Dennis Perrin: History Dickery Dock
On Hillary Clinton’s candidacy. He takes issue with Katha Pollitt’s view, as expressed in the Nation that Hillary, even if you hate her, deserves a standing ovation. He also contrasts her fantasies and projections with her slagging off of ‘Human Smoke’.

LRB · Perry Anderson: Depicting Europe
Conditions for an independent Europe exist as never before, yet politically they are reversed. With the decay of federalism … the Union weakened national, without creating a supranational, sovereignty, leaving rulers adrift in an ill-defined limbo

Monthly Review - The Injuries of Class: Michael D. Yates
The injuries of class are the effects of long hours and harsh working conditions on the health and well bring of workers. Also argues that, politically unions and all working-class organizations must aim to promote a working-class way of thinking.

Irish Times dutifully on message for the ‘Yes’ campaign - Indymedia Ireland
Miriam Cotton takes the Irish Times to task for its blatant support of the Irish Government’s Yes compaign in the Lisbon Treaty. Cowen does “not back away from warnings that a No vote would result in Ireland losing influence”. He’s a fighter in ITs [...]

LRB · David Runciman: The Cattle-Prod Election
US Polls are based on small samples and are often wildly inaccurate. Yet papers and pundits use them to justify their reams of considered comment. Reality is voters pick candidates like a sports fan picks a favourite team, and don’t change mid-season.

The Real News Network: Obama addressing the AIPAC conference in Washington
Obama supports a two state solution in Israel and believes that Jerusalem should not be divided. But he is tougher on Iran than McCain, insisting that they are trying to develop a nuclear bomb.

Sixfour | Blogging for China
Blog for China has a series of essays reassessing Tiananmen from the perspective of demonstrators, the post-Tiananmen generation, overseas Chinese and more. Via blood and treasure.

Splintered Sunrise
Splintered on Professor Geras, the only likeable Decent, his adoption of the neo-con’s notion of the League of Democracies and how this is a bad idea. Who says what countries should be part of the club? Oh, yes, that’s right the usual anglophone suspects…

The Independent: Patrick Cockburn - Revealed: Secret plan to keep Iraq under US control - Middle East, World -
A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November. The new treaty would retain the long-term use of more [...]

Le Monde Diplomatique: Less isn’t more, by Serge Halimi
The global economy is under pressure and the cost of living is increasing. A reduction in wages over time has led to a stagnation in purchasing power and a decrease in living standards. The powerful suggest that people should make do with less, unless…