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Iceless Arctic: Global Warming Accelerates While U.S. Backpedals

Two recent studies have shocked the world in regard to global warming.  A phenomenon that was to happen "possibly in our lifetime" has evolved into a threat capable of transforming the world in ten years time. A recent, extensive study of the northern polar ice caps released by climate expert Professor Peter Wadham, concluded that the Arctic Ocean would be "mostly" ice free in 10 years during the summer months.

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The U.S. is Compromising Democracy in Honduras

Zelaya and Obama
Can a solution to the crisis in Honduras - itself the result of a military coup - be "mediated," where on one side sit coup leaders and on the other a democratically elected but ousted President?  Does any "middle ground" exist?  Of course not.  If President Zelaya unconditionally returns to finish his term in office, democracy will be restored; anything short of that will have democracy "compromised" into its opposite. 

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Obama’s Real Plan in Latin America

At first glance Obama seems to have softened U.S. policy toward Latin America, especially when compared to his predecessor. There has been no shortage of editorials praising Obama's conciliatory approach while comparing it to FDR's "Good Neighbor" Latin American policy. It's important to remember, however, that FDR's vision of being neighborly meant that the U.S. would merely stop direct military interventions in Latin America, while reserving the right to create and prop up dictators, arm and train unpopular regional militaries and promote economic dominance through free trade.

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Alternatives to Free Trade: Fair Trade and Beyond

The global debate around free-trade and its consequences has evolved tremendously in recent years, from tiny circles of leftist critics into a broad international protest movement. Although the movement began to bloom in response to the policies of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the biggest demonstrations have been in response to the now-popular "bi-lateral" free-trade agreements that economically powerful countries sign with poorer nations. Once one has become conscious of the problems created by free-trade agreements, whether they are international or regional, an immediate task presents itself: finding a feasible alternative.