In time of crisis, barter works and may have saved Russia in 1998 by Richard C. Cook

by Richard C. Cook
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
richardccook.com
January 10, 2010

After the collapse of the Soviet Union caused it to split up into its components, the newly-established nations each faced an economic crisis. In Russia the crisis lasted for a decade. Inflation had destroyed the currency. There was no banking sector to speak of. And the central government had failed to monetize the nation’s potential production through a functioning monetary system.

The answer? Barter–not only among individuals, but also among businesses and even with the central government. According to a study from the period by Dr. David Woodruff of MIT, “As of early 1998, 50-75 percent of exchange in industry took the form of barter…” With regard to payment of taxes, “In 1997, at least one-quarter of the revenue collected for the federal budget took a non-monetary form.”

Xe, the Templar Crusade by Michael Carmichael

by Michael Carmichael
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
PlanetaryMovement.org
January 10, 2010

Blackwater is a corporation that provides mercenary soldiers and supporting security personnel to the US government.

Erik Prince, the founder and owner of the now infamous US corporation, Blackwater, hails from Holland, Michigan where his family was both powerful and prominent in two institutions – (1) the Republican Party and (2) the evangelical Christian Church.  After scandals hit his large and lucrative firm, Prince ordered a curious rebranding that changed its name to Xe.

Happy First Anniversary to Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox! Eva Golinger on the myths about Hugo Chavez

by Cindy Sheehan
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox Blog
Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox
January 10, 2010

Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox

at: www.CindySheehansSoapbox.com

It’s our Anniversary!

Against all odds and many obstacles we have been able to stay on the air and deliver high quality shows!

With Twenty-Ten being the YEAR OF RESISTANCE, the Soapbox will become an integral part of true change to benefit WE THE PEOPLE for once!

Thank you for listening and supporting your Soapbox!

_________________________

TODAY’S SHOW

There has been disturbing news coming out of South America:

The apparent U.S. support of the Honduran coup; Colombia signing a pact with the U.S. that will enable the U.S. to construct military bases there and the U.S. drone flights and fighter-plane flights over Venezuelan airspace.

Mischief in Austin in 2006; or Why the War Goes On by Daniel N. White

by Daniel N. White
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
January 10, 2010

Ben Barnes is a political figure from ancient Texas political history–the 1960’s and early 1970’s.  He was a tall and good-looking politician from rural Texas who was going places–one of the youngest state legislators ever, the youngest Lieutenant Governor ever, at age 31, in 1969.  Ben is one of those people politics was made for, as his extroverted personality and keen intelligence and interest in people made him a boy-wonder success in the Texas legislature and made LBJ say that Ben Barnes was the best political operator in the state, and that he’d be the next President of the United States from Texas.  Lyndon was right on the first part at least.  As things are now, Ben Barnes is probably the last Lyndon Johnson crony/protege left standing.  All the rest of the Johnson crew is dead or in nursing homes.

Glen Ford: Obama and great expectations + Triumph of right-wing nationalism

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

TheRealNews

Obama and great expectations (transcript)

Glen Ford: Critical elements of black progressive leadership are distancing themselves from Pres. Obama

Glen Ford is a distinguished radio-show host and commentator. In 1977, Ford co-launched, produced and hosted America’s Black Forum, the first nationally syndicated Black news interview program on commercial television. In 1987, Ford launched Rap It Up, the first nationally syndicated Hip Hop music show, broadcast on 65 radio stations. Ford co-founded the Black Agenda Report. Ford is also the author of The Big Lie: An Analysis of U.S. Media Coverage of the Grenada Invasion.

Michael Doyle: Corporate “personhood” and election financing

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

TheRealNews
January 09, 2010

Will Supreme Court decide to allow more corporate money in elections?

Are Viva Palestina Troublemakers?

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

AlJazeeraEnglish
January 09, 2010

George Galloway’s Viva-Palestina convoy finally arrived in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday with a cargo of activists and humanitarian aid.
They’ve made it to the Gaza strip a month after leaving Europe, but its been a month marked by diplomatic tensions, enforced changes of route, and in the final hours, violent clashes with egyptian security forces.
Was it worth it? and could it have been handled differently? What are the politics behind the scenes?

Rebel Diaz: Corporate Thugs are the Biggest Robbers in US History + Which side are you on?

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

RussiaToday on Jan 9, 2010

Since coming to power President Obama has not delivered on many of his campaign promises and vast ethnic communities still suffer from high unemployment, poor education and healthcare, says hip-hop trio Rebel Diaz.

James Crotty: “False values” and “structural blackmail”

https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/

Exec compensation: “Heads I win tails you lose”

James Crotty: Financial execs make large bonuses and don’t care about risk; knew govt. would save them