If you have a problem reading this email, please click here to see the web page version
You received this email because you signed up for it at OpEdNews. Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email.
 Latest Headlines
By Harvey Wasserman
End Nuclear Power Before it Ends Us  The Japanese people are now paying a horrific price for the impossible dream of the "Peaceful Atom." For a half-century they have been told that what's happening now at Fukushima would NEVER occur. By Russ Baker
America and Nuclear: Obama's Forgotten Track Record  You may be pro-nuclear, or anti-nuclear, pro-Obama, anti-Obama or somewhere in the middle. But with the developments in Japan, the only thing safe is ... to start paying close attention to developments here at home. To complex technical matters we leave to "experts" without knowing if we can really trust them. And to money in politics, and how harmful it can be -- indirectly and even sometimes directly -- to our health. By Kevin Gosztola
US Coal Giant Possibly Involved in Trade Unionist Killings Asked Diplomat for Help with Bad Publicity  On March 12, 2001, in Colombia, then-president and vice president of Sintramienergetica, were both picked up by men of the the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), a terrorist paramilitary force in Colombia that has at this point been mostly dissolved. They were killed by paramilitaries, who were possibly funded and aided by Drummond Coal, a US-based company in Alabama. By Richard Clark
The End of Economic Growth
The economic crisis that began in 2007-2008 was both foreseeable and inevitable, and it marks a permanent, fundamental break from past decades -- a period during which most economists adopted the unrealistic view that perpetual economic growth is necessary and also possible to achieve. But there are now fundamental barriers to ongoing economic expansion, and the modern world is increasingly colliding with those barriers. By Press Release
UN OKs 'All Necessary Measures' against Libya  Colonel Gaddafi's strategy of ruthlessness, propaganda and threats has backfired. Now he is sending mixed signals after the vote, threatening air and sea traffic in the Mediterranean while raising the spectre of a ceasefire. By Kevin Zeese
President Obama Step In to Protect the Constitutional Rights of Veterans and Citizens
President Obama needs to take responsibility and command the Quantico Marine Base to allow a veteran led flower laying ceremony this Sunday at the end of a non-violent Bradley Manning support event. Further he needs to remove Pfc Manning from Quantico, where they have shown they cannot stop themselves from torturing him, and put him more normal conditions of confinement. The case needs to be reviewed and charges dropped. By J.T. Cassidy
Downwind from Disaster: An Eyewitness Account
Hope lives on downwind from nuclear disaster. A report from Yokohama, Japan. By Joe Giambrone
NUCLEAR POWER = INSANITY  Nuclear power is the worst form of energy production to ever exist. It has always been bad, always caused cancers and high unnecessary risks. And it needs to end, now. What's new with me By Sam Smith
Above I've noted just a few of things that have changed since then. If you haven't thought about them, don't blame yourself. The media and our leaders have given us cultural Altzheimer's and they're not about to change their ways. As Don DeLillo put it, "History is the sum total of the things they're not telling us." The Arab Revolutions: Guiding Principles for Peace and Justice Organizations in the US - AROC  We, the undersigned, support the guiding principles and demands listed in this statement. We call on groups who want to express solidarity with the Arab revolutions to join our growing movement by signing this statement or keeping with the demands put forward herewith. We oppose all forms of US and European military intervention with or without the legitimacy of the UN. Standing in solidarity with the revolution against Qaddafi, or any other dictator, does not equate to supporting direct or indirect colonization of an Arab country, its oil or its people. We call for absolute rejection of military blockades, no-fly zones and interventions - with or without UN approval. House votes to defund NPR  After a contentious debate and over procedural objections from Democrats, the House on Thursday voted to prevent federal funds from going to National Public Radio. By Thomas Farrell
James Carroll's Call to Arms (BOOK REVIEW)
BOSTON GLOBE columnist James Carroll, a self-described practicing Catholic, has issued a call to arms to liberals and the Democratic party. He wants us to have a public discussion and debate about what good religion might be and what bad religion is and has been. To advance the discussion of bad religion, he has published another fine book setting forth his critical views of religion in Western cultural history. By Bob Johnson
Glenn Beck and the 10 Commandments  Glenn Beck mixes government and religion. He's a danger to free thought and progress. His ignorance allows him to believe he has something in common with Thomas Paine. It also allows him to think the Bible god of the Torah is speaking to him. Both are false. By michael payne
The Escalating War Within America: A House Divided
When has America been so polarized, with so much division between the various elements of this society? A war is raging within and across America. During one of the most trying times in our history, this nation, this society, instead of pulling together to address and solve our massive problems, is waging a war against itself and, in the process, is pulling our country apart. By Kevin Anthony Stoda
Muhammed Ali Joins Cause for Freeing the Hikers--Will Tehran finally Listen?
Mohammed Ali is still the most famous boxer among most Muslim communities anywhere in the world. Let's hope the Greatest will be listened to in Tehran. Free the hiker hostages, today, please, Iran!!! Paul Krugman: The Forgotten Millions  Jobs do get mentioned now and then -- and a few political figures, notably Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House, are still trying to get some kind of action. But no jobs bills have been introduced in Congress, no job-creation plans have been advanced by the White House and all the policy focus seems to be on spending cuts. By Mac McKinney
BREAKING: Jean-Bertrande Aristide is in-Flight for Port-au-Prince  Despite ongoing efforts by the White House and State Department to obstruct his return, exiled former president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, overthrown in a US-backed coup in 2004 and arguably still the most popular man in Haiti, is airborne and headed back to Port-au-Prince, accompanied by his wife Mildred, Hollywood star Danny Glover, Amy Goodman, co-producer and host of Democracy Now and other notable individuals. By Robert Reich
As the Global Economy Trembles, Our Nation's Capital Fiddles
In the past I've often wondered whether they're knaves or fools. Now I'm sure. Republicans wouldn't mind a double-dip recession between now and Election Day 2012. They figure it's the one sure way to unseat Obama. They know that when the economy is heading downward, voters always fire the boss. Call them knaves. By Kathy Malloy
Eight Years Too Many  Thousands of dead Iraqis and Americans later (with tens of thousands maimed and crippled, physically and psychologically) that brutalized nation still is mired in chaos. What was the point? Was all this sacrifice from the common folk of two countries simply and insanely about profit, war profiteering and power for the elite few in this country who are slowly killing us all? By Curt Day
State Budgets And The Frog
Pennsylvania's Governor Corbett avoided the mistake made by Wisconsin's Governor Walker by not attacking unions and collective bargaining. Thus, the protests have yet to occur. Will Pennsylvanians wake up from their slumber before it is too late. By Stephen Lendman
Torturing Bradley Manning
Manning is being destroyed. By Dave Lefcourt
The Rebellion We Need in America
One can identify w/ the people in Tunisia and Egypt who have thrown off their shackles and successfully rebelled against and removed their dictators. Rebellion has a way of renewing the spirit. We in America are in need of our own rebellion and renewal of our spirit. The rebellion begun in Wisconsin needs to broaden nationally for us to regain our dignity against the powerful forces that dictate in America. By Joan Wile
ANTI-WAR PROTEST AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE PLANNED FOR MARCH 19 AT TIMES SQUARE; CONG. CHARLES RANGEL TO SPEAK
AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN IMPORTANT ANTI-WAR EVENT IN TIMES SQUARE. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE CONG. CHARLES RANGEL By Tom Engelhardt
Tomgram: Engelhardt, Top Guns No More
When air war first began, it was imagined as the equivalent of knightly jousts in the sky and that image remained long embedded in our world, whether as Snoopy fighting the Red Baron or as American "Top Guns" taking down enemy aircraft in dogfights. Well, Top Guns no more. By Sherwood Ross
Korean War Coverage Was Distorted and Suppressed
Bruce Cumins, chair of the history department at the University of Chicago, has some fascinating insights into what happened when the U.S. engaged Korean and Chinese troops in a ground war in Asia. The principal victims, of course, were the Korean people, who lost 3-million dead, more than Japan lost in all of World War Two. American bombing accounted for many of the victims. Latest Articles
Activism in New Zealand  For me the advantages of living in New Zealand far outweigh the negatives. This relates mainly to my personal experience that grassroots organizing is much easier here than in the US. Overall, I find Kiwis to be less alienated and apathetic than their American cousins, less likely to be taken in by the corporate hype they see on TV, and more confident about their ability to bring about change through collective action. U.N. Reported Only a Fraction of Civilian Deaths from U.S. Raids
WASHINGTON/KABUL, Mar 17, 2011 (IPS) - The number of civilians killed in U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) raids last year was probably several times higher than the figure of 80 people cited in the U.N. report on civilian casualties in Afghanistan published last week, an IPS investigation has revealed. Latest Polls
 Best News Links from the Web
SecurID Company Suffers a Breach of Data Security
RSA was founded in 1982 by a small group of technologists who at times were actively opposed by the National Security Agency, which was trying to limit the spread of sophisticated cryptography technology. In 2009, the company said publicly that its SecurID system was being used by 40 million customers. Last year it said its technology was used to secure the identities and assets of more than 250 million people. Pakistan condemns U.S. over drone strike that killed 36  Just one day after a CIA contractor was absolved by a Pakistani court of a double murder charge, Pakistan and U.S. relations were plunged into a new crisis Thursday over a CIA-directed drone missile strike that Pakistan said killed at least 36 civilians. UN Warns of "Shocking' Abuses in Bahrain  MANAMA -- The United Nations warned on Thursday of "shocking and illegal" abuses in Bahrain where the US-backed Sunni Muslim rulers are waging a bloody crackdown on Shiite-led protesters. The violence in the strategic Gulf kingdom has alarmed Washington and sparked furious condemnation from Iran, Shiite leaders in Iraq and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Dissidents were rounded up at gunpoint in midnight raids and armed police stood outside Manama's main hospital, amid reports the authorities were beating doctors and denying treatment to the wounded. UN backs Action against Colonel Gaddafi  A few days ago this measure might not have passed, but the disappearance of four NY Times reporters on top of the torture and slaying of other corespondents, as well as Gaddafi's threat today that "There will be no mercy" in rebel Bengazi, home to a million Libyans, likely turned any potential vetoes into abstentions. "Those whom the gods would destroy they first make mad" goes the old saying. Will Gaddafi suddenly sober up now, or is he going to go into a Fuhrer-bunker mode, shouting that he is the King of Kings of Africa all the way to victory or death? Hopefully this will also send a message to Bahrain to stop its own increasingly brutal acts against pro-Democracy protesters in that country. U.N. Approves Airstrikes Against Libya  The United Nations Security Council approved a measure on Thursday authorizing "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians from harm at the hands of forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. The measure allows not only a no-fly zone but effectively any measures short of a ground invasion to halt attacks that might result in civilian fatalities. Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media
The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda. Afghanistan Withdrawal Acceleration Resolution Defeated In The House  The House overwhelmingly defeated on Thursday a nonbinding resolution to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year. The vote, which failed by a margin of 93 to 321, followed a two-hour debate that involved a brief protest and a lengthy discussion of national security and budget cuts. Democrats Set Ambitious Fund-raising Goals for Top Donors
The nation's top Democratic contributors were given an ambitious set of marching orders on Thursday, with a select group of 450 donors each asked to raise $350,000 before the end of the year. If all members meet their goal, the tally from this group would be $157 million for this year alone. A new goal will be set for next year, according to participants at the meeting, and it is expected to be higher. Palin Jets to India and Israel This Weekend  "On her first visit to India, Governor Palin shares her vision of the country she may aspire to lead, and of America's place in the world," the group's Web site says of Ms. Palin. After the address, Ms. Palin will travel to Tel Aviv, where she will hold a private meeting with Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on Monday before heading back for another paid speech in Florida on Wednesday. GOP begins rollback of Wall St. reform  House Republicans quietly took their first legislative step Wednesday at repealing Wall Street reform, exposing the difficulty of rolling back a major Barack Obama law that isn't health care. Any degree of repeal will be difficult, as Democrats control the Senate and White House. But Republicans will push bills anyway, much like they did this week to eliminate the Obama administration's foreclosure programs. Authorise Libya air strikes, US urges UN
The US is pushing the UN to authorise not just a no-fly zone over Libya, but also the use of air strikes to stop the advance of forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. Washington is insisting that any military action would have to be authorised by the security council and be carried out by an international coalition, including Arab states. "North Dakota Economy Booms, Population Soars"  North Dakota, the state with the nation's lowest unemployment rate, capped a decade of economic prosperity with dramatic population growth in its biggest cities. Kasich looks to extract savings from pensions  Public workers in Ohio who already were worried about weakened collective-bargaining powers now have a new paycheck-related concern: Gov. John Kasich wants all of them to pay more for their pensions. Afghan war: House to vote on Afghan troop withdrawal  The House is expected to vote Thursday on a resolution demanding the speedy withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, a crucial first test of conservative support for the war among the new Republican majority. The measure, put forward by liberal Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), is designed to appeal to the fiscal conservatism that has dominated the Republican agenda since the start of the year. Washington Post suspends reporter for plagiarizing stories on Tucson shooting
Sari Horwitz, a longtime Post investigative reporter, was suspended for three months for plagiarizing sections of stories that first appeared in the Arizona Republic. The stories concerned the investigation of and legal proceedings for Jared Lee Loughner, the Arizona man accused of shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and 18 others in Tucson in January. James O'Keefe Requests Nonprofit Status For Project Veritas  As his role in the recent NPR controversy continues to develop, conservative filmmaker and self-proclaimed muckraker journalist James O'Keefe is seeking nonprofit status for his Project Veritas organization. However, O'Keefe's past may play a detrimental role in his attempt for tax-exemption. Nicholas Kristof -- Bahrain Pulls a Qaddafi  It is heartbreaking to see a renegade country like Libya shoot pro-democracy protesters. But it's even more wrenching to watch America's ally, Bahrain, pull a Qaddafi and use American tanks, guns and tear gas as well as foreign mercenaries to crush a pro-democracy movement -- as we stay mostly silent. U.S. Calls Radiation "Extremely High" - Sees Japan Nuclear Crisis Worsening  If the American analysis is accurate and emergency crews at the plant have been unable to keep the spent fuel at that inoperative reactor properly cooled -- it needs to remain covered with water at all times -- radiation levels could make it difficult not only to fix the problem at reactor No. 4, but to keep servicing any of the other problem reactors at the plant. In the worst case, experts say, workers could be forced to vacate the plant altogether, and the fuel rods in reactors and spent fuel pools would be left to meltdown, leading to much larger releases of radioactive materials.
Copyright © OpEdNews 2011 |
