Is fighting economic injustice such a righteous pursuit that it entitles Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters and their disciples to indefinitely control whatever space they invade? Even though the whole movement is centered around the word “occupy,” deciding which property to take over, or how long to monopolize it, doesn’t seem to be based on any guiding principle. Occupiers need to clarify what, in their eyes, makes terrain seizable.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California recently made big news when it filed suit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for failing to provide military veterans with housing and care to which they are entitled at the VA’s West Los Angeles campus. Another lawsuit, which the ACLU previously filed (and won) on behalf of Vietnam veteran/activist Robert Rosebrock, has received much less attention. But it was Rosebrock’s case – and dogged protests – which led to the newer suit.
Monday, July 11, 2011
At a fundraising party for The Veterans Project last Saturday night in Los Angeles, three compelling speakers helped us connect somewhat different stories, all of which involve allegations that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) habitually deprives veterans of services to which they are entitled.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Supreme Court has never ruled Congress has authority under the Commerce Clause to impose an economic mandate on the general population, and until it passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) last year, Congress had never claimed it is so authorized. But a majority of American taxpayers will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty starting in 2014 - if the new law isn’t overturned or revised sooner (as I predict it will be).
Monday, January 24, 2011
Politics and insanity are a dangerous combination. One might argue that politics is insanity, but certainly insanity is political. Was the violent rampage of Jared Loughner in Tucson politics or insanity? To argue that Mr. Loughner’s actions in Tucson were politically motivated is to obscure the influence of mental illness on his shooting spree. Mr. Loughner’s [...]
Thursday, January 20, 2011
With a majority of states now challenging the constitutionality of requiring Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, Northwestern law professor Andrew Koppelman, writing at Balkinization, takes a swipe at one of the plaintiffs’ biggest concerns: If the federal government can force us to buy insurance, doesn’t that mean it could also force [...]
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
When someone who habitually drinks to excess vomits from the flu, it’s not an indication he threw up from drinking too much. Though it would likely be beneficial for him to curtail his imbibing, it’s not a good time to make that point. Telling him then anyway, and expecting a favorable response, is like using the Tucson tragedy as an excuse to scold right-wingers, and expecting them to see the light.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Julian Assange doesn’t like using condoms. Should the two women have been surprised? Mr. Assange is well-known for his dangerous.... releases. Now I am not an advocate of unprotected sex, per se, but can’t a better contraceptive be developed? Do we still need to torture penises to be safe? I might as well hump a Ziploc.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
In an op-ed published January 5 by the Guardian, Naomi Wolf argues that Julian Assange’s alleged Swedish victims - and all sex crime accusers – should be publicly identified by their real names. Wolf is mostly right. But in her zeal to promote the benefits of disclosure, she neglects to mention that women who have been raped still tend to endure a type of hardship which rarely – if ever – affects any other crime victims who seek justice.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Award-winning Rolling Stone columnist Matt Taibbi comes to Largo at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles on November 12 to celebrate the release of his new book, Griftopia, the dramatic story behind the most audacious power grab in American history. Whistleblower journalist Nomi Prins, who worked on Wall Street as a managing director at Goldman Sachs, will join him. Her latest book is It Takes a Pillage. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Michael Penn will open. Click here for tickets/info and here for a preview.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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