Thorne Webb Dreyer, Editor

SEARCH
RECENT POSTS
BRUCE MELTON: UNGINEERING, Not Geoengineering
May 27, 2026
ALICE EMBREE / MAY DAY! MAY DAY!
April 30, 2026
ALICE EMBREE / HISTORY / Where on earth was The Rag?
April 23, 2026
JAN LANCE / RETIREES / Senior Solidarity
April 2, 2026
ARCHIVES
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
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
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
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
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Al Franken, Censorship, FCC, Freedom of Speech, Internet, Net Neutrality, Telecoms
1 Comment
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
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
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
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Anarchism, Direct Action, Mexican History, Mexican Revolution, Mexico
8 Comments
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
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Afghanistan, Foreign Policy, Iraq War, Journalism, Obama Administration, Sixties, Vietnam
Leave a comment
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
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
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Criminal Justice, Forensic Medicine, Rick Perry, Texas, Texas Legislature
1 Comment
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
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Health Care Reform, Medicine, National Parks, Universal Health Care
6 Comments
















