Independent since 2002 Issue No. 1102 Week of November 7, 2026 Get the free email dispatch →

Issue: 355

December 17, 2009

Commentary

Why ACORN Won – Justice Watch

By Bill Quigley Columnist

On December 11, 2009, a federal judge ruled that Congress had unconstitutionally cut off all federal funds to ACORN. The judge issued an injunction stopping federal authorities from continuing to cut off past, present and future federal funds to the community organization. ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) and its allies in 75…

On December 11, 2009, a federal judge ruled that Congress had unconstitutionally cut off all federal funds to ACORN. The judge issued an injunction stopping federal…

Continue reading 4 min

Commentary

Pervasive Corruption: A Distraction Or A Fundamental Flaw?

By John Funiciello Columnist

Although the U.S. doesn’t come close to meeting the criteria of a failed state, there are many things about which citizens should be concerned. The Fund for Peace put out a set of criteria several years ago and has published a “failed states index” for five years, and probably the primary criterion is that a…

Although the U.S. doesn’t come close to meeting the criteria of a failed state, there are many things about which citizens should be concerned. The Fund…

Continue reading 8 min

Commentary

Sandtraps – The Fifth Column

By Dr. Jonathan David Farley Columnist

He opened the manila folder grimly, and leafed through its contents. It had arrived, fittingly, in an unmarked black envelope with no return address, and it contained photographs. Of the perky blonde he had met in Las Vegas, the brown-haired event planner who had flown to see him in Australia. That was a wild night.…

He opened the manila folder grimly, and leafed through its contents. It had arrived, fittingly, in an unmarked black envelope with no return address, and it…

Continue reading 4 min

Commentary

Tiger Woods and the Branding of Public Discourse – Politics and the Subversive Imagination

By Dr. Henry A. Giroux Columnist

On the surface, the Tiger Woods media saga appears to be about the loss of a pristine public image that accompanied the public notoriety and disbelief over the sexual improprieties revealed about one of the globe’s most famous athletes. These revelations suggest not only an individual moral failing but also a public betrayal, since Woods…

On the surface, the Tiger Woods media saga appears to be about the loss of a pristine public image that accompanied the public notoriety and disbelief…

Continue reading 12 min

Commentary

Kwanzaa: Get Ready for Kwanzaa, 2009

By Dr. Conrad Worrill Columnist

Imani ~ Faith To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. Under the leadership of Zerrie Campbell, President of Malcolm X College and Baba Hannibal Afrik, the Kwanzaa Celebration Committee, over the past several years, has sponsored Kwanzaa Celebrations and…

Imani ~ Faith To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.…

Continue reading 7 min

Guest Commentary

How Long Casteism?

By Garda Ghista Guest Commentator

The Times of India on December 7 reported that Dalits in Gujarat are banned from Hindu temples. They are Hindu. If they are banned from their own Hindu temples, then why on earth should they remain Hindus? Better they become Buddhist, Christian or Muslim. Tragically, even by converting to one of these other religions, they…

The Times of India on December 7 reported that Dalits in Gujarat are banned from Hindu temples. They are Hindu. If they are banned from their…

Continue reading 7 min

Color of Law

New York’s Juvenile Prisons Are A Crime

By David A. Love, JD Executive Editor

If you can judge a society by the way it treats its children, then New York fails in a big way. In fact, the Empire State should be found guilty of child abuse and neglect. The New York Times recently reported on the deplorable state of New York’s juvenile justice system. Gov. David Paterson appointed…

If you can judge a society by the way it treats its children, then New York fails in a big way. In fact, the Empire State…

Continue reading 5 min

$ $ Contribute $ $