We Cannot Afford Another $87 Billion in Iraq

The neo-conservative media machine has been hard at work lately drumming up support for the $87 billion appropriation to extend our precarious occupation of Iraq. Opposition to this funding, according to the Secretary of Defense, encourages our enemies and hinders the war against terrorism. This is a distortion of the facts and is nothing more … Continue reading “We Cannot Afford Another $87 Billion in Iraq”

Mao Exonerated – by Chinese Capitalism

How much more foolishness from the Bush Administration can we expect before next year’s elections? US Treasury Secretary John Snow’s visit on the heels of the DPRK talks was a failure. He met with a few toadies and was sent on his way amidst a hail of protest from Chinese and foreign economists who see … Continue reading “Mao Exonerated – by Chinese Capitalism”

Homeland Uncertainty: The Price of Losing the Terror War Is Unthinkable

Presidential elections historically are predicated on the answers to questions that can’t be asked in public. Would Reagan have won in 1980 if the Republicans hadn’t cut a deal with Iran to release US hostages only upon his assumption of the Presidency? Why didn’t Clinton, in 2001, simply refuse to abdicate the Presidency rather than … Continue reading “Homeland Uncertainty: The Price of Losing the Terror War Is Unthinkable”

Citizen Clark?

by Nebojsa Malic KLA leader Hashim Taqi, Viceroy Bernard Kouchner, General Sir Michael Jackson, KLA commander Agim Ceku, and General Wesley Clark celebrate the victory of their joint enterprise; Pristina, 1999, credit unknown It is normally not within the bounds of this column to offer commentary on internal American issues, with the notable exception of … Continue reading “Citizen Clark?”

DONALD RUMSFELD, PEACENIK?

There’s a falling out among neocons, reports Jim Lobe of Interpress News Service, and you can bet it isn’t going to be pretty. Considering their zeal to purge and smear dissidents on the Right for the slightest deviation – an insufficient devotion to the cult of Lincoln, taking the “wrong” position on McCarthy (Joe, not … Continue reading “DONALD RUMSFELD, PEACENIK?”

The Most Important Book Since 9/11

Anyone interested in the War on Terrorism must read James Bovard’s newest book: Terrorism and Tyranny: Trampling Freedom, Justice and Peace to Rid the World of Evil. For critics of the War on Terrorism there are two major problems: there’s too much information to keep track of, and we risk losing ourselves in the effort. … Continue reading “The Most Important Book Since 9/11”

War and Red Ink

The president plans to request another $87 billion from Congress to fund operations in Iraq, a number that not surprisingly is much higher than originally called for by the administration. It’s not surprising because everything government does costs more than originally expected, but it’s important to note that some in the administration who warned about … Continue reading “War and Red Ink”

Lifting the Wool: Governments Are Mafias, War Is Their Racket

It is unlikely that the veil will be parted long enough for the great casserole of prejudice, misinformation, partial information and (occasionally) accurate perception that pollsters and political scientists are pleased to call “public opinion” to process and absorb the perception completely. But the vaguely worded Israeli Cabinet decision that the time might have come … Continue reading “Lifting the Wool: Governments Are Mafias, War Is Their Racket”