In Defense of Taki

It’s amazing how the Marc Rich pardon story has taken on so many permutations that the real impact of it is lost – and the real meaning missed. Between the Burton committee’s halfhearted investigation, and Mary Jo Whitewash’s efforts – not to mention the involvement of various Rodhams, including Hillary, in other pardons – the … Continue reading “In Defense of Taki”

Georgia On My Mind

Alarm bells ought to be ringing at the news that as many as 200 US special forces will be traveling to the former Soviet republic of Georgia to open up the latest front in the “war on terrorism.” Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, the “ex”-Communist and former Foreign Minister of the old USSR under Gorbachev, has … Continue reading “Georgia On My Mind”

The Anatomy of a Lie

It was a shock to see the headline: “Belgrade helped in planning of Baghdad bombing.” The story in the London Independent by Kim Sengupta claimed that the government of Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica “provided vital information on Saddam’s upgraded air defenses” and “passed on details of the hi-tech fiber-optic radar system supplied to Iraq under … Continue reading “The Anatomy of a Lie”

Revolution as Tourist Attraction?

The Zapatista Liberation Front from the Mexican province of Chiapas, along with various hangers-on, is marching from its stronghold in the south to Mexico City to confer with Mexican president Vicente Fox, who has just assumed power and has made resolution of the largely indigenous-based revolt in Chiapas a relatively high priority. You won’t get … Continue reading “Revolution as Tourist Attraction?”

Richard M. Weaver on Civilization, Ontology, and War

Richard M. Weaver (1910-1963) was a contributor to that strand of American thought which might be called "libertarian conservatism." He is only now coming to be properly appreciated.1 But Weaver was much more than just an intelligent man who wrote, now and then, on politics. He was much more: he was a student of the … Continue reading “Richard M. Weaver on Civilization, Ontology, and War”

Saddam Meets The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

I have before written about the myth of the “Saddam Bomb” – the perfervid and recurring group fantasy that has the Iraqi ruler on the verge of developing an atomic bomb – but after playing that one over and over again since 1991, the War Party must has apparently decided that it’s time to change … Continue reading “Saddam Meets The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”

The Sailors Who Fell From Grace with the Sea

For months, Japanese officials have been denying it: but now, the signs are all too apparent. Mt. Fuji, the sacred symbol of Japan – which some still worship as a god – is on the verge of erupting. The long dormant volcano is awakening, say scientists – and the news is not at all welcome … Continue reading “The Sailors Who Fell From Grace with the Sea”

Is There Something in the Water?

It must be something in the water: or, perhaps, “Mad Cow” disease is spreading much faster than anyone realizes. I had to read the headline on this news story from the London Independent at least three times, early this [Tuesday] morning, just to make sure I wasn’t still asleep and dreaming: “British protester charged with … Continue reading “Is There Something in the Water?”

Bombing for . . . What?

Was I the only one who sensed a sort of plaintiveness in the president’s assertion? "The no-fly zones are enforced on a daily basis," said George W. as he touched lightly on the decision of British and American warplanes to dump bombs on targets outside the no-fly zone. "It’s part of a strategy." You could … Continue reading “Bombing for . . . What?”

An Anti-Imperialist’s Reading List:: Part Two

COLD WAR IMPERIALISM, OR ‘LEADERSHIP OF THE FREE WORLD’ With the ritual bombing of Iraq taking on symbolic importance as the first foreign policy act of any incoming US administration, it is astounding that our wonderful "free press" can never bothered to admit, much less discuss, the joys and sorrows of empire. World War II … Continue reading “An Anti-Imperialist’s Reading List:: Part Two”