AlterNet.org: Columnists

David Sirota: Acknowledging the Race Chasm

David Sirota — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:01 PDT

The pervasive racism that taints our political discourse will persist until we recognize and reject it.

David Sirota: Potomac Fever

David Sirota — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:00:01 PDT

Washington has been debilitated by a horrible disease -- one that inhibits emotions like compassion and integrity.

David Sirota: The Real Elitists Work in Mainstream Media

David Sirota — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

The media elite pretend there are not two Americas but only one: theirs.

David Sirota: The Ludlow Massacre

David Sirota — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:01 PDT

The government's policy toward unions is marked by the same political cowardice and worker repression that brought on the Ludlow Massacre.

Amy Goodman: America's War on Journalists

Amy Goodman — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:00:01 PDT

The Bush administration has engaged in assault, intimidation, and imprisonment to limit the ability of journalists to do their jobs.

Amy Goodman: Evangelical Doctor Touts Better Health Care Plan Than Clinton, Obama

Amy Goodman — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:00:01 PDT

Unlike Clinton or Obama, Dr. Rocky White, an Evangelical from a conservative background, is promoting a single-payer health care system.

Amy Goodman: The Worst Food Crisis in 45 Years

Amy Goodman — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:00:01 PDT

If our government and large food and energy interests don't change direction, the food riots in distant lands will soon be coming to their doors.

Amy Goodman: Pushing the Single-Payer Solution

Amy Goodman — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

It's time for the candidates to stop dancing around real health-care reform and get behind a single-payer system.

Annalee Newitz: Who's Afraid of Grand Theft Auto?

Annalee Newitz — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:01 PDT

If the controversial video game were a movie, we'd all be mightily impressed by its dark, ironic vision of a world at war with itself.

Annalee Newitz: User-Generated Censorship

Annalee Newitz — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:00:01 PDT

The Web makes it easy for crowds to collaborate. But it also makes it simple for mobs to crush free expression.

Annalee Newitz: Writing Online: The Key to Literary Immortality

Annalee Newitz — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:01 PDT

The advantage of publishing online rather than in books? Nobody can burn the Internet.

Annalee Newitz: Does the Microsoft-Yahoo! Merger Threaten Google?

Annalee Newitz — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:00:01 PDT

A look at the facts on Microhoo!

Robert Scheer: Battle of the Hawks

Robert Scheer — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:00:01 PDT

Both McCain and Clinton have shown a dangerously cavalier attitude towards the option of a nuclear strike against Iran.

Robert Scheer: No Country for Old Men

Robert Scheer — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

McCain's age matters; especially if he picks his running mate from the crazy wing of the Republican Party.

Robert Scheer: Hillary Turns Up Heat, Threatens to 'Obliterate' Iran

Robert Scheer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

Is the campaign trail the best place to ratchet up the rhetoric against Iran? Clinton thinks so.

Robert Scheer: The Man Who Would Be Bush

Robert Scheer — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

How do we explain voter support for McCain in light of the nation's widespread, bipartisan rejection of the Bush administration?

Norman Solomon: Obama's Triumph Over Media Frivolity

Norman Solomon — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:00:01 PDT

Obama's Tuesday win represents a victory over a press corps fixated on fluff over substance.

Norman Solomon: Let's Party Like Itâ€™s 1932

Norman Solomon — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:00:01 PDT

Obama has the potential to become as great a president as FDR, while activists have the potential to prompt change comparable to the New Deal.

Norman Solomon: NPR: National Pentagon Radio?

Norman Solomon — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:00:01 PDT

When even public radio parrots the military's official line on the war in Iraq, what hope is there for unbiased, quality reporting?

Norman Solomon: Warfare and Health Care

Norman Solomon — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:00:01 PDT

Here's an obvious solution to the health care crisis: why not cut the Pentagon's massive budget to fund health care for all?

Sean Gonsalves: Our Great 'Secretocracy'

Sean Gonsalves — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Government secrecy does not make us safer; it undermines the Constitution.

Sean Gonsalves: The News Media: Watchdog or Lap Dog?

Sean Gonsalves — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:01 PDT

It is becoming more and more difficult for the news media to undertake serious investigative reporting.

Sean Gonsalves: A Bad Week for Journalism

Sean Gonsalves — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:01 PDT

Why Americans should care that print journalism is going down the drain.

Sean Gonsalves: Murky CIA Activity at Military Outposts

Sean Gonsalves — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:00:01 PDT

Foreign military bases have served as launch pads for American military adventures. Increasingly, they are also being used as CIA 'black sites'.

Deb Price: Courageous Gay Bishop Weathers Storm

Deb Price — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:00:01 PDT

Bishop Gene Robinson calls on religious gays and lesbians to fight for acceptance within their spiritual communities.

Deb Price: Schwarzenegger Backs Gay Rights

Deb Price — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:01 PDT

California's governor has taken a humane and reasonable stance on gay marriage. John McCain should pay attention.

Deb Price: A Gay Friendly Message to Mega-Churches

Deb Price — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

A new generation of church leaders avoids rabid, anti-gay rhetoric. Can they be pushed to accept and support gay rights?

Deb Price: Congresswoman Fights for Gay and Trans Rights

Deb Price — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:00:01 PDT

Gay Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is tirelessly working to secure equal protections for gay and trans people.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Pretrial Lock Up

Earl Ofari Hutchinson — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:00:01 PDT

Thousands of prisoners languish in jail for months, even years, before they are tried.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Verdict in Bell Shooting Is No Big Surprise

Earl Ofari Hutchinson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:00:01 PDT

Nailing cops for bad shootings has always been virtually impossible. The Bell case was no exception.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Gender Is Hillary Clinton's Achilles Heel

Earl Ofari Hutchinson — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

No one would dare make a blatantly racist comment about Obama. Yet sexist remarks are constantly spewed at Hillary Clinton.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson: Race Is Still the X Factor for Obama

Earl Ofari Hutchinson — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:00:01 PDT

Although they don't admit it to pollsters, many white Americans would not vote for a black candidate.

Mark Weisbrot: The IMF's Going Down -- Is that a Bad Thing?

Mark Weisbrot — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:00:01 PDT

Thanks to disasters of its own making, the agency is losing money and influence.

Mark Weisbrot: The Audacity of Populism

Mark Weisbrot — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:00:01 PDT

If Obama convinces white working-class voters that he cares about their economic plight, he will become the 44th President of the United States.

Mark Weisbrot: A Question of Values: Drug Patent Laws Must Have Public Health Exceptions

Mark Weisbrot — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Big Pharma is up in arms about developing countries importing less expensive generic versions of their drugs.

Mark Weisbrot: Appalling Spread of False Information Requires Stronger Media Accountability

Mark Weisbrot — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:00:01 PDT

The mass media has become one of the most important obstacles to social and economic progress in the 21st century.

Will Durst: Welcome to the Nomination Race That Will Not Die

Will Durst — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:00:01 PDT

Thanks to Pennsylvania, the Democratic primary circus continues. Meanwhile, McCain is free to roam the country frightening children.

Will Durst: President Whatshisname

Will Durst — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:01 PDT

Whatever happened to the Decider?

Will Durst: Stop Treating the Candidates Like Newborn Puppies

Will Durst — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:00:01 PDT

In the Democratic Party everyone ends up feeling like a winner. Until the general election that is.

Will Durst: The Do's and Don'ts of Candidate Press Coverage

Will Durst — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:00:01 PDT

Here's a handy guide for the media as they navigate the treacherous minefield of our historic 2008 election.