CORPORATE CRIMINALITY

RAINER SHEA—That how they got me: by labeling my entirely fact-based analysis of the White Helmets’ shady and illegal activities as “conspiracy theories,” Medium targeted me for harming the White Helmets’ reputation. Since Medium hasn’t censored any of its users who’ve tried to link Bernie Sanders to Russia or accused Caitlin Johnstone of antisemitism, the fact that they would dig up an eight-month-old article and remove it because it includes unflattering facts about a known terrorist organization tells us how they intend to use the “reputable harm” rule.

RICK STERLING—The Tulsi Gabbard presidential campaign has filed a major law suit against Google. This article outlines the main points of the law suit and evidence the social media giant Google has quietly acquired enormous influence on public perceptions and has been actively censoring alternative viewpoints.

ULSON GUNNAR—If US arms manufacturers like Lockheed could get away with bribing officials to buy hundreds of what were essentially “flying coffins” to allied nations back in the 1950s and 60s, killing far more allied pilots than the enemy ever did, how hard would it be to sell something slightly less deadly, semi-functional but simply overpriced? Pretty easy apparently.

Lee and his guest Richard Wolff discuss the numerous signs of an imploding capitalism, and why citizens need to recognise the disease and see past the big propaganda wall keeping the sickness alive. Richard Wolff and Lee make importnat points: No matter what trade deals Trump signs off or destroys, the majority of the population will have no say and their interests will be harmed. Same with Britain’s Brexit situation: whether the UK leaves or stays in the EU, the fate of most Britons is still controlled by an utterly corrupt bipartisan conservative clique that has no inclination to do the public’s bidding. It’s just a class thing. Period. The episode also has a terrific discussion about Russiagate with Aaron Mate. Not to be missed.

ELIZABETH VOS—The Nation goes on to quote Kissinger’s reassurance of US tolerance of Pinochet’s government:“We welcomed the overthrow of the Communist-inclined government here. We are not out to weaken your position.” The dialogue between Kissinger and Pinochet, as well as the despot’s friendship with Thatcher, illustrates the dominance of the realpolitik value system in Western nations, through which human rights abuses became an afterthought in comparison with perceived geopolitical advantage.