Pages: << 1 ... 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 ... 1279 >>
Latin America in Search of an Alternative
James Petras
“You can’t build socialism with dollar signs in your eyes”
Fidel Castro
Introduction
Many experts and commentators describe the political process in Latin America as one of ‘alternating right and left governments’. Journalists focus on the abrupt regime changes from democratic to authoritarian; from neo-liberal to progressive programs; and from oligarchs to populists.
The financial media present the ‘right’s’ socially regressive policies and strategies as ‘reforms’, a euphemism for the re-concentration of wealth, profits and property into the hands of foreign and domestic oligarchs.
Leftwing intellectuals and journalists paint an image of socio-economic transformations under Latin America’s ‘left’ regimes where ‘the people’ take power, income is redistributed and growth flourishes.
The rise and demise of left and right regimes are typically attributed to ‘economic mismanagement, social crisis, political manipulation and erroneous strategic policies’.
Orthodox economists, under the presumption that greater profits ‘create’ the foundation for long-term stability and growth, prescribe a series of ‘structural reforms’. ‘Structures’ refer to measures and institutions, which strengthen the organization of the governing elite and their socio-economic backers.
Media Disinformation on Monday Russian Street Protests
Stephen Lendman
Relatively small numbers turned out, a few thousand in Moscow, many fewer in most other Russian cities.
CBS News erroneously said “tens of thousands” protested Monday on Russian streets. Other media hype was similar.
Reuters headlined “Anti-Kremlin protesters fill Russian streets, Putin critic Navalny jailed.” More on him below.
The neocon/CIA-connected Washington Post published a photo, showing police restraining a youthful protester on the ground, a few comments alone discussing it, no article. CNN headlined “Russia’s anti-corruption protests explained” - explaining nothing, anti-Russian propaganda substituting for legitimate commentary.
America’s Forever War Strategy
Stephen Lendman
America is unique among history’s warrior states - prioritizing endless wars, not ending them to achieve a new era of peace and stability.
The notion is anathema to the nation’s military, industrial, and scoundrel media establishment. Wars are waged for power and profits, no other reasons.
All post-WW II US wars were and continue to be acts of naked aggression against nations threatening no one - raping and destroying them, the human cost incalculable, the villainy unprecedented.
Throughout its history, America has been perpetually at war at home and/or abroad, never a time of peace and stability - a shocking indictment of its abhorrent agenda, the nation a democracy in name only.
Corbyn Teaches To Embrace Change We Need
Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers
The shocking election result in the United Kingdom – the Conservatives losing their majority and the creation of a hung Parliament; and Jeremy Corbyn being more successful than any recent Labor candidate – cutting a 20 point Theresa May lead down to a near tie – gives hope to many that the global shift to the right, fueled by the failures of governments to meet the basic needs of their population and growing economic insecurity, may be ending.
Corbyn is a lifelong activist whose message and actions have been consistent. He presented a platform directed at ending austerity and the wealth divide and was openly anti-war. There are a lot of lessons for the Labor Party in the UK from this election but there are also lessons for people in the United States. We review what happened and consider the possibilities for creating transformative change in the United States.
Putin’s Annual Marathon Press Conference
Stephen Lendman
Annually he spends hours answering questions submitted in advance, by categories from millions submitted worldwide, focusing on vital issues - a candidly forthright tour de force unmatched by any Western leaders, notably no US one.
Commenting on Russia’s economy, Putin was upbeat, saying recession ended, growth resumed, GDP “rising for three quarters in a row.”
He’s taking measures to improve living standards for poor Russians, still suffering from Boris Yeltsin’s post-Soviet neoliberal shock therapy, aided by recession conditions now easing.
He called anti-Russian sanctions beneficial, enabling the country to become more self-reliant and self-sufficient, along developing stronger ties with China and other countries.
Uninvited US Special Forces in the Philippines
Stephen Lendman
Washington claiming they’re aiding the Philippine military combat ISIS in the southern city of Marawi belies US support for the terror group - its fighters serving its imperial interests.
What’s going on? Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his government requested no US military aid. He “never approached America,” for help, he stressed.
He didn’t know about the presence of US special forces in Marawi “until they arrived,” he explained.
Were they deployed to aid ISIS against his government? Is there a US plot to oust him?Washington is displeased with his outreach to China and Russia, saying he intends building “new alliances.”
Deplorable NYT Lying About Russia
Stephen Lendman
Despite no evidence of Russian interference in last year’s US presidential election, America’s intelligence community and supportive media scoundrels keep repeating the Big Lie - including the NYT, a longstanding press agent for wealth, power and privilege.
A weekend op-ed asked “Is Putin getting what he wanted with Trump?” It quoted Comey’s Big Lie when asked during his Senate Intelligence Committee testimony if he had any doubt about Russian interference.
“None,” he responded, adding Moscow “did it with purpose. They did it with sophistication. They did it with overwhelming technical efforts. They will be back. They are coming after America.”
What he left unsaid is not a shred of evidence supports his accusation, or anyone else’s in Washington, or any scoundrel media reports repeating it.
How I know that the Sauds did the 9/11 attacks
Eric Zuesse
As a historian, I recognize that everything we know about history is from sources, and depends upon the reliability of those sources. Here, my main sources will be identified, and linked-to, so that any reader online can go directly to them, and won’t need to rely upon me but can go directly to the sources and evaluate them (my evidence) on one’s own.
First of all, however, reference will be made here to the three main countries (other than Afghanistan, which America first invaded for having allegedly perpetrated 9/11; and Iraq, which we next invaded for having allegedly perpetrated it) that have been accused, at different times, for allegedly having done those attacks; and anyone who wants to see my main previous article on each of the following three country’s involvement or non-involvement in the 9/11 attacks, can access that presentation simply by clicking onto the respective link here for that given country:
Syrian Army Gains Control of Jordanian and Iraq Border Areas
Stephen Lendman
On Friday, Syria’s military, along with allied forces, announced it reached Iraqi border areas northeast of al-Tanf - taking control after eliminating pockets of terrorist fighters in the area.
Commander of Russian forces in Syria General Sergey Surovikin said “(t)he offensive along the western bank of the Euphrates is gaining momentum in the northeast of the Aleppo province.”
“Units of the Syrian armed forces and people’s militia have driven out militants of ISIL from…Maskanah, Ramtan, Shatna and approached the city of Tabqa.”
“They have gained control of the Jira airport, which has strategic importance.” In the last month alone, Russian warplanes carried out 1,268 sorties, destroying 3,200 terrorist facilities.
Trump Accuses Comey of Lying Under Oath
Stephen Lendman
Trump’s lawyer Marc Kasowitz said Comey leaked government information and “privileged communications” to The NYT through his legal advisor, Columbia Law Professor Daniel Richman.
“We will leave it the appropriate authorities to determine whether this leak should be investigated” as a possible criminal violation, he said.
On Friday, Trump accused Comey of lying under oath during his Senate Intelligence Committee testimony.
He denied saying he hoped Comey would “let go” of the Michael Flynn investigation, or asked him to pledge loyalty.
<< 1 ... 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 ... 1279 >>
