How's this for a recipe that defies the seeming laws of common sense: First, take Blackwater, otherwise known as "Xe," a private security contractor that has been accused of abusive, hostile and violent behavior against the indigenous population of Iraq -- including...
Jane WAS Right!
After all these years, Jane WAS Right! British political news has been consumed for the last several weeks by a formal inquiry into the illegality and deceit behind Tony Blair's decision to join the U.S. in invading Iraq.... A major focus of the investigation is the...
Sen. Dorgan Raised the Issue of War Profiteering
I'm not sure why Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D, decided to surprise everyone and announce his retirement Tuesday. I'll admit right up front that I am not an expert on North Dakota politics, nor a thorough observer of the man's nearly-30 year career (17 years in the...
Ron Paul Says Iran Sanctions Will Backfire
Wednesday, in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas explained to his colleagues the reasons for his opposition to the Iranian sanctions legislation and wondered why Congress would try to undermine the president when he's in the middle of trying...
Ron Paul: Iran War Could Break Dollar
Listen as Ron Paul explains the danger that the dollar could be pushed passed its breaking point by any war the U.S. might start with Iran.
When Will They Apologize to the Speicher Family?
For just one example of the disgusting exploitation of Capt. Scott Speicher by pro-war officials and pundits, I give you this from Jed Babbin on March 23, 2003, three days after the invasion of Iraq began: He [Speicher] may still be alive in Iraq, rumored to have been...
Another Iraq War Propaganda Nugget Bites the Dust
From the New York Times, March 14, 2002: President Bush said today that he ''wouldn't put it past'' President Saddam Hussein of Iraq to have secretly held an American pilot hostage for more than a decade. Speaking at a news conference, Mr. Bush indicated that he did...
Doing 55 in a 54
Kelley Vlahos has a great piece today on the Henry Gates affair and the larger problems of which it's a symptom. One such problem is the ever increasing number of pretexts on which the authorities can interrogate, search, assault, and arrest citizens. The authority...
American Narcissism Quote of the Week
"Who is at the helm? The way Iran is acting up, and what about weather catastrophes? Hopefully no decision has to be made." - South Carolina state Sen. Jake Knotts (R-Lexington), Tuesday, on then-missing Gov. Mark Sanford
Guarding the Surge Narrative While Iraq Burns
Looking at Margaret and Jason's close monitoring of the continued bloodshed in Iraq-- something like 300 Iraqis dead in bombings since last Monday -- it's becoming clear that nothing short of a nuclear bomb dropped on the Green Zone will get administration...
