Christopher Hitchens and Michael Parenti Debate: Iraq and the Future of US Foreign Policy (2005)

Image by Eric B. via Flickr

by Michael Parenti
Writer, Dandelion Salad
originally published Dec. 23, 2011
June 24, 2017

Here is a debate held at Wesleyan University in 2005 between Christopher Hitchens and me. Hitchens went to his grave as a supporter of the Bush/Cheney venture. He supported Bush in 2004. His turn to the right (from weak leftish/center) won him the attention of all the mass media, especially Fox and the like, and lecture invitations at fat fees. Others of us were less enthralled about his anti-Islam warrior politics.

Abby Martin: World Ignores Opposition Violence at Venezuela Protests + Abby Martin on Death Threats Against Her

Screenshot by Dandelion Salad via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Abby Martin

TheRealNews on Jun 10, 2017

Empire Files host Abby Martin just returned from Venezuela where she saw first hand how violent opposition protesters attempt to intimidate reporters and thereby give a false impression of what is happening.

Chris Hedges: We Are All Complicit In The Crimes Of Empire

Screenshot by Dandelion Salad via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on May 28, 2017

On this week’s episode of On Contact, Chris Hedges is joined by actor, playwright and essayist Wallace Shawn. You way recognize Shawn from films such as Princess Bride, but he is also a thoughtful playwright and is out with a new book, “Night Thoughts”. RT Correspondent Anya Parampil looks at how the American empire’s control of global resources has enriched us.

We Live in a World of Environmental Inequality by Graham Peebles

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by Graham Peebles
Writer, Dandelion Salad
London, England
December 11, 2016

S.O.P. Save Our Planet–Worldwide Air Pollution is making us Ill

The man-made environmental catastrophe is the severest issue facing humanity. It should be the number one priority for governments, but despite repeated calls from scientists, environmental groups and concerned citizens for years, short-term policies and economic self-interest are consistently given priority over the integrity of the planet and the health of the population.

Chris Hedges: Saudi Arabia–The Number One Purchaser of US Weapons

Image by Campaign Against Arms Trade via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Oct 29, 2016

On this week’s episode of On Contact, Chris Hedges explores why Saudi Arabia remains one of the U.S.’ closest allies in the Middle East with Medea Benjamin, author of Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection. They examine why the U.S. overlooks the Saudi’s treatment of women, public executions and promotion of a fundamentalist religion that sanctifies violence. RT Correspondent Anya Parampil looks at the long alliance between the two countries.

The U.S. National Bird Is Now a Killer Drone by David Swanson

Image by AK Rockefeller via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
October 27, 2016

Officially, of course, the national bird of the United States is that half-a-peace-sign that Philadelphia sports fans like to hold up at opposing teams. But unofficially, the film National Bird has it right: the national bird is a killer drone.

Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress by Howard Zinn

Image by Anthony Catalano via Flickr

It’s that time of the year again. In case you missed reading this, here it is again.

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
October 12, 2009

An excerpt from A People’s History of the United States.

Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island’s beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors came ashore, carrying swords, speaking oddly, the Arawaks ran to greet them, brought them food, water, gifts. He later wrote of this in his log:

Embracing the US-NATO War Criminals Who Destroyed Our Country by Milina Jovanovic

Image by Gosia Malochleb via Flickr

by Milina Jovanovic
Guest Writer, Dandelion Salad
September 7, 2016

Serbia’s Agreements with NATO. A War for US Hegemony in Europe

Seventeen years have passed and many people have already forgotten that the U. S. and a number of other NATO countries collectively waged one of the most destructive wars on the European continent since the end of World War II–the modern aerial bombing campaign against the Serbian people. In the tradition of the New World Order, this “intervention” wasn’t called “war.” It was argued by various Western politicians and the corporate media that the bombing campaign was directed against the late Serbian President Miloševic and his “propaganda machine.”[i] In fact, the NATO bombs loaded with depleted uranium[ii] were falling on bridges, maternity hospitals, private residences of ordinary people, a moving train, a Serbian TV station, the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, as well as water plants, schools, electrical power plants, and many other objects that were crucial for the society to function.

Abby Martin: Chevron vs. The Amazon – The Environmental Trial of the Century, Part 2

Image by Rainforest Action Network via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Abby Martin

teleSUR English on Aug 21, 2016

In Part II of this three-part series, The Empire Files continues the investigation into the battle between Chevron Texaco and Ecuador. [Watch Part I here: https://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/abby-martin-chevron-vs-the-amazon-inside-the-killzone-part-1/]

Abby Martin: Chevron vs. The Amazon – Inside the Killzone, Part 1

Image by Rainforest Action Network via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Abby Martin

teleSUR English on Aug 15, 2016

A U.S. court just handed another victory to the oil giant Chevron Texaco, in its decades-long battle to avoid paying damages it owes in one of the worst environmental disasters in history.

Howard Zinn: Myths of the Good Wars (Three Holy Wars) (must-see)

Image by Indiana Stan via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published January 8, 2010
August 11, 2016

PHubb
September 15, 2009

Historian, Author, Playwright: Howard Zinn Sponsored by Cape Codders for Peace and Justice Filmed by Paul Hubbard at the Wellfleet Public Library on 9-13-09.

Dear Pres. Obama: Domestic Catastrophic Risk Demands Action by Ralph Nader

Image by Gwen’s River City Images via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

by Ralph Nader
The Nader Page
July 22, 2016

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
July 22, 2016

Dear President Obama:

Top 10 Reasons Why It’s Just Fine for U.S. to Blow Up Children by David Swanson

Image by Leigh Blackall via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
July 20, 2016

Is it really necessary for me to explain to you why it’s acceptable, necessary, and admirable for the United States and its minor allies to be blowing up houses, families, men, women, and children in Syria?

Top 12 Reasons the Good War was Bad – Hiroshima in Context by David Swanson

Image by The Official CTBTO Photostream via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
American Herald Tribune, May 23, 2016
May 24, 2016

Consider this a friendly reminder to President Obama on his way to Hiroshima.

No matter how many years one writes books, does interviews, publishes columns, and speaks at events, it remains virtually impossible to make it out the door of an event in the United States at which you’ve advocated abolishing war without somebody hitting you with the what-about-the-good-war question.

Chris Hedges: Saudi Arabia Plays a ‘Dark Role’ in the Middle East, Empowered by US

Image by RonF via The Weekly Bull via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Apr 15, 2016

The Saudi-led coalition – including the nations of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – dropped US-supplied bombs into a Yemeni marketplace killing 119, according to Human Rights Watch. To discuss US arms sales to Saudi Arabia and ongoing legislation meant to curb it, Chris Hedges, author and former Middle East bureau chief for the New York Times, joins RT America’s Manila Chan.