Olbermann's Sacking Shifts US Media Further Right - by Stephen LendmanMake no mistake. He didn't quit. He was pushed, the final straw perhaps being the January 18 FCC-approved Comcast-NBC Merger. Its chairman/CEO Brian Roberts co-chaired the 2000 Republican Convention host committee, and COO Stephen Burke/now NBC Universal CEO tilts heavily to Republicans. According to Public... Continue Reading →

The "Palestine Papers" Revealed - by Stephen LendmanOn January 23, Al Jazeera released breaking news on its extensive "Palestine Papers" coverage, introducing them, saying:It "obtained more than 1,600 internal documents from a decade of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations," writer Gregg Carlstrom explaining that:"Over the last several months, Al Jazeera has been given unhindered access to the largest-ever... Continue Reading →

The Progressive Radio News Hour Guests for January 27, 29 and 30, 2011Thursday, January 27 at 10AM US Central time: Marjorie CohnCohn is a distinguished Law Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, and past president of the National Lawyers Guild. She's also been a criminal defense attorney at the trial and appellate... Continue Reading →

Obama Embraces Military Commissions Injustice - by Stephen LendmanThe 2006 Military Commissions Act authorized torture and sweeping unconstitutional powers to detain, interrogate, and prosecute alleged suspects and collaborators (including US citizens), hold them (without evidence) indefinitely in military prisons, and deny them habeas and other constitutional protections.Section 1031 of the FY 2010 Defense Authorization Act... Continue Reading →

Gaza Flotilla Massacre: Whitewash Absolves Israel - by Stephen LendmanLast May 31, Israeli commandos attacked and murdered nine or more activists, injuring dozens in international waters on board the Mavi Marmara mother ship, one of five bringing humanitarian aid to besieged Gazans. An earlier article explained, accessed through the following link:http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2010/05/brave-israeli-commandos-slaughter-aid.htmlThe UK-based Stop the War... Continue Reading →

Economic Turmoil in 2011 - by Stephen LendmanWall Street predicts blue skies. Economic recovery will continue. Stocks will deliver double-digit gains. On January 14, the Wall Street Journal's Economic Forecast Survey headlined, "Economists Optimistic on Growth," expecting in 2011:-- 3.3% GDP growth;-- unemployment declining to 8.8%;-- inflation contained at 1.9%;-- crude oil at around $90... Continue Reading →

Druze Leader Jumblatt Backs Hezbollah - by Stephen LendmanTwo recent articles discussed Lebanon's present turmoil in detail, accessed through the following links:http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/turmoil-in-lebanon.htmlhttp://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/heightened-tensions-after-hariri.htmlConditions there remain fluid. Key was a Washington/French pressured UN-backed Special Tribunal's sealed January 17 indictment of those allegedly responsible for former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's February 14, 2005 killing, preceded by Hezbollah's January... Continue Reading →

Heightened Tensions after Hariri Indictment Announced - by Stephen LendmanA previous article addressed Lebanon's turmoil, accessed through the following link:http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/turmoil-in-lebanon.htmlIt discussed Israel's history of terrorizing Lebanon through decades of belligerent interventions as early as 1954, as well as thousands of terrorist acts against a nonviolent state whose misfortune is being Israel's neighbor. It also discussed... Continue Reading →

Bizarre Developments in Haiti - by Stephen LendmanThree previous articles relate to this one, accessed through the following links:http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/baby-doc-in-haiti.htmlhttp://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/duvalier-in-dock.htmlhttp://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/01/let-aristide-return.htmlOn January 20, Al Jazeera headlined, "Baby Doc wants Haiti presidency," saying:Despite his 15-year reign of terror and current corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, and perhaps assassination charges, he "retains ambitions of returning to the presidency," according to... Continue Reading →

Let Aristide Return! - by Stephen LendmanOn February 29, 2004, US marines abducted him at gunpoint, airlifting him forcibly to the Central Africa Republic. It was one of Haiti's darkest moments, losing its beloved leader, reelected President in 2000 with 92% of the vote. For over six years, he's been exiled in South Africa, wants... Continue Reading →