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Peace in the Pentagon
By David Swanson
I'm a huge fan of peace studies as an academic discipline that should be spread into every corner of what we call, with sometimes unclear justification, our education system. But often peace studies, like other disciplines, manages to study only those far from home, and to study them with a certain bias.
I recently read a book promoting the sophisticated skills of trained negotiators and suggesting that if such people, conversant in the ways of emotional understanding, would take over the Palestine "peace process" from the aging politicians, then ... well, basically, then Palestinians would agree to surrender their land and rights without so much fuss. Great truths about negotiation skills only go so far if the goal of the negotiation is injustice based on misunderstanding of the facts on the ground.
Beltway Bandit Named Senior Obama Adviser
by Stephen Lendman
On December 11, Obama named John Podesta senior "counselor to the president." According to the White House, he'll mainly advise on energy, climate, and healthcare issues.
Expect him to heavily involved in others. One of his many tasks will be selling Obamacare.
He's is a longtime Washington insider. In the 1980s, he was legal counsel for various congressional committees.
He once served as former senate majority leader Tom Daschle's chief of staff. He's known as a veteran Washington fixer.
In 1988, he and his brother, Anthony, founded the Podesta Group. It's a Washington-based corporate lobbying/PR company.
It's still operating. Anthony is chairman. Kimberley Fritts is CEO. John Podesta remained a registered lobbyist/hired gun at least into 2006. He currently or previously served on three or more corporate boards.
Chile Will Choose Their New President On Sunday
by Brian McAfee
On Sunday, December 15, Chileans will go to the polls to decide who will represent them as president for the next four years. The favorite, Michelle Bachelet, had served as president from 2006 to 2010 and now has a significant lead over her competitor Evelyn Matthei. Bachelet, representing the Socialist Party, says that she intends to increase corporate taxes and spend more in improving Chile's education system and infrastructure development. Matthei has said she would increase the minimum wage and improve pensions. She also stated her opposition to gay marriage and abortion in a recent debate.
The Iran Sanctions Game
by Stephen Lendman
Iran threatens no one. It's nuclear program is peaceful. Multiple rounds of US-dictated sanctions are illegal.
They target millions of ordinary Iranians. They target Iran's economy. Neocons want stiffer sanctions imposed.
Last July, House members passed more overwhelmingly. The Senate drafted a similar bill. Introducing it was postponed.
US Hawks Want War on Iran
by Stephen Lendman
Neocons infest Washington. Norman Podhoretz is one many loathsome examples. On December 11, he headlined a Wall Street Journal op-ed "Strike Iran Now to Avert Disaster Later."
No respectable editors would touch this trash. Responsible ones would denounce it. Journal editors embrace it. More on this below.
Podhoretz isn't America's only lunatic hawk. Others favor cruise missile diplomacy. In April 2008, a Wall Street Journal editorial headlined "Bush and Iran, Again." It spuriously said Tehran "is contributing to the death of GIs, is arming our enemies in Iraq, and is proceeding to ignore the world by enriching uranium for a nuclear weapon."
Venezuelan v. US Budget Priorities
by Stephen Lendman
Both countries are polar opposites. Bolivarian fairness defines Venezuela. Government of, by and for wealth, power and privilege describes America.
Venezuela treats all its people equitably. America exploits millions of ordinary ones callously. Conditions today are worse than ever in modern times.
Force-fed austerity when vital aid is needed defines the United States of I Don't Care! Wealth and poverty extremes are unprecedented. So are deprivation levels.
The Battle for Ukraine
by Stephen Lendman
Ukraine matters. It's strategically located. It's in Europe's geographic center. It borders seven countries.
In alphabetical order, they include Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Russia. After Western/Central Russia, it's Europe's largest country territorially.
It's resource rich. Zbigniew Brzezinski once said "without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine suborned and then subordinated, Russia automatically becomes an empire."
Congressional Budget Deal Betrayal
by Stephen Lendman
Days ahead of adjourning until January, bipartisan complicity struck a deal no responsible government would accept.
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R. WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D. WA) were involved.
On Tuesday, Obama thanked them for doing so. He asked for swift congressional action "so (he) can sign it into law and our economy can continue growing and creating jobs without more Washington headwinds."
Disturbing Obamacare Surprises
by Stephen Lendman
Consumers are in for many rude surprises. Soon enough they'll know they've been scammed.
A previous article discussed insurers limiting hospital and doctor choices. Doing so cuts costs. Sacrificed is treatment from relied on providers when most needed.
Using their services requires paying costs out-of-pocket. Obama lied claiming:
"If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period," he said.
"If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what."
Obamacare deception is one of many lies he told. Marketplace medicine doesn't work. Obamacare prioritizes corporate profits. It does so at the expense of proper healthcare.
AIPAC Pressure Threatens Iran Nuclear Deal
by Stephen Lendman
AIPAC wants the deal scuttled. It wants much tougher terms. It wants Tehran's government replaced.
It wants a pro-Western one instead. It wants an Israeli rival removed. It exerts enormous influence in Washington. More on its agenda below.
On Monday, Iran/P5+1 nuclear talks resumed in Vienna. IAEA representatives attended. Discussion focused on ways to implement November's interim agreement.
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