Truthout - All Articles

Obama, Medvedev and the Demise of Nuclear Deterrence

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:52:15 -0400

If our thousands of nuclear weapons actually do serve to deter, then why should we be concerned about a nuclear North Korea or a nuclear Iran? If they do not serve to deter, then why retain them at all?

My State Legislature's Crazier than Yours. Oh Yeah?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:29:22 -0400

New York state Senators Dean G. Skelos, left, and Pedro Espada Jr. The New York Senate has seen a slew of shakeups in recent weeks. (Photo: Nathaniel Brooks / New York Times)

Officials: US Drone Strike Kills Ten in Pakistan

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:26:15 -0400

Wana, Pakistan - A U.S. drone aircraft fired missiles on Friday into Pakistan's South Waziristan region, killing 10 militants, officials said, ahead of an expected Pakistani military offensive in the area.

The United States, facing a growing Afghan insurgency, began stepping up drone attacks on militant strongholds in lawless enclaves on the Pakistani side of the border a year ago despite Pakistani complaints.

"The Commission Has Been Road-Blocked": Republicans' War on the FEC

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:25:02 -0400

Last fall, James Ross, a New York City resident and a donor to several Democratic organizations, received an unusual letter. "Your name has been put in our database," Ross was told. "We are monitoring all reports of a wide variety of leftist organizations. As your name appears in subsequent reports, it is our intent to publicize your involvement in your local community. Should any of these organizations be found to be engaged in illegal or questionable activity, it is our intent to publicize your involvement with those activities."

"Marital Rape Exemption" Persists in Many States

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:23:31 -0400

Remnants of the "marital rape exemption" still exist in many states' laws, even though all 50 states now criminalize spousal rape. Plea bargains can also lead to more lenient sentencing. Caroline Johnston Polisi looks at how these laws have changed.

The Carbon Tax Has Proven Its Effectiveness in Sweden

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:17:51 -0400

Sweden, which has just taken over the European Union (EU) presidency for six months, is attempting to convince its European partners to follow its example by instituting a carbon tax. "A carbon tax affects many more waste products than does the system of a market trading carbon emissions quotas," asserts Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren. "But, take care," specifies Ministry spokesperson Mattias Johansson, "we're not talking about a European tax. Every country would assess its own carbon tax.

Economy Loses 467,000 Jobs in June; Unemployment Edges Up to 9.5 Percent

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:25:09 -0400

Unemployment among men is near its all-time high.

The economy shed another 467,000 jobs in June, as the unemployment rate edged up to 9.5 percent. The rise in unemployment would have been higher, except 155,000 people left the workforce, pushing down the employed percentage of the population (EPOP) by 0.2 percentage points to 59.5 percent. This is a drop of 3.9 percentage points from the pre-recession high in December of 2006.

Eager to Tap Iraq's Vast Oil Reserves, Industry Execs Suggested Invasion

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:49:26 -0400

Two years before the invasion of Iraq, oil executives and foreign policy advisers told the Bush administration that the United States would remain "a prisoner of its energy dilemma" as long as Saddam Hussein was in power.

The Great American Bubble Machine

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:38:14 -0400

Matt Taibbi on how Goldman Sachs has engineered every major market manipulation since the Great Depression.

In Rolling Stone Issue 1082-83, Matt Taibbi takes on -the Wall Street Bubble Mafia- - investment bank Goldman Sachs. The piece has generated controversy, with Goldman Sachs firing back that Taibbi's piece is -an hysterical compilation of conspiracy theories- and a spokesman adding, -We reject the assertion that we are inflators of bubbles and profiteers in busts, and we are painfully conscious of the importance in being a force for good.- Taibbi shot back:

Afghanistan: Massive US Offensive Targets Taliban Heartland

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:36:56 -0400

As the US launches a major offensive in Helmand where the Taliban insurgency is at its fiercest, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt assess the tactics and dangers involved in such an operation.

The US Marines say Operation Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword, will be decisive.

It is intended to seize almost the entire lower Helmand River valley, which remains the heartland of the Taliban insurgency in Helmand and a major poppy-producing area for the production of opium, which helps fund the insurgency.