TWO FROM WORKING FOR CHANGE
Another Kickass Journalists Edition

From the New York Times' resident Princeton economist, Paul Krugman:

America's Lost Respect

Three years ago, the United States was both feared and respected: feared because of its military supremacy, respected because of its traditional commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Since then, Iraq has demonstrated the limits of American military power, and has tied up much of that power in a grinding guerrilla war. This has emboldened regimes that pose a real threat. Three years ago, would North Korea have felt so free to trumpet its conversion of fuel rods into bombs?

But even more important is the loss of respect. After the official rationales for the Iraq war proved false, and after America failed to make good on its promise to foster democracy in either Afghanistan or Iraq - and, not least, after Abu Ghraib - the world no longer believes that we are the good guys.

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And from the investigative journalist who's so good he can't work in the US, Greg Palast, an analysis of the first Presidential debate:

Mr. Tall and Mr. Small

Here's what Mr. Tall said... in my dreams:

"Beginning in March 2001, your Administration began a series of meetings with oil company executives to map the conquest of Iraq and its oil, a plan Americans would pay for in blood. You originally called this scheme, 'Operation Iraqi Liberation' -- O.I.L. We don't appreciate your little joke, Mr. Small."

"One month after seizing Baghdad you fired General Jay Garner, the man you put in charge of Iraq, after he called for rapid elections in Najaf; after he refused to impose your plans to sell off Iraq's oil fields. In Najaf, citizens denied ballots turned to bullets. And then, as General Garner predicted, the seizure of Iraq's assets resulted in the type of war one expects -- when seeking to impose colonial control."

"Mr. Small, you claim we've given a thousand lives to bring democracy to the Mid-east. But so far, Mr. Small, your democracy comes down to a puppet prime minister we've installed in Iraq and a puppet government the Saudis have installed in Washington."

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