The destabilization of Mali and southern Algeria is a complex political and social process that does not have only one cause. But a changing ecology forced by climate change is a major contributor to the region’s problems. This region is part of a Saharan and sub-Saharan band across Africa called the Sahel. I have traveled […]
Congress: The Broken Engine of our Stalled Economy (Jamiol cartoon)
By Paul Jamiol, courtesy Jamiol’s World.
Gun Murders vs. Terrorism by the Numbers
Number of Americans killed in domestic terrorist attacks, 2002-2011: 30 Number of Americans murdered by firearms, 2000-2011: 115,997 Cost of the War on Terror since 9/11: $5 trillion Cost of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms since 9/11: $12.32 billion In the combined [pdf] US and European Union statistics for 2010, percentage of terrorist […]
Omar Khayyam (259) “Have some wine, since no one is given a long life”
The revolving sky, which has never revealed any mysteries, has brutally crushed a thousand innocents. Have some wine, since no one is given a long life and once people have left this world they aren’t coming back. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 259
237 Dead in Syria day of Horrors, 87 killed at Aleppo U
An enormous explosion hit Aleppo University on Tuesday, killing some 87 students and wounding over 150. The motive for the bombing is obscure. The regime holds the university and the area around it, so there is no reason for it to bomb the campus (though government bombing can go astray). But there is also nothing […]
Administration Seems Confused On Afghan ‘End Game’ – AP (…. in 1988! – Screenshot)
Bahrain’s Bloody Crackdown no Bar to Big US Weapons Sales (Elliott)
Justin Elliott writes at ProPublica: Despite Bahrain’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, the U.S. has continued to provide weapons and maintenance to the small Mideast nation. Defense Department documents released to ProPublica give the fullest picture yet of the arms sales: The list includes ammunition, combat vehicle parts, communications equipment, Blackhawk helicopters, and an unidentified […]
“Investigative Journalism is Completely [Screwed]” (Daily Show’s John Oliver)
John Oliver of Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” explains that CNN eliminated its entire investigative documentary unit and that the only place investigative reporters any longer have a job is as consultants for dramas about newscasts. The Daily Show with Jon StewartGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook For […]
Omar Khayyam (458) “Be happy in this fleeting moment”
Since you can’t comprehend the mysteries, why wallow uselessly in grief? Since you ‘re not going to get your way, be happy in this fleeting moment for which you exist. Translated by Juan Cole from Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, [pdf] Whinfield 458
© 2025 All Rights Reserved