VOICES

NEW GEOGRAPHY-These are times, to paraphrase Thomas Paine, that try the souls of American optimists.

COMMON DREAMS-New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data out Wednesday shows that life expectancy in the U.S. fell by one and a half years in 2020, a decline fueled in large part by the deadly coronavirus pandemic. 

PEACE VOICE-Fundamentalists and Republicans who dominate Mississippi put “In God We Trust” on car license plates, forcing all drivers to promote religion.

VOTING RIGHTS-This week marked the one-year anniversary of the death of the civil rights icon, conscience of Congress and king of Good Trouble John Lewis, who over 50 years fought, bled and almost died for what he deemed "the soul and heart of the democratic process" - the right to vote.

WAR POWERS-Once upon a time, American leaders only went to war when, in accordance with the Constitution, Congress declared it. That practice has long since been abandoned.

OUR RECOVERY-These are times, to paraphrase Thomas Paine, that try the souls of American optimists.

CLIMATE PATROL-The Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure deal embraced by President Joe Biden appears to be a dud.

RACIAL RECKONINGS-In a flood of vitriol as repugnant as it was predictable, three young black English soccer players were assailed with racist abuse -

LOOSE ENDS-President Biden on Friday fired Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, after Saul refused a request to resign.

COMMENTARY-The battle over critical race theory – at its core, a “different” way of looking at race relations in the U.S. – continues to heat up.

COMMENTARY-I doubt few would argue that the most important aspect of life, is life itself. With it, there is hope. There is opportunity. There is joy and laughter. Without it, none of these.

VOICES-I first met Jerry Silver in 2006, shortly after the L.A. City Council approved a lawsuit settlement that gave Clear Channel and other big sign companies the right to put up more than 800 digital billboards on the city's commercial streets. 

COMMON DREAMS-Amid a deadly northwestern heatwave that scientists have described as "the most extreme" in recorded history, footage uncovered by CNN shows Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin flippantly dismissing the established science of human-caused climate change during an event hosted by a GOP-aligned advocacy group. 

CAL MATTERS-Ten days. That’s how much time Californians who want to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom have to declare their candidacy in the quickly approaching recall election.

RACIAL RECKONING-“The United States is a nation founded on both an ideal and a lie.”

When Donald Rumsfeld died peacefully at home this week at the un-tender age of 88, his family lauded "his extraordinary accomplishments" and "the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country"; his heedless former boss and enabler cited "an exemplary public servant and a very good man."

COMMENTARY-On this Independence Day 2021, I reflect on the America I love so much and how it looks very different from the one I knew as a child in the 80s and 90s.

VOICES-A few days ago, I spoke at an Asian hate crimes awareness event where my speech was received well enough that a liberal host invited me to be a guest on her radio show. I said great and we traded numbers.

LABOR FORCE-Republicans have finally found an issue to run on in next year's midterm elections. Apparently Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potato Head weren't gaining enough traction…

LGBTQ POLITICS-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) shared a video of a traumatized girl “testifying” in front of a school board that she’s being taught to hate white people and how to “turn” transgender yesterday as part of her ongoing smear campaign against the LGBTQ community. 

This week, Senate Republicans in lockstep blocked key reforms of the For the People Act that would address gerrymandering and big money in politics, plus enhance ethics for federal office holders.