This article points out a potential backpedaling of the health care industry on commitments to control costs. However, it does so in a childish way (in the end it basically degenerates into name-calling), that I feel it begins to adversely affect the argument that is being made.

This is a well-written article that explains a not-gerenally discussed, but important hurdle in integrating renewable sources of energy to the power grid: the infrastructure of the grid itself. To make solar and wind farms from distant locations a reality, the power grid needs new lines that can carry power over long distances. It excellently explains the technical side at a level accessible to non-tech readers, and is packed with supporting facts. Highly recommended.

An interesting and fairly-balanced article that talks about an alternative fuel for cars that can be produced from coal. Whereas "alternative" recently has been associated with "green", this fuel could produce double the CO2 of normal petroleum fuels when consumed. The focus of the article is on the issues this could have on the fight against cliimate change.

Effectively a press release from a scientific group hosting a symposium, it provides some information on harvesting methane from deep ocean ice chunks. Unfortunately, while the headline mentions that it could be clean and sustainable, it really doesn't explain how. It concludes with a brief explanation of government investigation in this potential fuel source over the last few years, and provides links to related articles. Interesting for a quick read.

A good article talking about a potential turning point in the US war on drugs. Backed by plenty of facts, it makes a compelling case that prosecution of marijuana offenses could give way to treatment programs, and that would be more beneficial in multiple areas of American society. It's definitely slanted toward an pro-legalize position, but overall I feel it's a good read.

This opinion piece makes an interesting argument that a way to revive the economy is for a new bank to rise up, lacking the toxic assets plaguing other banks, and that the nation's largest retailer Wal-Mart is best positioned to do such a thing. The article makes interesting arguments for this scenario, and rounds out with the challenges that could occur if such a thing were to occur.

A fair and factual article on the divergent paths different states are taking in either legalizing or repealing capital punishment. It doesn't get into arguments for or against, but rather sticks to the facts on the topic.

A compelling article that details the poor conditions that foreign workers face working the US through the visa program. It backs its claims with plenty of facts, and effectively makes a case that the program is rife with abuse. Definitely a recommended read.

This transcript covers the advocacy of a recently formed union of nurses pushing for a single-payer healthcare system (as they mention, like Medicare, for everyone). It makes an interesting case for single-payer, but lacks detail on its benefit (i.e. more detail would have been beneficial on the claim of how it would create 2.6 million new jobs). Also, being an interview with a proponent of single-payer, it focuses on the pro- side, and doesn't really get into alternative viewpoints. ... More »

A very interesting article explaining how severely the foreclosure crisis has hit Cleveland. It depicts the situation there as a constant battle between the neighborhoods' remaining residents to fight the parasitic tactics of banks and speculators to turn a quick profit without taking responsibility for their degrading properties. The article explains very well the challenges that citizens face with vacant properties, as well as the strategies they are using to fight back. Recommended read.

Very interesting article explaining the nature of what is generally considered "the free market", and how it has largely been controlled through the years through government intervention (patents, copyrights, legislation). While interesting, it gets a little too side-tracked in explanations of some "examples", and thus takes a while to get to the thrust of the argument (and overall it could stand to be a little more concise). However, it shows a nice view of the big picture of what ... More »

A very interesting forecasting of what a seemingly small increase in temperature could mean to Earth and its inhabitants. At times it paints a very dire picture of near extinction, and at other times provides a more positive look, although even in this case it won't be the world we're used to. Backed with a decent set of facts and good expert opinion, this article is definitely recommended reading.