Why am I not surprised?
Continue reading about Georgia Claims on Russia War Called Into Question
The war in Yugoslavia was a turning point in the human rights movement. Appalled by the atrocities they saw, many Western war correspondents advocated for military intervention by the US and the EU. The rallying cry was “how can we stand by and let another Holocaust happen?” Eventually (not soon enough for what would soon be known as the [...]
Continue reading about Feature: Humanitarian Intervention – Part I
I was going to write something on the Russian-Georgian war. However, Seumas Milne at the Guardian expressed exactly what I was thinking far better than I could. Another intelligent analysis may be found here. And more here regarding today’s announcement on the US-Polish missiles deal.
I have written in the past about my attitudes towards intolerance. And I have written about hypocrisy and the need to oppose anti-democratic actions by both the empire and its opponents. I feel, therefore, the need to write something about the hype surrounding the cartoons that are causing such an uproar around the world.
The New Yorker magazine has been part of my life as far back as I can remember. When my mother came to the US in 1945 a friend recommended the magazine as a good way to learn English. My mother has subscribed to it ever since. That’s still good advice, by the way, even for [...]
Continue reading about Feature: Bah Humbug (Hypocrisy & Empire Part V)
Gary Kamiya over at Salon, writes a long review of George Packer’s new book, “The Assassins Gate” about the U.S. failure in Iraq.
Packer is a “liberal hawk,” one of those who believe that the U.S. should use military power to break the back of dictators in the name of human rights. He supported the war [...]
Continue reading about Feature: Israel, Iraq and Crony Capitalism (History & Empire Part IV)
Another in a series.
Continue reading about Feature: Woman of Valor: Hypocrisy and Empire Part III
Laurie King-Irani writes about Lebanon.
“Despite conspiracy theories and grim assessments to the contrary, something new, amazing, and precious is indeed being born in Lebanon: an indigenous, responsive, truly plural form of democracy that is not Made in the USA, but forged out of a long and difficult Arab experience. Apparently, many thought this would [...]
Continue reading about Single minds, double standards, and plural societies
Nearly two years ago, I wrote a piece titled Hypocrisy and Empire Part I. I raised some questions from my good friend Sister B. and promised to answer them in part II. For many reasons I never got around to writing that second article. However, since hypocrisy has been my theme for the last few [...]
The title of this piece comes from the Biblical book of Kings I, Chapter 22, verse 19. Ahab was a rich and powerful Israelite king, who coveted the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Naboth refused to sell his only possession to the King, for he was greatly attached to his family plot. So Jezebeel, the [...]
Continue reading about Feature: Will you murder and also take possession?