Bombers Turn to Butterflies Again

We saw butterflies turning into bombers. And we weren’t dreaming. At the time when the Woodstock festival became an instant media legend in mid-August 1969, melodic yearning for peace was up against the cold steel of American war machinery. The music and other creative energies that drew 400,000 people to an upstate New York farm … Continue reading “Bombers Turn to Butterflies Again”

Watchdog Groups Oppose Federal Watch Lists

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has launched a campaign to oppose policies of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) that require some 10,000 non-profit groups that raise money through the CFC program to check their employees against federal "watch list" of terrorist suspects. The campaign, which has already drawn 15 other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including … Continue reading “Watchdog Groups Oppose Federal Watch Lists”

US Winning Najaf Battle, Losing Iraq War

Once again, U.S. armed forces appear on the verge of winning a decisive military victory in Iraq – this time in the holy city of Najaf. And once again, they appear closer to losing the larger wars for a stable and friendly Iraq and for an Islamic world that will cease producing anti-U.S. terrorism. That … Continue reading “US Winning Najaf Battle, Losing Iraq War”

Follies of the High and Mighty

If a mandatory evacuation from your storm-threatened holiday leaves you with time on your hands, or you have energy left for reading after the hassles of airport security and can block out the incessant blared warnings over the airport loudspeakers, here are some diverting suggestions. For light reading with a weighty message, try Bill Fawcett’s … Continue reading “Follies of the High and Mighty”

American Bar Association Calls for Independent Torture Probe

The American Bar Association (ABA) this week added its voice to appeals for independent investigation of the abuse and torture by U.S. soldiers of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Bush administration’s "war on terrorism." Adopting by an overwhelming margin a proposed resolution during its annual convention in Atlanta earlier this week, the … Continue reading “American Bar Association Calls for Independent Torture Probe”

Protesters Plan to Give RNC the Bronx Cheer

MONTREAL – Recent terrorism alerts in New York City have not slowed plans there to protest the Republican National Convention (RNC), which is set to officially nominate George W. Bush on Sept. 2 to run for president in November’s U.S. elections. This week alone, the myriad groups and coalitions organizing marches, days of action, conferences … Continue reading “Protesters Plan to Give RNC the Bronx Cheer”

Insurgents Get Support of Homegrown Media

BAGHDAD – The latest round of fighting in Iraq is the first real test for the country’s new government after it took over from the U.S. and British-led occupation authority in the last days of June. The initial relative calm that greeted the handover has been slowly disintegrating across the country. The opposition against the … Continue reading “Insurgents Get Support of Homegrown Media”

US Set to ‘Grin and Bear’ Chavez Victory

Just days before Venezuelans vote on whether to recall Hugo Chavez, U.S. officials and analysts appear increasingly resigned to at least another two and a half years of a government headed by the fiery populist. They have watched Chavez surge in the polls in the past few weeks and, what with a leaderless opposition united … Continue reading “US Set to ‘Grin and Bear’ Chavez Victory”