The shame of the US prison system

Linked to the militarization of the police, referred to yesterday, is the incarceration of about 2.2 million people nationwide. Counting the people who are on parole, on probation, awaiting trial in jail, or otherwise under the supervision of the vast prison system, the overall number rises to 7 million, about the population of Hong Kong. …

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A militarized society? Let’s hope sense prevails

“The protests and violence following the death of the 18 year old black boy in Ferguson MO highlight the increasing militarization and “hardening” of the police. The police have been on camera in tactical gear at barricades, armed with heavy weapons sitting atop armored vehicles.” “America has been quietly arming its police for battle since …

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Corporate sovereignty? Kill it!

Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EU, has come out against ISDS (investor-to-state dispute settlement), a section of the current American-EU TAFTA/TTIP free trade negotiation. The ISDS gives priority to the interests of corporations over the laws of every nation signing the multi-national agreement. His statement is as follows: As Commission President, I will also be …

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Living standards: No.9 in the list of Gross National Happiness criteria

The aggregate living standard is a function of the level and distribution of living standards across the whole population, measured in some way. A very high living standard of a small part of the population can make a big contribution to an aggregate measure, but can be misleading. In a country as poor as Bhutan, …

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