Stories by Laura Gottesdiener

Laura Gottesdiener is a freelance journalist and activist in New York City. subscribe to Laura Gottesdiener's feed

Posted on: Nov 29, 2012, Source: AlterNet

In Washington state, an elementary school's use of a padded isolation room is sparking controversy.

Posted on: Nov 29, 2012, Source: AlterNet

From bribing children with toys to convincing them to eat a “fourth meal,” the industry is glutted with perverse, profit-chasing schemes.

Posted on: Nov 29, 2012, Source: AlterNet

On the heels of Black Friday WalMart walkouts, hundreds of fast food restaurant workers are planning to strike in high-traffic commercial centers.

Posted on: Nov 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

"I am absolutely delighted that nuclear weapons were invented..." he professed in his speech.

Posted on: Nov 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

From sticker shock at the huge revenues governments are collecting, to international traffic camera vandalism.

Posted on: Nov 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

In Kentucky, a homeland security law requires the state’s citizens to acknowledge the security provided by the Almighty God--or risk 12 months in prison.

Posted on: Nov 15, 2012, Source: AlterNet

It's so ubiquitous it’s considered an essential part of our culture -- but is caffeine dangerous?

Posted on: Nov 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Enough with the slut shaming. Let's take a look at who should really be held responsible.

Posted on: Nov 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The attempt is a last-gasp of racist, right-wing radicalism.

Posted on: Nov 13, 2012, Source: AlterNet

In Act II of the story, a whole new cast of characters have joined the tangled affair.

Posted on: Nov 8, 2012, Source: AlterNet

As winter approaches, city housing authorities scramble to fix damaged or faulty infrastructure.

Posted on: Nov 8, 2012, Source: AlterNet

This guy clearly needs to stop watching so much Fox News.

Posted on: Nov 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Massachusetts' new senator says Dems stuck to their values.

Posted on: Nov 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

As the nation celebrates Obama's election, some far right wingers are lashing out.

Posted on: Nov 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

It's not looking good for the Republican challenger.

Posted on: Nov 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The government's response to Hurricane Sandy reminds that civil engagement is necessary every day, not just once every four years.

Posted on: Nov 1, 2012, Source: AlterNet

And less than half think humans are responsible for climate change.

Posted on: Oct 31, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Pay attention if you hope to follow the twisted, convoluted lies of the extreme right.

Posted on: Oct 31, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The candidate's gone mum on whether he would end life-saving federal agency.

Posted on: Oct 25, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Romney does appear to have covered for his friend.

Posted on: Oct 23, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Sometimes partisan politics are just so pathetic.

Posted on: Oct 19, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A man's potentially fatal tumor has been linked to his excessive cell phone use.

Posted on: Oct 19, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Ann Romney told The View that her sons and her husband didn't serve, but they did spend a two-year tour proselytizing, which is pretty much the same thing.

Posted on: Oct 18, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Looks like vampire movies are on to something. So far, it's just mice.

Posted on: Oct 16, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Boston rapper Antonio Ennis has already battled gang members, rival artists, police departments and a prison stint. Now he’s turning his energy to the real enemy in minority neighborhoods: Wall Street.

Posted on: Oct 11, 2012, Source: AlterNet

"Beyond comparison with anything that has been faced during the entire history of humanity," leading doctor says.

Posted on: Oct 11, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Wisconsin rep. endorsed by Paul Ryan blames women for being so darn rape-able.

Posted on: Oct 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The suit against the NYPD's racially discriminatory policy will now proceed unhindered.

Posted on: Oct 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Apparently abortions are okay only when they're convenient for him.

Posted on: Oct 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The stupidity just keeps coming.

Posted on: Oct 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

There would be something romantic about conspiracy theorists' steadfast commitment to their wildly implausible ideas if it weren't so depressing.

Posted on: Oct 5, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The majority of those in solitary confinement were given the punishment for nonviolent, low-level offenses such as having unauthorized books or disobeying an order or growing their mustaches too long.

Posted on: Oct 4, 2012, Source: AlterNet

In a series of videos, employees who work directly to maintain Romney’s luxurious neighborhood are speaking out about their frustration to be working to better the life of a man who couldn’t care less about them.

Posted on: Oct 4, 2012, Source: AlterNet

New research claims that the government sprayed swaths of St. Louis with radioactive particles as part of its biological weapons program.

Posted on: Oct 4, 2012, Source: AlterNet

You know electoral politics have reached a new low point when the only thing to talk about post-debate is an oversized yellow bird.

Posted on: Oct 3, 2012, Source: AlterNet

"[The] investigation could identify no reporting which uncovered a terrorist threat, nor could it identify a contribution such fusion center reporting made to disrupt an active terrorist plot," the report said.

Posted on: Oct 3, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Wielding 3D printers and the backing of the gun lobby, firearm enthusiasts hope to create a "private law society."

Posted on: Sep 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Little did they know that the joke was on them.

Posted on: Sep 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

After two weeks of protests across the Middle East, the man behind the Anti-Islam film is behind bars--for parole violations.

Posted on: Sep 27, 2012, Source: AlteNet

Study shows widespread bias against female science students that is not just discriminatory; it's also threatening our economy.

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