Monday, May 30, 2011

The Kennedy Assassinations



British Pathe newsreel footage of the announcement of the assassination of John F. Kennedy

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=43794

British Pathe newsreel footage of the announcement of the assassination of Bobby Kennedy

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=45903

Analysis of the facts concerning both incidents

http://www.voltairenet.org/article165721.html

Ethical Economics


Article on the idea of a 'new economy' and the organization of a 'new economy' movement.

http://www.thenation.com/article/160949/new-economy-movement

Fair Trade: The Facts



Inforgraph showing the benefits of Fair Trade and the leading consumers of Fair Trade products.

Is America Still Relevant in the Middle East?


Robert Fisk's article on the shrinking role of the Obama administration in the Middle East

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/who-cares-in-the-middle-east-what-obama-says-2290761.html

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Shifting Sands of American History





The Lincoln Memorial
 
What is History but an interpretation of facts for political aim? How can we trust a retrospective analysis of political figures when it's in certain people's interest to push their agenda through the prism of famous, or infamous, historical names and events. This article looks at the way American history is distorted and revised, viewed from one side or the other, how the narrative becomes an active playbook which informs modern policy. The American political obsession with legitimising itself by calling on examples from the past can and has meant that our views of their history are constantly being challenged, especially when viewed by the standards of today, rather than in historical context.




European Union?




The lack of harmonisation with regards to Europe's collective policy on Libya is clear and prehaps evidence of a bigger problem; the failure to create a clear vision of the role of the European Union in the wider world.

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/libyan_intervention_exposes_european_disunity_20110524/

The ICC and Validating War

The role of the ICC in providing justification for military intervention

http://www.prisonplanet.com/the-fake-icc-the-globalist-strategy-of-tension.html

Australia: Bracing For A Dip?




A Rio Tinto mine in Australia

In it's history, Australia has known nothing but growth, nothing but potential, but this can't continue forever, can it?

http://www.economist.com/node/18719530

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Brazil: the Making of a Modern Giant



Cristo Redentor in Rio


A Short History of Modern Brazil



Europe At a Crossroads

’Carte drôlatique d’Europe pour 1870'

"The severity of the current European crisis has its origins in the convergence of four centrifugal forces: the rise of xenophobia; the euro crisis; the foreign policy deficit and the lack of leadership"

The demise of Europe?

Test Your Bible Smarts


What does the Bible really say about modern issues?

Iranian Myths

Excellent insight into the rumours surrounding the role of Iran in the Middle East

http://newamericamedia.org/2011/05/debunking-the-top-7-myths-on-irans-middle-east-policies.php

Friday, May 20, 2011

China Supports Pakistani Soveignty

President Gilani and Mr. Wen Jiabao

"Mr Gilani said Pakistan has the capability and capacity to defend its frontiers and the armed forces are fully vigilant, and no incident like the US raid against bin Laden will happen in future. He said Pakistan will continue its efforts to stop US drone attacks, which have proved to be counter-productive."

http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=370105&catid=35

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Eurozone: Fin?



Excellent debate on the future of the single currency

http://www.zeitgeistminds.com/videos/the-end-of-the-eurozone

The Queen's Visit

Lessson from the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland
President McAleese greets the Queen
1. Whatever your views on the role of the monarchy, or your particular opinions on the House of Windsor, it must be said that the choreography of the visit, and indeed the choice of destinations, has been absolutely top notch. By visiting the Garden of Remembrance first she was acknowledging the primary reason for the abnormal relations between the two countries and she was humbling herself at the shrine of another countries fallen dead, a huge number of whom were killed at the hands of forces under the command of her family. The solemnity of the wreath laying ceremony and the poignancy of playing 'God Save the Queen' was a tour de force in ice-breaking and set the tone for the rest of the visit. The Islandbridge ceremony was just as important, and so vital in highlighting the sacrifice of the brave men who sacrificed both life and reputation by joining the crown forces. In this way she was repaying their loyalty by ensuring not only that they were recognised on this visit but that they were afforded equal status as those who died fighting for Irish freedom. The Croke Park trip was a homage not only to a green patch of Irish history but also to the largest and possibly most influential Gaelic, or Irish, organisation in the world. It was a recognition of the individuality and the vibrancy of Gaelic Ireland, a recognition of an Irish historical tradition that has nothing to do with her realm and is community based in structure.

2. The noisy minority were just that. Barely worth a mention and, although the police security cordons were protocol and precautionary, hardly worth a watchful eye. More a nuisance that any sort of a real representation they just served to put the city on lock down and ensure that the Queen wouldn't get to meet any regular Irish people.

3. Mary McAleese has proved to be a fine stateswoman and an excellent representative of the whole island. Hailing, as she does from Belfast, and always looking to include the Queens northern subjects in Dublin functions, she has been an excellent host and facilitator during this visit, and she will be a hard act to follow.

4. The tones of both the President's, and the Queen's, speeches was bang on the money; recognition, regret, reflection and a look towards the future co-operation between the two countries.

5. Sinn Fein missed out by absenting themselves. Politically I don't know how well it would have gone, within their own constituencies, for either Adams or McGuinness to be seen shaking hands with a Windsor, but in terms of a worldwide audience now it seems like they are the stubborn 'no' men, refusing to recognise the realities of modern politics.

The Queen and President McAleese at the Garden of Remembrance
6. Prince Phillip is a spring chicken at 90. I think history may remember him as a gaffe-prone husband of Elizabeth, always lagging a few paces behind, looking forlornly like he's just been scolded but lets not forget the work he does for young people in the UK and, as he proved adressing the recipients of the Presidents award, the interest he takes in the capacity of young people to achieve their potential. 

7. What was all the fuss about? She should come over more often, have everyone dress up and fell like there's no economic crisis and show the remaining physical force republicans up to be outdated.



The Crux of the Issue

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Bail-Out Debate rumbles On


Irelands bail-out is proving disasterous for economic development 
 Morgan Kelly's pessimistic/realistic view in the Irish Times on Saturday
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0507/1224296372123.html

reaction from John Bruton in disagreement with Kelly

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0510/1224296602550.html?via=mr

Hot Hot Heat

A microcosm of the debate raging within a portion of the scientific community with regards to climate change as Spencer's 'Great Global Warming Blunder' is reviewed

http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2011/04/review-of-spencers-great-global-warming-blunder/

Global warming factors: How both Nature and Mankind damage the environment, but to different extents

http://blog.sustainablog.org/the-top-causes-of-global-warming-natural-or-human/



http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/climate-change-deniers-vs-the-consensus/

The People of Latin America Flex Their Muscles



From 'El Machete'

Recent trouble in the Brazilian Amazon, symptomatic of the growing disparity between super rich and super poor in that country

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/brazil-archives-63/3004-rebellion-in-the-brazilian-amazon

Problems continue for Bolivia

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/3022-bolivia-the-boomerang-effect-for-morales

Causes for concern in rural Argentina

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/argentina-archives-32/2957-argentina-rural-slavery-at-time-of-record-earnings

Popular backlash against the continuing drug war in Mexico

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/mexico-archives-79/3024-anti-drug-war-movement-emerges-in-mexico

Interview with Benjamin Dangl on the role of social movements as the driving force behind change in Latin America

http://upsidedownworld.org/main/international-archives-60/2998-latin-america-and-the-us-social-movements-are-the-engines-of-change

Pakistan: Friendly Foe?



Pakistan's Military on Patrol 
 The peaks and troughs in US support for Pakistan

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/16/110516fa_fact_wright

Sunday, May 8, 2011

United in Suppression


Protests in Syria

Claims that the Iranian Security Forces are aiding the Syrian state  in it's stifling of popular opposition

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/iran-helping-syrian-regime-protesters