What Bush Is Up To

I‘m going to tell you what the real Bush administration policy is. I have no take-it-to-court proof. No one does, because the administration doesn’t tell the truth and is very secretive. But from conversations I’ve had with people from the Middle East and from extensive reading, I infer that the Bush administration’s policy encompasses three … Continue reading “What Bush Is Up To”

Crime Becomes Another Occupation

*with Isam RashidBAGHDAD – It is widely accepted that Iraq’s recent crime problems began with Saddam Hussein’s general amnesty declaration in October 2002. It is also widely believed the crime wave reached a high in April 2003 with the collapse of Saddam’s seat of power in Baghdad. Given the porous borders and the focus of … Continue reading “Crime Becomes Another Occupation”

Bush Faces Big Choices as Hamas Takes Reins

On the eve of Hamas’ takeover of the Palestinian parliament, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush still appears uncertain about how hard a line to take with the movement it has long considered a terrorist organization. Pressed by its own strongly pro-Zionist Congress, the administration has effectively ruled out providing direct aid to … Continue reading “Bush Faces Big Choices as Hamas Takes Reins”

Espionage and the
First Amendment

Is there a First Amendment right to steal and transmit vital U.S. secrets to a foreign power? Viet Dinh, the intellectual author of the PATRIOT Act – and a rising star among the neoconservative legal theorists who have commandeered the Justice Department in the service of presidential omnipotence – thinks so. In the latest development … Continue reading “Espionage and the
First Amendment”

Iraq: Outrage Spreads Over New Images

(With Arkan Hamed) BASRA – New footage of British soldiers beating up young Iraqi men in Amarah in 2003 and the release of more photographs of atrocities by U.S. soldiers against Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib prison have spread outrage across Iraq. The timing of the new images is potent, in the wake of violence … Continue reading “Iraq: Outrage Spreads Over New Images”

Iraq’s Gas Pumps Buried Under Mountain of Debt

Contract mismanagement and possible corruption in the Iraqi government are fueling a crisis over international gasoline delivery into Iraq. Citing a mountain of unpaid bills, the governments of Turkey and Saudi Arabia have shut off gasoline exports to Iraq. With its options dwindling and beleaguered Iraqis demanding fuel, Baghdad has begun to negotiate with its … Continue reading “Iraq’s Gas Pumps Buried Under Mountain of Debt”

Farewell to Ground Zero

Jonathan Schell, who lives in downtown New York City, began writing his “Letter from Ground Zero” column – still unnamed – almost before the white dust storm of 9/11 had settled. The first of what would become almost four-and-a-half years of such columns – piercing, questioning, thoughtful – appeared the next week in The Nation … Continue reading “Farewell to Ground Zero”

Abu Ghraib Abuse Photos

More Photos Surface (updated June 11) (Warning: Graphic Photos Below) The Washington Post has released new photos along with new information about the use of dogs on prisoners. An unmuzzled dog appears to be used to frighten a detainee at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Two military dog handlers told investigators that intelligence personnel ordered … Continue reading “Abu Ghraib Abuse Photos”

Conservatives Endorse the Fuhrer Principle

Last week’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference signaled the transformation of American conservatism into brownshirtism. A former Justice Department official named Viet Dinh got a standing ovation when he told the CPAC audience that the rule of law mustn’t get in the way of President Bush protecting Americans from Osama bin Laden. Former Republican congressman … Continue reading “Conservatives Endorse the Fuhrer Principle”

A Perfect Geopolitical Storm Taking Shape

The best thing you can say about Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent "hunting incident" is that, to the relief of members of his family, Cheney didn’t shoot himself in the foot. Unfortunately, you cannot say the same thing about the policies that officials in Washington and Jerusalem seem to be devising these days as part … Continue reading “A Perfect Geopolitical Storm Taking Shape”