Diego Alexander Pulgarín, press-ganged into the Colombian military through the “Campesino Soldier” anti-guerilla militia program on Jan. 5, was released from the Rionegro Battalion military base in Antioquia department April 14, after declaring himself a conscientious objector. Pulgarín was held… Read moreColombia: conscientious objector freed following protests
Doesn’t this say it all: capitalism provides the raw material of social rage, but reactionary fundamentalism—not any analysis that correctly identifies the enemy—provides a political outlet, allowing the legitimately angry to vent at a very wrong target. April 12 saw… Read moreBangladesh: protests against food prices —and women’s rights
Well, it looks like a US oil major is going to be back in Iraq for the first time since the 1972 nationalization. Maybe if Ahmed Chalabi had taken power, Chevron wouldn’t have to share with the French Total. But… Read moreChevron seeks deal in Basra oil fields
Life imitates art: in this case, I, Robot—the appropriately technophobic movie version starring Will Smith, not the entirely too techno-utopian Isaac Asimov book. Now, if only the human soldiers would follow their example… (We’re joking, fed lurkers). From the irreverent… Read moreRobots mutiny in Iraq
Stories like this make us think Orwell was an optimist. From Reuters, April 8: Robots seen doing work of 3.5 million in Japan Robots could fill the jobs of 3.5 million people in graying Japan by 2025, a thinktank says,… Read moreRobots to run Japan by 2025: think-tank
On March 30, local campesino leader Gerardo Antonio Crio was assassinated near his home in the community of Vereda El Jordán, Cocorna municipality, in easter Antioquia department. The killers apparently used a gun with a silencer, as nobody in the… Read moreColombia: campesino leader assassinated in Antioquia
The Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) said the medical mission sponsored by the French government is inappropriate and will not be granted access to ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt, in a communiqué issued by the guerilla General Staff April 9. The… Read moreFARC denies medical mission access to Ingrid Betancourt
President Bush announced April 7 that he is sending the Colombia free trade agreement to Congress, and called for its speedy ratification, saying, “The need for this agreement is too urgent.” Legislators will have 90 business days to approve or… Read moreBush introduces Colombia FTA amid political hoo-hah
Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s government has submitted a bill to the Senate that would give the state oil company Pemex greater flexibility to hire outside subcontractors and seek private investment. Energy Minister Jordy Herrera denied the bill will propose changes… Read moreMexico: Pemex privatization advances
Tompkins Square anarchists ride again New York Press, AM New York, The Villager/Downtown Express and the NO! Art blog were among the media that turned out for a press conference on the steps of New York’s City Hall April 3,… Read moreNYC: Tompkins Square activists demand surveillance-free zone
Tens of thousands from across Nicaragua marched on the capital Managua, including large delegations of campesinos from the countryside, in a "pilgrimage for peace" called by Archbishop Leopoldo Brenes following days of angry protests and repression that left some 50 dead. The Catholic Church agreed to mediate a dialogue between the government and opposition over the planned reform of the social security system that set off the protests. But the "pilgrimage" struck a political tone, with marchers calling for the resignation of President Daniel Ortega. (Photo: Nuevo Diario)
We’ve said it before, but here we go again. The Conspiracy Industry plays into the very hands of the police state it ostensibly opposes. The latest blog fodder from Raw Story, April 1, emphasis added, links not included: Mukasey hints… Read moreConspiracy vultures descend on Mukasey quip
