Freedom's Phoenix Feature Articles

Corporate America Loves Jason Furman

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:26:04 GMT

Read more on this subject: Fascism/Corporatism
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Corporate America Loves Jason Furman by Stephen Lendman Key Obama officials comprise a virtual rogues gallery of scoundrels. On June 10, he nominated Jason Furman to replace Alan Krueger. He'll serve as White House Council of Economic Advisors chairman. He was Clinton's Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the National Economic Council. He began advising Obama in 2008. Since January 2009, he's been Obama's National Economic Council deputy director. His nomination requires congressional approval. More on him below. Krueger's returning to Princeton. He's Professor of Economics and Public Affairs. He compromised his integrity in Washington. Prior to becoming CEA head, he was Obama's Assistant Treasury Secretary for Economic Policy. He and other Obama economic officials hail economic recovery. They do so duplicitously. They've done so throughout protracted Main Street Depression conditions. They willfully turned a blind eye. They endorse corporate frie
Read More or Make a Comment

Hassan Rohani: Iran's President-Elect

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:18:40 GMT

Read more on this subject: Iraq
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Hassan Rohani: Iran's President-Elect by Stephen Lendman It's official. Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar announced it. Rohani won 50.7% of 36.7 million votes cast. Six candidates competed. Principlist Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf finished second. He received one-third of Rohani's total. Rohani won decisively. He'll serve four years. He's limited to two terms. He's head of state. On October 24, 1979, Iranians adopted their Constitution. They did so democratically by national referendum. On December 3, it took effect. On July 28, 1989, it was amended. It's called a "hybrid (of) theocratic and democratic elements." Articles One and Two vest sovereign power in God. Article Six "mandates popular elections for president and parliament (the Majlis). Chapter Eight includes Supreme Leader and Guardian Council powers. Chapter Nine, Section One explains presidential powers and responsibilities. He's Iran's highest elected official. He's responsible &qu
Read More or Make a Comment

Netanyahu Falsely Says Iran Plans Another Holocaust

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:16:43 GMT

Read more on this subject: Israel
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Netanyahu Falsely Says Iran Plans Another Holocaust by Stephen Lendman He said it before Iran's June 14 election. He hasn't changed his mind. More on that below. Netanyahu reflects Israeli fascism. He's hardline, unstable, unscrupulous and dangerous. He prioritizes conflict and instability. He deplores peace and diplomacy. Big Lies substitute for truth. Repetition gets people to believe them. Propaganda works that way. Fear-mongering and misinformation manipulate public sentiment. People are convinced to believe nonexistent threats. In the hands of unprincipled scoundrels, wars follow. Netanyahu's one of the worst. During his first late 1990s prime ministerial term, he was Israel's most polarizing leader. He exceeded the worst of his predecessors. He didn't mellow with age. In October, he'll be 64. He's more dangerous than ever. He's a world class thug. He threatens Israelis like others. Why they elected him, they'll have to explain. He defies them. He gives chutzpa
Read More or Make a Comment

The Chemical Weapons Hoax

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:57:44 GMT

Read more on this subject: Syria
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
The Chemical Weapons Hoax by Stephen Lendman Greater US intervention in Syria looms. Manufactured threats facilitate doing so. Replacing Assad with puppet leadership is planned. Independent governments aren't tolerated. More on that below. Fact: Washington bears full responsibility for Middle East/North Africa/Central Asian wars. Resource control is prioritized. So is imperial dominance to Russian and Chinese borders. Fact: State terrorism is official US policy. Obama's waging multiple direct and proxy wars. He's doing so lawlessly. He's ravaging humanity in the process. Washington, its allies, and proxies use chemical and other illegal weapons. Permanent wars reflect longstanding US policy. Americans are deceived and lied to. Truth is verboten. Unchallenged global dominance is sought. Washington demands total subservience. What we say goes is policy. All independent governments are targeted. Plans call for installing subservient puppet regimes. Direct intervention in
Read More or Make a Comment

One-Sided Anti-Syrian Human Rights Council Resolution

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:55:16 GMT

Read more on this subject: Syria
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
One-Sided Anti-Syrian Human Rights Council Resolution by Stephen Lendman HRC mocks human rights, It systematically spurns them. It's a de facto US imperial tool. It defiles its own mandate. It does so lawlessly. It does it unapologetically. HRC was established to strengthen "the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them." It consistently blames Syria for Western-sponsored crimes. It downplays or ignores proxy US death squads ones. They constitute crimes of war and against humanity. They persist daily. They show no signs of ending. HRC complicity facilitates greater US intervention. It supports what it's mandated to oppose. Another so-called US-led "humanitarian" intervention looms. At stake is total war on Syria, mass killing and destruction, devastating an entire nation, society and culture, as well as replacing it with unscrupulous, subservient
Read More or Make a Comment

Obama Ups the Stakes in Syria

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:53:56 GMT

Read more on this subject: Syria
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Obama Ups the Stakes in Syria by Stephen Lendman Obama lied. He's a serial liar. He claims Syria used chemical weapons. His so-called red line was crossed. No verifiable evidence provides proof. Clear facts prove he lied. Syria's Foreign Ministry called Obama's accusations "a caravan of lies" and "fabrications." On May 5, Reuters headlined "UN has testimony that Syrian rebels used sarin gas: investigator." Geneva-based "UN human rights investigators have gathered testimony from casualties of Syria's civil war and medical staff indicating that rebel forces have used the nerve agent sarin, one of the lead investigators said on Sunday." "The United Nations independent commission of inquiry on Syria has not yet seen evidence of government forces having used chemical weapon." Under heavy pressure, UN investigators back-tracked. They about-faced. They recanted. They lied. They claimed no "conclusive findings as to the
Read More or Make a Comment

NSA Chief Lies to Congress

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:52:19 GMT

Read more on this subject: Police State
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
NSA Chief Lies to Congress by Stephen Lendman General Keith Alexander is NSA director. He's US Cyber Command head. He's in charge of lawlessly spying. He directs illegal hacking. He does both globally. He's a serial lawbreaker. He violates fundamental constitutional law. He testified before Congress. More on that below. Edward Joseph Snowden revealed what vital to know. He exposed unconstitutional spying. He said more. He accused NSA of lawless hacking. He knows. He was there. He revealed what he saw firsthand. On June 14, Russia Today headlined "Snowden's asset: NSA hacking exposer knows secrets China wants," saying: He's currently in Hong Kong. He's a wanted man. Washington wants him extradited, arrested, prosecuted, disappeared or murdered. He fears for his safety. According to the Chinese daily Global Times: "The US is accumulating all the advanced powers of the Internet to forge a state-level 'fist' in order to launch cyber attacks on other
Read More or Make a Comment

Iranians Vote

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:08:06 GMT

Read more on this subject: Iran
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Iranians Vote by Stephen Lendman On June 14, Iranians began voting. They'll choose their 11th president. By law, incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can't compete. He's limited to two terms. He's been president since August 2005. Six candidates are running. Two of the original eight withdrew. They did so days earlier. Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel and Mohammad Reza Aref chose not to run. A previous article profiled participating candidates. If none win a majority, a June 21 runoff follows. On the same day, voters are choosing local city and village officials. Thousands of aspirants registered to participate. In 2012, parliamentary elections were held. Iran's an Islamic Republic. Its elections are open, free and fair. They shame America's sham process. More on that below. The Guardian Council vets candidates. At issue is protecting Iran's Islamic character. It's also to preserve its sovereignty. Preventing imperial interests from gaining control is key. Washington and US media sco
Read More or Make a Comment

Killing the Messenger: Official Greek Government Policy

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:59:02 GMT

Read more on this subject: Police State
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Killing the Messenger: Official Greek Government Policy by Stephen Lendman Greece reflects failed state governance. It's the epicenter of banker occupation. Neoliberal priorities alone matter. It's economy was ravaged and destroyed. Unemployment tops 27%. Youth unemployment exceeds 60%. An entire new generation is being systematically destroyed. Millions of working Greeks don't earn enough to live on. It's zombie banks are black holes of insolvency. It's dysfunctional economy awaits its obituary to be written. Its government betrays its own people. It bears full responsibility. It's beholden more to foreign interests than its own. EU banker needs take precedence. Troika authority outside Greece dictates policy. Public services are denied when most needed. They've gravely eroded en route to eliminating them altogether. Democracy's birth place spurns its fundamental principles. Killing the messenger isn't new policy. Shutting down state broadcaster ERT is the latest blow. Mo
Read More or Make a Comment

"Hassle Free Zone" for Americans...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:51:12 GMT

Read more on this subject: Mexico
Feature Article by Ernest Hancock
Our friend Marc Victor and his family drove to visit Rocky Point, Mexico... I guess we got to vacation in Mexico to experience freedom. ...and 100 meters from the U.S. Border station traveling north... http://www.go2sancarlos.com/only_sonora.htm
Read More or Make a Comment

Are the Gold Bugs Wrong?

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:45:03 GMT

Read more on this subject: Casey Research Articles
Feature Article by Jeff Clark
What a ride the precious metals have been on recently. Gold and silver prices have fallen off a cliff, while gold stocks were thrown on the rocks and left for dead. GLD has seen record outflows. Popular financial news shows featured guest after guest who proclaimed gold is now "officially" in a bear market, emboldened by the fact that in spite of its recent bounce, the price has languished below its September 2011 peak for 20 months. As a group, gold stocks are down an abysmal 54% over that same period. The capitulation process has been brutal. So, were we wrong? Is it time to admit defeat, sell our positions, slink into a cave, and lick our wounds? Absolutely not. The only thing that changed over the past 60 days was the price of gold, and perhaps the mainstream's perception of our industry. The realities of the fiscal and monetary state of the world, however, did not. What has struck our industry was not the consequence of a shift in fundamentals, but rather a number
Read More or Make a Comment

James Bovard: The Reality of Feel-Good Government

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:25:40 GMT

Read more on this subject: Government
Feature Article by Jim Bovard
The government-supported service organization AmeriCorps got a boost from President Obama in April, when he announced a new program to "connect more professional scientists and engineers to young students who might follow in their footsteps." According to a news release, the goal is to place hundreds of AmeriCorps members in nonprofits across the country to mobilize professionals in science, technology, engineering and math "to inspire young people to excel in STEM education." A lofty goal, to be sure, but not one AmeriCorps is likely to serve well. Judging by the program's track record over two decades�or distinct lack of a track record in several cases�taxpayers have better ways to spend some $446 million a year. A sort of domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps was created in 1993 to place adult Americans in community service with nonprofit and public agencies, especially in environmental protection, health, education and public safety. President Clinto
Read More or Make a Comment

Challenging Unconstitutional Spying

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:04:54 GMT

Read more on this subject: Police State
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Challenging Unconstitutional Spying by Stephen Lendman Edward Joseph Snowden revealed what's vital to know. He exposed unconstitutional spying. He did so courageously. The 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal employees who report misconduct. Federal agencies are prohibited from retaliating against those who do so. Don't expect rogue Obama officials to act responsibly. Whistleblowers may report law or regulatory violations, gross mismanagement, waste, fraud, abuse of authority, and/or acts endangering public health, welfare or safety. Unconstitutional spying violates core rule of law principles. Doing do gravely compromises public health, welfare and safety. When governments ill-serve, exposing wrongdoing is vital. It takes courage to do so. It involves doing what's right because it matter. Snowden represents the best of what America purports to stand for. Key executive, congressional and judicial officials reflect the worst. Washington is Big Brother w
Read More or Make a Comment

Turkey: Epicenter of Police State Violence

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:03:14 GMT

Read more on this subject: Police State
Feature Article by Stephen Lendman
Turkey: Epicenter of Police State Violence by Stephen Lendman For over two weeks, daily anti-government protests rocked Turkey. Police attacked peaceful demonstrators intermittently. They've done so brutally. Turkey's notorious for police state viciousness. It's a democracy in name only. Prime Minister Erdogan is thuggish, authoritarian, hardline and despotic. Turkey's one of 28 NATO countries. Erdogan partners with Washington's imperial wars. He's unapologetic about neoliberal harshness. More on that below. He's been prime minister for over 10 years. Why Turks put up with him they'll have to explain. Growing opposition demands he resign. New elections are wanted. Erdogan refuses to call them. If protests continue and grow, parliament may overrule him. On June 11, Russia Today headlined "Turkish police oust Taksim protesters with tear gas as Erdogan cheers removal of 'rags,' " saying: "Hundreds of Turkish police clashed with protesters in Istanbul."
Read More or Make a Comment

Time to Stress Test Your Resolve in the Gold Markets

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:35:13 GMT

Read more on this subject: Casey Research Articles
Feature Article by Jeff Clark
The Casey Research Metals and Mining team has received a number of worried and angry emails about gold's recent rollercoaster ride. I'd like to respond to them. First, I understand. I'm an investor, too, and I also manage money for family members. We have positions that are underwater, a few dramatically so. Worse, in many cases a full position had been built, seemingly leaving no room to average down and lower our cost basis. This predicament isn't fun, and there are a limited number of options. However, instead of responding emotionally, let's look at some facts and consider their implications. The drop in stock prices came with no drop in the quality of the companies' assets. This is important to recognize, because it highlights the difference between value and price, and points to opportunity. Even at lower gold and silver prices, the value of these companies is higher than they're currently priced. This will eventually correct, as all mispriced markets do. Investors must be
Read More or Make a Comment