Excellent discussion of the issues.

In this Tuesday, May 21, 2013 file photo citizen journalism image provided by Edlib News Network, ENN, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian rebels firing locally made shells made from gas cylinders against the Syrian forces, in Idlib province, northern Syria. Syria’s rebels have received shipments of more powerful weapons from Gulf allies, particularly anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, that have already helped stall advances by regime forces. The shipments have also sparked feuding and sniping between rebel factions, illustrating the tangles the United States faces as it prepares to start directly arming a rebellion riven by rivalries and competitions and dominated by Islamist radicals.

Opposition Forces In Syria

The Obama administration may ask the Pentagon to provide support for moderate rebel groups in Syria. Guest host Susan Page and her guests examine the struggle for power among opposition forces in Syria’s civil war.

President Barack Obama call

via Opposition Forces In Syria | The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-04/guest-post-us-going-war-syria-over-natural-gas-pipeline

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-04/syrian-war-what-youre-not-being-told

At 60, New York City-based composer John Zornis wiser, sure, but no less prolific, thoughtful and antagonistic than before. His oeuvre is fantastically wide, from cutthroat jazz improvisation and pummeling noise-rock to gorgeous chamber music and, believe it or not, a genuine Christmas album. The saxophonist also runs the prolific Tzadik label, which releases Zorn’s many works — including his latest album, Dreamachines — and highlights a vast swath of avant-garde and experimental music. Celebrations for Zorn’s birthday started earlier this summer, but continue through September, with events at places ranging from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Anthology Film Archive. He tells Fresh Air’s Terry Gross that, at his age, “there are no more doubts.”

Interview Highlights:

via At 60, ‘Challenges Are Opportunities’ For John Zorn : NPR.

John Hunter: “World Peace And Other 4th-Grade Achievements” Rebroadcast | The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR.

In 1978, John Hunter was a young teacher looking to make social studies relevant to inner-city kids. What he came up with: a four-by-four piece of plywood on which students attempted to solve the problems of Africa. Over time, this board became multidimensional, growing to encompass nations, prime ministers, the U.N. and the World Bank. The goal is to solve geo-political problems with the least amount of military intervention. And for Hunter, it’s come to represent a philosophy of education. John Hunter joins Diane to talk about “The World Peace Game” and three decades of teaching.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-02/harvard-research-shows-guns-dont-kill-people-people-kill-people

http://youtu.be/et1NSxT1K4w

Buying a ticket to the war: no moron left behind « Jon Rappoport’s Blog.

Which A-list celebrity will step up and ask, “Who used chemical weapons?” « Jon Rappoport’s Blog.