Author Archives: Thorne Dreyer

LAMAR HANKINS | DEATH AND DYING | Dying on our own terms in Texas

Texans are unlikely to see a medical assistance in dying law any time soon, but other options are available for those facing an unacceptable, protracted death that lacks the dignity most people seek. By Lamar Hankins | The Rag Blog … Continue reading

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ALICE EMBREE | LATIN AMERICA | The First 9/11: Fiftieth anniversary of the coup in Chile

September 11, 2023, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the 1973 military coup in Chile. By Alice Embree | The Rag Blog | September 10, 2023 The Austin Committee for Human Rights in Chile began after the coup.  It is where … Continue reading

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LESLIE CUNNINGHAM | CIVIL RIGHTS | The March on Washington: Now 60 Years Later

Now it’s the 60th anniversary.  Ten years ago (see my article below) I was marking a lot of half century points in my life; the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and momentous events of the months following it … Continue reading

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JIM SIMONS | A PASSING | Greg Olds and the Gang of Six: An Abiding Memory

By Jim Simons | The Rag Blog | August 25, 2023 AUSTIN — A dear friend passed in June at 86. Greg Olds was a quiet, thoughtful person. Even though he was very sick, he assured us he was fine. No … Continue reading

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ALLEN YOUNG | BOOKS | Two new memoirs by gay liberation pioneers, one by a lesbian and one by a gay man.

The experiences of Shelley and D’Emilio differ largely because of their unique backgrounds and life goals. By Allen Young | The Rag Blog | August 16, 2023 Two new books, which I just finished reading, merit a wide-ranging readership, so whether you … Continue reading

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TOM ZIGAL | ART | Carlos Lowry’s portrait gallery for our time

La Peña Presents: Rastros Inolvidables / Unforgettable TracesPaintings by Carlos Lowry, August 13-September 11, 2023 Opening Reception:Sunday, August 13, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m.Live Music by Trio TiburónLa Peña is located at 237 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701 By … Continue reading

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ALICE EMBREE | VERSE | The brutality of August

The clock was stopped at 11:48 a.m. I took this photo the day they dedicated the memorial. On August 1, many of us remember the 1966 University of Texas tower shooting.  Fifty years later, in 2016, the University of Texas … Continue reading

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LAMAR HANKINS | EDUCATION & DIVERSITY | SCOTUS majority misunderstands benefits of college in its recent affirmative action decision.

By Lamar Hankins | The Rag Blog | July 27, 2023 Listen to Thorne Dreyer‘s interview with Lamar Hankins on Rag Radio at 2 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2023, on KOOP 91.7 in Austin or stream at KOOP.org. Six members … Continue reading

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BRUCE MELTON | CLIMATE | It’s not the heat… The difference today with climate change is duration.

Is it time to rent out Texas? By Bruce Melton | The Rag Blog | July 21, 2023 Listen to Thorne Dreyer’s interview with Bruce Melton on Rag Radio at 2 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2023, on KOOP 91.7 in … Continue reading

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RICHARD CROXDALE | TEXAS HISTORY | The battle of Waller Creek: The felling of the Erwin Drum

In the Movement Folk Tales, Frank Erwin plays the role of the evil stepmother. By Richard Croxdale | The Rag Blog | June 20, 2023 The Rag Blog is cross-posting a piece of history published by People’s History in Texas … Continue reading

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ALLEN YOUNG | TELEVISION | In defense of drag queens

A review of ‘AJ and the Queen’ and a lot more. By Allen Young | The Rag Blog | June 2, 2023 Drag queens have recently become the target of right-wing politicians in several Republican-dominated states, and while I’ve never … Continue reading

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ALLEN YOUNG | HISTORY | Mixing the tequila of Cinco de Mayo with the blood of Kent State: A quirky history essay

We look back at two days in May. By Allen Young | The Rag Blog | May 17, 2023 Sí, mis amigos, Cinco de Mayo is a well-known date (that’s May 5 in English), and of course it’s a time … Continue reading

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