As democratic embers of our republic fizzle, the big question remains: what term best fits our situation, if not our degraded system? If unconscionable wealth and overbearing billionaires stratify income and wealth, funneling the best educations, life-styles, and jobs to managers of the status quo, so much for our fabled land of opportunity. Opportunity can’t knock when there’s neither front …
The Glyphosate Saga and “Independent Scientific Advice,” According to Germany, the UK and France
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently classified glyphosate, the active substance of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, as “probably causing cancer in human beings.” Germany is charged by the EU with the safety review of glyphosate: yet three scientists sitting on its scientific panel on pesticides are employees of BASF and Bayer, two major pesticides producers. Meanwhile, the UK has simply privatised …
Are EU Officials Plotting Regime Change in Greece? – MARK WEISBROT
There are various narratives for what is happening to Greece as another deadline looms – the April 24 gathering of finance ministers in Riga — and European officials show no sign of compromise. The most common is that this is a game of brinkmanship, with the Germans and their allies pushing for “reforms” that the Syriza government in Greece doesn’t …
Why the FDA doesn’t really know what’s in your food – Erin Quinn and Chris Young
A massive legal loophole means companies can add new ingredients to foods with no government safety review. Rebecca Fattell was enjoying breakfast at a hotel in Berlin last summer when, after a few bites of a roll, her mouth started to itch, her gums started to hurt and before long, hives covered her skin. “My face, trunk, arms, legs,” Fattell …
Obama Is Poised to Give GMO and Meat Companies Something They’ve Always Wanted -Tom Philpott
President Obama and his Senate GOP critics are locked in a long-simmering feud, but there’s one topic that has them clasping hands and singing kumbaya: global free-trade deals. The erstwhile foes are joining forces to push two massive ones: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would knock down trade barriers for a group of nations including the US, Canada, Chile, Peru, …
The US Hand in Libya’s Tragedy – Robert Parry
The mainstream U.S. news media is lambasting the Europeans for failing to stop the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Mediterranean Sea as desperate Libyans flee their war-torn country in overloaded boats that are sinking as hundreds drown. But the MSM forgets how this Libyan crisis began, including its own key role along with that of “liberal interventionists” such as Hillary …
The Potentate Of Prague — How the War Party in Washington is Losing Eastern Europe, Hillary Clinton Too – John Helmer
Andrej Babis is the one of the wealthiest men in eastern Europe — if you bite bread, read a newspaper, fill your car with fuel, or put fertilizer on your window box in Prague, chances are you owe Babis money. He is also Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Finance Minister, and candidate to become the next Czech President. …
The Scourge of Nazism in Ukraine By Stephen Lendman
Fascist lunatics in Washington installed overt Nazis to run their newest client state. They’re taking full advantage. They’re waging naked aggression on Donbass – at present low-level ahead of renewing it full-blown. Hundreds of US combat troops (trained killers) are working directly with Kiev’s Nazi-infested National Guard and other extremist groups – teaching them the fine art of murder. Kiev …
The West Snubs Russia over V-E Day – Ray McGovern
The controversy over alleged Russian “aggression” in Ukraine is already raining on the Kremlin parade with which Russia will mark the 70th anniversary of the Allies’ victory over Adolf Hitler and the Nazis on May 9. U.S. President Barack Obama set the tone by turning down the Kremlin’s invitation to take part in the celebration, and allies in Western Europe have been …
Newly Leaked TTIP Draft Reveals Far-Reaching Assault on US/EU Democracy – Sarah Lazare
A freshly-leaked chapter from the highly secretive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement, currently under negotiation between the United States and European Union, reveals that the so-called “free trade” deal poses an even greater threat to environmental and human rights protections—and democracy itself—than previously known, civil society organizations warn. The revelation comes on the heels of global protests against the mammoth …