Fox News style TV brought to you by billionaires. That’s real “democracy” (and the inspiration is that glorious lover of free debate, Rupert Murdoch):
BBC censors “Palestine” because, well, I mean, really, who says it’s occupied?
Seriously, this is the BBC (via Electronic Intifada): This week, the BBC issued its final ruling on a controversy which has been raging for nearly a year after the words “Free Palestine” were censored from a freestyle rap played on Radio 1Xtra. Appearing on the popular… Charlie Sloth Hip Hop M1X… last February, the artist Mic Righteous…
Anyone can make a revolution (but the web won’t be enough)
Last last year I was invited to chair a panel at the Sydney Opera House’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas called, “Anyone Can Make A Revolution”. It was an attempt to understand the reality of the Arab revolutions and the influence (or not) of the internet: In Egypt and Tunisia we have seen ordinary people come…
On the road with disaster capitalism
Just a short note to say that postings will remain very light until the 3rd week of February. I’m currently travelling overseas researching a forthcoming book (out 2013) on disaster capitalism. Let’s just say I’m learning much about mining, human rights, local communities being shafted and Western multinationals colluding to stir the pot. Welcome to…
What White House press corps need to hear; you suck
Michael Hastings, author of the stunning new book The Operators, talks to Harpers: 4. Your book pays at least as much attention to the Pentagon press corps and its relationship with power as it does to Stanley McChrystal and his team, and you write that after your article ran, you found that you had few…
Why are still debating the morality of one-state solution?
Max Ajl wonders the same thing in Monthly Review: One state or two? … Boycott of Israeli goods or goods from the settlements? … Is the lobby the genesis of American wrongdoing in Palestine or is it imperialism? … The questions — regarding vision, strategy, and analysis — produce sharp cleavages on the Left. … Indeed, generally ones much…
Four handy rules to understand American empire
Salon’s Glenn Greenwald provides direction: The Rules of American Justice are quite clear: (1)… If you are a high-ranking government official who commits war crimes, you will receive full-scale immunity, both civil and criminal, and will have the American President demand that all citizens Look Forward, Not Backward. (2)… If you are a low-ranking member of the…
While Israel and its Western lobbyists push for war against Iran, some history
Robert Fisk explains (and mainstream journalists, including on ABC Radio’s AM this morning, who continually repeat White House and Tel Aviv propaganda against Tehran, should take note): Turning round a story is one of the most difficult tasks in journalism – and rarely more so than in the case of Iran. Iran, the dark revolutionary…