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Hot Spots: Strait of Hormuz, South China Sea and Caspian Basin
MICHAEL KLARE, mklare at hampshire.edu Klare is author of the forthcoming book The Race for What’s Left and just wrote the piece “Danger Waters: The Three Top Hot Spots of Potential Conflict in the Geo-Energy Era,” which states: “Welcome to an edgy world where a single incident at an energy ‘chokepoint’ could set a region…
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Crude Tragedy: Nigeria Repression and Austerity Lead to General Strike
BBC reports: “A general strike in Nigeria over the elimination of a fuel subsidy has brought the country to a standstill. Shops, offices, schools and petrol stations around the country closed on the first day of an indefinite strike. “In Lagos and other cities, thousands marched against the removal of the subsidy, which has doubled…
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Money in Politics: Citizens United Setback in Montana; Gingrich Hoisted on Own Petard
Truth-out reports: “In a rebuke to the United States Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of Montana has held that Citizens United does not apply to Montana campaign finance law. “Last Friday, the Montana Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a 1912 voter initiative – the Corrupt Practices Act – that prohibits corporations from making contributions…
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Is the Military Budget Really Being Cut?
CATHERINE LUTZ, Catherine_Lutz at brown.edu Editor of the book “The Bases of Empire: The Struggle Against U.S. Military Posts,” Lutz said today: “Despite alarms sent up by politicians looking only at Pentagon press releases or their military industry backers’ interests, the new proposal for Department of Defense base budget reductions over the next five years…
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Romney, Santorum and Separation of Church and State
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Santorum on Iran: Ignorance or Lies?
Virtually all Republican candidates — with the notable exception of Ron Paul — have sounded a belligerent note on Iran at one point or another. However, Rick Santorum has apparently taken this to a higher level, analysts note. AP reports: “Republican Rick Santorum says that if he’s elected president, he would bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities…
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Occupy Iowa Caucuses
DAVID GOODNER, david at iowacci.org Goodner is with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and has been active with the Occupy Iowa movement. He said today: “Occupy Des Moines started the Occupy Iowa Caucus campaign largely to address the problem of big money in politics — the presidential candidates and their SuperPACs have spent $200 for…
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Indefinite Detentions, Trial Today
Today, a jury trial of 14 anti-torture activists is scheduled to begin in Washington, D.C. as anti-torture and indefinite detention protests escalate. AllGov.com reports today: “He waited until New Year’s Eve to do it … but he did it. While expressing ‘serious reservations’ about the bill, President Barack Obama on New Year’s Eve signed legislation…
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Christianity and Occupy Wall Street
BLASE BONPANE, ooa at igc.org Director of the Office of the Americas, Bonpane served as a Maryknoll priest in Guatemala and has written five books including Guerrillas of Peace: Liberation Theology and the Central American Revolution and Civilization is Possible. His latest book is Imagine No Religion: An Autobiography. He said today: “I fully agree…
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Alleged WikiLeaks Source Bradley Manning Getting Rigged Trial, Supporters Charge
JEFF PATERSON, via Zack Pesavento, press at bradleymanning.org Paterson is a veteran and co-founder of the Bradley Manning Support Network. He said: “Military officials are continuing their star chamber prosecution after abusing Bradley Manning of his rights for 18 months. The investigating officer is not only biased to produce an outcome that is favorable to…