This week in OtherWords, Jill Richardson warns readers gearing up for their summer barbecues about the rise of superbugs. Those antibiotic-resistant bacteria are getting hard to avoid if you buy meat in American supermarkets.
We also have an op-ed by Raul A. Reyes on the Heritage Foundation’s ill-fated report that was supposed to pinpoint the high cost of giving undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship. As Reyes explains, this “study” instead exposed the think tank’s shoddy research standards and the racist outlook of one of its lead authors.
OtherWords normally releases all our newsroom-ready commentaries on Wednesday mornings, but we make exceptions for work tied to breaking news. Following the resignation of disgraced report co-author Jason Richwine, we ran this op-ed on Saturday instead. We’re increasingly tinkering with our timing, so please visit our website more often. When you do, be sure to check out our blog, where we offer bonus commentaries by Jim Hightower. This week, we’re featuring our columnist’s hilarious salute to Rep. Louie Gohmert and other political “nincompoops.”
Here’s a clickable summary of all our latest commentaries and a link to our new cartoon. If you haven’t already subscribed to our weekly newsletter, please do.
- The Swinging Electorate / Marc Morial
Despite formidable efforts to disenfranchise African Americans in 2012, a larger percentage of black voters than white voters turned out at the polls to assure Obama’s victory on Election Day. - License to Kill / David Reingold
Without environmental regulations, many companies would gladly poison you to earn bigger profits. - No Junior Partner / Jess Hunter-Bowman
Could someone please tell Secretary Kerry that Latin America is no longer our “backyard”? - Heritage’s Immigration Nightmare / Raul A. Reyes
If the conservative think tank’s intent was to derail immigration reform, that’s a losing battle. - Uncle Sam: Please Tax the Titans / Donald Kaul
Don’t ask me what a hedge fund is — if I knew, I’d manage one. - A Primer for Taming Corporate Power / Sam Pizzigati
For social change, slow and steady may win the race. - Those Uninvited Guests at Your Barbecue / Jill Richardson
With most samples of several common store-bought meats testing positive for antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” factory farming practices must change. - The Parched Truth About American Jobs / Jim Hightower
The recent good news about job creation obscures the bad news facing the nation’s middle class. - Don’t Fence Me In / William A. Collins
The prosperous are further isolating themselves physically, as well as economically, from the rest of us. - Superbugs at the Supermarket / Khalil Bendib cartoon
Superbugs at the Supermarket, an OtherWords cartoon by Khalil Bendib
