At an Aspen Institute conference, US Attorney General John Ashcroft told editors and media executives that the government needs help persuading the public on the USA Patriot Act.Peter Hart and Rachel Coen report.

Takis Fotopoulos links the present occupation of Iraq by US/UK forces to the history of the 1991 war and the bombardment and embargo of more than a decade. Fotopoulos also discusses the role of the UN today and the changes from the 'Clinton' doctrine to the 'Bush' doctrine. Finally, he examines the role of the Left.

The US is now a formal colonial power in Iraq. Democracy was never the Bush administration's goal, rather military and economic domination. Rahul Majahan comments.

On Aug. 16, 2003, Rep. Bill Janklow (R-SD), ran a stop sign with his Cadillac sedan and collided with a motorcycle, killing its driver. A preliminary investigation indicates that Janklow was exceeding the speed limit. Janklow’s apparent indifference to the state’s traffic laws, and also to human life itself, is a metaphor for the state of the Congress. It, too, is out of control. Perhaps, we should recall Congress!

press release - Voting Machine Fiasco: SAIC, VoteHere and Diebold

August 4, 2003, Sherman Austin was sentenced to one year in federal prison, three years probation, and a $2,000 fine. His crime--an anarchist website. Merlin Chowkwanyun discusses with Austin the events, and the implications for civil liberties and cyberlaw.

Some young Philippine soldiers claim that Senior military officials, in collusion with the Arroyo regime, carried out last March's bombing of the airport in the southern city of Davao, as well as several other attacks. Is the Philippine government seeking more US military support? Naomi Klein reports.

The Rendon Group deploys 'perception management' in the war in Iraq. Rendon has been working extensively for the Bush administration, the Pentagon, and the CIA on Iraq. Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber report.