Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines http://www.truthdig.com/ Truthdig, a Web magazine that provides expert in-depth coverage of current affairs as well as a variety of thoughtful, provocative content assembled from a progressive point of view. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman. en editor@truthdig.com Copyright 2013 2013-06-18T20:31:19+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/http://www.truthdig.com/images/rss_feed_promo.gifTruthdig.com logo This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use. Bill Ayers: Try Obama, Bush for War Crimes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/8jvjptFAD_4/ http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/bill_ayers_try_obama_bush_for_war_crimes_20130618/ barack obama, bill ayers, george w. bush, politics, real clear politics, terrorism, war crimes, weather underground,

Bill Ayers, a University of Illinois professor and former Weather Underground member whose ties to Barack Obama were the subject of controversy and Republican criticism during the 2008 presidential election, now accuses the president of engaging in “terrorist activity” and says that he and former President George W. Bush should be tried for war crimes.

“Every president in this century should be put on trial,” Ayers told Real Clear Politics in an interview that was posted Tuesday. “Every one of them goes into an office dripping with blood and then adds to it. And, yes, I think that these are war crimes. I think that they’re acts of terror.”

Ayers also said that he would give Obama’s presidency a failing grade—though it appears that’s his standard grade, along with some F minuses, for every president who has served during his lifetime—but added that he also “doesn’t at all feel that Obama has let anybody down.”

Watch the full RCP interview here.

 

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]]> Bill Ayers, a University of Illinois professor and former Weather Underground member whose ties to Barack Obama were the subject of controversy and Republican criticism during the 2008 presidential election, now accuses the president of engaging in “terrorist activity” and says that he and former President George W. Bush should be tried for war crimes. “Every president in this century should be put on trial,” Ayers told Real Clear Politics in an interview that was posted Tuesday. “Every one of them goes into an office dripping with blood and then adds to it. And, yes, I think that these are war crimes. I think that they’re acts of terror.” Ayers also said that he would give Obama’s presidency a failing grade—though it appears that’s his standard grade, along with some F minuses, for every president who has served during his lifetime—but added that he also “doesn’t at all feel that Obama has let anybody down.” Watch the full RCP interview here.   2013-06-18T20:31:19+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/bill_ayers_try_obama_bush_for_war_crimes_20130618/ GOP Congressman: Abortions Should Be Banned Because Male Fetuses Masturbate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/MLQoVosxp3g/ http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/gop_congressman_abortions_should_be_banned_because_male_fetuses_masturbate_/ abortion bill, anti-abortion, anti-abortion bill, anti-choice, congress, health, male fetuses, masturbation, michael burgess, pain-capable infant protection act, reproductive rights, republicans,

During debate Monday on a House bill that would ban virtually all abortions starting 20 weeks after conception, Rep. Michael Burgess, a Republican from Texas, made what likely amounts to be the most absurd argument ever for why the country should outlaw the medical procedure.

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]]> During debate Monday on a House bill that would ban virtually all abortions starting 20 weeks after conception, Rep. Michael Burgess, a Republican from Texas, made what likely amounts to be the most absurd argument ever for why the country should outlaw the medical procedure. 2013-06-18T18:16:41+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/gop_congressman_abortions_should_be_banned_because_male_fetuses_masturbate_/ Bank of America Lied to Homeowners and Rewarded Foreclosures, Ex-Employees Say http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/OtFkQFZVYrk/ http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/bank_of_america_lied_to_homeowners_and_rewarded_foreclosures_ex-employees_s/ bank of america, banks, banksters, big banks, economy, foreclosure, government, hamp, home affordable modification program, homeowners, obama administration, politics, By Paul Kiel, ProPublica

Bank of America employees regularly lied to homeowners seeking loan modifications, denied their applications for made-up reasons, and were rewarded for sending homeowners to foreclosure, according to sworn statements by former bank employees.


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]]> By Paul Kiel, ProPublica Bank of America employees regularly lied to homeowners seeking loan modifications, denied their applications for made-up reasons, and were rewarded for sending homeowners to foreclosure, according to sworn statements by former bank employees. 2013-06-18T18:12:06+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/bank_of_america_lied_to_homeowners_and_rewarded_foreclosures_ex-employees_s/ Experts Don’t Buy Claim Syria Used Chemical Weapons http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/CW0Tzu6ueIo/ http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/experts_dont_buy_claim_syria_used_chemical_weapons_20130618/ barack obama, bashar al assad, chemical weapons, jean pascal zanders, obama administration, philip coyle, sarin gas, syria,

Late last week, some leading chemical weapons experts voiced skepticism about U.S. claims that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used sarin gas against rebels on at least four occasions this spring. Months of investigation have failed to uncover the telltale signs of an attack, they say.

“It’s not unlike Sherlock Holmes and the dog that didn’t bark,” Jean Pascal Zanders, a former senior research fellow at the European Union’s Institute for Security Studies and a leading expert on chemical weapons, told the McClatchy news service. “It’s not just that we can’t prove a sarin attack, it’s that we’re not seeing what we would expect to see from a sarin attack.”

Those missing items include cellphone photos and videos taken in the alleged attacks’ immediate aftermaths.

“In a world where even the secret execution of Saddam Hussein was taped by someone, it doesn’t make sense that we don’t see videos, that we don’t see photos, showing bodies of the dead, and the reddened faces and the bluish extremities of the affected,” he said.

Other experts pointed out that the Obama administration has yet to give details of what evidence it uncovered and how it obtained it.

Philip Coyle, a senior scientist at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, confirmed that it is difficult for experts to evaluate the validity of the administration’s claim without hard, public evidence. He said that what is known does not point to the use of sarin gas.

“Without blood samples, it’s hard to know,” he said. “But I admit I hope there isn’t a blood sample, because I’m still hopeful that sarin has not been used.”

McClatchy reported: “Even a proponent of the United States providing military assistance to the rebels raised doubts about the possible motive for announcing the chemical weapons conclusion.”

Only one detailed independent report of a chemical attack has surfaced since August 2012, when President Barack Obama announced that the use of such weapons would cross a “red line” that would make U.S. military involvement probable. A lengthy report published in Le Monde in May prompted French and British letters to the United Nations.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

McClatchy:

Zanders, however, said that much about that report bears questioning. Photos and a video accompanying the report showed rebel fighters preparing for chemical attacks by wearing gas masks. Sarin is absorbed through the skin, and even small amounts can kill within minutes.

He also expressed skepticism about the article’s description of the lengthy route victims of chemical attacks had to travel to get to treatment, winding through holes in buildings, down streets under heavy fire, before arriving at remote buildings hiding hospitals.

… Zanders also said he’s skeptical of sarin use because there have been no reports of medical personnel or rescuers dying from contact with victims. Residue from sarin gas would be expected to linger on victims and would infect those helping, who often are shown in rebel video wearing no more protection than paper masks.

Le Monde reported that one doctor treated a victim with atropine, which is appropriate for sarin poisoning. But that doctor said he gave his patient 15 shots of atropine in quick succession, which Zanders said could have killed him almost as surely as sarin.

Read more

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]]> Late last week, some leading chemical weapons experts voiced skepticism about U.S. claims that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used sarin gas against rebels on at least four occasions this spring. Months of investigation have failed to uncover the telltale signs of an attack, they say. “It’s not unlike Sherlock Holmes and the dog that didn’t bark,” Jean Pascal Zanders, a former senior research fellow at the European Union’s Institute for Security Studies and a leading expert on chemical weapons, told the McClatchy news service. “It’s not just that we can’t prove a sarin attack, it’s that we’re not seeing what we would expect to see from a sarin attack.” Those missing items include cellphone photos and videos taken in the alleged attacks’ immediate aftermaths. “In a world where even the secret execution of Saddam Hussein was taped by someone, it doesn’t make sense that we don’t see videos, that we don’t see photos, showing bodies of the dead, and the reddened faces and the bluish extremities of the affected,” he said. Other experts pointed out that the Obama administration has yet to give details of what evidence it uncovered and how it obtained it. Philip Coyle, a senior scientist at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, confirmed that it is difficult for experts to evaluate the validity of the administration’s claim without hard, public evidence. He said that what is known does not point to the use of sarin gas. “Without blood samples, it’s hard to know,” he said. “But I admit I hope there isn’t a blood sample, because I’m still hopeful that sarin has not been used.” McClatchy reported: “Even a proponent of the United States providing military assistance to the rebels raised doubts about the possible motive for announcing the chemical weapons conclusion.” Only one detailed independent report of a chemical attack has surfaced since August 2012, when President Barack Obama announced that the use of such weapons would cross a “red line” that would make U.S. military involvement probable. A lengthy report published in Le Monde in May prompted French and British letters to the United Nations. —Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly. McClatchy: Zanders, however, said that much about that report bears questioning. Photos and a video accompanying the report showed rebel fighters preparing for chemical attacks by wearing gas masks. Sarin is absorbed through the skin, and even small amounts can kill within minutes. He also expressed skepticism about the article’s description of the lengthy route victims of chemical attacks had to travel to get to treatment, winding through holes in buildings, down streets under heavy fire, before arriving at remote buildings hiding hospitals. … Zanders also said he’s skeptical of sarin use because there have been no reports of medical personnel or rescuers dying from contact with victims. Residue from sarin gas would be expected to linger on victims and would infect those helping, who often are shown in rebel video wearing no more protection than paper masks. Le Monde reported that one doctor treated a victim with atropine, which is appropriate for sarin poisoning. But that doctor said he gave his patient 15 shots of atropine in quick succession, which Zanders said could have killed him almost as surely as sarin. Read more 2013-06-18T18:04:39+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/experts_dont_buy_claim_syria_used_chemical_weapons_20130618/ Ernest Hemingway: Dud KGB Spy? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/UwCE-sVCM0M/ http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/ernest_hemingway_dud_kgb_spy_20130618/ cold war, ernest hemingway, kgb, spies, spying,

A new book, “Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America,” reveals that the beloved American novelist was a spy in the service of the KGB—but failed miserably at the job.

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]]> A new book, “Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America,” reveals that the beloved American novelist was a spy in the service of the KGB—but failed miserably at the job. 2013-06-18T17:53:17+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/ernest_hemingway_dud_kgb_spy_20130618/ The Campaign to Ignore Sarah Palin http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/IyJA3n8Gwd0/ http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/the_campaign_to_ignore_sarah_palin_20130618/ daily show, fox & friends, fox news, john oliver, politics, sarah palin, sarah palin fox news,

The former half-term Alaska governor/reality television star/famed quitter’s return Monday to Fox News (on the equally ridiculous “Fox & Friends” no less) gave interim “Daily Show” host John Oliver a great idea.

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]]> The former half-term Alaska governor/reality television star/famed quitter’s return Monday to Fox News (on the equally ridiculous “Fox & Friends” no less) gave interim “Daily Show” host John Oliver a great idea. 2013-06-18T17:41:54+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/the_campaign_to_ignore_sarah_palin_20130618/ Brazil Erupts in Protest Over Services and Soccer Costs (Video) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/ReUQzvBEeCA/ http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/brazil_erupts_in_protest_over_services_and_soccer_costs_video_20130618/ belem, belo horizonte, brasilia, brazil, dilma rousseff, protest, public services, rio de janeiro, salvador, sao paulo, would cup,

A few-cent rise in public transportation prices led to protests Monday across Brazil involving more than 100,000 people angered over heavy-handed policing, poor public services and high costs for the World Cup.

Marches and demonstrations occurred in the major cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belem, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and elsewhere. The protests began peacefully but led in some cases to clashes with police and arson attacks on cars, buses and buildings.

Small protests against the rise in bus fare began last week. Police reportedly responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and beatings.

Various causes motivated the protesters, including complaints of general government indifference and chronic unemployment. “We are here because we hate the government. They do nothing for us,” Oscar José Santos, a 19-year-old who was with a group of hooded youths from the Rocinha shanty town in Rio de Janeiro, told The Guardian.

Nadia al Husin, also from Rio de Janeiro, was holding a banner calling on the government to do more for education. “I’m an architect but I have been unemployed for six months. There must be something wrong with this country,” he said.

Contrary to the speech of dissent-embattled leaders in the Middle East, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has condoned the protests. “The president believes peaceful protests are legitimate and proper for a democracy and that it is natural for young people to demonstrate,” one of her aides told The Guardian.

Brazil will elect a new president in 2014, the same year when the country is due to host the World Cup soccer tournament.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

The Guardian:

Coinciding with the start of the Confederations Cup – a World Cup test event – the rallies brought together a wide coalition of people frustrated with the escalating costs and persistently poor quality of public services, lavish investment on international sporting events, low standards of healthcare and wider unease about inequality and corruption.

In Rio images and video posted online showed vast crowds.

While the vast majority of demonstrations were peaceful, several police were injured in clashes at the city’s legislative assembly, at least one car was overturned and burned and windows were smashed in the offices of banks and notary offices. 

Read more

Telegraph UK:

cyberwalk:

 

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]]> A few-cent rise in public transportation prices led to protests Monday across Brazil involving more than 100,000 people angered over heavy-handed policing, poor public services and high costs for the World Cup. Marches and demonstrations occurred in the major cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belem, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and elsewhere. The protests began peacefully but led in some cases to clashes with police and arson attacks on cars, buses and buildings. Small protests against the rise in bus fare began last week. Police reportedly responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and beatings. Various causes motivated the protesters, including complaints of general government indifference and chronic unemployment. “We are here because we hate the government. They do nothing for us,” Oscar José Santos, a 19-year-old who was with a group of hooded youths from the Rocinha shanty town in Rio de Janeiro, told The Guardian. Nadia al Husin, also from Rio de Janeiro, was holding a banner calling on the government to do more for education. “I’m an architect but I have been unemployed for six months. There must be something wrong with this country,” he said. Contrary to the speech of dissent-embattled leaders in the Middle East, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has condoned the protests. “The president believes peaceful protests are legitimate and proper for a democracy and that it is natural for young people to demonstrate,” one of her aides told The Guardian. Brazil will elect a new president in 2014, the same year when the country is due to host the World Cup soccer tournament. —Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly. The Guardian: Coinciding with the start of the Confederations Cup – a World Cup test event – the rallies brought together a wide coalition of people frustrated with the escalating costs and persistently poor quality of public services, lavish investment on international sporting events, low standards of healthcare and wider unease about inequality and corruption. In Rio images and video posted online showed vast crowds. While the vast majority of demonstrations were peaceful, several police were injured in clashes at the city’s legislative assembly, at least one car was overturned and burned and windows were smashed in the offices of banks and notary offices.  Read more Telegraph UK: cyberwalk:   2013-06-18T16:37:50+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/brazil_erupts_in_protest_over_services_and_soccer_costs_video_20130618/ Did Progress Leave Christians Behind? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/qiPiE3v4kHw/ http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/the_christians_progress_left_behind_20130618/ christianity, christians, conservative christian, gay rights, matt slick, progressivism, todd clayton, truthdig trek, union theological seminary,

Christians opposed to same-sex marriage are being persecuted for their homophobia and bigotry, preacher and radio host Matt Slick told “The Daily Show” on Monday. Todd Clayton (pictured above), a gay Christian and student at Union Theological Seminary in New York and a leader on the upcoming Truthdig Trek, says, “That’s insane.”

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]]> Christians opposed to same-sex marriage are being persecuted for their homophobia and bigotry, preacher and radio host Matt Slick told “The Daily Show” on Monday. Todd Clayton (pictured above), a gay Christian and student at Union Theological Seminary in New York and a leader on the upcoming Truthdig Trek, says, “That’s insane.” 2013-06-18T16:31:17+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/the_christians_progress_left_behind_20130618/ The Making of a Global Security State http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/Q68n5ThASEw/ http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_making_of_a_global_security_state_20130618/ national security agency, nsa, privacy, surveillance, tom engelhardt, tomdispatch, By Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch

The Edward Snowden revelations about NSA spying and just how far we’ve come in the building of a surveillance state have swept over us 24/7. When a flood sweeps you away, it’s always hard to find a little dry land to survey the extent and nature of the damage. Here’s my attempt to identify five urges essential to understanding the world Snowden has helped us glimpse.


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]]> By Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch The Edward Snowden revelations about NSA spying and just how far we’ve come in the building of a surveillance state have swept over us 24/7. When a flood sweeps you away, it’s always hard to find a little dry land to survey the extent and nature of the damage. Here’s my attempt to identify five urges essential to understanding the world Snowden has helped us glimpse. 2013-06-18T14:18:59+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_making_of_a_global_security_state_20130618/ Climate Change Puts Lake Life at Risk http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/4Wqo6T-hrcg/ http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/climate_change_puts_lake_life_at_risk_20130618/ climate change, climate news network, global warming, tim radford, By Tim Radford, Climate News Network

Lakes are warming on both sides of the Atlantic—and this is bad news both for water quality and the fish.


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]]> By Tim Radford, Climate News Network Lakes are warming on both sides of the Atlantic—and this is bad news both for water quality and the fish. 2013-06-18T14:11:57+00:00 http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/climate_change_puts_lake_life_at_risk_20130618/