In Occasional Planet\u2019s \u201c<100 Words\u201d slot, contributors can cheer for, gripe about, react to, and\/or simply muse on the news of the day\u2014as long as they restrict their comments to fewer than\u2014of course–100 words. This box will self-destruct and reincarnate once a week. [Word count for this intro: 50]<\/em><\/p>\n

Fair wages<\/strong>: Basic decency and empathy tells us to oppose the \u201cright to work (for less money)\u201d movement in Missouri and elsewhere.\u00a0 However, in unique situations,\u00a0 it might be desirable to allow a worker to undersell his services, but it can\u2019t happen because of labor restrictions or worker peer pressure.\u00a0 Occasional Planet recently reported on how \u201cAlbert Pujols could hit a home run for fiscal responsibility.\u201d<\/a> Greed is not just money; it is a state of mind.\u00a0 Just as poorly paid workers are abused at the expense of their peers, it can also happen to the well-paid. \u2013 Arthur Lieber<\/em><\/p>\n

Cutting the cable cord:<\/strong> According to the New York Times<\/em>, From April Through September, cable and satellite companies had a net loss of about 330,000 customers,<\/a> which industry analysts blame on the weak economy. \u00a0Many of the so-called \u201ccord-cutters\u201d are turning to HD rabbit ears, and\/or using online streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Yesterday, I decided to join the cord-cutter\u2019s club. After a chat with my cable provider, I was cut loose. At first, I felt a little panicked. But after a short bout of hyperventilation, I watched a few segments of Rachel Maddow online, and today I\u2019m fine. Really. \u2014Madonna Gauding<\/em><\/p>\n

Progressive progress:<\/strong> Two developments, one national and one local, that can spell good news for progressives.\u00a0 In Washington, Democrats finally expressed their ire at President Obama for at best not adequately consulting them re. the new tax plan and at worst selling them out.\u00a0 In STL, a new progressive organization, Forward STL, met to coordinate efforts in the blogosphere and elsewhere so make more citizens and members of the mainstream media aware of liberal voices.\u00a0 As Colbert King just wrote in the Washington Post<\/a>, it would be folly to challenge President Obama in 2012.\u00a0 However, progressives are now focusing more on substance. \u2013 Arthur Lieber<\/em><\/p>\n

Net neutrality<\/strong>: Activist bloggers have an opportunity to make real change by mobilizing for a progressive agenda. Last weekend citizen journalists, activists, and concerned citizens met<\/a> to discuss the failings of mainstream media and what we can do about it. Imagine an internet without your voice. Imagine an internet where all your news comes from NBC, CBS, or Fox–and nowhere else. This could be the reality if we don\u2019t act to protect net neutrality from the media conglomerates who seek to profit from your silence. Save the internet<\/a>, keep your voice.\u00a0 –Stacy Mergenthal<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Occasional Planet\u2019s \u201c<100 Words\u201d slot, contributors can cheer for, gripe about, react to, and\/or simply muse on the news of the day\u2014as long<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,715,77,119],"tags":[790],"yoast_head":"\n