Immigration, gender, LGBT rights, race in America, equality, fair drug laws, the dangers of corporate power in America ... these are just a few of the subjects we feature every day here at AlterNet.
Below, we've assembled the 10 stories that most enraged commenters this year -- the articles that were linked to by conservative sites, ranted about on conspiracy blogs, and inspired people to send some downright nasty notes to AlterNet. They cover topics ranging from the facts about Sarah Palin, to the truth behind America's Marijuana laws, to the backwards thinking behind various conspiracy theories.
Here are the top ten AlterNet stories that outraged readers this year:
10.Over the Top Fed Actions Feed Conspiracy Thinking
By Scott Thill, AlterNet
By rewarding the criminals and screwing the victims, the Federal Reserve's behavior feeds into rumors and conspiracy about its true function.
9. Busting Paranoid Right-Wing Fantasies of Dissolving the Mexico-U.S.-Canada Borders
By Manuel Pérez Rocha and Sarah Anderson, AlterNet
It's time to call BS on the idea of a mythical North American Union.
8. America's Democratic Collapse
By Chris Hedges, Truthdig
In a dramatic speech, Chris Hedges warns that the nation is on the verge of becoming a full-blown corporate state.
7.Racial Extremists Are Infiltrating the Military for the Chance to 'Kill a Brown'
By David Holthouse, Intelligence Report
New evidence suggests that white supremacists are taking advantage of lowered recruiting standards to enter the armed services.
6.Why Harsh Immigration Crackdowns Will Never Work
By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
Tough-minded immigration policies keep backfiring, and the debate over them obscures the question of what really works and what doesn't.
5. White Supremacists Fantasize That Obama Will Help Them Recruit
By Max Blumenthal, The Daily Beast
David Duke and white supremacists are grappling with arrests for an Obama murder plot, while hoping an Obama presidency will be good for them.
4.Talk Radio and the Conspiracy to Kill
By Rory O'Connor, AlterNet
Would Jim Adkisson have killed without prompting from extreme right-wing talkers?
3. Debunking the Hemp Conspiracy Theory
By Steven Wishnia, AlterNet
Pot isn't illegal because the paper industry is afraid of competing with hemp -- it's because of racism and the culture wars.
2.Top Ten Most Disturbing Facts and Impressions of Sarah Palin
By AlterNet Staff, AlterNet
It's not hard to stir up negative publicity when you advocate gunning down wolves from airplanes and deny the human causes of climate change.
1. The Ultimate 9/11 'Truth' Showdown: David Ray Griffin vs. Matt Taibbi
By Matt Taibbi and David Ray Griffin, AlterNet
The two writers lock horns over the accuracy of Griffin's recent book, 9/11 Contradictions.