Hobsbawm on “exporting democracy”

I generally like Hobsbawm, but there has always been a contradiction in hisworks between his enthusiasm for the ultra-democratic movements of theEnglish Civil War (Diggers, Levellers, etc.) and his allegiance to theBritish Marxist soft-on-Russia crowd. This piece reflects that ambivalence,and… Read moreHobsbawm on “exporting democracy”

Is al-Qaeda Just a Bush Bogeyman? (Well, no…)

Robert Scheer’s hyperventilating latest is getting much circulation in cyberspace (see below). A typical sample: "cabal of Machiavellian neoconservatives" A "cabal," no less! It is amazing the degree to which Scheer’s writing hasdeteriorated since he became an opinion columnist. He… Read moreIs al-Qaeda Just a Bush Bogeyman? (Well, no…)