Some Background on the Current Crisis

The Paulson-Bernanke Bank Bailout Plan
By MICHAEL HUDSON
So how much credence should we give the newest proposals for the United States to commit economic suicide by turning over the powers of government in effect to Wall Street? When they talk about “making taxpayers whole,” what really is their game?

Mushroom Cloud over Wall Street
By Mike Whitney
Section 8 of the proposed legislation says it all:
"Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency."


Paulson Bailout Plan a Historic Swindle
By William Greider
If this deal succeeds, I predict it will become a transforming event in American politics--exposing the deep deformities in our democracy and launching a tidal wave of righteous anger and popular rebellion. As I have been saying for several months, this crisis has the potential to bring down one or both political parties, take your choice.

Shattering the Glass-Steagall Act
By William Kaufman
If you're looking for a major cause of the current banking meltdown, you need seek no farther than the 1999 repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act.

a worthwhile weekly radio show

Nader Commercial

Two New Chomsky Essays

Humanitarian Imperialism: The New Doctrine of Imperial Right.
Ossetia-Russia-Georgia.

Bertrand Russell

It is the Palestinians who teach their children violence.

Heil McCain

some more stuff

She's Nice -- but Not Ready
By Mike Doogan
Sarah Palin is simply not qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, especially when that heart beats in the chest of a man who would be the oldest president ever elected to a first term.

The Palin Choice
The Reality of the Political Mind
by George Lakoff
Conservative family values are strict and apply via metaphorical thought to the nation: good vs. evil, authority, the use of force, toughness and discipline, individual (versus social) responsibility, and tough love. Hence, social programs are immoral because they violate discipline and individual responsibility. Guns and the military show force and discipline. Man is above nature; hence no serious environmentalism. The market is the ultimate financial authority, requiring market discipline. In foreign policy, strength is use of the force. In fundamentalist religion, the Bible is the ultimate authority; hence no gay marriage.

Do Turkeys Enjoy Thanksgiving?
Global Resistance to Empire
By Arundhati Roy
In the great cities of Europe and America, where a few years ago these things would only have been whispered, now people are openly talking about the good side of Imperialism and the need for a strong Empire to police an unruly world. The new missionaries want order at the cost of justice. Discipline at the cost of dignity. And ascendancy at any price. Occasionally some of us are invited to 'debate' the issue on 'neutral' platforms provided by the corporate media. Debating Imperialism is a bit like debating the pros and cons of rape. What can we say? That we really miss it?

Howard Zinn: "On Human Nature and Aggression."

Some Reading

We Are Hard-Wired to Care and Connect
by David Korten

It is entirely logical. If our brains were not wired for life in community, our species would have expired long ago. We have an instinctual desire to protect the group, including its weakest and most vulnerable members-its children. Behavior contrary to this positive norm is an indicator of serious social and psychological dysfunction.

Federal Government Involved In Raids On Protesters

by Glenn Greenwald
After all, if you don't want the FBI spying on you, or the Police surrounding and then invading your home with rifles and seizing your computers, there's a very simple solution: don't protest the Government. Just sit quietly in your house and mind your own business.

Oh ya, and Amy Goodman being arrested at the Republican National Convention.

Prediction

Sarah Palin will bow out as Vice Presidential nominee.