The Case for Hope, Continued Ten years ago, my part of the world was full of valiant opposition to the new wars being launched far away and at home — and of despair. And like despairing people everywhere, whether in a personal depression or a political tailspin, these activists believed the future would look more [...]

¿Cómo cambiar el mundo? Ésta es la pregunta que se formulan miles de personas empeñadas en cambiar las cosas, la pregunta que se repite a menudo en encuentros sociales alternativos… una pregunta que como bien decía el filósofo francés Daniel Bensaïd no tiene respuesta porqué “No nos engañemos, nadie sabe cómo cambiar el mundo”. No [...]

A pithy idea -- now going around in some progressive circles -- is that elections are a waste of time. The idea can be catchy. It all depends on some tacit assumptions. For instance: elections are a waste of time if you figure the U.S. government is so far gone that it can't get much worse. Elections are a waste of time if you've given up on grassroots organizing to sway voters before they cast ballots. Elections are a waste of time if you don't see much value in reducing -- even slightly -- the extent of injustice and deprivation imposed on vulnerable people. Or, if you see the organizing of protests, community groups, unions and the like as "either/or" in relation to working for the election of better candidates. Or, if you think the goal of those who struggled and suffered for the right to vote -- seeing the ballot as an essential component of democracy -- is outdated and rendered moot by present-day frustrations and outrages.

Fuente: Al Ahram Weekly Traducción: Loles Oliván, Rebelión Nuevo manifiesto político de Hezbolá por Omayma Abdel Latif 3 de diciembre, 2009 Veinticuatro años, dos órdenes mundiales, una guerra de liberación, una guerra de resistencia y numerosos acontecimientos políticos separan el primer manifiesto político de Hezbolá, publicado en 1985, y el segundo emitido el lunes [1 de diciembre de 2009]. Por [...]

by Paul Street October 23, 2009 Dissident U.S. author Paul Street was interviewed by Brazilian journalist Leonardo Sequeira via e-mail between 10 AM and 12 PM on September 18, 2009. The interview took place before: the awarding of the Olympics to Rio/Brazil (not Chicago/US), the Orwellian granting of the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama, Obama’s claim [...]

por Alfredo Toro Hardy 17 de octubre, 2009 Obama es sin duda un líder con buena estrella. Teniendo a sus espaldas un modestísimo curriculum político –dos años en el Senado Federal y unos pocos años más en el irrelevante Senado estadal de Illinois- llegó a la presidencia de la nación más poderosa de la tierra. En su [...]

A packed house hears a left-wing critique of Obama by Seth Rolbein October 29, 2009 BOSTON UNIVERSITY – With the Tsai Performance Center filled to its 500-seat capacity, many in the audience remembered when that hall was named Hayden, the University was in turmoil, and Howard Zinn was both lightning rod and radical catalyst. Much has changed. The Howard [...]

This should not absolve Obama of his responsibilities nor ignore his considerable abilities, but simply place meaningful criticism of him here on Earth – as opposed to in heaven or hell.

by Bob Herbert October 26, 2009 One of the most cherished items in my possession is a postcard that was sent from Mississippi to the Upper West Side of Manhattan in June 1964. “Dear Mom and Dad,” it says, “I have arrived safely in Meridian, Mississippi. This is a wonderful town and the weather is fine. I wish [...]

Toda conclusión científica consensuada en torno al futuro de la especie humana por severa que sea, debe ser informada a toda la humanidad.