Archive of posts filed under the Politics and war category.

Where politicians choose their voters there is good emerging news.

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This blog has repeatedly criticised political gerrymandering and the damage it does to politics, the country and democracy. But there’s encouraging news. Several states are trying to do something about the gerrymandering and the hyperpartisanship it causes, by changing the way congressional districts are drawn and the way elections are held. Their goal: force members …

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A final end to posturing about human rights

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In a speech at CIA headquarters Obama effectively embraced the defense of befehl ist befehl (“an order is an order”) with regard to the shameful and excessive torture performed by the CIA against al Queda suspects. In so doing, he eviscerated one of the most important of the Nuremburg principles. Obama assured the CIA that …

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Let women make their own decisions!

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Until recently, tough restrictions forced Spanish women to go abroad for abortions – in such numbers that regular charter flights to London were set up. In 2010 the Socialist government introduced a new law permitting early-term abortion, bringing Spain into line with the rest of Europe. But now conservative justice minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón wants to …

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