“It sounds like [Obama] has a natural affinity for union workers and ordinary people when he makes these speeches. But his policies are crafted by representatives of corporate/financial America, who happen to entirely make up his inner circle.
“I just don’t believe this guy anymore, and it’s become almost painful to listen to him.”
“… a joint appearance designed to revolve around slogans, soundbites and spin, and which demonstrates the sheer contempt in which American political parties and their media collaborators hold the public.”
-Dan Gillmor wants to redefine electoral debates
“…the city should not be taking away our streets to give green plazas to private developments and calling them public parks.”
-Jeremiah Moss, reporting on a plan to erase Astor Place from the map
A Radical Proposal
Want to end the threat of terrorism against this country? Put George Bush on trial for war crimes.
“Imagine the LAPD politely asking a gang of Crips and their lawyers to issue a report on whether or not a drive-by shooting by the Crips should be brought before a grand jury – that’s basically how the SEC now handles many preliminary investigations against Wall Street targets.”
-Matt Taibbi in his latest Rolling Stone exposé
“This situation — exploding wealth inequality combined with harsh austerity, little hope for improvement and a growing sense of irreversible national decline — cannot possibly be sustained for long without some serious social unrest.”
-Glenn Greenwald on the importance the government places on the National Surveillance State, given the disturbances likely in the pipeline.
The U.S. Army reported that 32 soldiers committed suicide during the month of July, the highest number since figures started being released in 2009.
–Harper’s Weekly, linking to the Washington Post
“Moral power cannot be bought in the market or forced with military might. It has to be earned.”
-Lobsang Sangay, newly elected Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile
“Though Perry and others urged attendees to fast, concession stands sold nachos and smoothies throughout the seven-hour event.”
-Harper’s Weekly Review on Rick Perry’s prayer event in Texas
“When you prop up (read: bail out) the institutions causing the crisis, instead of reinventing them, the crisis will deepen.”
-Umair Haque, on why this is not a market correction