A Confederacy of Dunces

Salam Pax enchanted the warbloggers for two reasons. First, his account of life under Saddam pricked readers’ hearts in a way that American politicians and PR firms never could, thus helping the case for humanitarian intervention. More importantly, Salam is, well, not like the rest of those people. He’s not only well-educated, but an architect, … Continue reading “A Confederacy of Dunces”

Rise of the Machines

The press had lots of fun with the recent robot debacle in the Mojave Desert. Competing for $1 million in prize money, 15 vehicles headed off on a 142-mile course through some of the most forbidding terrain in the country. None managed to navigate even eight miles. The robots hit fences, caught fire, rolled over, … Continue reading “Rise of the Machines”

Chinese Workers Work, American Workers Die in Iraq

The kidnapping and swift release last week of seven Chinese citizens brings to light China’s relationship with Iraq. The Chinese were released to a local association of Islamic clerics within 36 hours without having been harmed, threatened or televised. A local Chinese businessman, Chen Xian Zhong, reported to domestic media that the seven were safe … Continue reading “Chinese Workers Work, American Workers Die in Iraq”

Bush Blows It Again

President George W. Bush continues to mislead the American people as to the cause of terrorism directed against the United States. This week he guaranteed that more Americans will die from terrorist attacks due to his stabbing the Palestinians in the back. He has from the beginning acted as if he were a ventriloquist’s dummy … Continue reading “Bush Blows It Again”

US Christian Churches: Bush-Sharon Deal a ‘Roadmap to War’

MONTREAL – President George W. Bush’s closest international ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, arrived in Washington on Friday arguing he can still make sense of the “roadmap” to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But U.S. peace groups say all traces of that route were lost in a Bush deal with Israeli leader Ariel Sharon … Continue reading “US Christian Churches: Bush-Sharon Deal a ‘Roadmap to War’”

Documenting the Creative Side of Peace

The US Government’s 2003 invasion of Iraq spawned one of the most vocal, productive, and visible military protest movements in history, and inspired peace-minded artists the world over to create powerful images expressing and communicating their outrage. The new book Peace Signs: The Anti-War Movement Illustrated, from Swiss publisher Edition Olms and American distributor Trafalgar … Continue reading “Documenting the Creative Side of Peace”

How the “NewsHour” Changed History

When the anchor of public television’s main news program goes out of his way to tell viewers that he’s setting the record straight about a recent historic event, the people watching are apt to assume that they’re getting accurate information. But with war intensifying in Iraq, a bizarre episode raises some very troubling concerns about … Continue reading “How the “NewsHour” Changed History”

The US Was Once Considered a Rogue Nation

Because we forget that the United States was once considered a rogue nation exporting terrorism, the nation’s senior officials risk making serious policy mistakes today. The United States a rogue nation? Though it may be hard to believe, before the Civil War, people in Latin America, Western Europe, and even the faraway Hawaiian kingdom were … Continue reading “The US Was Once Considered a Rogue Nation”