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David Galland: Wars and Rumors of Wars

"This article is about why I think interest rates are heading higher, viewed through the context of the politics of the US government's next war. While I'd prefer to convince the world to change its course toward a more peaceful future, given the futility of trying to do so, I'll use my time with you today presenting data, analysis, and a few opinions about the economic consequences of the march toward war that US policy is now set upon. The chart below combines defense, veterans benefits, homeland security, the State Department, and defense-related interest payments, to create a more comprehensive picture of our military spending." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDavid Galland: Wars and Rumors of Wars

Woman informing Kerry, McCain on Syria is paid advocate for rebels

"On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry encouraged members of the House of Representatives to read a Wall Street Journal op-ed by 26-year-old Elizabeth O’Bagy — an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War — who asserted that concerns about extremists dominating among the Syrian rebels are unfounded. But in addition to her work for the Institute for the Study of War, O’Bagy is also the political director for the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), a group that advocates within the United States for Syria’s rebels — a fact that the Journal did not disclose in O’Bagy’s piece." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWoman informing Kerry, McCain on Syria is paid advocate for rebels

John Kerry and the Orwellian Language of War

"To be clear, Secretary Kerry and President Obama are not proposing a war. Yes, they will use cruise missiles to slaughter Syrians, and if they don’t like the Syrian government’s response they may even send ground troops. War profiteers like Raytheon will certainly profit. But the Secretary of State will insist it’s not a war. So, why the Orwellian 'War is Peace' attitude here? Partially because Kerry recognizes this war is not popular with the American public. Polls show substantial public opposition. When most Americans oppose war, the best solution apparently is to change the name to something else." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJohn Kerry and the Orwellian Language of War

Iran to ‘remove any ambiguity regarding our country’s nuclear program’

"The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said separately Tehran could conceivably agree to allowing the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct snap inspections of its facilities. Their remarks come as Iran’s new president, Hassan Rowhani, has expressed keenness to move forward quickly with serious, transparent negotiations, while not abandoning the country’s rights. Salehi said he understood international concerns, and that Iran was ready to allay them 'using every treaty, regulation and mechanism at the international level'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran to ‘remove any ambiguity regarding our country’s nuclear program’

Obama tells Russian LGBT activists he is proud of their work

"President Barack Obama on Friday told Russian rights activists that he is 'proud of their work,' saying Russia must remember to let civil society function freely. Meeting with nine activists, including two representing LGBT groups, Obama said 'it’s important to remember that in every country, here in Russia, in the United States, around the globe, that part of good government is making sure that we’re creating space for civil society to function.' This included ensuring 'freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and making sure that people can join together and make common cause around the issues that we care deeply about,' he added." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama tells Russian LGBT activists he is proud of their work

Russia cancels Syria lobbying mission to D.C.

"The speaker of Russia's national legislature said Friday that a plan to send a parliamentary delegation to Washington to try and convince U.S. lawmakers that a unilateral military intervention in Syria would be unwarranted and counterproductive had been cancelled. Sergei Naryshkin, speaker of the State Duma, said the delegation would no longer travel to the U.S. and called the decisions by House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to refuse to meet their Russian counterparts deplorable. Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson confirmed Thursday that Reid had turned down the offer. Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said the speaker had also declined the offer." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRussia cancels Syria lobbying mission to D.C.

Ethan Saylor’s death at hands of cops spurs demand for investigation

A spokeswoman says Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is committed to improving police training after a man with Down syndrome died in the custody of Frederick County deputies in January. The 26-year-old died of asphyxia as three deputies, moonlighting as mall security officers, tried to remove him from a movie theater because he hadn't bought a ticket for a repeat viewing. 'We want to know what occurred without a detail left out. No matter what the outcome is, it's the truth,' said Patti Saylor, his mother. A Frederick County grand jury declined to indict the deputies for what was ruled a homicide." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEthan Saylor’s death at hands of cops spurs demand for investigation

Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart would let prisoners ‘pay for freedom’

"Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has suggested that non-violent prisoners could pay their way out of jail and become tax-paying workers to boost the economy. In a column for the Australian Resources and Investment magazine, the mining heiress said the country needed more workers as the population ages, and getting criminals back into the workforce would bolster tax revenues. She said while some offenders might be able to pay to be allowed back into the community, others could agree to forgo their rights to vote or to a passport if they were unable to come up with the money." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAustralia’s richest person Gina Rinehart would let prisoners ‘pay for freedom’

British Somalis dread ban of ‘herbal high’ khat

"When Britain bans the herbal stimulant khat, Mohamod Ahmed Mohamed will lose his livelihood. But he fears most for his small Somali community without the leaf that fuels its social life. 'I can switch to another business but what about the youth, where are they going to go — the street, the mosque, to hard drugs?' he says at his khat warehouse near London’s Heathrow airport. 'You are taking away their freedom. Why target us? You will never find somebody falling over on the street or fighting from khat like they do when they are drunk.' Mohamed supplies khat to many of Britain’s 100,000 Somalis, Ethiopians and Yemenis, for whom chewing the bushy shrub is as normal as going to the pub." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBritish Somalis dread ban of ‘herbal high’ khat