The Power of Nightmares

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Monday April 19, 2010 · 7:55 AM PDT

2010/04/19 · 07:55

This is a trailer for a three part BBC documentary that anyone with an interest in politics should watch. Critically acclaimed and thought provoking, this film argues that the threat of "Radical Islam" is a myth perpetuated by politicians.

Links to the full episodes:
Part 1 - Baby it's Cold Outside - http://video.google.com/...
Part 2 - The Phantom Victory - http://video.google.com/...
Part 3 - The Shadows in the Cave - http://video.google.com/...

Enjoy

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Do you think the threat of

4 votes Vote Now!

Do you think the threat of

Yes

2 votes

Online Activism

colben

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Monday April 12, 2010 · 9:18 AM PDT

2010/04/12 · 09:18

There is General Election occurring in the UK next month and though the Conservative party is predicted to win, it is by no means a sure thing. For this reason I have been so surprised at how little the internet and grass roots activism has been utilized in the UK. This is made even stranger by the importance it played in the 2008 US election and now with the rise of the Tea Party movement. Why are these lessons not being transferred to UK elections?

colben

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Monday April 05, 2010 · 9:36 AM PDT

2010/04/05 · 09:36

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In a recent blog I read, there was a comment that Obama's speech in Afghanistan sounding more like it came from the social worker-in-chief than the commander-in-chief. This was highlighting the problem Obama has with getting behind the troops with the same passion for 'militarism' that the Republican's have. Though I believe, like Obama, that military force is not the best option and that the politics is more important, maybe it is time for a bit of pragmatism. Obviously that was the aim of the speech and the leather jacket, but with such a large, and sometimes controversial, agenda planned for the next two and a half years, maybe more vote winning lines were needed. With key elections coming up, Obama must be more pragmatic if he wants to hold on to the House and the Senate.

Poll

15 votes Show Results

Should Obama be more pragmatic during election cycles?

15 votes Vote Now!

Should Obama be more pragmatic during election cycles?

Yes

6 votes

9 votes

Special Relationship

colben

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Sunday March 28, 2010 · 1:11 PM PDT

2010/03/28 · 13:11

As a 'Brit' in the US, I found an article stating that the "UK government needs to be 'less deferential' towards the US and more willing to say no to Washington" very interesting. When I think about the future of international relations, I start to agree that maybe this 'special relationship' is not the best direction for the UK.
title=

Poll

25 votes Show Results

Is the US/UK 'Special Relationship' inportant to the US's future?

25 votes Vote Now!

Is the US/UK 'Special Relationship' inportant to the US's future?

Yes

15 votes

9 votes

Nuclear Free

colben

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Monday March 01, 2010 · 3:38 PM PST

2010/03/01 · 15:38

It is being reported that the US is planning a 'dramatic reduction' in its nuclear arsenal. In a talk at George Washington University, Under Secretary for Arms Control Ellen Tauscher spoke about Obama's desire for a 'nuclear zero' wold. Today's announcement seems to be step in that direction. However at the talk, Tauscher concluded:

"While we still have adversaries and allies that have them [nuclear weapons], we will have them."

How is this statement compatible with a nuclear zero future? Reduction is a start but if everyone holds Tauscher’s view then that future will be nothing more than a dream.

Poll

30 votes Show Results

What would be best?

30 votes Vote Now!

What would be best?

US increases its nuclear arsenal

4 votes

US keeps it's nuclear arsenal the same

2 votes

US reduces its nuclear arsenal

17 votes

US gets rid of all its nuclear weapons

7 votes

3rd Party's. What If?

colben

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Sunday February 14, 2010 · 2:23 PM PST

2010/02/14 · 14:23

The Tea Party Convention a few weeks ago highlighted what could be a break from the two party system in the US. As support grows for these smaller groups who believe that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats stand for their beliefs, is there a possibility that third party nomination in the future may actually have a fighting chance. And more importantly will it be a good thing for the country?

Poll

137 votes Show Results

If you had these four choices in the next election who would you vote for?

137 votes Vote Now!

If you had these four choices in the next election who would you vote for?

Tea Party Candidate

11 votes

Republican Candidate

5 votes

Democratic Candidate

51 votes

Progressive Candidate

70 votes

Iraq War Inquiry

colben

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Monday February 08, 2010 · 2:29 PM PST

2010/02/08 · 14:29

As a student from the UK I try and keep up to date with what is going on in British politics. The news for the last few months has been mainly focused on the Iraq Inquiry. Nearly all the key members of Tony Blair's government of 2003 have been talking to the inquiry on the question of whether the Parliament and the public were miss-led about Saddam Hussein's WMD's and the invasion of the Iraq.

Poll

50 votes Show Results

Should there be a public Iraq War Inquiry in the US?

50 votes Vote Now!

Should there be a public Iraq War Inquiry in the US?

Yes

43 votes

7 votes

Hold on to Your Agenda

colben

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Sunday January 31, 2010 · 11:57 AM PST

2010/01/31 · 11:57

So it was State of the Union time of year again this week. Luckily that means that the news stories and blog topics have changed from weeks of examining the successes and failures of Obama's first year in office, to the successes and failures he will have in his second. It was good speech, it was not a great speech but it defiantly wasn't terrible. With Obama's fantastic orating skills the expectation was there for something historic. With the recent election failures and the collapse of his flagship Health-care bill there was a need for something historic. But from what I saw that did not occur.

Poll

16 votes Show Results

How much of his agenda did you feel Obama gave away?

16 votes Vote Now!

How much of his agenda did you feel Obama gave away?

He gave away to much.

7 votes

He didn't give away enough.

3 votes

He was just perfect.

6 votes

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