Category Archives: RagBlog

Ron Jacobs : ‘Another Self Portrait’ of Bob Dylan

Another Self Portrait: Dylan’s take revisited Dylan’s voice here is the voice of an earnest troubadour. There is little of the smoky raspiness present in his mid-sixties material or the world-weary gruffness of Dylan’s current persona. By Ron Jacobs | … Continue reading

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Alan Waldman: ‘Are You Being Served?’ Was Hit Sitcom in Britain and Around the World

  Waldman’s film and TV treasures you may have missed: It — and sequel ‘Grace and Favour’ — aired 81 classic episodes, which repeated and repeated on many PBS stations. By Alan Waldman | The Rag Blog | September 18, … Continue reading

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Harry Targ : Revisiting ‘American Exceptionalism’

Beacon to the world? Image from Wikimedia Commons. Was Putin right? Revisiting ‘American exceptionalism’ A better future and the survival of the human race require us to realize, as Paul Robeson suggested, that what is precious about humanity is not … Continue reading

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Michael James : Heart of Illinois in the Summer of ’64

Boys in a pickup truck in front of the Fulton Democrat in Lewistown, Illinois, in the summer of 1964. Photos by Michael James from his forthcoming book, Michael Gaylord James’ Pictures from the Long Haul. Pictures from the Long Haul: … Continue reading

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RAG RADIO / Thorne Dreyer : Award-Winning Novelist and Screenwriter Stephen Harrigan

Noted Texas writer Stephen Harrigan in the studios of KOOP-FM in Austin, Texas, Friday, September 6, 2013. Photos by Roger Baker / The Rag Blog. Rag Radio podcast: Award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and journalist Stephen Harrigan The author of the New … Continue reading

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Jean Trounstine : Education in Prison Works

Image from audaciousideas.org. So are we listening? Study proves education in prison works The largest ever meta-analysis of prison education and its overwhelming positive effect on recidivism was released in August, so what are we going to do about it? … Continue reading

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Kate Braun : During Fall Equinox Give Thanks for Earth’s Bounty

Honor Mother Earth on Fall Equinox. Image from Seeds of Good Fortune. Fall Equinox: A time to seek balance in all things By Kate Braun | The Rag Blog | September 16, 2013 “Come, ye thankful people come Raise the … Continue reading

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HISTORY / Bob Feldman : A People’s History of Egypt, Part 9, 1924-1930

Mural shows Saad Zaghlul, first Egyptian prime minister, giving the finger to the military council. Image from Egypt 2011 and Beyond.

A people’s history:
The movement to democratize Egypt

Part 9: 1924-1930 period –The Wafd government and the repression of communists.

By Bob Feldman / The Rag Blog / September 16, 2013

[With all the dramatic activity in Egypt, Bob Feldman’s Rag Blog “people’s history” series, “The Movement to Democratize Egypt,” could not be more timely. Also see Feldman’s “Hidden History of Texas” series on The Rag Blog.]

After an Egyptian constitution was promulgated in 1923, martial law was abolished, an election was held, and Saad Zaghlul, the leader of the Egyptian landowning elite’s nationalist Wafd party, became prime minister in January 1924. Continue reading

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Alan Waldman: ‘New Street Law’ is a Dramatic English Legal Series

  Waldman’s film and TV treasures you may have missed: Scottish actor John Hannah heads a strong cast as two competing law firms seek justice. By Alan Waldman | The Rag Blog | September 9, 2013 [In his weekly column, … Continue reading

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RAG RADIO / Thorne Dreyer : Chicago’s Mike Klonsky Fights for Public Education, ‘Small Schools’

Chicago education activist Mike Klonsky in the studios of KOOP Radio, Austin, Texas, Friday, August 20, 2013. Photo by Roger Baker / The Rag Blog. Rag Radio podcast: Former SDS leader Mike Klonsky is fighter for ‘Small Schools’ and democratic … Continue reading

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RAG RADIO / Thorne Dreyer : Musician/Author Bobby Bridger & ‘Lost Gonzo’ Guitarist John Inmon

Musician and author Bobby Bridger with guitarist John Inmon at the KOOP studios in Austin, Texas, August 23, 2013. Photo by Roger Baker / The Rag Blog. Rag Radio podcast: Singer-songwriter and author Bobby Bridger with ‘Lost Gonzo’ guitarist John … Continue reading

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