Apologists, failure, and always being wrong about privatization | What's Left 2018-01-21 Volume 104

The fight against privatization is framed by liberals and the right-wing as a clear and unsubstantiated ideological position of the left. And, no matter how much research is presented exposing how privatization of state services and programs costs more and has no positive (but, in many cases negative) impacts on quality of services, the dominant narrative is privatization works. But, at this point, believing that privatization leads to increased efficiency and lower costs is akin to the denial of climate change and thinking vaccines cause Autism. Decades of real life examples, economic analysis, and trial and error policy show that there are so many ways that do not work when it comes to privatization. So, why do people still believe this nonsense?

Apologists, failure, and always being wrong about privatization | What's Left 2018-01-21 Volume 104

The fight against privatization is framed by liberals and the right-wing as a clear and unsubstantiated ideological position of the left. And, no matter how much research is presented exposing how privatization of state services and programs costs more and has no positive (but, in many cases negative) impacts on quality of services, the dominant narrative is privatization works. But, at this point, believing that privatization leads to increased efficiency and lower costs is akin to the denial of climate change and thinking vaccines cause Autism. Decades of real life examples, economic analysis, and trial and error policy show that there are so many ways that do not work when it comes to privatization. So, why do people still believe this nonsense?

Norman Finkelstein on the Many Lies Perpetuated About Gaza | Democracy Now

'Israel faces a possible International Criminal Court war crimes probe over its 2014 assault on Gaza, which killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, including over 500 children. For more, we speak with Norman Finkelstein, author of the new book “Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom.” He is the author of many other books, including “The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Human Suffering” and “Knowing Too Much: Why the American Jewish Romance with Israel Is Coming to an End.”'

State Power Apologists and Propaganda | What's Left

State propaganda is sophisticated. To a point that we do not even call it 'propaganda' any more. Narratives glorifying soldiers of war, spies, and good cops defending the poor and innocent from external threats are everywhere in Western media. All celebrating the moral individual fighting an immoral other. Or, the take down of a Rogue by a broken state system made up of good people.

What's Left 2017-12-31 Volume 103

Reading my way through 2017 | Roxanne Dubois; State Power Apologists and Propaganda

Reading my way through 2017

January 2017 was somewhat of a low point. Living in the wake of Donald Trump's election as the president of the United States had a chilling effect not just on me, but on everything and everyone around me. Reading the news became more depressing than before, and I was uninspired to write—my usual remedy to seasonal blues.

Book Review: Brother by David Chariandy

David Chariandy's second novel is set in Scarborough, Ontario in the '90s: a backdrop that turns out to be a brilliant soundtrack for the story of a teenage boy. Raised by a single mother who came from Trinidad, Michael grows up in a large residential complex called The Park. Brother is an impressive story about family, struggle, grief and violence.

L'amour aux temps du choléra de Gabriel Garcia Márquez

Il était grand temps de s'attaquer à l'œuvre de Garcia Márquez, dont les échos résonnent dans tous les recoins de la littérature. L'auteur prolifique honoré du Prix Nobel de la littérature en 1982 a atteint le statut de légende. Et pourtant, L'amour aux temps du choléra était mon premier voyage dans son univers. Il faut prendre le titre au pied de la lettre : ce roman est résolument un grand et magnifique roman d'amour.

Rashid Khalidi: U.S. Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital Means It Cannot Be a Peace Broker | Democracy Now!

What's Left 2017-12-11 Volume 101

For the republican Arab world, the past twelve years have been defined by foreign invasion, civil and proxy wars, revolution and counter-revolution. It has been devastating. However, it should be remembered that, within the republican Arab world, the twenty-first century began with the American backed crushing of the second Palestinian uprising (intifada).