War is 'conflict prevention'
"The US intelligence community is drawing up a secret watch-list of 25 countries where instability might precipitate US intervention, according to officials in charge of a new office set up to co-ordinate planning for nation-building and conflict prevention. The list will be drawn up and revised every six months by the National Intelligence Council (NIC), which synthesises intelligence for strategic planning, according to Carlos Pascual, head of the newly formed office of reconstruction and stabilisation." — London Financal Times, March 29.
Bloodsuckers I
"The longer hours, faster pace and [lack of] security typical of many new jobs is taking a toll on workers' hearts, according to a growing body of occupational health research. Studies in Europe, Japan and the United States have linked increases in cardiovascular risks and disease to a global push for greater productivity." — Los Angeles Times, April 10.
Bloodsuckers II
"Thousands of Australian families face huge rises in their health bills as the Howard government plans to pare back the Medicare safety net... Health Department data released in the lead-up to the [October federal] election showed people living in wealthy electorates were much more likely to benefit from the [Medicare] discounts." — Melbourne Herald Sun, April 11.
Reporting the important news
"After his speech, Bush, still wearing the jacket with ARMY printed over his heart and 'Commander in Chief' printed on his right front, joined soldiers in the lunch line at the Wagon Wheel Inn, the mess hall for the 1st Cavalry. The president walked through the lunch line with his own tray, flanked by a soldier on each side. He stopped for a soda and headed to join a long table of others with his lunch of fried chicken, macaroni and collard greens." — Houston Chronicle, April 13.
From Green Left Weekly, April 20, 2005.
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