A Pretext for War

For more than two decades, James Bamford has been a noted investigative journalist focusing on intelligence-gathering in the United States. He exposed the ultra-secret National Security Agency two decades ago in The Puzzle Palace and Body of Secrets, both award-winning bestsellers. He has testified as an expert witness on intelligence issues before committees of both … Continue reading “A Pretext for War”

Pleasantries but No Change as Bush Greets Karzai

While lavishing praise on his guest Monday, President George W. Bush indicated that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will receive neither greater control over U.S. troops in his country nor substantially more aid to persuade poppy farmers to drop out of the narcotics business. "I’ve got great faith in this man as a leader," Bush told … Continue reading “Pleasantries but No Change as Bush Greets Karzai”

NPT Vigilantes

Jackie Sanders, special representative of the president for the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, began her address to the Seventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons by noting that on March 7 of this year, President Bush urged all NPT parties to take "strong action" to confront the "threat of noncompliance" … Continue reading “NPT Vigilantes”

Our Uzbek Problem, and Theirs

A week after Uzbekistan’s dictator Islam Karimov crushed a protest in the eastern town of Andijan – ordering riot police to fire directly into a crowd, killing as many as 1,000 – the death toll is rising and the reaction is growing. Inside the country, demonstrations continue just down the road in the town of … Continue reading “Our Uzbek Problem, and Theirs”

Star Wars and the American Empire

[Spoiler warning: This article gives away important details about the new movie.] “For a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the Dark Times. Before the Empire.” – Ben Kenobi “This is how liberty dies: with thundering applause.” – Senator Padme Amidala Listen to Scott’s … Continue readingStar Wars and the American Empire”

Lost History: The February 2002 Koran Incident at Gitmo

The stories of guards and interrogators flushing, stuffing, or dumping Korans in toilets may remain frozen between allegation and denial forever. However, there is another instance of alleged Koran mishandling that has been far better substantiated. As reported by the press in February and March 2002, it does not sound nearly as damning as the … Continue reading “Lost History: The February 2002 Koran Incident at Gitmo”

The Unnoticed Death of Amada Saria

This is a story about the death of Amada Saria. Amada was the younger sister of Mr. Sam Saria, an engineer from Connecticut. Sam first came to this country in 1986 to study at the University of Connecticut. He stayed on to become a U.S. citizen, marry, and raise a family. Sam and his wife … Continue reading “The Unnoticed Death of Amada Saria”

More Manly Galloways, Fewer Slimy Colemans

If you would like a role model on how a manly person should act in front of politicians and the media, I highly recommend the Honorable George Galloway, a member of the British Parliament. A Senate subcommittee out to discredit the United Nations made the mistake of inviting Galloway to appear before its members. They … Continue reading “More Manly Galloways, Fewer Slimy Colemans”