Bradenton, FL, USA - In 1998 I wrote an essay about how we needed a new "ism" to replace Communism as a boogeyman to frighten the rich people who control our government and major corporations into treating the rest of us decently. You can read that essay here. Sadly, I think I now know what is going to replace Communism as the threat that keeps our country's wealthiest 5% from becoming even richer by making life harder for everyone else. It will not be an "ism" with a charismatic leader. It will be series of individual acts of violence against wealthy corporate leaders and their political cronies, carried out by people who feel they have nothing to lose.

Consider the position of a 60-year-old American factory worker who, 10 years ago, had a decent house, comprehensive health insurance, and a decent pensions plan he expected to kick in when he turned 65. Let's lay that worker off and close the factory where he worked. Let his health insurance run out. Let him get cancer or another financially ruinous disease. Let him lose his house. Have his wife leave him as he descends into hopelessness, and possibly alcoholism or drug use.

None of this is unrealistic. Thousands of American men endure similar scenarios every year.  They are sick, broke, and bitter.  They have nothing to live for. And a lot of them own guns and know how to use them. ... READ MORE

New York, NY, USA - For veteran New York-based filmmaker Marc Levin making "The Protocols of Zion" was more than just another one in his extensive catalog of controversial, politically charged documentaries. This feature had a deep-seated personal connection for both him and has dad -- as Jews and journalists.

To see the century-old lie of "The Protocols of Zion" (a tract purported to detail the Jews' plot to take over the world, surreptitiously authored by the Russian Czar's secret agents) being promulgated again as a truth to stir a new rash of anti-Semitic activities was appalling, but also intriguing enough for the filmmaker to prompt an investigation. Once their curiosity overtook their disgust, the seeds of this film were sown as they sought answers for why and how the Protocols were reappearing again as a legitimate source of information after having long been discredited.

G21: Explain your motivation behind doing this.

ML: It was a gradual dawning of what I was getting into. I started more simply of hearing these rumors that the Jews were warned. Then when this kid in the cab connected to the Protocols just the idea, I just started with a simple idea of how the hell did this thing come from the trash shoot of history into the conversation and hooked up into 9/11 that the Jews were somehow secretly involved. I have to say it was really the war in Iraq and "The Passion." [Mel's Gibson's fillm "The Passion of Christ".] All these things that happened in the world that then I found myself in the bigger issue. Of the Jews and anti-Semitism. Then as I was finishing on the 3rd anniversary [of the World Trade Center attack] and we went to Ground Zero realizing this is a touchy subject. ... READ MORE


NIKESH PARBHOO ON THE RAINFORESTS:

Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA - An international conference of the United World Colleges saw me coming to Singapore, my first time in Southeast Asia and my first visit to a truly equatorial city. Singapore is a fantastic city -- a highly ordered place with pinpoint efficiency, spotlessly clean streets and religious and cultural harmony. It was a truly pleasurable stay in the city. After the conference, I got to see a bit of Singap ore and its sights, including a visit to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the last remaining virgin tropical rainforest in Singapore.

Upon my return home to Johannesburg, I read an email forward which highlighted the potential destruction of the Amazon rainforest as a result of decisions being taken by the Brazilian government. The petition was addressed to the Brazilians and was against their intention to clear a portion of the Amazon. The email catapulted me back to Bukit Timah whilst still sitting at my desk.

I have done many a hike on the highveld of Johannesburg and its surrounds, but Bukit Timar was my first foray into a true rainforest. I didn't know what lay in store for me.