Author Archives: Thorne Dreyer

Dr. Stephen R. Keister : Rheumatoid Arthritis and Medical Arrogance

Dr. William Osler:”We are here to add what we can to life…” Image from The Arts, Sciences and Medicine.Adding what we can to life:Treating rheumatoid arthritis,and fighting medical arroganceBy Dr. Stephen R. Keister / The Rag Blog / January 5, … Continue reading

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The blue afterwards:Mourning for Marilyn By Felix Shafer / The Rag Blog / On December 13, Marilyn Buck, U.S. anti-imperialist political prisoner, acclaimed poet, former Austinite, and former original Ragstaffer, would have been 63 years of age. Scheduled for parole … Continue reading

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Jeff Biggers : Thousands Honor Environmental Visionary Judy Bonds

Julia ‘Judy’ Bonds. Painting by Robert Shetterly from his Americans Who Tell the Truth series.Coalfield visionary:Thousands pay tribute to Judy Bonds She has been to the mountaintop, and now we must fight harder to save it. By Jeff Biggers / … Continue reading

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Robert Jensen : ‘Greatest Nation’ Rhetoric Comes Roaring Back

The burden of being exceptional. Captain America graphic from Statue Marvels.American exceptionalism:‘Greatest nation’ rhetoric roars back By Robert Jensen / The Rag Blog / January 4, 2011 My greatness as a writer is simply a fact. You don’t agree? Well, … Continue reading

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Ray Reece : The Hard Landing of a Radical in Austin, 1967

Image from McMaster University Digital Collection.Desecration of the Violet Crown:The hard landing of a radical in Austin, 1967 By Ray Reece / The Rag Blog / January 4, 2011 A few months ago, editor Thorne Dreyer invited us Rag Blogsters … Continue reading

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Harry Targ : Words Still Matter

Dwight D. Eisenhower. Photo by George Skadding / Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images.Words still matter:Speeches that speak to our times By Harry Targ / The Rag Blog / January 3, 2011 This conjunction of an immense military establishment … Continue reading

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Ralph Solonitz : Year of the Rabbit!

Cartoon by Ralph Solonitz / The Rag Blog / December 31, 2010.The Rag Blog

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Danny Schechter : The Media Hit Job on Helen Thomas

Former White House correspondent Helen Thomas. Image from Mediate.com.Media hit job of 2010:The vitriolic treatment of White Housecorrespondent Helen Thomas She may be a critic of Israel but never a hater of Jews, a distinction the world recognizes, but that … Continue reading

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Marc Estrin : Mob ‘n Maul

Buddy Christ statue from the movie Dogma.MOB ‘N MAUL By Marc Estrin / The Rag Blog / December 30, 2010 We seem to be bombarded lately by “random acts of culture” both in the real world (if such a place … Continue reading

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Keith Joseph : Surplus Labor and the Mystery of Capitalism

“Socially Acceptable Portrait of Karl Marx.” Hand-pulled print by Aimee Dingman. Image from EBSQ.Basics of Marxism:Surplus labor and the mystery of capitalism Exploitation occurs when the people who do the work and produce the surplus are different from the people … Continue reading

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Nina Lakhani : Cuban Medics in Haiti Put World to Shame

Cuban medic treats cholera victims in Haiti. Photo from AFP / Getty Images.Cuban medics in Haiti:Castro’s doctors and nurses arethe backbone of the fight against cholera By Nina Lakhani / The Independent / December 28, 2010 They are the real … Continue reading

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Don Swift : Narcissism and the ‘Weeper of the House’

René Magritte’s “The False Mirror” (1928).A crying matter:Reflecting on the ‘Weeper of the House’ Narcissism speaks to problems of the heart or soul. By Don Swift / The Rag Blog / December 28, 2010 Speaker-designate John Boehner’s inclination to cry … Continue reading

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