The End of Dissent
Foreign agent laws in Russia, El Salvador, and elsewhere threaten the entire international edifice of laws and institutions that support the right to dissent.
Gitmo’s Shameful Twentieth Anniversary
It is time for President Biden to turn the page once and for all on this sordid chapter in our nation’s history.
Seeking Justice for Syrians
Inside a chance prosecution in Germany that could be a first step toward justice after the country’s devastating civil war.
Hypocritical Scolding Won’t Stop a Russian War on Ukraine
Peace cannot be found if the U.S. relies on the self-righteous assertion of principles that our government refuses to apply to itself.
Military Intervention in Syria is a Bad Idea
Many nonviolent protesters have tragically been killed as will many more. However, proportionately a far greater number of armed resisters have been killed and will continue to be killed. The question is not whether thousands will continue to die but what is the best way for the Syrian people to overthrow the hated regime, end the violence, and bring democracy and social justice.
Republicans Never Let a Chance to Call Obama an Appeaser Pass Them By
Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post called President Obama’s remarks to Russian President Medvedev a “stunning gift” to Republicans.
Creating the Muslim Manchurian Candidate
Those who fervently believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim generally practice their furtive religion in obscure recesses of the Internet. Once in a while, they’ll surface in public to remind the news media that no amount of evidence can undermine their convictions.
Israeli Backlash to Palestinian Land Day Global March to Jerusalem
The Israeli government has responded to the anticipated Palestinian Land Day protests by putting border police in Israel and the West Bank on alert, as well as sending additional forces to back up IDF soldiers at the northern borders.
Contraception and the New Crusades
American conservatives seem to want white babies even more than they want fewer abortions.
Sgt. Bales: Is Further Proof Needed That Multiple Tours Are a Recipe for Disaster?
ing Afghan civilians in two shifts qualifies Sgt. Robert Bales as a serial killer.
Review: We Meant Well
Peter Van Buren, a U.S. foreign service officer for 23 years, served the reconstruction effort in Iraq from 2009 to 2010. Appalled by the mismanagement he saw, Van Buren published We Meant Well in September 2011 detailing his experience and hoping to help the United States learn from its mistakes. The State Department launched an investigation of Van Buren’s whistleblowing but waited until mid-March 2012 to fire him — just “days before the Office of the Special Counsel was ready to begin their discovery request for documents” according to Van Buren’s Democracy Now! interview.
Three Killings
The note left next to the bloodied body of Shaima Alawadi read “go back to your country, you terrorist.” Alawadi, who died on Saturday after being taken off life support, was an Iraqi-born mother of five living outside of San Diego. Someone had delivered a similar note to the family earlier in the month. It was likely the same person who returned with a tire iron and struck her repeatedly on the head. Alawadi had lived in the United States for 17 years. Several family members reportedly provided cultural training to U.S. soldiers deployed to the Middle East. In a very sad coda, Alawadi is indeed going back to her country – to be buried.
The Secret to Islam’s Rapid Expansion: Free Love (?)
Christians characterized the coming of Islam as “a punishment without pity” for the world.
Trust in Nuclear Weapons Replaces Trust in God
The United States, as the world’s undisputed nuclear weapons superpower, should finally ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.