Voter Suppression 101
A look at how voting laws are being subverted to suppress minority participation, and at the resultant degradation of democracy.
Whose Side Is the CIA On?
Is the CIA friend or foe? An excerpt from Douglas Valentine’s recent book helps illuminate an agency that operates in the shadows.
Shuttered Polling Sites Cast Shadow Over Midterm Elections
Georgia has shut down over 200 polling sites since 2014, and a string of recent closures in a predominantly African-American jurisdiction is raising eyebrows as the midterms approach.
Banking on the Public Option: Will LA Lead the Way for People-Owned Banks?
Private banks are driven to increase profits for their shareholders. But what if banks were publicly owned and made their business decisions with the good of the local community in mind? Los Angelenos may put this notion to the test come November.
The Rich Are Loving the Economy — It’s a Different Story for Regular Americans
According to President Donald Trump, the economy is doing stupendous — thanks to him. But the reality on the ground is that American workers have seen better days, back when unions were prevalent and had real leverage.
Let’s Give Trump the Military Parade He Deserves
President Donald Trump has called off plans to hold a military parade… for now. We think it should happen and here is why.
Leave My Culture Alone — Breakthrough on Hearing Not Welcomed by All
Scientists have found a piece of the hearing jigsaw puzzle. But does the deaf community want to be “fixed”?
Quagmire in Afghanistan: 17 Years and Counting
Is there a way forward in Afghanistan? A conversation with Laurel E. Miller, a senior foreign policy expert at RAND.
The Hate Group Next Door
If you are human, you carry the fascism gene, so you might want to read these insightful comments on fascism by various observers, comedians, victims, and even its practitioners.
Restoring Ex-Convicts’ Voting Rights
If you live in Alabama and have a felony record, you’ll probably need a lawyer to help you figure out what “moral turpitude” means — otherwise you may not be allowed to vote. But a new digital tool is helping to clarify the voting rights restoration process for voters with past felony convictions — just in time for the midterm elections.
District Court Rules Against North Carolina Gerrymandering
A North Carolina district court has found the state’s current districts unconstitutional. This could lead to pre-midterms redistricting — though state Republicans may appeal to the US Supreme Court.