FBI announced was closed. (022810a) Seems like the 9/11 narrative us "not fading away"

Paul Craig Roberts introduces the burgeoning organization of engineers and others professionals who doubt the governments 9/11 "story". Some thousand in number they are on a growth track as the evidence of falsity remains (022710a)

And here we go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear when "Anthrax was King" You'll be glad to know that the official investigation into the Anthrax mailings has been closed. What we did not "find anyone" that's ok. All is well. After all we have not had another Anthrax scare since then. Our defense must be working. (022110c)

Ben Aris in Berlin and Duncan Campbell take us back to those heady days in 2004 When Bush the Jackass was busy stealing his second term in orifice. This tale is the Bush - Nazi connection given a simple overview. It never became an issue in the election. (013010g)

Howard Fineman gives us the word about a GOP leader who passes unrecognized as such, Roger Ailes, head of "Faux" News, brings Palpitating Palin's Portentous Pudenda to millions of Gibbering Old Punters and other Zombie Brained Zitwarts. (011810e)

Joe Bageant reports that the Battle for US Culture is over and guess who won? I know you'll have some idea of who lost, enjoyable read, so, enjoy. (011510e)

Robert Parry talks about what is called the "lost decade" that of the aughts or more apropos, the naught, the 00;s or just O's. He seems puzzled about what went wrong, describes some things but I think there is more. (011710d)

Job losses for December are only part of the story. A "lost decade" seems to continue on. (010810e)

Chris Adams reports on the continuing fall out of Bush the Jackass, as mortgage failures outpace current efforts to rescue them. (010310b)

Repuglican Party:

Roberto Cintli Rodriguez reports from Arizona and the upheaval its "lawmakers" have caused. The article goes on to explain that persons born in the US ARE US citizens by right of birth, but Arizona seems to be challenging that bit of the Constitution, the "Law of the Land" as it were. (061210e)

Joshua Holland gives us a tour of the "Radical Right's so called "mind". We learn about what drives them and their "secret fears" it is a veritable "turd bowl" of delights, believe me (061210f)

Dahr Jamail reports on Arizona's war on immigrants. There is a death toll and damages. (051610b) But that is "not enough" now school programs are being targeted and a sea change seems to be on the way (051610c)

Christine Ahn gives us some "on the ground perspective" in Arizona in the aftermath of the new law. (051410e)

Yana Kunichoff reports that other states are considering an "Arizona like response" to immigration "reform", as it were (051310a)

Rick Ungar has a piece refuting the great and "brainless bimbo Palin" when she appeared recently on Bill O'Reilly's TV show, Palin advised that what we need to do in this country is - "Go back to what our founders and our founding documents meant &emdash; they're quite clear &emdash; that we would create law based on the God of the bible and the ten commandments - I've heard such claims before but a few simple facts, quotes from our founding fathers, demolish the "barf brained bellicose bellowing bimbo" (051310g)

Ruth Marcus reports on Arizona; by now you've heard of their infamy, however the genesis of that has unusual sourcing, some of the best campaign reform legislation in the nation. (050610i)

Adele M. Stan talks about the "Tea Partiers" specifically that they are not as "dumb" as critics make them out to be; there is an old saying "crazy like a fox" this may be the case, she says. (050410e)

MJ Rosenberg reports on Israel's Guardian in the Senate, self proclaimed. And this is the sort of "mind" that makes decisions for us these days OMG (050310b)

Wendy Norris might say, speaking of "Nut cases in dangerous places" we have the sordid tale of a would be politician who has been arrested for hat crimes and still keeps on "doing his thing". (050310a)

From the CSM Michael B. Farrell reports on Utah's growing dissent and dislike for the Federal government which owns 60% of the state. Alluded to is a growing perception that taking back federal land is an idea whose time has come. States rights is the issue that covers a plethora of diverse grievances. My take is that as times get worse this will be ever more important. Consider the Tea Party and other such things such as Palin for a distressful example (050210f)

Bernard Weiner talks about how the "Tea Party" is being not only misread but misunderstood. As the times on this planet get worse their "force" may only be augmented. The left appears helpless and hopeless to deal with this and although the corruption of the media, politics, business and the intelligencia have played a debilitating role it has one wonder when "the left" will make any sort of effort (042810a) Greg Palast has a related report from Arizona where racism and ignorance have reached new heights and power - profiling is legal there and the Repuglcians are making hay off of it eyeing the next election. (042810b) Yana Kunichoff completes the triangulation of the portrait of an electorate in trouble and looking for trouble. There is "anti-incumbent" attitude becoming more pervasive and this may be influential - even as the left is passive and not at all ready for any kind of fight this fall. (042810c)

Ruth Marcus talks about the Reich wing, "tea party", tin foil hat, wingnut, rimjobbers are out in force and with deadly force are increasingly violent and willing to "do something about it." (041410c)

David Lightman, Halimah Abdullah and Grace Gagliano let us hear about the latest Repuglican to batter his own brains out. He wants to "cut off" unemployment extentions to "balance the budget" no matter his own profligacy or "courage" (041110g) From TomDispatch we hear of a land called "GlenBeckistan" where the "Tea Party" rules - or it gets as close as it can to doing just that. Humans with functioning memories and at least average IQ's call it Utah. (033010a)

Beau Hodai writes about a key "luminary" of the Tea Party, Mr. Dick, "I AM a jackass" Armey, or as he is known in certain circlets, "old Jerkey". His "interests and history pose interesting inconsistencies with his current flame out position with the TP. (032610a) If that is not enough then you can read about the idiotic collagist ranting from the "twilight zone of the mind" (aka Tea Party) who have crafted nonsense into the dreaded "Cloward-Piven strategy". This is a vast conspiracy destined to lead the US toward fascism and or communism and the economic crash and Obama are proof! (032610b)

Rich Benjamin gives us a peek at the Tea Party Convention. Only the whitest of the white take the podium and Sara "the penis pumper" Palin flaps her yap flapper as a keynote. As if the world needs any more proof that the US has entered the Twilight Zone (020610a)

Froma Harrop talks about the health plan Massachusetts already had and how it had its effect on the recent election there. Oh, they do mention the irony of the repoglican candidate who voted for the Mass. plan but says he plans to vote against the national plan modeled after it ... go figure (012110a)

Obama:

Matthew Brown and Ramit Plushnick-Masti discuss the effects the BP spill is having on the ecological web on the Gulf. (071410c) Vern Radul if all the "happy talk" about the BP well is not enough for you, then you can read this and see the real worst case scenario. (071410d) Mike Ludwig a oil well blow out in Pennsylvania was nearly a headline generating problem due to corporate errors and poor oversight. (071410i)

Mark Seibel talks about how the effort to UNDO BP's error is going. Maybe by mid-August we could see some results. We shall see what we shall see. (070910e)

Anne McClintock reports on the implications of the militarization of the language being used to describe the BP disaster. Salient points are that the relief well is being drilled, since two weeks after the blowout, it says; the wide range of the estimates of just how much oil IS flowing and how difficult it is to actually cover the scene, take pictures now that, as stated in other articles, one has to have permission to approach clean up sites, do fly overs and more, thanks Obamawan Nobody. (070810e)

Dahr Jamail and Erika Blumenfeld take us to Barataria, one time pirate hold of legend and now a place where the toxic effects of the BP disaster are in "full bloom" (071310d)

Joe Conason talks about what is called "conventional wisdom" the essence of this article is that in unconventional times or during similar conditions is "conventional" what is wanted? (070910b)

Mr. Clifton has one wonder, if the US is "so concerned" about nuclear proliferation - I mean to say they've pressed for interdiction of North Korean vessels and want ever tougher sanctions on Iran, but when it comes to China and Pakistan, well, it's a whole different story. (070110g)

Stephen Kinzer brings us the "birth of BP' how this monster got started and bathed in blood. (062910i)

Dallas Darling talks about the risk of exercising free speech if you happen to be a school teacher - what lessons are learned or taught by the silencing of dissent or pacifism? (062710c)

Jim Lobe reports on the latest round of US unilateral sanctions against Iran; the article does not say it will allow a blockade to be imposed, at least not directly. (062610a) But if AIPAC is happy it's got to be bad.

From Reuters we see that the original BP calculations and estimates of flow were horrifically wrong and obviously so. The one comment on this article is from someone who has written BP with ideas but now, it seems a storm is approaching and the well may just gust until such time as the storm blows over. And then what? (062510d)

Mark Morford goes for a laugh and, it seems, makes the gaffe. He talks about the worsening worst case scenarios for the BP disaster. What was, perhaps, meant as humor inspired little of that. Great comments with interesting links, a good read nonetheless (062510a)

Joel Achenbach talks about the varying figures that the BP mess has generated. The comments that follow are rich and varied, worth the read - all the way to the bitter end. (062310c) This site has a live video feed from the well head as well as many comments dozens upon dozens, a nice read too. (062310d)

James Carroll talks about a pending failure in the US - without being specific as to how he just describes several unfolding and simultaneous crises that are bedeviling our Mr. "no drama Obama" (062210a Nice argumentative comments however.

From Bloomberg Businessweek we hear that the BP well had serious problems months before it blew up, nice to know now. (062210e)

Clancy Sigal reports on the blow back that "no drama Obama" is garnering from those who once supported him. I, personally, have been done with him since before "health care" "debate" Oh, well. We DO have a choice, however, in this country. We DO have a chance to elect either a conservative corporatist or a more liberal sounding one - can't beat that with a schtick, yo! (062010d) Lots of comments on this one and nice argumentative ones at that.

Ryan Chittum gives us some nuggets allowing insight into how the US gets, wastes and uses energy, how big the banking crisis is, and the level of corruption in the housing "industry" (062010f)

Patrik Jonsson reports regarding the big spill - it seems that the US is short of skimmers, no matter that offers have come in from over seas (061910d)

Nick Turse has the Pentagon BP connection you've all been waiting to hear. If the US wants to "get tough" with BP Obama could order the US military to cease buying from BP, how about that for a "big gun"? (061710h

Mike Ludwig reports on the exoneration of ACORN. Now that it is dead as the proverbial door nail. Those who set it up are unapologetic, are not being held accountable - in any meaningful or real sense - and the world moves on (061710k)

James Russell gives us the "nutshell" version of some top stories. (061710j)

Comparing BP's disaster to others, saying "it is no three mile island" which maybe true but check the argumentative comments. (061410b)

Jason Leopold reports that BP's Alaska operations have problems too. This article has more specifics than the ones prior to it. (061510d)

Reuters says that US govt. has i that the debt will be at 19.6 Trillion by 2015. Now, if our GNP is only about 13tn or so, figuring in a decline, then the debt to GNP ration will be in the 130% range which is what Greece has now and which has caused all sorts of hell to be paid. Portents anyone? (061110c)

BBC has it that the oil gushing in the gulf is more than we've been told by "official" sources - anyone surprised? (061110f)

From the BBC we have another "SO NOW THEY TELL US" kind of story about the AIG blowout bailout - they say it was "toxic" and taxpayers will "loose". NICE TO KNOW FOLKS (061010g)

Mike Ludwig reports on the damages that BP's "cure" is effecting. Big die offs from the dispersants seem to be happening. This time access to the beaches are not blocked by police under the direction of BP as in earlier cases. (060810d) Renee School and Erika Bolstad report that the well, even after some success, may still be putting out some 100,000 Bbls of oil. (060810e)

Marcus Baram reports on a BP whistle blower who blew loud and long. It is the contention of the article that some of the methods used by BP in it current crisis were methods that had not passed testing, except on paper that is. (060610g)

George Lakoff reports that the reported privatization of public housing has been shelved. (060310b)

Mark Sappenfield, reports on the failure of the latest BP effort. So, now what? Waiting is in order it seems while stop gap measures are implemented; lets hope that these are more effective? (053010a)

Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press has a report on an agreement to hold a meeting regarding non proliferation of nuclear weapons in the middle east. It seems to be the US position that this is a means of dealing with Iran but not Israel. Nice logic if you can manage it. (053010g)

Greg Bluestein and Ben Nuckols from AP report on the "progress" of BP's latest effort to "stem the tide" (052910a) Rob Herbert, NYT, reports on Obamasan's admission of error and involvement in the BP cleanup mess. (052910b)from Greg Palast we hear of another BP oil spill, this one in Alaska, where the giant pipeline, with which BP is a major player, has had one of its pumping stations break down and spill oil all over the place. It also shows how BP "derails" any whistle blower's attempt to make even a peep. (052910c)

Dilip Hiro asks the musical question are YOU done with Obama yet? It is thought our foreign policy could use something of a make over, just as Hillosaurus Wrecks can, I would guess. (052710b)

Andrew Clark in New York and Suzanne Goldenberg ask whether or not the BP "fix" is in and will work. One hopes, but one fears as well. (052710c)

Reuters home page for o5/27/10 (052710d) and Asia Times home page both give a bit of an overview of what the world is about on this day of our lord, in the year 2010 (052710e)

Steven Thomma has it that Obama is sending "the guard" to the US - Mexico border. Keep in mind that this is NOT a militarization of the border that was the headline in other sources. Yes these are the same troops that are being sent to Iraq and Afghanistan but they are not really troops, at least not when they patrol the border and are armed and are under the military's control, not a state's. I get it' I get it! Pigs have wings and dogs live in trees! It's easy. (052610e)

It seems the Oil Biz and their cuddly Govvy buddies share beers, porn and shortcuts. Who IS watching the store? Why DID we have an oil disaster, are the two connected???? (052510c)

William Rivers Pitt talks about Kagan for SCOTUS. She is hiding herself well, her mind and all that not that it will matter, she was nominated by Obama after all. (051210b)

Marisa Taylor lets us know that 27 more deep water oil rigs are to come online all waiving waivers that allow them to shortcut the oversight and such like so forth and so on. (051010c)

In the Obama category we have two entrants today: First, Marjorie Cohn wants to know why Obama is picking some "nobody" named Kagan for SCOTUS? I mean he can't FIND ANYONE more qualified? (051010d) And then, Bill Quigley wonders when Obama will divorce himself from Bush, what is up with targeting US citizens for assassination? (051010e) Talk about yet another slippery slope Obama's luge is lunging on.

Andy Worthington writes about Guantanamo and the ridiculous incarcerations that have been perpetuated by Obama, even if Bush started the festering stink hole of a filthy mess, there is no need to be so slow about cleaning it up, or is three? (050910d)

Zach Carter gives a look at the new hope, financial reform. It is questionable whether or not we'll undo all of the Bushshit programs nor whether the reform will truly do just that. (050410d) maybe it won't be as bad as "health reform" who knows.

Robert C. Koehler talks to us about the current state of nuclear armament and disarmament. (042810g)

Joe Conason talks about the "Obama Effect" to be specific how his presidency has given the US image abroad a rebound, despite what is happening at home (042210b)

Dr. Joseph Gerson for the Obama files, perhaps he is trying to "undo" some small portion of the Bush "legacy" regarding the former "resident's" free hand with nukes (041910d)

Tiny (aka Lisa Gray&endash;Garcia talks to us about the life and death struggle that is coming into view - as the safety net is shredded, from the federal level on down, thousands, even tens of thousands will have their lives put at risk. (041510c)

Henry A. Giroux School teachers have been under assault ever since the Reich wing got "its pact together" and determined that it, among other social structure items, had to be destroyed to save them, the Reich wing that is, (041410a)

If you have not been introduced to TomPaine.com, there is no time like the present (041310d) Today's home page, 04/13/10 has a focus on domestic issues, a great nutshell read.

Peter Grier brings us the salient details of a meeting concerning "nuclear issues" in the world, some scary or interesting facts abide in this text. (041310f) Obama was there, acting concerned.

Jason Leopold looks into the problem inherent with giving the president the power to order executions of American citizens. (040710b)

The main page for Reuters for this day, 04/02/10 shows headlines that reflect the issues: The economy is turning a corner, China is talking about currency issues, China may "go with" the US on some kind of response to Iran, terrorist violence comes to Moscow, Israel attacking Gaza and more (040210f)

From NPR we see a discussion of the use of drones under Obama, something that has been ramped up considerably over the "bungling Bush" years. (033010c)

Norman Solomon writes about Obama in his bomber jacket giving a "morale boosting talk" to the US armed forces. The flash back to Johnson in Vietnam is an eerie flashback. (033010b)

Amy Goodman, Democracy Now has a discussion about the current "rescue" plans coming from Washington. There is a serious disconnect between what is needed and what is being done. (033010d)

Alan Barber has a piece on the "usefulness" of the Obama administration's newest effort to help home owners save their bacon - he thinks it is questionable. (032610c)

Art Levine, this report has it that 2.4 million jobs were "lost to China". This kind of thinking ignores the fact that US policy is responsible for most of that. Corporations go overseas to save money and "off" US workers. This has been going on "pell mell" since NAFTA at least. Then too domestic companies "buy Chinese" and most all of this has nothing do with the Yuan and China's choices. Besides, again, what are they doing that the US has not done to others? (032510d)

Bernard Weiner reports on the "Obama learning curve" which has been much longer and slower than one might have expected. (032510e)

By Warren Richey now that the hoopla and celebration is over, let the lawsuits begin. Some 13 states are suing to prevent the implementation of the health care reform package, wonderful. (032410c)

Dave Lindorff introduces us to the essentials of a Texas case where capital punishment again figures. Some basic evidence, in the law's possession, has yet to be entered into the record. A man's life is at stake and the "once great state's" governor looks the other way. (032310h)

Michael Moore poses a few comments directed and the "tin foil hat" wing of American politics, oh, I mean repuglicans (032310a) Robert Reich gives us more sober view of the Health bill just passed. (032310b)

Jason Leopold reports on the demise of ACORN and the Reich wing confab that managed the job over the years. (032310)

Daan de Wit talks about the continuity between Bush, now imagine this, and Obama, as far as Iran goes. (032110a) Hana Levi Julian speaks on the pressure, or blow back Obama is facing when his administration levies criticism against Israel (032110b)

William Douglas reports on the racism and to some extent homophobia exhibited by the "wing nut" faction of the right protesting the Health Care reform. (032110c) Jim Hightower illuminates one possible source of this "aluminum foil hatted nut job mob" with the Kock brothers, billionaire booboos both of them. (032110d)

Jeanine Molloff reports on a "last ditch", "hail Mary" attempt at getting a "robust public option" in the works using a simple four page bill that would extend the existing Medicare system. (032010c)

William Rivers Pitt illuminates why Kucinich "changed his mind" regarding the health care "reform" now pending and has become its champion. (031910e)

Christopher Cooper talks about the final turn for Kucinich regarding the health plan, which now he decides to vote for. I cannot understand why, however, his voting for or against it would not matter as far as I can tell. He is a bright compassionate man and thus, in congress, is irrelevant. (031810c)

Roy Eidelson talks about the value of what I would call "organized outrage", it is long overdue and the justifications for it are as close as the nearest foreclosed properly, the most recent layoffs, billionaire bankers making out on bailouts, polluters poisoning regulations and on and on. (031610c)

Dick Meister gives us the scoop on the unhappy couple US labor and Obama, it seems the connubial felicity that was expected has not come to pass, in fact very little coming has been going on, to extend a ridiculous metaphor. (031210c)

Paul Richter scales back our perception of Obama as an agent of change now that "regime change in Iran" is becoming more the approach than what he campaigned on. (031110a)

Jason Leopold, has us consider Obama as another campaign promise "bites the proverbial dust" (030910c) Joshua Frank and Jeffrey St. Clair, have us take another reminiscent look at Obama and the nuclear industry, "It be like de man says, dey be tight an' shit" (030910d) William Blum tells a true tale of bribery that boggles but goes unnoticed, well not unnoticed just given a pass big enough to drive a truckload of money through (030910e)

Bill Quigley gives us a list of 15 reasons for revolution, it is a nice list. (030910f)

On Languages of Power and Powerlessness Sunday 07 March 2010 by: Zygmunt Bauman a great and detailed read which requires a good deal of thinking and consideration, real meat and potatoes thinking here, no fluff. (030710c)

Nat Hentoff reports that the president can and has ordered the execution of US citizens overseas in a war that has no real meaning for the words friend or foe, ally or enemy or "rights" for that matter. (030110g)

David Glenn Cox reports on a veteran who survived an awful blow, half of his head is gone yet he lives on. The story goes unheralded while US citizens watch American Idol and the Olympics or chocolate cake recipe bake offs. Great media job folks. (030110a)

From Robert Reich we hear about the Damnocraps being in the dumps while the Repuglicans are pumped up for the next election cycle. He goes into why that is, but does it matter? (020110b)

Jo Comerford reports on the US budget for 2011 which assumes many things, many of them are "iffy". Then too the "balancing act" has as its fulcrum the backs of the poor, the students, workers, unemployed and so for the and so on. (030110c)

Brad Friedman reports on Sibel Edmonds who has publicly make claims that we've traitors working in our government and though what she says is not news, the news has it that it is not news too. So what happens when a whistle blower whistles? Nada? (030110f)

Lt. Col. Barry Wingard reports on how the US is moving toward forever imprisonment without ever a trial. (022310g)

George Lakoff recommends a few books but the article Obama, Tea Parties and the Battle for Our Brains explains how, through the clever use of language, framing and psychology, after a fashion, the conservatives are "winning" the culture war and the "liberals" are being pasted. Not that the bias in the media or the billions they have at hand are not a factor mind you. (022210a) Related to that article is this one. In it Robert Reich complains about how a 51 vote Senate majority is "not enough" but that previous article makes it clear how it never will be (022210b)

Kathleen Burge reports on a new underground trend where people in the managerial class help those who work under them in an unfair system. (022110d)

Kyle Berlin reports on indefinite detention without trial a very Bush like act now being approved by the Obaminator himself. (021810b)

E.J. Dionne Jr. spreads some text on why the Damnocraps are loosing out. I mean to say, can YOU guess why? I knew I could - guess first then read see how you stack up (021810f)

from Beyond Nuclear comes a denouncement of an Obama administration approval of a new nuclear plant. Problem is the design has known problems and, best of all, built into the financing is the taxpayers who get to hold the bag if it goes south. No matter that the company already is over budget and time for current projects. (021610e)

David Lightman talks about the overuse of the filibuster in the US Senate. (021510f) Seems like Repuglicans are going for the record on its use "all ahead full" to sink the Damnocraps in the upcoming mud slinging fest.

Alexander Cockburn gives us the broad sweeping outline of the demise of the left in America (021310d)

Grace Huang advises us, as if we did not know, that health care costs are rising fast - from what I see it is an unsustainable rate, but the rupuglcians and Blue Ball, uh, I mean Blue Dog Damnocraps beat it like a syphilitic old nag (020810b)

Chris Hedges gives us the "skinny" on the Terrorist Industrial Complex. A detailed depiction of one case. (020810c)

Dahr Jamail reports on how the US military, through history, has had a penchant for a particular kind of violence, why we sign treaties just to break them, it seems, and more. (020610c)

Mike Elk asks how is Obama like my one time, would be girlfriend who is "on again off again" not at all like a condom. (020410f)

C.M. Sennott talks about the issue of gays in the military. My sense of the issue revolves around two thoughts, one, if I were in a battle I'd be more interested in where my buddy is aiming his gun rather than his dick conversely, if I were "hating on" gays why not let them into the armed forces where "nature will take its course" so to speak. (020410g)

Bernard Weiner talks about the 7 headed beast leading the US to catastrophe. It is a good overview. There is more that I would add, but it IS a good read. (013110d) From Mark Montgomery we have a parallel story about the "disasters" the US has suffered from in the past 8 or 9 years. (013110e)

Christine Ahn and Susanna Handow report on a rare Obama success story, that of women's rights and justice. (013010a)

From the BBC, maybe we have to look to someone outside of us to see what is happening. Essentially this brief illuminates how US voters have been bamboozled into fighting against their own interests and in favor of the corporate agenda or that of the super rich. How do they do it? Read on. (013110a)

David Michael Green, a one time Obama enthusiast, demonstrates how far apart he's grown from our "dear leader". I sympathize with his sorrows and disappointment. This HAS been a BAD WEEK, as he put it and as he explains it in his article, worthy read, really. (013010f)

Jason Leopold reports on a Kucinich like health care bill in California, what the Fed/Obama originally built up hope for and which was scuttled by Obama. Well, let us see if Herr GropenFuhrer makes good his veto threat and if the Left Coast Legislature sends the "Girly Man" packing. (012910c)

Tom Loudon expands on prior articles saying that the American Coup is complete (012810a)

Another report on the "fall out" of the Masss Election, this one argues that although Obama was not "the issue" it did raise red flags. the "bank speech" and proposed actions may not go far enough. (012410a)

Ellen Hodgson Brown reports on how Canada did its health care, how it was fought against, damaged and, despite all that, is still up and running. More of them like theirs than we like ours. Lessons to be learned. (012410d)

From Press TV we hear the "science fiction" claim being bandied about internationally, but not in the US, of course, that the HAARP installation, or some other US made device, had a role in Haiti's earthquake. (012410e) Unlike other "Sci-Fi" conspiracy type issues, HAARP exists and the Europeans have serious questions about it, which remain unanswered. (012410e) So here is one background story on HAARP (012410f) Another with pictures (012410g) And one more that has some interesting facts on the part of the page dealing with HAARP (012410h)

William Fisher reports on the "get tough Obama" talk o banks and a bit of why he might be doing that, just now (012210d) Joseph Nevins expands a bit on that thought and outlines it with a particular example from "main street". (012210f) From Reuters we hear about how banks' current slippery easement into investing could be hurt by simple changes to regulatory allowances. (012210a)

Keith Oberman on the recent SCOTUS decision to "give the store and the bank away" as far as democracy is concerned. Be afraid, be very afraid. (012210b) Michael Doyle reports on the unsightly "ripple effects" of this decision. (012210c)

Robert Scheer says it WAS Obama that got creamed in the Mass. election and gives a cogent reason why. (012110c)

Greg Palast, as has been mentioned before, a recent SCOTUS decision to "free up" the ability of corporations to "act like individuals" and donate to political campaigns opens the doors to hell. (012110b) Sam Ferguson, Jason Leopold and Kyle Berlin add the proverbial two cents worth to that article. (012110d)

From Reuters, a bad day on the street when Obama mouths off about a modicum of banking reform. One wonders what would happen if any of the suggestions actually made it into law. (012110e)

Jeremy Scahill reports that Blackwater is operating in Pakistan. It is well known that the ruler of that forsaken nation is unpopular, to say the least, and this can hardly be the reflection to give him a boost. (012110f)

Reuters has a speculation on why Massachusetts is seeing red, not blue (011910c) David Swanson reports on those concerned that voter fraud was going to be a factor in the "close" election. (011910f)

Andy Worthington reports on the "Murders at Guantanamo" I recollect stores detailing such "activities" at US run Abu Ghraib in Iraq, but this IS closer to home, in fact, it IS home. (011910e)

Ryan Van Lenning asks "Which Dr. King will be remembered today? The usual or the unusual? Dr. King became, as historians will have to admit, a fierce antimilitarist and saw the Vietnam war as harmful in many ways, not the least of which to the poor of this nation who stood in want as resources were directed overseas. (011810d)

Glenn Greenwald talks about an Obam-a-ite who has Bush like ideas, amazing, but the articles true value may be as a reminder of one of B's inanities. (011510b)

Christopher Hayes reports on the notion of "system failure" as it applies to the US system of governance. Government is the problem, it seems, that needs to be solved. (011510c)

Joshua Frank, when someone says "coal tax" some one else says, "Them's fighting words" Leave it to Minnesota and the Dakotas to see who comes out on top of this one (011001a)

From Robert Reich's page seen on this date: 01/08/10 we see a set of prognostications concerning 2010: no likelihood of real good news economically or for the Damnocraps (010810c)

North of the Rio Grande

Jon Elmer has coverage of the nascent insurrection brewing, the article says, in Canada. The First Nations are beginning to organize and are capable of much more than what has so far happened, but the future is now in question. The coming economic decline, if it does come to that, the growing dissatisfaction, if it comes to that, may make for "interesting times" (070110h)



Economics 101 in the News:

From Robert Reich's blog of 7.16.10 we see how the financial reform package touted by Obama and others has a lot of language but not a lot of reform the basic structure of the industry, Glass-Steagal Act, derivatives and more are set to stay as they were. While the economy sheds jobs to overseas via imports. (071610a)

David Lightman illustrates Rethuglican "thinking" The deficit is the issue when it comes to 33 billion in unemployment benefits but not when some trillions of dollars of tax cuts are to stay in place. (071610c) Nice letters. Here is the same article but with a different set of interesting letters (071610d)

From Reuters we hear about the risk to millions of Americans as the Senate debates extending unemployment benefits and pinpoints the suffering with some examples (071410a) David Lightman gives more information on the distribution of unemployment and why the Senate is being so slow about "doing anything" (071410b) Mike Whitney talks about the overall strategy of the Federal Reserve (071410g)

Ellen Brown gives us an overview of what I call the larger "climatic changes" that have effected what may be called the "economic ecology" of the US to the detriment of the individual fauna, as it were. (071310c)

Michael Winship reports on how the wealthy deal in housing, seems they know best when to beat out on a loan (071210e) Meanwhile, Alissa Figueroa, reports on how "ordinary folks" who did everything right are faring. Not well it seems. (071210f)

Robert Gavin illustrates what it is like to "stare down a depression" Could our congress be any more ineffective? While the answer is yes, the people still suffer. (071110a) Seth Freed Wessler reports on race and the recession, a few salient figures in the article introduce the case but the story exemplifying the condition is detailed enough for sympathy (071110c) James K. Galbraith proposes something of a cure at least for the banking crisis: rule of law. How about that? And the article contains a nutshell review of the crisis: its beginnings, its "flowering", how Obama missed the boat and how, still, there may be hope (071110b) David Sirota talks about the debate concerning how tax rates relate to economic growth. He points out instances where higher tax rates had better economic growth as well as occurrences of the opposite. My contention is that tax policy was not the sole determining factor in the cases cited. So??? (071110g)

Chan Akya reports on what is happening with European banks. It seems their system is the exact opposite of that of the US, where we have mega corporations they have, overall, small individual institutions. (071110i)

AS with health care, everyone knows that preventing disease is much cheaper than treating it, so it may be with budgets, Neil Wollman Ph.D. talks about preventative budgeting. There are parallel suggestions here. I include articles like this to demonstrate that although we suffer from problems it is not as if we did not know of solutions. (070510b)

Johann Hari presents an article in which we see a new twist what it means to "make a killing in the markets" Goldman SuX et al had a "field day" with commodity pricing resulting in hunger and starvation. Nice work boys, real nice. (070310c)

Ellen Brown talks about who will pay for the error that has sunk our economy, do you vote for VAT or the Tobin Tax? Find our more by reading here! (070110b) Chan Akya So what is a body to do with the recent decline in markets? Where to invest? Read on for an opinion - check this out. (070210c) Dean Baker provides us with some interesting info, the unemployment rate dropped a bit, but this is, in part, due to a lessening in the numbers of jobs. (070210d)

Today's Reuters main page, 07/01/10, has a subset of headlines and such like that hint at economic problems. (070110a ) Stephen Ohlemacher reports on a failure for the US congress to pass an extension of UI benefits, nice timing is all I can say. (070110b) From TomPaine, today's main page, 07/01/10, we see the summaries that indicate more economic problems and indications that solutions are not on the table, overall. There is an apparent error, the page states that the congress is taking a break as of June 2, I think it should read July 2 (070110c) Peter Grier gives coverage to the viewpoint that the EU is adopting fiscal policies that could lead to further economic problems. There have been a several articles recently, all by experts, claiming that each major player, the US, the EU, and China have adopted policies that are "good" and "bad". One wonders which is which so maybe only time will tell who had and then played a winning hand. (070110k)

Louis Charbonneau reports that the UN is thinking that the US dollar is maybe not the best currency reserve for the world (063010a)

Reuters: the European Central Bank posts warnings as the big financial meeting has nations go their own ways (062910a) Martin Hutchinson contends that European banks and governments are not the main threat facing world's economic structure, the US is. (062910b) Antal E Fekete reports on the details of the US pushing for China to float its Yuan. History provides background and influences the "game" so what is to happen is anyone's guess, but the stakes are big. (062910c) William James then reports on the pricing of US debt fluctuating in response to various inputs. The US is still the safe refuge - but for how long? (062910d)

Dean Baker questions the competence of the IMF whose policies, if followed, and some are doing this, are not in the best interests of anyone, perhaps, save themselves. (062910j)

Doug Noland reports on the notion that the bonds, currently seen as the tool of choice by many governments around the world, could be in a nascent "bubble phase" which would, upon bursting, create some problems. (062810a)

Dean Baker provides us with a "banker's eye view" of the fiscal reform package just passed and more. Hold on to your stomachs, it's that kind of read, nice comments too! (062810b)

Craig Collins reports on the BP phenomena and what he calls the "methane monster" of which it is a part, the bigger picture is, however, more unsettling. (062710a)

From USA Today we hear that the pace of banking failure is roughly double what it was last year. This has to do with commercial loans which was predicted to be the "next wave" some time back. (062210f) Other articles indicate that these banks are generally bigger and so the damage is actually more acute than the raw numbers might indicate.

David Goldman has us take a look at what small businesses think of this "recovery", the evidence shows "not much." (061810d)

Michelle Chen reports on a small but growing "industry" that of renting wombs by mail order. The story mentions a place in India but the idea is that there are more (061810a)

Dan Nolan reports on Dubai's burst bubble. Lots of incomplete buildings, losses and problems that no one wants to "deal with" I did like the "palm island" and the "world archipelago' (061710f)

Lori Montgomery reports on the Congressional actions which impact those in need, apparently when it comes to the needed no cost cutting seems to be big enough to "save the budget" (061610d)

Reuters has it that the housing slump is taking a new dive. (061610e) Henry A. Giroux reports on how the economic mess is now devouring teaching jobs by the tens of thousands in the US - and he speculates on the long term damages as well as the "spin" that the conservative media is putting on these losses. (060810c)

From Reuters we have the "Rosy View" of our economic situation and it is a nice read, if you ignore the comments. (060610e) Compare that to Robert Reich's blog and we can have a compare and contrast session. (060610f)

Dean Baker reports on the slow down slowing even more. Joblessness falls but so does the rate of job creation. (060610d)

Alex Spillius in Detroit reports on the plan to bulldoze neighborhoods and shrink the city so as to save lots and lots of money. Moving people around is part of the plan as is making parks and such like. (053110d)

Edith M. Lederer says the UN says the world has some economic growth going on with some more to come. (052710f)

Zach Carter reports on yet ANOTHER bail out, that given to BP in the form of limiting the claims of others for damages to 75 million dollars. Yes, they have to do the clean up but any other damage cannot total up to more than that. Amazing no? (052610b) Then, to cap it all off, pardon the allusion, we hear that a BP bigwig made the fatal decision that was, well fatal. How amazing is that and still, still the US media does not whip up the kind of frenzy it does for Palin's breasts or the dickless wonder McStain. (052610d)

David Lightman and William Douglas | report on the third battle to extend jobless payments - will ANOTHER repuglican step up to shit on the plate? (052510b)

William Rivers Pitt talks about the pitfalls of doing what I do, archiving the news. His selection of two stories tells the bigger tale of BS and senseless greed (052410a)

Véronique Sandoval talks about Ecuador's problem with the world bank and its "amazing super powers" that are truly amazing and super (052410d) Chris Hedges talks about how the "Greeks Get It" and how to deal with internationalist corporate rip off pig sucking butt holes (052410e) George Lakoff exposes a "low key" effort to privatize the mortgages of public housing - yet another rip off? Jeez when will these blood sucking, festering pimp holes get their fill? (052410f)

Mike Whitney reports on the prospects for a severe downturn. The US, he says, under Obama made a good decision, much to the dismay of the big breasted Fox lady and economic idiots. (052110a) In contrast, Europe, going the other way, may create a bigger mess that we'd like to see.

Michael R. Crittenden reports on the annoying and dangerous uptick in the number of banks in trouble, now one in ten, because of commercial mortgages and such like so forth and so on. (052110b)

R M Cutler outlines the Asian markets and their declines in value and increases in volatility, a sign of distress. Despite the US markets "one day play" there is reason for concern (052110c)

Gavin Blair has us take a look at Japan's debt crisis, it is worse than Greece's. (052110d)

From Reuters we have another spate of "mass layoffs" meaning single incidents where more than 50 are laid off. Looking at the page the article is on you can headline notes of a poor trend during this month. (052210b)

Nick Mottern reports on a new wrinkle in the mortgage mess a decline in those getting default notices and an increase in those getting tossed out. Looks like clearing inventory to me and trying to take advantage of recent reports that some housing markets have improved. (052010c) Meanwhile, from Reuters, we hear of another day of losses in the markets; they say a downward trend in on the way. Who knows but optimism is scarce. (052010d) David Goldman chimes in with a blurb concerning the continuing saga of US debt being "a global concern" and how Europe's bad news might be "good fur the US." (052010e)

James Howard Kunstler talks about his fears that everyone in the world either is broke or is going broke. Certainly most all nations are doing bailouts and instituting austerity plans or cutting budgets at the very least. Where did all the money go anyway? (051810c)

From Washington's Blog we get the bird's eye lowdown on the financial caper that is costing us all plenty, trillions and more as a matter of fact. (051610g)

John Feffer reports on the bubble that popped in Times Square recently. (051910a)

John Stossel, in these days of ever tightening budgets the local, state and governmental entities have figured out how to steal from you, directly. Without pretense read on if you are curious. (052010f)

Robert Weissman the battle for banking reform has begun with a loss for the reform side - not a good beginning. (051410a)

Greg Kaufmann mentions the big vote to audit the Fed, however the list of reforms needed in banking is long and serious. With round one lost one should be attentive as to how the next rounds pan out. (051410b)

Reuters reports that the US deficit for April, you'll recall that is "tax month", was double what some thought. One would think that, at least that one month would show a positive. The figure indicates economic pain is still with us (051310f)

From AToL's Spengler we get a brush up on our Keynesian economics, which is having a field day these days, as governments the world over use the same strategy as the US is to "deal with it" (051010b)

William Rivers Pitt offers some suggestions for "undoing" this recessional depression not that the ideas will gain any traction, but it is good to see someone thinking out there. (050910a)

Danny Schechter covers the thinking that the markets recent "big dip" was more than "just an accident" after all the explanation for the trillion dollar dip was that Greece was having problems. Well, the size differential between the supposed cause and the effect was so large as to belie this explanation. So what is left? A typo? The letters have some explanation, a case of a dip back in the 70's totally fueled by a rumor which allowed somebody to sell off some "crap" at a profit. (050810c)

Dean Baker reports on some facts and figures that point to some economic recovery, some thing of an uptick for the common man, as it were. Though doubt, of course, remains for if it is so, it is early in the game. (050710f)

Scott Klinger reports on Thursday's "almost crash" of the markets caused by, drum roll please, a typo. One wonders about a system that complex and yet so fragile and dedicated to a gambler's morality. (050710a) Mark Trumbull reports on a related issue that contributed to the crash, that of "Greek Debt Fears" and that there may be more in the offing, see PIIGS for example (050710b) and here we have RJ Eskow talking about what the US government is "doing" about the financial sector, gutting their own ideas and caving in to the banks seems to be the "strategy of choice" among Damnocraps with Repuglicans thinking they'll make some hay off that. (060710c)

Doug Noland reports on what I call "debt based economic recovery" Seems like that is what all the fuss is about and there are risks (042810i)

Mike Whitney writes about the fleecing that is about to begin. The mortgage crisis and such like, so forth and so on has more than a ways to go before it is "played out". (042310d) Good set of comments to brouse.

David Leonhardt revisits the rent vs. buy arguments and the comments give a good bit of detail regarding perspectives on the US economy (04/2210a)

Aaron Glantz reports on the latest wrinkle in the US housing, money, financial, greed and forth and so on, crisis: people who did everything right and were "together" get caught up by the downturn originated by greed and corruption on a grand scale and now these "good people" may loose their homes. (042010e)

Mike Whitney long predicted by others, now that the sub prime mess has nearly run its course the next wave begins - figures cited show "trouble ahead." in the housing market. (041710a)

Marisa Taylor tells us about the company that make billions because its honcho predicted and profited from the housing mess. Sort of belies all those who famously said the market was safe, the disaster couldn't have been predicted and so forth and so on. (041710e)

Andrew Gavin Marshall this article posits the possibility of a greater debt crisis yet to strike. There have been signs but when DOES the other shoe drop? (041510f)

Mike Whitney reports on the investigation that is not only going nowhere fast, it never will. How the fed secretly did what amounts to laundering for big busted banks. (041210d)

The upcoming crop of college grads may worry about jobs but they have a better chance than any. save, according to other older articles, older workers with lots of experience. (041210f)

The Mogambo Guru reports, as has been his wont, about DOOM. Essentially he wonders how long the US can spend about three dollars for every one that it "pulls in". The concern is that, at some point, the dollar has problems that are severe and wide spread. (040510c) Robert Reich reports on one of the men who made all this happen who is still living in Egypt, that is to say he is in "denial". Does he have his own private Idaho or what? (040510d) Henry A. Giroux has a piece on the kind of society that has evolved over the past few decades and has allowed such excess and the problems aforementioned.(040510f)

Dean Baker reports on a contradiction to a story of just a few days ago, this report claims to show substantial job growth and is touted as such, trumpeted really far and wide. (040310a) Robert Reich talks about how the Fed "slipped banks billions on by an unsuspecting congress" to help banks. What lesson does this teach? (040310b)

Caroline Valetkevitch for Reuters reports that 23,000 jobs were lost in March. To me the real value in this story was the accounts of various "experts" all of whom predicted job creation with estimates that ranged from 40,000 to 200,000. Another reason to question authority. (033110b)

Reuters has a briefing on the "big change" now that the "quantitative easing", read printing up of money, has staved off general economic collapse the time is near when they'll have to reverse that course. However, there are dangers - I mean the system could still collapse if everything does not go right. (032410d)

Here is the low down on the "Post-Apocalyptic zombie finance" by Spengler. The world is in on the recirculating of US debt; the system is unstable and yet, all we hear in the media is that a nascent recovery is underway. (032310g)

Danny Schechter talks about the basics regarding the financial meltdown that is not really getting coverage: the criminality of the whole mess (031910b)

Ellen Brown lets us in on the idea of community banks, funded or organized by states to provide "rational banking services" to its citizenry. (031810d)

Only in freakin' America do you get a Robert Rubin, who claims cluelessness regarding his destruction of the US economy. Cluelessness? Well the evidence for an upcoming crash was there, and he got away with millions. Now he's strutting around trying to make excuses, as in "who could have seen it coming". Now that millions have lost jobs, homes, retirement and not a few have lost lives, Rubin just whistles Dixie all the way to his freakin' bank. (030810f)

From the BBC we have a report on the Iceland vs. England, Netherlands and the financial mess called "IceSave" between them. The people of Iceland do not want to be held responsible for the machinations, incompetence and greed that led to a financial crisis for the country and to law suits filed by the aforementioned duo. (030610b)

Reuters the question under consideration is how healthy is the US dollar. (030510a)

Ellen Brown reports on the myths surrounding the "money crisis" in the US and the world. Interesting ideas, notions and theories. Time is short she says, and how, I would retort (030410a)

Paul Craig Roberts is asking if this "recovery" is real. Much of the touted 5.9% growth is fictitious and trouble is looming for the Fed. (030310a) Peter Boone and Simon Johnson talk about "shooting banks" maybe they deserve it, I mean they ARE bloated sacks of corruption, it seems (030310b) Greg Palast reports on how "Vulture Funds" have "invested in Liberian debt" and now starve the progress as well as the people of that nation. (030310c)

Robert Napper reports on an example of how an abandoned home affects a neighborhood. (030110d)

The Mogambo Guru reports on the US printing its way out of its problems to the tune o 31 billion dollars in a single week. How long can this "practice of monetizing" go on? (030110e)

Mike Elk reports on the BBB, the Big Banking Bastards, yes I know I am being overly polite, but this is, betimes, a family page. The economic outlook is going to worsen and the lower you are on the "food chain" the worse it gets. Cities have been conned, purposefully too, but billions are already lost. (022610d) It is happening overseas too, as "Vulture Funds" ply their "snake oil" to the unwary third world nations. (022610e)

Dean Baker asks the musical question: If you liked what "experts" did to housing how would you like them do do that to Social Security and Medicare? (021610a) Michael Hiltzik brings you the name of the culprit flogging this dead dolphin, perhaps as well as his own, and why it is such a BAD idea (021610g)

C.M., of L'Humanité In less than a thousand words, or so, we find out how Greece got screwed, not that they were blushing innocent virgins, hardly. (021610b)

Colin Woodard follows up on the Euro-Economic Crisis, with Austria being the newest member of the PIGS, perhaps. (021310e)

Niall Ferguson speculates that the problem of PIGS Portugal, Ireland,Greece and Spain is the tip of the iceberg; with everyone printing money to chase debt it is only a matter of time before the process unwinds globally. (021010a) Stephen Castle reports on the Greek Debt problem that eats away at confidence far beyond its borders. (021010f)

Beverly Bell Haiti, unfortunate nation that it is has a history of abuse and an unending desire to free itself from the slavery of debt (021010b)

Reuters has it that the leading index of Japan has taken a serious dump. (020410c) Reuters has it that Europe is taking a dump too! (020410d) Reuters also talks about the various reason the US market also took a dump (020410e)

Dean Baker reports that the "oft reported threat of a second depression" being so scary has become the excuse for letting the asinine response of Bush/Obama get a pass from the "man on the street". (020110c)

Ellen Hodgson Brown reports on the titans battling it out for influence over banking reform. The recent stock market retreat is just one of the skirmishes of this struggle in which, in my opinion, there are no heroes, unless Obama "does the job" (013010c)

Chan Akya gives us the skinny on the fatso's of 2009 who may loose weight in 2010. Economic trends and problems which formed up last year may "bear fruit" this year. I guess you cannot print your way out of a collapse without some kind of "feedback' (011910a)

From the BBC we have another report this one from the IMF head honcho that a "double dip" recession is still a threat despite some good news. It may be pointed out that the growth, such as it is, is mainly due to governments around the world doing much the same as the US. This huge collective deficit is also a threat but this article "does not go there." (011810a)

From the BBC we hear the word not heard in the US, that being that the Christmas season was not good for the retailers. Down 6% from the "effected" figures of a year ago. Also job losses were about 85,000 for the month of December, a month that, traditionally, sees a strong surge of employment as the "make or break season' "does its thing" with the economy. (011410c)

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard reports on the basics, money supply for one, issuance of credit or debt for another and the very grim prospect of a double dip recession, oh, I mean depression. There is a hint that a contraction of the money flow is in the works, that means we get yanked up by our balls after being kicked but good in them. Yikes! (011110b)

If that is not bad enough from Dean Baker we hear that, again, social security is being eyed by the greedy useless wastrels of the Congress. Don't let them do it, or if they do it, make sure they treat the cooperate lushes the same way, I know I know fat chance, but I have to say it. (011110c)

Frank Rich tells us about the last big crash, back in the 30's when reform to the financial sector came about, will we get that this time around or not? (011001b)

David Goldstein reports on the substantial uptick in Food Stamp use, double digit rate increases reflect the depressing aspect of this "Great Recession". (010910c)

Bob Herbert The Great Recession's a causes a "sinking feeling" basic facts quoted give reason for it. (010510e)



News of Hope:

Maggie Fox reports on a potential breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS. (071110f)

From the BBC we hear about Frankincense as a possible cure for cancer while another article mentions its use in treating arthritis. (070310b) Such reports bode well for the impoverished country which produces it, Oman.

Shannon Hayes provides a "ten step process" for homemakers who want to "save the planet" (070110i) She has a blog too, it is located here: (070110j)

We have coverage of Aung San Suu Kyi and some other issues. She is an angel and stands for justice - courageous in heart and clear of mind - beautiful (062710D)

Frederick Kirschenmann reports on how agriculture can change, at least on one farm. (062610e) and part two. (062610f)

BBC reports on the "green wall of Africa" an idea whose time may yet come. I've written about this idea, in years past so it is interesting to see this in the news (061710d)

Mary Beth Sheridan reports on USAID's new effort to reach out to the hungry of the world. (060710e)

Michael Mechanic| reports on the "good side" of internet personal networking sites. Lives can be saved. (052210a) Derrick Z. Jackson reports on the first big wind farm to get the "go ahead" in the Boston area. (050110e)

Tara Loha brings us a David vs. Goliath story of a "one horse town" putting off corporate giant Nestle when it wanted to "harvest" the tiny town's spring water, and a bit more. (032310k)

Cam McGrath reports on Good News, how, in Egypt poor folks, using American know how and assistance, are cutting their "carbon footprints" and saving money. (010310a) Ellen Hodgson Brown J.D reports that in the national gloom that has most states slashing budgets and suffering from collapsing small business sectors, North Dakota and Montana have proven exceptions, what did they do? Read on! (010310c) Helda Martínez reports from Columbia where indigenous women are reclaiming a would be desert and gaining much more in the bargain. (010310d)



Some News from our "storied" Past:

Elisabeth