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Walter Brasch is an award-winning journalist and professor of journalism emeritus. His current books are Before the First Snow: Stories from the Revolution , America's Unpatriotic Acts: The Federal Government's Violation of Constitutional and Civil Rights, and 'Unacceptable': The Federal response to Hurricane Katrina, available at amazon.com, borders.com and most major on-line bookstores. BEFORE THE FIRST SNOW is also available at www.greeleyandstone.com (20 discount)
Friday, February 10, 2012 Labor Pains: A Fable for Our Times (3 comments)
This is a fable. Has no relaton to what's what in the U.S. Nope. None at all. But, why don't you read it while at work? It might help you better understand your role in corporate America.
Thursday, February 2, 2012 GROUNDHOG DAY: We Have Our 'Phil' of the Winter
America loves Punxsutawney Phil. And, Pennsylvania loves Gus, the second most famous groundhog. BUT the Pennsylvania Game Commission considers the species to be a nusiance. Hunters shoot groundhogs in "open season." But, there's a better way than killing them.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Sanctimonious Hypocrites Can't Diminish the Warmth for Joe Paterno (1 comments)
The hypocrisy of Gov. Tom Corbett (R-Pa.) and the Penn State Board of Trustees is overshadowed by the warmth of the people for Joe Paterno, and the life he led.
Saturday, January 21, 2012 Outsourcing America's Health Care to Mexico (2 comments)
With corporations maximizing profits by downsizing, rightsizing, and outsourcing, it's only logical that health care will be outsourced--to countries with better heal;th plans than the U.S. (A World Health Organization analysis shows the U.S. ranked 37th.)
Saturday, January 14, 2012 Miss America: Auditioning for Center Stage
The Miss America pageant, run like the Mafia, is tonight's best example of why it doesn't represent "America's ideal."
Friday, January 6, 2012 Making Sport of Our Future (3 comments)
The national news media have been covering presidential races as if they were sports events, with "top 10" lists and predictions dominating coverage.
Saturday, December 31, 2011 Stories We Will Still Have to Write in 2012 (2 comments)
For more than three decades, we have written stories about issues that should have been resolved. But they weren't, and aren't likely to be resolved in 2012. We are tried of writing about them--but we will, knowing that there are good people who do want to see society improve.
Thursday, December 22, 2011 One Jew's Christmas (8 comments)
Contrary to the uninformed bleatings by the Fox News commentators, picked up by their flocks, there is no war on Christmas. But, it suits the interests of the extreme evangelical right wing to claim there is. What else can they be lying about?
Saturday, December 17, 2011 Pennsylvania Legislators Shoot Down Pigeons--Again (4 comments)
Once again, the Pennsylvania legislature has chosen to show cowardice rather than courage in confronting a major animal cruelty issue. As a result of its fear of NRA blow-back, Pennsylvania continues to be the only state that allows pigeon shoots. In 1900, the International Olympic Committee had banned pigeon shoots as cruelty to animals.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 Labor Not Represented in Management of 'The People's Universities'
The Penn State scandal has brought to light much about the workings of the 94,000 student system, especially its administration and trustees. In this article, award-winning journalist Walter Brasch, a Pennsylvanian, looks at how the state universities exclude the working class from policy making.
Saturday, December 3, 2011 Death by Healthy Doses (1 comments)
It's hard to be healthy today, especially when being bombarded by megabites of information that conflicts with each otehr. Satirist Walter Brasch shows what happened to one person who was subjected to an information overload.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Penn State Trustees Violated State Law
Penn State trustees, already having proven they are either incompetent or part of the conspiracy in the scandal, may have also violated state law. Journalism Professor Emeritus Walter Brasch looks at several violations.
Friday, November 18, 2011 The Sanctimonious Scavengers of the Penn State Scandal (1 comments)
With the Penn State scandal, the media hit the trifecta of what has become today's journalism: sex, celebrity, and scandal. And, as is the usual case, the TV media led the way in incompetence.
Friday, November 11, 2011 The Personhood of a Mississippi Zygote (2 comments)
Having trouble figuring out what a "person" really is? Check oput satirist Walter Brasch's simple--real simple--explanation.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 The High Cost of Freedom from Fossil Fuels (4 comments)
One-third of Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear plant. They are told electricity is cheaper, safer, and more environmental friendly than fossil fuels. That IS correct. But, what aren't they being told?
Saturday, October 29, 2011 A Patch Of Pumpkin Heads (5 comments)
Want to know what's REALLY scary this Halloween season? Check out the disguises of the Republican presidential candidates.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 Iraq: Just Another War Without An End
As the war in Iraq dragged on, the names soon became numbers--and then the numbers became little more than a box score. Walter Brasch looks at war as being fought by people, not policies or numbers.
Friday, October 21, 2011 Drinks Are On The House (And Senate)
Want to maker money from a failing business? Want government money when you're raking in the excessive profits? Just ask any Republican--or Marshbaum.
Friday, October 14, 2011 OCCUPY WALL STREET: Separating Fact from Media (4 comments)
There are more myths, half-truths, and lies about Occupy Wall Street than there are residents of lower Manhattan. Media analyst and columnist Walter Brasch sorts oput the truth.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Banning the First Amendment (2 comments)
Once again, the American Library Association has sponsored the annual Banned Books Week to alert AMericans about censorship. Some day, maybe there will be no need for it.
Saturday, September 17, 2011 The Mugging of SpongeBob SquarePants (5 comments)
Two psychologists, in the name of academic research, have muggwed SpongeBob SquarePants. To the sea sponge's rescue comes Walter Brasch, a Ph.D. in mass communication, who debunks the study.
Monday, September 5, 2011 Corporate America Sends a Labor Day Message
ALess than a month after claiming that its Bloomsbjrg book printing plant was profitable and that there were no plans to close it, RR Donnelley, the world's largest printer, announced it was closing the plant. But the story is one of a history of corporate greed and indifference to its workers.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Toxic Lead to Cover Iowa Killing Fields
The "rights" of hunters apparently trumps the environment and health issues, according to the Iowa legislature.
Sunday, August 21, 2011 "Step Right up!' Snake Oil for Sale (3 comments)
Mixing tea and snake oil is the new elixir for Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum as they seek to represent the Republicans in an all-out assault upon President Obama.
Friday, August 12, 2011 A Punishing Educational Curriculum (2 comments)
The college model is now the business model, where students are inventory units and college presidents are rewarded by shoving numbers into an already-diluted system. In this biting satire, award-winning journalist (and retired college professor) Walter Brasch looks at the system.
Friday, August 5, 2011 The Debt Ceiling Crisis: Let's Get Personal (4 comments)
Having trouble understanding what the debt ceiling crisis was all about? Mad at all the political gesturing and posturing? Walter Brasch explains the situation is "layman's" terms.
Saturday, July 30, 2011 "Pssst. Hotdogs Ten Bucks Each' (22 comments)
Forget the debt ceiling crisis, hunger, poverty, worker exploitation, and war. There's a new crisis: hotdogs may be as dangerous as cigarettes. Check out Walter Brasch's biting satire of yet another health scare.
Saturday, July 23, 2011 "10 Commandments Judge' Running for President (1 comments)
The Alabama chuef justice who was removed from the bench for violating the Constitution by mixing religon with law is now running for president. His views are conservative--but he does agree with liberals on a couple of areas. In this exclusive interview, Walter Brasch discusses the history and Moore's beliefs.
Friday, July 15, 2011 Our Hope for Change is Still Not Fulfilled (2 comments)
When Barack Obama was campaigning for the presidency, he promised to support the working class. If there was a picket line, or if the workers were being threatened, he promised to "put on a comfortable pair of shoes" and walk side by side with them. That has not happened. Also not happening is a strong commitment to the environment and America's wildlife.
Sunday, July 10, 2011 Blood on the Lens
Want to look behind the scenes of a local TV nes operation. Veteran journalist Walter Brasch gives you one view.
Friday, July 1, 2011 Government May Be Violating Tobacco Companies' 1st Amendment Rights (6 comments)
The government's campaign to reduce smoking may run into First Amendment problems because of the recent Citizens United ruling that gives corporations the same First Amendment rights as individuals.
Friday, June 24, 2011 Questions Remain in Government's Anti-Cigarette Campaign (11 comments)
One of tghe critical questions about the new government anti-coigarette labels is--Does it violate First Amendment guarantees, now that corporations have same rights as citizens.
Sunday, June 19, 2011 Dozens of Father's Days; Decades of Grief (4 comments)
Thousands of children will never be able to celebrate Father;s Day this year; their fathers were killed in what are now America's longest wars.
Monday, June 13, 2011 New Hampshire or Bus: Sarah's No-Campaign Campaign Tour (3 comments)
Sarah Palin complains of "Gotcha Journalism." But, she is the master of media manipulation, as seen in Walter Brashc's look at her recent bus trip.
Sunday, June 5, 2011 The Last Dance: Prom Night in America
The U.S. is arguing about the debt ceiling. Perhaps it's time that Americans impose a debt ceiling on high school proms.
Sunday, May 29, 2011 Memorial Day 2011: Two Names That Matter (1 comments)
Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton have infinitely more name recognition than do Clifford E. Beattie and Ramon Mora Jr. But, it is Beattie and Mora who matter on this Memorial Day weekend.
Friday, May 20, 2011 The Audacity of Hate: Birthers, Deathers, Deniers, and Barack Obama (9 comments)
racism. bigotry. stupidity. The whackadoodle brigade has esacaped again and continue their character assassination, not on issues but on the belief that Obama isn't an American--like them.
Friday, April 22, 2011 Scratches on the Blackboard of Animal Cruelty (2 comments)
Pennsylvania is the only state that has pigeon shoots. That may soon end as the legislat ure is now considering a bill to ban this form of animal cruelty. But, there will be extensive pressure by the NRA to continue to allow what most hunters do not consider to be fair chase hunting.
Saturday, April 16, 2011 Look for the Union Bunny
With a week to go before Easter, award-winning journalists looks into reasons why there may be no Easter eggs this year.
Friday, April 8, 2011 A Crock Pot Tax-Exempt Idea (1 comments)
In satire there is truth. In the IRS Code, there is--well, 4 million words that favor corporations. See why award-winning journalist Walter Brasch thinks there may be a connection between Republicans, corporate welfare, and their desire to shut down government.
Friday, April 1, 2011 Tax-Deductible Invasions
Journalist Walter Brasch has a unique way for balancing the budget and reducing wars. Let the people vote.
Thursday, March 24, 2011 Charlie and the CBS Factory (and other news) (1 comments)
Charlie Sheen, Japan nuclear reactors, and the attack upon Libya have all been in the news this past week. The most important of the three stories, if you believed the coverage of the media, is Charlie Sheen.
Friday, March 18, 2011 Barack Obama: MIA in Labor's Struggle (38 comments)
If President Obama remains silent about the workers' protests, they could very well be silent in 2012.
Saturday, March 12, 2011 Gov. Tom Corbett: Pennsylvania's Savior (9 comments)
Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett may be the most brilliant politician in America--or just the most devious.
Saturday, March 5, 2011 Big Business Paid For Their Beds, Now Republicans Have to Lie in Them (2 comments)
Lies in Wisconsin have been sent through the U.S. by the media. But, the lies originated with the Republican-dominated Legislatuire and the Tea Party-supported governor.
Friday, February 25, 2011 Ironically, Anti-Union Republicans Need Unions (19 comments)
The biggest irony in the Wisconsin citizen protest is this one. The Republican-dominated anti-union Legislature this week honored the Green Bay Packers for winning the Super Bowl. EVERY ONE of the team is a member of a union.
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Obama's Ironic Legacy Might be That He Continued an Unconstitutional Act (5 comments)
In a strange, but welcome, informal coalition, liberals and Tea Partiers have united in opposition to the PATRIOT Act. Now to get the rest of Congress in line to eliminate a massive violation orf civil liberties.
Thursday, February 3, 2011 'Following Orders' Never a Defense for Immoral Acts (8 comments)
A man who killed 100 dogs successfully defended his claim for workman's compensation, based upon having post-traumatic stress syndrome. But there is no defense to the murder of animals.
Friday, January 28, 2011 Of Football Teams, Fraternities, and Other Important Intellectual Concerns (2 comments)
A UConn donor demanded his $3 million back because the football team didn't listen to his "advice" on who to hire as the next football coach. In this witty satire, journalist-professor Walter Brasch looks at sports and academics.
Friday, January 21, 2011 Breaking China--Legally (6 comments)
The seeds of China's destruction lie in its legal system. Satirist Walter Brasch looks at the President's visit to the US, and implications for the future.
Sunday, January 16, 2011 The Politics of Hate--and Hate Speech (5 comments)
Almost everyone, it seems, except for the ultra-right, believe that a culture helps magnify one's inner beliefs and values. The killer of 6 persons in Tucson acknowledges he watched Fox News, especially Glenn Beck, and frequently read blogs of extreme right wing agitators.
Friday, January 7, 2011 Frat Boys and Navy Officers (15 comments)
Capt. Owen Honors may have had judgmental lapses when he produced and starred in three tasteless videos. But does he deserve to be relieved of command? In this insightful analysis, award-winning journalist Walter Brasch draws a number of interesting conclusions.
Sunday, December 12, 2010 Days of Our Repair (2 comments)
Walter Brasch's story of how to repair a car is, unfortunately, true--not just for him but for many, MANY families.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Boosting the Economy--One Big Screen TV at a Time (6 comments)
There arev a lot of statistics in Walter Brasch's latest economic analysis. But, there's also one fact--the extreme right-wing, as is ofteh the case, is wrong about the economy and wrong in their Obama-bashing.
Thursday, November 25, 2010 Fairness and the Bristol Stomp (1 comments)
With no discernible job skills, what should Bristol Palin do? She became a TV reality "star," competing against persons far more talented than she.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 The Irreverent Frog (1 comments)
Should organized religion ordain frogs? In this irreverent satire, OpEd News senior editor Walter Brasch asks and answers that question.
Monday, October 18, 2010 TV Political Ads: Ditching Democracy 30 Seconds at a Time (5 comments)
There are two problems this season for the liberals: (1) a strong media campaign by the right-wing of the Republican party and (2) a weak media campaign by the Democrats
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Hunting for Courageous Legislators: Pennsylvania Continues to Lead Nation in Animal Cruelty (5 comments)
Pennsylvania is the only state that allows live pigeon shoot contests. All other states have banned it under statutes against animal cruelty. The state legislature has failed numerous times to ban this practice. In this article, journalist Walter Brasch explores reasons why the legislature refuses to ban animal cruelty--and profiles a courageous woman who has spent 22 years of her life trying to get the fake-sport banned.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 Another Swing and a Miss for Congress (1 comments)
Roger Clemens was indicted for perjury. But, if truth be told, it might be Congress itself that should be indicted.
Monday, August 9, 2010 'No Drama Obama' Needs a Strong Second Act (18 comments)
President Obama has done much right during his first term--but his pandering and indecision may cost him the support of the liberal wing of the Democratic party, and could cost him the 2012 election.
Monday, July 26, 2010 Shining the Light of The New Colossus Into Arizona (1 comments)
This week will be a showdown between Arizona and a right-wing citizenry to enforce an anti-immigration law and the federal government which is arguing in court that immigration enforcement, according to the Constitution, is reserved solely to the federal government. Perhaps those who like the Arizona law should read some poetry.
Monday, June 14, 2010 'R'Oil Indignation (3 comments)
The British media believe the American media and people are beating up on them over the Gulf oil disaster. Walter Brasch looks at media reaction--and the causes of the disaster.
Saturday, June 5, 2010 Ten Minutes of News
The 24/7 cable news media have been finding what passes as commentary for their idle mouths. The latest is their chatter about the oil crisis in the Gulf.
Sunday, May 30, 2010 Oily Politics Led to Environmental Disaster (5 comments)
The failure of the Bush=Cheney administration to protect the Gulf Coast barrier islands led to increased damage from Katrina AND a wider oil spill in the Gulf coast.
Thursday, May 20, 2010 ACLU Sues School for Invasion of Privacy (1 comments)
A student's right to privacy extends into schools. However, a pennsylvania school district violated a student's Constitutional rights by seizing a cell phone and then turning private and non-distributed photos to the D.A.
Monday, May 10, 2010 Arizona and the Alien-Nation of Americ (7 comments)
The Arizona law that requires peace officers to aggressively check immigration status of ALL persons only appears to be logical. The truth is that it violates all kinds of American values. These are values that conservatives should be defending.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Hammering Out a Contract: Exploiting Low-Paid Workers at a Vo-Tech School (8 comments)
As the U.S. moved from an agrarian economy into the Industrial Age, and now into an Information Age, more workers consider themselves to be professionals and not in need of a union. It is an incorrect perception, unsubstantiated by the reality of forced layoffs, arbitrary discipline and terminations, outsourcing of work to other countries, and a failure to provide adequate health care and workplace safety.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Centerfield Song
It just appears to be a poem about baseball, but in only a few words, Mark Soifer tells us much more.
Sunday, March 21, 2010 The Specter of Bigotry in Health Care Debates (1 comments)
Health care reform has been markled by bigotry by those who oppose it. And all the apologies by the Republicans won't change that.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 It's Snow News (1 comments)
TV weather has become a driving force in what used to be TV news. To find out next week's forecast, check out this article.
Monday, February 15, 2010 FOUND: U.S. Constitution (9 comments)
Sarah Palin doesn't think the U.S. needs a professor of law. After Cheney and Bush tried to shred the Constitution, this is exactly what the nation needs.
Sunday, January 24, 2010 Err-America: Death by Journalistic Suicide (6 comments)
Air America died not because of the power of conservative talk radio, but because of both liberal and journalistic incompetence.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Stories We Wish We Didn't Have to Write--But Will (1 comments)
The hope we and this nation had for change we could believe in, and which we still hope will not die, has been diminished by the reality of petty politics, with the "Party of No" and its raucous Teabagger mutation blocking social change for America's improvement
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 Pennsylvania Borough Gives Homeless the 'Cold Shoulder' (4 comments)
A small Pennsylvania community has spoken out against housing the homeless during the Winter, when temperatures drop into the teens.
Sunday, December 27, 2009 The Courage of Michael Vick (17 comments)
Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles back-up quarterback, won the Ed Block award for courage. But his comments prove he didn't earn it.
Monday, December 21, 2009 Ripped From the Headlines: Greed, Corruption, and Hate Crimes in NE Pennsylvania (3 comments)
SUMMARY: In Shenandoah, Pa., in the heart of the anthracite coal region, racism and cultural hatreds have led to murder and public corruption. In this 1,400 word overlook, award-winning journalist Walter Brasch looks at the most recent incidents.
Sunday, December 6, 2009 The No-News No-Column Column (7 comments)
There were only two major news stories this past week--if you believed the major news media
Monday, November 16, 2009 Rush to Judgment: Talk Radio's 'Truth Detector' Blows a Fuse--Again (13 comments)
Rush Limbaugh, in just a few minutes on his Freaky Friday show, Nov. 13, managed to offend the President, the Attorney General, lawyers, judges, the Department of Justice, Jews, and two war heroes. And he was just warming up.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Legacies, Celebrities, and Media Skanks (4 comments)
In an increased emphasis upon ratings and sales, the mass media has long given up any pretense that they hire only the most qualified people. In this column, media analyst and university professor Walter Brasch slices a small part of what the media have become.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 Sex, Silicone, and Suits: Miss California Goes a-Courtin' (1 comments)
Whether God accepts or condemns homosexuality has become yet another talking point for Americans who have become preoccupied by the sexual suggestiveness of a beauty pageant, owned by an egotistical Pomopodour-wearing building mogul, that believes breast enhancement is more important than social issues.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Scary Isn't a Kid in A Halloween Costume
There are frightening things in the Halloween season this year. Kids in costumes aren't as scary as what adults have done to American democracy.
Saturday, October 3, 2009 Read All ABout It: Michael Vick Hero of Eagles Game (2 comments)
If you think the media give an accurate picture of American life, then you'll believe that Michael Vick was the star of the Eagles first game of the NFL season.
Monday, September 21, 2009 A Lot of Sorry But(t)s (1 comments)
A shock wave on incivility has shaken America. But, are all of us as guilty as those who have decided that hate speech is better than rational thought?
Monday, September 14, 2009 Late Breaking—Sometimes Broken—News
Two incidents on 9/11(09) call into question media credibility. More improtant, has the "breathless" 24/7 news cycle now replaced accuracy as a media ideal?
Monday, September 7, 2009 Labor Day: The Forgotten Holiday (15 comments)
Americans celebrate Labor Day as if it were part of a 3-day vacation, but have little idea why it is so important, and so necessary.
