Stephen Lendman's blog

Targeting Chavismo

by Stephen Lendman

Dark Washington forces never quit. Nor do media scoundrels. Chavez is fair game. Since 1999, he's been maliciously targeted and maligned. Ill or well makes no difference.

Israeli Election Results

by Stephen Lendman

Israel has no constitution. Basic Laws substitute. One defines the "Powers and Functions of the Knesset." It's elected by "general, national, direct, equal, secret and proportional elections in accordance with Knesset Elections Law."

Lynne Stewart's Struggle for Justice Continues

by Stephen Lendman

Numerous previous articles discussed her case, character, and dedication to rule of law principles. She's an internationally recognized human rights lawyer. 

Inaugural Hypocrisy

by Stephen Lendman

A previous article discussed America's quadrennial exercise in hypocrisy. It's institutionalized. It conceals the nation's dark side.

Pomp and circumstance hide neoliberal harshness. War is portrayed as peace. Lawless government is called legitimate. Democracy never existed and doesn't now.

Dominant Israeli Parties Spurn Democracy

by Stephen Lendman

Israel never was democratic and isn't now. One-fifth of its citizens are enfranchised in name only. They have no say. Nor do most Jews. More on Israel's election below.

On January 22, Israelis voted. Over 5.6 million were eligible. About 1,000 polling stations accommodated them. In most places, they stayed open until 10PM. Rural areas, small towns, and hospitals closed theirs at 8PM.

Four More Years

by Stephen Lendman

Inaugurating US presidents quadrennially reflects institutionalized hypocrisy.

On January 20, Obama began term two. After all the harm he caused so many, imagine how much more he plans.

Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian Sovereignty and Democratic Freedoms

by Stephen Lendman

On January 20, Netanyahu said no to independent Palestine, yes to settlement expansions. More on that below.

Freedom House calls itself "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world." 

Israelis Vote

by Stephen Lendman

Twenty-four hours and counting. On Tuesday, January 22, Israelis vote. They're as mindless and out of touch as Americans.

Odds favor hardline extremism. Netanyahu will remain prime minister. Knesset members and cabinet officials will reflect the worst of right-wing government.

Israel Criminalizes Throwing Snowballs

by Stephen Lendman

Police states operate that way. Israel is one of the worst. It spurns rule of law principles. It turns democratic values on their head. It targets Palestinians for praying to the wrong God.

Targeting Mali

by Stephen Lendman

At issue is scrambling for Africa's resources. They're vast. They're some of the world's largest and richest.

They include oil, gas, gold, silver, diamonds, uranium, iron, copper, tin, lead, nickel, coal, cobalt, bauxite, wood, coltan, manganese, chromium, vanadium-bearing titanium, agricultural lands, and offshore fishing.

Navi Pillay Targets Syria

by Stephen Lendman

She's UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her job involves spurning them. She's a reliable imperial tool. She's up to her old tricks.

On January 18, she addressed the Security Council in closed session. More on that below.

Open Letter to New York Times Editors

by Stephen Lendman

A personal note: I'm one of your fiercest critics. I'm certainly one of the most outspoken. My critiques are justified. I don't prepare them lightly. 

I scrupulously strive for truth and full disclosure. If only Times writers, contributors and editors maintained similar standards. 

Western Sponsored Aleppo Mass Murder

by Stephen Lendman

For nearly two years, Washington waged terror war on Syria. Death squad proxies are used. They recruited largely from regional countries. 

Some come from Europe. America supplies small numbers. They invaded Syria. They want Assad toppled, so they say. They're manipulated to believe he must go. They want Islamic extremism replacing secular governance.

Israel Complicit in Global State Terrorism

by Stephen Lendman

Israel threatens world peace and security. It's a global menace. The International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAZN) is unequivocal.

Israeli Apologist Benny Morris

by Stephen Lendman

On January 8, Morris headlined his Haaretz op-ed "The day after Iran's tomorrow," saying:

Aaron Swartz: Suicide or Murder?

by Stephen Lendman

Advocates of online openness and freedom lost a committed champion. The Economist said to call him "gifted would be to miss the point. As far as the internet was concerned, he was the gift."

Obama v. Netanyahu Round Two

by Stephen Lendman

They've gone at each other before. Neither one likes the other. 

A previous article said Netanyahu repeatedly puts both feet in his mouth and risks swallowing them. 

Obama: Money Power's Point Man

by Stephen Lendman

Throughout his tenure, Obama's done what supporters thought impossible. He's governed to the right of George Bush.

He mocks rule of law principles and other democratic values. He prioritizes wars on humanity. He's waging multiple direct and proxy ones. War on terror subterfuge disguises them.

Chavez Shows Clinical Improvement

by Stephen Lendman

Venezuelans welcome good news. They pray for Chavez's full recovery. News from Havana is encouraging.

On January 14, The Havana Times headlined "Chavez Is Improving," saying:

Israelis Want Out

by Stephen Lendman

On December 15, Haaretz said "almost 40 percent of Israelis are thinking of emigrating." Recent poling said they'd leave if financially able.

Who are they? Why do they want out? What can be done to keep them?

Aaron Swartz's Suspicious Death

by Stephen Lendman

Media scoundrels stopped short of truth and full disclosure. The Wall Street Journal headlined "An Internet Activist Commits Suicide." 

New York's medical examiner announced death by "hang(ing) himself in his Brooklyn apartment." 

FAIR v. Scoundrel Media Misreporting on Venezuela

by Stephen Lendman

Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) is a "national media watch group." It's an "anti-censorship organization."

It features "neglected news stories." It "defend(s) working journalists when they are muzzled."

Israeli Elections

by Stephen Lendman

They fast approach. They're sham elections. Except for more contesting parties, they replicate America's illegitimate process. 

Voters get little choice. Ideological extremists run Israel. Rhetoric alone separates candidates. Policies are hardline. Hypocrisy substitutes for democracy.

Netanyahu: The Face of Israeli Fascism

by Stephen Lendman

Israel under Netanyahu reflects Arundhadi Roy's view. Her book titled "Field Notes on Democracy" explained. 

Permanent Afghanistan Occupation Planned

by Stephen Lendman

America came to stay. Accelerated withdrawal claims reflect subterfuge. Washington officials and media scoundrels don't explain. Misinformation and illusion substitute for reality.

Flu Epidemic Hysteria

by Stephen Lendman

We've heard it all before. Media scoundrels hype fear. So do drug companies. Doing so boosts sales.

On January 11, The New York Times headlined "Flu Season Deaths Reach Epidemic Level but May Be at Peak, CDC Says."

Chavismo in Venezuela

by Stephen Lendman

Chavez remains hospitalized. He's recovering from complicated cancer surgery. It's his fourth in 18 months.

His scheduled January 10 inauguration was postponed. Venezuelans turned out en masse. Tens of thousands gathered outside Caracas' Palacio de Miraflores. It's Chavez's official workplace.

US Law Prohibits Transferring Guantanamo Prisoners to America

by Stephen Lendman

FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) legislation proscribes it. 

January 11, 2013 marks Guantanamo's 11th anniversary. More on that below.

Obama Picks Jack Lew for Treasury

by Stephen Lendman

Staff changes usually occur in second presidential terms. John Kerry was picked to replace Hillary Clinton at State. Chuck Hagel is Obama's Defense choice. John Brennan was tapped for CIA director.

Anti-Chavez Media War Rages

by Stephen Lendman

It shouldn't surprise. It raged throughout his tenure. It continues while he's ill. It vilifies progressive Bolivarianism. It wants neoliberal harshness replacing it.

It ignores responsible social reform. It's dismissive of Chavez's overwhelming popularity. He rescued Venezuela from its ugly past. Millions won't tolerate returning to what they deplore.