Author Archives: Thorne Dreyer

Austin : Billionaires for Wealthcare!

Healthcare Not Warfare demonstration in Austin. Above: “Billionaires for Wealthcare.” Below, demonstrators stage a “die-in” for peace. Photos by Alan Pogue / The Rag Blog.Austin rally calls for healthcare reform,An end to the Afghanistan War By Alice Embree / The … Continue reading

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Mariann G. Wizard : Danger Found Code Blue

Cody Ryan Patterson on graduation day from basic training. Family photo.Army Spec. Cody Ryan Patterson:Danger found him in his own home He was a proud, happy soldier of the Imperium when he died, had never been under hostile fire nor … Continue reading

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Health Insurance : Does Baucus Bill Make Things Worse?

Cartoon by David Horsey / Seattle P.I.Public option a necessity:Baucus Bill protects insurance companies By Ted McLaughlin / The Rag Blog / October 19, 2009 There are two especially devious ways that private health insurers use to keep their own … Continue reading

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‘Tormenta Electrica’ : Mexico’s Calderon Busts Union, Fires 44,000 Workers

Mexican Electrical Workers Union members protest the summary firing of 44,000 members. Photo: La Jornada. At top, a laid-off worker protests in front of the National Palace in Mexico City. Photo by AFP.Lightning strikes in Mexico:Calderon, cops move against electrical … Continue reading

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Dick Flacks : Pete Seeger’s Project

Celebrating Pete Seeger:Our political troubador More than any other individual, he had conceived and fostered a tradition of protest song that drew from a number of cultural roots, had significant political consequence, and reshaped the forms and content of popular … Continue reading

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BOOKS / The Secret Fundamentalism of ‘The Family’

The Family:A little-known Christian ‘Mafia’ By Sherman DeBrosse / The Rag Blog / October 18, 2009 [This is the first of a two-part series.] The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet. 464 pp. … Continue reading

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Biodiversity and Global Change : Carbon in the Soil

Insights from soil carbon research: Scientists analyze interactions with climate change and land management to address food, fuel, water and fiber needs. By Alison Grantham / October 18, 2009 Nearly 300 soil scientists from 33 countries gathered last week in … Continue reading

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AfPak War : Not a Pretty Picture

Here there be monsters. Graphic from Asia Times.War destabilizing Pakistan;Veteran officer urges Afghan drawdown By Roger Baker / The Rag Blog / October 16, 2009 The news regarding the war in Afghanistan just keeps getting worse. The NATO alliance war … Continue reading

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Health Care Reform and the ‘Independent Voter’

In the health care debate:‘Independent’ usually means ‘misinformed’ By Dr. Stephen R. Keister / The Rag Blog / October 16, 2009 As witness not of our intentions but of our conduct, we can be true or false, and the hypocrite’s … Continue reading

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Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom : Economics and the Environment

Elinor Ostrom celebrates winning the Nobel prize in economics. Photo by John Sommers II / Reuters.Elinor Ostrom breaks the Nobel mold:A new look at economics, the environment and the commons The economics profession needs to be shaken up. Ostrom’s Nobel … Continue reading

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Climate Bill : Morphing into a Monster?

“Acid Tar.” Image ©2009 ~Monster-Man-08.A John Kerry/Lindsay Graham production:Pro-nuke, pro-drilling, pro-coal ‘climate bill’ By Harvey Wasserman / The Rag Blog / October 15, 2009 Is the climate bill morphing into an excuse to promote fossil fuels and new nuclear power … Continue reading

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Steve Russell : Let Us Now Praise (Not) Famous Women

There’s a little “Wonder Woman” in all women. Image from the Wonder Woman Museum.Let us now praise womenAnd the roles they play in our lives By Steve Russell / The Rag Blog / October 14, 2009 I just came from … Continue reading

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