Tuesday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 6 Wounded

The new government headed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was sworn in today. News of the breakthrough overshadowed if not dampened reports of violence. At least two Iraqis were killed and six others were wounded in light violence. In the United Kingdom meanwhile, over 200 Iraqis have lost their bid in a British court for a public inquiry into allegations that British soldiers abused them while in detention in Iraq.

Thoughts at the White House Fence

“Show me your company, and I’ll tell you who you are,” my grandmother would often say with a light Irish lilt but a heavy emphasis, an admonition about taking care in choosing what company you keep. On Thursday, I could sense her smiling down through the snow as I stood pinned to the White House … Continue reading “Thoughts at the White House Fence”

Israel Demolishing Talks

ISSAWEYA, Occupied East Jerusalem – More and more Palestinians are paying the price for deadlocked talks over Israel’s continued settlement-building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Muhammad Robin Alyyan, 27, from the volatile Issaweya suburb of East Jerusalem, stands next to piles of rubble and twisted metal. This is all that remains of his … Continue reading “Israel Demolishing Talks”

Monday: 2 Iraqis, 4 Libyans Killed; 12 Iraqis Wounded

Last minute bickering from the Sadrist bloc has delayed voting for the new cabinet for at least one day, but attacks continued without debate. At least two Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded, while security forces killed four Libyans accused of planning Christmas Day attacks. Also, Amnesty International has called on Iraq to protect its Christian population.

Racism, Rabbinical and Otherwise

As part of Israel’s orgy of racism and fascism since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed his far-Right coalition almost two years ago, dozens of Israeli racist rabbis (RR) have signed an edict forbidding Jews in “the Land of Israel” from selling or renting property to non-Jews (in other words: to Israeli Palestinians or Arabs). The … Continue reading “Racism, Rabbinical and Otherwise”

The Great Fear

Moments of imperial and economic decline – according to a recent poll, 65 percent of Americans now believe this country to be “in a state of decline” – can also be periods of cultishness, even of madness incarnate. Such a mood now seems to be spreading through the United States. It’s not so surprising, really. … Continue reading “The Great Fear”

Deceit and Truth Are Feeding Resistance to US Militarism

Mike Ferner, the president of Veterans for Peace, was speaking outside the White House calling for a “culture of resistance” against U.S. wars. His organization was leading a protest outside the White House at the same moment that President Obama was inside announcing the continuation of the Afghanistan War. Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent and author … Continue reading “Deceit and Truth Are Feeding Resistance to US Militarism”

Ship of Fools 2

The expression “Ship of Fools” was used by a Swiss theologian 515 years ago as the title of a book harshly criticizing the Catholic church of his day. Its licentiousness, he foresaw, would lead to disaster. And indeed, shortly afterward a monk named Martin Luther split the church and set in motion the great Reformation. … Continue reading “Ship of Fools 2”

WikiLeaks on Cuba:
US Undermines Dissidents

Editor’s note: Justin Raimondo is taking the holiday off but will be back Monday, Dec. 27. The WikiLeaks revelations continue to pour in, the latest including revealing material on the intimate and always troubled relationship between Cuban dissidents and the US government. Most of the attention has been given to a cable that characterized the … Continue reading “WikiLeaks on Cuba:
US Undermines Dissidents”