31 Articles

Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Letter from Jennie Green about Afghanistan
A letter from a friend about the state of affairs in Afghanistan.

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Reflections on a Rally
(2 comments) In College Point a gay man was beaten almost to death. At the rally in support of him and against hate crimes directed at the LGBT community, a number of things about how hate, prejudice and aggression grow seem clearer. And perhaps ways to help counter those feelings as well.

Friday, October 23, 2009
Interview with Yasmine Hecker, CEO
(2 comments) In this bad economy, here is a woman with an outstanding business plan who is not just making money, hiring from the community but offering a service no one else in New York City has. With an epidemic of bed bugs hitting the city hard, Yasmine Hecker is doing good work and helping people out as well.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Jon Cooper is thinking about running for the Senate
An interview with Jon Cooper who is thinking about running for US Senate from New York State. The Democratic leadership is not in favor of a primary fight and he knows it. This is what he is considering right now.

Sunday, July 19, 2009
Itinerant Book Show--A new form of Book Distribution
(2 comments) A first report on a new form of book distribution. Taking books directly to people and bypassing the bookstores that will not carry them anyway is a good way to help us all be better citizens of a democracy.

Friday, June 5, 2009
Americans Do Not Deserve the News
(9 comments) A satirical voice's reaction to the whole faux news that is presented straight-faced and as if it should be taken seriously.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Story of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in March 2009
(3 comments) An overview of the many issues that Cedar Rapids, Iowa faces after the flood in June 2008. And how their issues relate to the national need for restoration at all levels. A worthy case study of recovery that the national media has ignored.

Saturday, February 28, 2009
Please tell us the truth my dear Republican citizens
(7 comments) A plea for a real discussion of why tax cuts work to help us through this awful financial crisis. Also a call to make those who dissemble in the news accountable for their untruths, half-truths and tirades.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Reading for Democracy
(9 comments) A call for all of us to get a reading habit in order to protect and preserve our democratic institutions.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Why the Obamas Should Move Back to Chicago
(5 comments) A tongue-in-cheek recommendation to the Obama family to flee the toxic waters of DC and return home. At least in Chicago the corruption is above board and funny.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Write What You Know
A review of a novel by Stephanie Dickinson on the coming of age of a young woman from Iowa. It has all the drama that leads to a strong political and social awareness of the difference between the haves and the have nots. A good book for these lean times.

Monday, December 1, 2008
Our Obsession with Violence and Money--
(4 comments) As a nation we need to get over our collective need for violence and for the greed that fuels so much of that or we will destroy everything of value.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Hope is more than an Abstract Noun
(3 comments) For the first time in about 8 years, I feel hopeful. The change in administration will mean a change in how we relate to each other within our boundaries and outside of them as well. It is a chance to restore to ourselves the dignity and humanity that have been subsumed by the Bush nightmare.

Monday, November 3, 2008
A Real Town with a Huge Problem--How the Media Ignored the June 2008 Flood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
(2 comments) The devastating flood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in June 2008 received scant national media coverage. Yet the deicsions this community needs to make regarding their rebuilding will affect it and the surrounding communities for decades to come. Lack of media attention is starving it of some of the vital help it needs.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Danny Schechter, the News Dissector's Plunder
A review of Danny Schechter's book, Plunder. A thorough guide, history and indictment of what happened and who is to blame for the current financial collapse we are in. Plus a guide as to how to watch out and help spot the next ones.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
How to Overcome the Fear of Alzheimer's
(2 comments) A book review of a wonderful book on Alzheimer's. Let's have a more rational discussion of this illness based on Lauren Kessler's reports from the front lines of care giving for those who live with this condition.

Friday, September 12, 2008
Why SXXT from Shinola Doesn't Matter
(5 comments) A description of what the rise of the fascist class means and some ways to counter its attacks on our way of life.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Challenge We Face in This Election
(1 comments) Let's change the tone of discourse by letting voters speak their minds. If we listen to the voice of the people, then we can talk about having a democracy rather than letting the media dictate the terms.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Ballot Access, Women Candidates and True Fiction
(4 comments) An allegory about what it takes for women to get into the Halls of Congress--voters being aware of their power.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Three Impeachment Memories
(9 comments) A personal history of impeachment moments in recent US history along with a call for the real change this country needs.

Sunday, June 8, 2008
Dobson Fights in Bush Country to Be on Ballot
(4 comments) Laurie Dobson's fight for placement on the ballot in Maine is another example of what may be election tampering.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Pure Insanity
(4 comments) A report on a wide-ranging number of crimes committed by the US government in the execution of the Iraq war.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
It Really Does Matter How Politicians Behave
Using the case of Rep. Vito Fossella's drunk driving charges as a case for holding all politicians to the law and its consequences when broken.

Monday, April 7, 2008
A Question for the General: Who is the Enemy?
What would happen if the general were asked the really important questions about our involvement in Iraq? For example, who is the enemy we are supposed to be fighting and how will we know when we have won the fight?

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Debra Galant: Fear and Yoga in New Jersey
A new novel that explores the lighter side of the liberal mind.

Monday, March 10, 2008
Politics, Fear and Power: The Equation that Trumps Real Educator Discussions
(3 comments) We need to focus our energies and resources of people with real experience in the classroom and with students and let the pundits talk just to each other.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
When Is a Shoah not a Shoah?
(14 comments) A discussion of the frustration the author has with the lack of a good and useful response to Israeli aggression and racism.

Friday, February 29, 2008
My Nephew Said that Israel was Surrounded by Millions of Goats
(6 comments) We are now being given a perfect opportunity to confront racism and sexism in this presidential campaign.

Saturday, December 8, 2007
Sinking the Good Ship MSM
We as a community of Progressives can change the course of history and sink the influence the MSM has over our lives and stop their reign over our political process too.

Sunday, November 11, 2007
If Bush and Cheney were from Columbine
(3 comments) A comparison between the school shooters and Bush and Cheney's bellicose behavior.

Friday, November 9, 2007
Parents Beware of the Lessons Learned from the Bush Presidency
(2 comments) A way to look at how a president's behavior can influence young people.