Thorne Webb Dreyer, Editor
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Author Archives: Thorne Dreyer
Larry Piltz : These Future Days
“A” is for Android / James “Jimbot” Demski / Idiot Box Artwork. These Future Days I’ve got a clock that runs on watermy dog takes Chinese herbsI live next door to my dear wife’s houseand I’m not a bit perturbedmy … Continue reading
UT Medical Branch Researcher on Take from Pharma?
Republican U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley challenges researcher’s connections to Pharma. Photo from RFE/RL.HHS probes researcher’s ties to drugmakers [Sen.] Grassley claims that [Karen] Wagner got more than $160,000 from GlaxoSmithKline over five years, and she only reported $600 to the … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Big Pharma, Campuses, Galveston, Medical Research, University of Texas
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David Zeiger : Open Letter to Michael Moore from a Madoff Victim
Bernie Madoff and his investors: of an ilk? Photo by Don Emmert / AFP / Getty Images.An Open Letter to Michael Moore I was stunned to see you take a broad, uninformed swipe at everyone who invested money with [Bernie] … Continue reading
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Bernie Madoff, Filmmakers, Finance, Investments, Michael Moore
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Bud Shrake, 77 : This Texas Tall Tale is a Literary Legend
Bud Shrake speaks at Texas Book Festival in November, 2008. Photo by Bob Simmons / The Rag Blog. Edwin “Bud” Shrake died Friday, May 8, of lung cancer, at the age of 77. A towering figure in Texas literature — … Continue reading
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Ann Richards, Austin, Authors, Bob Simmons, Journalists, Literature, Texas
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Alice Embree on El Salvador : Reflections on a People’s Victory, Part 1
Supporters show their colors during campaign rally before elections in El Salvador. Photo by Alice Embree / The Rag Blog. The left victory of Mauricio Funes in El Salvador is part of a wave of change transforming Latin America in … Continue reading
Health Care Reform : Private Companies Just in it for the Money
Graphic from lamiavitafolle. We have an opportunity to make real and substantial changes to fix America’s health care. A few promises and some band-aids on our current system are not nearly enough. By Ted McLaughlin / The Rag Blog / … Continue reading
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Single Payer, Universal Health Care
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Austin’s Whole Foods : Union Busting in Hippie Clothing?
Whole Foods Market’s flagship store and corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas.Something Stinks at Whole Foods …something sinister lurks beneath the surface of Whole Foods’ progressive image. Somehow, [founder and CEO John] Mackey has managed to achieve multimillionaire status while his … Continue reading
Houston : Rape Victims Dunned for Hospital Costs
Rape victim. Photo from The Sun, U.K. The price of justice? Sounds more like the cost of doing bidness. Since when does one get billed for being a victim of a violent crime? Harry Edwards / The Rag Blog May … Continue reading
Roger Baker : The Zombie Bank Syndrome
Zombie banker. Image from Mother Jones.Dead Banks Walking. . . Except for the bankers and the Obama administration, the prevailing reaction of many prominent economists is not one of optimism. By Roger Baker / The Rag Blog / May 8, … Continue reading
Health Care and Senator Baucus : Channeling Emile Zola
Psychiatrist Dr. Carol Paris is arrested for disorderly conduct outside of a U.S. Senate office building Tuesday, May 5, for speaking out at Sen. Max Baucus’ Congressional hearings on health care reform. Photo from South Maryland News. Dr. Carol A. … Continue reading
Posted in Rag Bloggers
Tagged Congress, Direct Action, Health Care Reform, Single Payer, Social Protest, Universal Health Care
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Dick J. Reavis : The Narco Republic of Texas
Cool beard, chief. David Gouverneur Burnet was the first president of the original Republic of Texas. The Rag Blog’s Reavis has some ambitions of his own. Photo from Daughters of the Republic of Texas. If Texas were an independent nation, … Continue reading
Schwarzenegger : Let’s Talk About Legalizing Pot
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California says it’s time to talk about legalizing pot. Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images. ‘This is only going to increase the governor’s popularity,’ Aaron Smith of the Marijuana Policy Project said. ‘We … Continue reading
