contributions

By Nicola Nasser* Within the context of a U.S.-Israeli determined campaign to remove the elected Islamic Resistance Movement from power, the best of the Palestinian mainstream anti-occupation activists of Fatah and Hamas are being polarized into a deadlocked divide that is already threatening an historic national unity with a looming civil war as a result of either risky brinkmanship tactics or what Hamas says a coup d’etat. Either way the external campaign has succeeded in mobilizing an (…)

By Meron Rappaport
Israel has acknowledged for the first time that it attacked Hezbollah targets during the second Lebanon war with phosphorus shells. White phosphorus causes very painful and often lethal chemical burns to those hit by it, and until recently Israel maintained that it only uses such bombs to mark targets or territory.
The announcement that the Israel Defense Forces had used phosphorus bombs in the war in Lebanon was made by Minister Jacob Edery, in charge of (…)

by Robert Higgs
Bringing our fellow Americans to a greater understanding of the evils of a government-dominated society and the virtues of a free society has always been difficult and frustrating work. It’s no wonder that Albert Jay Nock likened it to Isaiah’s job. People are easily misled by promises of government salvation, especially when they are consumed by fear for their physical safety or their economic security. Making matters even more difficult is the state’s co-optation of a (…)

by Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor
72 per cent predict that Iraq will descend into civil war if British and American troops withdraw
61 per cent believe Britain’s experience in Iraq makes them less likely to support military intervention
72 per cent say that Tony Blair’s support for George Bush calls into question his political judgement
62 per cent believe that British troops should be withdrawn from Iraq as soon as possible
72 per cent believe that the war in Iraq is (…)

by Ivan Eland
In the run up to the November 7 elections, U.S. politicians from both parties are telling Iraqis that they are not doing enough to improve their own security. Democrats are disparaging Iraqi security efforts and criticizing the Bush administration for not pressuring Iraqis to do more. In response, the Bush administration is said to be creating a specific timetable of milestones for the Iraqi government to disarm militias, reduce sectarian violence, and increase stability and (…)

By JOHN WALSH
Last week in CounterPunch (1), I wrote that the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Congressman Rahm Emanuel, had worked hard to guarantee that Democratic candidates in key toss-up House races were pro-war. In this he was largely successful, because of the money he commands and the celebrity politicians who reliably respond to his call, ensuring that 20 of the 22 Democratic candidates in these districts are pro-war. So the fix is in for the coming (…)

Kenneth Lay alive? Maybe Why else would a judge clear his record, columnist asks. G. Jeffrey Aaron October 22, 2006
I sometimes hear that Elvis Presley isn’t really dead, a notion supported by the alleged sightings of "The King" at various shopping malls around the United States.
I’ve heard the same thing about Tupac Shakur, the rap star who died in a hail of gunfire in Las Vegas 10 years ago. No one claims to have seen Tupac at a shopping mall. But the amount of music and the two (…)

By Alan Woods
In the first decade of the 21st century, the human race stands at the crossroads. On the one hand, the achievements of modern science and technology have provided us with the means of solving all the problems that have plagued us for all of history. We can eradicate diseases, abolish illiteracy and homelessness and make deserts bloom.
On the other hand, reality seems to mock these dreams. The discoveries of science are used to produce ever more monstrous weapons of mass (…)

(The original poem is by Robt.Lewis Stevenson) ARMIES UNDER FIRE Explosions crumble up the streets the acrid air full of debris Orphaned children wail and cry while politicians sell the lie. In our failing, spelling doom our generals don’t speak of gloom instead, the claim,"Let’s take a look...and strategize,fight by the book" They stand up while we stand down (we use the slogan of the clown) but as we gaze with burning eyes both armies fall,all reason dies. Now the public anger (…)

To Peter King and Joe Lieberman: Why hasn’t Osama bin Laden been captured? By Mary MacElveen October 24, 2006
As many viewed Keith Olbermann’s blistering on-air commentary of the GOP’s use of an ad to instill fear amongst the ‘gullible’ electorate using both pictures and words from Osama bin Laden, Mr. Olbermann was right to exhibit such outrage in targeting the Republican Party. Mr. Olbermann was correct to target both Bush and Cheney in the use of this ad.
The use of even his image (…)