The Rag Blog | The Latest in News and Views from the Progressive Front

Lamar W. Hankins :
The ubiquitous influence of religion in America

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Thorne Dreyer

Beginning with the push against the Communist menace in the 1950s, which led to the increased use of “In God We Trust” on our coinage , religion has increasingly pushed its way into public policy.

By Lamar W. Hankins | The Rag Blog | January 9, 2014

If you have been an adult any time in the last 60 years, you should be aware that religion is perhaps the most ubiquitous institution, after government, among Americans.

Beginning with the push against the Communist menace in the 1950s, which led to the increased use of “In God We Trust” on our coinage in spite of the irony of having such graven images associated with God, religion has increasingly pushed its way into public policy.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Abortion Debate, Abortion Rights, American Society, Contraception, Health Insurance, Lamar W. Hankins, Rag Bloggers, Religion, Separation of Church and State, War on Religion | Leave a comment

Alan Wieder :
Bill Ayers’ ‘Public Enemy: Confessions of an American Dissident’

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Thorne Dreyer

In his ongoing journey, and with his new memoir, ‘Public Enemy,’ Bill Ayers continues to bring the radical ‘spark’ forward.

Image from Uprising Radio.

By Alan Wieder | The Rag Blog | January 7, 2014

Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn will speak at “Underground Goes Overboard,” a launch party for TheRagBlog.com, at 7 p.m., Friday, January 17, at the 5604 Manor Community Center in Austin. They will also be Thorne Dreyer’s guests on Rag Radio earlier that same day, from 2-3 p.m. on KOOP 91.7-FM in Austin and streamed live. Go here for other stations and times, and for podcast information.

[Public Enemy: Confessions of an American Dissident by Bill Ayers (2013: Beacon Press); Hardcover; 240 pp; $24.95.]

“They just don’t get it.” Yes, the phrase is overused, yet, all too appropriate when addressing the continuing critiques, from both the left and the right, of Bill Ayers.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Alan Wieder, American History, American Radicals, Bernardine Dohrn, Bill Ayers, Books, Memoir, Public Enemy, Radical Activists, Rag Bloggers, SDS, Sixties, Vietnam War, Weather Underground | Leave a comment

Michael James :
Like a Bruegel Painting, 1966

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Thorne Dreyer

The JOIN Community Union was our effort in Uptown, Chicago, to build solidarity and create an organized force for change, especially among poor people of Southern origin.

SNCC’s Curtis Hayes (Muhammad) and SDS’s Susan Lum in Uptown, Chicago, 1966. Photos by Michael James from his forthcoming book, Michael Gaylord James’ Pictures from the Long Haul.

By Michael James | The Rag Blog | January 6, 2014

[In this series, Michael James is sharing images from his rich past, accompanied by reflections about — and inspired by — those images. This photo will be included in his forthcoming book, Michael Gaylord James’ Pictures from the Long Haul.]

UPTOWN, Chicago in 1966. I called it “Hillbilly Harlem.” Uptown was the regional capital of poor Southern white migrants moving to the North. The migration of Southern whites began when they came north in the 1940’s for war industry work, and accelerated after WWII when factories flourished in and around Chicago.People arrived from rural and urban areas throughout the South, with the majority coming from Appalachia.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Agitprop, Chicago, Community Organizing, JOIN Community Union, Memoir, Michael James, nostalgia, Pictures from the Long Haul, Rag Bloggers, SDS, Sixties, Uptown Chicago | Leave a comment

Bob Feldman :
A People’s History of Egypt, Part 12, Section 2, 1947-1948

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Thorne Dreyer

The movement to democratize Egypt: Except for their religious beliefs, Jews shared lifestyles with those of Muslim background.

Jewish home in Egypt. Image from BBC Watch.

By Bob Feldman / The Rag Blog / January 6, 2014

[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.]

Prior to the Zionist movement’s establishment of the State of Israel on Palestinian land in 1948 and subsequent eviction of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs from Palestine during the late 1940s, between 65,000 and 80,000 Egyptians of Jewish religious background lived in Egypt. Around 64 percent of Egyptians of Jewish background lived in Cairo and around 32 percent lived in Alexandria, according to the Egyptian census of 1947.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Bob Feldman, Egyptian History, Egyptian Jews, People's History of Egypt, Rag Bloggers, World History, Zionism | Leave a comment

Kate Braun :
Waxing Crescent Moon is time to set new goals

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Thorne Dreyer

Moon Musings: The Waxing Crescent Moon — which falls on January 4–5, 2014 — is a time to set goals for positive changes in your life.

Waxing crescent moon. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

By Kate Braun | The Rag Blog | January 3, 2013

Waxing moons are times to set new goals, recognize new objectives, promote new growth, and set forces in motion to help you achieve these goals, objectives, and growth. The first weekend of 2014 is an auspicious time to start workings, both long- and short-term, with the goal of manifesting positive changes in your life. On Saturday, Lady Moon is in Aquarius, the sign that foreshadows coming trends and emphases; on Sunday, Lady Moon is in Pisces, the sign that incorporates energy from all the signs of the Zodiac; either of these days will generate nicely positive energy to facilitate your intentions.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Astrology, Ceremony, Kate Braun, Moon Phases, Rag Bloggers, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Alan Waldman :
‘A Bit of Fry & Laurie’ was brilliant British sketch series

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Waldman’s film and TV
treasures you may have missed:

This was most people’s first exposure to the highly original comic genius of English national treasures Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, who wrote and performed many classic sketches.

By Alan Waldman | The Rag Blog | December 27, 2013

[In his weekly column, Alan Waldman reviews some of his favorite films and TV series that readers may have missed, including TV dramas, mysteries, and comedies from Canada, England, Ireland, and Scotland. Most are available on DVD and/or Netflix, and some episodes are on YouTube.]

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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged A Bit of Fry & Laurie, Alan Waldman, British Television, Criticism, Rag Bloggers, Sketch Comedy, Vintage Television | Leave a comment

Tom Hayden :
Progressive Dems see opening for new politics

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Elizabeth Warren and the populists say ‘No way!’ to ‘Third Way.’

Conditions ripe for a new politics:
An opening for progressive Democrats

The Democratic progressive base is making clear that Hillary Clinton must make an adjustment from her hawkish centrism towards the new populism.

By Tom Hayden | The Rag Blog | December 23, 2013

The sight of progressive Democrats shaming and exposing the Wall Street-funded “Third Way” Democrats is a sign of a powerful new opening for progressives on the American political spectrum.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged 2016 Elections, Bill de Blasio, Democratic Party, Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton, Progressive Democrats, Progressive Populism, Rag Bloggers, Tom Hayden | 6 Comments

Jack A. Smith :
Climate Change Confab Brings Too Little Too Late

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Climate change activists in Warsaw, Friday, November 22, 2013, portray, from right, French President Francois Hollande, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President Obama, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo by Czarek Sokolowski, / AP.

Climate Change meeting in
Warsaw brings too little too late

 Given the number of drastic reports about climate change… the accomplishments at COP19 are useful but hugely disproportionate to what is needed.

By Jack A. Smith | The Rag Blog | December 23, 2013

The sharply increasing scientific indicators of impending disastrous global climate change have failed to motivate the principal developed countries, led by the U.S., to accelerate the lackluster pace of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Climate Change, Environment, Environmental Activists, Global Warming, Jack A. Smith, Rag Bloggers, Social Protest, United Nations, United Nations Climate Change Conference, Warsaw | 1 Comment

Lamar W. Hankins :
Opportunist Narvaiz Takes On Doggett Again in Gerrymandered 35th

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Congressional candidate Susan Narvaiz and friend. Image from Facebook.

Unsolicited advice, Dept.:
A Narvaiz strategy to defeat Doggett

Narvaiz is a political chameleon who says what she needs to say and does what she needs to do to protect herself from political accountability.

By Lamar W. Hankins | The Rag Blog | December 23, 2013

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Three years ago, when Susan Narvaiz was near the end of her last term as Mayor of San Marcos, I asked her in a public meeting for some information about the number of jobs created through the use of publicly-funded development incentives provided by the City Council. She said she had that information at her office and would get it to me. Even after a later reminder, I’m still waiting for that information. That promise and her failure to fulfill it about sums up what I expect from her in any political office.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Congressional District 35, Conservative Politics, Evangelical Christians, Gerrymandering, Lamar W. Hankins, Lloyd Doggett, Rag Bloggers, Religious Right, San Marcos, Susan Narvaiz, Texas Politics | Leave a comment

Steve Horn :
Keystone XL’s Houston ‘Fork in the Road’

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Houston’s refinery row. Image from Gulf Restoration Network / DaSmogBlog.

Keystone XL fork in the road:
TransCanada’s Houston Lateral Pipeline

Houston’s LyondellBasell refinery is retooling itself for the looming feast of tar sands crude and fracked oil bounty that awaits the Houston Lateral’s completion.

By Steve Horn | DeSmogBlog | December 23, 2013

Only Barack Obama knows the fate of the northern half of TransCanada’s Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. But in the meantime, TransCanada is preparing the southern half of the line to open for commercial operations on January 22.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged DeSmogBlog, Environment, Fracking, Houston Lateral Project, Houston Ship Channel, Houston's Refinery Row, Keystone XL Pipeline, Oil Business, pollution, Steve Horn, TransCanada | Leave a comment

Thorne Dreyer :
November Rag Radio Guests Include Spiritual Counselor, Citizens’ Advocate, Singer-Songwriter

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Rev. Bob Breihan, Methodist minister and longtime social activist, on Rag Radio, November 29, 2013. Photo by Roger Baker / The Rag Blog.

Rag Radio podcasts:
Thorne Dreyer interviews Rev. Bob Breihan,
Sam Daley-Harris, Doyle Niemann & Mariann
Wizard, Susan D. Carle, and Slaid Cleaves

Our November guests were a Methodist minister and longtime social activist, a noted citizens’ advocate, two staffers from the original Rag, the author of a book about the ‘movement that started the civil rights movement,’ and an acclaimed singer-songwriter.

By Rag Radio | The Rag Blog | December 20, 2013

Thorne Dreyer’s guests on Rag Radio in November 2013 included Methodist minister and longtime social activist, Rev. Bob Briehan; citizens’ activist and author Sam Daley Harris; progressive Maryland legislator Doyle Neiman with poet-activist Mariann G. Wizard, both staffers of the original Rag in the ’60s; Susan D. Carle, author of a groundbreaking study of nineteenth century social and legal activism; and noted Austin-based singer-songwriter Slaid Cleaves.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Doyle Niemann, Interview, Mariann G. Wizard, Podcast, Rag Bloggers, Rag Radio, Rev. Bob Breihan, Sam Daley-Harris, Slaid Cleaves, Susan D. Carle, Thorne Dreyer | Leave a comment

BOOKS / Alan Wieder : Paul Buhle’s ‘Radical Jesus: A Graphic History of Faith’

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Thorne Dreyer

Paul Buhle’s ‘Radical Jesus’:
Comic artists explore the history
and social message of Jesus Christ

By Alan Wieder | The Rag Blog | December 19, 2013

Paul Buhle, the noted historian, author, graphic novel publisher, and editor of Radical Jesus, is Thorne Dreyer‘s guest on the 200th edition of Rag Radio, Friday, December 20, from 2-3 p.m. (CST). Rag Radio airs and streams live on cooperatively-run KOOP 91.7-FM in Austin, Texas, and is rebroadcast and streamed on WFTE-FM in Mt. Cobb and Scranton, PA, Sunday at 10 a.m. (EST) and on KPFT’s HD-3 Channel in Houston, Wednesday at 3 p.m. (CST). The podcast of this show can be found at the Internet Archive.

[Radical Jesus: A Graphic History of Faith. Paul Buhle, Editor; Sabrina Jones, Gary Dumm, Nick Thorkelson, Artists (2013: Herald Press); Paperback; 128 pp; $24.99.]

Paul Buhle is one of the most prolific and insightful critics from the American left. While his topics at first glance appear incredibly eclectic, closer reading uncovers a sharp focus that thoughtfully challenges class disparity, racism, and imperialism in the United States and throughout the world.
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Posted in RagBlog | Tagged Alan Wieder, Biblical History, Books, Comics, Graphic History, Graphic Novels, Jesus Christ, Liberation Theology, Paul Buhle, Radical Gospel, Radical Jesus, Rag Bloggers, Religion, Social Justice | Leave a comment

Beginning with the push against the Communist menace in the 1950s, which led to the increased use of “In God We Trust” on our coinage , religion has increasingly pushed its way into public policy.

In his ongoing journey, and with his new memoir, ‘Public Enemy,’ Bill Ayers continues to bring the radical ‘spark’ forward.

The JOIN Community Union was our effort in Uptown, Chicago, to build solidarity and create an organized force for change, especially among poor people of Southern origin.

The movement to democratize Egypt: Except for their religious beliefs, Jews shared lifestyles with those of Muslim background.

Moon Musings: The Waxing Crescent Moon — which falls on January 4–5, 2014 — is a time to set goals for positive changes in your life.

Waldman’s film and TV treasures you may have missed:

This was most people’s first exposure to the highly original comic genius of English national treasures Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, who wrote and performed many classic sketches.

Conditions ripe for a new politics: An opening for progressive Democrats

The Democratic progressive base is making clear that Hillary Clinton must make an adjustment from her hawkish centrism towards the new populism.

Climate Change meeting in Warsaw brings too little too late

Given the number of drastic reports about climate change… the accomplishments at COP19 are useful but hugely disproportionate to what is needed.

Unsolicited advice, Dept.: A Narvaiz strategy to defeat Doggett

Narvaiz is a political chameleon who says what she needs to say and does what she needs to do to protect herself from political accountability.

Keystone XL fork in the road: TransCanada’s Houston Lateral Pipeline

Houston’s LyondellBasell refinery is retooling itself for the looming feast of tar sands crude and fracked oil bounty that awaits the Houston Lateral’s completion.

Rag Radio podcasts: Thorne Dreyer interviews Rev. Bob Breihan, Sam Daley-Harris, Doyle Niemann & Mariann Wizard, Susan D. Carle, and Slaid Cleaves

Our November guests were a Methodist minister and longtime social activist, a noted citizens’ advocate, two staffers from the original Rag, the author of a book about the ‘movement that started the civil rights movement,’ and an acclaimed singer-songwriter.

Paul Buhle’s ‘Radical Jesus’: Comic artists explore the history and social message of Jesus Christ

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TAGS

ARCHIVES

Waldman’s film and TV
treasures you may have missed:

Conditions ripe for a new politics:
An opening for progressive Democrats

Climate Change meeting in
Warsaw brings too little too late

 Given the number of drastic reports about climate change… the accomplishments at COP19 are useful but hugely disproportionate to what is needed.

Unsolicited advice, Dept.:
A Narvaiz strategy to defeat Doggett

Keystone XL fork in the road:
TransCanada’s Houston Lateral Pipeline

Rag Radio podcasts:
Thorne Dreyer interviews Rev. Bob Breihan,
Sam Daley-Harris, Doyle Niemann & Mariann
Wizard, Susan D. Carle, and Slaid Cleaves

Paul Buhle’s ‘Radical Jesus’:
Comic artists explore the history
and social message of Jesus Christ