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Home Issue: 345

Issue: 345

October 8, 2009

Cover Story

Surprise: the Left is Not Going Away

By Carl Bloice Editorial Board

The reported demise of the European left has been greatly exaggerated. In fact, with the results of Sunday’s balloting in Greece a case can be made for the opposite conclusion. “A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of Socialism’s slow collapse,” wrote Steven Erlanger in the New York Times. “Even in the midst of…

The reported demise of the European left has been greatly exaggerated. In fact, with the results of Sunday’s balloting in Greece a case can be made…

Continue reading 6 min

Commentary

Out of my Black Church, Into the Streets

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

I will not be in church this Sunday, but I will be in a place where my spiritual self will be fed. I will be participating in the National Equality March (NEM) this Sunday, carrying the banner of Faith in America, an organization that is working to stop bigotry disguised as religious truth. And no…

I will not be in church this Sunday, but I will be in a place where my spiritual self will be fed. I will be participating…

Continue reading 4 min

The African World

Can Richard Trumka Turn Organized Labor Around?

By Bill Fletcher, Jr. Editorial Board

The Pittsburgh convention of the AFL-CIO (the largest of the union federations in the USA) made it official: Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO under John Sweeney, and formerly President of the United Mine Workers of America, was elected to their top office. Trumka takes over as President of the AFL-CIO at one of the…

The Pittsburgh convention of the AFL-CIO (the largest of the union federations in the USA) made it official: Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO under John…

Continue reading 6 min

Color of Law

A Fast for Human Rights in Gaza

By David A. Love, JD Executive Editor

There are many opinions on the Mideast conflict, but one thing is certain: the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian and human rights disaster, and it cannot continue. Under the Israeli blockade, the following items are not allowed into Gaza: cars, refrigerators, computers, cement, concrete, wood, glass, light bulbs, candles, matches, books, musical instruments, crayons,…

There are many opinions on the Mideast conflict, but one thing is certain: the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian and human rights disaster, and it…

Continue reading 6 min

Commentary

Tales of the Hunt: Ken Burn’s National Parks

By Dr. Lenore J. Daniels, PhD Editorial Board

Chris Hedges has it right again. In his article, “The War on Language,” September 28, 2009, Hedges writes: “those who seek to dominate our behavior first seek to dominate our speech.” This emptiness of language is a gift to demagogues and the corporations that saturate the landscape with manipulated images and the idiom of mass…

Chris Hedges has it right again. In his article, “The War on Language,” September 28, 2009, Hedges writes: “those who seek to dominate our behavior first…

Continue reading 13 min

Commentary

Chicago School Violence and the Urban Crisis – African American Leadership

By Dr. Ron Walters Editorial Board

It was with some concern that when the 16 year-old student Derrion Albert was killed recently by other youth wielding wooden clubs in Chicago, the White House responded by deciding to send Attorney General Eric Holder and Schools Chief Arne Duncan into the fray. First of all, we should be pleased that this incident attracted…

It was with some concern that when the 16 year-old student Derrion Albert was killed recently by other youth wielding wooden clubs in Chicago, the White…

Continue reading 4 min

Commentary

Obama, Fascism, and the Color Line

By Larry Pinkney Editorial Board

While it is highly unlikely that Barack Obama considers himself to be a conscious fascist, the hypocritical policies, actions, and inactions by this Obama / Biden / Rahm Emanuel administration are steadily laying the groundwork for rightwing lunatics and their ilk to opportunistically seize the political initiative bringing about an even more restrictive form of…

While it is highly unlikely that Barack Obama considers himself to be a conscious fascist, the hypocritical policies, actions, and inactions by this Obama / Biden…

Continue reading 3 min

Commentary

Pittsburgh Provided Real-Life Test of “Non-Lethal” Weapons

By John Funiciello Columnist

We’re in an era of national security that started a few decades ago and has progressed full-speed throughout the country. Now, it’s reached down into the cities and suburbs – municipal security. Soon, it will be complete. Citizens will not be able to walk down a street or do a simple business transaction without being…

We’re in an era of national security that started a few decades ago and has progressed full-speed throughout the country. Now, it’s reached down into the…

Continue reading 7 min

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