Hi All, I want to forewarn you that there may be some disruptions on the site. I am taking the plunge and upgrading the site's software. This will be a multi-step process. The upgrade is necessary for security (damn the spammers and hackers) and to add capabilities not available with the current version of the s
By John Chuckman I am disappointed with the view of some knowledgeable commentators over Scotland's release of the dying man who was convicted of the Lockerbie-airline bombing.
By Stratofrog Dr. Christsakes took a yawning breath and pushed the oars deeper into the Stygian river. Sticks and stones can break my bones, he thought, but death panels won't hurt my business. His ferry to the other side was full of previously middleclass baby-boomers and his palliative crew was busy setting the
By Ramzy Baroud With elections just around the corner in Afghanistan, it might be timely to reflect on the US engagement with that stricken nation and consider just how much foreign intervention has contributed to the prospect and possibility of free and democratic elections. More, it is fitting to consider what
By Rob Kall. Republished from OpEdNews. The health reform debate is roaring, as it should be, and we are engaged in pressing the spineless Dems - including Obama - to stand up to the insurance com
By Stratofrog Editor's note: Here is another literary friction by Stratofrog. While most can figure out the cast of characters, here's some help. Widdledub is George W. Bush, and Blunderdick is Richard Cheney EERIE, Pa. Recently reclusing and reproofing his forthcoming storybook at a lib
By Rowan Wolf In the heat of healthcare reform and the mobilization of radical shock troops, the economy has drifted with little public discussion. When it comes up, it is frequently within the context that "the worst is behind us;" "we're leveling off;" or "recovery is just around the corner." While I wish all o
We all know the privileged need our support or they might lose their ill gotten gains. Here's Billionaires for Wealthcare by Humanleague002. Thanks Kelly for bringing this to my attention
By Thom Hartmann. Republished from CommonDreams. Dear President Obama, I understand you're thinking of dumping your "public option" because of all the demagoguery by Sarah Palin and Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich and their crowd on ri
Elizabeth Warren appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on August 12th. She offers insights into the current toxic asset situation, and warns of the upcoming commercial mortgage resets which could hit the economy hard - again and through 2012. Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News
By Ramzy Baroud This is hardly the rational order of things. An overpowering military occupation was meant to be resisted by an equally determined, focused and unyielding national movement, hell-bent on liberation at any cost and by any means. This is the unwritten law that has governed and shielded successful na
By Martha Ireland. Republished from Speaking Truth to Power. There exists today, a trinity of situations that confronts those of us who live in Western culture: global climate change, the peak and eventual end of non-renewable sources
By Stratofrog Editor's Note: I am introducing a new author to Uncommon Thought. I believe that you will find Stratofrog's work incisive, highly pertinent, and humorous - I know I do. Stratofrog characterizes this style of writing as "literary friction." It fits. Welcome Stratofrog! ~Rowan Wolf
By Joel S. Hirschhorn As we approach the eighth anniversary of 9/11 consider this paradox. In the post 9-11 years the scientific evidence for disbelieving the official government story has mounted incredibly. And the number of highly respected and credentialed professionals challenging the official story has si
By Rowan Wolf Across the country there is a vocal minority who are loudly protesting certain issues. We have the "birther" folks who think that Obama is not a natural born citizen of the United States. We have the "deathers" (including Sarah Palin) who apparently think the government is going to use health care r
By Ramzy Baroud When seen from a distance, kites in Gaza may look quite ordinary. But while Gazan children, in many respects, are just children, their kites are hardly ordinary. Often adorned by the red, black, green and white of the Palestinian flag, Gazan children's kites are expressions of defiance, hope and t
By Rowan Wolf Why do we need universal healthcare? Let me share a personal story. First, I have health insurance through my employer. They chip in and I chip in, and both my partner and myself are covered by a major HMO. Like all insurance, each year for about the last 10 years, the premium and deductible
By Alison Ewoldt and Sarah Edwards. Originally posted at Nature's Wisdom. Thanks to Carolyn Baker for sharing it with me. Could the feelings we're experiencing now as we grapple with today's economic
By Ramzy Baroud Israeli officials face a conundrum that may take more than military muscle-flexing to resolve: how to deal with Iran? The solution to this dilemma will require no less than sheer political genius.
By Charles Knight of The Project on Defense Alternatives Last fall I attended a seminar at MIT entitled "Analytical Tools for the Next Quadrennial Defense Revi
By Carolyn Baker of Speaking Truth to Power In Part 3 of this series, we spotlight Freeacre and Murph, two "anarchist farmers" living in rural Oregon. They share with us their journey of collapse preparation from a working class perspective. Pl
By Rowan Wolf On 7/27/09 Andrea Mitchell (MSNBC) interviewed Orin Hatch on healthcare reform. The full interview is available here. It is approximately 9 minutes long.) I was stunned to hear Hatch saying he supported h
By Rowan Wolf The U.S. and the world have major crises to address. There is the economy, resources, environment, and global warming. Each of these intersect in complex ways to create other massive problems: loss of jobs, failed crops, and war. And these in turn create other crises: mass migration and xenophobic r
By Carolyn Baker of Speaking Truth to Power I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. I learn by going where I have to go. We think by feeling. What is there to know? I hear my being dance from ear to ear. I wake
By Ramzy Baroud Who killed Yasser Arafat? When the Palestinian leader was declared dead in a French hospital on Nov. 11, 2004, there was no way of knowing how questions related to his death should be phrased. Was he killed or did he die from old age? If he was killed, then who killed him and why? The "mysterious"
By Rowan Wolf In the category of "you can't make this stuff up," we have the case of corruption in New Jersey which ranks right up there. The FBI have arrested 3 Mayors and numerous assemblymen, and a co
By Kip Sullivan. Republished from Physicians for a National Health Plan The people who brought us the "public option" began their campaign promising one thing but now promote somethi
By Carolyn Baker of Speaking Truth to Power Not all people preparing for collapse by relocating, choose to do so in the U.S. Some, like Dr. John and Nancy Andre, have relocated in other countries. The Andres have retired in Chile and spend a great deal
By Karen Weise, Republished from ProPublica ( July 20, 2009 10:56 am EDT) Editor'
By Joel S. Hirschhorn Perhaps most Americans deserve the federal government they have. A government that, contrary to the lofty rhetoric of Barack Obama, is pure politics as usual. A government that is as corrupted by moneyed interests as ever. A government that is as dysfunctional and inefficient as ever.