Project Censored
Top Underreported Stories of 2004
Dear
friends,
Project Censored specializes in covering the top news stories which
were either ignored or downplayed by the mainstream media each year. This Sonoma State University research group is composed
of nearly 200 faculty, students and community experts who review about 1000
story submissions for coverage, content, reliability of sources and national
significance. The top 25 stories are submitted to a panel of judges who then
rank them in order of importance. The results are published each year in an
excellent book, available
for purchase at their website, amazon.com, and most major book stores.
A
summary of this year's list provided below proves quite revealing
and most informative. The headline of each story contains a
link for those who want to check the sources and read more.
I highly recommend these very well researched reports. A visit to
the website at www.projectcensored.org
may also be well worth your time. Thanks to the Internet and wonderful,
committed groups like Project Censored, the news is getting out to those who
want to know. By revealing all that is going on and working to stop the
excessive secrecy, we are creating a better world, one step at a time.
Please help to spread the word, and have a great day!
With
love and very best wishes,
Fred
Burks for the WantToKnow.info
team
http://www.projectcensored.org/publications/2005/
Censored 2005: The Top 25 Censored Media Stories of 2003-2004
#1: Wealth
Inequality in 21st Century Threatens Economy and Democracy
Wealth
inequality increased dramatically in the United States in the late 1990s. The
top 5% is now capturing an increasingly greater portion of the pie while the
bottom 95% is clearly losing ground, resulting in the rapidly vanishing
middle class. This trend is the product of legislative policies carefully
crafted and lobbied for by corporations and the ultra-wealthy over the past
25 years. America's economic trends have a global footprint. Today, the
top 400 income earners in the U.S. make as much in a year as the entire
population of the 20 poorest countries in Africa. A series of
reports released in 2003 by the UN warn that further increases in the
imbalance in wealth throughout the world will have catastrophic effects if
left unchecked, such as the collapse of the entire global economy.
#2: Ashcroft
vs. the Human Rights Law that Holds Corporations Accountable
Attorney General John Ashcroft is seeking to strike down
one of the world's oldest human rights laws, the Alien Torts Claim Act (ATCA)
which holds government leaders, corporations, and senior military officials
liable for human rights abuses taking place in foreign countries.
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) vehemently oppose the removal
of this law, as it is one of the few legal defenses victims of human rights
violations can claim against powerful organizations such as governments or
multinational corporations. By attempting to throw out this law, the Bush
Administration is effectively opening the door for human rights abuses to
continue under the veil of foreign relations diplomacy.
#3: Bush
Administration Censors Science
In
Washington D.C. more than 60 of the nation's top scientists, including 20
Nobel laureates, medical experts, and former federal agency directors, issued
a statement February 18, 2004 accusing the Bush Administration of
deliberately distorting scientific results for political ends. They are
calling for regulatory and legislative action to restore scientific integrity
to federal policymaking. Under the current administration, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has blacklisted scientists who pose a
threat to pro-business ideology, and many unqualified scientists
with close industry ties have been appointed to advisory boards.
#4: High
Levels of Uranium Found in Troops and Civilians
Civilian
populations in Afghanistan and Iraq and occupying troops have been
contaminated with astounding levels of radioactive uranium as a result of
post-9/11 use of tons of uranium munitions by the U.S. Four million
pounds of radioactive uranium were dropped on Iraq in 2003 alone.
Most American weapons (missiles, smart bombs, bullets, tank shells, cruise
missiles, etc.) contain high amounts of uranium that on detonation, release a
radioactive dust. Once ingested, these subatomic particles slice through DNA.
With a half-life of 4.5 billion years, it is a permanent contaminant
distributed throughout the environment. Scientists from around the world
testify to the huge increase in birth deformities and cancers wherever
uranium munitions have been used. The effects of the U.S. deployment will be
felt in all the neighboring countries in the Middle East and Asia, as well as
in our returning troops.
#5: The
Wholesale Giveaway of Our Natural Resources
The Bush Administration's environmental policies are
destroying much of the environmental progress made over the past 30 years. Between the "Clean Skies
Initiative," a recent policy that allows power plants to emit more than
five times more mercury and twice as much sulfur dioxide, and the
"Healthy Forests Initiative," which allows the wholesale
liquidation of ancient forests by corporate timber interests under the guise
of fire prevention, resource extraction and pollution is occurring at
unprecedented rates.
#6: The Sale
of Electoral Politics
Conflicts of interest exist between the largest suppliers
of electronic voting machines in the United States and key leaders in the
Republican Party. While the voting machines themselves present some technical issues,
the political affiliations within the voting machine industry pose even more
serious questions. The three major companies involved in implementing the
new, often faulty, technology at voting stations throughout the country have
strong ties to the Bush Administration, Republican leaders, and major defense
contractors.
#7:
Conservative Organization Drives Judicial Appointments
In 2001 George W. Bush eliminated the longstanding influence of the
American Bar Association (ABA) in the evaluation of the prospective federal
judges. ABA's judicial
ratings had long kept extremists from the right and left off the bench. In
its place, Bush has been using the Federal Society for Law and Public Policy
Studies--a national organization whose mission is to advance a conservative
agenda by moving the country's legal system to the right. One of the most
important issues in the country is the control of one of the three branches
of government, the judiciary. While Presidents and Congress-members get
elected every few years, judicial appointments are for life, Our courts deal
with nearly every aspect of life; work conditions and wages, schools, civil rights,
affirmative action, crime and punishment, abortion and the environment,
amongst others.
#8: Cheney's
Energy Task Force and The Energy Policy
Cheney
Energy Task Force documents turned over in the summer of 2003 by the Commerce
Department as a result of the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by
Sierra Club and Judicial Watch contain maps of Iraqi oilfields, pipelines,
refineries and terminals. The documents, dated March 2001, also contain plans
of occupation and exploitation that predate September 11, confirming
suspicions that the Bush Administration energy policy is driving U.S.
military strategy.
#9: Widow
Brings RICO Case Against U.S. government for 9/11
Ellen
Mariani became widowed when her husband Louis Neil Mariani perished in the
collision between United Airlines flight 175 and the South Tower of the World
Trade Center. In addition to her refusal of the government's million-dollar
settlement offer, Mrs. Mariani has filed a 62 page complaint in
federal district court charging that President Bush and officials: (1) had
adequate foreknowledge of 911, yet failed to warn the country or attempt to
prevent it; (2) have since been covering up the truth of that day;
(3) have therefore abetted the murder of plaintiff's husband and violated the
Constitution and multiple laws of the United States; and (4) are thus being
sued under the Civil Racketeering, Influences, and Corrupt Organization
(RICO) Act for Malfeasant conspiracy, obstruction of justice and wrongful
death.
#10: New Nuke
Plants: Taxpayers Support, Industry Profits
Senator
Peter Domenici (R-NM), along with the Bush Administration, is looking to give
the nuclear power industry a huge boost through the new Energy Policy Act. The
Domenici-sponsored bill will give nuclear power plants credits costing
taxpayers an estimated 7.5 billion dollars, to build six new privately owned,
for-profit reactors across the country. Safety standards will be
lowered and liability will be passed on to taxpayers. This is in addition to
the $4 billion already provided for other nuclear energy programs.
#11: The
Media Can Legally Lie
In 2003, a Florida Court of Appeals ruled that there are
no written rules against distorting news in the media. It agreed with an argument by
Fox Television that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right
to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves. Under the
current ruling, it is up to the public to discover whether or not they are
being lied to.
#12: The
Destabilization of Haiti
On February 29, 2004, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was
forced into exile by American military. While U.S. officials were
eventually forced to acknowledge the kidnapping allegations, they were quick
to discredit them and deny responsibility. Meanwhile, the circumstances that
led to the current situation in Haiti, as well as the history of U.S.
involvement, are being ignored by U.S. officials and the mainstream media.
#13:
Schwarzenegger Met with Enron's Ken Lay Years Before the California Recall
In
2002, while the California Governor and his deputy were attempting to
re-regulate the energy industry (and get back the $9 billion that was
defrauded from California taxpayers by Enron and other energy companies)
Arnold Schwarzenegger was being groomed to overthrow Governor Davis in a
recall - and cancel plans to re-regulate or to recoup the $9 billion. Back
in May of 2001, in the midst of California's energy crisis, Schwarzenegger
met with Enron's Ken Lay to discuss "fixing" California's energy
crisis.
#14: New Bill
Threatens Intellectual Freedom in Area Studies
The
International Studies in Higher Education Act of 2003 threatens academic
freedom and classroom curriculum. Under this act, professors whose
ideological principles do not support U.S. practices abroad can have their
appointments terminated, any course curriculum containing criticism of U.S.
foreign policy can be censored, and any course deemed anti-American can be
barred from the classroom.
#15: U.S. Develops
Lethal New Viruses
Scientists funded by the US government have developed a
way to make pox viruses incredibly deadly. The stated goal of this research
is to fight possible bio-terror attacks. The new virus kills all mice even if
they have been given antiviral drugs along with a vaccine that would normally
protect the victim from death.
#16: Law
Enforcement Agencies Spy on Innocent Citizens
With little media comment, federal, state and local
agencies have begun working as partners in the collection, analysis, and
dissemination of intelligence information. Under the "Global
Intelligence Working Group" (that oversees the new network) police
departments receive increased funding for surveillance activity. This has
resulted in the recent COINTELPRO-style instances of police infiltration of
groups critical of government policies.
#17: U.S.
Government Represses Labor Unions in Iraq in Quest for Business Privatization
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Bush Administration has
"sweeping plans to remake Iraq's economy in the US image." The US is calling for the
privatization of state-owned industries such as oil and water. But it has
chosen not to overturn Sadaam-era edicts that outlaw unions. Every day the
economic policies of occupying authorities create more hunger among Iraq's
working people, transforming them into a pool of low-wage, semi-employed
labor, desperate for jobs at any price.
#18: Media
and Government Ignore Dwindling Oil Supplies
Even
industry executives affirm that oil is close to reaching, or may have already
reached, its highest levels of production potential. Once the peak is
reached, oil prices will start to rise (as they have every year since 2000). As
oil decline accelerates, prices will rise even faster, with devastating
effects to the US economy. Over the years, U.S. leaders, bowing to
oil industry pressure, have not worked to develop viable alternatives (as
they have done in Europe).
#19: Global
Food Cartel Fast Becoming the World's Supermarket
Agribusiness
and supermarket alliances are transforming the agri-food system into a
powerful network of transnational corporations. They now have the power to
control the world's food supply at every stage of food production. As
fewer corporations control food production, traditional farming is becoming a
high-tech form of serfdom. Lack of competition is leading to higher
prices, lower choice and quality, and employee abuse.
#20: Extreme
Weather Prompts New Warning from UN
In 2003, The UN's World Meteorological Organization
reported unprecedented levels of extreme weather and climate occurrences all
over the world. The report emphasized an alarming increase in global warming and pointed
to the impact of human activity. The significance of this particular report
is that the highly respected UN organization is known for its normally
conservative predictions and statements.
#21: Forcing
a World Market for GMOs
The
Bush Administration is trying to force Europe to drop trade barriers against
genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Meanwhile, the agricultural
biotechnology industry is focusing even more intently on developing
countries, where regulations governing their use are generally more lax. At
the same time, biotech promoters continue to suppress studies that
show GMOs may have adverse effects on health and the environment.
#22:
Censoring Iraq
After
the fall of Saddam, Paul Bremer told journalists they were now "free to
criticize whoever, or whatever, you want." But when negative
critiques of U.S. policies appeared in the Iraqi media, Bremer quickly placed
controls on its content. And rather than hiring a media outlet to
run the Iraqi media (or simply allowing the news groups already there to
continue reporting), the Pentagon chose a defense contractor to define the
news.
#23: Brazil
Holds Back in FTAA Talks, But Provides Little Comfort for the Poor of South
America
The Free Trade Area of the America's (FTAA) could become
the biggest trading block in history, expanding NAFTA to 34 countries from
Canada to the bottom of South America. This deal is unlikely to meet its January 2005
deadline, now that the second largest player in the negotiations, Brazil, is
holding back. However, Brazilian President Lula has begun, of his own
volition, to institute his own brand of FTAA austerity policies that are sure
to drive the poor of the region deeper into poverty.
#24:
Reinstating the Draft
The Selective Service System (SSS), the Bush
Administration, and the Pentagon have been quietly moving to fill draft board
vacancies nationwide in order to prepare for a military draft that could
start as early as June 15, 2005. Several million dollars have been added to the 2004 SSS
budget. Meanwhile, through an on-going militarization of public school
systems, the Pentagon has begun efforts to double the number of Latinos in
the U.S. military by 2006.
#25: Wal-Mart
Brings Inequality and Low Prices to the World
The
vision of the international division of Wal-Mart is one where Wal-Mart
becomes a global brand, just like McDonald's or Coca- Cola, monopolizing the
global retail market. The next five or six years could see about 5,000 to
6,000 Wal-Mart stores outside of the United States. Wal-Mart is
Americanizing retailing around the world and exercising an inordinate amount
of economic power.
Note: If you haven't seen our summaries of the mass media cover-up,
you will not regret taking the time to read them:
Two-page
summary - www.WantToKnow.info/mediacover-up
10-page
summary - www.WantToKnow.info/massmedia
Your tax-deductible donations, however large or small, help greatly to support this important work.
To make a secure donation: http://www.wanttoknow.info/donationswtk
Explore these empowering websites coordinated by the nonprofit PEERS network:
www.momentoflove.org - Every person
in the world has a heart
www.WantToKnow.info - Revealing
major cover-ups & working together for a better world
www.inspiringcommunity.org - Building a Global
Community for All
www.weboflove.org - Strengthening the
Web of Love that interconnects us all
Educational websites promoting transformation through education and inspiration
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this email list of inspiration and education (average one email every two weeks), visit http://www.weboflove.org/subscribewol. Subscribe to the list of news and information on deep cover-ups (one email every few days) by visiting http://www.wanttoknow.info/subscribe.
Top Underreported Stories of 2004: Project Censored
