The author is exactly right about the real devil ruling the world -- corporations and their slavish allegiance to profits. The only problem is that the electoral reforms suggested require Congressional approval. How to do that without corporate approval?

In this in-depth analysis/opinion, Scahill goes beyond the obvious, already-stated accusations and offers a new, middle-ground solution to a knotty dilemma.

Amidst all of the adulation of Obama, the cautions sounded by this writer and others must be heeded.

This is one of the best stories I've seen that explains just why social media applications like Facebook and Twitter are growing so rapidly. It's a great piece to show older friends or relatives who just don't "get it."

This column offers a perspective that is not being offered in most coverage of the Russia-Georgia dispute -- the mistakes of Georgia, and the role of the West in encouraging them.

Of course, technically, just because candidates get big money from certain corporations doesn't mean their votes will be skewed that way. But past track records in this regards are damning, as this article documents. And Obama's minions need to be aware of this so that they don't allow their idolatrous support to be taken for granted.

Although Samantha Power is a bit too "trigger-happy" for my taste when it comes to when military intervention is warranted, and then slow to say we'd do better to get out (based on her other writings and comments), this is a very thoughtful response to the stubborn mindset that seems to grip the uninformed -- that the Republican philosophy actually makes us safer.

We've heard a lot about soaring food costs, and have been told some personal stories about who's affected, but this specific focus on women is needed and rarely provided.

This is an excellent, in-depth look at an organization that changed our political landscape. Both the positives and the negatives from both critics and advocates are explored and probed. I am one of those progressive whose support for MoveOn has soured over time. However, this article helped me put my own ambivalence into proper perspective. The progressive movement needs more self-analysis like this, and we need to give the same kind of impartial scrutiny to groups on the "other side."

I have been so discouraged with Obama lately that my will to vote for him at all has been seriously chipped away. However, these two pieces below have helped bring some perspective to me. The first is from the Huffington Post and points out that even some liberal "icons" (like Kucinich) are not "right" on all issues all the time. And the second, an editorial from the NY Times, reminds us what a McCain victory would mean. I'm still discouraged, but a little of the value of pragmatism ... More »

This is a great article, but I ask you: I'd say all of us reviewing articles here are more informed than most, or at least we think we are! And could YOU answer all of the questions the author used as examples of American ignorance? I will be honest and say that I couldn't immeditaly name the significance of Yorktown.

I've been waiting for this story. Obama has clearly been worried about the Jewish vote. But does he care about Muslims? They are not as organized and well-funded, but large in number.

I have so many friends who reflexively and simply call for the end to genocide in Darfur, without understanding the complexities of the current situation there. It is no longer the good guys against the bad guys (if it was ever that simple), but a complex, multi-front conflict for which the objectives are far from clear. It's good that the media are finally beginning to take a clear-eyed look at this.

This article spotlights an important problem, as manifested in one country. However, it fails to illuminate the "big picture" by glossing over the factors contributing to the adoption of the first "green revolution" in India, and its not-so-beneficial consequences that have helped fuel the current prevailing hunger. There is a current call for a second "green revolution" (this time relying on genetically modified plants), and that would be a mistake without studying the problems with ... More »

This interview with the head of Hamas is of course one-sided. It is a faithful recording of an interview with Mishal about his early, formative years. It is important, however, to understand key players on the world stage, whether we agree with their tactics and beliefs or not.

This is a story that has gotten little coverage elsewhere, and is another example of the United States' reflexive use of military means to fight intractable problems.

This is a pretty balanced profile of Rupert Murdoch and his recent acquisition of the Wall Street Journal. It doesn't answer the two biggies -- what impact will he have on this American institution, and on the future of print journalism. But who can?

This article offers another perspective on the United States' reflexive use of mlitarism to protect our interests, in this cases, bases to protect our energy interests. It deserves wide debate.

Horse-race reporting continues. . .the veep spot is indeed important, but who are these people REALLY? We just scratch the surface.

No one pays much attention to this issue -- which actually should be broadened to decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for ANY reason. The amount of money and other resources we spend on this -- when the effects are no more or less destructive than alcohol, in my opinion -- is a crime, and racially skewed. So, I'm glad to see this piece. I just wishe Zaitchick had had the courage to take on the whole issue.

This is pretty good at analyzing a perspective about McCain that needs a lot more attention as we head into the general election. I agree with this piece, but a neutral person (if that's possible in this election season) would say that more McCain supporters should have been interviewed for their point of view.

What I find most interesting about the book reviewed in this article is the concept of "inverted totaliarianism" -- in other words, the art honed by Bush et al of making it seem like they are practicing democracy, when they are not.

This article takes an in-depth look at a little-examined issue: the pros and cons of electing judges. Liptak does a good job of explaining the different perspectives, as well as examining the view from other countries -- something we do very little here.

I don't know that I agree we should have invaded Afghanistan at all (is there really a "good" war?), but I applaud this writer for examining another issue that the mainstream press only revisits periodically, and then not at all critically as in this piece.

Well, bravo to Politico! I think they let themselves off the hook a little to easily, but it's rare that the media examine themselves like this, and certainly not this quickly after an event. We should have more of these "post-mortems."

I think this is an excellent look beyond the usual Bush administration "talking points" to examine trends toward peace -- or at least more peaceful resolution - DESPITE the powers that be in the U.S. We need more context beyond what our government tells us.

Coming from Jeffrey Goldberg, this is an extremely important opinion piece. Goldbert is a Zionist, although a reasonable one who has exposed himself to the other point of view. (Read his memoir, "Prisoners.") I just wish this had appeared in an American publication! Why wasn't it?

This analysis finally asks the questions I've been asking: How someone who was a POW and thus experienced the worst consequences of war firsthand could support another endless conflict in Iraq. I don't agree with McCain's take on things, but now I understand a little better how he justifies them to himself.

This is an interview with Raj Patal, author of Stuffed and Starved. Patal takes on a subject that is obvious all around us, but that nobody talks about. Why are poor Americans often fat? Why are Americans in general fatter than may other nationalities? Is it our own fault? No, says Patal, it's that "invisible hand." Read this interview. But better yet, read the book.

This story provides good depth and context on the surface. However, the authors biases that slant it a bit become obvious in several places. For instance, the article talks of the "physical revival of Beirut from a bomb-scarred wreck to a gleaming magnet for tourism." Although it does acknowledge briefly that reconstruction also brought corruption, it does not go any further to expose the elite, abusive capitalism practiced by Rafik Hariri (read Naomi Klein's "Shock Doctrine"), who ... More »

This is a depressing but relentlessly honest look at our options, and the likely realities, regarding Iraq and Afghanistan as we finally near the much-anticipated change in U.S. administrations. As a proud "leftist," the article leaves me feeling ineffectual in my efforts to force a complete end of the Iraq war. But I am forced to admit that given our choice of candidates and the state of our nation, Powers is most likely very correct in his analysis.

This in-depth article provides background and context on the Tibetan struggle and culture not offered in the Western mainstream media. As a progressive, all I typically hear or read about Tibet, the Dalai Lama, etc. is that they are the "good guys" and the Chinese are "bad." But this article gives a more nuanced perspective -- including a look at just how democatic and fair the Tibetan culture is and the schisms within it.

This story is the typical comparison of two candidates' views as expressed on the campaign trail. On the positive side, it focuses on an important issue and gives both candidates equal space -- fairly reporting each side's rhetoric. But it left me frustrated and depressed, because neither point of view is put in context in terms of the nuanced reality that actually exists. For instance, Hamas is not just the monolithic terrorist organization they both appear to think it is. It has ... More »

This piece carries more credibility than many because it is written by an American Jew who made "aliyah" and moved to Israel. He challenges many myths of right-wing thinking, pointing out why it's in Israel's security interests to negotiate a real peace with the Palestinians. He warns against "the politics of fear," and reminds his fellow Israelis that "this is not 1938. It has not been 1938 since 1948 -- since Israel's creation."

Finally, someone is willing to take on AIPAC. AND, the mainstream media is willing to print it! This is a good start for J Street.

This is an interesting look at some of the common mythologies surrounding Israel and its role in the world. We need to do more of this questioning of the so-called facts on both sides of issues.