Awesome resource for us 'Chomskian' anarchists.
I usually enjoy Glen Greenwald's sharp observations, once again he fails to disappoint.
" That little fact is not only "left unsaid" in the administration's 9/11 messaging guidelines but in almost all media and political discussions of the Arab Spring (kudos to the NYT for its rare inclusion here). That is why, at the risk of invoking an Internet cliche, I literally laughed aloud when I read Roger Cohen's giddy self-celebration in this morning's NYT over the glorious American "victory" in Libya. Leaving aside how obviously premature and information-deprived his victory dance is, Cohen's concluding passage struck me as so delusional as to be darkly humorous:
In the end, I think interventionism is inextricable from the American idea. If the United States retreats into isolationism, it ceases to be itself -- a nation dedicated, however much it falls short, to a universalist ideal of freedom.
There are no fixed doctrinal answers -- a successful Libyan intervention does not mean one in Syria is feasible -- but the idea that the West must at times be prepared to fight for its values against barbarism is the best hope for a 21st century less cruel than the 20th.
I honestly don't understand how anyone is able to sustain this fairy tale in their brain, pleasurable though it might be. Is Roger Cohen even aware that, as his own newspaper put it today, "many of the deposed [Arab] leaders were close American allies and partners in counterterrorism operations"? And even that understates the case: these tyrants weren't merely U.S. allies, but stayed in power for decades largely because the U.S. fed them with money, weapons, and training to maintain their grip on their own citizenries -- and continued to do so until their demise became inevitable. "
Chris Hedges delivers an urgent appeal on behalf of the dignity and survival humanity in the face of the devastation being inflicted on the planet by militant corporate excess. The undeniable truth is, as Chris Hedges puts it, "All corporations understand is 'More'."
Not being able to understand the concept of 'enough', left alone corporations will continue exploiting resources and populations until no social system is capable of functioning.
Indonesia continues with its violent occupation of Western Papua using 'special forces' trained by the Australian military.
"West Papua Media was this week contacted by a retired European missionary who had formerly served in Puncak Jaya regency who was concerned about the current situation. He offered the following comments on condition of anonymity, as he is concerned for reprisals for his former colleagues:
"Burning villages, causing people to flee with nothing but the clothes they wear, creating absolute terror amongst ordinary people, condemning babies to die starving and frozen hiding from the soldiers high in the mountains, killing and torturing priests and laymen alike... who are the real terrorists? This is not new, this slaughter happens every year since Indonesia first came - they are not hunting guerrillas, they are hunting Papuans until they are dead. Whilst we might not always agree with the strategies employed by TPN, and that we pray for a peaceful solution, they are a legitimate army of national liberation there to protect their people in the absence of any international concern."
Photo swiped from cookiesound
Jello Biafra announces his cancellation of the Israeli tour of 'Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine' after a concerted effort of dissaffected Dead Kennedy's fans and Palestinian support networks. I think he should have known better, but he does make some salient points in this earnest entreaty to his critics:
"Our intention in going was that we thought we could do some good , speaking truth to power, fans and impressionable young minds in a way that most bands don't. What about the people on the same side of the human rights fence we are who now don't get to see us play? Should they be boycotted too? What about the even larger atrocities of the Bush regime and by extension Obama? Should we turn off our mouths of anger and boycott our own country too?"
sasa huzjak's photostream
The Frontline Club presents a discussion featuring Slavoj Zizek and Julian Assange moderated by Amy Goodman. This was the first time I have come across the philosopher Zizek and he has his quirks, he is a little difficult to warm to at first. Once I became accustomed to his manner of presenting himself I thoroughly enjoyed his intellect and humour. Well worth sitting through two hours, three brilliant people.
Very cool.
Thou shalt always kill!
Beating the Fascists
Sign the petition. Let Jello Biafra know it is not alright to perform in Israel.
Noam Chomsky talks about the US's support of Israeli crimes against humanity.
Utterly fascinating documentary, ...up there with 'Inside Story'!
This is quite appalling, a 'liberal' organisation - The Lannan Foundation - has abruptly cancelled the US premier of 'The War You Don't See.' and a series of events at which John Pilger had organised to talk.
"The banning and cancellation, which have shocked David and me, are on the personal orders of Patrick Lannan, whose wealth funds the Lannan Foundation as a liberal centre of discussion of politics and the arts. Some of you will have been there and will know the Lannan Foundation as a valuable supporter of liberal causes. Indeed, I was invited in 2002 to present a Lannan award to the broadcaster Amy Goodman.
What is deeply disturbing about the ban is that it happened so suddenly and inexplicably: 48 hours before David Barsamian and I were both due to depart for Santa Fe I received a brief email with a 'sorry for the inconvenience' from a Lannan official who had been telling me just a few days earlier what a 'great honour' it was to have the US premiere of my film at Lannan, with myself in attendance.
I urge you to visit the Lannan website www.lannan.org. Good people like Michael Ratner, Jeremy Scahill and Glenn Greenwald are shown as participants in discussion about freedom of speech. I am there, too, but my name is the only one with a line through it and the word, 'Cancelled'."
A piece celebrating the honour and glory of war.
Three minute Chomsky on the importance of controlling the distibution of Middle East oil and the horrific bombing of Japan at the end of WWII.
'Inside Job', the full docu-movie.
You really need to watch this to understand what really happened leading up to the financial meltdown in 2008.
The revolution will not 'Go Better with Coke'.
And the revolution will miss Gill Scott Heron - 1949-2011.
The Revolution Will Not be Televised.
Bahrain's security apparatus arrests and tortures school children while providing a valuable market for British firms selling tear gas and other riot control (which could be more accurately described as 'freedom of expression control') equipment.
bahrainfreedom11
President Obama's much reported on speech on the '67 Israel border and his vision for a two state settlement is dissected on this edition of Democracy Now. As Norman Finkelstein points out, Obama's speech is almost exactly the same as a speech given by GW Bush when he was in office.
Palestine. Gaza.
peterbennett's photostream
More from Chomsky on the bin Laden assassination.
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