Blog - OtherWords

There is doubtless some solace in learning that China is now the world’s top energy glutton. That takes a bit of the pressure off us. America’s slip to second place, however, isn’t due to any moral superiority. Our chief energy subsidies still go to oil, coal, gas, ethanol, and nuclear energy.

The Lineup: Week of December 27, 2010-January 2, 2011

by Emily Schwartz Greco

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Not Much to Celebrate with Obama’s Tax Deal

by Karen Dolan

We enter 2011 with a few more dollars in our paychecks. For about 98 percent of Americans, the extension of Bush tax cuts and the new payroll tax holiday will make it easier for us to afford a gallon, rather than a quart, of milk for our families each month, and to fill our tanks almost as high as we did with lower gas prices last year.

It’s Time to Protect Consumers from Toxic Chemicals

by Lindsay Dahl

When most people hear the word “hormones” they have a flashback to high school science class or think of their adolescent children. But rarely do we think about staples of our everyday lives such as receipts, water bottles, and baby bottles. So what do hormones have to do with a host of consumer products?

Protect Public Media

by Josh Stearns

Since NPR terminated its contract with political analyst Juan Williams, it has been open hunting season on the broadcasting network in Washington, with a handful of lawmakers and political pundits launching an all-out assault to take down public media.

WikiLeaks Proves Need for Stronger Whistleblower Protections

by Louis Clark

Hysteria and anger over WikiLeaks have led to calls in Congress to widen the scope of espionage law violations. Essentially, this serves as a warning shot to future whistleblowers. But the experiences of other truth-tellers show why this is a mistake.