Archives for novembre 2017

The Intercept’s Partisan Attack On WikiLeaks

However politically flawed, WikiLeaks has done humanity a service by exposing the Democratic Party as but another organ of the rich.

People watch a video conference of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange outside the public university in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP/Manu Fernandez)

The Intercept emerged during the Obama era to provide a service to whistleblowers. Journalist Glenn Greenwald, for example, helped form the Intercept in the aftermath of the corporate media backlash to Edward Snowden's leaks about the massive surveillance machine possessed by the National Security Agency (NSA). The Intercept prided itself as a

Poll: Americans Oppose the ‘Anti-Semitism Awareness Act’

Proponents of the bill claim it would protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment. Opponents argue the bill would undermine free speech, and is a thinly-disguised gag order designed to quash criticism of Israel in academia.

Supporters of Students for Justice in Palestine rallied on the Manhattan campus of Fordham University to protest a ban on the group by the school's administration, as well as a threat of disciplinary action against one of its leaders, Sapphira Lurie, by Fordham Dean of Students Keith Eldredge. (Photo by Joe Catron/flickr/cc)

The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on November 7 to discuss the "Anti-Semitism Awareness Act." Proponents of ASAA claim it is a law that would protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment, which they claim is a major problem on campus. Opponents argue the bill would undermine free speech rights, and is a thinly-disguised gag order

FEMA’s Work Following Harvey vs. Maria: Disaster Relief Difficult but Effort Counts

In addition to the disappointingly sluggish nature of federal relief efforts in general, it is clear that the timeline for recovery on the mainland is markedly different from that of a U.S. territory. At this point there is no concealing the double standard.

With photographs of hurricane damage on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands below them, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, left, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., attend a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on hurricane recovery, Nov. 14, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

Three months after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, more than 47,000 flood victims continue to live in hotels. Tens of thousands more are living with relatives, in barely habitable homes, or scraping by with other arrangements. Local Houston officials estimate that Harvey destroyed or damaged more than 311,000 individual housing units -- a whopping

Revelation That UK Gov Lobbied for Big Oil in Brazil Sparks Political Fallout

News that the UK lobbied Brazil on behalf of Shell and BP has sparked a political fallout in Brazil.

Top photo | UK Trade Minister Greg Hands, pictured center right) meets with Brazilian officials ahead of on March 21, 2017. (Photo: Twitter)

An attempt by Liam Fox’s Department for International Trade (DIT) to lobby on behalf of Shell and BP while the companies looked to secure lucrative oil blocks off the coast of Brazil has led to a major political controversy in the country. The political furor was triggered by a diplomatic telegram obtained by Unearthed under Freedom of

Can Peace Journalism Deescalate Conflict in the Age of Trump?

Peace Journalism aims to improve the conditions for peace through a considered editorial approach and practice. It is a means to peace.

Associated Press reporter Chris Torchia takes notes as he walks with U.S. soldiers during a patrol in the Badula Qulp area in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 15, 2010. (AP/Pier Paolo Cito)

It came as a slight relief to see at least some measured coverage of Donald Trump’s recent visit to South Korea. Sections of the media have been predicting World War III – and focusing on barbed and incendiary comments between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jon-un – so stories that take a more measured tone should be welcomed … by

Nervous About Traffic Stops? I Am. You Should Be, Too

“Quit resisting.” — Cops yell at compliant young man who was thrown to the ground, beaten, arrested and hospitalized for severe injuries to his face and arm, allegedly in retaliation for “resisting arrest” by driving to a safe, well-lit area before submitting to a traffic stop for a broken tail light

checkpoint

We’ve all been there before.  You’re driving along and you see a pair of flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror. Whether or not you’ve done anything wrong, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach. You’ve read enough news stories, seen enough headlines, and lived in the American police state long enough to be anxious about any encounter