Category: Uncategorized

War and Pandemic Journalism

Originally posted at TomDispatch. In the midst of the pandemic from hell, with a president who seems incapable of grasping the reality of, no less dealing with, the spreading virus, as deaths mount and cases cascade, in a land where a Covid-19 “second wave” in the fall isn’t conceivable because the first will never have … Continue reading “War and Pandemic Journalism”

Nuclear War or Invasion: The False Dichotomy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Seventy-five years ago, the United States waged the only nuclear war in history. Among the truths held self-evident by millions of Americans is the notion that the atomic destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved lives, both American and Japanese. The choice, Americans are told starting as school children and throughout their lives by largely uncritical … Continue reading “Nuclear War or Invasion: The False Dichotomy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki”

Poet Survivors, Military Realists, and Millennials: August 6 and 9

Poet survivors of the merciless, savage US atomic bombing of Japan guide us to the deepest, most intimate loss and suffering of survivors, the hibakusha. Give back my father, give back my mother; Give grandpa back, grandma back; Give me my sons and daughters back. Give me back myself. Give back the human race. As … Continue reading “Poet Survivors, Military Realists, and Millennials: August 6 and 9”

Regarding Seth Rogen: Some Feelings Ought To Be Hurt

When actor Seth Rogen, an atheist of Jewish heritage, announced that he no longer supports Israel – “I was fed a huge amount of lies about Israel my entire life” – he was criticized for his apostasy. (Being an atheist does not constitute Jewish heresy, but breaking with Israel does.) Then, during a call with … Continue reading “Regarding Seth Rogen: Some Feelings Ought To Be Hurt”

America’s 30-Year War Against Iraq: Bring the Troops Home

Three decades ago Iraq’s Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait. It was no contest. Hussein was vastly more ruthless than Kuwait’s emir. Iraq’s military was significantly larger than Kuwait’s armed forces. Hussein declared his conquest to be Iraq’s 19th province. However, President George H.W. Bush decided that Iraq’s aggression would not stand. The following February the … Continue reading “America’s 30-Year War Against Iraq: Bring the Troops Home”

Intel Vets: To Nancy Pelosi – Did Russia Hack the DNC Emails?

MEMORANDUM FOR: Speaker Nancy Pelosi FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity SUBJECT: Did Russia Hack the DNC Emails? Dear Madam Speaker: After your intelligence briefing Friday, Politico reported that you were sharply frustrated by the lack of detail presented on “Russia’s continued interference in the 2020 election campaign.” You were quoted as saying you thought … Continue reading “Intel Vets: To Nancy Pelosi – Did Russia Hack the DNC Emails?”

US Cold War China Policy Will Isolate the US, Not China

Tensions between the United States and China are rising as the U.S. election nears, with tit-for-tat consulate closures, new US sanctions and no less than three US aircraft carrier strike groups prowling the seas around China. But it is the United States that has initiated each new escalation in U.S.-China relations. China’s responses have been … Continue reading “US Cold War China Policy Will Isolate the US, Not China”

AFRICOM Denies Reports of 3 Somali Children Killed in US Strike

The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) is denying local media reports that three children were killed in an air strike targeting al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia last Wednesday. Local media and AFRICOM report that the US carried out an air strike near the town of Jilib in Middle Jubba province on July 29. According to … Continue reading “AFRICOM Denies Reports of 3 Somali Children Killed in US Strike”