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Home Issue: 346

Issue: 346

October 15, 2009

Guest Commentary

Toward a More Perfect Nobel

By John Feffer Guest Commentator

When I recently visited Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, a young girl on our tour of the house raised her hand tentatively during the docent’s remarks about the enslaved people who worked the plantation. “Did Jefferson treat his slaves better than other slave-owners?” she asked.The docent responded, wisely, that slavery is slavery, however brilliant or benevolent the…

When I recently visited Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, a young girl on our tour of the house raised her hand tentatively during the docent's remarks about the…

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Commentary

Can We Charge Governor Rick Perry With Murder?

By Jamala Rogers Editorial Board

Just as the Texas Forensic Science Commission was about to expose Governor Rick Perry as a willing accomplice to the state murder of Cameron Willingham, Perry ousted three of its members. This move effectively shut down the commission’s review of a report that challenged arson findings that led to Willingham’s 2004 execution. The Innocence Project…

Just as the Texas Forensic Science Commission was about to expose Governor Rick Perry as a willing accomplice to the state murder of Cameron Willingham, Perry…

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Commentary

Block Bad Healthcare Bills – Let’s Try Democracy

By David Swanson Guest Commentator

So, the Democratic Party has achieved two of its primary goals for healthcare reform (I mean in addition to renaming this charade health INSURANCE reform). First, they’ve managed to get one Republican to vote for one of their bills. To their way of thinking, it’s harder to blame Democrats for a lousy law if it’s…

So, the Democratic Party has achieved two of its primary goals for healthcare reform (I mean in addition to renaming this charade health INSURANCE reform). First,…

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Commentary

Kathleen Cleaver: High Priestess of the People’s Struggle

By Larry Pinkney Editorial Board

Black Panther Party History Month The Black Panther Party [BPP], from its very beginning in the struggle against racial and economic oppression, believed in the “basic principle not only of physics but also of political science.” The BPP may now be physically gone, but it is by no means forgotten; for its legacy lives on…

Black Panther Party History Month The Black Panther Party [BPP], from its very beginning in the struggle against racial and economic oppression, believed in the “basic…

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Commentary

Is Barney Frank Relevant?

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

Congressman Barney Frank has been for decades the iconic image of gay civil rights advocacy on Capitol Hill. For many years he was the lone voice and only openly gay congressman. And as a Massachusetts resident I was once proud to say, “Barney Frank has got my back.” But as one of the most vocal…

Congressman Barney Frank has been for decades the iconic image of gay civil rights advocacy on Capitol Hill. For many years he was the lone voice…

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The African World

Obama, Honduras and the ‘Other’ OAS

By Bill Fletcher, Jr. Editorial Board

Although the Obama administration condemned the coup against Honduran President Zelaya, its overall response has been quite anemic. The Honduran coup people have resisted all efforts at genuine mediation and seem to be playing a waiting game hoping to drag things out until the scheduled Honduran election or until everyone goes to sleep. The failure…

Although the Obama administration condemned the coup against Honduran President Zelaya, its overall response has been quite anemic. The Honduran coup people have resisted all efforts…

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Commentary

290 “Enemies” in Chicago!

By Dr. Lenore J. Daniels, PhD Editorial Board

Father Michael Pfleger “flew the American flag upside down outside the Saint Sabina Church in Chicago last May in protest of the violence…” –Digital Journal, September 2009 What does it mean to live in a nation that never intended to include as citizens Red, Black, Brown, and Yellow people it either stole land, material resources,…

Father Michael Pfleger “flew the American flag upside down outside the Saint Sabina Church in Chicago last May in protest of the violence…” -Digital Journal, September…

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Color of Law

Will Obama Save America From Capitalism?

By David A. Love, JD Executive Editor

The latest Survey of Consumer Finances, for 2004, has been released by the Federal Reserve. It shows the rich continue to account for a disproportionately large share of income and wealth in the US economy: the richest 10% of Americans account for 43% of income, and 57% of net worth. The net worth to income…

The latest Survey of Consumer Finances, for 2004, has been released by the Federal Reserve. It shows the rich continue to account for a disproportionately large…

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Commentary

Nobel Prize for Obama Deserved? Yes! – African American Leadership

By Dr. Ron Walters Editorial Board

When the world woke up on Friday October 10 it was surprised that Barack Obama had won the Nobel Prize, but surprise should not have been a cause for derision. Instead, it should have been a cause for national pride, but right away, many in the media raised questions about whether it was deserved since…

When the world woke up on Friday October 10 it was surprised that Barack Obama had won the Nobel Prize, but surprise should not have been…

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