Friday, October 31, 2003
NY Times columnist Paul Krugman: A Big Quarter
Robert Fisk, writing in the New Zeland Herald: Ramadan revenge - a message sent and a lesson learned
Professor of economics & Nobel prize winner Joseph Stiglitz: Do as the US says, not as it does
Robert Fisk, writing in the New Zeland Herald: Ramadan revenge - a message sent and a lesson learned
Professor of economics & Nobel prize winner Joseph Stiglitz: Do as the US says, not as it does
Thursday, October 30, 2003
A surprisingly candid Haaretz editorial on Israeli settlement policy: Lies and waste
MSNBC: The ultimate quid pro quo? Study: Bush backers land Iraq deals
MSNBC: The ultimate quid pro quo? Study: Bush backers land Iraq deals
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
From the Right Wing publication WorldNetDaily: Yes, Bush lied.
From the Independent: The axis of oil: how a plan for the world's biggest pipeline threatens to wreak havoc
A commentary from Studs Terkel.
From the Independent: The axis of oil: how a plan for the world's biggest pipeline threatens to wreak havoc
A commentary from Studs Terkel.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Paul Krugman offers some interesting insight in today's NY Times article A Willful Ignorance.
Newsweek has an article worth noting: The $ 87 Billion Money Pit.
The Washington Post: Search in Iraq Fails to Find Nuclear Threat. But some already suspected as much while the drums of war were sounding last fall and winter...
Newsweek has an article worth noting: The $ 87 Billion Money Pit.
The Washington Post: Search in Iraq Fails to Find Nuclear Threat. But some already suspected as much while the drums of war were sounding last fall and winter...
Friday, October 24, 2003
140 hp VW Golf V demonstrates fuel saving potential: 53 mpg, but don't expect to find one here with that engine...
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
A look at the world of news and analysis isn't complete without checking in with Seymour Hersh. His latest story in The New Yorker discusses some far-reaching changes in the US's intelligence culture and their consequences for the accuracy of information that was used to justify a war.
An article in the Washington Post sheds some light on the Administration's desire to 'sanitize' the press coverage given to dead American servicemen and women returning to the US.
An article in the Washington Post sheds some light on the Administration's desire to 'sanitize' the press coverage given to dead American servicemen and women returning to the US.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Paul Krugman's Listening to Mahathir NY Times article today makes some very interesting points about Malaysian and Muslim perceptions of the so-called 'War on Terror.'
The mainstream press, in this case the NY Times, offers a glimpse of a reality the Bush Administration tried to ignore in its rush to topple Saddam Hussein.
CBS News offers a October 17, 2003 story of Greg Thielmann 'The Man Who Knew.' Thielmann, a 25-year Foreign Service officer, last worked as the State Department's Director of the Office of Strategic Proliferation and Military Affairs, which was responsible for analyzing the Iraqi weapons threat for Secretary Powell. His analysis of Sec. Powell's February 5, 2003 speech at the UN Security Council is worth a read.
The mainstream press, in this case the NY Times, offers a glimpse of a reality the Bush Administration tried to ignore in its rush to topple Saddam Hussein.
CBS News offers a October 17, 2003 story of Greg Thielmann 'The Man Who Knew.' Thielmann, a 25-year Foreign Service officer, last worked as the State Department's Director of the Office of Strategic Proliferation and Military Affairs, which was responsible for analyzing the Iraqi weapons threat for Secretary Powell. His analysis of Sec. Powell's February 5, 2003 speech at the UN Security Council is worth a read.
Monday, October 20, 2003
William Rivers Pitt published a new piece Electronic Voting: What You Need To Know.
In contrast, it's interesting to see how the firms behind the voting technology are reacting with PR initiatives.
In contrast, it's interesting to see how the firms behind the voting technology are reacting with PR initiatives.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
I'm not usually a fan of NY times columnist Thomas Friedman, but his article today On Listening deserves a read, as it strikes a surprisingly critical tone.
> > > > > >
This article from the Independent about US election technology, and the companies who provide it, caught my eye as well...
> > > > > >
This article from the Independent about US election technology, and the companies who provide it, caught my eye as well...
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
...and for our next number we'll perform the "Iraqi Privatization Blues."
Billions in US taxpayer dollars for Iraqi reconstruction. Just the other day I was reading about how millions will be needed to equip the new Iraqi Army and police forces with weapons. Today I read that the Iraqi resistance is pillaging unguarded burried stores of weapons and ammunition left my Saddam's forces. Why buy new guns when you can dig them up in the desert? Oh, right, I forgot about the need for political payback...
A Guardian article on the Spoils of war
Billions in US taxpayer dollars for Iraqi reconstruction. Just the other day I was reading about how millions will be needed to equip the new Iraqi Army and police forces with weapons. Today I read that the Iraqi resistance is pillaging unguarded burried stores of weapons and ammunition left my Saddam's forces. Why buy new guns when you can dig them up in the desert? Oh, right, I forgot about the need for political payback...
A Guardian article on the Spoils of war
Monday, October 13, 2003
Below is an interesting contrast in how a situation can be presented. Who benefits from adding 'spin' to these facts?
GeorgeWBush.com : Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs
Sunday, October 12, 2003 New York Times Editorial : The Iraqi Weapons Puzzle (free registration required)
> > > > > > > >
On another note, here's a little story about a Halliburton unit which is the target of a probe alleging corruption.
GeorgeWBush.com : Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs
Sunday, October 12, 2003 New York Times Editorial : The Iraqi Weapons Puzzle (free registration required)
> > > > > > > >
On another note, here's a little story about a Halliburton unit which is the target of a probe alleging corruption.
Friday, October 10, 2003
Is the situation described in the article below what US taxpayers had in mind when they heard W. promise to create jobs and growth?
"1,500 police trainers would cost $240,000 each per year, or $20,000 each per month."
One would have to suppose this isn't the 'bad' kind of government spending conservatives are usually quick to bemoan. Why is that?
Lawmakers Fear U.S. Is Losing Control of Funds
By Jonathan Weisman and Anitha Reddy
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, October 9, 2003; Page A01
Lawmakers Fear U.S. Is Losing Control of Funds
[full story at above URL]
> > > > > > >
William Rivers Pitt's most recent 'truthout.org' article offers a perspective from which to view the hostility the Right harbors toward 'activist government.'
"1,500 police trainers would cost $240,000 each per year, or $20,000 each per month."
One would have to suppose this isn't the 'bad' kind of government spending conservatives are usually quick to bemoan. Why is that?
Lawmakers Fear U.S. Is Losing Control of Funds
By Jonathan Weisman and Anitha Reddy
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, October 9, 2003; Page A01
Lawmakers Fear U.S. Is Losing Control of Funds
[full story at above URL]
> > > > > > >
William Rivers Pitt's most recent 'truthout.org' article offers a perspective from which to view the hostility the Right harbors toward 'activist government.'
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Qui bono ? In a free society, this question ought to be continually asked in the context of mass media. The influence of mass media in American society cannot be understated. Those who control its content play a formative role in the issues a society considers for debate.
Editors of commercial broadcast media arguably have more influence than those of the print media. Until the internet, a pull-medium, enjoys the sort of ubiquitous access and simplicity of use that the push-media television and radio do, the so-called explosion in media growth will do little to approach their level of influence.
"The Media Monopoly" by Ben Haig Bagdikian (Beacon Press; 5th ed., 1997) is worth a careful read.
It is truly a shame that the United States does not have an equivalent to the BBC. Many in the American press seem to have forgotten that journalism is about asking those in positions of power tough questions. Our First Amendment is useless without a media sector that is willing to make use of it. I find myself reading the British press in order to comprehend the politics of Washington, DC.
The Guardian of London
The Independent
Editors of commercial broadcast media arguably have more influence than those of the print media. Until the internet, a pull-medium, enjoys the sort of ubiquitous access and simplicity of use that the push-media television and radio do, the so-called explosion in media growth will do little to approach their level of influence.
"The Media Monopoly" by Ben Haig Bagdikian (Beacon Press; 5th ed., 1997) is worth a careful read.
It is truly a shame that the United States does not have an equivalent to the BBC. Many in the American press seem to have forgotten that journalism is about asking those in positions of power tough questions. Our First Amendment is useless without a media sector that is willing to make use of it. I find myself reading the British press in order to comprehend the politics of Washington, DC.
The Guardian of London
The Independent
