Category Archives: Politics

Jewish Voice for Peace and the Prophetic Tradition

Posted on 03/30/2015 by David Green

The growth of the national organization Jewish Voice for Peace stems—in terms of recent history—from critical responses to Israel’s behavior during the 2nd Intifada, which began in late 2000. Among the local movements that have been incorporated into JVP is Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Jewish Voice for Peace and the Prophetic Tradition

Alternative to U.S.-Led War

Posted on 02/18/2015 by Sarah Lazare

Sarah Lazare is a staff writer for Common Dreams and an independent journalist whose work has been featured in The Nation, Al Jazeera, TomDispatch, Yes! Magazine, and more. She is also an anti-militarist organizer interested in building people-powered global movements … Continue reading →

Posted in military, Politics | Comments Off on Alternative to U.S.-Led War

Why the Republicans Were So Successful in the Mid-Term Elections

Posted on 01/30/2015 by David Johnson

It is obvious from the recent mid-term elections that the Democratic Party nation-wide is in crisis. The corporate media states that the Democratic Party must become more “centrist,” meaning that the Democratic Party needs to be more like the Republicans. … Continue reading →

Posted in National, Politics | Comments Off on Why the Republicans Were So Successful in the Mid-Term Elections

Is a Viable Third Party Still Possible?

Posted on 01/06/2015 by Susan Shoemaker

​After the lowest midterm election turnout since World War II, it is obvious that many Americans are fed up with politics as usual and that we are facing a “crisis in democracy“. Both the Republicans and the Democrats are now … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | Comments Off on Is a Viable Third Party Still Possible?

American Exceptionalism and Our Newest War

Posted on 11/13/2014 by Susan Shoemaker

Once upon a time, when I was a child growing up in 1950s America, I truly believed in American Exceptionalism, the idea that the United States is a virtuous country and unique among nations because of our revolutionary history, experimental … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Politics | Tagged , | Comments Off on American Exceptionalism and Our Newest War

Political Soccer: A Global Phenomenon—Except Here

Posted on 11/13/2014 by Richard Esbenshade

This summer’s soccer World Cup—always the most-watched sporting event on the planet—in Brazil was accompanied by enormous demonstrations, at times violently repressed. Citizens protested the diversion of vast resources from urgent social needs to the building of hugely expensive stadiums, … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Politics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Political Soccer: A Global Phenomenon—Except Here

The Assault on Gaza

Posted on 08/21/2014 by Niloofar Shambayati

Throughout the current Israel’s assault on Gaza, President Obama, the Congress, and the media have been sounding off the mantra of “Israel’s right to defend itself” against rockets from Gaza—a self-evident right, if Israel were indeed the innocent victim of … Continue reading →

Posted in International, military, Politics | Comments Off on The Assault on Gaza

A Faculty Union at UIUC Part 1

Posted on 06/07/2014 by David Prochaska

The UI Chicago faculty union signed its first contract in April 2014. In Urbana the Campus Faculty Association (CFA) submitted in mid-May the necessary number of cards to create a full-time non-tenure track (NTT) faculty union (part-time NTT’s are excluded … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics, News, Politics, Politics | Comments Off on A Faculty Union at UIUC Part 1

The Attack on Labor Rights as Collective Human Rights in Great Britain

Posted on 10/03/2013 by Belden Fields

This article is inspired by the book, Human Rights and Labor Solidarity: Trade Unions in the Global Economy. This text was written by a former undergraduate student of mine, Susan Kang, who is now a professor of political science at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Labor/Economics, Politics | Comments Off on The Attack on Labor Rights as Collective Human Rights in Great Britain

Brazilians marching on the street: what´s behind 20 cents

Posted on 08/21/2013 by admin

By Walênia Silva: Walênia Silva is an adjunt professor at the Music School at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Dr. Silva completed her PhD. at the College of Education at UIUC. Last June, Brazilians decided to march in … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, International, Politics, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Brazilians marching on the street: what´s behind 20 cents

Shooting the Messenger: Reflections on the Court Martial of Whistle Blower PFC Bradley Manning

Posted on 08/01/2013 by Niloofar Shambayati

I spent five days in and around Fort Meade military base in Maryland, attending the first two days of the court martial of the whistleblower, Bradley Manning.  The trial started on June 3rd, after he had already spent three years … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, military, Politics | Comments Off on Shooting the Messenger: Reflections on the Court Martial of Whistle Blower PFC Bradley Manning

The New Civil Rights Campaign-Health Care is a Human Right!

Posted on 05/24/2013 by David Johnson

DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE DENIED In May of 2009 the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Democratic Montana Senator Max Baucus, pressured by President Barack Obama, held hearings about healthcare reform in the U.S. Over the course of several weeks, only … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, Human Rights, Politics | Comments Off on The New Civil Rights Campaign-Health Care is a Human Right!

Who’s the Bigger Scapegoat in Europe, Roma or Jew?

Posted on 05/24/2013 by Richard Esbenshade

On October 24 of last year, the Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe Murdered under the National Socialist Regime was unveiled and dedicated in Berlin, Germany, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck in attendance. Almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, International, Politics | Comments Off on Who’s the Bigger Scapegoat in Europe, Roma or Jew?

Jason Collins

Posted on 05/24/2013 by Neil Parthun

“I’m a 34 year old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” With these simple words, Jason Collins made history as the first actively playing out athlete in the NBA, NHL, MLB or NFL. The overwhelming reaction to Collins’ important … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, LGBTQA, Media, News, Politics | Comments Off on Jason Collins

C-U Marches for Immigration Reform

Posted on 05/24/2013 by Richard Esbenshade

(Compiled from C-U Immigration Forum materials) On Wednesday, April 10th, over 200 students and community members braved steady rain and cold to support comprehensive immigration reform (CIR). Families, students, community and church leaders marched in solidarity from the University Y … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Immigration, Politics, Voices of Color | Comments Off on C-U Marches for Immigration Reform

Mobilization in Al Ma’sarah: “We Will Keep Coming Back”

Posted on 05/24/2013 by Sarah Lazare

“You must refuse to be in the army. Look into my eyes, we are all human,” declared Mahmoud Zwahre, popular committee leader in the West Bank Bethlehem district village of Al Ma’sarah, addressing dozens of M4 toting Israeli soldiers. “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, International, Politics | Comments Off on Mobilization in Al Ma’sarah: “We Will Keep Coming Back”

U.S. Seeks to Get Rid of Left Governments in Latin America

Posted on 05/24/2013 by Mark Weisbrot

  By Mark Weisbrot This article was published in Folha de São Paulo, Brazil’s largest circulation newspaper, on April 20, 2013. Recent events indicate that the Obama administration has stepped up its strategy of “regime change” against the left-of-center governments in Latin America, … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Politics | Comments Off on U.S. Seeks to Get Rid of Left Governments in Latin America

Illinois goes to DC to Fight Climate Change

Posted on 04/03/2013 by Stuart Levy

B by Stuart Levy This February 17th, a coalition of groups, including 350.org, the Sierra Club, and Hip Hop Caucus, held a rally and march in Washington, DC to raise the urgent issue of climate change. The Sierra Club organized … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics | Comments Off on Illinois goes to DC to Fight Climate Change

Guns and the Second Amendment

Posted on 02/24/2013 by Walter Feinberg

GUN VIOLENCE: A FORM OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM Mass killings are the events that grab our attention. The media broadcasts them throughout the nation; they can occur anywhere, in schools and universities, in movie theaters, churches, military bases, and on city … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Comments Off on Guns and the Second Amendment

Media Hate Fiesta for Venezuela Keeps on Keepen’ On

Posted on 02/24/2013 by Mark Weisbrot

By Mark Weisbrot (This article was first published in Al Jazeera English on January 29, 2013) Last week there was a real media hate-fest for Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, with some of the more influential publications on both sides of … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Media, Politics | Comments Off on Media Hate Fiesta for Venezuela Keeps on Keepen’ On