Albuquerque turns out for health care reform
Braving over 95 degree heat, more than 2,000 Albuquerquians turned out for a town hall meeting sponsored by Rep. Martin Heinrich of the 1st congressional district of New Mexico, most of whom were in support of health care reform and the public option.
Protests grow over big oil forgery scandal
The corporate-Republican fabrication of fake 'public opposition' to clean energy (as well as health care reform) has become so aggressive and mendacious that the Sierra Club responded by launching an online 'Liar, liar, pants on fire' campaign.
New Orleans infrastructure still in disrepair
Four years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, New Orleans still lacks adequate basic infrastructure. Striking the city in late August 2005, Katrina left more than three quarters of New Orleans underwater, causing severe damage to public services, roads, and essential utilities.
The ugly stain of Republican politics and Judge Sotomayor
The confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor as the first Latina and third woman ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme court should be regarded with a deep sense of satisfaction by all lovers of justice in this country.
Celebrating Justice Sotomayor
Something historic happened today, Aug. 8. The first Latina, and only third woman, justice of the Supreme Court was sworn into office. And people celebrated, despite every attempt to drag Justice Sonia Sotomayor through the mud.
Native Americans celebrate history, struggle in northwest
'Paddle to Suquamish” Aug. 1-11 was a dramatic sign that the Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest are in the midst of a cultural reawakening. Participation continues to grow 20 years after “Paddle to Seattle,” the first tribal canoe journey in 1989 commemorating the 100 anniversary of the founding of Seattle. This year, delegations of Native Hawaiians, and Maoris from New Zealand joined “Paddle to Suquamish.”
National summit on careers in the arts for people with disabilities
Washington, D.C. — More than 70 percent of people with disabilities are not in the labor force, and those who wish to pursue a career in the arts face difficult challenges. On July 22-24, the National Endowment for the Arts convened the National Summit on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
LA workers vote to protect them from layoffs, furloughs
Some 22,000 city workers are voting on a labor deal that would protect them from layoffs and furloughs but keep them from receiving pay raises until 2011, to help the city reduce its $530 million budget deficit. Members of the Coalition of L.A. City Unions began casting ballots last week. The results will be announced Wednesday.
The status of immigration reform today
Immigration reform of some sort is underway, but it is running a zigzag course of small positive moves and other very negative ones. Labor and immigrants’ rights organizations are asking that grassroots activism and pressure be massively increased for a reform that provides justice to immigrant workers.
The impact of homophobia in virtual communities
A few weeks ago there was a group established on Facebook called 'I hate gays' which openly advocated killing gay people. When the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) sent a report through Facebook's built in reporting system and then urged its Facebook and Twitter followers to do the same, the user was suspended, and the group abandoned and commandeered by pro-gay users in the matter of hours.
