Saturday, November 14, 2009

On Bended Knee to Bob Gates

By Melvin A. Goodman
November 14, 2009

Michael Crowley of the New Republic is the latest journalist to give absolution to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for his long record of politicizing intelligence and undercutting conciliatory policy initiatives.

Read on.

Leaving Afghanistan to US 'Experts'

By David Swanson
November 14, 2009

The last time I was on Laura Flanders's GRIT TV I argued that the American public opposed the occupation of Afghanistan, but another guest -- some Washington, D.C., "progressive" -- argued that this had no relevance, since the American public didn't know anything about Afghanistan.

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Friday, November 13, 2009

The October Surprise Crystal Balls

By Robert Parry
November 13, 2009

In fall 1980, as President Jimmy Carter struggled to free 52 American hostages in Iran and as American voters focused on a crossroads election, key supporters of Republican candidate Ronald Reagan were confident not only of Reagan’s victory but that the hostages wouldn’t be released until after Reagan was sworn in.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Real Thanksgiving Day

By William Loren Katz
November 12, 2009

Thanksgiving Day remains a most treasured holiday in the United States. Work comes to a halt, families gather, eat turkey, and count their blessings. A presidential proclamation blesses the day.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Another Option for the Public Option

By Robert Parry
November 12, 2009

Since the Democrats have already agreed to water down the health-insurance public option and to set its implementation date as 2013, there might be nothing to lose – and possibly a Republican vote or two to gain – if Democrats agreed to a trigger giving insurance companies the next three years to prove they can hold down costs and meet consumer needs.

Read on.

Why the Blase Attitude about Torture

By Ray McGovern
November 11, 2009

“We’re going to talk about the policy of torture,” the radio producer said when she called me five years ago. “And you’ll have ten minutes to defend your side.”

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Rev. Moon's Troubled Generation Next

By Robert Parry
November 11, 2009

Editor’s Note: In a normal world, the question of who will succeed a crazed cult leader like the 90-year-old Rev. Sun Myung Moon would not be an issue of much public importance. But – incredibly – Moon’s money-laundering empire was allowed to become a major funding source for America’s powerful right-wing media and key Republicans.

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

America's Debt to Italian Justice

By David Swanson
November 10, 2009

The United States of America owes much of the hope it has right now of remaining what John Adams called "a nation of laws, not men" to Italian law enforcement.

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Why Lieberman Blocks a Public Option

By Robert Parry
November 10, 2009

With the health-reform bill’s “public option” truly reduced to the “sliver” that President Barack Obama once called it – and indeed having become a feature that mostly benefits the insurance industry – the next question must be: why is it still being opposed by industry defenders like Sen. Joe Lieberman?

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Monday, November 09, 2009

US Punditry's Anti-Obama Lens

By Michael Winship
November 9, 2009

Last Sunday, we visited the ruins of ancient Delphi, two hours or so from the Greek capital of Athens, an extraordinary site at the base of Mount Parnassus overlooking the Pleistos Valley, almost half a mile below.

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Blaming the 'Dithering' Obama

By Robert Parry
November 9, 2009

Despite House passage of the health-care overhaul bill on Saturday night, the word “dithering” is getting attached to President Barack Obama, much as “hubris” was tagged to George W. Bush and “undisciplined” applied to Bill Clinton.

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Sunday, November 08, 2009

Lost Commandment: Help Strangers

By the Rev. Howard Bess
November 8, 2009

I never cease to be amazed at the teachings of the Bible that are completely ignored. Typically preachers find preaching hobby-horses to ride and meticulously avoid some of the most important and difficult teachings of the Old and New Testaments.

Read on.