Peru dethrones Colombia as cocaine king

"With Peru already vying with Colombia in 2011 — it actually was growing 400 hectares of coca more than its neighbor then, although it is thought to have produced less drugs — that means this country is now almost certainly the world’s top source of coca for the manufacture of illegal narcotics. Ricardo Soberon, now a trenchant critic of the government’s counter-narcotics policies, is not holding his breath. 'These figures are a clear indication the government is making incorrect decisions,' said Soberon, who was squeezed out of his job, apparently under pressure from Washington, in 2011, for allegedly being sympathetic to the impoverished, small farmers who grow most of Peru’s coca." Continue reading

Continue ReadingPeru dethrones Colombia as cocaine king

Iraq’s people yet to feel benefit of oil boom

"Their frustration is tied to the fact that oil, responsible for the lion’s share of economic output, does not employ many people — just one percent of the working-age population, according to the United Nations. And so many residents are forced to look for jobs either in the public sector, which is riven with nepotism, or the private sector, which remains tiny. Thus far, Iraq’s government has looked to spend the vast income from energy revenues on landmark projects — a huge housing community near Baghdad, a football stadium in Basra and an airport near Najaf. New restaurants, malls and shops selling flatscreen TVs and brand new expensive cars are all opening across Baghdad." Continue reading

Continue ReadingIraq’s people yet to feel benefit of oil boom

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

U.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

"Since 1945, the U.S. government has launched aggressive wars in violation of international law. It has tortured prisoners detained without charge. It has dropped atomic bombs on civilian centers, and used napalm, Agent Orange, depleted-uranium shells, and white phosphorus incendiary weapons. It has carpet bombed and firebombed cities. America’s unexploded landmines and cluster bombs still threaten the people of Vietnam and Cambodia. Today it inflicts suffering with Iranian economic sanctions — just as it did to the Iraqi people from 1990 to 2003. The Obama administration bankrolls Egypt’s military government, which massacred over a thousand street demonstrators." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. Has No Moral Standing to Condemn Assad

Federal Regulators Consider Seat Belt Ignition Interlocks on Automobiles

"The seatbelt ignition interlock would prevent the automobile from starting unless the seatbelt was clasped. Back in 1974 the government required interlocks on nearly all 1974 year model vehicles. However, public outcry led Congress to banish the mandate. This week the NHTSA reportedly rejected a petition from BMW that would allow the German automaker to skip certain crash testing requirements if it installed seatbelt interlocks in front seats. BMW outlined three different potential types of interlocks including one that would prevent the vehicle from being started. Another would prevent the driver from shifting out of Park and a third would allow the vehicle to be driven only at low speeds." Continue reading

Continue ReadingFederal Regulators Consider Seat Belt Ignition Interlocks on Automobiles