AltWeeklies Wire
A Field Guide to Chinese Oppressionnew
Though Beijing's enemies are way too numerous to list, consider the following four non-Tibetan religious, ethnic, and intellectual minorities a sort of Olympic qualifying heat. In order to advance Beijing's "Harmonious Society" in preparation for the 2008 Games, members of these groups have been locked up, exiled, or have disappeared altogether. Enjoy the synchronized swimming!
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Matthews |
08-07-2008 |
International
Tags: China, Olympics, Tibet, journalism, civil liberties, international, Falun Gong, Uighurs, Mongolians
China, Tibet, and the Olympicsnew
Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman explains the Dalai Lama's political wisdom, the myopia of the Chinese, and the essence of the Olympics.
Boston Phoenix |
Peter Kadzis |
08-07-2008 |
International
Mao's Ghost: The Spirit of the Chairman Haunts the Olympicsnew
Americans should ask themselves, is it in our interests that China today holds $1.2 trillion in reserve assets alone, with billions more invested in US financial institutions and other businesses? And while we ponder that question, we should ask ourselves this: is it prudent for the federal government to spend like a drunken sailor with money borrowed from China?
Boston Phoenix |
Editorial |
08-07-2008 |
International
Political Humor is No Longer Welcome in Academianew
For close to two decades, academia has been in the grips of a political-correctness fury that has strangled the sense of humor that was once the campus's best-known calling card. So if you're wondering why Barack Obama had such a surprisingly negative reaction to that New Yorker cover, consider the Harvard Factor.
Boston Phoenix |
Harvey Silverglate |
07-31-2008 |
Civil Liberties
Why is the Press Playing Along with GOP Smears of Obama?new
The GOP is smearing Barack Obama as a narcissist, hitting him repeatedly with the charge that he has a vanity problem. So why is the press playing along?
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Reilly |
07-31-2008 |
Media
Where Has All the Gonzo Gone?new
In the first presidential election since the death of Hunter S. Thompson, we finally realize what we've lost.
Boston Phoenix |
Mike Miliard |
07-31-2008 |
Media
State House Sex Scandal Reveals Pitfalls of Reporting on Mental Illnessnew
While the Boston press clearly thinks Jim Marzilli's mental condition is newsworthy, the question of why it's important -- and how it should be covered -- has remained unanswered.
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Reilly |
07-31-2008 |
Media
Does Boston Hate Its Copsnew
A secret survey shows just how low the Boston Police Department’s reputation had sunk two years ago. Is the mayor listening? And has anything improved?
Boston Phoenix |
David S. Bernstein |
07-17-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Reality Paycheck at the Boston Globenew
Rumor has it that the Boston Globe is primed to ask its staff to do the same work for less pay. And it just might happen.
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Reilly |
07-10-2008 |
Media
Mass Gun Laws Now Target for Debatenew
Good news, Bostonians: you can own guns! The bad news: so can your weird neighbor.
Boston Phoenix |
Kim Liao |
07-03-2008 |
Civil Liberties
Tags: civil liberties
Taking a Shot at the Supreme Courtnew
This past week's Supreme Court ruling, invalidating Washington, DC's handgun ban, demonstrates just how far afield "movement conservatism" has taken our country.
Boston Phoenix |
Editorial |
07-03-2008 |
Civil Liberties
The 2008 Muzzles: Collegiate Divisionnew
In reality, college campuses are home to some of the most outrageous cases of censorship.
Boston Phoenix |
Harvey Silverglate |
06-26-2008 |
Civil Liberties
Tags: civil liberties
The 2008 Phoenix Muzzle Awardsnew

Freedom of expression may be guaranteed by the Constitution, but it's an idea we have to fight for every day. We round up the past year's most conspicuous enemies.
Boston Phoenix |
Dan Kennedy |
06-26-2008 |
Civil Liberties
Is Anybody Paying Attention to McClatchy's Powerful Guantanamo Expose?new
With this past week's publication of a series on the Kafka-esque detention of thousands of foreign nationals following 9/11, the hybrid McClatchy–Knight Ridder DC operation is enjoying its biggest achievement to date.
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Reilly |
06-26-2008 |
Media
Debating the High-School 'Pregnancy Pact' Won't Make Teen Pregnancy Surge Disappearnew

There are limits to what social programs and education can accomplish. Teen pregnancies -- desired or not -- will never disappear. But, as the nation's 15-year successful track record indicates, they can be controlled.
Boston Phoenix |
Editorial |
06-26-2008 |
Sex