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Opinion

Powerful House Rep. Slaughter: Senate Went off the Rails and Passed a Weak Health Care BillPowerful House Rep. Slaughter: Senate Went off the Rails and Passed a Weak Health Care Bill

By Rep. Louise Slaughter, AlterNet. December 24, 2009.
Health and Wellness: Supporters of the weak Senate bill say "just pass it -- any bill is better than no bill." I strongly disagree.

I Volunteered For Obama in 2008, But His Support of Landmines Is the Last StrawI Volunteered For Obama in 2008, But His Support of Landmines Is the Last Straw

By Clancy Sigal, Comment Is Free. December 24, 2009.
World: Obama's cruel and pointless refusal to ban child-killing landmines was my personal breaking point against the candidate I worked hard to elect.

Afghanistan War: The Soviet Lesson Not LearnedAfghanistan War: The Soviet Lesson Not Learned

By Rep. Eric MassaDecember 23, 2009.
World: Make a difference, become a Peacemaker: http://rethinkafghanistan.com/peace.php

Why Men Fake OrgasmsWhy Men Fake Orgasms

By Elizabeth Black, AlterNet. December 23, 2009.
Sex and Relationships: Many women would be surprised to learn that men often fake orgasms. But why? Our limited, patriarchal view of sexuality, of course.

How Real Health Reform Was Killed by Politicians Trying to Look 'Moderate'How Real Health Reform Was Killed by Politicians Trying to Look 'Moderate'

By James Ridgeway, CounterPunch. December 23, 2009.
Health and Wellness: 'Moderation' has come to mean weighing the interests of campaign contributors -- Big Pharma vs. the insurance companies -- with little concern for the American people.

Christian Story of Jesus's Birth Is a Myth Born of PoliticsChristian Story of Jesus's Birth Is a Myth Born of Politics

By Rev. Howard Bess, Consortium News. December 23, 2009.
Belief: Beautiful as it is, the story of the birth of Jesus is a myth born of the political needs of early Christians.

Is It Possible to Cobble Together 10 Good Things That Happened in 2009? You Better Believe It!Is It Possible to Cobble Together 10 Good Things That Happened in 2009? You Better Believe It!

By Medea Benjamin, AlterNet. December 22, 2009.
World: It was a tough year, but there is still much to celebrate -- now a majority of Americans oppose war in Afghanistan, the war on drugs is waning, and more.

Men: Invisible Allies in the Struggle for ChoiceMen: Invisible Allies in the Struggle for Choice

By Claire Keyes, RH Reality Check. December 21, 2009.
Reproductive Justice and Gender: If we want supportive men's voices to balance the messages of violence and hatred, we need to reach out to men even more.

Democratic Senator: GOP on Desperate Mission of Propaganda, Obstruction and FearDemocratic Senator: GOP on Desperate Mission of Propaganda, Obstruction and Fear

By Sheldon Whitehouse, AlterNet. December 21, 2009.
Politics: In his Senate floor speech on the health-care bill, the Rhode Island senator accused the GOP of fomenting the kind of paranoia that led to Kristallnacht and lynchings.

Corporations (and Sarah Palin) Are Cyborgs Sent to Scuttle the Fight Against Climate ChangeCorporations (and Sarah Palin) Are Cyborgs Sent to Scuttle the Fight Against Climate Change

By Rebecca Solnit, Tomdispatch.com. December 21, 2009.
Environment: Why does it seem as if we're in an action movie in which the fate of the Earth is at stake?

Sexy Mormons, the Joy of Vibrators and Sticking it to Puritans: 10 of Liz Langley's Best PiecesSexy Mormons, the Joy of Vibrators and Sticking it to Puritans: 10 of Liz Langley's Best Pieces

By AlterNet Staff, AlterNet. December 21, 2009.
Sex and Relationships: Sex and relationships writer Liz Langley wrote some of the sexiest -- and smartest -- stories about the politics and culture of sex this year.

Stephen King Meets the Estate TaxStephen King Meets the Estate Tax

By Bill Gates, Sr., Chuck Collins, AlterNet. December 21, 2009.
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: What horrors will befall our nation's wealthy when one of the most bizarre twists in tax legislation in history comes to pass?

Matt Taibbi, Bill Moyers and Robert Kuttner: Why Can't Democrats Do Anything Right?Matt Taibbi, Bill Moyers and Robert Kuttner: Why Can't Democrats Do Anything Right?

By Bill Moyers, Matt Taibbi, Robert Kuttner, Bill Moyers Journal. December 21, 2009.
Could a crushing defeat on health reform teach Democrats to stop prioritizing corporate interests?

Stunning Statistics About the War in Afghanistan Every American Should KnowStunning Statistics About the War in Afghanistan Every American Should Know

By Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. December 21, 2009.
World: Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. actually has 189,000 personnel on the ground in Afghanistan right now -- and that number is quickly rising.

7 Reasons for Atheists to Celebrate the Holidays7 Reasons for Atheists to Celebrate the Holidays

By Greta Christina, AlterNet. December 19, 2009.
Belief: Even though the standard winter holidays are supposedly religious, there are ample reasons for atheists to celebrate, too.

10 Ways to Screw Over the Corporate Jackals Who've Been Screwing You10 Ways to Screw Over the Corporate Jackals Who've Been Screwing You

By Scott Thill, AlterNet. December 19, 2009.
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: Tired of getting pushed around by faceless big business? Here are 10 ways to push back!

Everything You Think About Tiger Woods is Wrong, So Shut the F*** Up!Everything You Think About Tiger Woods is Wrong, So Shut the F*** Up!

By Michael Bader, AlterNet. December 17, 2009.
Media and Technology: The hundreds of media theories that have grown up around the Woods scandal have nothing to do with him and everything to do with us.

Hightower: Congress Ethics Rules Undermined by WeaselsHightower: Congress Ethics Rules Undermined by Weasels

By Jim Hightower, AlterNet. December 17, 2009.
The Democratic majority in the House pushed through a widely ballyhooed set of reforms. Pelosi promised "the most honest, ethical and open Congress in history. How'd that work out?

Guess What? Casual Sex Won't Make You Go InsaneGuess What? Casual Sex Won't Make You Go Insane

By Ellen Friedrichs, AlterNet. December 17, 2009.
Sex and Relationships: Many cling to the notion that casual sex must be damaging. Recent research -- and a little historical perspective and common sense -- shows otherwise.

Health-Care Bill After Compromise with Lieberman: Worse Than NothingHealth-Care Bill After Compromise with Lieberman: Worse Than Nothing

By Darcy Burner, AlterNet. December 16, 2009.
Politics: Thanks to Joe Lieberman, the Senate health-care bill -- now with no public option or Medicare buy-in -- leaves progressives no choice but to kill it.

Former Police Chief Norm Stamper: 'Let's Not Stop at Marijuana Legalization'Former Police Chief Norm Stamper: 'Let's Not Stop at Marijuana Legalization'

By Norm Stamper, AlterNet. December 14, 2009.
Rights and Liberties: A new poll shows that most Americans are ready to legalize marijuana, but not drugs like cocaine or heroin. A 34-year police vet says it's time to legalize them all.

The 9 Surges of Obama's WarThe 9 Surges of Obama's War

By Tom Engelhardt, Tomdispatch.com. December 14, 2009.
World: The troop surge is only one part of the escalation of the Afghanistan war. Here are 8 more signs of how fully the President has committed us.

Why Are We Drugging Our Kids?Why Are We Drugging Our Kids?

By Evelyn Pringle, TruthOut.org. December 14, 2009.
Health and Wellness: Psychiatric drugs are overprescribed and can even make mental symptoms worse in kids. They're also a goldmine for drug companies.

Christian Kink: Why Traditional Religion and Non-Traditional Sex Are a Good MatchChristian Kink: Why Traditional Religion and Non-Traditional Sex Are a Good Match

By Sarah Sloane, SeXis Magazine. December 14, 2009.
Sex and Relationships: What happens when a deeply religious person finds that their sexual interests seem at odds with their faith? Sometimes, it's easier to reconcile than it seems.

There's More to Sex Than a Cum Shot to the Face: What Men Should Unlearn from Hardcore PornThere's More to Sex Than a Cum Shot to the Face: What Men Should Unlearn from Hardcore Porn

By Vanessa Richmond, AlterNet. December 12, 2009.
Sex and Relationships: No, porn does not turn men into crazed sex fiends. But it's clear that pornography has affected the way we view -- and have -- sex. Here's how to counter porn's effects.

Are Americans a Broken People? Why We've Stopped Fighting Back Against the Forces of OppressionAre Americans a Broken People? Why We've Stopped Fighting Back Against the Forces of Oppression

By Bruce E. Levine, AlterNet. December 11, 2009.
Politics: A psychologist asks: Have consumerism, suburbanization and a malevolent corporate-government partnership so beaten us down that we no longer have the will to save ourselves?

Transforming the Rust-Belt into a Green BeltTransforming the Rust-Belt into a Green Belt

Blog for Our Future. December 10, 2009.
Corporate Accountability and WorkPlace: How do you rebuild Allentown for the 21st Century?

Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize With a Pro-War SpeechObama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize With a Pro-War Speech

By Norman Solomon, AlterNet. December 10, 2009.
World: Obama spoke of "the world as it is" and insisted that "war is sometimes necessary" -- but generalities do nothing to mitigate the horrors of war being endured by others.

Texas Populist Jim Hightower Makes Progressive 'Hall of Fame,' as Nation Magazine Gathering Grapples with Conflicted Feelings about President ObamaTexas Populist Jim Hightower Makes Progressive 'Hall of Fame,' as Nation Magazine Gathering Grapples with Conflicted Feelings about President Obama

By Don Hazen, AlterNet. December 10, 2009.
A year after the President's inauguration, much of the giddiness surrounding Obama has dissipated.

Why Is the Federal Government Supporting Evangelism?Why Is the Federal Government Supporting Evangelism?

By Eleanor J. Bader, RH Reality Check. December 9, 2009.
Reproductive Justice and Gender: Why does Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, which teaches students to be "Champions for Christ," get tax-exempt status?

The Swiss Minaret Ban: What Are They Really Trying to Outlaw?The Swiss Minaret Ban: What Are They Really Trying to Outlaw?

By Laila Lalami, The Nation. December 9, 2009.
Rights and Liberties: A voter referendum prohibiting the construction of minarets in Switzerland is part of a disturbing, anti-Muslim trend that's been working its way through Europe for years.

Why Fake Optimism Is the Worst Way to Deal with Life's ProblemsWhy Fake Optimism Is the Worst Way to Deal with Life's Problems

By Liz Langley, AlterNet. December 8, 2009.
Sex and Relationships: Looking at crap and calling it candy has become a growth industry. But experts say there are better ways to deal with crisis.

How the Religious Right Stole ChristmasHow the Religious Right Stole Christmas

By Sandhya Bathija, Church and State. December 7, 2009.
Belief: Every holiday season, Christian conservatives moan about a "war on Christmas." Not surprisingly, this is tied to massive fundraising campaigns.

11 Dangerous Ingredients You Should Avoid at All Costs11 Dangerous Ingredients You Should Avoid at All Costs

By Sarah Irani, EcoSalon. December 7, 2009.
Reproductive Justice and Gender: Headaches, birth defects, allergies and even cancer can be caused by ingredients in common cosmetics. You don't need that junk to look good.

Why Copenhagen May Be a DisasterWhy Copenhagen May Be a Disaster

By Bill McKibben, Tomdispatch.com. December 7, 2009.
Environment: Treating climate change as just another political problem may mean the end of civilization.

The 6 Weirdest, Scariest Processed FoodsThe 6 Weirdest, Scariest Processed Foods

By Brad Reed, AlterNet. December 6, 2009.
Health and Wellness: Once upon a time, some brave scientists had a noble dream of ridding food of nutrients. That dream is closer to reality than ever.

Do Atheists Have God All Wrong?Do Atheists Have God All Wrong?

By Troy Jollimore, Truthdig. December 6, 2009.
Belief: A new book, "The Case for God," argues that prominent non-believers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris are wrong. Is it based on wishful thinking?

Obama's War Speech Woke the Sleeping Giant -- Anger Over Afghan Surge Fuels Country-Wide ProtestsObama's War Speech Woke the Sleeping Giant -- Anger Over Afghan Surge Fuels Country-Wide Protests

By Jodie Evans, AlterNet. December 4, 2009.
World: The president's announcement of a troop surge in Afghanistan this week prompted protests in over 80 communities across the country.

Senator Sanders Unfiltered: Where Was The Fed?

By Sen. Bernie SandersDecember 4, 2009.
Politics: I am going to do my best to see that Mr. Bernanke’s nomination is defeated. Find out more at: senatorsandersunfiltered.com

Purple Hearts On Death Row: War Damaged Vets Should Not Be Executed By the StatePurple Hearts On Death Row: War Damaged Vets Should Not Be Executed By the State

By Karl R. Keys, Bill Pelke, AlterNet. December 4, 2009.
Rights and Liberties: Soldiers are coming home traumatized by the carnage they've seen. As veterans, we believe those who commit crimes due to severe mental problems should be treated, not killed.