Tom DeLay: Judge Rules PAC’s Actions Illegal
State District Judge Joe Hart ruled Thursday that Texas law is clear: hundreds of thousands of unreported corporate and individual donations to Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC) were used to affect the outcome of Texas House elections in 2002...This activity is an apparent violation of House ethics rules, as it seems DeLay used his position and influence in Congress to solicit campaign donations for his PAC
Report: Social Security is the Cornerstone of Retirement
The authors of the report argue that their findings show that private-based retirement plans have a poor record in providing for the needs of middle and lower-income workers. In fact, “The many ways in which Social Security has proven superior to private retirement benefits,” the authors insist, “should give pause to those who want to carve up Social Security through privatization.”
Democracy and Capitalism – Not a Pretty Couple
If the United States were merely attempting to breathe life into democracy in Iraq, our military would have been replaced by international peacekeeping forces long ago. Instead, it appears that plans have always included the construction of a dozen or more permanent U.S. military bases within the borders of this damaged, oil rich country.
Bush Administration Attempts to Influence Global HIV/AIDS Policy
This week, the administration forced The Global Fund to accept Randall Tobias, U.S. Ambassador for AIDS Coordination, as the chairman of the Policy and Strategy Committee. This will give the Bush administration undue influence on international HIV/AIDS policy, and will likely be a death sentence for many living with the disease.
Amnesty International Calls for International Investigation of US Torture
A report released by Amnesty International this week characterized the Bush administration’s 'war on terror' as making 'a mockery of President George Bush’s claims that the USA was the global champion of human rights.'
Labor Takes on Wall-Street over Social Security Privatization
'...rally participants wore masks of CEO Charles Schwab and held signs saying “Double Talk Chuck,” mocking the company’s current ad campaign to “Talk to Chuck.” Clients and investors called on the company to withdraw from corporate coalitions and groups that are actively promoting plans by President Bush and California Governor Schwarzenegger to slash guaranteed retirement benefits for millions of workers.
Michael Parenti: Good Things Happening in Venezuela
'In Venezuela over 80 percent of the population lives below the poverty level. Before Chavez, most of the poor had never seen a doctor or dentist. Their children never went to school, since they could not afford the annual fees...Chavez charges that the United States government is plotting to assassinate him. I can believe it.'
Haiti Hunger Strike: Letter from Yvon Neptune
'I am continuing my hunger strike, so that I can regain my freedom and my security and so that the de facto Government will stop threatening my life, while it continues to trample on my dignity.'
To be US 'strategic partner' or the partner of 'US strategy'?
'The reason for US and Afghanistan to establish 'strategic partnership' is: first for 'putting out a fire' in order to put down the anger triggered off by the US soldiers in profaning 'the Koran' in Afghanistan and the Moslem world; the second for seeking a long-term cooperation with the Afghan government to consolidate the anti-terrorism result and prevent al Qaeda and Taliban's remnant forces from reviving.'(translation)
Terrorism: US Conundrum over Terror Suspect Posada Carriles Grows
What is the difference between blasting a Cubana de Aviacion plane in flight on October 1976 and the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States?...The attack on the Cubana flight was silenced by Washington. Its authors, Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles were trained and recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in its purpose of eliminating the island’s revolutionary process.
