Stories by Lauren Kelley

Lauren Kelley is the activism and gender editor at AlterNet and a freelance journalist based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Salon, Time Out New York, the L Magazine, and other publications. Follow her on Twitter. subscribe to Lauren Kelley's feed

Student-Loan Delinquency Skyrocketing, Reportedly Hitting 'Danger Zone'

Posted on: Jan 30, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Will our politicians finally face this grim reality? What will it take?

Jon Stewart Mercilessly Mocks Glenn Beck's Vision of a "Freedom Town"

Posted on: Jan 30, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Perhaps Stewart knew we've missed his Glenn Beck coverage ever since Beck's show was taken off the air.

Report: Nearly Half of Americans Have No Safety Net to Keep Them Out of Poverty

Posted on: Jan 30, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Nearly a third of Americans live with no savings account at all.

Did Lupe Fiasco Get Kicked Off Stage After Anti-Obama Remarks?

Posted on: Jan 21, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The performer reportedly rapped, "Gaza Strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say shit. That’s why I ain't vote for him, next one either."

Teen Shoots Family to Death: Here Are 5 GOPers Who Still Think We Don't Need Gun Control

Posted on: Jan 21, 2013, Source: AlterNet

It's hard to argue that fewer mass shootings of innocent children wouldn't be a positive thing. But some Republicans do.

6 Foods That Companies Hype to Make You Think They Are Healthy

Posted on: Jan 18, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Plenty of bad foods are marketed to purposely mislead consumers.

Texas AG Thinks Annoying Liberals Is More Important Than Spending Donors' Money Wisely

Posted on: Jan 18, 2013, Source: AlterNet

After NY lawmakers pushed through stricter gun laws earlier this week, gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott bought ads urging gun-loving New Yorkers to move to his state.

Jon Stewart Mercilessly Mocks Pro-Gun Right-Wingers Over Obama "Tyranny" Allegations

Posted on: Jan 18, 2013, Source: AlterNet

"When tyrants want things done, they generally don't ask their legislative bodies if that would be OK."

The Manti Te'o Fake Dead Girlfriend Saga, as Depicted by Taiwanese Animators

Posted on: Jan 18, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The latest celeb to get the Taiwanese animation treatment is Notre Dame football player Manti Te'o and his "fake dead girlfriend," Lennay Kekua.

5 Celebrities Who Shill For Pathetic Junk Food and Drinks

Posted on: Jan 14, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Beyoncé for Pepsi, Jennifer Aniston for Smartwater: Many celebrities shill for products that are worthless, or worse.

The 4 Most Disgusting Energy Drinks Sold in America

Posted on: Jan 4, 2013, Source: AlterNet

We're inundated by deceptive marketing about these pricey and potentially dangerous drinks.

Maddow Discusses How Shell's Arctic Drilling Sh*tshow Keeps Getting More Ridiculous

Posted on: Jan 4, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Shell accidentally revealed info to journalists via a hot mic, then media outlets quoted a spoof Shell site as real.

Barney Frank Wants to Take Over for John Kerry in Senate, Temporarily

Posted on: Jan 4, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Meanwhile, likely candidate Scott Brown launches personal attack on potential opponent.

World's Tallest Building Has One Major (Stinky) Problem

Posted on: Dec 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai has its raw sewage removed by trucks that then must idle in line for up to 24 hours.

The 7 Worst Things About McDonald's

Posted on: Dec 24, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Forcing employees to work on Christmas without overtime pay is just the beginning.

Red Lobster Throws Hissy Fit Over Obamacare, Sees Sales Plummet

Posted on: Dec 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The parent company that owns Red Lobster and the Olive Garden opposed Obamacare, and consumers recognized what a bad deal that was.

Paul Krugman Nails the GOP's "Existential Crisis"

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Krugman says the so-called "debt crisis" we're facing is really a political crisis caused by the GOP, which is a big heaping mess of a disaster at the moment.

Not Just Union-Busting: 4 Other Terrible Things Michigan Republicans Did in the Lame Duck

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

GOP-backed anti-worker and anti-women's rights bills were all over the agenda.

6 Ways Retailers Trick You Into Buying More Sh*t

Posted on: Dec 13, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Even the savviest shoppers can be tricked into buying things they don't want or need.

Watch: Jon Stewart Asks Chris Christie About His Out-of-Control Party

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Stewart called out Christie for all of a sudden being kind towards Obama in the aftermath of the storm. “What does that tell you about the game?”

Will the Feds Come After Legal Pot in Washington and Colorado?

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Now that voters have made it clear that they support legal recreational marijuana use, the Feds have to make a choice.

6 Toys That Could Make a Progressive's Head Explode

Posted on: Dec 6, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A "McJob" play set? Makeup for babies?

Most Americans Paying Less Taxes Now Than in the 80s, But the Poor Get No Break

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The have-nots get screwed while the haves complain about them. America!

Is Mississippi About to Execute an Innocent Man?

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Based on information about the medical examiner alone, it's unconscionable that Mississippi isn't giving the case a closer look.

5 Companies That Treat Their Customers Like Crap

Posted on: Nov 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

We should all steer clear of anti-consumer companies like Ticketmaster and Delta Airlines.

Michigan Republicans Offer a Tax Credit for Fetuses After Cutting Tax Credits for Children

Posted on: Nov 23, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Tax cuts and anti-choice nonsense -- a perfect policy for today's Right.

The 7 Worst Black Friday Horror Stories (And Why You Should Stay Away From Stores This Year)

Posted on: Nov 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Do you really want to be the person crossing picket lines so you can save a few bucks on a TV?

8 Terrible Bosses Who Screwed Over Their Workers Because Obama Was Re-Elected

Posted on: Nov 16, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Some employers are threatening their workers' job security for bogus Obama-related reasons.

5 Ways the Right Wing Is Taking Crazy to New Heights

Posted on: Nov 15, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Political madness is on full display, from the halls of power to the legions of frothing conservative foot soldiers.

Colbert Mourns/Celebrates Conservative Super PACs' Disastrous Election Performance

Posted on: Nov 13, 2012, Source: AlterNet

GOP-backed super PACs, including/especially those tied to Karl Rove, did not do too well in this election.

5 Very Bad Things That Happened to Karl Rove in Just 2 Days

Posted on: Nov 9, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Rove has had a no good, terrible, very bad week.

How the Right-Wing Media's Fantasy World Caused a Republican Meltdown on Election Night

Posted on: Nov 8, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Despite all evidence to the contrary, right-wing pundits were telling whoever would listen that Romney would win by a landslide.

Residents of New York Face a Huge Range of Crises

Posted on: Nov 1, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Contradictions abound in NYC -- huge swathes of the city are fine, while entire neighborhoods are facing serious shortages.

The 5 Worst Reactions to Sandy

Posted on: Oct 31, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Disasters very often bring out the best neighborly instincts in people, but they also bring out some terrible comments and reactions.

Coverup No More: Shocking Photos Dead Wildlife from Gulf of Mexico Spill Emerge

Posted on: Oct 26, 2012, Source: AlterNet

We can now witness what government tried to shield the public from the wildlife casualties of the spill.

10 of the Most Offensive Clothing Items Ever Created

Posted on: Oct 19, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The Gap is the latest in a string of major companies to produce an offensive item of clothing.

7 Brilliant and Funny Ways Critics Panned Romney's 'Binders Full of Women' Gaffe

Posted on: Oct 18, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The comment that sparked a national phenomenon.

5 Ways Companies Are Already Ruining the Holidays

Posted on: Oct 18, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Why do we have to start thinking about Christmas in freaking October?

6 Ways You Might Be Getting Scammed on Your Monthly Bills

Posted on: Oct 15, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Some companies design their fee structures and agreements in an intentionally confusing manner.

5 Disturbing Stories About Mitt Romney That Expose His Private Worldview

Posted on: Oct 15, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A close look at Romney's past reveals many warning signs -- some even worse than driving with his dog on the roof.

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