http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php The James Petras Website Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:24:35 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss092 petras.james@gmail.com petras.james@gmail.com es Introduction A great deal has changed for the better since my first teaching invitation at the Central University over 40 years ago: The Chavez government has build hundreds of medical and educational facilities serving the vast majority of the poor, vastly reduced underemployment, subsidized food for the slum ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1762&c=1 Introduction Debates and studies on the MM have focused on its political bias, ownership and links to big business, relationships and ties to the state, relative openness and diversity, promotion of wars and corporate interests among other major issues affecting the relations of power, wealth and empire. Of particular interest to ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1761&c=1 Instead of highlighting, exposing and denouncing the reactionary foreign and domestic policies of Democratic Party candidate Senator Barack Obama, they have chosen to support him, ‘critically, offering as excuses that even ‘limited differences’ can result in positive outcomes,and that ‘Obama is the lesser evil’ and ‘creates an opportunity for ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1760&c=1 The economic breakdown, which is still unfolding, affects the entire political spectrum, extending from the far-right Uribe regime in Colombia to the social-liberal Chilean and Brazilian governments of Bachelet and Lula da Silva to the ‘center-left’ regimes of Evo Morales in Bolivia and Rafael Correa in Ecuador and even to ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1759&c=1 Introduction The liberal approach emphasizes ‘universal responsibility” for the destruction of the environment – rich and poor, mining companies and miners, factory owners and factory workers, auto manufacturers and drivers, governments and citizens, real estate speculators and slum dwellers. The liberal ecologists claim the negative consequences adversely affect everyone: “We ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1758&c=1 Introduction 1.The near bankruptcy of Social Security The attempt by the White House and leading Republican and Democrat congresspersons as recently as 3 years ago to ‘privatize’ Social Security – essentially turning over the management and investment of trillions of dollars in Social Security funds to Wall Street – with ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1757&c=1 In 2004 a US-led invasion force overthrew the democratically elected government of Jean Bertrand Aristide and subsequently promoted and organized an occupation army. This colonial military force has repeatedly violently repressed popular demonstrations, violently raided the neighborhoods of the poor and killed, wounded and arrested Haitians who were affirming their ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1756&c=1 The publication of the “Report” directed by Jose Miguel Vivanco and sub-director Daniel Walkinson led to their expulsion from Venezuela for repeated political-partisan intervention in the internal affairs of the country. A close reading of the “Report” reveals an astonishing number of blatant falsifications and outright fabrications, glaring deletions of ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1755&c=1 Ever since Evo Morales was elected President over 33 months ago, the Bolivian far-right has taken advantage of every concession, compromise and conciliatory gesture by the Morales regime to expand their political power, block even the mildest social reforms and paralyze the functioning of the government, through legal maneuvers and ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1754&c=1 “Washington is forced to watch other powers shape events” (Financial Times August 25, 2008) Introduction The defeats and losses have not dampened militaristic policies nor extinguished the drive for empire building. On the contrary, both the White House and the Congressional incumbents have embraced a hardening of military positions, reiterated a confrontational ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1753&c=1 This stark reality and the evidence of US prolonged wars of conquest and occupation has forced a general recognition of the relevance of the concept of imperialism to understanding global power relations. Only a decade ago writers, intellectuals and academics discarded imperialism and empire in favor of ‘globalization’ – to ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1752&c=1 The US has mobilized a naval and air armada off the Iranian coast, prepared to annihilate a country of 70 million people. The New York Times published an essay by a prominent Israeli historian, which advocates the nuclear incineration of Iran. All the major mass media have mounted a systematic ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1751&c=1 In addition, it is important to recover some of the basic advances achieved by 20th century socialist regimes as well as to critically reflect on their distorted structures and failed policies. In the most basic sense it is important to remember that ‘socialism’ is a means to a better material ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1750&c=1 Calvo Ospina’s study provides a wealth of historical and empirical data that highlights Colombia’s peculiar combination of electoral politics characteristic of a Western capitalist democracy and the permanent purge of civil and political society characteristic of totalitarian dictatorships. Unlike most Latin American countries, Colombia has never experienced the modernization of its ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1749&c=1 Zionist genocide promoter, Benny Morris practices the Big Lie1. He claims, “I have never supported the brutal expulsion of all Palestinians…I have said, repeatedly, that the expulsion of the Palestinians is immoral and impracticable.” In a recent interview in Israel, Morris states, “Under some circumstances, expulsion is not a war ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1748&c=1 “Iran’s leaders would do well to rethink their gamble and suspend their nuclear program. Barring this, the best they could hope for is that Israel’s conventional air assault will destroy their nuclear facilities. To be sure, this would mean thousands of Iranian casualties and international humiliation. But ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1747&c=1 “Inflation is here big time”, Charles Holliday CEO, Du Pont. June 24, 2008 “The sustained rise in the price of oil and commodities has hammered industries…and deepened fears of global inflationary spiral – which has already provoked riots across Asia – as producers pass on higher costs to manufacturers and consumers.” ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1746&c=1 “My strong preference here is to handle all this (US conflict with Iran) diplomatically with the other powers of government, ours and many others as opposed to any kind of strike occurring… From the US perspective, from the United States military perspective in particular, opening up a third front (Israeli ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1744&c=1 Criticizing and exposing the powerful public role of American Zionism in shaping US policy in the Middle East is the biggest taboo in US politics. Politicians, academics, journalists, prelates and ordinary American citizens who publicly voice their dissent are targeted for political purges, denied academic tenure, and access to the ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1743&c=1 Introduction Fidel Castro’s articles and commentaries on the recent events in Colombia, namely his discussion of the Colombian regime’s freeing of several FARC prisoners (including three CIA operatives and Ingrid Betancourt) and his critical comments on the politics, structure, practices, tactics and strategy of the FARC and its world-renowned leader, Manuel ... http://www.lahaine.org/petras/index.php?p=1742&c=1