Global Newswire

How the US Press Lost Its Way

Submitted by anonymous on May 16, 2012 - 6:10pm

exposing the Pentagon Papers and Watergate. How did the U.S. news media lose its way over the past four decades, a question addressed by Robert Parry at a conference on information and secrecy.

By Robert Parry

Editor’s Note: From May 10 to May 12, journalist Robert Parry participated in a conference entitled, “From the Pentagon Papers to WikiLeaks: A Transatlantic Conversation on the Public’s Right to Know,” sponsored by the Heidelberg Center for American Studies in Heidelberg, Germany.

The conference consisted of media figures, legal scholars and freedom-of-information advocates – and included Neil Sheehan, the New York Times correspondent who got the Pentagon Papers from Daniel Ellsberg, and Barry Sussman, the Washington Post editor who oversaw the newspaper’s coverage of the Watergate scandal.

Parry spoke on the last day and offered the following observations:

Much of this conference has focused on the glory days of American journalism in the 1970s. And rightly so. My talk, however, will deal with the more depressing question of why things then went so terribly wrong.

Big Idea: To Fight Inequality, Link Worker Pay to Corporate Taxes

Submitted by anonymous on May 16, 2012 - 12:11pm

by Mark Schmitt

With both presidential candidates promising major reform of the federal tax system, we’ll start to hear variations on the phrase, “If you want more of something, tax it less, and if you want less of something, tax it more.” There’s more to taxes than just raising money to support public services and determining who deserves to pay. The tax code sets some basic priorities for the economy and society, so a better way to think about taxes is to ask, “How can we improve the tax code to get the kind of economy we want?”

White House & Dems Back Banks over Protests: Newly Discovered Homeland Security Files Show Feds Central to Occupy Crackdown

Submitted by anonymous on May 14, 2012 - 9:09pm

by:
Dave Lindorff

A new trove of heavily redacted documents provided by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF) on behalf of filmmaker Michael Moore and the National Lawyers Guild makes it increasingly evident that there was and is a nationally coordinated campaign to disrupt and crush the Occupy Movement.

The new documents, which PCJF National Director Mara Verheyden-Hilliard insists “are likely only a subset of responsive materials,” in the possession of federal law enforcement agencies, only “scratch the surface of a mass intelligence network including Fusion Centers, saturated with 'anti-terrorism' funding, that mobilizes thousands of local and federal officers and agents to investigate and monitor the social justice movement.”

Nonetheless, blacked-out and limited though they are, she says they offer clues to the extent of the government’s concern about and focus on the wave of occupations that spread across the country beginning with last September’s Occupy Wall Street action in New York City.

Colonized by Corporations

Submitted by anonymous on May 14, 2012 - 8:36am

by Chris Hedges

In Robert E. Gamer’s book “The Developing Nations” is a chapter called “Why Men Do Not Revolt.” In it Gamer notes that although the oppressed often do revolt, the object of their hostility is misplaced. They vent their fury on a political puppet, someone who masks colonial power, a despised racial or ethnic group or an apostate within their own political class. The useless battles serve as an effective mask for what Gamer calls the “patron-client” networks that are responsible for the continuity of colonial oppression. The squabbles among the oppressed, the political campaigns between candidates who each are servants of colonial power, Gamer writes, absolve the actual centers of power from addressing the conditions that cause the frustrations of the people. Inequities, political disenfranchisement and injustices are never seriously addressed. “The government merely does the minimum necessary to prevent those few who are prone toward political action from organizing into politically effective groups,” he writes.

The Left, Labor and Occupy

Submitted by anonymous on May 14, 2012 - 4:54am

 

 

[BTW, please do not post non-Local postings to the Local Newswire. Keep repeating this and we'll find another place than the proper one on the Global Newswire.]


May 2012

Trotskyism vs. Social Democracy and Anarcho-Liberalism

The Left, Labor and Occupy


Occupy protesters in Portland picket Terminal 6 on December 12. (Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP)

Six months after Occupy Wall Street began – when a few hundred people sparked worldwide protest with a march and sit-in in lower Manhattan against political corruption and corporate greed – OWS was back. And four months after Occupy encampments were brutally evicted around the country, the police were there to greet them. Demonstrators chanted “this is what democracy looks like” as cops dragged scores out of Zuccotti Park in downtown Manhattan. More accurate would have been “this is what a police state looks like.” At the same time, the sharpening internal contradictions within the Occupy movement were also on display.

BTL:Palestinian Prisoner Hunger Strike Marks Renewed Emphasis on Nonviolent Resistance

Submitted by anonymous on May 13, 2012 - 8:04am

Palestinian Prisoner Hunger Strike Marks Renewed Emphasis on Nonviolent Resistance

Interview with Mazin Qumsiyeh, a Palestinian American activist and author of “Popular Resistance in Palestine: A History of Hope and Empowerment”, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

Even as Israeli government leaders continue to press their case for military action against Iran, targeting their nuclear capability, they continue to ignore the issue of Palestinian rights as their occupation of the West Bank marks its 45th year. In President Barack Obama's last meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, neither man even raised the Palestinian issue. But Palestinians themselves are moving ahead with campaigns of nonviolent resistance, including prisoner hunger strikes, promotion of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign and other creative responses.

Story continues
http://www.btlonline.org/2012/seg/120518bf-btl-qumsiyeh.html

Party ends badly for U.S. trade reps and federal agents

Submitted by anonymous on May 12, 2012 - 3:25pm

May 12, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DALLAS PARTY ENDS BADLY FOR U.S. TRADE REPS AND FEDERAL AGENTS

Dozens of rogue "delegates" disrupt Trans-Pacific Partnership gala with "award," "mic check," mass toilet paper replacement, projection

Click here for video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5curJyngiDI&feature=youtu.be

Two dozen rogue "delegates" disrupted the corporate-sponsored welcome gala for the high-stakes Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations yesterday with a fake award ceremony and "mic check." Other activists, meanwhile, replaced hundreds of rolls of toilet paper (TP) throughout the conference venue with more informative versions (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcpp/7181916698/in/photostream), and projected a message on the venue's facade.

World Week for the Abolition of Meat: 21-27 May 2012

Submitted by meat-abolition on May 12, 2012 - 9:44am

 

World Week for the Abolition of Meat: 

21-27 May 2012

U.S. House Democrats Support Ending Federal Interference in Medical Marijuana States

Submitted by anonymous on May 12, 2012 - 6:47am

The Democrats find their backbone and vote for a much needed change that voters support across party lines. US Rep. Tim Johnson (R - Urbana), continuing his three decade plus support of medical marijuana, was one of a few Republicans to vote in support of this measure to curb big government's interference with healthcare and limit the abuse of federal power in the name of an utterly failed and costly policy. Of course, you did NOT read about this news in the News-Gazette about this action on a much needed change in law to limit the power of the federal government that enjoys majority support...

U.S. House Democrats Support Ending Federal Interference in Medical Marijuana States

by Morgan Fox

Nearly Three-Quarters of Democrats Break with Administration Policy, Vote to Prevent Federal Agencies from Targeting Individuals in Compliance with State Medical Marijuana Laws

FCC: Break Up the Big Media Monopoly

Submitted by anonymous on May 11, 2012 - 9:28pm

by Carl Gibson

Houston rapper Pimp C of UGK had a phrase that he frequently used for Texas rappers whom he felt inadequately represented his state.

“You embarrassin’ us.”

The same could be said for today’s spineless, weak-kneed, irrelevant mainstream media.

In a functioning democracy, the media is the people’s voice, and the entity responsible for holding power accountable. Without a free media fairly scrutinizing the decisions of political and economic power brokers and bringing important events to light, elected officials and corporate CEOs would be corrupt and unaccountable to the people.

It doesn’t take a genius to look around and see that power is clearly corrupt, the voice of the people is being silenced, and that the media has become the voice of the power they’re supposed to hold accountable.

The 'Global May Manifesto'

Submitted by anonymous on May 11, 2012 - 1:09pm

A global movement wants a better world. Such a world is possible, and here's how …
by Global Spring Movement

We are living in a world controlled by forces incapable of giving freedom and dignity to the world's population. A world where we are told "there is no alternative" to the loss of rights gained through the long, hard struggles of our ancestors, and where success is defined in opposition to the most fundamental values of humanity, such as solidarity and mutual support. Moreover, anything that does not promote competitiveness, selfishness and greed is seen as dysfunctional.

But we have not remained silent! From Tunisia to Tahrir Square, Madrid to Reykjavik, New York to Brussels, people are rising up to denounce the status quo. Our effort states "enough!", and has begun to push changes forward, worldwide.

This is why we are uniting once again to make our voices heard all over the world this 12 May.

2nd Plaintiff Files in USA DOJ v. Arpaio

Submitted by anonymous on May 11, 2012 - 1:06pm

Court Document:

http://www.scribd.com/jarpaio_1/d/93245267-USA-DOJ-v-Arpaio-2nd-Plaintif...

Background:

www.sheriff-arpaio.com

For those with access to the federal courts data base (PACER), select Arizona and search on Huminski for collateral very relevant matters.

Don't Buy the Spin: How Cutting the Pentagon's Budget Could Boost the Economy

Submitted by anonymous on May 11, 2012 - 7:08am

by Robert Pollin and Heidi Garrett-Peltier

Should the enormous US military budget—which is more than double the combined levels of military spending by China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Germany—be cut? This question is finally on the table, thanks to the winding down of combat activities in Iraq and Afghanistan and to Washington’s obsession with tamping down the federal deficits that have arisen from the Great Recession. Many who would like to protect the military from the budget knife raise economic arguments to make their case: Won’t cutting military spending be bad for jobs, just when we need to maintain focus on reducing unemployment? Won’t it threaten the country’s long-term technological capabilities?

The Shortwave Report 05/11 Listen Globally!

Submitted by outfarpress on May 10, 2012 - 6:20pm

 

The ‘Subsidized’ Loan Charade: US Government Profits from Struggling Students

Submitted by anonymous on May 10, 2012 - 1:17pm

by Dave Lindorff

The Senate is currently deadlocked on taking action to prevent the interest on new Stafford guaranteed student loans from rising on July 1 from 3.4% to 6.8%, with Democrats saying they want to “pay for” keeping the current “lower” 3.4% rate by closing a loophole that allows some wealthy people to avoid paying Social Security and Medicare taxes, while Republicans want to “pay for” keeping the lower rate by eliminating a fund for preventative health care in the 2010 health care reform law.

But what is all this nonsense about “paying for” a supposedly “lower” interest rate of 3.4%?

There are actually two kinds of Stafford loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. The unsubsidized loans, and Stafford loans taken out by graduate students, already carry a whopping -- some might say usurious -- 6.8% interest rate. It’s only the so-called “subsidized” loans that carry a 3.4% rate, and it’s only those loans that would see their rate rise if the two parties cannot come to an agreement to extend the “subsidy.”

But what subsidy are they talking about, anyhow?

BTL:Obama Sends Mixed Messages in Speech on Future of Afghan War

Submitted by anonymous on May 10, 2012 - 10:29am

Obama Sends Mixed Messages in Speech on Future of Afghan War

Interview with Tom Hayden, former California legislator, activist and co-founder of Students for a Democratic Society, conducted by Scott Harris

Marking the one-year anniversary of his order that sent a U.S. Navy Seal team into Pakistan, where they killed al Qaida leader Osama bin-Laden, President Obama traveled in secrecy to Afghanistan on May 1, where he addressed the nation about the Afghan war. In a speech televised live from a military hangar at the U.S. Bagram Air base, the president outlined his plan to end the Afghan conflict, in his words, "responsibly."

Story continues
http://www.btlonline.org/2012/seg/120518af-btl-hayden.html

Activists Want DNC Convention Moved Out of Charlotte After Amendment One Passage

Submitted by anonymous on May 9, 2012 - 11:58am

by David Dayen

Yesterday North Carolina passed Amendment One, a constitutional amendment initiative that not only puts the existing ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution, but will also ban civil unions and domestic partnerships and could actually make things difficult for heterosexual couples that co-habitate. Despite – or perhaps because of – confusion about the consequences of the measure, 61% of voters supported the amendment yesterday.

The immediate reaction from the activist community in North Carolina was that they would “look at all legal options and political options” to overturn the amendment. That would include repeal bills in the legislature and perhaps actions on specific activities potentially covered by the amendment in the courts.

But there’s another wrinkle with this outcome. The 2012 DNC convention will take place in Charlotte, with President Obama set to accept the nomination at Bank of America Stadium, where the NFL’s Panthers play. And some activists are unhappy about the fact that Democrats will celebrate in Charlotte four months after the state took rights away from LGBT families.

Media Attention and the Political Impacts of Occupy Wall Street

Submitted by anonymous on May 8, 2012 - 5:05pm

by Jackie Smith and Patrick Rafail

This May Day brought unprecedented numbers of Americans out in the streets to mark international worker’s day. But in Pittsburgh, one wouldn’t know that a few hundred residents also gathered to protest the corporate behemoths whose buildings dominate the downtown landscape and whose policies have devastated our economy, our local community, and our health. While the local newspaper saw it fit to report on the May Day protests in Madrid, and the broken windows and arrests of activists in other parts of the country, our local event was ignored.

This portrayal of the news will come as no surprise to most readers, but it is important to our democracy to raise up the problem of media bias in reporting on major social conflicts like the one highlighted in the OWS movement. We’ve examined news reports on the OWS protests and the Tea Party protests to see whether and how political bias in the mainstream news media may be affecting American’s understandings about the depth and significance of these two movements.

The Most Powerful Company You've Never Heard of: Meet CME Group

Submitted by anonymous on May 7, 2012 - 9:50pm

CME Group is a significant contributor of support for Illinois Public Media's agricultural journalism.

by Elizabeth Parisian

Think of powerful, multi-billion dollar corporations, and many come readily to mind. Wal-Mart. General Electric. Exxon Mobil. Bank of America. McDonald's. Apple. We recognize their logos, know what they sell and how to buy it -- or how to not buy it if we choose.

But for all their riches and ubiquity, when it comes to sheer raw power, these high-profile behemoths are eclipsed by a company that most of us have never heard of.

Meet CME Group. Last fall, Forbes revealed "The Four Companies That Control the 147 Companies That Own Everything," in which contributor Brendan Coffey argues that "the real power to control the world" lies not with the likes of Wal-Mart and Bank of America, but with the select few companies that control the indexes that rank these corporations. CME Group, owner of the Dow Jones Indexes, is one of these four companies, which is why it is important for all of us to get to know this company, how it makes its billions, and how it impacts us all.

Progressive Election Strategy and the Norman Solomon Campaign

Submitted by anonymous on May 7, 2012 - 7:21am

by Jeff Cohen

We can’t devise a successful electoral strategy for “The Left”—meaning the forces of peace, social/economic justice and sustainability—unless we face a simple fact: We’re getting our asses kicked.

For three decades, our country’s politics have moved steadily rightward and become more corporate-dominated. With few exceptions (gay rights, for example), the right wing has been winning on almost every issue. That’s why we have record levels of war-spending, with near record levels of poverty and wealth disparities. Labor is weakened and under attack, while corporate power over government and both major parties keeps increasing. Our earth faces environmental disasters while the mindless “Drill, Baby, Drill” slogan gains popularity. Issues we thought we’d won decades ago—like reproductive rights and separation of church and state—are under constant threat.

There’s an essential reason for this sad state of affairs: Rightwing activists have seized one of the two major parties, the GOP, and used that party to amass power and dominate the terms of debate on most issues since Reagan was elected in 1981.