http://www.opednews.com http://www.opednews.com - OpEdNews.Com Progressive, Tough Liberal News and Opinion en-us Copyright 2009 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:15:58 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.opednews.com/images/rss_news.gif http://www.opednews.com/populum/archives.php 144 16 http://www.opednews.com/articles/Dept-of-State-Spokesman-A-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090704-166.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Dept-of-State-Spokesman-A-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090704-166.html [Dept of State Spokesman Ian Kelly was asked about the capture of the humanitarian ship "Spirit of Humanity", and about former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who is now in an Israeli prison. In his Daily Press Briefing for July 1, upon being asked about the capture of the ship and the detainment of those aboard, Mr. Kelly says he doesn't really know and will have to refer the questioner to the government of Israel. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Declaration-of-Indictment-by-David-Swanson-090704-381.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Declaration-of-Indictment-by-David-Swanson-090704-381.html [It is the Right of the People to demand the prosecution of the criminals and to refuse subservience to that Government until this Demand is met, and thereby to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Truther-s-Take-on-Sarah-by-America-20xy-090703-986.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Truther-s-Take-on-Sarah-by-America-20xy-090703-986.html [Two points for truthers and real conservatives not caught up in the make believe left/right paradigm to take note in regards to Sarah Palin.. http://www.opednews.com/articles/South-Africa-Woolworth-s-R-by-Stephen-Fox-090702-433.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/South-Africa-Woolworth-s-R-by-Stephen-Fox-090702-433.html [Woolworths, South Africa, removes aspartame, MSG, tartrazine, and trans fats from its own-brand foods http://www.opednews.com/articles/Statement-on-Human-Rights-by-John-Miller-090701-590.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Statement-on-Human-Rights-by-John-Miller-090701-590.html [As Indonesia prepares for its second direct presidential election on July 8th, the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) and the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) together urge the Indonesian government, its citizens, and the international community to highlight past human rights violations and to push the next Indonesian administration to end impunity for human rights violators. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Healthcare-Reform-If-you-by-Ed-Tubbs-090703-680.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Healthcare-Reform-If-you-by-Ed-Tubbs-090703-680.html [First of all must come anger that is justified, and the implied threat that that anger might turn to uncontrolled rage. Absent that anger and rage, nothing good will happen. Nothing good ever has. http://www.opednews.com/articles/What-s-in-YOUR-Wallet-by-Mary-Pitt-090704-149.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/What-s-in-YOUR-Wallet-by-Mary-Pitt-090704-149.html [With the news of the banking bailout fresh in my mind, I was not shocked when I was notified by my credit card company that my interest rate was going to go up. Thinking ahead, I was prepared to obtain the money elsewhere and to pay it off when the change was made. Now it seems not to be quite so simple. http://www.opednews.com/articles/President-Obama-My-Respon-by-Linda-Milazzo-090704-10.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/President-Obama-My-Respon-by-Linda-Milazzo-090704-10.html [I ask the President to stand with us to end our government's collusion with war profiteers who create weapons of destruction and fill their coffers with OUR MONEY. I ask the President to replace the obscenity of war with the audacity of peace. I ask the President to stand with us to put public interest above corporate greed, and to put our health above all else. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Former-POTUS-candidate-cel-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090704-571.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Former-POTUS-candidate-cel-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090704-571.html [Former Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney remains in an Israeli prison after the humanitarian aid vessel she was a passenger on was captured by Israeli Occupation Forces. If this kind of naval piracy involving another POTUS candidate had happened in Somalia, or North Korea, or Iran, one expects that there would have been a frenzied response, rather than deafening silence. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ethnic-Cleansing-as-a-Stat-by-Nicola-Nasser-090702-31.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ethnic-Cleansing-as-a-Stat-by-Nicola-Nasser-090702-31.html [Netanyahu demanded that the "Palestinian population," and not the Palestinian people -- who live "in Judea and Samaria," and not in the Israeli - occupied Palestinian territory -- should first agree to a "public, binding and unequivocal" recognition that Israel is "the nation state of the Jewish people" worldwide http://www.opednews.com/articles/Canada-Mexico-Have-No-Sta-by-R-CALF-USA-090702-254.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Canada-Mexico-Have-No-Sta-by-R-CALF-USA-090702-254.html [R-CALF USA has filed formal comments with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to emphasize that the group believes it is fundamentally contrary to the U.S. Constitution for USTR to agree that foreign governments - specifically Canada and Mexico - have any standing whatsoever to bring a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against our constitutionally passed mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Virologist-to-make-his-cas-by-Peter-Duveen-090630-103.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Virologist-to-make-his-cas-by-Peter-Duveen-090630-103.html [Dr. Adrian Gibbs, after having alerted the World Health Organization that the new swine flu circling the globe may have emerged from a laboratory, has submitted a paper defending his position to a scientific journal. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-US-Dollar-will-remain-by-asj-090702-116.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-US-Dollar-will-remain-by-asj-090702-116.html [Interesting piece on the future of the US Dollar as a world reserve currency... http://www.opednews.com/articles/Timor-Leste-Polls-to-be-Su-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-158.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Timor-Leste-Polls-to-be-Su-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-158.html [Volunteers are heading to Timor-Leste to help the fledgling nation's upcoming local elections. The first batch of the 62 international volunteers arrived last week, with the next two groups scheduled to reach Timor-Leste this month. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Niger-s-Continuing-Crisis-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-614.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Niger-s-Continuing-Crisis-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-614.html [United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced deep concern about Niger's continuing political and constitutional crisis, warning that it threatens to destabilize the country and undermine recent progress towards democratic governance and the rule of law. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mr-President-You-Needs-You-by-Emmanuel-D-Tayari-090702-42.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mr-President-You-Needs-You-by-Emmanuel-D-Tayari-090702-42.html [Tanzania Development Issues http://www.opednews.com/articles/Editorial-Policies-by-Ian-Johnson-090703-496.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Editorial-Policies-by-Ian-Johnson-090703-496.html [BLUNT by Knutz http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Nation-of-Rebels-Celebra-by-Kevin-Gosztola-090703-355.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Nation-of-Rebels-Celebra-by-Kevin-Gosztola-090703-355.html [I find there is no better way to mark Independence Day than to honor those who currently carry on the American tradition of agitation, struggle, and rebellion. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Declare-dog-Independence-D-by-PETA-090702-795.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Declare-dog-Independence-D-by-PETA-090702-795.html [From Chesapeake Bay retrievers to Boston terriers to Alaskan malamutes, millions of dogs in the U.S. live their entire lives in chains. This Fourth of July, before we slice the watermelon and light the sparklers, let's make it a true Independence Day for everyone-by urging friends and neighbors to unchain their dogs. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Can-Mr-Ban-Ki-moon-cope-w-by-Zin-Linn-090702-68.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Can-Mr-Ban-Ki-moon-cope-w-by-Zin-Linn-090702-68.html [The UN, the EU and the ASEAN ought to collaborate to convince China to cooperate in finding a solution for crisis in Burma. Regional players should urge the military regime to abandon its recalcitrant and counter-intuitive anti-dialogue policies in the interests of dialogue and reconciliation. http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Looming-War-on-Blogger-by-Kevin-Gosztola-090701-647.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Looming-War-on-Blogger-by-Kevin-Gosztola-090701-647.html [Those who run the gigantic news corporations, the accredited news organizations, those who are members of the press gaggle that far too often choose access over practicing investigative journalism---Those who control and work in the media with which we get the majority of our information on news and current events from are seeking to prevent the rise of bloggers in this nation. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Fidel-Castro-My-Life-cha-by-John-Little-090701-490.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Fidel-Castro-My-Life-cha-by-John-Little-090701-490.html [A Book Review of Fidel Castro, My Life: Chapter 12 - The Bay of Pigs. The US invasion of Cuba from the Cuban perspective. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Iraq-Bush-I-and-BN-and-B-by-Stephen-Pizzo-090704-49.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Iraq-Bush-I-and-BN-and-B-by-Stephen-Pizzo-090704-49.html [I wrote the story that appears below a decade and half ago. Why am I reposting it here, now? It has to with those pesky non-existent WMD and what the George H. Bush administration knew and what they did about it. And, since they knew a lot, if what they told sonny, W. Bush, when as he greased up the wheels of war. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Senate-Contemplates-Cosmet-by-Paula-Sayles-090701-341.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Senate-Contemplates-Cosmet-by-Paula-Sayles-090701-341.html [The "changes" being discussed in the debate on health care are cosmetic at best and could make things worse instead of better. http://www.opednews.com/articles/More-on-Akwesasne-Mohawk-P-by-Grant-Lawrence-090702-875.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/More-on-Akwesasne-Mohawk-P-by-Grant-Lawrence-090702-875.html [The Mohawk people and their numerous supporters should be applauded for standing up for peace, in the spirit of the Great Peacemaker and according to their constitution, the Kaianereh'ko:wa/Great Law. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Freedom-Isn-t-Free--We-St-by-Mary-Lyon-090704-456.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Freedom-Isn-t-Free--We-St-by-Mary-Lyon-090704-456.html [For Sarah Palin, saying "good-bye" means never having to say you're really leaving. http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Categorical-Value-of-S-by-Ben-Dench-090704-190.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Categorical-Value-of-S-by-Ben-Dench-090704-190.html [What does suffering always provide us with? http://www.opednews.com/articles/Venezuela--Iran-Whither-by-Eric-Walberg-090701-204.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Venezuela--Iran-Whither-by-Eric-Walberg-090701-204.html [June was a busy month for two of Washington's real 'Axis of Evil'. Venezuela's Chavez completed his nationalisation of oil and Iran's Ahmedinejad stemmed a Western-backed colour revolution, leaving both bad boys in place. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Madoff-Fall-Guy-or-First-by-Eric-Lotke-090701-564.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Madoff-Fall-Guy-or-First-by-Eric-Lotke-090701-564.html [Bernard Madoff has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for one of the biggest investment frauds in Wall Street history. But there is no closure here. We can't let Madoff's sentence distract us from the underlying problems. This isn't just about Madoff. This is about the system in which Madoff's scam took place. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Torture-on-the-4th-of-July-by-Lawrence-Gist-090703-503.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Torture-on-the-4th-of-July-by-Lawrence-Gist-090703-503.html [As a patriot who fought and sacrificed for our country, I ask all Americans to stand up for what is civil, humane and right. If we don't demand accountability for the crimes that were committed in our name, then we as a nation will have effectively institutionalized the torture of the last eight years. Let's keep the promise for ourselves and all humanity, the promise that is our United States of America. Phillip Butler (POW) http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Fourth-of-July-by-Mark-Nease-090703-423.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Fourth-of-July-by-Mark-Nease-090703-423.html [A comment on nationalism in common meter. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Give-Us-Your-Huddled-Masse-by-William-Fisher-090704-286.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Give-Us-Your-Huddled-Masse-by-William-Fisher-090704-286.html [A job for Obama's new Domestic Violence Czarina! http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-and-Pre-Emptive-Cap-by-Herbert-Calhoun-090702-616.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-and-Pre-Emptive-Cap-by-Herbert-Calhoun-090702-616.html [This is a polemic against the "weak-kneed" approach to progressive policies by "team Obama." His approach of "preemptive capitulation" will not cut it. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Photo-Essay-Thoughts-for-by-Mac-McKinney-090703-434.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Photo-Essay-Thoughts-for-by-Mac-McKinney-090703-434.html [With 2 wars going, let us look at some people who feel very strongly that war in general is not only wrong but horribly threatening and destructive to all sentient life on the planet, particularly at this stage in the planet's evolution, where resources for survival are dwindling and social problems magnifying exponentially. Let us look at people who not only talk the talk about a peaceful world, but walk the walk to create it http://www.opednews.com/articles/It-s-Our-Government--Let-by-Allen-L-Roland-090704-720.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/It-s-Our-Government--Let-by-Allen-L-Roland-090704-720.html [John Adams, one of our founding fathers, warned us of government for the few or entitled ~ and that the people alone have the right to claim a government instituted for the common good : Allen L Roland http://www.opednews.com/articles/North-American-Integration-by-Dana-Gabriel-090702-167.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/North-American-Integration-by-Dana-Gabriel-090702-167.html [North American integration is a deep-rooted agenda that continues on many different fronts. This has not changed under an Obama administration. The fifth annual North American Leaders Summit is set to take place August 8-11 in Mexico. This could be used as an opportunity to revive stalled SPP measures and launch a new strategy that would further build off past continental integration initiatives. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Iran-Why-the-West-Should-by-Rakesh-Krishnan-Si-090702-582.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Iran-Why-the-West-Should-by-Rakesh-Krishnan-Si-090702-582.html [The shallow media coverage of the happenings in Iran is typical of the West's knee-jerk reaction to events in Iran http://www.opednews.com/articles/Questioning-The-Ethical-Le-by-Brian-McAfee-090702-399.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Questioning-The-Ethical-Le-by-Brian-McAfee-090702-399.html [Changes in course in South Asia are needed. A humanistic based foreign policy and honesty about the past is in order. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Coming-Home-from-War-is-No-by-Paul-Rieckhoff-090704-107.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Coming-Home-from-War-is-No-by-Paul-Rieckhoff-090704-107.html [Ironically, for veterans, the Fourth of July can be a difficult holiday to celebrate. With every uniform that marches by in parades, we remember our friends that did not make it home. The sounds of fireworks remind us of incoming mortar rounds. And as large crowds gather to celebrate America's birthday, we sometimes find ourselves scanning the masses for potential danger. http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Nation-on-the-Brink--Me-by-Michael-Collins-090704-718.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Nation-on-the-Brink--Me-by-Michael-Collins-090704-718.html [Mexico approaches this election confronting the rise of a narcostate, growing economic chaos, social inequalities, citizen disenchantment--or worse ... Michael Collins and KennethThomas reort. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Petition-to-Help-the-Termi-by-Scott-Baker-090704-39.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Petition-to-Help-the-Termi-by-Scott-Baker-090704-39.html [To balance its budget, fund its obligations and keep from having to raise taxes, California should follow the model of North Dakota and Charter its own state bank. Sign the Petition to Save California! http://www.opednews.com/articles/Celebrity-Politics-The-Pol-by-Jill-Jackson-090704-129.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Celebrity-Politics-The-Pol-by-Jill-Jackson-090704-129.html [Politicians usually remember their lines but forget their role. http://www.opednews.com/articles/International-Human-Rights-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-270.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/International-Human-Rights-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-270.html [Congressperson Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL) was elected Vice-Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. Rep. Aderholt's voting record is generally conservative and concerns are being raised that his ideological basis will be in conflict with a more progressive agenda advocated by many within the human rights community. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Honduras-Coup-Condemned-Hu-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-88.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Honduras-Coup-Condemned-Hu-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-88.html [Calling for the immediate restoring of democracy in Honduras and the lifting of curbs on fundamental freedoms, today four independent United Nations human rights experts voiced serious concern over the situation in Honduras following last weekend's coup d'-tat. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Alternative-Health-Practic-by-stephy-graph-090702-80.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Alternative-Health-Practic-by-stephy-graph-090702-80.html [Yoga is the foremost method in alternative health. This comes in a form of physical exercise, meditation, concentration and spiritual healing. Yoga opens an avenue to improve the way we look at life in general. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tennessee-s-Law-Allowing-G-by-Grant-Lawrence-090702-512.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tennessee-s-Law-Allowing-G-by-Grant-Lawrence-090702-512.html [Tennessee must know that a lot of shootings occur at home and maybe this is the government's way of trying to slow the rate of domestic shootings and violence. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Take-Action-React-to-Tea-by-Tommy-News-090702-40.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Take-Action-React-to-Tea-by-Tommy-News-090702-40.html [Progressives Should React to "Tea Parties" by having E.A.T. Equality And Tolerance Parties http://www.opednews.com/articles/REPORTING-FROM-HONDURAS-N-by-Medea-Benjamin-090704-96.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/REPORTING-FROM-HONDURAS-N-by-Medea-Benjamin-090704-96.html [The Honduran people should have the right to know what their new leaders, in the name of democracy, are doing to destroy the very basic foundations of a democratic system-a free press. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Happy-Co-Dependence-Day-by-Reynard-Loki-090703-267.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Happy-Co-Dependence-Day-by-Reynard-Loki-090703-267.html [As Americans head to the grill to celebrate July 4th, it's a perfect time to ponder another kind of freedom -- the gastronomic kind. http://www.opednews.com/articles/First-ever-union-contract-by-John-Wojcik-090703-883.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/First-ever-union-contract-by-John-Wojcik-090703-883.html [More than 5,000 workers at the world's largest pork processing plant, Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, N.C., approved their first-ever union contract in voting that ended Thursday. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Sarah-Who-by-Philosopher-Jay-090703-246.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Sarah-Who-by-Philosopher-Jay-090703-246.html [Is Sarah Palin really the Messiah candidate that the conservative Republicans have been hoping for since Ronnie? Her short political track record from 2002-2009, gives no indication that she is. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tragedy-In-HealthCare-Refo-by-Mark-Green-090703-786.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tragedy-In-HealthCare-Refo-by-Mark-Green-090703-786.html [One of the few things more dysfunctional than our current healthcare delivery system is our Congress in trying to fix it. With the obvious party politics, conflicts of interest, lobbyists' influence, special interest complaints, preconceived notions, misinformation, personal financial considerations, and a lack of understanding of the topics at hand, they continue to propose one poor idea after another http://www.opednews.com/articles/Have-You-or-a-Loved-One-Be-by-Scott-Baker-090703-960.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Have-You-or-a-Loved-One-Be-by-Scott-Baker-090703-960.html [Citizens' group Ohio Election Justice Campaign (OEJC) invites all citizens denied or hindered in voting in any Ohio election from 2004 onwards to join class action lawsuit to seek truth, justice, and monetary damages. Ohio Election Justice Campaign points to alleged election fraud cover-up between Ohio politicians and local attorneys as prompting citizen class action. Act now as urgent legal deadline expires soon. http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Invitation-The-Federal-R-by-Press-Release-090703-936.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Invitation-The-Federal-R-by-Press-Release-090703-936.html [Our special guest will be Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a longtime advocate for greater transparency in the central banking body. Sen. Sanders will open the event at 9:30 a.m. with a look at efforts in the Senate to open the Fed's books. http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Vegetaran-Alternative-to-by-Kenneth-Briggs-090703-511.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Vegetaran-Alternative-to-by-Kenneth-Briggs-090703-511.html [This recipe is a low-fat, vegetarian alternative to grilled hambergers http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Daily-Voting-News-for-Ju-by-Ellen-Theisen-090703-332.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Daily-Voting-News-for-Ju-by-Ellen-Theisen-090703-332.html ['Daily Voting News' for July 2-3, 2009 http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Not-So-Glorious-Fourth-by-Chris-Satullo-090703-827.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Not-So-Glorious-Fourth-by-Chris-Satullo-090703-827.html [US atrocities are unworthy of our heritage. This courageous op-ed was published in the Phila Inquirer a year ago. It is more true today, because we now have a bipartisan precedent for some of the worst outrages of the Bush Administration: ongoing torture, wars of aggression, and an imperial presidency http://www.opednews.com/articles/Viva-Palestina-to-lead-lar-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090703-616.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Viva-Palestina-to-lead-lar-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090703-616.html [British anti-war MP George Galloway is to fly out on Saturday 4th July, American independence day, from JFK airport in New York with the first of a group of hundreds of US citizens who are to form the largest ever aid convoy to head into Gaza. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Christian-Atrocities-Huma-by-Ben-Dench-090703-517.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Christian-Atrocities-Huma-by-Ben-Dench-090703-517.html [Have Christian atrocities been the result of individuals corrupting "God's message" or "God's message" corrupting individuals? http://www.opednews.com/articles/Eager-to-Tap-Iraq-s-Vast-O-by-Jason-Leopold-090703-616.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Eager-to-Tap-Iraq-s-Vast-O-by-Jason-Leopold-090703-616.html [Two years before the invasion of Iraq, oil executives and foreign policy advisers told the Bush administration that the United States would remain "a prisoner of its energy dilemma" as long as Saddam Hussein was in power. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ending-Tensions-Between-Gh-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-199.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ending-Tensions-Between-Gh-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-199.html [United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that he welcomed the agreement reached by the Gambia and Ghana to end tensions that emerged after the deaths and disappearances of Ghanaian nationals on Gambian territory in 2005. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Sarah-Palin-Resigning-as-A-by-Shannyn-Moore-090703-341.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Sarah-Palin-Resigning-as-A-by-Shannyn-Moore-090703-341.html [Palin announced she's resigning. Shannyn predicts, on her facebook page, "There is way more to this story. Think about it...something is about to break on her." http://www.opednews.com/articles/Iraq-Called-Upon-to-Remove-by-Lawrence-Gist-090701-234.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Iraq-Called-Upon-to-Remove-by-Lawrence-Gist-090701-234.html [United Nations report calls upon Iraq for greater efforts to ensure a safe environment for the population and warning that the country may be unable to meet its obligations under an international treaty to rid the country of the deadly scourge of anti-personnel land mines. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Dear-Mr-President-Thanks-by-James-Raider-090701-729.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Dear-Mr-President-Thanks-by-James-Raider-090701-729.html [We note that some of our other friends on Wall Street are very preoccupied, as we write this letter, coming up with new and extremely creative financial tools which they expect to launch upon the Bill's passing. They look forward to a whole new set of opportunities opening up for them, replacing the ones eclipsed by the http://www.opednews.com/articles/Concealed-Vote-Counting-an-by-Scott-Baker-090703-713.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Concealed-Vote-Counting-an-by-Scott-Baker-090703-713.html [ERMA'S Post-Election Verification Procedures are a Pretense That Requires Voters to Blindly Accept the Computer's Unknowable and Possibly False Results, replaces our existing transparent electoral system with a concealed vote counting process, precluding the possibility for public oversight; thereby nullifying our consent. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tampa-FL--UnitedHealth-t-by-James-Dunham-090702-187.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Tampa-FL--UnitedHealth-t-by-James-Dunham-090702-187.html [The health insurance industry is secretly planning to merge with the funeral parlor industry, creating one of the largest "from cradle-to-grave" services in the nation. UnitedHealthGoop announced "it will be there for you, making choices, choosing your doctors, deciding on your medical care decisions, and denying you coverage and care whenever you are in denial". "We want to help, in life, death and beyond", United said. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mark-Sanford-s-Dilemma-and-by-Andrew-Bard-Schmoo-090703-13.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mark-Sanford-s-Dilemma-and-by-Andrew-Bard-Schmoo-090703-13.html [The topic of this installment is the apparent inadequacy of how Mark Sanford's conservative Christian spiritual advisors see his situation. (The previous, first installment was about the importance of what Mark Sanford seems to have discovered in his extra-marital love relationship.) http://www.opednews.com/articles/It-s-Silly-Season-For-Wife-by-Allen-L-Roland-090703-226.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/It-s-Silly-Season-For-Wife-by-Allen-L-Roland-090703-226.html [It's obviously silly season for wife cheating politicians and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford heads the distinguished list which includes both Democrats and Republicans but it's really all about power ~ the absolute aphrodisiac: Allen L Roland http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-We-Need-A-New-Constitu-by-Barry-Krusch-090701-573.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Why-We-Need-A-New-Constitu-by-Barry-Krusch-090701-573.html [Part 7 of a series on why the constitution requires extensive revision. http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Cheating-of-Don-Siegel-by-Roger-Shuler-090703-254.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Cheating-of-Don-Siegel-by-Roger-Shuler-090703-254.html [Was there sufficient evidence for a bribery conviction in the Don Siegelman case? No, not even close. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Bush-Cheney-Linked-to-CIA-by-Jason-Leopold-090703-731.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Bush-Cheney-Linked-to-CIA-by-Jason-Leopold-090703-731.html [..filing in a federal court case also makes clear that Cheney was at the center of White Housemachinations rebutting criticism from former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who charged in summer 2003 that the Bush administration had "twisted"- intelligence to justify invading Iraq in March 2003. While seeking to discredit Wilson, administration officials disclosed to reporters that Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, worked for the CIA http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Plan-to-End-the-Wars-by-David-Swanson-090703-965.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Plan-to-End-the-Wars-by-David-Swanson-090703-965.html [In my analysis, we should be focusing on three things, which for purposes of brevity and alliteration I will call: Communications, Congress, and Counter recruitment / resistance. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Congressional-hearing-look-by-Joe-Sims-090703-993.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Congressional-hearing-look-by-Joe-Sims-090703-993.html [An epic legal showdown between Wells Fargo bank and the city of Baltimore will occur on Monday July 6 in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg. The city of Baltimore is suing the bank for engaging in deliberate predatory lending practices that targeted Black and Latino consumers. Judge Legg will decide on whether the case can go forward. http://www.opednews.com/articles/WORLD-INTERDEPENDENCE-DAY-by-Bob-Williamson-090702-997.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/WORLD-INTERDEPENDENCE-DAY-by-Bob-Williamson-090702-997.html [The Greenhouse Neutral Foundation declares July 5th is World Interdependence Day http://www.opednews.com/articles/Progress-in-West-Africa-Re-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-536.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Progress-in-West-Africa-Re-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-536.html [while West Africa has witnessed some positive trends recently, including the holding of peaceful elections, progress in the region remains fragile and faces a number of threats. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Another-Revision-of-the-R-by-Philosopher-Jay-090702-336.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Another-Revision-of-the-R-by-Philosopher-Jay-090702-336.html [Selective excerpts from F.B.I. interviews of Saddam Hussein suggest that he mislead people by pretending that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. This conflicts with the actual historical facts that he declared over and over again that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ahmadinejad-s-victory-sa-by-Niloufar-Parsi-090702-53.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ahmadinejad-s-victory-sa-by-Niloufar-Parsi-090702-53.html [The Islamic Republic needs to seize the moment to respond to Iranians and the wider world before it traps itself into becoming the Islamic Republic of the Revolutionary Guards of Iran, an isolated military dictatorship akin to North Korea or Myanmar. The latter scenario is unfortunately looking more likely at the moment. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-Has-No-Legal-Authori-by-Sherwood-Ross-090703-233.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-Has-No-Legal-Authori-by-Sherwood-Ross-090703-233.html [An authority on international law says President Obama has no authority either from Congress or the United Nations to step up the war in Afghanistan and is creating a humanitarian catastrophe in Pakistan as well. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Where-Are-the-Jobs-by-Bob-Burnett-090703-102.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Where-Are-the-Jobs-by-Bob-Burnett-090703-102.html [14.7 million people are unemployed in the United States, 9.5 percent of the workforce. While there are a few signs of economic recovery, employment isn't one of them. The Obama Administration must address the jobs' crisis. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Reviewing-Marjorie-Cohn-an-by-Stephen-Lendman-090703-810.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Reviewing-Marjorie-Cohn-an-by-Stephen-Lendman-090703-810.html [Right of GIs to refuse to participate in illegal wars. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Citizens-for-an-Educated-a-by-Peter-O-Lalor-090701-51.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Citizens-for-an-Educated-a-by-Peter-O-Lalor-090701-51.html [Citizens for an Educated and Democratic Republic - CEDR. has been established to provide a voice for student loan and educational reform. http://www.opednews.com/articles/United-Nations-Security-Co-by-Lawrence-Gist-090630-861.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/United-Nations-Security-Co-by-Lawrence-Gist-090630-861.html [The United Nations Security Council is meeting today to address the Secretary-General's report of the on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. http://www.opednews.com/articles/RE-Hypocritical-Repugnica-by-David-Gray-090701-611.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/RE-Hypocritical-Repugnica-by-David-Gray-090701-611.html [Hypocritical Republicans owe William Jefferson Clinton an Apology. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Israeli-Embassy-Correspond-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090703-873.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Israeli-Embassy-Correspond-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090703-873.html [On June 30, Israeli Occupation Forces captured the Free Gaza boat, Spirit of Humanity, with 21 human rights workers aboard, including Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Intriguing correspondance between the former chairperson of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Press Officer, Israeli Embassy, Dublin, illuminates the feelings behind the conflict. http://www.opednews.com/articles/North-Korea-and-Iranian-Nu-by-Steven-Leser-090703-513.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/North-Korea-and-Iranian-Nu-by-Steven-Leser-090703-513.html [The North Korean threat dematerializes, Iran is unfairly compared and two Republican Governors. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Howard-Kurtz-s-wasted-oppo-by-Jamison-Foser-090703-744.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Howard-Kurtz-s-wasted-oppo-by-Jamison-Foser-090703-744.html [What is really bothersome about Kurtz is that he so often gives the impression that he simply lacks the competence to critique the media. He frequently seems to overlook the obvious -- and when it is pointed out to him, it sails right over his head. http://www.opednews.com/articles/FBI-Ignored-Bush-Hussein-T-by-Robert-Parry-090703-835.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/FBI-Ignored-Bush-Hussein-T-by-Robert-Parry-090703-835.html [The Bush team never ceased playing games with information, the CIA released the so-called Duelfer report in 2004, acknowledging that the administration's pre-invasion assertions about Hussein hiding WMD stockpiles were "almost all wrong." http://www.opednews.com/articles/Watchdog-Group-Obtains-Mor-by-Jason-Leopold-090702-906.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Watchdog-Group-Obtains-Mor-by-Jason-Leopold-090702-906.html [The government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released additional documents Thursday related to the organization's long-running lawsuit over the "disappearance" of as many as 15 million Bush administration e-mails. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Indonesia-President-SBY-Co-by-John-Miller-090630-564.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Indonesia-President-SBY-Co-by-John-Miller-090630-564.html [Previously secret U.S. State Department documents implicate the President of Indonesia in a probable cover-up of an ambush in West Papua. The documents show Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is running for reelection on July 8, maneuvering behind the scenes to manage the investigation into the August 2002 murder of three teachers - one Indonesian and two U.S. citizens. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Waking-from-Madison-s-Nigh-by-David-Swanson-090702-345.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Waking-from-Madison-s-Nigh-by-David-Swanson-090702-345.html [The book I just read is in the running, in my estimation, for second-best text on how to undo the imperial presidency. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Our-Nation-has-a-Great-Dea-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-806.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Our-Nation-has-a-Great-Dea-by-Lawrence-Gist-090702-806.html [United States Naval Academy graduate, 8 years POW, and Veterans for Peace member, Dr. Phillip Butler, said today that "civil liberties and human rights organizations around the country are calling for accountability for torture. I'm amazed and profoundly disappointed that this has apparently become necessary in our country." http://www.opednews.com/articles/Alex-Sanchez-Denied-Bail-by-Tom-Hayden-090702-53.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Alex-Sanchez-Denied-Bail-by-Tom-Hayden-090702-53.html [A federal magistrate yesterday denied Alex Sanchez bail in his gang conspiracy trial as expected, but the prosecution entered a surprisingly "weak" case, according to defense counsel. The indictment of Alex Sanchez, a revered gangbanger-turned-peacemaker, raises doubts about the LAPD and whether it should be released from a federal court order. A federal magistrate denied Alex Sanchez bail in his gang conspiracy trial, but http://www.opednews.com/articles/Pecora-Commission-II-Supe-by-Dean-Baker-090702-88.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Pecora-Commission-II-Supe-by-Dean-Baker-090702-88.html [Not only did the committee confuse the public...it also undermined efforts to bring the Iran-Contra criminals to justice. Going against the wishes of Lawrence Walsh, the special prosecutor appointed to deal with the case, the committee gave most of the key figures immunity for their public testimony. This time, the basic story of the current crisis is very simple. We had an $8 trillion housing bubble as prices hugely diverged http://www.opednews.com/articles/FBI-Ignored-Bush-Hussein-T-by-Robert-Parry-090702-669.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/FBI-Ignored-Bush-Hussein-T-by-Robert-Parry-090702-669.html [While President George W. Bush and many of his supporters were thrilled with the execution "" what the New York Times called Bush's "triumphal bookend"- to the Iraq invasion "" the hanging was not just rough justice meted out to a harsh dictator. It also snuffed out a dangerous witness who could have implicated senior Republicans, including Bush's father. http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-New-Hope-Of-Life-For-Our-by-Shobha-Shukla--Ci-090629-175.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-New-Hope-Of-Life-For-Our-by-Shobha-Shukla--Ci-090629-175.html [Reforms need to begin at the lowest rung of ladder, viz. the primary level. It is at this stage that the child needs to be free from stress and the monster that a teacher/school is made out to be. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Is-Artur-Davis-Selling-Out-by-Roger-Shuler-090702-298.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Is-Artur-Davis-Selling-Out-by-Roger-Shuler-090702-298.html [Alabama Congressman Artur Davis reportedly is consulting two Republicans about the nominee for a U.S. attorney post. This could lead to the re-appointment of Leura Canary, the prosecutor in the Don Siegelman case. Will Davis heap embarrassment on the Obama administration, just to further his own bid for Alabama governor? http://www.opednews.com/articles/Capricorn-Full-Moon-Eclips-by-Cathy-Lynn-Pagano-090702-686.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Capricorn-Full-Moon-Eclips-by-Cathy-Lynn-Pagano-090702-686.html [Eclipses mark endings and beginnings, and you're probably working out some issue that needs to be resolved so that you can get on with your life. It's a good time to eliminate anything that no longer serves your vision of life. That includes finances, relationships, jobs or belief systems. The patriarchy is dead - it just doesn't realize it yet. http://www.opednews.com/articles/MSPB-Ruling-Guts-Whistlebl-by-Tom-Devine-090702-81.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/MSPB-Ruling-Guts-Whistlebl-by-Tom-Devine-090702-81.html [The government is taking a crazy quilt approach to whistleblower protection. While there is bipartisan support for whistleblowers, whistleblowers are being gutted in the back room. We call for a uniform approach to protect all whistleblowers, who in turn protect the public, citizens, taxpayers, and the safety and security of the nation. http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Ray-of-Light-Obama-Chan-by-Mike-Cassidy-Esq-090702-883.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Ray-of-Light-Obama-Chan-by-Mike-Cassidy-Esq-090702-883.html [We have had some bad news for whistleblowers in the last few weeks. The Whistleblower Protection Act is dead. But, there are myriad laws to protect whistleblowers, and to protect taxpayers. One ray of sunlight is the reform signed by President Obama to enhance the Federal False Claims Act (FCA) http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ireland-Calls-for-Release-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090702-694.html http://www.opednews.com/articles/Ireland-Calls-for-Release-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-090702-694.html [Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister called for the release of Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and another Irish national currently detained in Israel following the seizure of the Free Gaza boat, Spirit of Humanity.