The ACLU releases a new report, “Establishing a New Normal”, that explains how the Obama administration has followed most of the Bush years’ worst and illegal practices, such as indefinite detention of “terror” suspects, military commissions, Guantanamo Bay, targeted assassinations (murder in other words) and the list goes on. Change we can believe in. UPDATE:…
Showing all posts tagged United States
Floating towards war with Iran, via Israel and Zionists
I constantly write about Iran because I both fear what Israel and/or America may do to the nation and the profound human rights abuses occurring inside the country. But these days the threat of military action against the Islamic Republic is growing. Many of the same figures who pushed for war against Iraq have now…
Lying to Australians about asylum seekers
The issue of refugees is central to the Australian election campaign. Usually most politicians are finding ways to demonise asylum seekers. It’s not a pretty sight. Today, new revelations that deserve wide coverage: Asylum seekers from the Oceanic Viking stand-off claim a “deal” to resettle all the people on board has been broken. Twenty-five asylum…
Green new world?
The following article is co-written with Lee Rhiannon, New South Wales Greens Senate candidate in the forthcoming collection and appears in Online Opinion: The bottom line for big business is return on investment for shareholders. However, the way a business is perceived as environmentally friendly or destructive seriously affects their profits. This is why corporations…
That New York Islamic Centre should be built today
Jon Stewart wonders whether some Americans actually believe in freedom of religion (Islam is a religion, in case anybody is wondering): The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Municipal Land-Use Hearing Update www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party
Talking on ABC TV about elections, Obama, Greens and trains
Last night I appeared on ABC TV’s News24 channel on The Drum panel alongside The Chaser’s Chas Licciardello and former Liberal leader Kerry Chikarovski (video here) We talked about the Australian election campaign and why personality politics is seemingly the name of the game. Policies are mostly secondary items (though there are exceptions). Even those…
Why can’t we have a mature debate over Afghanistan here?
A good editorial in the Guardian that highlights the growing civilian casualties in Afghanistan and why the US is increasingly viewed as having brought chaos to the country. Victory, indeed.
Rich world fiddles while the planet burns
In a mature election campaign, this issue would be front and centre: Rich countries have been put on the back foot after new research showed that current pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions could be wiped out by gaping loopholes in the UN climate change treaty put forward in Copenhagen last year. Developing countries have…
Morales shows Obama how to tackle environmental issues
In case you were wondering, Bolivia is more serious about tackling climate change than America.
What we have lost without Tony Judt
Phil Weiss at Mondoweiss pens an appropriately moving obituary for Tony Judt and his massive contribution to the American understanding of the Israel/Palestine conflict. Judt refused to subscribe to Zionist loyalty simply because he was Jewish. He provoked, advocated a one-state solution, challenged the Israel lobby and displayed the finest qualities of Judaism. We only…