USA

This entry is an invitation to more knowledgeable folks (Rob for example) for an explanation of current U.S. economics. I have read a number of reports over the past year, including a few found here, that the greenback is bound for a dramatic nosedive in the near future. Well, we have definitely seen a downward trend as of late but no uber crash as of yet. Such reports that have found their way to my inbox, have been increasing in the past few weeks. It seems that an ever increasing number of 'experts' are cautioning us for the worst. For example, Gerald Celente's take in Christopher Ketcham's, Trends for Downsizing the US: The Bright Side of the Panic of ‘08:  read more »

Documentary Film-maker Robert Greenwald orchestrated a group of homeless American veterans to confront Fox News and Bill O'Rielly. Mr. O'Rielly has made the claim on his show that there are no homeless vets in the US. So being proof of this lie, the homeless vets decended upon Fox News, with crews from NBC and other media outlets, to talk to Bill and deliver him a petition (signed by numerous homeless vets demanding an apology) but, of course, were denied entry. [see below]

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From StudioBendib

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A related article -

John Ross at Counterpunch - "Zero Hour: NAFTA and Mexico's Agrarian Apocalypse"
(I haven't read all of it.)

Toban
 (http://tobanblack.net/blog/)

Simply the most hilarious satire I've ever seen. Colbert is a genius. Click on the image. I love the new character - I hope he continues to utilize his extensive comedic talent.

Great Interview with Mike Gravel. I like this statment (paraphrased):

Obama is the most dangerous [of the candidates].... He raises the greatest expectations of the youth ...[which will] create a whole new generation of cynics.

 Really makes me think. Obama appears to be better than the next guy, but it's hard to ignore the facts.  read more »

In the Democratic Iowan Primary, and in that order.

Considering that I'd vote for Kuccinich, if I were an Iowan Democrat, and that he told people to vote for Obama I'm beginning to wonder if Barack might be the man for the job, as president of the Empire.

Aderica, the land of madison avenue, hollywood and the industrial complexes, seems to be tipping towards progressive politics, at least in the Democractic side of the primaries. Obama, a man who has accepted money from corporations, even though he's stating that 'he hasn't accepted any lobbyist money' and that he's campaining for the grassroots, won the primary in Iowa. Interestingly, Edwards, the anti-corporate candidate, came in second, and then came Washington insider, Hillary.  read more »

 

So apparently they are attempting to develop a vaccine to treat cocaine addiction.. should be interesting... 

This is an excerpt from the article on CBC News:

"For people who have a desire to stop using, the vaccine should be very useful," said Dr. Tom Kosten, a psychiatry professor at Baylor College of Medicine who is being assisted in the research by his wife, Therese, a psychologist and neuroscientist. "At some point, most users will give in to temptation and relapse, but those for whom the vaccine is effective won't get high and will lose interest."  read more »

This ones for matti:

A Gulfstream II jet that crash landed in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in late September bearing a load of nearly four tons of cocaine. This particular Gulfstream II (tail number N987SA), was used between 2003 and 2005 by the CIA for at least three trips between the U.S. east coast and Guantanamo Bay — home to the infamous “terrorist” prison camp — according to a number of press reports.   read more »

Here's an excellent and relatively current video on the state of the US dollar.  It includes an interview with Paul Craig Roberts (Reaganite, critic of Iraq war, economist, etc), who quite elegantly makes an analogy to the fall of Rome.  It is a far easier way of looking at this topic than reading economics texts.  Part 1  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54MUm2P1jOU Part 2   read more »

It's gotten rough in New Orleans:

From CBC:

"Police in New Orleans used chemical spray and stun guns Thursday as dozens of protesters tried to force their way into a packed city council chamber during a debate on the planned demolition of some 4,500 public housing units.

One woman was sprayed with chemicals and dragged from the gates."

For more context look here:

"In New Orleans, protests have been taking place for weeks to block the demolition of 4,500 units of public housing. Jacquie Soohen and Rick Rowley of Big Noise Films file a report from the streets of New Orleans." (democracynow.org)  read more »