Anguished Christians Flee to Syria

DAMASCUS – George Lutfi’s voice trembled with emotion as thought back of Iraq and his family there. The 32-year-old deacon of the Chaldean Solaqa Church in Baghdad fled to Syria last week after the bombings at churches in Baghdad and Mosul that killed at least 11 people. "I can do nothing but cry and pray … Continue reading “Anguished Christians Flee to Syria”

The Revolution of 1800 and the USA PATRIOT Act

In this election year, there are significant parallels between the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. Enacted in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, the PATRIOT Act has augmented the power of federal authorities to pry into the affairs of innocent Americans. In the summer of 1798, … Continue reading “The Revolution of 1800 and the USA PATRIOT Act”

Targeting Civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The U.S. government has killed civilians for well over a century. During the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman waged war on civilians in Atlanta. During the Philippine Insurrection at the turn of 20th century, U.S. forces killed about 200,000 civilians, and even had a policy to shoot anyone more than 10 years old who … Continue reading “Targeting Civilians at Hiroshima and Nagasaki”

Terror Alert Resounds in Muslim Communities

Sitting on a sofa in the corner of his living room, Robert Hall turns on the television to watch the evening news on a major network station. He tries to focus on the program, but cannot. He turns to another station and then another. With a remote control in his right hand, he flips channels … Continue reading “Terror Alert Resounds in Muslim Communities”

Iraq on the Verge of Implosion

Robert Fisk is a reporter for the British newspaper The Independent. He has spent decades in the Middle East, and I know of no reporter who is his equal in that area of the world. After five weeks in Iraq, he recently reported a very pessimistic assessment of the situation. Keep in mind that Fisk … Continue reading “Iraq on the Verge of Implosion”

130 Jurists Condemn White House Torture Memos

Nearly 130 influential U.S. jurists, including twelve former federal judges and a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have signed a statement denouncing Bush administration memoranda regarding the treatment of Iraqi and other detainees and accusing their authors of unprofessional conduct. The statement, in the form of an open letter sent Wednesday … Continue reading “130 Jurists Condemn White House Torture Memos”

Remembering Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Dark Cloud Over Civilization

August 6-9 marks the 59th anniversary of the atomic bombs that obliterated the Cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the instant slaughter of over 100,000 individuals, with tens of thousands of others dying in the days that followed. People who were outside at the time of the blast simply disappeared, leaving only a shadow on … Continue reading “Remembering Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Dark Cloud Over Civilization”

Non-Lethal Nukes?

A couple of weeks ago, the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack delivered its final report to Congress. The Commission was asked to assess – among other things – “the nature and magnitude of potential high-altitude EMP threats to the United States from all potentially hostile states or … Continue reading “Non-Lethal Nukes?”

Sino-Japanese Grudge Match

Tomorrow’s Asia Cup Final football match between China and Japan promises to be an extremely tense event. Throughout the Asia Cup, the Chinese team has played in Beijing. Sold out crowds in the capital are thirsty for a victory after China’s ignominious World Cup appearance and they have brought a flag for every second fan … Continue reading “Sino-Japanese Grudge Match”