Devastating article by writer John Grisham in the New York Times: About two months ago I learned that some of my books had been banned at Guantánamo Bay. Apparently detainees were requesting them, and their lawyers were delivering them to the prison, but they were not being allowed in because of “impermissible content.” I became…
Showing all posts tagged United States
What if our future isn’t filled with renewable energy?
Michael Klare, TomDispatch: When it comes to energy and economics in the climate-change era, nothing is what it seems.… Most of us believe (or want to believe) that the second carbon era, the Age of Oil, will soon be superseded by the Age of Renewables, just as oil had long since superseded the Age of…
When a (short) break from the political madness is required
Reading this on a Sunday evening has brought a (much-needed) smile to my face. Here’s wonderful writer Gary Shteyngart in the New Yorker from June with something lyrical, moving, funny and most importantly, non-political: I love Pamela. She is what I’ve been waiting for all my life. A chance to lower myself into complete abasement,…
Profits of Doom introductory chapter
My new book Profits of Doom is released officially today. There will be an avalanche of media and events in the coming weeks and months but in the meantime my publisher, Melbourne University Publishing, has published the introduction to the work. You can buy the book via Amazon and my publisher. Please read and share:…
Why Bradley Manning trial should inspire journalists and citizens to rebel
My following article appears in New Matilda today: Whistleblowers like Bradley Manning show us the true face of global power. The guilty verdict against him should stir journalists to challenge authoritarianism, writes Antony Loewenstein The verdict was never really in doubt. Former US intelligence analyst Bradley Manning was always going to be found guilty by…
Glenn Greenwald on Bradley Manning verdict reflecting Washington delusions
Great comments by The Guardian journalist on CNN:
Why Australia and the world needs to legalise and tax drugs
My following column appears in the Guardian today: Australians love consuming illicit drugs. We enjoy smoking, inhaling and losing our minds.… Figures released by the Bureau of Statistics in June found that we are spending more than $7bn a year on a cocktail of various substances.… The “war on drugs”, applied haphazardly by law enforcement, costs us…
What vulture capitalism has done to America
The facts are grim and economic prosperity is nothing more than a dream for the majority of Americans. Policies over decades, something I investigate in my new book Profits of Doom, have contributed to today’s malaise. New figures, via Associated Press, signal the trauma: Four out of 5 U.S. adults struggle with joblessness, near-poverty or…