AltWeeklies Wire
Are We at a Turning Point, or Another Stalemate, on Iraq?new
Five-plus years after the invasion of Iraq and two years after Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold first called for a troop-withdrawal timetable, the U.S. may be shifting its military and diplomatic strategy in the Middle East -- maybe. "We could have been out of there a long time ago," Feingold told the Shepherd Express last week. "And in a much better position as a nation, both in terms of our economy and national security, if we had done this earlier."
Shepherd Express |
Lisa Kaiser |
08-01-2008 |
War
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
Memo to McCain: Offshore Drilling Won't Reduce Gas Pricesnew
McCain -- who has accepted more than $1 million from Big Oil donors -- is hoping that voters who are outraged by the high cost of gas will support his desire to find new domestic sources of oil and natural gas. But according to the "official energy statistics" from the federal government's Energy Information Administration, there isn't enough oil in the "off-limits" offshore areas to make a dent in world supplies or the cost of gas.
Shepherd Express |
Lisa Kaiser |
07-25-2008 |
Environment
An Amateur Photographer Follows the Obama Trailnew
While many people started following the election much earlier, I began to literally follow it in August of 2007. The Democrats were invading Soldier Field. I had just started working at my school newspaper and had begun my senior year at Columbia College. I decided to try and use whatever swagger this position offered me and try to get into the big debate.
Chicago Newcity |
Tim Hunt |
07-09-2008 |
Media
Protecting Obama from Gay Marriage Politicsnew

In the aftermath of the California Supreme Court victory, as many gay couples across the country have become emboldened to start fighting, a holding pattern is emerging in gay advocacy circles. GLAAD, Lambda Legal and several other prominent gay-rights organizations have been circulating a pamphlet called "Make Change, Not Lawsuits."
L.A. Weekly |
Matthew Fleischer |
06-20-2008 |
LGBT
It's Time for the Press to Cover John McCain Againnew

From his Islam problem to hints of misogyny, here are ten places for political reporters to start.
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Reilly |
05-15-2008 |
Media
Can This Election Season's News Coverage Get Any Dumber?new
It's cheaper and easier to talk about the ravings of some South Side Chicago preacher than it is to discuss the economic reasons why lifting the gas tax for a month would only cause consumers to see pennies while the oil companies rake in billions. Stupid sells. Policy doesn't.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
05-13-2008 |
Media
How Seriously Should We Take Rush Limbaugh's Fantasies of Riots in Denver?new

Anyone who dismisses the syndicated talk-show host as a credibility-free joke does so at his own peril. Although he's embarrassed and contradicted himself plenty of times during recent years, he still attracts an audience estimated at 13.5 million people per week.
Our Presidential Candidates Won't Talk About the Death of Cities -- Will Our Governors?new
Americans tend to believe that sprawl is a natural consequence of "free market" forces when, in fact, it is a consequence of governmental decision-making. Alas, the people who would lead our national government are not addressing sprawl. That means that the long-avoided discussions America ought to have on race, climate change, energy, highway construction, and agriculture will all continue to lack a certain element of reality.
Artvoice |
Bruce Fisher |
04-25-2008 |
Housing & Development
What Beauty Pageants Can Teach America About Race Relationsnew
Barack Obama's lightning-fast ascendancy notwithstanding, I wonder if we're placing too much emphasis on his historic run and creating a false barometer by which to measure how far America has come on race relations. Fact is, in contests that are every bit as protracted and ornery as presidential primaries, blacks have been winning for nearly a generation.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Damon Hodge |
04-25-2008 |
Race & Class
Don't Look to Obama or Clinton for Progressive Drug Reformnew

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have far superior drug policy plans than Republican nominee John McCain, who claimed to not even know that many federal raids on state-approved medical marijuana patients have taken place. But neither is the reformer this nation's drug policy needs.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Daniel McQuade |
04-22-2008 |
Drugs
Party Like It's 1929
The "structural recession" was declared in 1992. It's here now.
Sexism: 'The Problem with No Name' Rears its Headnew
Hillary Clinton is being told to step aside so Obama can take his rightful place as the Democratic candidate. Excuse me? We can run for office, but we can't fight like hell or even win?
Pasadena Weekly |
Ellen Snortland |
04-07-2008 |
The War on Women
Against the War? Shun the Democrats & Push Peace Dealnew
Many of the most prominent antiwar voices say that if activists want to end the war, they should simply pick a candidate who is not John McCain and help them win. They can sort out the details after the Republicans are evicted from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This is a serious strategic mistake.
NOW Magazine |
Naomi Klein and Jeremy Scahill |
03-28-2008 |
War