Originally posted at TomDispatch.Let’s start with the basics. In an era when the U.S. seemed to have no great power rivals on the horizon, its national security state was expanded to monstrous proportions and given the "right" to commit acts ranging from...
79 Killed in Iraq as Bombers Focus on Baghdad Suburbs
Child Killed in Mosque Among 55 Killed in Iraq
It Can Happen Here
Zionism was a revolutionary idea. It proposed that the "Jewish people" should create a new Jewish entity in the land of Palestine. The Zionist project was very successful indeed. By 1948 the embryo nation was strong enough to create a state. Israel was born....
The Religious Fervor of the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem
Give The New York Times’ David Brooks credit for referring to the aesthetic trappings of American nationalism as "religion." Well, a civic religion, but a religion none the less. He’s right that is qualifies as one, even if he’s blissfully, happily accepting...
Two Boys in Aleppo
Oh, it was a very big deal, one of those Defining Moments our media likes to chortle over. There was Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson on “Morning Joe” being interviewed by a panel of pundits including Mike Barnicle. “What,” asked Barnicle, “would...
41 Killed in Iraq; Bombs a Daily Ritual for Baghdad
Perpetuating Stalemate in Syria
With no end in sight for the war in Syria, the Obama administration continues to approach the conflict in a way that is prolonging the fighting. As it pursues its stated goal of removing the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad from power, the Obama administration is...
51 Killed in Iraq; Militants Hack off Feet of Taggers Calling Citizens to Arms
Inside the Propaganda Matrix
As I sat there wondering how to explain the latest twist in the US presidential election, this story popped up on my Twitter feed: Bank of America analysts claim there's a 50% chance we live in a “Matrix reality simulation”. Aha! As I read, it all began to make...


