AltWeeklies Wire
How the Nuclear Double Standard Endangers Us Allnew
As long as the U.S. and other nuclear powers hypocritically uphold a double standard in which we claim nuclear weapons are essential for our national security, but other nations such as Iran are not allowed to make this claim, we are probably in a losing struggle for the cause of disarmament
Pasadena Weekly |
John Grula |
10-19-2009 |
Commentary
Barbara Ehrenreich's Latest Book Tackles Our Oppressive Optimismnew
Rather than focus on some particular tool of oppression that's misled the masses into believing they're happy, in Bright-Sided Ehrenreich trains her ire on happiness itself.
Chicago Reader |
Noah Berlatsky |
10-19-2009 |
Nonfiction
Palin for President? Colorado Springs-Based PAC Says: You Betcha!new
One Colorado Springs library district worker spends up to 20 hours a week collecting money and mailing political paraphernalia as part of his federal political action committee's effort to persuade Sarah Palin to run.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Pam Zubeck |
10-16-2009 |
Politics
Zen and the Art of Guitar Feedback: A Quarter Century of Yo La Tengonew
Yo La Tengo's artistic philosophy becomes clearer in Ira Kaplan's Zen-like calm. During our conversation he is relaxed, measured, and thoughtful, and appears almost wholly uninterested in the theoretical -- and the business surrounding the band.
The Portland Mercury |
Andrew R Tonry |
10-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Law Abiding Citizen' is the Silliest Episode of 'Law & Order' Evernew
Whoever to combine torture porn with an indictment of our legal system should be chopped limb from limb.
The Portland Mercury |
Courtney Ferguson |
10-16-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Law Abiding Citizen, F. Gary Gray
The Globe-Straddling Music of South Africa's BLK JKS Transcends Racenew
When a quartet of black South Africans reclaims that whitest of white genres -- progressive rock, long the bastion of pimply tech-heads and doughy shut-ins -- the predominately Caucasian world of indie rock sits up and takes notice.
The Portland Mercury |
Ned Lannamann |
10-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: After Robots, BLK JKS
The Assassination of Deputy Abel Escalantenew
A young father had nothing to do with LAPD's killing of Danny Leon last year. The 27-year-old officer most likely heard about it on the news, like everyone else. But, federal prosecutors believe, Escalante died for it.
L.A. Weekly |
Christine Pelisek |
10-16-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Documentary 'Taqwacore' Examines Muslim Punk Musiciansnew
Director Omar Majeed doesn't try to hide the artists' laziness and contradictory ideologies. His film embraces the musicians for the confused, irresponsible, sometimes delusional yet often admirable punks that they are.
NOW Magazine |
Radheyan Simonpillai |
10-16-2009 |
Reviews
How Alicia Silverstone Made Me Vegannew
The Kind Diet is a cookbook, yes, but the first half is dedicated to a surprisingly readable, occasionally affably ditzy, and heartfelt argument as to why one should consider the benefits of a "plant-based diet," which -- unbelievably redundant as it may seem -- is the politically correct way of saying "vegan."
The Portland Mercury |
Marjorie Skinner |
10-16-2009 |
Nonfiction
She's 101 Years Old and She Has 800+ Twitter Followers: Meet @grandmaflorencenew
Florence Hasegawa's tweets are ruminations on everything from family to food to whether she fears death (she doesn't).
Analyzing the Media's Lazy Reporting on ACORNnew
The current causus belli is ACORN's alleged promotion of voter registration fraud and voter fraud during the 2008 election campaign. That continuing assault and news media complicity are the subjects of an independent media study by Peter Dreier and Christopher Martin.
Cincinnati CityBeat |
Ben L. Kaufman |
10-16-2009 |
Commentary
Old Lights' David Beeman Gets by with a Little Help from His Friendsnew
Old Lights played its first official gig in April of this year, and after only about fifteen shows, the band has become one of the most talked-about -- and most promising -- new bands to emerge from St. Louis in the last few years.
Riverfront Times |
Christian Schaeffer |
10-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Feds Bust Twitterer, Impound Fuzzy Dolls and Buffy Videos in War on Terrornew
Elliot Madison's real crime, it seems, is being a self-proclaimed anarchist, which is no more illegal than being a self-proclaimed Democrat or Lutheran. His tweets were not more informative or subversive than MSNBC's live coverage of the G-20 protests.
Artvoice |
Michael I. Niman |
10-16-2009 |
Civil Liberties
How Canada Got Caught in an Afghan Election That Doesn't Add Upnew
The news on the Afghan election, backed so earnestly by Canada and its $35 million contribution, has gone from terrible to tragic.
NOW Magazine |
Paul Weinberg |
10-16-2009 |
International
Blogger Busted: Free Speech Goes on Trial in Central Illinoisnew
Scott Humphrey, a 57-year-old man from Springfield, Ill., faces four criminal misdemeanor charges for two specific online statements that he made on a political blog. Sources say civil suits and criminal charges will increasingly be used to stop speech on the internet.
Illinois Times |
Amanda Robert |
10-15-2009 |
Media
