VIDEO Dr. George Tiller: The loss of a hero
Dr. George Tiller wanted to be a dermatologist. But when his physician father died, Dr. Tiller temporarily took over his father’s family practice in Wichita.
Progressives in Washington have wind at their backs
WASHINGTON — Thousands of progressive leaders and activists who have descended on this town this week for the America’s Future Now conference are having to adjust to something new. A delegate who has been coming to the meeting of leading labor, political and social justice activists for years put it this way: “For the first time the nation’s capital doesn’t feel like occupied territory. The White House, the Congress, the federal government — it’s all different now with the Bush occupation forces gone.”
Assassin part of shadow anti-choice terror network
The assassination of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas, this week has sent waves of revulsion across the country, renewing fears of escalating violence at reproductive health care clinics across the nation. It has also prompted a fresh look at the network of anti-abortion activists who have long used violence in their efforts to make abortion, if not illegal, then at least effectively inaccessible to most American women.
Mainers rally for single-payer health care
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine people came out May 30 in support of single-payer health care. Some 300 of them joined a rally outside the Statehouse here on a day that demonstrations for John Conyers' Medicare for All bill, HR 676, were taking place in 50 other U.S. cities.
Immigrant rights leaders launch national campaign for reform
CHICAGO — A broad coalition of Illinois immigrant rights groups, community organizations, elected officials, faith, labor and business leaders launched a Reform Immigration For America national campaign here June 1.
US gets 60 per cent stake in carmaker
General Motors have filed for bankruptcy, giving the US government a majority ownership stake in the century-old corporation. It is the largest industrial bankruptcy in US history and the third-largest overall, after Lehman Brothers and telecoms firm Worldcom.
In hard-times Flint, free clinic sets example for universal health care
FLINT, Mich. — “It’s a sad story,” said Dr. Rima Kudish, as she talked about the devastating effect the economic crisis is having on residents of this city and the surrounding county. Kudish is executive director of the Genesee County Free Medical Clinic here, and she sees the effects of our health care crisis on a daily basis.
Franken asks Minnesota Supreme Court for certification as senator
Former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman appealed today to the Minnesota Supreme Court, asking it to throw out a unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel that his rival, Democrat Al Franken, defeated him by 312 votes last Nov. 4. For his part, Franken asked the state’s highest court to reject Coleman’s appeal and hand down an order that he deserves to be certified immediately and sworn into office as Minnesota’s second duly elected Senator. When Franken is seated, the Democrats will have a 60 seat supermajority, enough to break Republican filibusters, their main strategy for blocking President Obama’s Supreme Court nominees, healthcare with a “public option” and the Employee Free Choice Act.
Americas future requires strong mass movement, progressives declare
This is the first of a series of on-the-spot reports from the America’s Future Now conference. Check back for more. WASHINGTON — Thousands of leading activists in progressive organizations have gathered in this city today for the opening of the America's Future Now conference. Energized by last year's elections, they are mapping plans to build what they are calling a massive mobilization of independent forces to fight the special interests standing in the way of President Obama's progressive agenda.
Chavez: Under socialism ownership is legal
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced a smear campaign aimed at distorting the course of social justice in the process of changes he has led since 1999. The president warned in his Sunday column, Las lineas de Chavez, of the attempt to make the population believe they will lose their homes, cars or 'anything legally owned through effort and work such as property.'
