Bill Fletcher Jr.: Malcolm X’s transformation cannot be understood outside of a recognition that his adoption of a belief system and a commitment to something larger than himself involved a dedication to the building of organization.
The Wisconsin Recall
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Bill Fletcher: What is important is that the fight is taking place and that representatives of the “99%” are resisting injustice.
What Is True Political Wisdom? A Primer for the 2012 Election
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Walter Moss: We want our leaders to exercise political wisdom. At least, we do if we think about it. Does anybody really desire unwise leaders? But what do we mean by political wisdom? What virtues and values does a wise leader possess?
Thoughts That Occupy My Mind
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William Blum: Those young people, and the old ones as well, keep surprising me, with their dedication and energy, their camaraderie and courage, their optimism and innovation, their non-violence and their keen awareness of the danger of being co-opted their focusing on the economic institutions more than on the politicians or political parties.
A Patch of Pumpkin Heads
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Walter and Rosemary Brasch: Mitt Romney, once standing straight, is now leaning so far right that he is likely to be kissing the floor soon. Perhaps he could dress as the Cowardly Lion and hope to find some courage.
Everybody Blinked
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Anthony Samad: We certainly saw Congress’ version of “stupid” last week when they threatened (and are still threatening) to shut down the federal government. The danger of politics is that it is open to disingenuous interjection where it ends up becoming more foolish banter than courageous engagement.
President Obama: MIA
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Walter Brasch: Good presidents do what is best for the country. Great presidents, however, do not only what is best for the people, but are also willing to speak to the courage of their beliefs, of their principles, even if it may be unpopular among many of their constituencies.
Courage and Conviction
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Mark V. Sykes: Robert M. Nelson and 27 fellow Caltech scientists, engineers and administrators working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are risking their jobs and their personal financial well-being to fight for their right of privacy against unwarranted government intrusion. They are fighting for all of us, and they deserve our respect and support.
Heroism, Cowardice, and the National Tragedy of Hidden Guilt
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Charles Hayes: Today I feel very differently about the Vietnam War than I did in my youth, but my own feelings of guilt during that time give me a unique kind of insight into the psychology of courage and commitment. America has never had a shortage of courageous citizens willing to take up arms and fight to the death for reasons and causes beyond their own understanding. Arlington Cemetery in Virginia serves as proof. But my sense of the decades since the end of World War II is that America has and is experiencing a courage crisis of shameful origin and of tragic consequence.
Prop 8 Trial: Call to Action
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Carl Matthes: Those of us who want to see Prop 8 overturned have this remarkable chance to make our voices heard by calling for the trial to be televised in the interest of transparency and accountability. The Courage Campaign Institute, one of the principle organizations working to overturn Prop 8, is teaming up with CREDO Action to collect as many signatures as possible asking Judge Walker to televise the case.
Thank the President for Waking the Sleeping Giant
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There were more people protesting in the streets this week than we have seen in a long time: at least 80 communities rose up. I asked Jayne to thank the President for waking the sleeping giant and assured her that we will do all we can to make sure he does not get the money from Congress to escalate this senseless war.
What Obama Must Demand from Congress on Health Care
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In order to get anything meaningful through this session of Congress, then, the President will have to give Congressional Democrats far more leadership and more cover. Doing so is harder now than before the recess, when he was still basking in the afterglow of a honeymoon and 60% favorabilities.
Michael Jackson the Trail Blazer
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I was already in a somewhat somber mood on the morning of June 25th after hearing on the radio that Farrah Fawcett had lost her battle with cancer. Of course, I didn’t know her, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be saddened, especially after having seen the documentary she produced—“Farrah’s Story”— which provided a window [...]
How Do You Know Who to Vote For?
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Don’t Vote? — Don’t Complain! We’ve all heard this sentiment — some of us have used it ourselves. I was going to write a story about the upcoming May 19 election and how important it is that we get out there and yada yada yada. . . . My plan started falling apart when I [...]
Friday Feedback: Linda Sutton’s Comments on “Prop 8: Apportioning Blame & Fighting Back”
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Every Friday the LA Progressive features a comment that was particularly noteworthy. This week we are featuring a comment that submitted by Linda Sutton in response to “Prop 8: Apportioning Blame & Fighting Back,” by Natalie Davis. Here’s Linda’s comment: Personally, I think we need to be pointing toward the so-called “low-information” voters who make [...]
Obamanos! A Man with the Courage of Robert Kennedy
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Finally, after eight years there is a budget and a plan for the Latino voter! It must really gall a bunch of folks within the Democratic National Committee (DNC) (who have bought off on the Dean theory of kumbaya and let us do a 50 state plan) to see that Obama gets it. You have [...]
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This Jobs Crisis Is Obama’s Kryptonite
David Love: Obama can solve this whole thing tomorrow if he just calls for a new New Deal program already. But will he have the courage? Time will tell, but the President, like this sad nation, is short on time.