Month: September 2004

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani continues to be concerned as to whether elections will be held in January in Iraq, and whether the outcome will reflect the Shi’ite majority in Iraq. He is worried that the system adopted, of nationwide party lists, favors a small set of parties, mainly expatriate. Since the six major parties listed … Continue reading “Iraq Elections a Disaster in the Making”

BEIJING – The resignation of ex-president Jiang Zemin from his powerful post as commander-in-chief of the Chinese military heralds his impending political demise. However, his handover of authority to the younger President Hu Jintao signifies little imminent change in the political agenda of the ruling Communist party. For the first time since he became party … Continue reading “Chinese Change of Guard Just Political Window Dressing?”

HUNTINGTON WOODS, MICH. – American legal investigators have discovered evidence of abuse, torture and rape throughout the U.S.-run prison system in Iraq. A Michigan legal team meeting with former detainees in Baghdad during an August fact-finding mission gathered evidence supporting claims of prisoner abuse at some 25 U.S.-run detention centers, most of them so far … Continue reading “Torture and Rape Rampant in Iraq Prisons”

It would be difficult to exaggerate my profound lack of confidence, let alone faith, in the political system of this or any other country to make your life or mine better. I’m with Thomas Jefferson, who once put it something like this: If I have no choice but to be in a political party to … Continue reading “A Debate at Last?”

BRUSSELS – Turkey took a step closer to the European Union Thursday after EU enlargement commissioner Guenter Verheugen said he was "satisfied" that a row over Turkey’s penal code had been resolved. Verheugen told media representatives after a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels that there were "no more obstacles" in … Continue reading “Turkey: One Step Forward, Two Back”

Civil liberties advocates are once again raising concern over legislation moving through Congress meant to enhance the controversial USA PATRIOT Act rushed into law in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Last Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the "Tools to Fight Terrorism Act of 2004," which opponents say contains … Continue reading “PATRIOT Act II: Back From the Dead”

Was Iyad Allawi, America’s Iraqi sock-puppet and the country’s unelected “prime minister,” lying when he told the U.S. Congress: “In Samarra, the Iraqi government has tackled the insurgents who once controlled the city. Following weeks of discussions between government officials and representatives, coalition forces and local community leaders, regular access to the city has been … Continue reading “Allawi, the Cheerleader”

Scott Horton interviews Lt. Col. (ret.) Karen Kwiatkowski about the lies that justified the Iraq war, the liars who told them, why they wanted to invade Iraq, the failures of the 9/11 Commission Report, and the election. Check out Scott’s other interviews with prominent libertarian and antiwar personalities. Interview conducted Sept. 18, 2004. Listen to … Continue reading “Neoconservatism: An Alien Ideology”

With the U.S. elections for emperor – uh, president – just six weeks off, people in the Democratic camp are apparently thinking that Americans are nostalgic for Bill Clinton’s imperialist policies, rather than his charm or (supposed) social or economic accomplishments. John Kerry promises not only to continue Bush Junior’s adventures in Bactria and Babylon, … Continue reading “Imperial Balkans”

Coerced military conscription – also known as the draft – is perhaps the single most anti-freedom action governments regularly take against their own citizens. The draft represses indiscriminately by directly stealing not only the "treasure" of our citizens, but also by taking years of their precious time and – in many cases – their lives. … Continue reading “The Free Market vs. the Draft”