Massive Floods Strike Philippines
Sunday, 26 June 2011 06:43
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 69,000 families have been affected by the tropical storm in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the Bicol region in the Philippines.
More than 3,200 people who fled their homes in the capital city of Manila are now living in evacuation centers, the civil defense agency said.’
Turkish Actions Designed To Trigger NATO Confrontation With Syria?
Friday, 24 June 2011 16:38
‘Betrayed by NATO after Israel’s high seas attack on the Mavi Marmara just over one year ago, Turkey may be on its way to becoming a military launch pad for the Alliance’s operations against its erstwhile ally, Syria. Rick Rozoff fleshes out Turkey’s sinister role in the US-led counter revolutionary charge in the Middle East.’
Read more: Turkish Actions Designed To Trigger NATO Confrontation With Syria?
It Gets Even Crazier: Fight The AT&T/Comcast ‘Three Strikes’ Censorship Deal
Friday, 24 June 2011 17:01
‘Completely over the top, even compared to everything else we’re up against: Entertainment industry sources are leaking that they’ve convinced Internet service providers to start restricting people’s web access. If you’re accused of downloading or streaming three files they’ll consider messing with your Internet connection — and maybe even decide what sites you’re allowed to visit.’
Read more: It Gets Even Crazier: Fight The AT&T/Comcast ‘Three Strikes’ Censorship Deal
More Israeli Army Brutality Against Palestinians
Friday, 24 June 2011 18:18
Clinton Urges Democrats to Support Libya War
Saturday, 25 June 2011 06:50
‘She has met with Democrats behind closed doors to explain the purpose of the mission, a senior State Department official told ABC News.
US President Barack Obama has been under fire from both sides of the aisle for failing to seek congressional authorization before ordering airstrikes on Libya.
The administration says it did not need authorization, because the US military has not deployed any ground troops in Libya. However, Republican House Speaker John Boehner and others congress people have challenged Obama’s reasoning.’
US House Rejects Libya War Mandate
Saturday, 25 June 2011 06:54
The congressional action was a swipe at Obama over growing discontent among US lawmakers after a decade of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that has cost more than a trillion dollars and has helped fuel a USD 1.4 trillion budget deficit.
“We don’t have enough wars going on? The war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, we need one more war?” Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich said during Friday’s vote.’
Hillary Clinton Gives Green Light for Israeli Attack on Gaza Flotilla
Saturday, 25 June 2011 07:11
‘In comments yesterday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seemed to lay the ground – indeed almost provide a green light – for an Israeli military attack on the upcoming Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which will include the US Boat to Gaza.
Among the passengers aboard the American boat will be 87-year old Kindertransport survivor Hedy Epstein, and author and poet Alice Walker. In all it is expected that about 10 ships, carrying 1000 people from over 20 countries will take part.’
Read more: Hillary Clinton Gives Green Light for Israeli Attack on Gaza Flotilla
What’s Really Going On at the Israeli Institute for Biological Research?
Saturday, 25 June 2011 07:20
‘Drivers will only dart a glance at that mammoth structure nestled in the dunes south of Rishon Litsion southeast of Tel Aviv as they speed on their way. It is forbidden to turn off the Tel Aviv-Rishon Litsion highway onto the side road leading up to that building, which is barricaded by cement walls equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and warning systems developed by Israel’s military industries.
That fortress-like structure is the Israeli Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) where Israel develops its biological and chemical weapons and prepares for any eventuality of biological or chemical warfare. It is the most top-secret military installation in Israel. So tightly is it guarded by military censorship that the Israeli press has to turn to Western sources for scraps of information made available to them, very intermittently, by special contacts inside the institute.’
Read more: What’s Really Going On at the Israeli Institute for Biological Research?
Brainwashing the Corporate Way
Saturday, 25 June 2011 07:25
‘One of the most original and provocative books of the past decade is Disciplined Minds by Jeff Schmidt (Rowman & Littlefield). “A critical look at salaried professionals,” says the cover, “and the soul-battering system that shapes their lives.” Its theme is postmodern America but also applies to Britain, where the corporate state has bred a new class of Americanised manager to run the private and public sectors: the banks, the main parties, corporations, important committees, the BBC.
Professionals are said to be meritorious and non-ideological. Yet, in spite of their education, writes Schmidt, they think less independently than non-professionals. They use corporate jargon – “model”, “performance”, “targets”, “strategic oversight”. In Disciplined Minds, Schmidt argues that what makes the modern professional is not technical knowledge but “ideological discipline”.
Those in higher education and the media do “political work” but in a way that is not seen as political. Listen to a senior BBC person sincerely describe the nirvana of neutrality to which he or she has risen. “Taking sides” is anathema; and yet the modern professional knows never to challenge the “built-in ideology of the status quo”. What matters is the “right attitude”.’
Never mind Greece – Look at BRITAIN’S Deficit
Saturday, 25 June 2011 07:46
‘Anyone feeling smug about the Greek crisis should take a quick dekko at our own statistics.
Spending in April and May was 4.1 per cent higher than during the equivalent period in 2010. Government borrowing was £27.4 billion, up from £25.9 billion the previous year. This additional debt comes despite a series of tax rises: VAT, fuel duty, income tax and National Insurance have all gone up.
In other words, despite everything we keep reading about “the cuts”, spending and borrowing are both higher now than they were under Gordon Brown. Since the Coalition took office, our national debt has increased from 53 to 61 per cent of GDP.’
Believe nothing 