AltWeeklies Wire
The Big Prize and The Art of Compromisenew

It was always the hold-your-breath moment on the old Let's Make a Deal: After turning away a big pile of cash and a nice-enough dining room set, a housewife gets a goat. When it comes to political movements, there's rarely much talk about what happens when you commit to the mystery prize.
Charleston City Paper |
Greg Hambrick |
03-24-2010 |
Commentary
Utah Legislative Wrap-Up 2010new
This past legislative session, which ended March 11, Rep. Mark Wheatley ran a resolution urging school districts to consider building “green” schools whenever possible.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Josh Loftin |
03-23-2010 |
Commentary
Damn! I Wish I Was a Republican

To guts, glory, and the Party of No. May we learn from them.
Maui Time |
Ted Rall |
03-18-2010 |
Commentary
The New Normal: Once It's Policy, There's No Going Backnew
The sausage-making spectacle of the past year has produced a convoluted, forest-killing mess. The process was infuriating: the foot-dragging, the futile hand-holding of Republican "moderates," the ego-stroking, the backroom deals, the summer of Tea Parties.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Jeffrey C. Billman |
03-16-2010 |
Commentary
Aqua Velva Man: Success Means Never Having to Say You're Sorrynew

“Well, I’m not apologizing for anything,” said Mit Romney. (Mit downsized his name at the same time he downsized his domiciles, so people would forget that he is the richest guy to ever run for president.)
Salt Lake City Weekly |
D.P. Sorensen |
03-16-2010 |
Commentary
The Barrett vs. Walker Gubernatorial Cage Match is On and Full of Promisenew
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker really wants to be governor of Wisconsin. So does Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. In order to win over the hearts and minds of voters, they're making plans and promises, many of which may seem awesome... but only at first blush.
Isthmus |
Emily Mills |
03-15-2010 |
Commentary
Fort Worth and Dallas Filed a Joint Application for Federal Funds but Dallas Got the Nodnew
Although Fort Worth and Dallas had submitted a joint application for modern streetcar lines, the U.S. Department of Transportation handed $23 million to Dallas and not a red cent to Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Dan McGraw |
03-07-2010 |
Commentary
Are Liberals Smarter? Ask Some Recent Studiesnew
A widely debated study published in the current issue of the scientific journal Social Psychology Quarterly tries to explain why most of us attach ourselves to broad political concepts like liberalism and conservatism and embrace different social and religious values.
Arkansas Times |
Ernest Dumas |
03-04-2010 |
Commentary
Do Primary Voting Numbers Spell a GOP Trend?new
Say these words: Governor Rick Perry, four more years. Why are we predicting the return of Mr. Hot Hair to office? Well, he's leading the polls in his primary race and, so far, turnout in the GOP primary appears to be running higher than Democratic turnout.
Dallas Observer |
Patrick Williams |
03-01-2010 |
Commentary
How Suburban Voters are Sabotaging the Governments They Seek to Reformnew
Suburban mobs throughout the region have vandalized local institutions in their own way. They have hurled rhetorical bricks at their local governments, and hauled their neighbors from town hall offices, gleefully setting fire to the positions those individuals previously occupied.
Artvoice |
James A. Gardner |
02-26-2010 |
Commentary
Loose Lips: Washington, D.C.'s Dwindling Coffers and DCision 2010new

How deep does the pain go? For the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30, Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi is already projecting a $200 million-plus deficit... or enough to run the Department of Mental Health.
Washington City Paper |
Mike DeBonis |
02-25-2010 |
Commentary
Political Animals: Sarahmania Hits Houstonnew
There were many things to take away from the recent whirlwind visit to Houston of the woman who is ostentatiously keeping open the possibility of running for President in 2012, just in case the nation demands it.
Houston Press |
Richard Connelly |
02-23-2010 |
Commentary
Obama Will Likely Be Our Next Lincolnnew
Ultimately I think that Barack Obama will be considered one of the great presidents. He has the intellectual ability to see what the problems are and what might be done about them. That’s a big start, compared to the last president. There’s a problem, however.
Random Lengths News |
Lionel Rolfe |
02-22-2010 |
Commentary
Is State Rep. Matt Shea the Craziest Right-Wingnut in Washington?new

Washington State Rep. Matt Shea is very busy down in Olympia. That's probably why he's been unable to discuss with us why he thinks Obama is Hitler, if not merely Stalin, or explain his belief in the planned takeover of America by a secret Obama army.
Seattle Weekly |
Rick Anderson |
02-22-2010 |
Commentary
With Voter IDs, Republicans Push to Stamp Out a Nonexistent Threatnew

Perhaps nowhere else in the country does the idea of forcing a voter to flash a photo ID at the polls find such a comfortable foothold among Republicans than in the South. Consider it part of an uninterrupted history when it comes to voting rights there.
Columbia Free Times |
Corey Hutchins |
02-19-2010 |
Commentary