Liberal Extremism Disguised as Defense of Muslims

Published on Dissident Voice (first on Matt’s Blog), by Matt Peppe, Dec 14, 2015.

After 14 people were killed and 22 more injured in the San Bernardino massacre by a couple whom authorities claim were “radicalized” by Islamist ideology, Islamophobia among the American public has seemingly reached a fever pitch. But while many people are fighting back against hateful discrimination against Muslims, many are doing so with a liberal narrative of American values that rationalizes and perpetuates American state violence, while failing to recognize this violence as its own form of extremism// Continuer la lecture de « Liberal Extremism Disguised as Defense of Muslims »

some small and big concerns

Libya’s nightmare scenario

Published on Al-Ahram weekly online, by Ahmed Eleiba, Dec 10, 2015.

The possibility of Libya taking over from Syria and Iraq as the centre of Islamic State operations is haunting decision-makers in Cairo.

Islamic State (IS) is consolidating its presence in Libya, where post-Gaddafi chaos has provided an ideal climate for the terrorist organisation to flourish. It encountered a setback in Derna, where it faced stiff resistance from the Ansar Al-Sharia militia group which, in April 2014, expelled IS forces from the city, but 18 months later IS has recouped its losses.   Continuer la lecture de « Libya’s nightmare scenario »

The Age of Extremes

Published on ZNet (first on teleSUR english ), by Arun Gupta, Dec 12, 2015.

… The greatest cost is to the countries being bombed and civil society. In November 2001 the global justice movement, which gained prominence after thwarting a free-trade agreement two years earlier, was planning to shut down seven stock exchanges in a worldwide day of protest. That was derailed by 9/11, and the global justice movement fell apart. This time climate-justice activists say the movement is stronger and wiser and the climate crisis is too profound for one episode to end it, but it has been set back.   Continuer la lecture de « The Age of Extremes »

The hourglass society: Middle-income households no longer the majority in the US

Published on World Socialist Web Site WSWS, by Andre Damon, Dec 11, 2015.

For the first time in more than four decades, “middle-income households” no longer constitute the majority of American society, according to a study published Wednesday by the Pew Research Center. Instead, the majority of households are either low or higher-income. The study concluded, “Once in the clear majority, adults in middle-income households in 2015 were matched in number by those in lower- and upper-income households combined.” Pew called its findings “a demographic shift that could signal a tipping point” in American society … // Continuer la lecture de « The hourglass society: Middle-income households no longer the majority in the US »

UFOs, our govs and the 0.000…1%

… How the Secret Government Works – Dr. Steven Greer HD, 230.09 min, uploaded by SpaceNatives, Nov 23, 2015 … Dr. Greer has been involved in the highest levels of governments and military for over 25 years and will share what he has learned on the who, what, where and why of UFO secrecy and the deep transnational security state and the constellation of illegal projects that are currently operating …;
(my comment: prepare a good drink and a comfortable chair, you’ll stand it better … in fact, it’s about govs facing the 0.000…1% – also today).   Continuer la lecture de « UFOs, our govs and the 0.000…1% »

The Roots of the Current Situation in Venezuela

Published on The Bullet, Socialist Project’s E-Bulletin No. 1195 (first on teleSUR english), by Gregory Wilpert, Dec 5, 2015.

The current economic, political, and social situation in Venezuela is very complicated, which makes it somewhat difficult for outsiders to make sense of. On the one hand there are many people who defend the Bolivarian revolution, pointing to the successes it has had in reducing poverty and inequality and in increasing citizen participation and self-governance.   Continuer la lecture de « The Roots of the Current Situation in Venezuela »

The model of all economic models (wonkish)

Published on RWER Blog, by Lars Syll, Dec 6, 2015.

Mainstream economists want to explain social phenomena, structures and patterns, based on the assumption that the agents are acting in an optimizing (rational) way to satisfy given, stable and well-defined goals. The procedure is analytical. The whole is broken down into its constituent parts so as to be able to explain (reduce) the aggregate (macro) as the result of interaction of its parts (micro). Continuer la lecture de « The model of all economic models (wonkish) »

concerns of the 99% to be solved – part 2

in english:

America’s “Dirty War on Syria”: Bashar al Assad and Political Reform

Published on Global Research.ca, by , Dec 4, 2015.

… It should go without saying that the internal political processes of a sovereign country belongs to the people of that country, and no-one else. Nevertheless, as Washington insists on a prerogative to determine who can or cannot lead another country, some background on Bashar al Assad and the political reform process in Syria might be useful … //

… 5.1 The reform movement:   Continuer la lecture de « America’s “Dirty War on Syria”: Bashar al Assad and Political Reform »

Bombshell: Russian Military Reveals Details of ISIS-Daesh Funding

Turkey’s Role in Supporting the Terrorists, Complete Transcript, 5 Videos, Documents (photos, map) – Published on Global Research.ca, by Syrian Free Press Network, Dec 3, 2015.

Russian Defense Ministry held a major briefing: “A whole team of bandits and Turkish leadership [Erdogan’s family as well] stealing oil from their neighbors and are involved in illegal oil trade with ISIS” … // Continuer la lecture de « Bombshell: Russian Military Reveals Details of ISIS-Daesh Funding »