Stories by Maura Stephens

Maura Stephens, who works as the associate director of the Park Center for Independent Media, is a writer, theater artist, educator, and peace, justice, and sustainability advocate. She lives in central New York State, "in the spleen of the Marcellus Shale." subscribe to Maura Stephens's feed

18 Ways Higher Ed Can Support Occupy and Other Social Justice Movements

Posted on: Apr 16, 2012, Source: TruthOut.org

It's time for campus communities to use their collective might to support Occupy and the fight for social justice. A primer for those on campus looking to make a difference.

Open Letter to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo: Do Not Lift Fracking Moratorium!

Posted on: Jun 30, 2011, Source: AlterNet

New York is about to lift its ban on hydrofracking. Will Governor Cuomo listen to local activists?

Why Are We Letting Fossil-Fuel Billionaire Pickens Write Our Energy Policy and Push for More Dangerous Gas Drilling?

Posted on: Apr 18, 2011, Source: AlterNet

Pickens has essentially written a bill to require 'natural' gas in some vehicles, even as communities across the country are protesting the environmental impacts of drilling.

15 Claims the Natural Gas Industry Wants You to Believe and Why They’re Wrong

Posted on: Dec 15, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Industry spends millions trying to convince the public and our lawmakers of the benefits of "natural" gas, but a quick look at the propaganda reveals some deep flaws.

'Natural' Gas Industry Shills Use the Media to Mislead the Public -- Here's How to Spot Them

Posted on: Oct 19, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Learn to decode the messages of the gas industry, its shills, the politicians in its pocket, and lazy journalists.

Unlikely Activists Say "Frack No!", Win Legislative Victory For Moratorium On Drilling

Posted on: Aug 26, 2010, Source: YES! Magazine

Repercussions have included fatalities from exploding wells, completely dead 30-mile stretches of streams, exploding tap water, sick children and adults, and farmland destruction.

Heartbreaking Stories Warn New Yorkers of What May Be in Store if the State OKs Controversial Gas Drilling

Posted on: Dec 10, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Residents of others states are issuing words of warning for New Yorkers who may soon allow companies to use the "fracking" process to drill for natural gas.

Madoff's Shocking Scheme Is Just a Microcosm of a Much Bigger Disaster

Posted on: Dec 28, 2008, Source: AlterNet

All of Wall Street has been engaging in crimes and swindles like Madoff's against the American people, and the rest of the world, for decades.

U.S. Abandons Iraqi Translators to Their Fates While Diminutive Denmark Rescues Its Own

Posted on: Jul 26, 2007, Source: AlterNet

A followup to the harrowing tale of "Andy," the local interpreter who is fighting for his life after serving the U.S. military in Iraq.

U.S. Failing to Help Iraqi Translator and Family Targeted for Execution

Posted on: Jul 9, 2007, Source: AlterNet

He thought he could rebuild his country by helping the Americans. Now an Iraqi translator and his family have been targeted for execution, and instead of helping, U.S. officials have trapped him in an endless Catch-22.