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Category Archives: RagBlog
Star Trek and the ‘Prime Directive’ : We’re Still Meddling
Star Trek’s post-cold war, multi-ethnic, multi-gender and multi-specie crew: early imperialist warriors or noble seekers?Aboard the Imperial Star Ship Ameriprise…Heading for the Final Frontier By William Astore / March 27, 2009 I grew up in the 1970s on reruns of … Continue reading
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Tagged Diversity, Imperialism, Popular Culture, Science Fiction, Star Trek, Television
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Economic Crisis Yielding More Homelessness
An encampment of tents under an overpass in Fresno. Photo: Jim Wilson/The New York Times.Cities Deal With a Surge in ShantytownsBy Jesse McKinley / March 25, 2009 FRESNO, Calif. — As the operations manager of an outreach center for the … Continue reading
Amazon’s Kindle: A New Way to Burn Books?
“Empty Bookshelves.” (Library for the Faculty of Philology at the Free University Berlin, Germany. Architect: Norman Foster.) Photo by svenwerk.Kindle e-reader: A Trojan horse for free thought Amazon and other e-media aggregators know that digital text is the irrational exuberance … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Amazon, Banned Books Week, Digital Books, Print Media, Technology
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Counteracting the Backlash Against Clean Energy
What I think we miss is that probably less than a quarter of the population of the planet have heard of global warming, and of those left who have, at least half of them are in denial. And sadly, the … Continue reading
Sometimes People Know Better Than Governments
Palestinian children sing for Holocaust survivorsMarch 25, 2009 The Palestinian youths from a tough West Bank refugee camp stood facing the elderly Holocaust survivors on Wednesday, appearing somewhat defiant in a teenage sort of way. Then they began to sing. … Continue reading
US Financial Institutions: Corrupt to the Core?
This graphic shows Bank of America’s loans to directors, executives and other insiders since 2001. Graphic by David Puckett, Research by Stella Hopkins.Secrecy shrouds insider loansBy Stella M.Hopkins / March 23, 2009 Experts see potential conflicts of interest in banks’ … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Bank Bailouts, Bankruptcy, Financial Crisis, U.S. Government
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The War on Drugs: Humiliating 13-Year-Olds
Savana Redding, 19, was strip searched six years ago when teachers suspected she had brought prescription pills to school. Phtot: Chris Hinkle for The New York Times.Strip-Search of Girl Tests Limit of School PolicyBy Adam Liptak / March 23, 2009 … Continue reading
Stop Drug Violence? End Prohibition. Simple as That.
This is the most cogent argument against drug prohibition that I have read. And it couldn’t be more timely. The logic here is so clear that one wonders how so many have been so blind for so long. Or might … Continue reading
Oh Goody : Texas to Offer Masters Degree in Creationism?
Creationist Texas State Rep. Leo Berman has a bill for you! Berman is shown during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 3, 2008. Photo by AP. Oh goody doody gumdrops, I think I shall apply to open … Continue reading
FILM / Saint Misbehavin’ : The Wavy Gravy Movie
Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie, directed by Michelle Esrick was screened in Austin at SXSW.The Saints Go Marching in Downtown Austin Wavy Gravy’s evolving persona as poet, storyteller, merry prankster, jester and clown reveals a deeply spiritual and resourceful … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Austin, Film, Million Musicians March, Nonviolence, Peace Movement, Sixties, SXSW, Wavy Gravy
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Colonial Afghanistan to Receive New Leader
Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks during a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. Photo: Shah Marai/AFP.US will appoint Afghan ‘prime minister’ to bypass Hamid KarzaiBy Julian Borger in Brussels and Ewen MacAskill / March 22, 2009 White … Continue reading
Greening Up the Co-operative Movement
The River Arts co-op development is considering solar panels. The building’s energy committee includes Julie Ruben, top, and from left, Jack Fogle, Frank Gary and Paul Kittas. Photo: Jennifer S. Altman for The New York Times.It’s Not Easy Turning Co-op … Continue reading
