Author Archives: Thorne Dreyer

Which side are you on? — The Austin people’s district plan versus the politician’s district plan By Roger Baker / The Rag Blog / October 12, 2012 For those who wish to follow the populist fight for Austin district representation … Continue reading

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Chris Hedges : Heartland Resistance to the Pipeline

Treesitters in Winnsboro, Texas. Photo from the Tar Sands Blockade.Resistance in the heartland:The Great Tar Sands Blockade Ranchers, farmers, and enraged citizens, often after seeing their land seized by eminent domain and their water supplies placed under mortal threat, have … Continue reading

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Alan Waldman : ‘Bedazzled’ is Brilliant British Comedy Classic

Waldman’s film and TV treasures you may have missed: The 1967 Peter Cook and Dudley Moore film Bedazzled is a comedy classic. It’s one of the most brilliant, hilarious British movies ever. By Alan Waldman | The Rag Blog | … Continue reading

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Harry Targ : From the Bay of Pigs to the Missile Crisis / 3

Front page of New York Daily News, October 23, 1962. From the Mitchell Archives.The Cuba story, Part 3:The Bay of Pigs to the missile crisis The Cuban missile crisis suggests that the United States would go to any extreme, even … Continue reading

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Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman : Will E-Voting Machines in Ohio Give Romney the Election?

Political cartoon by Dan Wasserman / Boston GlobeWill Ohio’s H.I.G.-owned e-voting machinesgive Romney the White House? The widespread use of electronic voting machines from ES&S, and of Diebold software maintained by Triad, allowed Blackwell to electronically flip a 4% Kerry … Continue reading

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BOOKS / Ron Jacobs : Aaron Dixon’s ‘My People Are Rising’

My People Are Rising: A Black Panther memoir Aaron Dixon was both a leader and a foot soldier; an intelligent black man in the mid-century United States who knew racism first-hand and wanted to end it. By Ron Jacobs | … Continue reading

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Marilyn Katz : What Every Woman Should Know (About Paul Ryan)

Rep. Paul Ryan faces moderator Martha Raddatz in the vice presidential debate. Photo by Saul Loeb / AFP / GettyImages.One sure thing:What every woman should know Paul Ryan has voted 59 times to support legislation that ranges from declaring a … Continue reading

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James McEnteer : I Drank the Booze Today, Oh Boy

Cover art by Lynn Hatzius from Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses.Losing the plot:I drank the booze today, oh boy Barney considers himself devoted to the Rodney King school of public thought: why can’t we all just get along? By James McEnteer … Continue reading

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Huw Beynon and Steve Davies : Bruce Springsteen Brings on the Wrecking Ball

Bruce Springsteen performs earlier this year with the E Street Band at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Photo by Mike Coppola / Getty Images.Bring on your wrecking ball:The politics of Bruce Springsteen Springsteen’s patriotism is a central … Continue reading

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Word Passed Downthrough Forbidden Radio for Chuck Kinder and John Sinclair on their birthdays, October 2012 The voices beside your pillow, friends past midnight, Wailing from the River, whistling through the Gaps, Bring tales and tones so pure and sexual … Continue reading

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I drank the booze today, oh boy Losing the Plot James McEnteer Down at the neighborhood tavern, I was listening for the umpteenth time to my friend Barney lament how food stamps are not accepted for alcohol. Like me, Barney’s … Continue reading

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Tom Hayden : Dark-Skinned Democracy Wins in Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez celebrates with a crowd of supporters after winning reelection. Photo by Juan Barreto / Getty Images.Chavez’ Bolivarian Revolution: Dark-skinned democracywins in Venezuela Modern liberals see something ominous in the Chavez mandate. They frequently opine that the … Continue reading

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