I've been looking for an alternative news source because I live in the States and want to find out more than what CNN and the like are willing to report. I like Common Dreams so far, and can only see one problem. It seems as though some of the 'commoners' have a sad misconception of America and it's inhabitants. First America is one of the only nations to have a civil rights movement, proof that consciousness does indeed exist in the States. Also the comment about a small amount of Americans feeling remorse about dropping a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, that's just wrong information. Let's not fail to mention that even the Iraq war has never had the majority support, and so to say such a horrible event like Hiroshima is so easily soothed over by excuses is again just wrong. America as the ideal is perfectly fine and I believe right, but that it has been corrupted by the minority and institutions, it is has it was during the civil rights movement and requires consciousness. The election of Obama on the promise of 'change' is proof of this desire.

Now as for the killing of civilians in Iraq. What did people think happens in war? What an astonishing report, people dead? Listen when people are maliciously harmed then appropriate action is taken, but when people are used as shields and tools then the appropriate action resulting in guilt and remorse is typically something individualized, and far more punishing than any outside judgement. The plain fact is that Bush went into Iraq based on a lie. My personal opinion is that Carl Rove, Cheney, and Bush ought to all be tried for crimes against humanity. They have left a very sticky mess for Obama to clean up, and a mess that will take time. But if you please direct your foul opinions at the correct sources and remember that the "greater good" is deeply founded in the Democratic ideology that is shared amongst the majority of America.

Given the fact that the US government is the "Human Rights" enforcer this report has no value and is of no consequence at all.

It is critical to put pressure on the U.S. to conform to international human rights norms not only in its treatment of people abroad, but also at home. The Obamans will find it much more difficult to defend their growing record of war crime impuniy to the outside world if people here at home speak out on the U.S. treatment of people at home as domestic human rights violations. From capital punishment to punitive welfare reform in lieu of poverty elimination, from incarcerating juveniles in adult prisons to the progressive denial of reproductive rights for women, from fighting same-sex marriage to refusing to act to eliminate homelessness and hunger, the U.S. is a world leader in human rights exceptionalism. The US Human Rights Network (ushrnetwork.org) is calling the Obamans on this and more (think, e.g., about the ongoing federal treatment of Katrina survivors). This national coalition of over 300 human rights and social justice groups deserves utmost support.

"report blasting the US for killing civilians"

Wipteedoo! The UN has no nuclear weapons and intercontinental missiles. They will not tell us what to do.

Thank you, Mr. Alston, for calling world-wide attention to Amerikkka's crimes.

It might be advisable to consider the over all picture.

For anyone other than the ultra conservative members of this society to think that the USA is not in serious trouble; in every corner of the globe that they seem to find to meddle, would be a 'fools parade of self deception'.

Whether it was arrogance, ignorance, greed, avarice, or just plain old stupidity, America has become the leading rogue nation on the planet. To deny this would be outrageously if not tragically absurd.

To repair it is most likely possible, humanity loves a 'reformed offender' more than just about anything else. However there is not much time to make the 'reformations needed' and it does not seem that the recent changes---mostly 'cosmetic' will make the necessary reformation a priority.

The reality is that the rest of the world, even though they may admire much about america, they know that america is a danger to them all. If you are an 'Alli' of america, you could be their enemy at a moments change--and without 'prior notice'. To make a treaty with them is simply inviting them to violate it later, or simply pass 'new laws' preventing them from abiding by the treaties. They can change leadership with each new election but the true 'rulers of america' are always in control as they were from the begining. They refer often to their constitution, which without strict observance and protection is in reality simply fiction. They have used the most terrible weapons of mass destruction known to humanity, intentionally unleashing them upon a civilian population; while they do their utmost to keep only their closest allies from obtaining the same.
They will spend billions of borrowed money to forcefully evict one people from ancient territory in favor of their chosen "new occupants" and defend those "new occupants" when they commit terrible acts of mass murder and destruction in reality mimicking their benefactor.
They will destroy entire nations and countless lives in the quest for 'self preservation' then criminalize others for the same actions with the same motivations.
In short America is very dangerous untrustworthy and self destructive as well as destructive and without major changes---very soon should be taken out of the present; to be presented to history as a terrible example.

America the world cannot possibly tolerate you much longer.

Good Luck America, you really need it.

The U.S. government will now begin exerting a lot of pressure on the UN (subtle at first) to get rid of this guy Alston. If that doesn't work, then the knives will come out. Word will inevitably leak and Obysmal will claim no knowledge of any such thing. Who, me?

Are the clouds beginning to part? Thank you Alston for saying what needs to be said. Please send this article to your friends and help the story to go viral.

Joe

i was also hoping to see something about the tien an men massacre in China 20 years ago on CD today. most other news outlets had a least a mention about that.

i guess if it's not US bashing it has to place on CD. One could turn it around somehow and make the US guilty of that too.

PS

ok. so there is one article. nicely watered down tho.

"The UN Human Rights Council has issued a report blasting the US for killing civilians, violating human rights and creating a “zone of impunity” for unaccountable private contractors to fight its wars. "

Yeah but Obama gave such a pretty speech in Saudi Arabia!

Empire destruction is heading toward a new level that utterly boggles a civilized mind. Some rocket scientist at the Air Force Research Institute at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. is pushing the USAF to replace its aging strategic bombers with a fleet of nuclear-armed unmanned drones. That's right. Thermonuclear weapons, controlled by some kid in Nevada, flying over a neighborhood near you. Where do we get these people?

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/06/unleash-the-nuclear-armed-robo-bombers-air-force-researcher-sa...

A new hero, Philip Alston.

Now let's see whether the MSM picks up on his statements, accusations and recommendations, but more importantly, whether Mr. Obama responds with a little honesty for a change.

So many openings to do the right and live those vaunted "moral principles, the United States is supposed to be returning to.

"U.S. diplomat Lawrence Richter objected to Alston’s remarks, saying the U.N. investigator did not have the mandate to cover military and intelligence operations related to armed conflict."

Definition of "armed conflict" is unmanned drones operated by "joy sticks" in Nevada that drop their load somewhere in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Definition of "military and intelligence operations," 14 suspected terrorists killed, but sorry, 700 innocent civilians killed in trying to get them.

How perverse can it get?

Hey, Ronald Reagan, wherever you are: Do we fit the definition of THE EVIL EMPIRE yet?

++++++++++++
Everyday, now into the 9th year of blatant Empire-building, it hurts inside to live in a country that has sold its soul, knowing that the unending cruelty, corruption and hypocrisy has nowhere to go but all the way to the bottom of the barrel with all those other empires.

/cm

"U.S. diplomat Lawrence Richter objected to Alston’s remarks"

It's Richter's job to throw a wrench in it and lie!