Stephen Lendman's blog

  Israel: Profile of a Rogue State - by Stephen Lendman

Rogue states spurn international law, treaties, conventions, and in Israel's case its own laws and Supreme Court decisions.

Daily examples offer proof, including from Ahmed el-Helah and Mariam Itani's new book titled, "The Suffering of the Palestinian Child under the Israeli Occupation," saying:

  Spreading Eurozone Contagion - by Stephen Lendman

The operative word is contagion. It's malignant and spreading because it's unresolved and irresponsibly addressed. 

Germany, Europe's strongest economy, just had its worst ever bond auction since 1999. Over a third of 10-year bunds offered were unsold. More on the failure below.

  Rage for Change in Egypt - by Stephen Lendman

Last February, Egyptians celebrated Hosni Mubarak's ouster. He became an obstacle to Washington's Middle East agenda and had to go. 

For years, State Department and Pentagon officials wanted him out for opposing key US policies, including Iran's nuclear program and Bush's 2003 Iraq war.

  US Higher Education in Crisis - by Stephen Lendman

Diogenes called education "the foundation of every state." Education reformer Horace Mann said the "common (public) school (is) the greatest discovery ever made by man."

Education reform under Bush and Obama want public education made another business profit center. Doing so places bottom line priorities above teaching. At issue also is creating a two-tiered system for haves and have-nots, defined by race, ethnicity, social status and family income. 

  Bipartisan Deal to Slash Medicare and Medicaid - by Stephen Lendman

It's been planned for years. Republicans want them eliminated. Democrats agreed to incremental cuts to make ending core social contract programs look normal. Slashing Social Security comes later.

  Coming: Big Austerity Cuts - by Stephen Lendman

The congressional August Budget Control Act of 2011 established the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction - aka Supercommittee.

Doing so was extralegal. The Constitution's Article 1, Section 8 explains congressional powers. None of them include supercommittee authority to resolve America's debt crisis.

  Thanksgiving Hypocrisy - by Stephen Lendman

On November 25, 2009, a New York Times editorial headlined, "A Thanksgiving Toast," saying:

"Sitting down with friends and family today, there will be thanks for the steady currents, flowing out of the past, that have brought us to this table....And there will be prayerful thanks for the future."

  Heading for War on Syria? - by Stephen Lendman

Libya's model is being replicated in Syria. So far, it's short of war. For how long is uncertain. Expect it if current tactics fail. More on that below.

At issue is regime change, establishing another client state, and isolating Iran ahead of similar tactics there. It's part of America's Middle East project to redraw the region according to US/Israeli geopolitical aims.

  Gaza: Good News and Bad - by Stephen Lendman

First the good. On November 22, the International Middle East Media Center (IMEMC) said a "Freedom Spring" convoy arrived through Rafah's border terminal, connecting Gaza and Egypt.

  Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinians with Impunity - by Stephen Lendman

Palestinians are doubly cursed. Israel's military attacks them regularly. During the past week alone, Israeli air strikes killed four Gazans, wounding another 14.

Al-Nabi Saleh village residents participating in a peaceful demonstration were assaulted. Two injuries were reported, including a child. Israel's navy arrested three Palestinian fishermen, confiscating their boats.

  Supercommittee Strikes Out - by Stephen Lendman

On November 20, New York Times writer Eric Lipton headlined, "Lawmakers Trade Blame as Deficit Talks Crumble," saying:

  MF Global Looted Customer Accounts - by Stephen Lendman

Wall Street's business model is grand theft. Jon Corzine was MF Global's CEO. Earlier he headed Goldman Sachs, America's premiere racketeering organization. 

He also was one of legions of corrupt politicians as US senator and New Jersey governor. His extreme, longstanding criminality warrants putting him in prison for life. No restitution can reverse his harm. It's true also for many others like him.

  Egyptian Military Power Grab - by Stephen Lendman

Last February, euphoric celebrations followed Mubarak's ouster. Across the Middle East and North Africa, people rejoiced.

Activist Saed Karazon told AFP:

"What happened in Egypt is not only for the Egyptian people, it is for all Arabs. The whole Arab world is going to change."

  Israel Steps Up Police State Crackdowns - by Stephen Lendman

Israel never embraced democratic values. More than ever today that's true. Many Jews understand. As a result, they're voting with their feet and leaving.

Gideon Levy remarked that "(i)t's really an irony of history, because Israel was established to become a shelter to the Jewish people. Now Europe becomes a shelter for the Jews living in Israel."

  America's Student Loan Debt Bondage - by Stephen Lendman

Higher education today isn't like it used to be. US students face crisis conditions. Washington and lenders wage financial war on them. In addition, dozens of budget-strapped states cut funds to public colleges and universities.

Students are directly impacted by sharp tuition hikes (double-digit at some schools) and less financial aid. As a result, many thousands are entirely shut out. Others relying on student loans face permanent debt bondage.

  America's Media War on OWS - Stephen Lendman

Early reporting was scant, dismissive, and offensive. Much still belittles, denigrates and marginalizes a significant movement.

Fox News claims protesters don't pay taxes or know what they want, are supported by Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei and Hugo Chavez, and represent the lunatic left wing.

  Criminalizing OWS Protesters - by Stephen Lendman

On November 14, the Northern California ACLU and National Lawyers Guild (NLG) sued the Oakland Police Department (OPD) in federal court for "egregious constitutional violations" against Occupy Oakland protesters.

  America's Media War on Syria - by Stephen Lendman

Replicating Libya's model, Western generated uprisings began in March. Since then, Syria's been ravaged by violence. Hundreds have been killed, many more injured. 

Civilians and state security forces have been affected. Conflict rages daily. Casualties mount. Regime change is planned to establish another US client state. 

  Constitutionally Protected Symbolic Speech - by Stephen Lendman

Symbolic speech examples include leafleting, picketing, demonstrating, marching, speaking publicly, flag burning, displaying t-shirts, armbands, banners and placards, sit-ins, as well as camping out in public places.

With some exceptions, all have First Amendment protection. Numerous Supreme Court decisions addressed the issue. Some agreed. Others didn't.

  Deepening Debt Contagion - by Stephen Lendman

With pressure building on Europe and America, something's got to give. Progressive Radio News Hour regular Bob Chapman says Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Nicolas Sarkozy search for solutions that don't exist.

Nothing's agreed on to be implemented. Austerity weakens failing Eurozone economies. French and other banks are selling bonds. Yields are rising. So isn't economic, financial and political uncertainty.

  Targeting Iran and Syria - by Stephen Lendman

America, key NATO partners, and Israel target both countries. 

Israel wants regional rivals removed. Washington and key NATO partners want independent regimes ousted, replaced with subservient ones. 

  Gaza's Suffocating Siege - by Stephen Lendman

In early November, the Gisha Legal Center for Freedom of Movement published a report titled, "Scale of Control: Israel's Continued Responsibility in the Gaza Strip."  

It explained little changed after its alleged 2005 "disengagement."

  Arab League Pro-Western Despots - by Stephen Lendman

On November 12, New York Times writer Neil MacFarquhaqar headlined, "Arab League Votes to Suspend Syria Over Crackdown," saying:

  Rogue Israeli Lawlessness - by Stephen Lendman

Endless examples occur daily. Overnight Sunday, Maan News said Israeli forces raided homes of seven recently released prisoners as part of the October 18 exchange.

Notices were sent to Akram Mansour, Shadi Zayid and Ibrahim Yasin. They were ordered to report to Israeli intelligence for questioning.

  Occupy America for Change - by Stephen Lendman

Good ideas spread fast. This one's long overdue. Real grievances launched it. 

They include out-of-control corporate power, complicit politicians, systemic corruption, predatory finance capital, capitalism itself, frustration turned to rage and activism, growing poverty, depravation, unemployment, imperial wars, environmental destruction, unprecedented inequality, rigged elections, and a nation no longer fit to live in for most in it.

  Anti-Democratic Israeli Legislation - by Stephen Lendman

On October 31, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) expressed concern about "two contradictory main trends" in Israel's Knesset winter session:

  America's New World Order Agenda - by Stephen Lendman

New world order strategy dictates major global economic, political, and military policies. Nothing happens accidentally.

Events are manipulated. At issue is world dominance. America, Israel, and key NATO nations are partnered to achieve it.

  Financial Tyranny Rules Eurozone - by Stephen Lendman

From inception, Eurozone planning was flawed. Uniting 17 dissimilar countries under rigid rules failed.

Membership required surrendering monetary and fiscal authority to a central power. 

  Big Lies Launch Wars - by Stephen Lendman

In "The Art of War," Sun Tzu said "All war is based on deception." 

What worked in ancient times more than ever applies now, given instant ways of communicating globally and super-weapons Washington and Israel threaten to use like hand grenades.

  War of Words on Iran - by Stephen Lendman

Provocative rhetoric followed release of the IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program, despite baseless allegations in it.

In October 2009, the Agency leaked a document titled "Possible Dimensions of Iran's Nuclear Program" to the New York Times. At issue was circumventing then IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei. Allegations in it were spurious. As a result, he wouldn't touch it.