Putting the Robber Barons to Shame

A380 superjumbo jet ordered for "personal use."Late capitalism.

1967 War

US ally Israel attacks a US ship, the Liberty.

Green Blood

Patient in Canada bleeds Spock like green blood.

Zionism. What up?

I'd quibble here and there with this article but a good conversation starter if nothing else.

New Year's in Taipei!

For an "astronomical fee" Costa Rica has switched recognition to mainland China from Taiwan. The Central American countries have traditionally been very reactionary in foreign policy recognizing all types of right wing despots around the world, given that they have had their share, as well as acting as lapdogs for US policy shifts and turns over the years. Only 24 nations now recognize the runaway province as the "legitimate" representaive of China.

Transparency

Tony Blur likes to lecture the world, particularly third world countries, on transparency and corruption. This deal, the British defense contractor BAE, in colusion with the Ministry of Defence paid hundreds of millions of pounds to Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia in order to retain lucrative contracts, makes other corruption stories look like chicken shit.

Locust St Festival!

The Best Fest in Riverwest!

Locust St. Festival, voted Best Neighborhood Festival by Shepherd Express readers, kick-starts the summer season on Sunday, June 10. The fest gets off to a running start with the traditional 1.8 mile Beer Run/Walk through the streets of Riverwest. Alderman Mike D'Amato does the honors at the Start Line when hundreds of runners take off at 11:30 a.m. sharp at Locust & Booth.

Woodland Pattern will host a readings by Riverwest authors & poets. Inter-arts activities for children and adults will take place through-out the day. The gallery will feature museum class art. Come get a bad tie with the purchase of any good book!

Music and dancing in the street will be non-stop with over 20 bands on five outdoor stages presented by The Tracks Tavern, Linneman's Riverwest Inn, Klinger's East, Riverwest Commons, and Lakefront Brewery. Bands include local favorites and a full complement of musical flavors from rock to blues, bluegrass, reggae, acoustic, and Latino rhythms. Or folks can make their own music at the popular Drum Circle on the corner of Locust & Bremen hosted by Milwaukee Public Theatre.More info.

The Housing Bubble

In Britain.

Oaxaca

One year later.

Authenticity

A BBC reporter talks about the authentic, Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich and the inauthentic, Hillary and Mitt and the US presidential race.

The JFK Plot

Here's hype journalism at it's worst from the Christian Science Moniter:

"Had the defendants carried out their plan, it could have resulted in "unfathomable damage, deaths, and destruction," said US Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf in announcing the charges.

Yet the plans were never operationally feasible, and the public was not at risk.

So the plan actually wouldn't have worked but they would have caused ""unfathomable damage, deaths, and destruction," hugh? how does that work?

Here's the hype in full.

Ron Paul for President?

"Paul was asked if 9-11 changed anything. US foreign policy, he answered, was a "major contributing factor. Have you ever read the reasons they attacked us? They attacked us because we've been over there; we've been bombing Iraq for 10 years. We've been in the Middle East. So right now we're building an embassy in Iraq that's bigger than the Vatican. We're building 14 permanent bases. What would we say here if China was doing this in our country or in the Gulf of Mexico? We would be objecting.
Next came the question, had the US invited the attacks. "I'm suggesting that we listen to the people who attacked us and the reason they did it, and they are delighted that we're over there because Osama bin Laden has said, 'I am glad you're over on our sand because we can target you so much easier.'""

A. Cockburn's article on the Republican debate.