The Politics of Danger

Heather Taylor-Miesle, 12.08.2009

Director of the NRDC Action Fund

The EPA decision does more than influence perceptions abroad. It should also garner the attention of another audience here at home -- Congress.

Webcam Of Shame

Jim Kennedy, 11.26.2009

The Webcam of Shame (or "I Am My Brother's Keeper-Cam" or "The Eyes Of God-Cam") would bring the terrible reality of 21st century poverty and disease right into our homes and workplaces.

Being Tough on Crime: Not a Winner in New York City DA's Race

Anthony Papa, 11.21.2009

Author of "15 to Life: How I Painted My Way to Freedom"

If Cy Vance adopts a balanced approach to justice that incorporates compassion, he will go a long way. As for Judge Snyder, I bid her farewell and I wish her ride on a slow boat to China is a good one.

A Job Nobody Wants: In Defense of (Gasp!) Drug Dealers

Mark Olmsted, 11.11.2009

Writer, Ex-Con, Anti-Litter Crusader, www.thetrashwhisperer.blogspot.com

The man at the gas station who hands over Marlboro Lights is never called the scum of the earth. The makers of Oxycontin, Valium, and Vicodin -- the biggest drug dealers in the word -- spend no time in prison cells.

Now It's Our Turn To Stand Up For Clean Energy.

James Boyce, 11.10.2009

Founder Common Sense NMS, dotPAC

With clean energy, as with health care, there is the opposition of a well-funded minority willing to distort, lie, distract and do anything they can to delay action.

Jim Webb Woefully Unaware Of Burma's Problems

U Pyinya Zawta, 10.16.2009

Founding member and the Executive Director in Exile of the All Burma Monks’ Alliance

US Sen Jim Webb recently traveled to Burma to lean not on Burma's military regime, but to pressure my country's democracy movement into giving up economic sanctions--the most important tool in our struggle for freedom.

Aung San Suu Kyi Back in Prison : Now Let's TALK to the Generals.

Virginia M. Moncrieff, 09.16.2009

International Correspondent

In an ending we didn't have to take bets on, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was sent back to the prison that is her own home. John Yettaw - the obviously mental...

Is Now the Right Time for Immigration Reform? Chuck Schumer, the Sensenbrenner in Liberal's Clothes

Anis Shivani, 09.11.2009

Writer

The Schumer mandate for the undocumented to register within a short period of time, or else be permanently barred from becoming U.S. residents, is a prime example of the law run amok.

I'm Sick of Hearing About the Poor, Poor Millionaires

Chris Weigant, 08.20.2009

Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

Democrats have to get over their knee-jerk reaction to being labeled "tax and spenders" by their opposition. If higher taxes for millionaires are the way to pay for healthcare reform, then let everyone know it, and know why.

What If Released Inmates Stopped Committing Crimes?: Prison Reform That's Already Working -- Like Nothing You've Seen Before

Pamela Gerloff, 07.18.2009

Let's start changing our lock-up facilities into places that actually cause inmates to change their behavior -- so that when they leave them they never go back.

Why Army Suicides Continued to Rise in May, and What We Can Do

Jon Soltz, 07.13.2009

Co-Founder of VoteVets.org, served as a Captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom

The root causes of combat stress leading to suicide are three-fold, mostly out of the hands of our generals, and therefore must be addressed by the Federal government.

Feinstein, Specter Compromises Pave the Way for Passage of Employee Free Choice Act

Jane Hamsher, 06.08.2009

Founder, FireDogLake.com

With 900,000 union members in the state of Pennsylvania, the Arlen Specter firewall appears to be crumbling.

Do Sanctions Just Add Insult to Injury for the Burmese People?

Russ Wellen, 06.05.2009

hearts hyenas

While visiting Japan and Indonesia in February, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admitted that 14 years of U.S. sanctions on Burma have made little impact on its ruling junta.

Toward Real Criminal Justice Reform

Michael Fauntroy, 05.29.2009

Professor, Author, Columnist, and Commentator at MichaelFauntroy.com.

The disproportionate warehousing of Black men in the name of public safety has helped to destabilize African American families around the nation by removing potential fathers and husbands.

Friday Talking Points [73] -- "Good Grief!" Friday

Chris Weigant, 05.11.2009

Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

A bumpersticker seen in more liberal areas of the country reads: "Jesus save me from your followers." Now, that may not be a very "Christian" way to ...

Clinton and Webb Tackle the Biggest Taboo of All

David Sirota, 05.04.2009

Newspaper columnist, radio host (AM760), bestselling author

The public consensus has shifted, and now at least a few leaders are starting to soften up the political terrain for a real discussion about legalization and drug policy reform.

Examining the Fairness and Accuracy of the Penal System

John Terzano, 05.03.2009

President, The Justice Project

For the government to reshape our criminal process from "top-to-bottom," as Senator Webb's legislation calls for, it is crucial this commission examines the causes and costs of wrongful convictions.

Leno Strips Down

Jonathan Handel, 01.10.2009

Entertainment Attorney at TroyGould in Los Angeles

Broadcast audiences are aging and advertisers are falling away due to the recession and, to some extent, the Internet. Leno's stripping, but the networks themselves may be losing their shirts.

Obama's America: Observing the Observance of Veterans Day

William Bradley, 12.13.2008

California-based Political Analyst NewWestNotes.com

Barack Obama has never worn the uniform. Yet he has more rapport with the experience of the American veteran than the Republicans who are now in the process of relinquishing power to him and his allies.

A Vet's Message To The GOP on Veterans Day -- Shove It

Bob Geiger, 12.12.2008

I see Republicans turning up on Veterans Day with their flowery pronouncements of how much we Vets mean to them when they prove at every turn that they really don't give a damn about the troops.

Obama Enjoys Boost in Va. From Influential Sen. Webb

Lisa Solod Warren, 11.24.2008

Author of "Desire: Women Write About Wanting"

Jim Webb, Democratic Senator from Virginia, has made a huge difference in the Senate. As the 51st Democrat in the Senate, he swung the majority two y...