In the deluge of news, even the most dedicated junkie can miss a few intriguing items now and then. Occasional Planet’s sidebar feature, “Occasional
Latina moms take on Chicago Public Schools—and win
On September 15 of this year, police surrounded a field house at Whittier Dual-Language Elementary School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Andy Donakowski of In
The five best-paying government jobs
Are government workers overpaid? According to many observers, the notion that government workers are living high on the hog is a myth [as reported
President Obama as teacher-in-chief
We’ve all heard the story about the emperor having no clothes. Now we’re hearing more from “the Great Communicator” who has trouble communicating his
Faith Advocates for Jobs Campaign helps unemployed people organize
The unemployed need support, and they need a voice in Washington. In response to these needs, the Rev. Paul Sherry of the Washington DC
Of human rights, water rights and the rights of Mother Earth
When Eleanor Roosevelt helped draft and gain acceptance for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR], she started something big. Adopted by the fledgling
Wage theft: Covert crime against workers, in St. Louis, too
Many businesses are increasing their bottom line by not paying their workers all of their legally earned wages. They are stealing wages from lower paid
Franzen’s “Freedom” takes on our obsession with personal liberty
The hype surrounding the release of Jonathan Franzen’s latest novel, Freedom, dazzled book lovers everywhere, even if [conservative pundit] David Brooks was less than
100 words on: fair wages, cutting the cable cord, progress, net neutrality
In Occasional Planet’s “<100 Words” slot, contributors can cheer for, gripe about, react to, and/or simply muse on the news of the day—as long
St. Louis progressives pull together to improve on-line and on-the-street presence
A diverse group of more than 65 progressive bloggers and activists gathered on Saturday, Dec. 11 to pool their ideas for more effective ways