War Is Peace. Ignorance Is Strength

By John Pilger

Barack Obama, winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, is planning another war to add to his impressive record. In Afghanistan, his agents routinely extinguish wedding parties, farmers and construction workers with weapons such as the innovative Hellfire missile, which sucks the air out of your lungs. Continue

With Friends Like the US, Pakistan Doesn't Need Enemies

By Simon Tisdall

As the Obama administration dithers over what to do for the best in Afghanistan, neighbouring Pakistan is paying an increasingly heavy price. Like a spate of previous Taliban attacks in recent days, today's mayhem in Lahore underscored fears that the principal consequence of Washington's Afghan paralysis, albeit unintended, is the further destabilisation of the Pakistani state. Continue

"Defiant" UN Backs Israel War Crimes Report

By Gavin Cordon, Press Association

Britain and France today failed in an attempt to delay a crunch Middle East vote at the UN, amid warnings by Israel that it could derail the peace process. Continue

Deception, Spin and Lies

By Gilad Atzmon

Less than a week after Ankara cancelled an air exercise with Israel, Turkey’s state-sponsored channel TRT1 broadcast "Ayrilik" * ("Farewell"), a new prime-time TV show that depicts the true image of Israel’s genocidal military operation in Gaza last January. Continue

"Is This How The United States Supports Israel?

Video Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen

Click to view

The Rich Have Stolen The Economy

By Paul Craig Roberts

The political system is unresponsive to the American people. It is monopolized by a few powerful interest groups that control campaign contributions. Interest groups have exercised their power to monopolize the economy for the benefit of themselves, the American people be damned. Continue

Barney Frank and the Planet of the Banks

By Ralph Nader

What planet is Congressman Barney Frank on, anyway? It is the planet of the banks and other financial firms that keep his campaign coffers humming, as their chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Continue

Oligarchic Senate Still ‘Treasonous’ After All These Years

By Robert S. Becker

In the 19th Century, aristocratic deToqueville warned against the “tyranny of the majority.”  Dream on.  Today, we face permanent tyranny by operatives speaking for tiny populations. Continue

Congo army "killed 50 civilians in U.N.-backed ops": Congolese government soldiers killed at least 50 Rwandan civilian refugees during United Nations-backed

Iraq: 16 Killed in another bloody day of US occupation: - A suicide car bomber killed an Iraqi soldier at an army checkpoint on a road west of Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

Iraq sends back UK asylum flight: Iraqi asylum seekers sent back to Baghdad by the UK government have been refused re-entry to their homeland, and flown back to Britain.

Iraqis Miss Target Date on Election: Iraq's parliament missed a deadline Thursday to pass a law needed to hold parliamentary elections slated for January, raising the chance the polls could be delayed.

Video: Iraq orders university shut: Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, has ordered the country's second largest university shut for a week in an effort to bring student politics under control.

Terror hits Pak again: Suicide attack kills 14 in Peshawar: Taliban militants on Friday kept up an unrelenting wave of terror campaign in Pakistan with a suicide car bomber striking a police station in Peshawar killing 14 people and wounding 16 other

39 killed in attacks by insurgents in Pakistan: TEAMS of gunmen attacked three law enforcement facilities across the eastern city of Lahore yesterday, paralysing Pakistan’s cultural capital, while car bombs in two cities near the Afghan border killed 39 people in an escalating wave of terror.

Four U.S. occupation force members killed in Afghanistan blast: Four American service members were killed Thursday by a bomb that exploded in southern Afghanistan, according to officials with NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

Afghan woman, child killed in US attack: The NATO-led force said the woman and a school-aged girl were killed by foreign occupation forces and Afghan troops in an attack on suspected militants in the southeastern Ghazni province.

US Bans Pictures of Dead Soldier : The U.S. military in eastern Afghanistan has changed its media embed rules to ban pictures of troops killed in action.

Veteran Army Officer Urges Afghan Troop Drawdown: A veteran Army officer who has served in both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars warns in an analysis now circulating in Washington that the counterinsurgency strategy urged by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal is likely to strengthen the Afghan insurgency, and calls for withdrawal of the bulk of U.S. combat forces from the country over 18 months.

No more French troops for Afghanistan - Sarkozy : France will not send any more troops to Afghanistan and wants instead to see an enlarged Afghan army, President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a newspaper interview released Thursday.

Canada denies paying Afghan Talibans for peace : Canadian officials on Friday denied media reports that Canadian military troops in Afghanistan ever paid off Taliban in exchange for not being attacked.

Italy denies bribing Taliban in Afghanistan: Italy and NATO have denied a newspaper report that Italian intelligence secretly paid the Taliban thousands of dollars to keep the peace in an Afghan area under Italian control.

In case you missed it: Taleban tax: allied supply convoys pay their enemies for safe passage: The West is indirectly funding the insurgency in Afghanistan thanks to a system of payoffs to Taleban commanders who charge protection money to allow convoys of military supplies to reach Nato bases in the south of the country.

US pays $400 per gallon for gas in Afghanistan: Last year, the price of gasoline in the United States topped the $4 per gallon mark. This year in Afghanistan, the price has topped $400.

Afghan Official Says Voter Fraud Probe Outcome Unclear: On Friday, a U.S. newspaper reported that the Electoral Complaints Commission had reduced President Karzai's portion of the vote to 47 percent, less than the 50 percent he needs to win outright.

Puppet master questions puppets loyalty: Karzai's Role a Growing Issue in U.S.-Afghan Relations, Senator Says: Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin said Thursday that questions about the legitimacy of Afghan President Hamid Karzai are a major problem for the Obama administration as it debates a new Afghanistan strategy.

Manufacturing Consent For Attack On Iran: U.S. rethinks intelligence report on Iran nuclear program: U.S. spy agencies are considering whether to rewrite a controversial 2007 intelligence report that asserted Tehran halted its efforts to build nuclear weapons in 2003, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

UN body okays Goldstone Gaza report accusing Israel of war crimes: The United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday endorsed a report that accused both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas of committing war crimes during their December-January conflict in Gaza.

Hamas: 'We hope UN vote leads to prosecution of Israeli occupation': : Hamas on Friday welcomed the United Nations Human Rights Council decision to endorse a Gaza report that accused Israel of committing war crimes, saying that the organization hoped the vote would lead to "the beginning of the prosecution of the leaders of the occupation."

Hamas calls for unity deal changes: "The Palestinian factions will not sign the accord ... unless the text includes the principles and the rights of Palestinians, especially that of resisting the Zionist occupation," Khaled Abdel Majid, a Damascus-based spokesman for Hamas, said.

Despite promises to Obama, construction continues in dozens of W. Bank settlements: Human rights activists monitoring the West Bank report that despite commitments Israel made to President Barack Obama's administration last month, widespread building activity commenced three weeks ago in at least 12 settlements.

Egypt boycott of Lieberman: Egypt is threatening to boycott the Union for the Mediterranean foreign ministers' conference scheduled to take place next month in Istanbul if Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, attends.

Demonizing Turkey: How Turkey was lost: Once the apotheosis of a pro-Western, dependable Muslim democracy, this week Turkey officially left the Western alliance and became a full member of the Iranian axis.

Turkey: We won't cancel TV show depicting Israelis as killers: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that a controversial television drama which shows actors dressed as Israeli soldiers killing Palestinian children will not be taken off the air.

US to make Blackwater-style entry into Somalia: The grounds have reportedly been established for armed American presence on Somali soil with a US security firm winning a contract in the war-ravaged country.

Australia terror suspects convicted: An Australian court has found five men guilty of plotting to carry out a series of bombings in retaliation for Australia's involvement in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Britain must publish US intelligence on torture, court rules: The British Government must publish US intelligence material about the torture allegedly suffered by Binyam Mohamed, a former Guantanamo Bay inmate, the High Court has ruled.

Torture Saved Lives: MI5 chief: The head of MI5 has issued a vigorous defence of the organisation's co-operation with intelligence agencies known to use torture, saying that it thwarted many terrorist attacks after 9/11 and saved British lives.

MI5 Can't Keep Turning a Blind Eye to Torture: Torturing people doesn't keep us safe. MI5 should stop making policy by anecdote and condemn those who abuse prisoners

US House backs Guantanamo transfers: The 307 to 114 vote on Thursday is a key step towards the stated aim of Barack Obama, the US president, to empty the prison camp by January.

Organizing The Biggest Day Of Action The World Has Ever Seen: Even two years ago, I was in complete despair about our chances of fighting climate change. But something's changed. It's not the science, which has gotten steadily worse. It's the first signs that the planet's immune system--conscious citizens ready to make a difference--is finally kicking in.

The people vs Wall Street: Amidst the economic wreckage, after 7 million job losses and approaching 2 million home foreclosures in the US alone, with businesses and consumers around the world still struggling to get finance after the long credit crunch, Wall Street is finally on trial. A little piece of Wall Street, at least.

Goldman Sachs posts massive profits: US bank Goldman Sachs has posted third-quarter profits that are more than three times the earnings it made at the same time last year.

Goldman Sachs: Your tax dollars, their big bonuses: Goldman Sachs is having a banner year, and is getting a big boost from government programs.

Bank of America reports losses: US bank announces third-quarter losses of $2.2bn on back of consumer credit defaults.

Recession Will Be 'Full-Blown Depression': Strategist: This global recession will turn into a "full-blown depression," Nicu Harajchi, CEO of N1 Asset Management, said Friday, adding that global stimulus hasn't come down to Main Street.

Dollar May Drop 20% More, Harvard’s Ferguson Says: The dollar will extend its drop versus the euro over the next two to five years, falling as much as 20 percent to an all-time low under a widening U.S. budget deficit, Harvard University’s Professor Niall Ferguson said.

Britain is in danger of going bust, warns EU: Britian's economy was consigned to a list of those at 'high risk' yesterday because of the spiralling national debt

The pocket spy: Will your smartphone rat you out?: Just how secure is the data we store on our phones? If we are starting to use them as combined diaries and wallets, what happens if we lose them or they are stolen? And what if we simply trade in our phones for recycling?

October 15, 2009

45,000 More U.S. Troops To Afghanistan

By BBC Newsnight

The Obama administration had told the British government that it will soon announce a substantial boost to its Afghanistan force and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that Britain will send a further 500 soldiers. Continue

Fighting the Taliban

What, Exactly, is Being Fought in Afghanistan?

By M. Reza Pirbhai

Washington insiders do not mention that the Taliban’s “harsh form of oppression on women and others,” which everyone from Madeleine Albright to Hillary Clinton have argued provides cause for war, is not a concern when relations with ‘Wahhabi’ Saudi Arabia are pursued. Continue

John Bolton Suggests Nuclear Attack on Iran

By Daniel Luban

Discussing Iran during a Tuesday speech at the University of Chicago, Bolton appeared to call for nothing less than an Israeli nuclear first strike against the Islamic Republic. (The speech, sponsored by the University Young Republicans and Chicago Friends of Israel, was titled, apparently without a trace of irony, “Ensuring Peace.”) Continue

The IDF Violated Nuremberg Principles During Operation ‘Cast Lead’

By Cesar Chelala

In what can be considered a sad paradox of history, an analysis of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) actions during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza shows that the IDF violated several of the Nuremberg Principles, as well as the principles of the Geneva Conventions. Continue

U.S. Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings

By Thalif Deen

Washington is giving Israel a green light to continue to commit atrocities, said Ratner, who heads the non-profit human rights litigation organisation. Continue

Abbas and the Goldstone Report: Our Shame is Complete

By Ramzy Baroud

Those who hoped that the Israeli atrocities in Gaza would rekindled a sense of remorse among the egotistical elites in Ramallah, were surely disappointed when the PA withdrew its draft resolution supporting recommendations made by South African Judge Richard Goldstone. Continue

The Muslims are Coming!

By Dean Obeidallah

Not only are Muslims coming -- but they want to take over America! At least that's what four Republican Members of Congress alleged today. Continue

US Healthcare Overhaul: Five Lessons from Abroad

By Alexandra Marks

What the US could learn about healthcare from Taiwan, Japan, France, Germany, and Singapore. Continue

Gunmen, bombs hit 5 sites in Pakistan, 40 killed: Teams of gunmen launched coordinated attacks on three law enforcement facilities in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore and car bombs hit two other cities Thursday, killing a total of 40 people in an escalating wave of anti-government violence.

US Kills 10 In Pakistan: : Two missiles, fired by pilotless US aircraft, hit a suspected militant training center in Dandikhel village of North Waziristan tribal agency, security officials told KUNA.

Taliban Leader Tells Pakistan Military: 'Reject U.S and Attacks Will Stop': The new leader of the Taliban in Pakistan has issued a stark option to the country's military: stop following American orders and we will stop our attacks, according to Sky News.

Arundhati Roy: ‘I’m here to understand what you mean by Taliban’: When we say we must fight the Taliban or must defeat them, what does it mean? I’m here to understand what you mean when you say Taliban. Do you mean a militant? Do you mean an ideology? Exactly what is it that is being fought?

Why Pakistanis would reject $7.5 billion in US aid: The United States is offering $7.5 billion to Pakistan for development – but only 15 percent of Pakistanis support accepting it, according to a Gallup Pakistan survey released Wednesday.

If fired, Haqqani threatens to unveil 'reams' of Pakistan's secrets: The Pakistan Embassy in Washington continues to convey a wrong picture to American officials and politicians on the uproar in Pakistan over the condescending language in the Kerry-Lugar bill.

US dismisses Afghan surge report: Mr Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs said the president had not yet made a decision on troop numbers.

French troops were killed after Italy hushed up ‘bribes’ to Taleban: Months before the French soldiers arrived in mid-2008, the Italian secret service had been paying tens of thousands of dollars to Taleban commanders and local warlords to keep the area quiet, The Times has learnt. The clandestine payments, whose existence was hidden from the incoming French forces, were disclosed by Western military officials.

Italy says did not pay Taliban in Afghanistan: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's office denied the accusations, citing several attacks on Italian troops in the first half of 2008 as proof Italy had not paid anyone.

'Israel may attack Iran after December': According to the report in Le Canard Enchainé quoted by Israel Radio, Jerusalem has already ordered high-quality combat rations from a French food manufacturer for soldiers serving in elite units and has also asked reservists of these units staying abroad to return to Israel.

US lawmakers approve Iran sanctions bill: The bill, which sailed through by a 414-6 vote, permits US states, local governments and pension funds to end investments in firms that have 20 million dollars or more invested in Iran's petroleum or natural gas operations.

Chinese leader dashes hope for sanctions against Iran: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday that his country intends to strengthen its cooperation with Iran, an indication Beijing would oppose growing calls in the West for additional sanctions against the Islamic regime for its nuclear program.

Iran awash with rumors of Supreme Leader Khamenei's death: The rumors, spread on the micro-blogging Web site Twitter and other sites across the county, have been given credence by claims that security forces have surrounded Khamenei's home in Tehran, and that only the leader's sons are allowed access to him.

Ayatollah Khamenei dead? How rumours start: It seems to have all been started – or at least given credence – by the leading American neocon Michael Ledeen.

UN human rights chief endorses Goldstone Gaza report: The 575-page report concluded that Israel used disproportionate force, deliberately targeted civilians, used Palestinians as human shields, and destroyed civilian infrastructure during its Dec. 27-Jan.

Israel says no fresh "peace" talks unless Gaza report is dropped: Israel threatened Wednesday that it would not renew peace talks with the Palestinians, unless a United Nations report accusing it of having committed war crimes during last winter's Gaza war was dropped.

Israelis may stay home to avoid arrest in Europe: Israel is seriously considering restricting travel to Europe by its senior officials and military officers, fearing they might be arrested in the wake of a disputed U.N. report that accuses the Jewish state of targeting civilians in its Gaza war earlier this year.

Fatah okays Palestinian unity pact: The Palestinian Fatah party has signed a long-awaited proposal that seeks to reconcile the movement with its rival Hamas, which governs Gaza

Oligarch investor in Sibir moves to Israel: Chalva Tchigirinski, the beleaguered Russian tycoon who is being sued for alleged improper use of funds belonging to the London-listed oil company Sibir Energy and whose Russian companies are being investigated for supposed tax violations, has moved to Israel, The Independent can reveal.

Honduras to restore ousted president: HONDURAN negotiators reached agreement today on a plan to restore President Manuel Zelaya to office and end a political crisis triggered by his ouster in a June coup.

Confusion over Honduras agreement: Negotiators for ousted President Manuel Zelaya said a "unified text" had been agreed that could lead to an "exit" from the crisis. But representatives of interim leader Roberto Micheletti said no agreement had been reached on the key issue of a possible return to power for Mr Zelaya.

Benito Mussolini Recruited by MI5: Documents reveal Italian dictator got start in politics in 1917 with help of £100 weekly wage from MI5

Majority of Nobel jury 'objected to Obama prize': Three of the five members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee had objections to the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to US President Barack Obama, the Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang (VG) reported Thursday.

October 14, 2009

Saving Face in Afghanistan

By Ron Paul

We overthrew the Taliban government in 2001 with less than 10,000 American troops. Why does it now seem that the more troops we send, the worse things get? If the Soviets bankrupted themselves in Afghanistan with troop levels of 100,000 and were eventually forced to leave in humiliating defeat, why are we determined to follow their example? Continue

The Wrong House

Ask Awal Khan About Obama's Prize

By Brendan Cooney

Khan was serving as an artillery commander in the Afghan National Army away from his home in the eastern province of Khost on April 8, when U.S. forces came knocking. In a case of “wrong house,” they killed his 17-year-old daughter, Nadia, and his 15-year-old son, Aimal. They also killed his wife, a schoolteacher who taught villagers for free. They killed his brother and wounded another daughter. Continue

Obama's War

Video - This program contains graphic language and violent imagery. Viewer discretion is advised.

Tens of thousands of fresh American troops are now on the move in Afghanistan, led by a new commander and armed with a counterinsurgency plan that builds on the lessons of Iraq. But can U.S. forces succeed in a land long known as the "graveyard of empires"? And can the U.S. stop the Taliban in neighboring Pakistan, where U.S. troops are not allowed and the government is weak? Continue

Public Health Before Wall Street Wealth

By Robert Scheer

If you want to know who actually runs this country, just look at the phone logs, released by court order last week, revealing Geithner’s nearly constant calls to solicit the advice of the fat cats who caused the banking implosion. It’s the same as when he was chair of the Federal Reserve in New York, before Obama appointed him to his current job. Continue

How the Servant Became a Predator

Finance's Five Fatal Flaws

By William K. Black

Five fatal flaws in the financial sector's current structure have created a monster that drains the real economy, promotes fraud and corruption, threatens democracy, and causes recurrent, intensifying crises. Continue

Indict Dick Cheney
Keep America Safe

By Scott Horton

If you enjoy fear-mongering, here’s a not-for-profit organization for you: Keep America Safe. William Kristol and Liz Cheney are the dynamic duo behind it. Continue

Trafigura Drops Bid To Gag Guardian Over MP's Question

Web users publish details of legal issue raised in parliament

By David Leigh

An unprecedented attempt by a British oil trading firm to prevent the Guardian reporting parliamentary proceedings has collapsed following a spontaneous online campaign  to spread the information the paper had been barred from publishing. Continue

45 Taliban, two Afghan soldiers killed in blasts, clashes: Afghan security forces backed by coalition troops killed 30 Taliban and injured 20 others Tuesday in the southern province of Uruzgan's Chora district, the Interior Ministry said.

Afghanistan situation a 'major emergency,' says General Vance: Afghanistan is in a "serious, desperate situation" which constitutes a major emergency, Canada's top commander on the ground said in a frank interview broadcast Wednesday.

UK: Govt to send 500 extra troops to Afghanistan: – Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Wednesday an extra 500 troops for Afghanistan, but pressed NATO allies to do their "fair share" in the increasingly deadly and unpopular mission.

In Kabul, Little Hope That a Runoff Will Be Fair: As experts pore over ballots to determine whether the fraud in this country’s presidential election was so big that a runoff vote was required, many Afghans interviewed here on Tuesday shared the same view: Why bother?

Voting again will risk lives, say Karzai tribal allies: Angered and disillusioned by Afghanistan's election chaos, many tribal leaders who supported President Hamid Karzai say they would not risk their lives again by taking part in a new vote.

Air strike kills 11 "militants" in Pakistan's tribal area: The forces jet fighters targeted suspected hideouts of the militants in Makeen area of South Waziristan killing five "militants", sources said. In another air raid in Brond area six "militants" were killed, the private channel Express reported.

Pakistan bombs villages as people stream out of Waziristan: Over 90,000 people have fled the area for specially set up camps in nearby Dera Ismail Khan and Tank also in the restive NWFP fearing that the offensive may roll any moment, officials were quoted by private TV news channels.

New Taliban Leader Tells Pakistan Military: 'Reject U.S and Attacks Will Stop': The new leader of the Taliban in Pakistan has issued a stark option to the country's military: stop following American orders and we will stop our attacks, according to Sky News.

Musharraf booked for Baloch leader Bugti's murder: A case has been registered against former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf for his alleged role in the 2006 murder of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, a lawyer said.

11 killed in Iraq violence: Eleven people were killed and 60 others wounded in attacks in Baghdad, the northern city of Mosul and the Shiite shrine city of Karbala on Wednesday, police and ministry officials said.

Clinton fails to get Russia’s nod against Iran: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won no clear public pledge from Moscow that it would back tougher steps like sanctions if negotiations failed, something an aid on Monday said she had hoped to achieve.

Lieberman: Diplomacy over Iran nuclear threat must be limited: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday said that the international community's diplomatic efforts to curb the Iranian nuclear threat should be limited in time.

Pentagon Cites 'Urgent' Need for Mega-Bomb to Take Out Hidden Bunkers: Pentagon is speeding up delivery of a colossal bomb designed to destroy hidden weapons bunkers buried underground and shielded by 10,000 pounds of reinforced concrete

Israel 'holding hundreds illegally': Israel is violating international law by detaining hundreds of Palestinians, some of them for years without charge or trial, two leading human rights groups in the country have said.

Palestinian official denounces Israel in UN Security Council: Arab and Islamic envoys showed up in force in support of the Palestinians before the 15-nation council in New York in a showdown between them and the council in which the United States can veto all attacks against its ally Israel

Palestinians urge Israeli punishment over Gaza: Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki and Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gabriela Shalev traded accusations about the report at an open meeting Wednesday of the U.N. Security Council.

Haaretz exclusive: Palestinian draft resolution on Goldstone, Gaza and Jerusalem: Haaretz has obtained a copy of the draft resolution that the Palestinian Authority will present to the United Nations, calling for condemnation of Israel over its actions in Jerusalem, the Gaza conflict of last winter and the closure on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

EU demands Guinea leader's trial: "We are facing a real crime against humanity. The principal idea is that everywhere there is crime against humanity, the crime must be punished."

Aid groups protest 1,000 DR Congo deaths: A coalition of 84 humanitarian groups has called for an end to the United Nations-backed military operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, warning of a "disastrous" humanitarian situation in the country.

Thousands rally in S.Yemen for independence: Separatists in south Yemen used the anniversary of an uprising against colonial power Britain to press their claim for independence on Wednesday, while President Ali Abdullah Saleh promised to crush rebels in the north.

Hypocrisy Alert: Clinton challenges Russia on human rights: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrapped up a European tour Wednesday by calling on Russia to uphold human rights and prevent attacks on activists who challenge the Kremlin.

Venezuela is no tyranny: Dictatorship has returned to Latin America in Honduras, not in the genuine, if imperfect, democracy of Venezuela

Wexler Stepping Down To Join Middle East Think Tank: Why Is He Giving Up Seat?: In his official statement, Wexler said that "now is the time for me to engage" on the issues of Israel-Palestine and Iran "on a full time basis."

JPMorgan scores big $3.6 billion in latest quarter: JPMorgan Chase, the first in a series of big banks due to report this week, said it it earned $3.6 billion during the third quarter, or 82 cents a share.

Goldman Sachs average pay and bonus to hit £500,000: The age of the City mega-bonus returned today after investment bank Goldman Sachs unveiled £2?billion profits.

Geithner Aides Reaped Millions Working for Banks, Hedge Funds: Some of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s closest aides, none of whom faced Senate confirmation, earned millions of dollars a year working for Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and other Wall Street firms, according to financial disclosure forms.

Gold Heading to $3000 Unless America Hits the "Reset" Button, Tice Says: Gold will hit at least $3000 per ounce before the current rally ends says Tice, Federated's chief portfolio strategist for bear markets. The forecast falls roughly in between Peter Schiff's $5000 per ounce call and Jimmy Rogers' forecast of $2000.

Obama Dollar Retreats Most Against Commodities in Wealth Shift: President Barack Obama’s effort to lead the world economic recovery by spending the U.S. out of its recession is undermining the dollar, triggering record commodities rallies as investors scour the globe for hard assets.

Bleak U.S. job market boosts military recruitment: Aided by a bleak job market, the U.S. military met all of its recruitment goals in the past year for the first time since it became an all-volunteer force in 1973, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

Record Numbers Of Homeless In NYC: According To Coalition For The Homeless, More Than 16,000 Children Were In Shelters By End Of September

October 13, 2009

$600 Billion And
10 More Years of War in Afghanistan : McCaffrey:

By Thomas R. Eddlem

The U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Barry McCaffrey told MSNBC's Meet the Press Sunday that the United States faces 10 more years of war in Afghanistan. Continue

New York Times Columnist
Thomas Friedman Glorifies American Militarism

By Patrick Martin

In the Sunday edition of the New York Times, the newspaper’s chief commentator on foreign affairs, Thomas L. Friedman, devotes his entire column to a grotesque celebration of the role of the American military, presenting its operations, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq, as humanitarian and liberating. Continue

Humanitarian Law Applies to All

By Tammy Obeidallah

Sharing military technology with a nation that is known to use such technology against civilians is against international law; yet human rights take a back seat to the promise of job opportunities and economic growth at the expense of people half a world away. Continue

"The UN Has Failed" D'Escoto:

By Real News

Outgoing General Assembly prez says most powerful are to blame for UN failure to address war and poverty. Continue

Take America Back From the Banks

By Dean Baker

Reining in the financial industry's power and greed will be a long, hard-fought war. But it is one that must be fought. Continue

Student Loans are the New Indentured Servitude

By Mike Konczal

The prevalence of this debt, especially among the young and the poor/working classes, the transformation from a rounding error amount to a significant burden amount over the past 30 years, the length of term, the idea of mobility and "transport" to a job, debt secured not by property but by personhood, and limited legal recourse. Continue

Headlines Continued

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