Archive
The Lineup: Week of July 12-18, 2010
The latest OtherWords editorial package features an op-ed by Karen Dolan and a cartoon by Khalil Bendib about the congressional failure to extend unemployment benefits.
Unemployed Become a Political Football
Fifteen million Americans are currently unemployed, and nearly half of that number has been actively and fruitlessly seeking employment for longer than six months. The depth and breadth of our labor market crisis is the greatest in over 50 years.
The War on Antibiotics
Would you like some antibiotic-resistant bacteria with your grilled chicken at your backyard barbeque? Of course not. But that likelihood continues to grow unless the government makes industry change the way most American farm animals are raised.
After the BP Oil Disaster
I have been to the Gulf Coast several times since the BP oil disaster started. I’ve spoken with affected residents, and I’ve taken boat tours to see the tragic images of oil-soaked birds and wetlands up close. Each time I go, everything seems to hit me even harder than the previous visit.
Let’s Shelve New Nuclear Power Initiatives
President Eisenhower is well remembered for correctly warning the public in his final address to the nation to “guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence…by the military-industrial complex.” In that same speech, Ike further cautioned that “we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.” It’s time to pay close attention to this second warning too.
No Drama, Not Even Angry
The BP oil disaster has been a divisive issue, but on one thing we’re all pretty much agreed: President Obama doesn’t give good mad.
Afghanistan’s Fool’s Gold
Here’s some free advice: Never buy shares in a goldmine from a guy operating out of a house trailer. Likewise, never buy a story from the Pentagon about an incredible discovery of gold in Afghanistan.
Bombs Bursting in Air
War has always boasted adherents. Think of the Kaiser, Ghengis Khan, Alexander, Hitler, Darius, Charlemagne, Stalin, etc. America’s foremost cheerleader was Teddy Roosevelt. He made no bones about the thrill of combat and conquest. He even went off to fight himself, an uncommon commitment among world leaders.
Shovel Ready
Immigrants Don’t Hog Farm Jobs
United Farm Workers members clearly have a sense of humor. Their “take our jobs” campaign invites and actually recruits the nation’s citizens and legal immigrants (including those who blame undocumented workers for America’s high unemployment rate) to get out into the fields and pick some lettuce. Or berries. Or broccoli.
