finally a piece on non-violence that makes sense to me, especially in the context of the gandhian struggle for indian independence which has been heedlessly mythologized in the west (courtesy of attenborough’s film probably). a must read. full article.

the always brilliant naomi klein. gives a fresh new reading to what’s going on in the world. worth a listen.

replace the word islam with any other religion and u will see the hateful bigotry in what hirsi ali has to say. she is NOT a scholar of islam. i support free speech but i wish that she would be … Continue reading →

I realized there that anybody from a dominating group who tries to dehumanize people from a minority group, can only do so if by education, indoctrination and propaganda he has already been dehumanized himself, independent of the uniform he wears. … Continue reading →

this was back in 2006. “Our message to the Israelis is this: we do not fight you because you belong to a certain faith or culture. Jews have lived in the Muslim world for 13 centuries in peace and harmony… … Continue reading →

“There is no way to justify a “War on Terrorism” that obfuscates America’s imperial role, portrays the leaders of mass movements like the Taliban and Hezbollah as isolated terrorists, corrupts and brutalizes societies subject to U.S. intervention, and inflames the … Continue reading →

the war in afghanistan – now officially the longest american war in history. kathy kelly reports on the situation in pakistan. watch interview here.

“We disagree with the widespread claims that this was the result of an intelligence rift,” said the officers. “In addition, we do not accept claims that this was a ‘public relations failure’ and we think that the plan was doomed … Continue reading →

pictures, video and eye-witness testimony related to the mavi marmara killings are surfacing every day. v important to keep the focus on this story and find out the truth. more info at http://www.culturesofresistance.org/gaza-freedom-flotilla.

medea benjamin on the helen thomas media circus:

meet the nine peace activists who were killed on the mavi marmara, while trying to break the 3 year long blockade on gaza: Ibrahim Bilgen, 61, electrical engineer; Ali Haydar Bengi, 39, telephone repairman; Cevdet Kiliçlar, 38, reporter and webmaster … Continue reading →

Is “my” government capable of insisting on respect for their dead bodies? Can it demand that those who are injured but alive be treated with care? Not only with care, but the tenderness and honor they deserve? If it cannot … Continue reading →

I don’t think a tough question is disrespectful. I say. “Mr. President…” I say, “Thank you.” What else do you want? The presidential news conference is the only forum in our society where a president can be questioned. If he’s … Continue reading →

I have for many years understood that we, people of conscience, are the true holders of power in this world. Frustratingly however we have largely relinquished that power and failed to reach our full potential. Our potential to create a … Continue reading →

We turn now to the second part of my interview with Johan Galtung. Known as a founder of the field of peace and conflict studies, he’s spent the past half-century pursuing nonviolent conflict resolution in international relations. His latest book … Continue reading →

Adolph Reed on Obama in 1996: He’s a vacuous opportunist. I’ve never been an Obama supporter. I’ve known him since the very beginning of his political career, which was his campaign for the seat in my state senate district in … Continue reading →

Israel is falling victim to “cultural terrorism,” a top music promoter charged on Sunday, after US alternative rock group The Pixies cancelled their first-ever gig in the Jewish state. The band was to have performed a single gig on Wednesday … Continue reading →

Amnesty International says the United States used cluster bombs on a cruise missile in Yemen, killing 55 people, most of whom were civilians. Full article.

The government of Pakistan must take responsibility for extending the rights and protections of citizenship equally to all Pakistanis — regardless of religious affiliation. Pakistan must be a state grounded in principles of justice and fairness which includes respect for … Continue reading →

When Mr Obama took office US special forces were operating in fewer than 60 countries. In the past 18 months he has ordered a big expansion in Yemen and the Horn of Africa – known areas of strong al-Qaeda activity … Continue reading →

On Monday, a group of lawyers including Avigdor Feldman, Yiftah Cohen, Itamar Mann and Omer Shatz petitioned the High Court, charging that Israel had violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea by capturing the boats in international … Continue reading →

BP says reporters are NOT allowed to film the dead animals from the oil spill. Turtles, dolphins and other creatures are washing up on shore on many beaches. US Coast Guard is preventing the media from covering Louisianas oil-soaked Gulf … Continue reading →

AHORE: Militants attacked two places of worship packed with hundreds of worshippers from a religious minority in Lahore on Friday, holding hostages and battling police, officials and witnesses said. Some 80 people died, and dozens were wounded in the worst … Continue reading →

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Israel and called for an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council as condemnations erupted across Europe and the Arab world Monday over Israel’s deadly commando raid on ships taking humanitarian aid … Continue reading →

Human rights advocates are expressing shock at a federal court ruling that detainees held by the United States in Afghanistan do not have the right to challenge their detention in a U.S. federal court – and dismay that their path … Continue reading →

ABC News went underwater in the Gulf with Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of famous explorer Jacques Cousteau, and he described what he saw as “one of the most horrible things I’ve ever seen underwater.” Full article.