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Category Archives: RagBlog
ART : The Writing’s On the Wall
Charlie Halsey, co-founder of Alphabeta, stands in the graffiti store’s art space. Photo by Margot Adler / NPR.Brooklyn Store Celebrates The Art Of Graffitiby Margot Adler / July 14, 2008 Graffiti has always had a double edge. Often reviled as … Continue reading
World Hunger : Do the Math
A Shortage of Democracy, Not FoodBy Frances Moore Lappé Forty years ago, squirreled away in the basement “Ag” library at U.C. Berkeley, I wanted answers to one question: Why were 960 million people going hungry? At the time, newspaper headlines … Continue reading
Pat Tillman : Administration Forgot to Remember
Cpl. Pat Tillman.House Oversight investigation of Tillman and Jessica LynchBy Kate Klonick / July 14, 2008 The House Oversight Committee released its proposed report (pdf) on the investigation this afternoon, on the death of Corporal Patrick Tillman and the capture … Continue reading
Oaxaca : Indigenous People Saying ‘NO’ to Migration
The FIOB is a political organization of indigenous communities and migrants, with chapters in Mexico and the U.S. It advocates for the rights of migrants, and for the right not to migrate — for economic development which would enable people … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Human Rights, Immigration, Indigenous People, Mexico, Migration, Poverty
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Denver : Under the Big Top
Progressives have a big tent at the Dem ConventionBy Steven Rosenfeld / July 14, 2008 A tent for 800 journalists, bloggers and activists will be set up at Denver’s Democratic Convention site. Few activities are more filled with political insiders … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Blogging, Democratic Convention, Democratic Party, Journalism, Media, Progressives
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There’s A Man Going ‘Round Taking Names
ACLU: Million on terrorist watch listby Michael Grabell / July 14, 2008 There won’t be any balloons dropping from the ceiling to mark this milestone. And if there are any bells and whistles, it will only be from the metal … Continue reading
The Great New Yorker Obama Fist-Bump Cover Controversy of 2008
I think the idea that the Obamas are branded as unpatriotic [let alone as terrorists] in certain sectors is preposterous. It seemed to me that depicting the concept would show it as the fear-mongering ridiculousness that it is. Cover artist … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Art, Artists, Humor, Illustration, Journalism, Media, Michelle Obama, Obama, Obama Smear Campaign, Parody, Presidential Campaign, Satire
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LITERATURE : Road Fatigue
The Beat Generation in the rearview mirrorBy A.G. Mojtabai / July 11, 2008 Even from a distance, it was easy to guess that the clerk with the bowed head at BookPeople was reading behind the counter. Face to face, she … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged American History, Austin, Authors, Beat Generation, Books, Exhibitions, Literary Criticism, Literature, UT-Austin, Writers
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The Muppets, Me and Public TV…
Caroll Spinney with Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Photo by Victor Dinapoli.And the power of popular cultureBy Michael Winship / July 13, 2008 Take a moment to forget about politics and the pickle of our worrisome world. A recent … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Alternative Media, Entertainers, Popular Culture, Public Television, Television
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The Death of Reaganomics
Barbara Dane et al / Reaganomics Blues. / Fuse 002Singing the Capitalism BluesBy E.J. Dionne / July 10, 2008 The biggest political story of 2008 is getting little coverage. It involves the collapse of assumptions that have dominated our economic … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Economics, Globalization, McCain, Presidential Campaign, Reaganomics
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U.S. Soldiers No Longer Find Haven in Canada
James Corey Glass, an Army deserter, is appealing an immigration removal order in Canada. Photo by Farah Nosh / Getty Images.Little sympathy for deserters from Conservative governmentBy Ian Austen / July 13, 2008 TORONTO — James Corey Glass, apprentice mortician … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Canada, Deserters, GI's, Iraq Occupation, Iraq War, Sixties, Vietnam
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FILM : John Cusack’s Savage "War, Inc." Playing (and Marketing) To Its Strength
Hilary Duff in John Cusack’s “War Inc.”John Cusack: Bypassing the Corporate MediaBy Joshua Holland / July 12, 2008 Cusack’s anti-war polemic, War, Inc., continues to defy expectations, despite the traditional media’s dismissive reception. It’s not uncommon for a big-budget Hollywood … Continue reading
Posted in RagBlog
Tagged Alternative Media, Corporate Media, Film, Filmmakers, Iran War, Iraq Occupation, Marketing, Media, Peace Movement, Satire
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