AltWeeklies Wire
Have Foreclosures Pacified Minneapolis' Most Dangerous 'Hoods?new
Murder rates are down and sketchy spots are seeing crime overall dip. Could it be because there are simply fewer people to commit crime or be victimized by it?
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Bradley Campbell |
08-06-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Fifty Years Ago, Black Activists Stood Up to Discrimination by Sitting Downnew
When 13 youths requested equal service at Katz Drug Store on Aug. 19, 1958, they tipped off what some say were the first major sustained sit-ins in the American civil rights movement.
Oklahoma Gazette |
Emily Jerman |
08-06-2008 |
Race & Class
No Car, No Problem: One Portland Family Gets Onto Their Bikesnew
When you're joyful that gas has dropped to about $4 per gallon, it’s not hard to figure out why people are giving up on driving. But how easy is it to get rid of owning your car for good?
Willamette Week |
Lillian Hogan |
08-06-2008 |
Transportation
Beijing's Defenses Can't Stop Terrorismnew
The deployment of 100,000 troops around Beijing and the surface-to-air missile batteries that protect the main stadiums couldn't stop two equally determined Uighur militants from killing 16 Chinese police and injuring another 16 in an attack on a border post near Kashgar.
The Georgia Straight |
Gwynne Dyer |
08-06-2008 |
International
Obama and McCain: Torture Enablers
Both presidential candidates say they'll stop torture and close Gitmo. Scratch the surface, though, and their commitment to human rights is less than skin deep.
Maui Time |
Ted Rall |
08-06-2008 |
Crime & Justice
The Queer and the Qur'an: One Man's Struggle with Being a Gay Muslimnew
Ali stays in the shadows, because if he were to come out as a gay Muslim, he would lose things dearer to him than his own life: family, community, identity.
Willamette Week |
Byron Beck |
08-06-2008 |
LGBT
Texas Air National Guard Boots Sick Soldiernew
Just what is any soldier or sailor entitled to if he goes to war for the United States and comes back maimed or sick? Did Jason Franco get any better or worse treatment than if he'd been shot by a sniper instead of enveloped in a haze of carcinogenic fumes? Well yes, no and maybe so.
Houston Press |
Margaret Downing |
08-05-2008 |
War
A Safe Space for Gay Meth Addicts in Santa Ana Struggles to Get Goingnew
If you visit Metheds.org, all you'll see is a white page, black text and a brief explanation: "Metheds. A place about recovery and community. Opening soon in Santa Ana. For more information, contact Ed McKie." But that's all Metheds is right now: an idea, some wishful thinking and a name.
Slideshow: Houston Prepares for Edouardnew
Scenes from Spec's, Home Depot and Kroger on Monday, Aug. 4, the eve of Tropical Storm Edouard's anticipated arrival in Texas.
Houston Press |
Daniel Kramer |
08-05-2008 |
Disasters
Texas Woman Fights Abuse at the State's Schools for the Mentally Retardednew
Her son was beaten up by an angry caregiver at Denton State School.
Dallas Observer |
Jesse Hyde |
08-05-2008 |
Science
Burned by the Gap: Not Everyone Escaped Goleta Blaze Unscathednew
Much of the community breathed a sigh of relief when the Gap Fire entered its final days, having only claimed a few outbuildings and some lemon and avocado orchards. Not everybody was fortunate, however, as residents of the county's wilderness-adjacent communities can attest.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Ben Preston and Kathleen Zaratzian |
08-05-2008 |
Disasters
Living on Scrap: How Two Men Found Their Calling in the Garbagenew
The skyrocketing market for metal is turning into a boom for scrappers, guys who roam the streets searching for metal they can pile into their truck haul to the scrap yard for cold hard cash. Despite having led hard lives and having checkered pasts, Greg and Ron are now making an honest go of it as scrappers.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
08-05-2008 |
Economy
Philly's Rise in HIV Among Young Gay Males Has Led to New Testing Measures ... at Night Clubsnew
Years ago, drawing vials of blood and waiting two weeks for results gave way to a finger-prick or cheek swab and a 20-minute wait. Since today's tests are light on equipment, the process has been moved out of stuffy clinics and into RVs that can be parked in parts of town where incidences of the disease run high.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Tom Namako |
08-05-2008 |
Science
One Year After Minneapolis Bridge Collapse, Are Pennsylvania's Bridges Improved?new
One year later, attention has abated, but the problem hasn't. And despite increased investments, significantly more funding will be needed to repair all of the state's insufficient bridges.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Boyce Upholt |
08-05-2008 |
Transportation
Ronald Hinton May Have Confessed to Rape and Murder, but Did He Really Do It?new
The confession of Hinton, who was convicted of raping a murdering a child, outweighed indications that he might not have done it.
Baltimore City Paper |
Van Smith |
08-05-2008 |
Crime & Justice
