North Korea: “Sanity” at the Brink By Michael Parenti

Dandelion Salad

By Michael Parenti
ICH
June 20, 2009 “Commondreams“

Nations that chart a self-defining course, seeking to use their land, labor, natural resources, and markets as they see fit, free from the smothering embrace of the US corporate global order, frequently become a target of defamation. Their leaders often have their moral sanity called into question by US officials and US media, as has been the case at one time or another with Castro, Noriega, Ortega, Qaddafi, Aristide, Milosevic, Saddam Hussein, Hugo Chavez, and others.

So it comes as no surprise that the rulers of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) have been routinely described as mentally unbalanced by our policymakers and pundits. Senior Defense Department officials refer to the DPRK as a country “not of this planet,” led by “dysfunctional” autocrats. One government official, quoted in the New York Times, wondered aloud “if they are really totally crazy.” The New Yorker magazine called them “balmy,” and late-night TV host David Letterman got into the act by labeling Kim Jong-il a “madman maniac.”

Are the Iranian Election Protests Another US Orchestrated ‘Color Revolution’? By Paul Craig Roberts

Dandelion Salad

By Paul Craig Roberts
June 20, 2009 “Information Clearing House“

A number of commentators have expressed their idealistic belief in the purity of Mousavi, Montazeri, and the westernized youth of Tehran. The CIA destabilization plan, announced two years ago (see below) has somehow not contaminated unfolding events.

The claim is made that Ahmadinejad stole the election, because the outcome was declared too soon after the polls closed for all the votes to have been counted. However, Mousavi declared his victory several hours before the polls closed. This is classic CIA destabilization designed to discredit a contrary outcome. It forces an early declaration of the vote. The longer the time interval between the preemptive declaration of victory and the announcement of the vote tally, the longer Mousavi has to create the impression that the authorities are using the time to fix the vote. It is amazing that people don’t see through this trick.

As for the grand ayatollah Montazeri’s charge that the election was stolen, he was the initial choice to succeed Khomeini, but lost out to the current Supreme Leader. He sees in the protests an opportunity to settle the score with Khamenei. Montazeri has the incentive to challenge the election whether or not he is being manipulated by the CIA, which has a successful history of manipulating disgruntled politicians.

The Waning Power of Truth By Paul Craig Roberts

Dandelion Salad

By Paul Craig Roberts
June 19, 2009 “Information Clearing House“

David Ray Griffin, the nemesis of the collection of disinformation known as the 9/11 Commission Report, has taken up the question of Osama Bin Laden, Dead or Alive?

On the basis of the available evidence, Griffin concludes that bin Laden died in December 2001, most likely of kidney failure. He has been kept alive in the media by US government PSYOPS as a useful bogyman to justify America’s illegal wars of aggression. The messages received from bin Laden since his death appear to be conveniently timed fabrications designed to advance US government purposes.

Osama bin Laden is likely to become a mythical person, like the Georgia Tech student, George P. Burdell, who will be sighted from time to time over a period that exceeds the length of a human life.

It was less than one year ago that Americans were subjected to PSYOPS disinformation from their government concerning the Russia-Georgia conflict over South Ossetia.

Maher’s New Rules: Democrats Are The New Republicans!

Dandelion Salad

So, Bill Maher has finally figured it out, the Democrats are The Capitalist Party (along with the Republicans).  ~ DS

VOTERSTHINKdotORG
June 20, 2009

http://earth2obama.org/
June 19, 2009 HBO Real Time

more about “Maher’s New Rules: Democrats Are The …“, posted with vodpod

see

Countdown: Bill Maher Talks About Taking On Obama

Healthcare Hypocrisy + Tell ABC to Ask Obama Why Isn’t Single Payer on the Table?

This Is What The Democrats Wrought by Bruce Gagnon

Kucinich: Made in America – War + Interview

Why We Can’t Get Single Payer Health Care by Ed Ciaccio

Stop the Single Payer Shut-out! by Ralph Nader

Corporations Really Suck

Barack Obama on Dandelion Salad

Meet the new boss the same as the old boss

Ralph Nader Posts & Videos

The War Party and its Faux-gressive Minions by Cindy Sheehan

By Cindy Sheehan
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox Blog
Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox
June 20, 2009

For years now, I have been writing about the duplicity of the Democrats and the shocking similarity between the two parties when it comes to the use of state-sanctioned terrorism against innocent populations.

This past week, after the betrayal of every American who elected Democrats to end the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, I am wondering if there is anyone still in this nation who thinks that there’s any significant difference between the war ideologies of Democrats and Republicans.

Bill Moyers Journal: Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Dandelion Salad

Warning

These videos may contain images depicting the reality and horror of war/violence and should only be viewed by a mature audience.

Bill Moyers Journal
June 19, 2009

The JOURNAL profiles Leymah Gbowee, a woman who led her fellow countrywomen to fight for and win peace in war-torn Liberia, and Abigail Disney, who produced the documentary of their struggle and triumph in the award-winning film PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL.

transcript: Bill Moyers Journal . Watch & Listen | PBS

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Pt 2

Healthcare Hypocrisy + Tell ABC to Ask Obama Why Isn’t Single Payer on the Table?

Dandelion Salad

Updated: June 22, 2009

jperryam
June 18, 2009

As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama proudly called himself a proponent of single payer healthcare. But now that he’s president, he won’t even consider it as an option for the reform our healthcare system so desperately needs. What do you suppose happened between then and now?

HOMEWORK:

Nader: Obamas Flip-Flop on Single Payer
http://www.singlepayeraction.org/blog…

CBO Says 36 Million Still Uninsured Ten Years From Now Under Most Robust Democratic Plan
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/nod…

Obama 2003 healthcare comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAz0qz…

Single Payer vs. Obamas Public Option
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWBZz0…
From Nick Skala, a single payer advocate on the front lines in Washington

Single Payer Action
http://www.singlepayeraction.org

more about “Healthcare Hypocrisy“, posted with vodpod

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Tell ABC to Ask Obama Why Isn’t Single Payer on the Table?

What Do You Think About Health Care Reform? Let Us Know… – The Note

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From an email from http://www.prosperityagenda.us/

Qi Zhang’s electrifying organ performance

Dandelion Salad

Music break time.  Enjoy!  ~ DS

TEDtalksDirector
June 19, 2009

http://www.ted.com Organ virtuoso Qi Zhang plays her electric rendering of “Ridiculous Fellows” from Prokofiev’s “The Love for Three Oranges” orchestral suite. This exhilarating performance from TEDx USC features the Yamaha Electone Stagea, a rare, imported instrument specially programmed by Qi herself.

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President Obama Comedian-In-Chief! 2009 Radio & Television Correspondents’ Dinner + John Hodgman

Dandelion Salad

CSPAN
June 20, 2009

President Obama was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Radio and TV Correspondents’ Dinner. Presidents traditionally poke fun at themselves, their administration and the journalists who cover Washington. This version includes President Obama’s entire remarks from the dinner. http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library…