Alternative News and Information. en-us http://www.alternet.org/rss/button.gif http://www.alternet.org/ AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/ Copyright 2008 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved. http://www.alternet.org/rights/108067/u.s._government_to_u.s._mercenaries%3A_say_goodbye_to_immunity_in_iraq/ Under the Status of Forces Agreement awaiting passage, private military contractors would be subject to Iraqi criminal and civil law. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:00:01 PST Middle East Online http://www.alternet.org/rights/108003/in_stunning_ruling%2C_d.c._judge_orders_release_of_five_gitmo_prisoners/ In a courtroom out of the public eye, and with prisoners allowed only limited access to the proceedings, the judge still found no reason to hold them. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:00:01 PST Center for Constitutional Rights http://www.alternet.org/rights/107866/memo_to_obama%3A_closing_guantanamo_can%27t_wait/ If President-elect Barack Obama truly plans to make good on his promise to close the American gulag, he should start by heeding this advice. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:00:01 PST Andy Worthington, AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/rights/107581/obama_victory_brings_%22racist_rats_out_of_the_woodwork%22/ A disturbing wave of post-election hate crimes across the country shows that the cancer of American racism is far from cured. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:00:01 PST Hannah Strange, The Times of London UK http://www.alternet.org/rights/107474/why_prop_8_passed_in_california%3A_the_myth_of_the_black_gay_divide/ Institutionalized homophobia in American society is definitely a white monopoly. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Sherry Wolf, CounterPunch http://www.alternet.org/rights/107384/is_the_%22turban_effect%22_the_new_bradley_effect/ Two recent studies conducted in two very different settings reveal a disturbing anti-Muslim bias among students. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:00:01 PST Tom Jacobs, Miller-McCune.com http://www.alternet.org/rights/107192/blackwater_busted_six_guards_may_be_charged_in_iraq_massacre/ Critics still fear reckless behavior by the 140,000 private corporate contractors in Iraq will continue. Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Jeremy Scahill, TheNation.com http://www.alternet.org/rights/107195/massive_%27homeland_defense%27_joint_exercise_is_under_way/ Joint military exercise 'Vigilant Shield,' involving maritime, aerospace, ballistic missile defense is under way. Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive http://www.alternet.org/rights/106938/how_i_spent_election_night_in_a_baltimore_jail/ On a night of historic celebration, Baltimore city police arrested revelers without cause or provocation. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Michael M. Hughes, Baltimore City Paper http://www.alternet.org/rights/107001/%22justifiable_homicides%22_are_on_the_rise%3A_have_self-defense_laws_gone_too_far/ With shoot first/ask questions later legislation passing across the country, are more Americans getting away with murder? Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Liliana Segura, AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/rights/106768/could_a_person_of_color_from_an_immigrant_family_be_elected_in_europe/ Europe seems to offer neither popular nor political acceptability to members of its minority groups. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Sanjay Suri, IPS News http://www.alternet.org/rights/106711/could_an_obama_presidency_dampen_enthusiasm_for_jihad/ If Obama upholds democratic values abroad without double standards, jihadi ideologues will have a much harder time recruiting. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:01 PST Bramantyo Prijosusilo, New America Media http://www.alternet.org/rights/106563/let%27s_hope_the_rumors_about_jane_harman_in_an_obama_admin_aren%27t_serious/ The idea that the author of the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act will work with Obama is a scary one. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:00:01 PST Linda Milazzo, AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/rights/106360/election_results_are_bittersweet_for_gays/ In a reminder that time always sides with those fighting for equality, a majority of young people voted against the gay marriage ban in California. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:01 PST Deb Price, AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/rights/106486/report%3A_closing_gitmo_at_top_of_obama%27s_to-do_list/ The president-elect has been a longtime critic of the U.S. gulag at Guantanamo Bay. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:00:01 PST Leonard Doyle, Independent UK http://www.alternet.org/rights/106448/sarah_palin_blamed_by_the_us_secret_service_over_death_threats_against_barack_obama/ Palin's attacks on Obama's patriotism provoked a spike in death threats against him Secret Service agents say. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Tim Shipman, The Telegraph (UK) http://www.alternet.org/rights/106369/why_obama_should_declare_an_end_to_the_%22war_on_terror%22/ If Obama truly believes in diplomacy, he will use it to forge new, individual relationships with Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:00:01 PST Jonathan Steele, The Guardian http://www.alternet.org/rights/103359/the_top_ten_power_brokers_of_the_religious_right/ You might have heard of Pat Robertson and James Dobson, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:01 PST Rob Boston, Church & State Magazine http://www.alternet.org/rights/106299/iraq_insurgents_to_obama%3A_%22withdraw_your_forces%22/ In a taped message yet to be verified, insurgents called "unjust" wars the "principal cause of the collapse of the economic giant." Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:00:01 PST Middle East Online http://www.alternet.org/rights/106300/waiting_to_die%3A_the_cruel_phenomenon_of_%22death_row_syndrome%22/ As prisoners across the country spend decades awaiting execution, the psychological effects are devastating. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:00:01 PST Michael J. Carter, IPS News