AlterNet's Weekly Zeitgeist List -- The 10 Hottest Issues of the Day

By Don Hazen, AlterNet. Posted July 8, 2008.

A pilot feature of AlterNet on key questions of the day -- is Obama really tacking to the center, and why gas is so damn pricey.

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In Special Coverage

Belief:
Is Blind Faith in God and the Bible a Modern Invention?
Devilstower

Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace:
What Can the Morass of the 1970s Tell Us About the Current Economic Crisis?
Alejandro Reuss

DrugReporter:
Lies About Marijuana Drive People to a Much More Harmful Drug -- Booze
Steve Fox

Environment:
Why Max Baucus' 'No' Vote on the Climate Bill May Really Help Its Passage
Jeff Mcmahon

Food:
Soda Helps Make Americans Unhealthy and Fat -- Will Soda Tax Prevail Despite Pushback by Beverage Industry?
Christine Spolar, Joseph Eaton

Health and Wellness:
Does the House Bill's Public Option Kill Off the Senate's?
Booman

Immigration:
Recent Democratic Victories May Grease the Wheels for Immigration Reform in Congress
Marcelo Balive

Media and Technology:
Focusing on Fort Hood Killer's Beliefs Is an Easy Out to Avoid the Deeper Reasons for the Massacre
Mark Ames

Movie Mix:
The Yes Men: Pranksters Out to Fix the World
Mark Engler

Politics:
What Obama Is Up Against in His Own Branch of Government
Russ Baker

Reproductive Justice and Gender:
"Precious" Star Claims the Spotlight
Emily Wilson

Rights and Liberties:
"Women Are Being Killed All Over the World": One Reporter's Fight Against So-Called "Honor Killings"
Robert S. Eshelman

Sex and Relationships:
9 Silly Things People Say When They Hear You Don't Want Kids (And Ways to Counter Them)
Liz Langley

Take Action:
G-20 Meetings: Nothing Much Happened in the Suites, and There Was Too Much Punch in the Streets
Laura Flanders

Water:
Radioactive Wastewater in New York Raises More Concerns About Oil Drilling
Abrahm Lustgarten

World:
Egyptian Marine: Soldiers Often 'Racialize' the Enemy to Cope With Stress
Aaron Glantz

More stories by Don Hazen

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1. Is Obama shifting rightward? What should supporters do?
As Arianna Huffington put it, in the words of Molly Ivins: "'You got to dance with them what brung you.' Voters longing for hope, inspiration, a new kind of politics, and fundamental change are 'them that brung you' to the big dance. Don't let the pundits, the advisors, and the cowards convince you to let someone else cut in."

Memo to Obama: Moving to the Middle Is for Losers
By Arianna Huffington

2. Is the economy in free fall?
The labor market is deteriorating as jobs are cut; the stock market is in bear territory; and the mortgage crisis continues. Are we facing impending economic doom? So far Obama and McCain are offering tinkering around the edges -- save a few mortgages, extend unemployment, etc. Where are the bold ideas?

Bush Economy Sheds 62K Jobs in June; Sixth Straight Monthly Decline
By Dean Baker

3. Gas prices through the roof; SUV and truck sales headed to the basement
The price of gas is a real drag for those who have to drive. But the silver lining is that people are junking their gas guzzlers, hopping on public transportation and rethinking sprawl. The much maligned bus may turn out to be the transportation of the future.

Why We're Suddenly Paying Through the Nose for Gas
By Michael T. Klare

4. The Iraq war has always been about oil.
"Oh, no, they told us, 'Iraq isn't a war about oil.' 'That's cynical and simplistic,' they said. It's about terror and al-Qaeda and toppling a dictator. Sure and by the way, I have a bridge to sell you." --Bill Moyers

The Iraq War Was About Oil, All Along
By Bill Moyers and Michael Winship

5. Obama's shifting position on FISA
Obama tries to answer critics with statement about his FISA vote. 17,000 OBAMA supporters joined a protest group on MyOBAMA.com to challenge the candidate and debate. We're seeing what Web 2.0 is really about.

Glenn Greenwald's Critique of Obama's Position on FISA
By Glenn Greenwald

Obama Fails to Put Out the FISA Fire in His Own House
By Bob Ostertag

6. Will Bush bomb Iran?
It is hard to imagine they would be so crazy, but hey, Iraq was pretty crazy. Maybe all they are thinking about, in the face of peak oil, is more oil for the long haul?

Can Bush Attack Iran With Oil at $140 per Barrel?
By Jim Lobe

Sy Hersh: Congress Is Funding Major Escalation in Secret Operations Against Iran
By Amy Goodman

7. The debate over intergenerational feminism following Hillary's loss.
"I hate the sexist coverage that Hillary Clinton endured, but that doesn't change my vote. I, for example, am an Obama voter. My feminism is not just about gender equality in government, but also about racial justice, global security, community ethics, etc. I resent being made to feel as if there is a "right" way to vote if I am a feminist. --Courtney Martin

Generation Y Refuses Race-Gender Dichotomy
By Courtney Martin

8. Campaign for universal health insurance
The health care crisis isn't just a crisis for the uninsured. It's a problem for everyone. That's because America's behemoth of a health system is driving up debt and increasing the burden future taxpayers will have to shoulder. Something has to change -- and fast. A new group, Health Care for America Now, is taking on that challenge by launching a $40 million campaign to create health policy that works.
New Health Care Campaign To Pour $40 Million into Push for Universal Coverage
By Roger Hickey

9. California Supreme Court recognizes gay couples' right to say "I do."
Marriage is not for everyone, but it should be a choice for everyone. California's decision to expand rights for same-sex couples will help undo destructive, outdated prejudices. It is a civil rights boon.

Marriage Equality
By Gilbert Herdt and Robert Kertzner

10. A Supreme Court on the Brink The Supreme Court ended its term by abandoning its positive role on voting rights,
striking down the DC gun control law, reducing the Exxon-Mobile damages, but also in very narrow decisions, defended basic liberties, including the rights of detainees at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. All of these close decisions starkly illustrate how important the next President is, since he may have as many as three new appointments to the court.

A Supreme Court on the Brink
NY Times Editorial

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Clearly There Is A Pattern Here... [Report this comment] Posted by: skizum on Jul 8, 2008 1:50 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] ...Segments of dominant and aggressive individuals are working together to subjugate the masses to secure resources and power; it's an age old story with many different chapters remixed over time. In order for this story line to change, at least two courses of action must be taken: 1) A mass energized progressive movement must overcome the will of the few in power. This can be done in the most peaceful fashion, the sooner we act. 2) We as a species, must learn to fundamentally and honestly understand and confront the basic mechanisms of our human behavior; human nature as effected by nurture/experience. We need to enhance and consciously nurture the good aspects of human nature and find more harmless sustainable outlets for the more destructive aspects. If either of these goals are ever going to happen, it's going to be us in the progressive movement who are going to have to inspire it; to inspire people to use the power of their voice. Use your voice! you have a voice, we all do. We just have to find some effective ways to make our voices heard and/or SEEN. I have set up an initiative to allow people to have their voices SEEN in the physical world, its called My America Too. I consider it my investment in creating a better world. This initiative is my attempt to create a visual foundation which utilizes significant symbolic meaning to allow people to express their individual voice while helping to build on a unifying progressive movement. I hope this initiative will have a great impact on the American public to be made more aware of each others conviction to create positive change. We've got to show each other that we are out there in the real world for each other to get the sense that a critical mass is growing, of which we are all a part. We need a positive common theme with the depth of reality to get exited about. It's time that we get excited about the prospects of re-creating our country based on positive progressive models of balance and sustainability. If we can build enough enthusiastic positive support then we have a shot at launching a real movement in this country. Ultimately, we all have the same basic need to live humanely...no matter who we are. If we can figure out what our most basic humane needs are, then we may have a chance to begin to figure out the process to fulfill those needs. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » You don't get out much, do you? Posted by: Farasien » Most of us don't get out much. There has to be an entry level, and entry levels always involve. . . Posted by: Beck » Perhaps A Second Reflection On Your/My Sentiment Is Called For... Posted by: skizum » RE: What should we do Farasien? Posted by: Sissy » Its not just a few "elites" Posted by: bizeeb » RE: Its not just a few "elites" - Help The People Fix Themselves Posted by: skizum » Prevention... Posted by: Cathyc Don't try to drown us in verbiage [Report this comment] Posted by: Last Chance on Jul 8, 2008 5:28 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] We need to peacefully reduce the human population to manage a stable economy surrounded by healthy wilderness, pristine oceans, lakes and streams. Otherwise, the growing population and its growing economy will pollute the Earth to extinction. It's already happening. -- How To Save The Earth [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » Yes, but it will take a very long time to reduce the human population. Until then, Posted by: Beck » No short term solution for a long term problem Posted by: Last Chance » As if Posted by: Cathyc » RE: Don't try to drown us in verbiage Posted by: reverendnick » RE: Don't try to drown us in verbiage Posted by: pomes The articles that consistently get the most comments on AlterNet [Report this comment] Posted by: kellysgarden on Jul 8, 2008 8:01 AM Current rating: 2 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] are the ones that mention 9/11. But it seems AlterNet consistently sides with the MSM in downplaying any facts related to that subject. This article seems to be no exception. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » They get the most comments because they draw cranks... Posted by: brunowe » RE: They get the most comments because they draw cranks... Posted by: kellysgarden 10 issues [Report this comment] Posted by: Frank J. Burris on Jul 8, 2008 9:11 AM Current rating: 3 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] 1) I don't know if it's the right thing to do, but at this point, I'm leaning towards voting for Nader. I'm deeply disappointed in Obama, because after devoting my money and volunteer time to his primary campaign, I feel he's showing both a lack of gratitude for his supporters and more importantly a lack of foresight. I just don't know what we hope to accomplish by electing someone who appears to be nothing more politically than another Bill Clinton. 2) I don't see how the economy can ever recover with a disappearing manufacturing base. I think the effects NAFTA, CAFTA, PNTR Status for China and similar legislation is going to haunt us for a long time to come. 3) I suppose it's good for the environment for people to be driving smaller vehicles, as well as driving less in general and not building development after development. But as far as gas prices, I think we're entirely at the whim of the oil and gas industry unless we fundamentally alter the government's involvement in the matter. 4) If the issue would've genuinely been about preventing another nation from having WMD, as the administration told us, we would've attacked Israel too. 5) My problem with this is that he's applying a double standard to the telecoms that he is not willing to extend to everyone else. If I break the law, am I going to be immune from being penalized? I was talking to a doctor friend of mine and saying, if she gets sued for violating confidentiality, is Obama willing to grant her immunity? 6) It seem increasingly likely. For me, the more important question is what Obama will do with the situation if he inherits it. Will he let the war go on? Will he maintain another occupying force, Blackwell and all? 7) When I was learning about feminism, I gained the understanding that the concept included a range of values, the most of important of which in this election year is nonviolence. So from that feminist perspective, it seems like supporting the most aggressive militarist in the Democratic primaries would be self-defeating. 8) I work in the health care field as a social worker and see the red tape that has to be maneuvered around to get treatment provided. From my perspective, this is completely irrational. A single payer system with reasonable out of pocket costs seems like the most logical way to make the system efficient and productive. 9) I definitely believe gays should not be prohibited from marrying. Anyone paying taxes should enjoy equal benefits of citizenship. 10) I've had mixed feeling about the Supreme Court over the last few years. I've been very happy with the the decisions regarding the death penalty and how it pertains to youthful offenders, the mentally retarded and now non-murderous criminals. And I was thrilled to see the decision on Habeas Corpus come down. Sure, I'd like to see more such rulings, but I'm not sure I have enough faith in Obama having the political courage to make the best nominations. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: 10 issues ... Nader is stupid` Posted by: Dankhank » RE: 10 issues ... Nader Posted by: fanny666 » RE: fanny666 Posted by: Frank J. Burris » We need to keep McCain out of office Posted by: fanny666 » RE: Darkhank Posted by: Frank J. Burris Some other important issues OUTSIDE of our borders [Report this comment] Posted by: fanny666 on Jul 8, 2008 10:29 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] All of these are essentially domestic issues- even Iraq and Iran are more about us than they are about other people. Here are some other important current issues: Rape is a way of life for women in Sudan and that crisis is far from over. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE for a recorded call to find out what you can do. The junta in Burma (Myanmar) just called the elections of 1990 "illegal." This is the election which was won by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now under house arrest. And although 1,670 relief workers were just granted visas, the cyclone crisis is not over, in fact there has been even more recent flooding. (sign up at that last link to find out what you can do) Ongoing food crisis in Haiti. The poorest citizens of the poorest nation in our hemisphere have resorted to eating mud to stem hunger pains. Wyclef Jean (rapper from the Fugees) is from Haiti, is raising money here. Zimbabwe just had a stunningly illegitimate election and violence against opposition groups continues. The US just ended aid sanctions (which always seem to punish the wrong people), but Mugabe's government has been blocking aid. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Shussshhh [Report this comment] Posted by: QQOblivion on Jul 8, 2008 10:42 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] A domestic issue that I have yet to see covered on Alternet, but I would like to see it covered, is that the Justice Dept may allow the FBI to soon be able to use racial profiling and start investigations into "terrorism" without any evidence of wrongdoing. The proposed program has been compared to J Edgar Hoover's COINTELPRO. I heard about this on NPR, of all places (since they don't usually have cutting-edge stories on there). But now it is hard to find almost anything about it anywhere in the news, using Google News anyway. (Democracy Now reported on this 7/7/08 in their roundup. They say on their website that it was reported on by the AP, not exactly the lefty-press.) [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] as yet under the radar ... [Report this comment] Posted by: siamdave on Jul 8, 2008 11:52 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Have you read Green Island? - dark horse novel of the summer - the adults take over, the trolls want to stop them, the universal one decides to put humanity on trial for barbarism - be the first in your circle to be asking "Have you read it yet?!?" [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Its about PACS and Lobby interests... [Report this comment] Posted by: Bearzerker on Jul 14, 2008 12:19 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] ... John Q Public means absolutely nothing to politicals anymore! the system is so far broken ATM that it was predicted that this would happen to the Democratic nominee... Get rid of special interests from politics... well maybe just their ability to fund a sitting political as it gives them such a huge & unfair advantage over dissenting opponents.... then again maybe not, but their has to be a better way! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You don't get out much, do you? Posted by: Farasien

» Most of us don't get out much. There has to be an entry level, and entry levels always involve. . . Posted by: Beck

» Perhaps A Second Reflection On Your/My Sentiment Is Called For... Posted by: skizum

» RE: What should we do Farasien? Posted by: Sissy

» Its not just a few "elites" Posted by: bizeeb

» RE: Its not just a few "elites" - Help The People Fix Themselves Posted by: skizum

» Prevention... Posted by: Cathyc

» Yes, but it will take a very long time to reduce the human population. Until then, Posted by: Beck

» No short term solution for a long term problem Posted by: Last Chance

» As if Posted by: Cathyc

» RE: Don't try to drown us in verbiage Posted by: reverendnick

» RE: Don't try to drown us in verbiage Posted by: pomes

» They get the most comments because they draw cranks... Posted by: brunowe

» RE: They get the most comments because they draw cranks... Posted by: kellysgarden

» RE: 10 issues ... Nader is stupid` Posted by: Dankhank

» RE: 10 issues ... Nader Posted by: fanny666

» RE: fanny666 Posted by: Frank J. Burris

» We need to keep McCain out of office Posted by: fanny666

» RE: Darkhank Posted by: Frank J. Burris