MH17: The Exploitation of A Tragedy

If there’s one thing neocons and Obamaites can agree on, it’s the penultimate evil of Vladimir Putin. The downing of MH17 has knitted them so close together that it’s hard to tell the difference. No sooner had the airliner hit the ground then, one and all, they echoed the "game-changer" meme first enunciated by The … Continue reading “MH17: The Exploitation of A Tragedy”

Israel Kills – For the Fun of It

A group of Palestinian boys is playing on the beach in Gaza, kicking a soccer ball around in the bright sunshine. But not for long: an Israeli missile hits a nearby shack, where their family members keep their fishing boats: it bursts into flames and the boys take off running. But they can’t run fast … Continue reading “Israel Kills – For the Fun of It”

Neocons Go Undercover

Fox News reports it’s entirely legal in many jurisdictions for criminals to change their names, citing the case of an Oklahoma man convicted of impersonating a police officer – as well as a would-be school bus driver who is a convicted sex offender. It’s a problem in Australia, too, where rapists, murderers, and "fraudsters" simply … Continue reading “Neocons Go Undercover”

Rick Perry, Neocon Tool

The media hates Republicans, and so naturally they’re elevating Texas Governor Rick Perry to the status of a potential 2016 GOP presidential contender who must be taken seriously. After his last embarrassing run – embarrassing not only for him, but for the much-maligned state of Texas (see the video above) – one would think he’d … Continue reading “Rick Perry, Neocon Tool”

Pro-Israel Media Bias: It’s As Easy As ABC

Poor Diane Sawyer – recently kicked upstairs by ABC News, she started off her Wednesday report on the Israeli assault on Gaza by giving us the Bizarro World version of the latest news. In a conflict where as of this moment 86 Palestinians have been killed – nearly all civilians, mostly women and children – and as … Continue reading “Pro-Israel Media Bias: It’s As Easy As ABC”

Who Started ‘the Cycle of Violence’ in Palestine?

The latest spate of violence in Israel and the occupied territories has been the occasion for anguished references to the "cycle of violence," as if it were like the procession of the seasons and no one side can be held responsible. This has never been true – one side is indeed responsible – and this … Continue reading “Who Started ‘the Cycle of Violence’ in Palestine?”

A Note to My Readers

I’m a bit under the weather — frankly, I’m completely exhausted — and so taking an extra long weekend: no column today. However, my present unfortunate state may be fortuitous:  have the distinct impression the next few weeks will be filled to overflowing with important news, so I guess it’s a good idea to rest up for the big sprint just … Continue reading “A Note to My Readers”

Japan’s Constitutional Revisionism – Bowing Low to Washington

The controversy over the "reinterpretation" of the Japanese constitution – which would allow the military to engage in "collective defense" overseas – is itself being misinterpreted. Instead of signaling a revival of Japanese nationalism, it is in reality a reassertion of Nippon’s subservience to the United States. Another misinterpretation is the typically lazy characterization by … Continue reading “Japan’s Constitutional Revisionism – Bowing Low to Washington”

The Return of Ahmad Chalabi

A recent New York Times account of the reemergence of Ahmad Chalabi as one of the leading candidates to replace Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki opined "everything old seems new again in Iraq" – as if to confirm the growing sense here in the US that Iraq is our recurring nightmare. It’s perfectly understandable that … Continue reading “The Return of Ahmad Chalabi”

Why the War Party Loves the Export-Import Bank

The other day Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) was railing against "unilateral disarmament" and declaring "I haven’t heard that kind of talk since the days of George McGovern," or words to that effect. Was he talking about our nuclear policy, or perhaps the revived war in Iraq? Nope. He was on the John Stossel show defending … Continue reading “Why the War Party Loves the Export-Import Bank”