Tom Hall

Wikileaks: An Antidote for the Pentagon’s Long History of Burying the Truth?

Excuse me if don’t start drooling with enthusiasm at the recent disclosure that the Pentagon and Wikileaks have been talking to each other about proper handling of further disclosures on our occupation of Afghanistan.The Pentagon wants to protect our occupation forces from suffering more casualties and Wikileaks wants to be accepted as a mainstream player in international information … [Read more...]

Killing Prop Hate: What Republicans Fear

By Tom Hall

California's Proposition 8 OverturnedI first wrote about Proposition Hate when it was first proposed. When bigots put it on the ballot with no motive other than their own desire for financial gain.Since then we have suffered election campaigns, heartbreak for loving couples who only wanted to get married, and millions of tax dollars spent for election processes and then for Court time and … [Read more...]

With Elephants in the Room, Where’s the “Liberal Media?”

By Tom Hall

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or elephants in our rooms. The BP oil catastrophe and the Israeli pirate raid loom large in activist-land these days. But in each instance, there are issues about which no one wants to talk.BP has a long history of oil business carnage and willful misconduct. People think that the captain of the Exxon Valdez was at fault for that boat’s … [Read more...]

The Teabag Platform – Clear Even in L.A.

By Tom Hall

Recently I wrote, wondering what Tea Party folks want when they speak of change and “taking back our government” or “restoring the Constitution.” I noted that it was much easier to learn what the Teabaggers were against than what they were for. But in the heat of the primary campaigns, we have had the chance to learn a lot more about what the Teabaggers are for, as well as what they … [Read more...]

A Day to Honor All Who Fight to Protect Our Nation

By Tom Hall

I sit writing this on Memorial Day weekend, a holiday originated in May 1865 by South Carolina black ex-slaves to honor the Union soldiers who died and were dumped in a mass grave at a confederate prisoner of war camp. Those ex-slaves knew the meaning of the sacrifices made by the Union soldiers. They had something to honor and, to show their respect and appreciation, they disinterred every … [Read more...]

What Do Teabaggers Stand For?

By Tom Hall

States are having their primaries and the candidate line-ups for fall elections are taking shape. We may know who represents which party on the ballot. But for at least half of the ballot, we don’t have much information about what the candidates actually stand for.Even as the extreme right wing of the Republican Party has gained control, it’s hard to know exactly what they want from the … [Read more...]

TeaBag T-shirts, the Summer Job Connection

By Tom Hall

Summer is almost here and with it the traditional season of students seeking jobs. It’s a rite of passage and a rite of capitalism. The first job - trying to convince a boss to take a chance on you. Trying to best your buddies for the coolest job. Learning about business. Learning how to work with customers and with suppliers and with paperwork and business machines.Buying your own … [Read more...]

Sex in High Places: The Universal Hypocrisy

By Tom Hall

The New York Daily News and the Miami New Times are reporting that Southern Baptist minister George Alan Rekers hired a male whore from Rentboy.com to accompany him on a 10-day European vacation. Rekers is the co-founder, with James Dobson, of the ultra-right wing Family Research Council, and a tireless campaigner against gay rights and equality.Rekers has acknowledged both the financial … [Read more...]

Do You KNow Nothing about the Teabaggers?

By Tom Hall

Some say the Teabaggers are nostalgic for the 1950s and resentful about how Senator Joe McCarthy was disrespected. Others say that periods of desperation and change can enable the rise of fascism. And we’ve all seen articles focusing on the racist signs and actions at Teabagger events. But these approaches ignore the deeper historical roots of the Teabag movement, and let those who benefit … [Read more...]

Calling Out the Right Wing Lie Machine

By Tom Hall

Language is important. The words we use to describe situations help shape other people’s understanding of those situations as well as their understanding of our opinions and intentions. As we move deeper into the 2010 campaign season, we can see the corporate media choosing words for news stories that focus attention toward or away from various political ideas.For example, the corporate … [Read more...]

Calling the Right Wing Lie Machine to Account

By Tom Hall

Coal Mine Disaster: Legal Corruption and Legal Murder

By Tom Hall

When a junkie, with a biologically driven craving for a fix, robs a 7-11 to get money for drugs, and shoots the cashier in the process, Republicans line up to condemn the criminal and call for a swift, harsh execution to prevent further crimes and to send a message to other junkies.But what if the junkie wears an expensive suit? What if he has a craving not for drugs but just for more money … [Read more...]

Corporate Media: All the News that Suits the Suits

By Tom Hall

There was a time when corporate corruption of politics had to be hidden. Boondoggles and bribery were bad things. As recently as the 1980s, a president could reap acclaim for stating that we should stop the government from buying $800 hammers and multi-thousand dollar toilet seats. In 1977, we passed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which criminalized bribery of foreign officials and … [Read more...]

Rescuing Reagan from the Neocons

By Tom Hall

It is said that the Reagan Revolution transformed American politics and that we continue to live under the impact of that revolution. Today’s Republicans and corporate churches bandy his name about in support of “family values” and “conservative principles.” And the Left lets them get away with it.But revolutions are inherently progressive. Conservatism is supposed to conserve, … [Read more...]

Avatar: Beauty & the Beastly Ideas

By Tom Hall

I finally went to see Avatar , the 3D science fantasy juggernaut which is pleasing audiences around the world. People have claimed that it is Dances with Wolves in space and alternatively, that it is the best picture of the year. It is, in fact, an extraordinary achievement.In an AOL poll, during the first week of February, Avatar came in second to The Blind Side, as best picture choice. … [Read more...]