Thursday, December 24, 2009

Reader: A Christmas Story for Truth

By Judith C. Berry
December 24, 2009

The Christmas story was indeed a wonderful story to me for many years. However, when I found out it was just a made-up story, like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” or “Pinocchio,” I was crushed. AND, that is what it is - a made-up story.

Read on.

Legal Challenges to US Health Reform

By David Swanson
December 24, 2009

Does the United States Constitution allow Congress to force people to purchase a product (health insurance) from a private corporation, and fine them or tax them if they refuse?

Read on.

A Christmas Eve Battle for Freedom

By William Loren Katz
December 24, 2009

This Christmas Eve marks the 172nd anniversary of a battle for liberty in 1837 on the banks of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, that helped shape the United States of America.

Read on.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The Snows of Christmases Past

By Michael Winship
December 22, 2009

We had our first snowstorm of the winter in Manhattan this past weekend and it served to remind me that I have not actually shoveled snow in decades - the result of living in a city where other people are hired to do it for you.

Read on.

Woodstock's Link to the War Machine

By Laurie Kirby
December 22, 2009

I’m proud of my small town’s worldwide association with peace. Many times during the 24 years that I’ve lived here, I’ve stood in peace vigils on the Village Green – and provided a bit of local color for visitors’ snapshots.

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'Gott Mit Uns': Christians Excusing War

By Gary G. Kohls MD
December 22, 2009

When Gulf War I ended (during George Bush the Elder’s presidency), General Norman Schwartzkopf, the field commander, triumphantly proclaimed, “God must have been on our side!”

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Break the CIA in Two

By Ray McGovern
December 22, 2009

After the CIA-led fiasco at the Bay of Pigs in April 1961, President John Kennedy was quoted as saying he wanted to “splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it into the winds.” I can understand his anger, but a thousand is probably too many.

Read on.

Monday, December 21, 2009

How Myths Can Kill

By Robert Parry
December 21, 2009

Myths can be innocuous enough, providing pleasure and comfort to believers, for instance, the Jesus birth stories that are celebrated at Christmas or the legends of Abraham and Moses conveying God’s promised land to the Israelites.

Read on.

Winning Wars -- and Losing

By Lawrence S. Wittner
December 21, 2009

Thus far, most of the supporters and opponents of escalating the U.S. war in Afghanistan have focused on whether or not it is possible to secure a military victory in that conflict. But they neglect considering the fact that, in war, even a winner can be a loser.

Read on.