Sino-Russian Guarantees?

Did you see where Russia and China are conducting "unprecedented" joint military exercises "involving air, sea and land forces"? Two countries possessing intercontinental ballistic missiles tipped with thermonuclear warheads! Thousands of them! All aimed at us! Some concerned observers suppose the Sino-Russian exercises were meant to forestall a threatened pre-emptive nuke attack by Bush-Cheney on … Continue reading “Sino-Russian Guarantees?”

Realists Taking Over in Washington?

Is realism finally, definitively, back in the driver’s seat of U.S. foreign policy? That’s the conclusion featured this week on the op-ed page of the nation’s most influential newspaper, the New York Times, in a column by the managing editor of the nation’s most influential foreign-policy journal, Foreign Affairs, published by the nation’s most influential … Continue reading “Realists Taking Over in Washington?”

The Ugly Truth About Prisoner ‘Rendition’

Countries that rely on "diplomatic assurances" that other countries will not torture transferred prisoners "are either engaging in wishful thinking or using the assurances as a figleaf to cover their complicity," charges a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW). "There is substantial evidence that in the course of the global ‘war on terrorism,’ an … Continue reading “The Ugly Truth About Prisoner ‘Rendition’”

MoveOn’s Soft Stance on Iraq

The day after Wednesday night’s nationwide vigils, the big headline at the top of the MoveOn.org home page said: "Support Cindy Sheehan." But MoveOn does not support Cindy Sheehan’s call for swift withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Many groups were important to the success of the Aug. 17 vigils, but the online powerhouse MoveOn … Continue reading “MoveOn’s Soft Stance on Iraq”

Gaza Evacuation Should Be Americans’ Last Straw

As I watched the extensive, plainly sympathetic coverage of Jewish settlers being evicted from their Gaza homes, I couldn’t help but take note once again of the striking double standard applied by American news media as well as the U.S. government. I cannot recall any sympathetic coverage of Palestinians being evicted from their homes. No … Continue reading “Gaza Evacuation Should Be Americans’ Last Straw”

The Silent Majority, Then and Now

When he flew off to San Clemente, Calif., in the summer of 1969 for his August vacation, Richard Nixon was riding a wave of popularity. He had announced the first troop withdrawal from Vietnam. He had met the Apollo 11 crew of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on touchdown in the Pacific. He … Continue reading “The Silent Majority, Then and Now”

Why Casey Sheehan Was Killed

Since President Bush won’t meet with Cindy Sheehan to explain why her son Casey died in Iraq, I thought I would put forward the information I have. Like Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, I was in Baghdad’s Sadr City on April 4, 2004. I was there as an unembedded journalist. Unlike Casey Sheehan, I wasn’t killed. … Continue reading “Why Casey Sheehan Was Killed”

Mothers and Veterans Reach Out to Middle America

Veterans for Peace (VFP), founded in Maine in 1985, marked its 20th anniversary in early August at the group’s annual convention in Dallas, Texas. With over 100 chapters nationwide, and thousands of dues-paying members who’ve served in war and peace from WWII through the current conflict, VFP has grown into an essential component of the … Continue reading “Mothers and Veterans Reach Out to Middle America”