AltWeeklies Wire
Are Bailouts Just a Rationale for the Mother of All Spending Sprees?new
Most people remember the controversy over the $700 billion bailout package the week it was passed in Congress. They are probably less familiar with the additional $800 billion bailout program the Federal Reserve launched under the radar two weeks ago while everyone was chomping on turkey.
Creative Loafing (Charlotte) |
Tara Servatius |
12-10-2008 |
Economy
The Time for the Military's Gay-Purging Policy Has Come and Gonenew
As Barack Obama has said, Don't Ask, Don't Tell is counterproductive, particularly in wartime -- and thanks to the reckless foreign policies of our extremely lame lame-duck president, which has stretched our forces nearly to the snapping point, the U.S. military needs all the able-bodied men and women it can get.
San Diego CityBeat |
Editorial |
12-10-2008 |
LGBT
Don't Believe the Hype: Clean Coal Still Pollutesnew
To call today's coal "clean" requires a handful of mind-erasing psycho-somethings and a magic carpet ride to Fairyland. It's true -- the potential to burn coal far cleaner than in decades past is now here. But the best devices are expensive and only in use at a few power plants across the country.
Charleston City Paper |
Stratton Lawrence |
12-10-2008 |
Environment
Idaho ICE Raid Sparks Dialoguenew
In the wake of an immigration raid at a Nampa, Idaho factory, a Latina group sits down to enchiladas with ICE.
Boise Weekly |
Nathaniel Hoffman |
12-10-2008 |
Immigration
Legislating Energy Affordability in Idahonew
While utilities in surrounding states fund programs to help the poor pay their power bills, in Idaho that is considered discriminatory. One group of advocates for low-income people aims to change that and utility regulators are warming to the idea.
Boise Weekly |
Nathaniel Hoffman |
12-10-2008 |
Economy
Doctors Without Borders' Mary Jo Frawley is a Collector of Lessonsnew
Frawley, 53, pays close attention whenever and however she can to what someone in front of her or some new experience may be teaching her.
OC Weekly |
Daffodil J. Altan |
12-09-2008 |
International
The Nation's Oldest Death Row Inmate Will Never Be Executednew
Officially, the state of Arizona still wants to put Leroy Nash to death, but the odds of Nash actually ever being executed seem to be less than slim.
Phoenix New Times |
Paul Rubin |
12-09-2008 |
Crime & Justice
A Bailout is Needed, but a New New Deal Would be Betternew
Why not create something like the old New Deal, which put millions to work doing everything from building post offices to writing nature guides. Ours would be more limited, however; we could call it the Michigan Infrastructure Corps. We are going to be paying out billions in unemployment insurance anyway. Why shouldn't we get something out if it?
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
12-09-2008 |
Economy
In Texas, Restitution for Victims is Nothing but a State-Sanctioned Scamnew
More than 90 percent of Texas parolees walk away without paying off what the state ordered them to.
Houston Press |
Chris Vogel |
12-09-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Escaping Baghdad and Finding Refuge in Metro Detroitnew
Hundreds of Iraqis have resettled in metro Detroit during the last two years as the United States finally opened to these refugees of the war in Iraq. This year, more than 2,000 Iraqis are expected to flock here. These are some of their stories.
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
12-09-2008 |
Immigration
Is California's Gay-Marriage Ban Sparking a New Generation of LGBT Activists?new
Misty Harvey has become a gay-rights leader by default. When Prop. 8 passed last month in California -- taking away same-sex marriage rights given to state residents in May -- Harvey sought a way to protest.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Marty Levine |
12-08-2008 |
LGBT
Money, Arrogance and Stupidity = Disaster for American Auto Industrynew
Chapter 11 does not mandate that the Big 3 close their doors. It mandates that they restructure and cut costs, just like the airlines did. Yet the Big 3 continue to be bullheaded and refuse to consider this option.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jennifer Hadley |
12-08-2008 |
Business & Labor
To Hell with the Economy! The Lawless Exotic Rental Car Industry Keeps Rollingnew
Many cars in South Florida's exotic-for-a-day trade are illegal. The cars' real owners make under-the-table deals with brokers, but most brokers don't have proper rental insurance, so the deal constitutes insurance fraud.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-08-2008 |
Business & Labor
California's Prop. 8 Defeat: A Bungled Campaignnew
The single biggest reason for the Proposition 8 loss was an ineffective and inept campaign strategy by the leadership of the No on 8 campaign.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Terry Leftgoff |
12-08-2008 |
LGBT
Falling Oil Prices Raise the Pressure on Irannew
Unlike the quasi-effective Security Council sanctions of the past, the U.S. and its allies finally have good leverage on Iran. It would be a diplomatic misfortune if the next U.S. president could not see that in this time of peril, there could also be a moment of promise for peace in the Middle East.
Ventura County Reporter |
Jesse Aizenstat |
12-08-2008 |
International
