Unfortunately he is only one of many clones and clowns that inject right wing propaganda into the news by pandering to the lowest common denominator under the guise of simulated impartiality.

The article does well to expose the contradictions in the convoluted reasoning of neocon policy gurus but there is an important point of view that is conspicuously omitted; that is, the Chechen people themselves whose interests have been co-opted by a group of terrorist fanatics. All indications are that the majority of the Chechnyan population is more secular than radical Islamist and has no desire to be part of Russia. After all, Byelorussia and a good deal of Ukraine are more ... More »

The polarization caused by Thatcher's policies is reflected in the renewed popularity of the Wizard of Oz song "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" which according to Associated press has attained the no.1 spot on a U.K. singles chart.

The victims, of course, were not only those who were tortured but the thousands of allied troops that thought they were participating in a noble cause and were forced to witness the unseemly side of their perverted mission, inflicting severe mental anguish that often resulted in suicide. The responsibility goes up the chain of command and although the video does a great job in exposing the links, much more could be said about those who instigated, condoned and profited from these tactics.

...Mali is one of those places that may have one time seemed remote to outsiders but the infiltration of al-Qaeda in the North changed all that and the article does well to call attention to the fact that it is actually an artificial nation(like many in Africa), created by colonial rule. The French will now bare responsibility for what they leave behind and I think its fairly evident that the Tuareg regions do not what to be part of Mali. France is still in a position to establish ... More »

The Erdogan government deserves considerable credit for taking foreign policy initiatives in the M.E. and if it is able to come to terms with Turkey's considerable Kurdish population on the domestic front it can only strengthen Turkey's credibility in foreign affairs. The article wisely calls out the Turkish press for not reporting positive developments that could only add to that country's influence in a progressive way.

The points are well articulated even though they should be obvious to all by now.

The Israeli building encroachments on Palestinian settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank are a counterproductive incitement to any peace initiative in the Middle East but what is not said here and what I believe Noam Chomsky is well aware of is that there are NO peaceful uses for nuclear energy in today's world. The best way to defuse the Iranian argument is to call for a treaty banning the expansion of any nuclear facility along with a time limit for dismantling those that ... More »

The survey may be flawed because it doesn't show regional differences and there never really was a national debate on the issue of gun control. In the light of the slaughtering of little children in the latest Connecticut massacre, it is difficult to discuss the issue dispassionately, but I think it may soon be time for gun control supporters to let loose some of that passion. If John Kerry replaces Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State this could become a major issue in the ... More »

It is outrageous that the FCC would even consider loosening its already loose control over media consolidation especially in the light of the Levison Report in the U.K. which recommended tighter regulation over British media after the "hacking scandal" in which Murdoch was involved.

The article inserts one serious( and erroneous) presumption when it describes the "argument in favor of such a stimulus".i.e. "The tax measures, at least, could minimize the drag on the economy from Mr. Obama's proposed tax increases on the wealthy" ...no serious economist believes proposed tax increases on the wealthy would cause a "drag" on the economy.,

...I'm inclined to believe that a "moderate Republican" is one that has a finger to the wind on social issues and is always ready with a cheap shot to tow the party line. Collins is simply following McCain's lead and has all the integrity of a snowflake on a hot stove.

...news about media and media manipulation often doesn't seem like news at all since we have become accustomed to a blitz of misinformation most often emanating from corporate propaganda promoters like Fox News, but when the mainstream media propagates the same line it becomes more insidious as a specious argument reaches a wider audience to reinforce the misinformation. Although this article lacks a specific source, it remains verifiable, credible, very responsible.

...obviously a cause for concern...however, the article neglects to mention the current status of the agreement, or who beyond certain corporate interests is pushing for it. Who in congress supports or opposes the "agreement"? Does it really have the support of the Obama administration? What grounds does the party who leaked the documents have to assume the Obama administration "intends to impose radical new political powers upon multinational corporations"?