Category Archives: RagBlog

Del Martin, Eloquent Voice of Gay and Lesbian Movement, Dead at 87

Del Martin, left, places a ring on her partner Phyllis Lyon during their June wedding ceremony officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP.‘As a journalist, author and organizer, Martin helped shape the modern … Continue reading →

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FBI Still Trying to Hide Its Fearful Incompetence

Judges consider whether FBI violated free speechAugust 27, 2008 NEW YORK — A panel of federal appeals court judges pushed a U.S. government lawyer on Wednesday to answer why FBI letters sent out to Internet service providers seeking information should … Continue reading →

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Police Brutality in Denver: the Face of Democracy

Here are dramatic scenes of the knockdown of Alicia Forrest, a member of Code Pink. The Aspen Times says that a policeman violently shoved her. The Rocky Mountain News reports that she was thrown to the ground “with a smack.” … Continue reading →

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Garrison Keillor : Rolling With the Punches

‘Californians remind me of Londoners. They’re less jittery than the rest of us, and disaster doesn’t terrify them’ By Garrison Keillor / Aug. 27, 2008 California is another country. You wake up in the morning and New York is already … Continue reading →

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The DNC Sponsors List Is Rather Enlightening

The list I’ve posted here barely scratches the surface of what the Rocky Mountain News dug out of the public record. I note that this article was published on 12 May, but it is still very timely information. Such notables … Continue reading →

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We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby : Strip-Search Nation

The Ballad of the Panhandler and Smokey the Bear: Remembering When the Government was at Least ApproachableBy Dave Lindorff / August 27, 2008 We’ve come a long way towards imperial government in the US—towards a view of the relationship between … Continue reading →

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We’re Number One: Texas Leads Nation in Lack of Health Insurance

Texas Continues To Shine At Being UninsuredBy Olivia Flores Alvarez / August 26, 2008 Texas is at the top of the heap again – this time we are the most uninsured state, health care-wise, in the country. Woo hoo! Oh, … Continue reading →

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Police Trap Peaceful Protesters in Denver

Denver cops use pepper gas on demonstratorsBy Davin Hutchins / August 25, 2008 A calm political protest quickly turned chaotic as anxious Denver police surrounded protesters peacefully marching toward the Democratic National Convention Center. After trapping the crowd between two … Continue reading →

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The Rio Grande : ‘That Damned Border Fence’

Each mile of fence cost Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument $430,000, said superintendent Kathy Billings. Photo by Rich-Joseph Facun / Arizona Daily Star Faulty design turned border fence into dam, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.‘The project almost ensures problems with … Continue reading →

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Dennis Kucinich : Wake up America

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, preaches “Wake up, America!” to the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Photo by Charlie Neibergall /AP See “Kucinich wakes up Democratic Convention” by Rochelle Riley and video of Kucinich’s speech, below. ‘We … Continue reading →

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What We Need Is A Digital Bill Of Rights

‘It is time to really think about a comprehensive national technology policy for the Internet Age’By Erick Schonfeld / August 25, 2008 As the Democrats and Republicans gather at their national conventions, it is time to really think about a … Continue reading →

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The Fight Against Gentrification in Harlem

Photo by Thomas Good / NLN.The battle for the soul of El Barrio By Thomas Good / August 26, 2008 NEW YORK — In November of 2006, City Council member Melissa Mark Viverito spoke out against police commissioner Ray Kelly’s … Continue reading →

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