"We
went to war with Mexico for peace, humanity and honor, yet emerged
from the contest with an extension of territory beyond the dreams of
political avarice. We went to war with Spain for relief of an oppressed
people [the Cubans], and at the close found ourselves in possession of
vast and rich insular dependencies [primarily the Philippines] and
with a pretty tight grasp upon the country for relief of whose oppressed
people we took up arms. We could hardly have profited more had
'territorial aggrandizement' been the spirit of our purpose and heart
of our hope. The slightest acquaintance with history shows that
powerful republics are the most warlike and unscrupulous of nations."
- Ambrose Bierce, Warlike America
"The
man who can face vilification and disgrace, who can stand up against
the popular current, even against his friends and his country when he
know he is right, who can defy those in authority over him, who can
take punishment and prison and remain steadfast-that is a man of
courage. The fellow whom you taunt as a 'slacker' because he refuses to
turn murderer-he needs courage. But do you need much courage just to
obey orders, to do as you are told and to fall in line with thousands
of others to the tune of general approval and the Star Spangled
Banner?" - Alexander Berkman
"Patriotism is fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave and blind as a stone." - Ambrose Bierce
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| Which one of us going to tell this guy begging is illegal here now? |
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2minnews
Bill Black
Editors on the NSA files: 'What the Guardian is doing is important for democracy'
On Thursday the Daily Mail described the Guardian as 'The paper that helps Britain's enemies'. We showed that article to many of the world's leading editors. This is what they said
In Vermont, Debt Collectors Can’t Seize Your Goats Or Bees, But Your Car May Be Up For Grabs
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"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." - Jimi Hendrix |
Israel and Saudi Arabia - An Unholy Alliance
By Stephen Lendman
Saudi money allied with US/Israeli warmaking reflect sinister/lethal trouble.
The Messianic, Apocalyptic Bibi Netanyahu
By Jim Lobe & Daniel Luban
Who
knows if Netanyahu, in his heart of hearts, really sees his conflict
with Iran in the same light as Churchill's conflict with Nazi Germany.
In any case, "messianic" would certainly be one way of describing both
his rhetoric and its historical allusions.
Chomsky: All Superpowers Feel Exceptional
Video and Transcript
"Russia
under Stalin was uniquely exceptional and magnificent while it was
carrying out all kinds of crimes. Hitler pronounced German
exceptionalism when he took over Czechoslovakia."
Libya: America's New Playground
By Scott McPherson
Those Libyans -- they sure are ungrateful.
Old Game, New Obsession, New Enemy. Now It's China.
By John Pilger
Countries
are "pieces on a chessboard upon which is being played out a great
game for the domination of the world," wrote Lord Curzon, Viceroy of
India, in 1898. Nothing has changed.
Racism, Colonialism And Exceptionalism
By John Scales Avery
It
seems to be possible for nations, and the majority of their citizens,
to commit the worst imaginable atrocities, including torture, murder
and genocide, while feeling that what they are doing is both noble and
good.
Racism: A History
Video
How
racist ideas and practices developed in key religious and secular
institutions. Explores the history of racism in Europe, the Americas,
Australia and Asia.
Committee to Protect Journalists Issues Scathing Report on Obama Administration
By Glenn Greenwald
Obama's anti-press measures 'are the most aggressive I've seen since the Nixon administration'
Snowden Accepts Whistleblower Award
By Ray McGovern
Edward
Snowden, from his asylum in Russia, accepted an award on Wednesday
from a group of former U.S. intelligence officials expressing support
for his decision to divulge secrets about the NSA's electronic
surveillance of Americans and people around the globe.
The End Of The World As We Know It
By Peter Koenig
What will happen to global economy if BRICS announce launch of new currency - Bricso?
The Mythology of American Politics
By Adrian Kuzminski
This two-headed hydra of government and corporate power is the real radicalism of our time.
Confessions of a Freedom Fighter @ the Crossroads
By David DeGraw
Being
the change you rant about is incredibly fucking hard, especially when
you're trapped in a corrupted society and have a family to feed.
Are Americans Dumb?
By Sadhbh Walshe
For
those of you who prefer to reserve judgement until definitive proof is
on hand, then I'm afraid I have some depressing news.
Apocalypse Now:
By James Nye
Unstoppable
man-made climate change will become reality by the end of the decade
and could make New York, London and Paris uninhabitable within 45
years, claims new study.
Hard News
Afghanistan: 26 Taliban killed, 34 injured in Daykundi clashes:
26
Taliban militants killed in DaykundiAccording to local authorities in
Daykundi province of Afghanistan, at least 26 Taliban militants were
killed and 34 others were injured following clashes with the Afghan
security forces.
Afghan Taliban kill three Pakistani militant commanders:
An
armed clash took place between the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban in
Afghanistan's Kunar province that left three militant commanders dead, a
British media report said on Thursday.
17 US troops killed or injured in Kandahar attack - Details emerge:
At
least 13 US troops were severely injured following a deadly explosions
in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan earlier this week.
10 killed, 60 injured in blasts across Pakistan:
Bomb
blasts rocked four major Pakistani cities on Thursday, killing 10
people, including three terrorists, and injuring more than 60 others.
Syria: At least 22 killed in fighting near Damascus:
An
NGO says at least 22 people, including rebels, and "dozens" of
pro-regime troops, have been killed in fierce fighting near the Syrian
capital.
Hezbollah cold-blooded execution of Syria rebels sparks outrage:
A
gory online video that appears to show Hezbollah fighters executing
gravely wounded Syrian rebels has sparked outrage and threatens to
worsen sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
Syria rebels 'seize guard post on Jordan border': Activists say:
"Rebel
fighters took control of the Hajanah border battalion post near the
city of Daraa after laying siege to it for two months and fierce
clashes around it lasting a month," the NGO said.
Growing Unease Over Turkish Jihadists in Syria:
Growing
numbers of young Turks are crossing into Syria to join jihadist groups
fighting the Assad regime raising fears in Turkey of a future national
security risk for Ankara.
Erdogan Surrenders Border Crossing to Terrorists:
The
AKP government have given in to the threats of terrorist groups
operating from Syria and reopened border checkpoints, allowing for
further support to flow from Turkey into the war torn country.
Bush- Blair Legacy Continues As - Iraq violence kills 21 people:
Violence
in Iraq killed 21 people on Thursday, among them four anti-Al-Qaeda
fighters and an AFP journalist's brother, officials said.
Iraq: 42 people executed in last two days:
'Confessions'
obtained under torture ... make it very likely that innocent people
have been put to death in Iraq' - Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui
Republican Pushes New Bill to Authorize War With Iran:
A
new bill authorizing a U.S. military strike against Iran is set to
drop in Congress on Thursday -- just days after leaders in Washington
and Tehran began talking openly after three decades of silence.
In show of military might, Israel drills long-range air force attack:
Week
after warning from the PM about acting alone against Iran, IAF runs -
and publicizes - midair refueling exercises and simulated strike on
distant target
Turkish court: Israeli troops fired from air in 2010 Marmara raid:
An
anti-war activist told a Turkish court on Thursday that Israeli
commandos opened fire from a helicopter during a raid on a Gaza-bound
aid ship three years ago, countering Israeli assertions that the
soldiers had acted in self defense.
France kills 10 people in Mali:
France
says its forces in Mali killed about 10 Islamist extremists on October
1, in what may have been the most deadly outbreak of fighting since a
French-led force cleared northern Mali of extremists earlier this year.
4 Egyptian Security Men Killed by Car Bomb:
A suicide bomber in a car full of explosives rammed into a checkpoint in Sinai, killing three soldiers and a policeman.
U.S. decision to halt some aid to Egypt 'wrong' - foreign ministry spokesman:
"The
decision was wrong. Egypt will not surrender to American pressure and
is continuing its path towards democracy as set by the roadmap,"
Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty told a private Egyptian radio
station.
Libyan prime minister briefly abducted by militias:
Gunmen
from one of Libya's many militias stormed a hotel where the prime
minister has a residence and held him for several hours Thursday -
apparently in retaliation for his government's alleged collusion with
the U.S. in a raid last weekend that captured an al-Qaida suspect.
Libyan PM: Libya is used to smuggle arms abroad :
Video - Libyan PM: #Libya is used to smuggle arms abroad
Libya has fallen to militia madness:
The Libyan state lacks the firepower to impose its will on an increasingly lawless country
U.S. Officials Say Libya Approved Commando Raids:
The
Libyan government in recent weeks tacitly approved two American
commando operations in its country, according to senior American
officials, one to capture a senior militant from Al Qaeda and another
to seize a militia leader suspected of carrying out the Sept. 11, 2012,
attacks on the United States diplomatic mission in Benghazi.
What Kind of Intelligence Does the HIG Expect to Get from Anas al-Libi?:
Even
some of the analysts we often rely on - not to mention his family -
suggest he hasn't had an active role in al Qaeda for over a decade, or
at least since he returned home to Libya 2 years ago. Lisa Monaco
offered weak claims about the importance of al-Libi.
Canada, US, & UK Spying On Brazil For Profit : Video -
Edward Snowden Awarded "Sam Adams Award: Video -
A
group of US whistleblowers and activists has present Snowden with a
Sam Adams Award for 'Integrity in Intelligence' in Moscow on Wednesday.
Snowden's father lands in Moscow, thanks Russia for keeping leaker 'safe':
Edward
Snowden's father arrived in Moscow Thursday, saying he hoped to find
out more about his son, who was granted temporary asylum in Russia
after leaking details of NSA surveillance programs.
Glenn Greenwald condemns 'war against journalism' at senate - video:
The
Guardian writer claims the US and British governments are fighting
against press transparency and covering government espionage for
financial gain.
Virginia state police surveilled and recorded license plates at routine political gatherings:
The
American Civil Liberties Union revealed Wednesday that Virginia State
Police (VSP) used automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) to record the
identities and locations of people attending political events in the
state
Radiation levels near Japan's damaged Fukushima reactor hit two-year high:
Radiation
levels on Wednesday, the day six workers were exposed to highly
radioactive water, jumped 13 times the previous day's reading, the
highest levels since late 2011.
Are Utility Companies Out to Destroy Solar's 'Rooftop Revolution'?:
In California, customers who install solar systems and battery arrays are finding themselves cut off from grid
China is world's biggest net oil importer:
China
surpassed the United States in September as the world's biggest net oil
importer, driven by faster economic growth and strong auto sales,
according to U.S. government data released this week.
China wonders: Why do we own so much U.S. debt?:
At
a meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Asia, Premier Li told U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry that China was paying "great attention"
to the political gridlock in Washington.
Key creditor China begins acting to hedge against US default:
Hong
Kong has sent the first sign from Asia that the region is creating
extra financial buffers against a possible default in the US. China
said some US short - term Treasury bonds appear to be more risky to
hold as collateral than previously thought.
Anxiety As Stimulus Hike in Food Stamps Ending: Video report:
A
temporary increase in food stamps expires Oct. 31, meaning millions of
Americans will see a decrease in benefits. Jennifer Donald is a
married mother of three in Philadelphia whose husband works full time,
but his paycheck doesn't stretch far enough to put food on the table.
Friends,
I was a Governor for eight years. I know a little bit about running a government, being the “Chief Executive” of bureaucracy.
And I can tell you this. If
my government lawyers came to me and said, even though 83% of the
government can remain open under a so-called “shutdown”, that I didn’t
have the authority to pay the death benefits to families of fallen
American service members, I WOULD FIND SOME NEW LAWYERS.
Make
no mistake, this “shutdown” (which is really only a modest slow-down)
is an embarrassing display of the collective incompetence of our
government. It won’t even save any money. Instead, if we ever get an
honest accounting, I promise you that we will find that it has, in
reality, cost us taxpayers a bundle. It
obviously costs more to close an open-air monument than to leave it
open. It costs more to shut down a website for a few days than to
simply leave it alone. And then there are the government employees,
through no fault of their own, who will end up being paid for not
working. And now we have States loaning the Feds money to keep national parks open -- with no real promise of being repaid.
At the same time, this slow-down has shown Americans some things that are worth noting.
First, while some damage has been done to undeserving people by this
exercise in mismanagement, the reality is that, 11 days into the
shutdown, we’re still here. The world has not come to an end. We’re
getting a glimpse of the big-government advocates’ worst nightmare:
Americans seeing that much of what government does really isn’t
necessary.
It’s interesting that some have suggested “reopening” the government in pieces,
consciously deciding which programs to restore. While doing so in
response to political pressure is not the best way to govern, it is amusing that this approach has been widely rejected by the politicians. It’s amusing because THAT’S WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.
That’s why there is an appropriations process, and why there is
supposed to actually be a budget. But to the politicians in Washington,
who haven’t actually adopted a budget in years, going through a process
to actually debate and decide what to spend money on has become a
radical idea.
In short, as ridiculous as it is, this “slow-down” is an opportunity, and the Our America Initiative and I are seizing it.
Beginning tomorrow, I will be talking about the utter dysfunction of
the government on the national news. Later this month, I will be
traveling to Washington, DC, to carry our message directly to the
politicians who are the problem.
But we need more than just my voice. We need yours. Your contribution at OurAmericaInitiative.com
makes it possible for us to spread our message of fiscal sanity, small
government and liberty across the Internet, to the media, and most
important, to the millions of Americans who share our views.
This
“shutdown” gives us a chance to put liberty and freedom from a
government that is out of control in front of the American people -- as a
real alternative to the status quo. Help us seize that opportunity! Go to OurAmericaInitiative.com today and help.
Thank you.
Governor Gary Johnson
Honorary Chairman
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