U.S.A.

"The current crisis in the financial sector is affecting millions (and potentially billions) around the world, mostly the middle-class and the poor. For the most part, government intervention has come as too little too late, but it may lessen the full impact of the global economic meltdown. Adding insult to deep financial injury, however, is the fact that the West is reluctant to use the "N" word -- nationalization."

"And what about the ostensible main reason for the humongous bailout in the first place -- unfreezing the credit markets? Well, in spite of the enormous media outcry for the bailout to get credit flowing, it didn’t. And the key economic factor in the recession -- housing -- remained just as stuck as before."

"...this is a complicated process, to be sure, with no shortage of critics. But there is also a genius to this system. If the U.S. had a simple majority vote presidential election the campaigns would expend all their energy and resources on national advertising. And they would spend most of their time in the states with the largest populations.

"Positive integration occurs when public institutions facilitate the right (or best available) conditions for smooth interaction among all parties. Members of different cultures and religions could then coexist, accept and respect each other, and interact through those integrated institutions."

"...in today’s post-9/11 era, Muslim minorities in the West can be added to the top of Profs Quinley and Lock’s list of those who suffer the most from "political derision and attack."

"Corporate media and members of congress responsible for letting things get out of hand are fond of singling out overpaid CEOs and other market culprits..."

"Also ignored by mainstream media was the report of how three hundred Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans came forward in March of 2008 to recount the brutal impact of the ongoing occupations. The Winter Soldier hearings in Silver Spring, Maryland, organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War, presented multiple testimonies by veterans who witnessed or participated in atrocities against Iraqis or Afghans."

"According to Article 63(a) of the constitution, a person is disqualified to be a member of the National Assembly if “he is of unsound mind and has been so declared by a competent court.” Unlike the courts in Pakistan, even if lately they have tried to show some degree of independence, the courts in London are not known to be swayed by political considerations nor can we assume that the judge or judges were bribed by Mr Zardari and co., though that is a common practice in Pakistan."