A U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that the board of commissioners in Forsyth County, North Carolina, can no longer begin its meetings with
Author: Gloria Shur Bilchik
Gloria Shur Bilchik is a freelance writer and community volunteer in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the editor of Occasional Planet. She views the preservation of democratic values and progressive programs as vital to making the US a humane, livable place for her children and grandchildren.
Culprits in housing bubble get to decide U.S. credit rating. Really?
The second act of the theatrical tragic-comedy known as “The Debt-Ceiling Show” is about to begin. In Act II, Scene 1, the credit-rating agencies—[Lower the]
Balance the federal budget in 3 days? These guys did it!
Put two high-level Republicans, two high-level Democrats and a politically savvy moderator around a table for three days, and what do you get? Heated,
Wising up to ALEC: better late than never
A new website—ALEC Exposed—is shedding much-needed light on the politically conservative American Legislative Exchange Council [ALEC]. Launched on July 13, 2011 by the Center
Confessions of a ReUseIt junkie
I have too much stuff. My suburban home houses only two people, but we’re both pack-rats who (confession) buy way too much stuff and
Healthcare history: Fighting infections & resistance to change
Today’s battle between science and willful ignorance is not new. Scientists have always had to struggle against entrenched, non-empirical beliefs, as well as resistance
(Other) (non-Illinois) governors behind bars
Rod Blagojevich and the other Illinois governors jailed for corruption are not alone. They’ve dominated the headlines lately, but 20th and 21st Century American
13 new state laws progressives can applaud
Thanks to some smart and courageous state legislators around the country, the progressive agenda actually inched forward in 2011. Yes, you read that correctly:
Honor Flight: Remembering, wondering
My Southwest Airlines “A” boarding pass on flight #427 from Baltimore to Albany lost its advantage last week, as I was bumped to the
Info overload: 10 newsy bits too good to miss
Filed under TMI: Every week, there’s just too much information on the web, and a lot of stuff just gets lost in the shuffle.