CC News Letter 09 Feb - Diffusing a Nuclear Catastrophe
Dear Friend,
Edward Curtin writes, "we are ruled by people who think they have everything under their control, including the nuclear weapons that are the ultimate expression of the hubris emanating from Einstein’s equation of E = mc2, the unimaginable amount of energy contained in a particle of matter. Those who brandish nuclear weapons operate within a consensual reality that is a form of madness, and these madmen will incinerate us all unless they are opposed by a force equal to that they brandish. How can we stop them?"
In this context Rene Wadlow's advice on the Korean peninsula is important. He writes, "the holding of the Winter Olympics in South Korea from February 9 to 25, followed by the Paralympics on March 9-18, may be an opportunity to undertake negotiations in good faith to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to establish, or re-establish, forms of cooperation between the two Korean governments."
Not just the Korean peninsula, but also the nuclear Indian subcontinent also under threat of another war. As India and Pakistan continue to trade fire along LoC, Tapan Bose writes, "with both sides accusing the other of “unprovoked firing” across the Line of Control (LoC) the situation is on a knife’s edge. These violations in the Jammu and Kashmir region are significant as these compound bilateral military, political, and diplomatic tensions. These have the potential to escalate into bigger military engagement in the aftermath of terror incidents."
Badrul Islam writes on the plight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh who are under threat of deportation.
Andre Vltchek writes his heart out in his article "Propaganda! Pardon Me, Is Mine Really Bigger Than Yours?" and concludes "I’m terribly sorry, but I’m sticking to my own. My propaganda may be perhaps transparent, Imperfect and raw, but it is sincere. And I’m not afraid, at night, to look at the mirror!"
Also more stories from around the world.
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In Solidarity
Binu Mathew
Editor
Countercurrents.org
Korea: An Olympic Truce – Time For Concerted Nongovernmental Efforts
by Rene Wadlow
The holding of the Winter Olympics in South Korea from February 9 to 25, followed by the Paralympics on March 9-18, may be an opportunity to undertake negotiations in good faith to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to establish, or re-establish, forms of cooperation between the two Korean governments.
Try Learning Not to Ride a Bicycle So We Can Save the World
by Edward Curtin
We are ruled by people who think they have everything under their control, including the nuclear weapons that are the ultimate expression of the hubris emanating from Einstein’s equation of E = mc2, the unimaginable amount of energy contained in a particle of matter. Those who brandish nuclear weapons operate within a consensual reality that is a form of madness, and these madmen will incinerate us all unless they are opposed by a force equal to that they brandish. How can we stop them?
Technology And Its Discontents
by Steven Gorelick
Much of the “best case scenario” for digital technology rests on its supposed environmental benefits (remember the “paperless society”?) But illusions about “clean” technology are dissolving in the horrific toxic wasteland of Boatou, China, where rare earth metals – needed for almost all digital devices – are mined and processed.Another dirty secret is the cumulative energy demand of all these technologies: it’s estimated that within the next couple of years, internet-connected devices will consume more energy than aviation and shipping; by 2040 they will account for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions – about the same proportion as the United States today.
Templates Of Denial: Selective History And Poland’s Holocaust Law
by Dr Binoy Kampmark
This is a question that has been answered by the efforts of Polish President Andrzej Duda to outlaw accusations that Poland was complicit in the commission of Nazi crimes during its occupation. The law in question, passed by the Polish Senate at the start of this month, effectively affords immunity against assertions of collaboration, while punishing those who say otherwise.
What ‘News’Media in U.S. And Allied Countries Never Report
by Eric Zuesse
Newsmedia effectively ban reporting corruptness of newsmedia — even of media that stand on the opposite side of the political divide.
The Balfour Declaration – Empire, the Mandate and Resistance in Palestine
by Jim Miles
Review of Bernard Regan's book "The Balfour Declaration – Empire, the Mandate and Resistance in Palestine."
Propaganda! Pardon Me, Is Mine Really Bigger Than Yours?
by Andre Vltchek
I’m terribly sorry, but I’m sticking to my own. My propaganda may be perhaps transparent, Imperfect and raw, but it is sincere. And I’m not afraid, at night, to look at the mirror!
The Facade Of Repatriation For The Rohingyas
by Badrul Islam
The 680,000 Rohingyas escaping from the jaws of death in Myanmar, to Bangladesh, were recovering from their traumatic experience, when the news of an agreement finalized by the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh, caused a lot of concern and depression among them.
UP Dy CM Intimidates State Officers Who Expressed Opinion Against Communalism
by People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism
People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) condemns remarks made by the UP Dy CM Mr KC Maurya against District Magistrate of Bareilly as pure intimidation and a brazen effort to browbeat officers who express their opinion against communalism
Union Budget 2018-19: An Exercise In Jugglery Of Numbers
by National Alliance of People’s Movements
Calling this year’s union budget ‘just an exercise in manipulation of numbers,’ veteran activist Medha Patkar asked, “When the major decisions like the demonetisation and GST are taken between two budgets then what’s the relevance of the Budget?,” at a panel discussion on the analysis of this year’s union budget with a special focus on Handloom, Fisheries, Dalits, Adivasis, Forest, Agriculture, Banking and financing, Urban Housing, Rural development, Land and Higher Education at the Constitution Club of India on February 6, 2018.
India Pakistan: The Coming War
by Tapan Bose
With both sides accusing the other of “unprovoked firing” across the Line of Control (LoC) the situation is on a knife’s edge. These violations in the Jammu and Kashmir region are significant as these compound bilateral military, political, and diplomatic tensions. These have the potential to escalate into bigger military engagement in the aftermath of terror incidents.
Why Indians Are Averse To Repaying Loans?
by Moin Qazi
When these large businessmen default ,they rob each one of us taxpayers. In several cases precious and scarce banks funds are being used to finance luxurious marriages and lifestyle of these people. We show such promptness in condemning waivers for poor farmers but we lack courage to tame the large fishes because they have enormous clout.
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