Breaking Politics News

What's Right About the House Health Care Plan

Bruce Tenenbaum | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


Bruce Tenenbaum

Now that the House members have proposed legislation, it seems fair that I take a few minutes to talk about what they appear to have gotten right.

California TV Stations "Just Say No" to Drug Policy Ad

Anthony Citrano | Posted 08.08.2009 | Media


Anthony Citrano

Marijuana decriminalization is getting fresh attention due to broad public support of the new AB 390 bill, but only a handful of media outlets, including CNN and CNBC, will air pro-legalization ads.

How to Resolve the Abortion Conflict

Aspen Baker | Posted 08.08.2009 | Politics


Aspen Baker

A just and lasting peace between pro-choice and pro-life people is possible, but it lies in the history of those who have fought over this issue, not in the tired rhetoric of "common ground."

Why Trial Date for African Embassy Bombing Suspect Is Good News

Andy Worthington | Posted 08.02.2009 | Politics


Andy Worthington

The government will not use any statements made by the suspect in secret prisons, nor will the evidence "be very different" from that used when his alleged co-conspirators were tried by the federal court in 2001.

Release of the "Holy Grail" of Torture Reports Delayed Again

Andy Worthington | Posted 08.01.2009 | Politics


Andy Worthington

Today was supposed to be the day that the Justice Department -- after two delays -- released an unclassified version of the CIA Inspector General's 2004 Report into the interrogations of "high-value detainees."

Gay Benefits Call With Berry Reveals...Very Little

Jennifer Vanasco | Posted 07.18.2009 | Politics


Jennifer Vanasco

"This is a first step, not the final step," Berry said. "It's practicing before preaching." I wish the White House would stop practicing and would start moving on gay civil rights issues for real.

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

Jon Soltz | Posted 07.13.2009 | Politics


Jon Soltz

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.

The Free Market's Marked Men, From The Niger Delta To The Amazon

Amy Goodman | Posted 07.10.2009 | World


Amy Goodman

Ken Saro-Wiwa's family and others just won a landmark settlement in U.S. federal court, ending a 13-year battle with Shell Oil. Alberto Pizango's ordeal is just beginning.

From Guantanamo to the South Pacific: Is This a Joke?

Andy Worthington | Posted 07.10.2009 | World


Andy Worthington

Could there be an answer to the Obama administration's Uighur problem?

It's Law: Gay Marriage Is Now a Reality in New Hampshire

Jennifer Donahue | Posted 07.04.2009 | Politics


Jennifer Donahue

With Obama having stated he supports civil unions over gay marriage, the grassroots seems to be pretty far ahead of elected officials on this issue.

Lucky Finds Her Prince Charming in Prince Harry

Wendy Diamond | Posted 07.03.2009 | Style


Wendy Diamond

Lucky and I dropped by the New York League of Humane Voters City Council event and listened to politicians jockeying for top-dog positions.

Forgotten: The Second Anniversary of a Guantanamo Suicide

Andy Worthington | Posted 06.30.2009 | World


Andy Worthington

Today, unnoticed in the Western media (although I can't vouch for the Arabic world) is the second anniversary of the death at Guantánamo -- apparently by suicide -- of Abdul Rahman al-Amri.

Petraeus Says U.S. Violated Geneva Conventions - What Will Cheney and Rush Say?

Jon Soltz | Posted 06.29.2009 | Politics


Jon Soltz

I was stunned when Gen. Petraeus admitted today that the United States has violated the Geneva Conventions.

Lessig: To Overturn Prop 8, Avoid the Courts

Blaise Zerega | Posted 06.27.2009 | Politics


Blaise Zerega

And what does this situation say about our democracy? What have our courts come to if civil rights are determined by popular vote?

The Real Story Behind How Supreme Court Justices Are Chosen; Gingirch Leading Fight Shows WH Winning On Sotomayor

Jennifer Donahue | Posted 06.27.2009 | Politics


Jennifer Donahue

The right will put up a fight to keep the base happy, but to really derail Judge Sotomayor, they will need something even bigger than Anita Hill was for Clarence Thomas.

Sotomayor Pick Will Drive GOP Crazy: Saved Baseball, Ended Nude Photo Show

Jennifer Donahue | Posted 06.26.2009 | Politics


Jennifer Donahue

In picking Sonia Sotomayor, Obama picked a judge who did a couple things that will make it hard to peg her as liberal activist judge.

My Message To Obama: Great Speech, But No Military Commissions and No "Preventive Detention"

Andy Worthington | Posted 06.21.2009 | Politics


Andy Worthington

Look at the sentence, "Hold[ing] individuals to keep them from carrying out an act of war," replace "an act of war" with "any crime," and you will realize why the proposed policy is so terrifying.

Limbaugh Resigns, Cheney Immediately Takes Over as Republican Titular Party Head in GOP Response to Obama

Jennifer Donahue | Posted 06.21.2009 | Media


Jennifer Donahue

Rush, I see that you have tried to resign from a position I named you to, along with others in the "drive-by media."

Major Compromise on Clean Energy and Green Jobs Bill

Josh Nelson | Posted 06.13.2009 | Green


Josh Nelson

Roll Call is reporting that Representatives Waxman and Boucher have reached an agreement on several critical provisions of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Mother's Day is Going Viral: Talking Babies and a National Mom Uprising

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner | Posted 06.10.2009 | Politics


Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Michelle Obama isn't the only one flexing her right to bare arms. The millions of women proclaiming their friends as Mom of the Year this past week is nothing short of a national mom uprising.

Same-Sex Marriage Passes NH House/Senate: Heated Battle Awaits Governor's Decision

Jennifer Donahue | Posted 06.07.2009 | Politics


Jennifer Donahue

"Any person ... may marry any other eligible person regardless of gender," is the wording of the House and Senate passed bill now on the Governor's desk in New Hampshire.

New UN Report Shows the US Combo of Torture and Impunity Thrives in Iraqi Prisons

Jeremy Scahill | Posted 05.31.2009 | World


Jeremy Scahill

Iraqi authorities widely use torture to interrogate prisoners and extract confessions without fear of consequence. Sadly, the US doesn't have the credibility to confront these crimes.

Four Course Insanity

Anthony Citrano | Posted 05.29.2009 | Politics


Anthony Citrano

At the Milken Institute Global Conference mayor Willie Brown, Congressman Harold Ford, entertainer Rush Limbaugh, and former RNC chair Ed Gillespie all graded Obama's first 100 days.

Who Authorized The Torture of Abu Zubaydah?

Andy Worthington | Posted 05.25.2009 | World


Andy Worthington

For the defendants of the use of torture by U.S. forces -- still led by former Vice President Dick Cheney -- this has been a rocky few weeks.

Boehner's blunder

Daniel Menaker | Posted 05.24.2009 | Politics


Daniel Menaker

John Boehner uses this honest word of "torture" as part of a defense of these methods, but the diction says more than the defense.