Yearly Archives: 2013

Faking It: How the Media Manipulates the World into War [2012]

"As the US and Iranian governments escalate tensions in the already volatile Straits of Hormuz, and China and Russia begin openly questioning Washington's interference in their internal politics, the world remains on a knife-edge of military tension. Far from being a dispassionate observer of these developments, however, the media has in fact been central to increasing those tensions and preparing the public to expect a military confrontation. But as the online media rises to displace the traditional forms by which the public forms its understanding of the world, many are now beginning to see first hand how the media lies the public into war." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFaking It: How the Media Manipulates the World into War [2012]

Reality Check: More Americans “Rethinking” 9/11?

"Ben Swann Reality Check takes a look at claims by Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth about why they say the official story on the collapse of Building 7 is not only untrue, it is not possible. Also, a new poll shows that more and more Americans are now rethinking the official story." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReality Check: More Americans “Rethinking” 9/11?

Afghan authorities slam NATO after drone strike kills 16 civilians

"Afghan authorities have accused NATO forces of killing 16 civilians, including four children, in a drone strike targeting Taliban militants in the country’s Kunar province on the border with Pakistan. The incident occurred on Saturday when NATO drones destroyed a pickup truck with civilians inside after its driver agreed to give a lift to Taliban insurgents, provincial governor Shuja ul Mulk Jalala said. According to UN data, over 1,000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan in the first half of 2013 and another 2,000 injured. This is a 23 percent increase in comparison with the same period last year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfghan authorities slam NATO after drone strike kills 16 civilians

A complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014? Don’t count on it

"A US envoy on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that Washington would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan after next year, saying that both countries wanted to preserve a smaller force. Aides to US President Barack Obama earlier this year openly mulled the so-called 'zero option' of a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan once US troops end their combat role in 2014. 'We talk about the zero option — that’s not an option for the United States,' said James Dobbins, the US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dobbins said he expected 'several thousand American forces and several thousand non-American NATO forces' in 2015 and beyond." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014? Don’t count on it

U.S. Admits No Imminent Threat from Syria, No Clear Evidence

"Obama is going on a whirlwind media blitz this week in an attempt to sell a very skeptical public on war with Syria. Yet the Washington Post notes: 'Obama’s top aide says the administration lacks 'irrefutable, beyond-a-reasonable-doubt evidence' that skeptical Americans, including lawmakers who will start voting on military action this week, are seeking.' Indeed, those who have seen the evidence say that it is incredibly weak. German intelligence also says that Assad didn’t order the attacks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Admits No Imminent Threat from Syria, No Clear Evidence

Eric Margolis: Syrian March To Disaster

"Politicians invoke credibility as a excuse after they have made a huge blunder –notably Obama’s foolish 'red lines' in Syria that boxed the president into a corner of his own making. What we are seeing is the latest, 21st century version of the new era of colonialism and imperialism, with a touch of Crusader zeal thrown in. Today, the favored euphemism is humanitarian intervention, but the song remains the same. Syria is not about poison gas or human rights: it’s about a proxy war against Iran, the only nation now challenging total US and Israel military domination of the Mideast. For France, it’s about reasserting its former colonial rule in Syria and Lebanon." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEric Margolis: Syrian March To Disaster

Bloomberg: “Libertarians Are The New Communists”

"Nick Hanauer & Eric Liu wrote an absurd piece in Bloomberg called 'Libertarians are the New Communists.' You might wonder how people get paid to write such ridiculous articles. But then you realize that someone actually gets paid to bomb foreigners, steal en masse from the world via the monetary system, and regulate voluntary business out of the market. Perhaps it is just the evil world in which we live. Regardless, one still wonders if the authors of the Bloomberg piece actually believe in the claims that they make." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBloomberg: “Libertarians Are The New Communists”

The Rise of the Antiwar Libertarian Republicans

"If you’re among the majority of war-weary Americans who oppose any sort of military intervention in Syria, thank libertarian Republican lawmakers Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. If the House and Senate vote against authorizing war next week, the efforts by these two guys will have been instrumental. Indeed, their outspoken, principled pushback is part of the reason that President Barack Obama—the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner—hasn’t already pursued some sort of strike 'just muscular enough not to get mocked' by the world while not inciting retaliation by Bashar al-Assad’s allies, Russia and Iran." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Rise of the Antiwar Libertarian Republicans

Rand Paul Issues ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter Opposing Syrian Intervention

"In 1995, Colin Powell wrote, 'War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose our people understand and support.' I do not believe Syria passes that test. I treat the question of war as if it would determine the fate of my son or daughter. War is not some geopolitical chess game. It is, at best, a necessary evil. It should never be the first option. It should occur only when America is attacked or threatened, or when American interests are attacked or threatened. And only when all other options have been played out. Too often, the debate begins and ends with an assertion that our national interest is at stake, but no evidence is ever presented." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul Issues ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter Opposing Syrian Intervention