Image by Susan Melkisethian via Flickr
by Gareth Porter
Writer, Dandelion Salad
crossposted at Middle East Eye
Washington
Nov. 30, 2015
The data supports Putin’s assertion that the shoot-down was prepared in advance due to Russian bombing of Turkey-linked rebels in Syria
The United States and its NATO allies offered a ritual of NATO unity after Turkish officials presented their case that the shoot-down of a Russian jet occurred after two planes had penetrated Turkish airspace.
Image by Annette Dubois via Flickr
Updated: Dec. 7, 2015
Democracy Now! on Nov 30, 2015
Ahead of the 21st UN climate change conference in Paris, more than 170 nations submitted plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But experts say the proposed targets end up falling far short of what is needed to mitigate against drastic heating of the planet, and that the agreements during the negotiations are not likely to be binding. We discuss what’s at stake in Paris and how activists are responding with bestselling author Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything: Capitalism versus the Climate.
Image by Daniel Lobo via Flickr
by Michael Parenti
Writer, Dandelion Salad
michaelparenti.org
November 25, 2015
An excerpt from the recent book by Michael Parenti, Profit Pathology and Other Indecencies (pp. 13-14) for your Thanksgiving consideration:
The lives of indigenous peoples in North America (“Indians”)—from quality of diet and medicine to individual freedom—were superior to the pinched, unwashed, dour lives transported from Christianized England. The Europeans were far more practiced than the “Indians” in dealing with syphilis, gonorrhea, small pox, typhoid, and bubonic plague, not to mention hangings, slavery, prostitution, religious wars, witch hunts, and inquisitions. European superiority registered in a few devilishly crucial areas, specifically the technologies of firearms, armor, and oceanic transport. The Native Americans had no desire to embrace the religiously oppressive, mean-spirited, acquisitive life of the colonizers. They lived comfortably free from any ruinous impulse for massive wealth accumulation. Labeled as “savage beasts” by the invaders, they actually behaved in courteous and kindly ways—that is, until they realized what they were up against.
Image by RonF via The Weekly Bull via Flickr
with John Pilger
goingundergroundRT on Nov 25, 2015
Afshin goes underground with one of NATO imperialism’s greatest chroniclers, John Pilger. The award-winning journalist and filmmaker tells us how Washington, London and Paris gave birth to ISIS, and why he can’t imagine Labour Party changing.
The USA military-industrial complex profit machine, international version by Dominique Ford
by Susan Cain and Mark Mason
Guest Writers, Dandelion Salad
Mark Mason, PhD
crossposted from The Real News Network, Nov. 13, 2015
November 24, 2015
Government is the entertainment division of the military-industrial complex. ~ Frank Zappa
Introduction
Image by Truthout.org via Flickr
with Chris Hedges
teleSUR English on Nov. 23, 2015
In this episode of Days of Revolt, host Chris Hedges discusses the militarization of higher education institutions with journalist Alexa O’Brien. They uncover the trail of money and influence from the national security state to college programs. Hedges and O’Brien identify the ways in which this apparatus has long been in effect, and what it could mean for the future.
Image by The Chamomile Tea Party via outtacontext via Flickr
by Andrew Gavin Marshall
Writer, Dandelion Salad
andrewgavinmarshall.com
Originally posted at Occupy.com, November 17, 2015
November 23, 2015
The world was shocked and horrified at the terror inflicted upon Paris on the night of Friday the 13th, 2015, when ISIS-affiliated militants killed well over 100 civilians in one of the world’s most iconic cities. An outpouring of grief, solidarity, support and condolences came in from across the world. The tragedy, and tyranny, of such terror cannot be underestimated, but it should also be placed in its global context: namely, that the chief cause of terrorism is, in fact, terrorism, and that the chief victims are the innocent, wherever they may be.
Image by Confrontational Media via Flickr
with Abby Martin
teleSUR English on Nov 20, 2015
Each November, Americans celebrate a mythical version of U.S. history. Thanksgiving Day’s portrayal of the experience of Native Americans under the boot of settler-colonialism is one of the Empire’s most cherished falsehoods.
Image by Stephan Rosger via Flickr
by Ellen Brown
Writer, Dandelion Salad
The Web of Debt Blog
November 20, 2015
In uncertain times, “cash is king,” but central bankers are systematically moving to eliminate that option. Is it really about stimulating the economy? Or is there some deeper, darker threat afoot?
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
by Ellen Brown
Writer, Dandelion Salad
The Web of Debt Blog
November 18, 2015
Here is a power point I gave last night at an American Freedom Alliance event in Los Angeles on whether the federal debt can be repaid (yes), how it can be repaid (by simply issuing the money), and why that would stimulate the economy without leading to hyperinflation.
Image by SumOfUs via Flickr
with Chris Hedges
teleSUR English on Nov. 16, 2015
In this episode of Days of Revolt, host Chris Hedges and organizer Kevin Zeese break down the terms of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The two deconstruct how the TPP and other associated trade deals like TiSA and TTIP, if approved, will lead to the irreversible privatization of public services, the dismantling of people’s judiciary rights, and the further corporatization of pharmaceuticals, labor, and natural resources. Zeese highlights the importance of direct action in combating these injustices, specifically detailing upcoming demonstrations he has organized with PopularResistance.
Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr
by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
World Beyond War
November 16, 2015
If U.S. President were not a mythical position but a serious job, the job interview would include asking the candidates their basic plans of action. This would start with, “What will you encourage Congress to spend a couple of trillion dollars on each year?”
Image by Chris Beckett via Flickr
by Vijay Prashad
open Democracy
November 15, 2015
After Paris, macho language about “pitiless war” defines the contours of leadership. Little else is on offer. It is red meat to our emotions.
A week of horrible carnage – bomb blasts in Beirut and Baghdad and then the cold-blooded shootings in Paris. Each of these acts of terror left dead bodies and wounded lives. There is nothing good that comes of them – only the pain of the victim and then more pain as powerful people take refuge in clichéd policies that once again turn the wheel of violence.
Image by Stephen Melkisethian via Flickr
with Abby Martin
teleSUR English on Nov 13, 2015
Abby Martin interviews journalist and author Max Blumenthal on the current situation in Palestine and the Israeli occupation. This episode covers what is behind today’s rebellion, the rising dominance of far-right, ultra-racist ideology in Israel, eye-witness accounts of the aftermath of the Gaza war, and the Israeli government’s fear of Palestinian resistance.
Image by Stacy Noland via Flickr
by Arthur D. Robbins
Guest Writer, Dandelion Salad
Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, March 24, 2015
November 11, 2015
Do away with #elections? To even think such a thought is treasonous. An election, or should I say a presidential election, is one of the few occasions, or should I say the only occasion, on which we take a genuine interest in government. We are spectators at a sporting event, a mix of a bullfight, prizefight and a barroom brawl. We get into heated arguments about which team is “better” about who deserves to win, about which gladiator will be the best for the country. There is an uppercut, a right cross, a roundhouse and he or she (not too often) is down for the count. No, he is not out. He is on his knees, struggling to his feet. The crowd roars.
Dandelion Salad 