Contaminated Water Supplies, Health Concerns Accumulate With Fracking Boom in Pennsylvania Roger Drouin, Truthout: As the first official research is published that confirms water contamination by hydraulic fracturing, an alarmingly large array of hazardous chemicals and compounds - including arsenic, chloride, barium and radium - are found in Pennsylvania groundwater. Read the Article Google for Media? How Big Tech Is Shaping Journalism Toshio Meronek, Truthout: When Chevron launched its "community-driven news" site, the Richmond Standard, in January, locals were right to be skeptical. We are just entering the era when high-tech companies own, control and actively participate in mainstream media. Is that a good thing? Read the Article Elizabeth Warren's Post Office Proposal Ellen Brown, Web of Debt: Postal Loans and Postal Cards are only two of a suite of non-bank financial services that have been proposed that could result in substantial savings for the poor, while at the same time generating much-needed profits for the struggling Postal Service itself. Read the Article The West's Coming Tragedy of the Commons Sheila D. Collins, Truthout: Both John Wesley Powell in 1878 and FDR in the 1930s warned about the California and Colorado Basin droughts. Each proposed ecological solutions that Congress ignored. We are now beginning to reap the consequences. Read the Article Realistic Left Politics in Texas Robert Jensen and Patrick Youngblood, Truthout: In Texas and everywhere else, when organizing around such critical issues as climate change, inequality and US foreign policy, a realistic politics should challenge not only obvious opponents on the right but untrustworthy allies in the center. Read the Article New York City's Charter School Showdown Reignites National Debate on Privatized Education Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Democracy Now!: The battle over charter schools is heating up after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio blocked three privately run charter schools from using rent-free space inside public schools. Watch the Video and Read the Transcript Federal Privatization and the Expensive Philosophy of the Circular A-76 Process Ellen Dannin, Truthout: Federal policies since 1966 have mandated privatizing public work under a rubric of saving taxpayer dollars and preventing government from "competing" with its citizens. But how much has this policy actually saved? Read the Article Warning Signs: How Pesticides Harm the Young Brain Susan Freinkel, The Nation: The pathbreaking Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study has detected developmental problems in children born to mothers who toiled in California's treated fields - but will anything change? Read the Article Oil Industry Conjures Illusion of Public Support for KXL Using ALEC Politicians Nick Surgey, PR Watch: Hundreds of state legislators have been lining up in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline, seemingly just as passionate and as heartfelt as those opposed to the project. But many legislators have been tasked with promoting the project by oil industry lobbyists who provide them with model bills, talking points and draft op-eds. Read the Article Debt Collectors Go After Service Members Despite Protections Daniel Wagner, Center for Public Integrity: Debt collectors are targeting members of the Armed Services by calling their superior officers, threatening reduction in rank and even courts-martial, despite stepped-up efforts to protect them from abuse, according to a government report issued last week. Read the Article Why Does More "Security" Keep Leading to More Violence Against Women? Laura Carlsen, Americas Program: Militarism is a classic expression of a patriarchal system. It strips us of our rights and agency in the name of fear, arguing the need for protection of the weak, among them women. It is antidemocratic and imposes a system of hierarchies, secrecy and social control. Read the Article |
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