Reliable Sources

In order to better analyze nonviolent campaigns or to simply learn about nonviolence in the world, we rely heavily, and in most cases only, on the media. However, the media is not as reliable as we would like to hope. With 24 hour news stations always competing for the line "You heard it here first", they do not always check their sources. Consequently, rumors are spread internationally.

This article, in the New York Times, reports on the anonymous McCain policy advisor who leaked information to the press concerning the Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. A man named Martin Eisenstadt came out and claimed he was the leaker, backed by his numerous blogs throughout the year claiming insider information. He had been quoted in the news and linked to several blogs prior to this concession. The kicker: this Martin Eisenstadt does not exist.

Reactions to the Election

This is a little late since the election was yesterday, but I thought it was a pretty powerful video and definitely worth sharing. Maybe something to keep in mind if (heaven forbid) Sarah Palin appears on the 2012 GOP ticket.

A Message for Sarah Palin

Looking ahead, President-Elect Barack Obama faces significant challenges once he assumes the presidency. In addition to two wars and a downward spiraling economy, Obama must address the human rights violations that have occurred under the Bush administration in the name of combating terrorism and protecting national security. Amnesty International has called for the new president to create "a plan and date to close Guantánamo; issue an executive to ban torture and other ill-treatment, as defined under international law; and ensure that an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the US government in its "war on terror" is set up," all within the first 100 days of his presidency. Amnesty International has also released a checklist detailing the "human rights challenge" they are posing to Obama during his first 100 days in office.