During periods when we understandably react emotionally to an abominable act of terror like the Boston Marathon bombing, it is important not to make hasty assumptions based upon stereotypes.

It is, for example, easy to assume that the perpetrators might be white Christians because of sensational acts of terrorism like the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre, the 2012 Sikh temple massacre in Wisconsin, the 2012 Aurora movie theater massacre, the 2011 Seal Beach massacre, the 2008 Northern Illinois University shootings, the 1999 Columbine School massacre, and of course the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. However, we must not Continue Reading

An ExxonMobil Spokesman, Patrick Mcginn, met with reporters at a press conference today to respond to questions about the oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas. Asked what position he held in the company, Mr. McGinn responded, “Spokesman”.

“Of course you’re the spokesperson,” responded the reporter, “but what is your actual position, so that we may know your level of authority.”

RIGHT: ExxonMobil Spokesperson Patrick “Mr. Exxon” Mcginn extolls the virtues of the Mayflower, Arkansas oil spill. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

“I don’t want no drug sniffing dogs around here,” said Ms. P. Innuckope (not her real name). “I got nuff trouble with human junkies without them bringing their pets.”

Ms. Innuckope was one of many that were relieved when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Florida Supreme Court to restrict the right of dogs to sniff for drugs in a neighborhood. “Let them junkies do their own damn sniffing,” she remarked. Continue Reading

In a statement that stunned observers, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry announced during a visit to Iraq that it is asking its allies not to send arms and to prevent the flow of arms into Syria. The U.S. policy of not providing direct lethal aid to either side in the Syrian conflict is well known. However, it was widely assumed that the flow of arms from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries had U.S. blessing, particularly in view of the numbers of arms that the U.S. was sending to these countries, as well as U.S. training for Syrian rebels and U.S. intelligence on where best to kill people.

RIGHT: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry offers advice to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his government. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

Yesterday’s report in the Los Angeles Times about the U.S. plan to rid itself of uncomfortable allies in Syria illustrates once again that drones are the answer to almost any problem. This is because – except for tsunamis and volcanoes – people are almost always the problem, and drones (AKA Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs) are designed to eliminate them.

RIGHT: Drone sales are exploding through the roof. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

Israel denying entry to a Jew? Is that possible? Are we talking about the Jewish state? The global haven for Jews? The one with the open doors and outstretched arms to Jews and only Jews? The news report said that Adam Shapiro, accompanying his pregnant wife, an Israeli citizen, to her home in Israel, had been turned away at the airport.

RIGHT: Adam Shapiro barred from Israel (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

According to Israeli authorities, 30-year-old Palestinian prisoner Arafat Jaradat died of cardiac arrest five days after being arrested on February 18, 2013. Because of doubts, however, I asked to interview the prison medical examiner who had listed the cause of death. “Of course,” replied the Press Officer, “just be sure to pass through the Israeli Office of Press Censorship when you finish your report.” On this condition I was introduced the the coroner, Selova Proval. Following is the interview.

RIGHT: “Yes, children. Joan of Arc died of cardiac arrest.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who is a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, revealed to a North Carolina Rotary Club last Thursday that CIA drones had achieved 4700 targeted assassinations (to use the Israeli term), mostly in the last few years. His office was not answering inquiries, perhaps because the figures are considered a secret. However, this reporter was able to reach one committee member that agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, to whom I shall refer as Sen. Flimsy Grime for this report.

RIGHT: Sen. Lindsey Graham gives the heads up. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

Biotechnology giant Monsanto Corporation announced today that it is seeking a patent on one of its research employee’s children. “If the patent is granted,” said Monsanto attorney Seth “Kendall” Waxman”, “this organism cannot be used for further reproduction without Monsanto permission – usually in return for a royalty fee negotiated with the customer. In fact, we’re currently pursuing a Supreme Court case against a farmer, Vernon Hugh Bowman, who used our patented soybeans to produce his own seed. The patent application for the child is part of our effort to broaden our product range to other organisms.” Continue Reading

60 Minutes reporter Bob Simon waxed lyrical about Israel’s Iron Dome weapons system. “…a technological marvel, a cutting-edge weapon of war that even some pacifists might come to love. Instead of killing people, Iron Dome saves them.”

“Will Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ help bring peace?” asked the 60 Minutes website approvingly.

With this in mind, Simon managed to persuade 60 Minutes producer Jeff Fager to interview Israel’s adversaries about the peace plan, then return to Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak with the results.

RIGHT: Bob Simon extolls the virtues of Israel’s Iron Dome weapons system. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today defended his country’s security agencies against public outcry over the death of a Jewish Israeli, himself a security agent in the Mossad spy agency, who hanged himself in 2010 in a maximum security prison where he was being held in secret. It is not considered unusual for Palestinian prisoners to die under such circumstances, but there is great concern when it happens to a Jewish Israeli.

RIGHT: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeals for understanding for his country’s security forces. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

His Excellency, Lyoncho Karma Tobgye, Minister of Happiness in the Kingdom of Bhutan, asked to meet me because of my reputation for telling the truth while avoiding or inventing facts, which is the opposite of most journalists. Here is a transcript of our conversation:

RIGHT: Artwork by Henry Martin. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

According to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI resigned for health reasons. However, this reporter has learned that there may be more to the story.

RIGHT: Pope Benedict XVI tenders his resignation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Continue Reading

According to testimony at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, the Pentagon, Defense Department and CIA presented a plan to supply weapons to Syrian rebels for the purpose of saving lives. The U.S. currently supplies only humanitarian and non-lethal aid such as intelligence assessments and maps of where to kill people. American weapons are also supplied to the rebels, but only after first being transferred to other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Turkey so that someone other than the U.S. can deliver them. In some cases it also means that someone else pays for them, as well. Continue Reading

Swee Chung Ting, an alleged rape victim in New Mexico, is seeking to charge the state for use of her womb as an evidence locker.

It began with submission of legislation to make abortion illegal in New Mexico in cases where pregnancy results from rape or incest, on the grounds that such abortion would constitute “tampering with evidence”. The prosecutor in Ms. Ting’s case apparently felt that new legislation might not be required, and filed an injunction against Ms. Ting to prevent her from having an abortion, on the same grounds. Continue Reading