There are zillions of articles on the web. In this section we will try to highlight some really important articles on a variety of topics. Please feel free to forward more of these to us.
A Definition of Fascism: We begin by stating the basic problem. Without a good definition, the word "fascist" is merely a perjorative. It is a system of massive private sector corruption, which uses the machinery of the state to extend the power of the wealthy. Such a system is without a moral justification, so abundant patriotic propaganda, censorship and fear is used instead.
Bush Behind Closed Doors: Doug Thompson has written several articles that give us a peek at what is really happenning in the White House - what the mood and attitude is. Here are some:
The Demonization of Muslims and the Battle for Oil. Throughout history, "wars of religion" have served to obscure the economic and strategic interests behind the conquest and invasion of foreign lands. "Wars of religion" were invariably fought with a view to securing control over trading routes and natural resources. With 65% to 75% of the world's remaining oil reserves residing in Muslim countries and the west's dependence on this resource, public support for a war to seize control of these resources is being manipulated by demonizing the people who live there.
Nuclear War with Russia is Still Possible: Both Russia and China will side with Iran in the event we (or Israel) attack. Other oil producing states (e.g. Venezuela) will also do so. In the planning for a war with Iran, the Pentagon is taking this into consideration - thinking the unthinkable. Putin's Russia is modernizing its nuclear options with America's dreams of hegemony in mind. This sobering article explores what is going on in the neocon drive for "Nuclear Primacy."
The Dollar's Full-System Meltdown: With our skyrocketing deficits in the Federal budget and in Trade, plus investment bubbles in equities, housing and derivatives; there are a lot of ways our economy could unravel. Our financial system requires an average of $2.5 billion PER DAY in new foreign investment just to stay liquid (and one billion of that is just the drug trade). We have become dependent on foreigners to buy our bonds when the Fed runs it's printing presses to keep the bubbles inflated. Countries like China can pull the plug on our economy at any time, NOT by cashing in the billions in US bonds they hold, but simply by not buying any more. This article is a must read.
Housing Bubble Smack-Down: The Tech Bubble burst in 2000, and our financial markets were already beginning to collapse when 9-11 happened. There immediately followed a massive bailout of the airline industry (which only lost 4 planes in the attacks), and our nation's money supply has since doubled. Has your income doubled? Has your wealth doubled? If you own a home, the answer is likely "YES" to this 2nd question. To keep our financial system afloat, the Fed has pumped trillions into the economy. Where did it go? Into the housing market, primarily. What's next? Read this article.
Are the Neocons Losing It? An article by Pat Buchanon! His face is on TV all the time, because he is a right-wing pundit. He is also highly critical of the way the war is going. In this article, he says Bush should fire everybody. Except himself? The World Can't Wait.
Christian Fundamentalists are Driving Bush's Middle East Policy: George Monbiot wrote this short article, which demonstrates why a huge portion of the Republican base wants this war to get really really big. Another article along the same lines is this one in the Village Voice, and here's one by Kevin Phillips. Unfortunately, conservative megachurches are currently sounding the drumbeat for war with Iran.
Robert Fisk: With so much written about Iraq, it's hard to top the depth of understanding or the experience that Robert Fisk has with the whole Middle East problem. Events are transpiring so fast, that it's hard to link to just one article. We link to his website instead. It is important to keep up with what he has to say. There are also books, and an audio track or two in our downloads section.
The Real Reasons Why Iran is the Next Target: Incredibly, American's are being primed to accept WMD's as the reason for War again. Actually, Iran is a serious threat to our economy. As American's we enjoy a high standard of living, due in large part to the grossly inflated value of the dollar. This gives us more purchasing power. Our control of the oil market is a major factor. There are only two international exchanges for the purchase of oil. One is in London and the other in New York. Both are owned by US corporations and both require payment in dollars. This means that all countries must buy dollars in order to buy oil, which boosts the value of the dollar and our purchasing power. Iran is planning to open a new exchange on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, with payment for oil in Euros. Due to the impact this would have on our financial system, the Neocons are willing to start another catastrophic war in order to stop it. The bourse was scheduled to open on 21 March 2006, but didn't. Something is going on behind the scenes which will determine if there is war. No bourse = no war. The William Clark article is an important read.
Stolen Elections: A enormous amount was written and posted
regarding ther irregularities of 2004 (and, uh, 2000). The link points to one that covers many of the main
problems.
Online Journal has many good articles relating to the election.
Robert F. Kennedy - on Ohio:
This article focus on one of the five states (IA, NM, FL, OH & NV) that were stolen: Ohio. It details the
many strategies that were used to block registration of democrats, delete democrats from the voter rolls,
make them stand in line longer or switch their votes to Bush. The article appeared in Rolling Stone, and is
loaded with supporting references.
Peak Oil: If you havn't been paying attention to the problems we face with hydrocarbon supplies, this one article should get you up to speed. Other important source are featured along the right margin of the page.
Eating Fossil Fuels: This is an important and scary article about the amount of hydrocarbon energy is consumed in the production of food. It means that when we run out of oil, agriculture will collapse and billions will starve. Peak Oil = Famine.
Oil, and the Scramble for African Reserves: The Atlantic coast of Africa is densely populated and rich with oil. Vast slums line the entire coast, as the oil revenue goes elsewhere - to corrupt regimes. The oil reserves are not as rich as those in the Persian Gulf, but the world's super-powers are scrambling for access to every remaining source. The situation in Africa is complex, and this article explains the problems in depth. It's an excellent read.
Global Climate Change: In this three part article, Dale Allen Pfeiffer explains the problems we face with Global Warming. The abrupt change in climate could happen in a few decades and last for thousands of years. We may have already reached to point where this change is irreversable. The article explains all the science. Here are the links to the rest of the article: Part 2 and Part 3. To be fair, let's do a link to the other side of the debate: Junk Science.Com. Notice how nearly all their links are to articles on Fox News, since there is a shortage of scientists to quote and an abundance of right-wing pundits and corporate shills.
And the REAL replacement for oil will be: COAL! This article is a must read. With the world's oil supplies running tight, everyone is talking about the alternatives: solar, biodiesel, ethanol, wind, hydrogen, nuclear, etc. None of these will ever become sufficiently economically viable AND portable enough to power our transportation grid. Hydrogen cars are a joke (you will understand when the first hydrogen car gets rear-ended). The true substitute that definitely will replace oil AND natural gas in this century will be gasified coal. The Fischer-Tropsch method of coal gasification was invented by the Nazi's and provided Germany with the oil it used to fight WW2. Here are the numbers: 1) Due to the higher cost, the process only becomes viable when the price of oil is above $40 per barrel (it already is). 2) One ton of coal can produce 1.5 barrels of oil. 3) There are 120 billion tons of coal in Montana alone. 4) That equals 180 billion barrels of domestic oil. This guarantees that America's wasteful consumption of fossil fuel energy will continue until coal runs out, and also ensure irreversable climate change. Ya gotta love them Nazi's!
Post-Soviet Lessons for a Post-American Century: Dmitry Orlov is a Russian who has spent major portions of his life living in both the US and Russia - both before and after their devastating economic crash of the earl 90's. There are differences between the two economies, but also similarities. After all, the former Soviet Union was the 2nd largest industrial economy in the history of the world - the runner up to the United States. Since Russia's collapse, he has returned there more than once. He has seen a lot first hand, and thus has some interesting insights about the collapse that will come to America soon. This one is also a three part article, so here is Part 2 and Part 3.
Is America Preparing for Martial Law? Are you maybe a little worried that all the surveillance against citizens and peaceful war opposition might NOT be about "terrorism?" What about the massive data collection and monitoring of e-mails - and why are they so concerned about what books we borrow or buy? We worry that our country is sliding down the slippery slope to dictatorship, but what do dictators do? Supress dissent. Arrest activists and intellectuals. Stifle free expression. The Left isn't paying attention to ominous preparations for the worst case scenario we should fear. Start reading up - click the secret link.
NSA Surveillance: Al Gore wrote a stinging attack on Bush's executive
decision to bypass the FISA law and order the NSA to gather data on american citizens. He decries
the erosion of freedoms under the Bush regime, and blasts congress for not standing up to him. This is really
a good rant.
Torture: Here
is another article by Al Gore. The right-wing noise machine jumped all over him for saying
the things that needed to be said here. This is not the same Al Gore that barely beat Bush in 2000. He no
longer sounds like your typically bland Democratic candidate. Read these two articles by him, and imagine
someone like this running for President with such passion - instead of a toad like Kerry.
Korea, China and the US: Stan Goff is a career soldier in Army Special Operations who has served in many combat theatres. His book, Full Spectrum Disorder details, chapter by chapter, the serious problems America faces in the years ahead. He predicts we will have to pull out of Iraq because the insurgency will beat us, and explains exactly how they will beat us. He also sees the imbalances in the world's financial system, and how they will bite us. This article on Korea is essentially the same as one chapter. It goes into the history - which is very different than what you hear in the news.
Osama Who?: Osama bin Laden is NOT wanted by the FBI in connection with the events of 9-11. Officials admit that they don't have a shred of evidence. This article is short and interesting. Follow all the links.