AltWeeklies Wire
Birther Icon Orly Taitz Faces Some Uncomfortable Questionsnew
Unwittingly, Florida criminal-defense attorney Bradford Cohen had entered a world known to some as “The Birtherverse,” where Barack Obama isn’t considered an American citizen and the planets revolve around Orange County dentist-turned-lawyer Orly Taitz.
Vicente Fox Speaks to Santa Barbaranew
A wave of silent respect swept over the crowd at Fess Parker’s Grand Ballroom on Friday morning as former President of Mexico Vicente Fox took the podium and gave his views on topics ranging from legalizing drugs to the future of North America.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Jordan Miller |
02-22-2010 |
Politics
Tea Time? Who are These People and What Do They Want?new

The Tea Partiers say that they are a bipartisan group with conservative and Libertarian ideals. They want to get back to God and the Constitution. They say they are Republicans and Democrats alike, but we were not able to find any Democrats associated with the Tea Party.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
02-18-2010 |
Politics
Council Investigation Finds Marion Barry Took Kickbacksnew
Attorney Bob Bennett this week presented the findings of a seven-month investigation into D.C. Council contracts and earmarks - a probe prompted by the shenanigans of Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry this summer.
Washington City Paper |
Mike DeBonis |
02-18-2010 |
Politics
Whose Fault Is Scott Lee Cohen? A Reporter Becomes a Scapegoatnew

One hard look at the permanent record of the Democratic Party's new nominee for lieutenant governor — a look that might have been more profitably taken a week before the primary rather — and all voices rose as one. Why do we even have this useless office?
Chicago Reader |
Michael Miner |
02-16-2010 |
Politics
Nepotism, Cronyism and Turmoil at the Housing Authority of Maricopa Countynew

It started with the boss' brother. Doug Lingner had been executive director of the Housing Authority of Maricopa County for just two months when he hired his brother to repair a carport at the agency's Seventh Street complex. Total cost: $2,000.
Phoenix New Times |
Sarah Fenske |
02-16-2010 |
Politics
Memphis Politicians Have Been Accounting for Some of the Local Stormsnew

The most attention-getting circumstances were undoubtedly the unexpected announcement by Sheriff Mark Luttrell that he would be running for Shelby County mayor and the weekend kickoff of former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton's 9th District congressional campaign.
The Memphis Flyer |
Jackson Baker |
02-12-2010 |
Politics
Vermont Legislators Admit Cheating the System... Are They Justified?new
State Rep. David Zuckerman (P-Burlington) has a confession to make that might sound to some like political suicide. He bills taxpayers for his “mileage” to and from the Statehouse — as much as $152 a week — even on days when he gets a ride with fellow lawmakers or lobbyists.
Seven Days |
Andy Bromage |
02-05-2010 |
Politics
In Memorium of the Anti-War Warrior: Howard Zinn, 1922-2010new

Howard Zinn was like a daddy to Boston University students of the Vietnam War era. The author of A People's History of the United States has been revered by generations of students, reviled by more conventional academics, and, mostly, re-read.
Boston Phoenix |
Raymond Mungo |
02-04-2010 |
Politics
Man Sparks 'Louisiana Watergate' After Allegedly Gaining Access to Senator's Phonenew
A man arrested for his involvement in a bungled Watergate-style phone-tapping of U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu's office was once the editor of a monthly conservative publication at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Joseph Basel, 24, was arrested in connection with the bizarre incident.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Kevin Hoffman |
02-03-2010 |
Politics
Will a Big-Name Dem Run Away With the Attorney General's Race?new
You might intuit Rep. Jackie Speier, the frosh congresswoman from the Peninsula, doesn't like her new job in Washington, D.C. - if, before her first full term is even up, her name is appearing in a poll for another elected office.
'Cannabis Closet': One Utah Legislator Steps Outnew
A local activist identified the first legislator who is willing to speak openly about the medical benefits of the Earth's most controversial herbal remedy: marijuana. "We're pro-neutraceutical here [in Utah]," says Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Jesse Fruhwirth |
02-02-2010 |
Politics
Gunning For the Job: Todd Evans for El Paso County Sheriffnew
Todd Evans, the Republican Party's leading candidate for El Paso County sheriff, tried pot as a teen, twice shot suspects, and currently runs security for Colorado Springs Christian Schools while also serving as a bodyguard for a movie star he won't name.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Pam Zubeck |
02-02-2010 |
Politics
Professor Helps Mainstream a New White Supremacist Political Partynew
At that summer IHR meeting, professor Kevin MacDonald began shedding his regular-guy façade. And with his introductions to Freedom 14 and other local neo-Nazis at that conference, he began the first steps toward emerging as a full-fledged bigot.
Supreme Court Ruling Could Influence Connecticut Campaign Lawnew
The new U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning federal bans on corporate political spending is creating a firestorm of protest, and disagreements here in Connecticut about how it might impact legal challenges to this state's landmark public campaign financing program.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
01-26-2010 |
Politics