The Fallujah Deception

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/toxic-legacy-of-us-assault-on-fallujah-worse-than-hiroshima-2034065.html

http://morallowground.com/2012/04/04/on-this-day-2004-us-forces-launch-operation-vigilant-resolve-first-battle-of-fallujah/

I was watching a clip tonight on a mainstream media website that attempted to provide an explanation as to 'Why Fallujah Matters'.

Vietnam and the Pivot

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36360005

Vietnam wants to purchase and utilise US weapons but the United States wants Vietnam to have them even more.

Walls, Pulpits and Impoverished Hermeneutics

Nehemiah built walls to keep his enemies out. So don't be too quick in condemning Donald Trump for wanting to build one.

I heard this in a sermon on a recent Sunday. This is the state of the Evangelical pulpit. Actually the congregation I was attending would probably qualify as more of the Fundamentalist variety. Evangelicals would probably be more likely to talk about the vocation of Border Guard and how special they are in God's eyes for doing that holy task.

Weapons Caches and Dark Plots

It has long been suggested the US and its allies have established weapons caches in various locales, especially in Europe that were accessible by those in the know and in an hour of need. Supposedly set up for 'Stay-behind' units, covert cells established to generate resistance in light of a Soviet invasion, these weapons caches were used by various underground groups during the 1970s and 1980s to conduct terror operations across Europe.

Gaddafi's Libya and the United States

A lesson in alliance and machination

During the opening salvos of the Cold War, the United States found a staunch ally in Libya's King Idris who reigned from 1951-69. Italian imperialism seemed to be replaced by the United States which promptly utilised the nation's resources and appropriated a large airbase. Libya was viewed as strategically important, a bridge between the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheelus_Air_Base#United_States_withdrawal

Another Far Right Almost-Victory... This time in Austria

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36362505

Even though the Right-wing candidate Norbert Hofer of the FPÖ finally conceded, once again the fact that these parties are coming so close to power and are gaining in popularity indicates there's a growing wave of sentiment with their positions and ideology.

New York Police: Intoxicated by Power

http://gothamist.com/2016/03/01/nypd_home_invasion.php

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has long shown their disdain for the Constitution and the rule of law. Though they fell under some criticism for 'Stop and Frisk' they continue to abuse their authority and believe they are the totalitarian masters of the Five Boroughs.

Keating, Keating and Butler

Perhaps I wasn't alone when I heard on the radio that Charles Keating was killed in Iraq. It stopped me dead in my tracks.

What?

I did a double-take because the name was all too familiar. Charles Keating was one of the major figures in the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Socialism and Identity Politics

If Bernie Sanders wanted to demonstrate his true Socialist bona fides, he would attack Obama's recent Transgender Bathroom mandate.

Lethal Injection and the Pharmaceutical Industry

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36292193

There's something rather offensive about a company like Pfizer or any pharmaceutical company trying to take the moral high ground.

Netanyahu's Game

http://atimes.com/2016/05/russia-seeks-bigger-middle-east-role-through-alliance-with-israel/

What's Benjamin Netanyahu up to? He met with Putin last year over Syria and now over energy? Is this about the post-Assad era? Is Israel securing the lines on the map, buffer zones and energy deals?

Oil and Geopolitical Tension

Margolis once again provides some interesting information and succinctly reveals some of the tensions at work in the Saudi-American relationship. Riyadh is plagued by angst and fears about their standing in both the Islamic sphere and larger economic world.

Deep State Disturbance: The Resignation of Davutoglu

http://www.turkishamericannews.com/turkey/item/460-davutoglu-2013-talks-with-gulen-known-by-gul-erdogan

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/so-who-authorized-davutoglus-gulen-visit.aspx?pageID=238&nid=82373

This is probably premature as undoubtedly more will come out in subsequent days and yet there may be one angle to this story that is not being considered in most media reports.

Icons of Political Christianity: Sometimes Inspiring But Always in Error

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36180902

Roman Catholic priest Daniel Berrigan was despised by the Christian Right for using verses like the one in Isaiah 2 referring to the beating of swords into plowshares.

Blocking Putin in Cuba

In no way do I wish to celebrate the Obama administration and its achievements but I find it striking that in their zeal to tarnish his name and diplomatic agenda the Right-wing has overlooked something they should view as something of a triumph for US diplomacy.

Ann Coulter, Christian Sage

Ann Coulter's star seems to be fading but for several years she was not only one of the most extreme Right-wing commentators but considered one of the most overtly Christian.

Polish Sacralism

http://www.politico.eu/article/polands-church-state-alliance-to-ban-abortion/

This is the kind of relationship American Evangelicals long to implement. The Protestant Sacral model is one in which the Church advises the state, it acts as arbiter for official policy.

Evangelical Femininity and Power

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35813994

It's people like this that make me ashamed to say I'm a Christian or a homeschooler. I always feel like I have to say, "I'm a Christian, but..."