Precarious workers or satisfied customers: a fine line for giant retailers
This post is an appendix of sorts to my article, “Fired by Walmart for Christmas”, to be published this weekend by Common Dreams. In the article, I describe the stresses…
USA
I Was Never Really Afraid of China Until I Read This
Chas Freeman, who served as Richard Nixon’s interpreter in his breakthrough 1972 visit to China, says the real danger from China is that it might just decide to become another…
A Soap Company That Fights For a Better America
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps are known for their cleaning power, but are increasingly getting known for their political power. The CEO of the company is a good example of a…
Same old politics or revolution?
Progressives are buzzing after British comedian-turned-revolutionary Russell Brand released his revolutionary manifesto as guest editor of the latest issue of New Statesman and went on an anti-capitalist rant when interviewed…
US Debt Ceiling: Issues Punted to early next year
The Cat goes to the Senate Twenty-four hours of so before the US government ran out of money to pay its debts, Republican senators nudged aside the Tea Party senators…
Obama’s Powers and the Debt Ceiling Increase: What if the Tea Party is right?
Senator Collins The debate is getting testy down south. The Republicans seem to believe that they have now become paragons of reasonableness, while the Democrats are risking armageddon: Sen. Bob…
Has America Outstayed Its Welcome in Afghanistan Also?
Washington, and especially the Pentagon, had big plans for a permanent military presence in Iraq until the Iraqis said “no.” Then they packed up their tanks and left. Now a…
Political Atheists
The Huffington Post has a piece comparing open atheists in government in the USA with the UK. They note that only two American legislators have only ever really professed non-belief:…
Lots of shock, tons of awe – You can help!
H/T: Susan H
Good and Bad People
There’s a Steven Weinberg quote that my atheist friends like to trot out (and I’m likely equally guilty of sharing). With or without it you would have good people doing…
Bombs and explosives are chemical weapons too
An eastern blogger who I mentioned in this estimable piece from 2011, is a loquacious commentator for one of Canada’s preeminent welfare bums. On his website Saturday, he joined the…
Chemical Weapons in Syria? Merely a Pretext [Iran, Shhh.]
” It’s the Economy, Stupid.” If you think you know why Syria is happening , you’re probably missing a number of the elements at play. Don’t expect western governments or…
Syria – The First Big Proxy War of Cold War II
Russia’s in. China’s in. The United States is in. Iran is in, so is Israel. Everyone else within pipeline distance might soon be in also. It’s still about Syria, sort…
A Protest Song About the NSA Reading Your Emails
The band YACHT has gone back to the glory days of Dylan and the like by writing a protest song. The song is about the NSA illegal spying the USA,…
Obama & Syria: A Rehearsal for Iran?
After Prime Minister David Cameron’s failure to bring along with him a majority of the MPs in the British Parliament, America has been reduced to vocal support from Germany (but…
Obama: Let’s Play Politics Anywhere Except at Home…
Obama puts Egypt on notice after clashes kill 525 U.S. president urges Egypt to end state of emergency day after clashes with police-Morsi supporters The Associated Press Posted: Aug 15,…
MexAmeriCanada, Version 2013
Welcome to the United States of MexAmeriCanada. Represent! I was just thinking a few days ago how I haven’t used the MexAmeriCanada tag for a while. Did I cause this…
Zimmerman and Alexander: Racism and Sexism in America
Can you handle the contradictions? I’ve been seen things in twitter for the last few days that puts some grotesque perspective on the American culture. I’m actually quite speechless: Two…
In Texas, do male fetuses masturbate?
Apparently, some think so: And a Texas congressman claimed, incorrectly, that male fetuses of 15 weeks have been observed to masturbate, thus making abortion wrong. Tabatha Southey sums up the…