April 2010

Noam Chomsky, David Swanson et al. Set for Talkbacks of Karen Malpede's Prophecy

From TheaterMania.com

By: Dan Bacalzo · Apr 7, 2010  · New York

TheatreThree Collaborative has announced a talkback series for its production of Karen Malpede’s Prophecy, to play the East Fourth Street Theater, May 27 – June 20, with an opening on June 4. Playwright Malpede will direct the production.

As previously announced, the cast will feature Kathleen Chalfant, André De Shields, George Bartenieff, Najla Said, and Brendan Donaldson.

The drama is both the story of a marriage and the personal legacy of the wars in Iraq and read more

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Is Murder the New Torture?

By David Swanson

I’ve been reading about the history of torture, including John T. Parry’s new book “Understanding Torture: Law, Violence, and Political Identity.” Parry gives a history of torture in Europe and the United States through the twentieth century, establishing its pervasiveness, and the repetitiveness of the excuses and legalistic machinations used to allow it. Parry sees torture as an absolutely normal activity in our society, but an activity that at least read more

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Peace Prize President Ordering Murder of Americans

By David Swanson

Thoughts on Anwar al-Awlaki:

Is he the top mastermind in Al Qaeda? Well, so was Abu Zubayda, huh? Given the US goverment’s record on these claims, wouldn’t a TRIAL be smart?

The United States is not at war with Yemen or — I hope — the world. It can request extradition, and takes steps to make it more likely, including beginning to treat accused and convicted criminals humanely.

The DNI decreeing that it shall be legal to assassinate Americans abroad does read more

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Ellsberg Film, Swanson Talk in Norfolk, Va., April 14

Wednesday, April 14

Book Signing 6:00 p.m. at Azar’s

Movie at 7:30 p.m. at Naro Cinema

Movie Premier: THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers A high-level Pentagon official and Vietnam War strategist, Ellsberg concluded in 1971 that the war was based on decades of lies, and leaked 7,000 pages of top secret documents to The NY Times-a daring act of conscience that leads directly to Watergate, Nixon’s resignation, and the end of the Vietnam War. A riveting read more

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April Fool's Blowback

When I wrote an April Fool’s article claiming to have discovered the Democrats’ new super-pro-war strategy, I mostly got the desired result: outrage, followed by recognition of the joke with some lingering outrage. But I also got a call from a corporate reporter who knew it was a joke but who thought hyper-militarism was a terrific idea for the Democrats. Did I think they should do what my joke article advised and talk up the wars, read more

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Washington Post Warns That Prosecuting Crime of Aggression Might Deter It

By David Swanson

When my friend Jodie Evans recently tried to make a citizen’s arrest of Karl Rove, he declared the Downing Street Minutes to be “a complete fabrication.” Of course, this “complete fabrication” was actually the minutes of an official meeting held by then British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair and Bush were asked about the document at a White House press conference in June 2005 and did not deny its authenticity. But that document is one of the lesser read more

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April Fools Joke Reveals Something Serious

I sent around this Email on April Fools Day and it generated heated discussions as to whether it was real. Many people assumed it was real and reacted with anger toward Congress. Of course, much of it is certainly much closer to reality than general understanding of things is. I apologize to the Guardian and the fictional author named below. –DS

——– Original Message ——–

Democrats’ New War Strategy Revealed
Exclusive Memo drafted by White House read more

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