Monica Jones to the UN: US Must Decriminalize Sex Work
Mike Ludwig, Truthout: Nearly two years ago, Monica Jones was walking to meet some friends at a neighborhood bar in Phoenix, Arizona, when she was picked up by an undercover cop and arrested for prostitution during a massive police sweep. Now, she’s in Geneva, Switzerland, taking her case to the United Nations.
Up Next on the GOP’s To-Do List: Selling US National Forests
Dan Faris, Truthout: In February, a conservation group held a mock auction of the Grand Canyon. They wanted to prove the absurdity of selling our protected national lands. Unfortunately, thanks to the GOP, this may be closer to reality than we could have guessed.
Don’t Fall for the Former Nigerian Dictator Playing Democrat
Adjoa Agyeiwaa, Truthout: Western media display bias and shortsightedness toward Nigerian presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari, a former military dictator. However, Nigerian voters must not fall for his populist slogans of hasty change, which could result in the country backsliding to dictatorship.
Everyone’s Asking the Wrong Questions About Health Care in the US
Michela Dai Ziv, It’s Just Copper and Plastic: Instead of arguing over how many unborn children can dance on the head of a pin, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves how it is that a 25-cent birth-control device came to cost almost $1,000 in the United States, and why we seem unable to do anything about it?
Obama Seeks Fast Track for Trade Deal That Could Thwart “Almost Any Progressive Policy or Goal”
Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!: Congressional Democrats are openly criticizing the secrecy surrounding the negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, just as President Obama begins a major push to pass the controversial deal.
Watch the Video and Read the Transcript
From Good Ole Boy to Progressive Activist: One Man’s Story
Eleanor J. Bader, Truthout: James Gustave Speth traces his transition from a “good ole boy” growing up in the segregated south to vocal anti-racist and environmental activist.
Voices From Solitary: “I Am Somebody’s Daughter”
Victoria Law, Solitary Watch: The following account is by Nicole Natschke, who is currently held in the segregation unit at Illinois’ Logan Correctional Facility, about three hours south of Chicago. She explains that even a few weeks in solitary confinement can have dire consequences on people’s physical and mental well-being.
“Data Trespass,” Wyoming’s Fancy Name for Ag-Gag
Sue Udry, Dissent NewsWire: Jonathan Ratner tests water. He visits streams in Wyoming, takes samples and tests them for E. coli. He’s been testing streams for years, concerned that waste from Wyoming’s 1.3 million cattle is polluting streams. And it is.
Medea Benjamin | Ten Things to Know About the GOP’s “Iran Letter” Sponsor
Medea Benjamin, PINKtank: Hailing from Arkansas, 37-year-old Sen. Tom Cotton boasts the title of being the youngest member of the Senate, but he spouts the old warmongering rhetoric of 78-year-old Sen. John McCain. From Guantánamo to women’s rights, here are 10 reasons why Tom Cotton is a dangerous dude.
The Dilemma of Soy in Argentina
Fabiana Frayssinet, Inter Press Service: Industrial soy production continues to expand in Argentina, pushing small farmers out of the countryside. It presents a challenge in a country where 70 percent of the food consumed comes from family farms, but which also needs the foreign exchange brought in by “green gold.”
Richard D. Wolff | Economic Update: Economics of Corruption
Richard D. Wolff, Truthout: This episode provides updates on a press conference concerning Janet Yellen and “Blockupy” protests in Europe against the European Central Bank and austerity. We also respond to questions on New York Mayor de Blasio signing a bill for worker co-ops and an important fight over the closing of Sweet Briar college.
BuzzFlash
Fox On-Air Propagandists Blare That Not Everyone Should Vote
Mark Karlin, BuzzFlash at Truthout: When Fox pundits assert that only “informed” people should vote, that raises an important question. If being informed with actual facts is the standard, then no one watching Fox should be able to vote.
Mountaintop Mining Removal: It’s Time to Bring This Tragedy to an End
Jon Stewart Eviscerates Fox for “Benghazi Race-Gasm”
Watch the Video at Comedy Central
Paul Krugman: Trillion Dollar Fraudsters
Read the Article at The New York Times
School Ties: College Students Rally for Prison Divestment
Read the Article at The Marshall Project
Federal Probe Launched After Black Mississippi Man Found Hanging From Tree
Read the Article at The Guardian
US Weapons Have a Nasty Habit of Going AWOL
Read the Article at Mother Jones
March 20, 2003: The United States Invades Iraq