Americans remain confident that any definition of a free nation must include their own — the land of free. Yet, the laws and practices of the land should shake that confidence. In the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, this country has comprehensively reduced civil liberties in the name of an expanded security state.
10 reasons the U.S. is no longer the land of the free – The Washington Post.
The past 18 months have seen extraordinary outpourings of discontent. But what links them? In this extract from his new book, Paul Mason examines how technology has been at the heart of the global unrest, and finds parallels less with 1968, and more with 1914
Global unrest: how the revolution went viral | World news | The Guardian.
Jürgen Habermas has had enough. The philosopher is doing all he can these days to call attention to what he sees as the demise of the European ideal. He hopes he can help save it — from inept politicians and the dark forces of the market.
Habermas, the Last European: A Philosophers Mission to Save the EU
“IN dreams begin responsibilities,” wrote Yeats in 1914. These words resonate with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have witnessed dramatic shifts in our relationship to power. After generations of sacrifice and organization, gay people in parts of the world have won protection from discrimination and relationship recognition. But these changes have given rise to a nefarious phenomenon: the co-opting of white gay people by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim political forces in Western Europe and Israel.
‘Pinkwashing’ and Israel’s Use of Gays as a Messaging Tool – NYTimes.com.
Officially, German debt in 2011 stands at 2,000 billion euros. But that’s only half the truth, because the major portion of expenditure for pensioners, the sick and dependent persons is not included in the calculation. According to new figures, the real debt is 5,000 billion euros. If these figures stand, Germany is in debt to the tune of 185 percent of its gross domestic product and not 83 percent, as officially declared. By comparison, Greek debt should be 186 percent of GDP in 2012, and Italy’s debt is currently at 120 percent.
Juncker says German debt cause for concern | Reuters.
Germany’s enormous hidden debt
But It seems that also other countries hide the real entity of their sovereign debts.
Butler, Eamonn (13 June 2010). “Hidden debt is the country’s real monster”. The Sunday Times (London). Retrieved 16 May 2011.
Newmark, Brooks (21 October 2008). “Britain’s hidden debt”. The Guardian (London). Retrieved 16 May 2011.
Wheatcroft, Patience (16 February 2010). “Time to remove the mask from debt”. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
“Botox and beancounting Do official statistics cosmetically enhance America’s economic appearance?”. Economist. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
When Lyndsey is done paying them, she will be 54 years old, and she will have spent more than a third of a million dollars on her undergraduate education.
the ruling system has even oppressed our capacity to dream. Look at the movies that we see all the time. It’s easy to imagine the end of the world. An asteroid destroying all life and so on. But you cannot imagine the end of capitalism.
Slavoj Zizek: “We Are The Awakening” – Occupy Wall Street Talk | The New Significance.
As protests against financial power sweep the world this week, science may have confirmed the protesters’ worst fears. An analysis of the relationships between 43,000 transnational corporations has identified a relatively small group of companies, mainly banks, with disproportionate power over the global economy.
Of all the many banners being waved around the world by disgruntled protesters from Chile to Australia the one that reads, “We Are the 99%” is the catchiest. It is purposefully vague, but it is also underpinned by some solid economics.
Income inequality in America: The 99 percent | The Economist.
The Eurozone crisis has raised calls for greater political integration of the EU. However, sociologist Jürgen Habermas argues that the tactics adopted by European leaders have sidelined what should be their main priority: the well-being of citizens, established within a democratic framework.
Jürgen Habermas: democracy is at stake | Presseurop (English).
This very short film is an attempt to explain how we are represented at large global organisations by people who we did not chose to do so. It is based on a lecture given by George Monbiot called “Is Global Democracy Possible.
Question arise: Can the victor decide what is ‘justice’? Can the enemy be seen in light of ‘the story of our history’?
Footage shows Gaddafi’s bloodied body – Middle East – Al Jazeera English.