Hands Off Google!

Success, money, and the sort of competence that looks effortless – Google, the company behind the world’s best search engine, has it all. It was therefore only a matter of time before ideologues, cretins, and government regulators – or do I repeat myself? – conspired to bring it down. Last week, they crawled out of … Continue reading “Hands Off Google!”

Rank Ignorance Reigns

In keeping with its established role as purveyor of disinformation, Fox “News” talking head Brit Hume misreported Fox’s own poll. On Special Report on Jan. 26, Hume said that 51 percent of Americans “would now support” air strikes on Iran. What the poll found is that if diplomacy fails, 51 percent would support air strikes … Continue reading “Rank Ignorance Reigns”

The Case for Italian ‘Isolationism’

As Antiwar.com reported two weeks ago, the Italian mission in Iraq, Antica Babilonia, will last until late 2006. At that time, Minister of Defense Antonio Martino maintained during a parliamentary hearing, all Italian troops will be withdrawn from Iraq, since the aim of this operation is “the gradual conveyance of tasks from the contingent to … Continue reading “The Case for Italian ‘Isolationism’”

Does Democracy Boulevard Lead to Islamism?

The neoconservatives who dreamed up the Bush Doctrine – promoting “democracy” would be the U.S. mission in the Middle East – may be about to hold yet another “Seconds Thoughts” conference. Certainly, Israel must be having second thoughts on the folly of having yielded to U.S. pressure and allowed Hamas to participate in elections. For … Continue reading “Does Democracy Boulevard Lead to Islamism?”

Domestic Lying: The Question Journalists Don’t Ask Bush

With great fanfare the other day, Oprah Winfrey asked James Frey a question that mainstream journalists refuse to ask George W. Bush: “Why would you lie?” Many pundits and news outlets have chortled at the televised unmasking of Frey as a liar. The reverberations have spanned from schlock media to highbrow outlets. On Friday, the … Continue reading “Domestic Lying: The Question Journalists Don’t Ask Bush”

Assad Keeps Footing Amid Political Tremors

WASHINGTON – Despite a UN probe into his possible role in the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and a public challenge to his rule by a prominent Syrian politician in exile, Syrian President Bashar Assad appears likely to endure for the foreseeable future, according to experts here. Hamas’ sweeping victory in this … Continue reading “Assad Keeps Footing Amid Political Tremors”

Backtalk January 30, 2006

Unfathomed Dangers in PATRIOT Act ReauthorizationIf people only knew that it’s a question of jurisdiction: a FEDERAL police force can only have jurisdiction over FEDERAL areas and territories. They do not (cannot) have jurisdiction in the states unless the states give over their jurisdiction. And I know that they (the feds) do not have jurisdiction … Continue reading “Backtalk January 30, 2006”

Donors Threaten Aid Cut After Hamas Win

International donors whose funds sustained the Palestinian Authority for much of its life, and who are now alarmed at the win of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, could cut off their aid, effectively threatening to bankrupt the future Hamas-led authority. The European Union and the United States have reacted nervously … Continue reading “Donors Threaten Aid Cut After Hamas Win”

When Pigs Fly

After every deep-serious meeting with Russian and/or Chinese leaders, Secretary of State Condi Rice emerges to tell her media sycophants that the Russians and/or Chinese basically agree with our position on Iran’s nuclear programs. Condi’s position is that Iran’s nuclear programs – widely expected to be certified in March by Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General of the … Continue reading “When Pigs Fly”