Story Archives - Page 506 of 662

Reflections on the US Social Forum: 2007 and After

Michael Albert October 2, 2007 Michael Albert

At the US Social Forum 2007, in the city that hosts CNN and Coke, in hotel venues where debutantes ironically were on parade, the progressive community stood tall and steadfast, proud and capable. The forum's over 900 sessions were truly diverse in those presenting and those attending. Indeed, I cannot remember - going all the way back to an also highly diverse Black Panther Party Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in September 1970 - any other large leftist event in the U.S. as consistently multi-cultural as USSF 2007.

The U.S. ‘War on Drugs’ Is an Assault on South America’s Poorest

Benjamin Dangl September 27, 2007 Benjamin Dangl

Leonilda Zurita Drying Coca

For many farmers in Bolivia, the alternative to growing coca leaves is unemployment and hunger. "We need to take care of our coca as if it were a child so that the whole family can survive," coca farmer Leonilda Zurita said. "The coca gives us food. It takes care of our education and healthcare because here education and healthcare are not free."

Burma: Love and Kindness Must Win Over Everything

Rene Wadlow September 26, 2007 Rene Wadlow

The determination of Burma's Buddhist monks to bring about change non-violently in their country has awakened a civilian population long held in fear by the governing military. The monks are marching behind large banners saying "Love and Kindness must win over everything." Demonstrations have been growing in city after city as the monks have taken the leadership of protests which began in early September against the sudden rise in fuel, food, and transportation costs.

War Crimes in Somalia, Blame the White House

Sam Urquhart September 24, 2007 Sam Urquhart

Somalian insurgent forces

Somalia is the forgotten front in the "War on Terror." Americans are rarely told anything about what goes on there, who the actors are and, more importantly, the reasons behind conflict in the Horn of Africa. Hence it is not surprising that there has been no concerted activist challenge to U.S. support for Ethiopia's war in Somalia, but such a challenge is urgently required.

Hungary: Autumn of Discontent

John Horvath September 24, 2007 John Horvath

Ferenc Gyurcsány

Tensions in Hungary still remain high as a result of last year's lies. It has been one year since audio tapes were leaked in which the prime minister of Hungary, Ferenc Gyurcsany, admitted to lying day and night in order to seize power for power's sake.

A People’s History of Congo’s Jean-Pierre Bemba

keith harmon snow September 18, 2007 keith harmon snow

Who is Jean-Pierre Bemba and how did he rise to power in the heart of darkness? Did Bemba order his rebel soldiers to cannibalize pygmies? What is Bemba's relationship to the competitors of George W. Bush and the friends of Bill Clinton? How is Bemba linked to blood diamonds in Africa and mercenary armies in Iraq? Why have troops from Uganda recently re-invaded Congo and why have the United Nations and international press been silent about it? A look at Bemba's infamous history answers these questions and more.