Author Archives: Thorne Dreyer

Stephanie Smith : E. Coli and the Killer Burger

Escherichia coli (known as “E. Coli” to its friends).E. coli nearly killed Stephanie Smith:All-beef patty can be big-time troubleBy Carl R. Hultberg / The Rag Blog / October 9, 2009 Stephanie Smith was pretty much committed to vegetarianism. But after … Continue reading

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McChrystal Clear : More Boots on the Ground

Gen. Stanley McChrystal: Repeating the cliches.Do the numbers:500,000 troops for Pashtunistan? McChrystal repeats the clichés of classic counterinsurgency… American generals used the same vintage phrases in Vietnam, where efforts to ‘protect the population’ led to forcing rural peasants into fortified … Continue reading

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Supremes Hear Challenge to Mojave Cross

Eight foot high cross on Sunrise Mountain in the Mojave National Preserve. Below, cross is covered during court fight. Lower photo by Eric Reed.Veterans’ memorial at Mojave National Preserve:Supreme Court hears challenge to eight-foot cross The ACLU argued that the … Continue reading

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Sen. Al Franken : The Internet is the Town Square

This may be the clearest, most useful exposition on Net Neutrality that I have yet seen. — Thorne Dreyer / The Rag Blog The Internet:It’s not a truck, It’s a town square The Internet is a platform for speech, debate, … Continue reading

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Rag Radio! A Conversation with Larry Ray

TUESDAY ON KOOP RADIO IN AUSTIN:RAG RADIOHOSTED BY THORNE DREYER KOOP, 91.7 FM — Every Tuesday afternoon — 2-3 PM The latest addition to the Rag media family, Rag Radio presents issue-oriented discussion and cutting edge cultural programming in the … Continue reading

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The Afghan Quagmire : Considering the Options

“Smiling on Quicksand.” © Gary WintersA no-win situation?An Afghan quagmire in the making By Sherman DeBrosse / The Rag Blog / October 5, 2009 We are mourning the loss of eight American soldiers who died in a day-long battle near … Continue reading

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Mexico : Wave of Anarchist Bombings Has Rich Historical Context

‘The breath of the revolution’: Wave of anarchist bombings hits Mexico;Security forces on red alert By John Ross / The Rag Blog / October 5, 2009 MEXICO CITY — An unprecedented wave of anarchist bombings here and in provincial capitals … Continue reading

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Larry Ray : Echoes from Vietnam

Larry Ray in Cu Chi Vietnam, late summer 1966.Echoes from Vietnam: Dying again in Afghanistan Afghanistan is an even older and thornier problem [than Vietnam]. And one that cannot be bombed into submission. By Larry Ray / The Rag Blog … Continue reading

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Obama Plays Nuclear Chess with Iran

President Obama discusses talks with Iran in Geneva, at White House Oct. 1, 2009. Photo by AFP.Is Obama putting Ahmadinejad on the defensive?The complex question of Iran’s nuclear plans By Steve Weissman / The Rag Blog / October 4, 2009 … Continue reading

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Cause of Death : Forensic Science Gone Bad

“The Judgment of Cambyses” (right panel) by Gerard David, 1498.A post mortem:The justice system and the medical examiner There has been a spate of occurrences that is beginning to cast some doubt on the judgment of at least some medical … Continue reading

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Afghani Olympics : Will Obama Lose This One Too?

Will Obama learn from his Chicago defeatAnd abandon the no-win Afghanistan marathon? Team Obama needs — as the International Olympics Committee has just done — to be continually reminded that the rest of the world is not an American kick … Continue reading

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Health Care Reform and our Socialist National Parks

Ken Burns’ “The National Parks: Our Best Idea.” Real health care reform is isn’t such a bad idea, either.Taking refuge in PBS’ series on our public parksWhile the Kabuki dance in Washington continues By Dr. Stephen R. Keister / The … Continue reading

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