Archive for April, 2010

WILL GOLDMAN SACHS PROVE GREED IS GOD?

Friday, April 30th, 2010

The investment bank's cult of self-interest is on trial against the whole idea of civilization - the collective decision by all of us not to screw each other over even if we can. By political reporter Matt Taibbi. So Goldman Sachs, the world's greatest and smuggest investment bank, has been sued ...

WHAT REALLY TRIGGERED THE FINANCIAL CRISIS?

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

It is up to Congress to regulate the shadow banks but the financial reforms currently being debated in Washington miss the larger point. As commentator Mike Whitney points out, regulators must have the authority to intervene wherever they think it is necessary to ensure that institutions are adequately capitalized. Do you ...

THE SINS OF THE FATHER

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Just when you thought things can't get any more perverse in Japanese movies, here comes Norifumi Suzuki's The Star Of David: Beautiful Girl Hunter, about the son of a rapist with a yearning to follow in his father's footsteps. Stephen Tan reviews. Escaped rapist Genpei Hirukawa ties up a man while ...

THORNS IN THE FLESH

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Update: April 25, 9.30pm: Money talks in Barisan politics. P. Kamalanathan of Barisan Nasional (National Front) has won the Hulu Selangor (Selangor, Malaysia) by-election by defeating Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of the People's Alliance with a majority of 1,725 votes. Kamalanathan polled 24,997 votes against Datuk Zaid's 23,272 votes. Barisan had ...

I HAVE NEVER GIVEN UP ON RECORD STORES

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

All of my life I considered myself a Liberal in practice and in politics. It has occurred to me in the last few years observing how close minded many so-called self professed Liberals are in actual practice, having an open mind, and practicing preconceived prejudices. In the most obvious of ...

THE BOOMERANG EFFECT

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

In London schools today, children are taught about the Holocaust, how bad the Nazis were. But, asks jazz musician and writer Gilad Atzmon, is anyone teaching about the immorality of Empire? Or Israeli aggression in Gaza? Atzmon is confident the real lesson is being learnt - that genocide, by whichever ...

CRAP OF THE TITANS

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

As popcorn movies go, if the original Clash Of Titans was a diner burger, then Louis Leterrier's 2010 remake is at best a McDonald's Happy Meal - too dense and flavorless and dried out. Critic After Dark Noel Vera gets a mouthful. You'd think they'd get one thing right; you'd think ...

SOLID PROOF PRICE OF GOLD, SILVER BEING MANIPULATED

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Thanks to a brave whistle blower, the blatant manipulation of the world gold and silver markets is being blown wide open. Michael T Snyder reports. For a long time many of us have had very serious suspicions that the prices of gold and silver were being highly manipulated. But now, thanks ...

IF NOT FOR THE BRITISH INVASION…

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

The following is an excerpt from Steve Van Zandt's induction speech for the Hollies at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2010 in New York City. You know, a lot of us in this room have been doing what we do a long time. We can't help ...

THE POPE’S COVER-UP

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Given the rash of reports about the current pope's alleged involvement in the cover-up of clerical child abuse in a number of countries, Gary Leupp has produced a timeline for the convenience of anyone studying the matter. As the history professor pointed out, it's no doubt incomplete, but hopefully helpful ...