Salem-News.com Politics articles Page 56

How Congress Extorts Money From Those Who Have Business Before It

Public understanding of what is really taking place in Congress is an important first step.

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The U.S. Congress is held in increasingly low esteem. In his just-published book, "Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War," former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates provides us with this judgment of Congress:

"I saw most of Congress as uncivil, incompetent at fulfilling their basic constitutional responsibilities (such as timely appropriations), micromanagerial, parochial, hypocritical, egotistical, thin-skinned and prone to put self (and re-election) above country."

Western Civilians in Kabul

The thousands of Western civilians who live in Kabul have felt very little of the threat posed by the insurgents.

(PORTLAND, OR) - Interesting observations of the lives of “thousands” of unofficial (mainly US) civilians by the NYTimes correspondent in Kabul.

I assume they are mainly US contractors and “security” company gunmen, business speculators and even shadier types that hope to profit from foreign money injected into an invaded and occupied country. Although there are also NGO employees engaged in presumably righteous activity, even most of them receive generous pay.

Let`s Shine a Light Into the ICC`s Dusty Corners...
When Will the Palestinians Clear the Decks for Action?

Courage and bold leadership are precisely what's lacking.

(LONDON) - I watched the Palestinian ambassador, Prof Manuel Hassassian's performance before a session of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee enquiring into 'Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: prospects for 2014'.

He was asked by MP Rory Stewart: "Why did you come back to the negotiating table?"

The Siege of Yarmouk
Crimes Against Humanity Warranting Prosecution of the Guilty, Not Blame for the Victims...

International law relevant to situations of this nature was created specifically to stop the targeting of civilians.

(YARMOUK PALESTINIAN CAMP, Damascus) - At the Palestine Embassy in Beirut recently, a young lady showed this observer a video of a gentleman in Yarmouk camp in Damascus. The video showed the man killing and eating a cat.

Food ran out in Yarmouk weeks ago, and nearly 18,000 refugees are facing death from starvation and other conflict-related causes. This siege has been ongoing since July 2013, and it has become viciously lethal.

Obama Fans Aren`t Even Pretending That Was a Good Speech

Obama's promises not to abuse unchecked secret powers (and implied promise that none of his successors or subordinates will abuse them either) is not credible, or acceptable...

(WASHINGTON, DC) - President Barack Obama gave a eulogy for the Fourth Amendment on Friday, and not even his fans are proclaiming victory.

In this moment when Obama is actually doing one thing I agree with (talking to Iran), more and more people seem to be slowly, agonizingly slowly, finally, finally, finally, recognizing what a complete huckster he is when it comes to pretty speeches about his crimes.

Video Shows U.S. Gen. Paul E. Vallely Collaborating in Development of FSA

In selling the mercenary jihadist mission of the Free Syrian Army, Vallely and a TV program host suggest the FSA is secular, and that is the farthest thing from the truth.

(SALEM) - Video from LiveLeak shows U.S. Gen. Paul E. Vallely with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) after he entered Syrian territory by crossing the Turkish border.

Almost a year later they began killing each other. What is interesting about his words, at the end of the video, is that they are totally false. He characterizes the murderous band of jihadist mercenaries known as the FSA as if they were a serious legitimate force.

Insecurity: The Achilles Heel of Mexican Reforms?

While the militarization of Michocan is grabbing the bulk of national media attention, the economic fall-out from insecurity is far from confined to the Pacific coastal state...

(LAS CRUCES , NM) - The security crisis in the Mexican state of Michoacan is smacking the economy, bringing higher costs, leaving shuttered businesses, encouraging capital flight, and causing employment reductions, according to different reports.

For instance, the Mexican Social Security Institute reported that the violence-ridden state, where crime syndicates, self-defense groups and government security forces are in a stand-off, lost 5,921 jobs in the formal economy from November 2012 to November 2013.

Petition: No More Rape Apologists--Denounce Richard Black!

"Think of yourself at 25,... Wouldn't you love to have a group of 19-year-old girls under your control, day in, day out?" - Richard Black, candidate for Congress in Virginia

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Richard Black, a candidate for Congress in Virginia, thinks that spousal rape should not be a crime.

When Virginia voted to allow spouses to be prosecuted for rape, Black opposed it as a state senator and questioned whether marital rape is even possible, saying "when they're living together, sleeping in the same bed, she's in a nightie, and so forth." This is outrageous and unacceptable. Marital rape is a crime and a very serious instance of domestic violence.

Lessening of Iranian Economic Sanctions Could Improve Diplomacy and Increase Dialogue, MU Expert Says

“We found that the more we engaged them through diplomatic discourse, the better the outcomes. This could be the case in Iran as well” Cooper A. Drury, University of Missouri researcher

(COLUMBIA, MO) - Iranian sanctions and their effect on the stability of the Mideast continues to be a hot-button issue among pundits and politicians.

Earlier this week, House Minority Whip, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD), criticized the White House and Obama administration for suggesting that lawmakers who are in favor of tougher sanctions in Iran also are advocating war.

Respect Human Life and Rights in Yarmouk Refugee Camp

We consider all parties to be responsible for the welfare of the population in the combat zone and we call for the application of international law for any and all crimes committed against the civilian population of that zone.

(DAMASCUS) - The Syria Solidarity Movement calls on all combatants in and around Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria to spare the civilian population in the camp from starvation and suffering, to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and to recognize the rights of the population. We condemn the inhuman treatment of the population.

We call for an immediate ceasefire by all sides, in order to allow all persons that wish to leave the camp the opportunity and means to do so, and for food and medicine to be supplied to those choosing to remain.