Noted Noted
Highlights from the Voting Rights Watch 2012 blog, from Brentin Mock, Aura Bogado and Maegan E. Ortiz
Sep 26, 2012 / Various Contributors
Bad Lessons From ‘Won’t Back Down’ Bad Lessons From ‘Won’t Back Down’
A crude and hackneyed film, Won't Back Down peddles an improbable and deceptive message about schools and poverty.
Sep 26, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Dana Goldstein
A Human Rights Court Gives Torture the Green Light A Human Rights Court Gives Torture the Green Light
In refusing to block the extradition of terror suspects to the US, the European Court for Human Rights has condoned a brutal regimen of long-term solitary confinement.
Sep 26, 2012 / Jeanne Theoharis and Saskia Sassen
I’ve Got the Mitt Thinks I’m a Moocher, a Taker Not a Maker, Blues I’ve Got the Mitt Thinks I’m a Moocher, a Taker Not a Maker, Blues
(Sung by three members of the 47 percent) Well, I work two jobs, and that makes for a kinda long day. And the boss deducts the payroll tax that I’ve gotta pay. With sales tax too, I kinda thought I was paying my dues. I’ve got the Mitt thinks I’m a moocher, a taker not a maker, blues. Well, the wife and I took retirement some years ago. And Social Security accounts for most of our dough. Though we contributed to that so we’d have it there to use. I’ve got the Mitt thinks I’m a moocher, a taker not a maker, blues. Well, I went to Nam while Mitt went on his mission to France. A buddy needed rescuin’ and I thought, “Well, I’ll take a chance.” A wounded-vet pension’s not the salary that I would choose. I’ve got the Mitt thinks I’m a moocher, a taker not a maker, blues. (All, in chorus) Yes, he thinks we’re bums, and work is something we would refuse. Entitlements, he says, are what we just live to abuse. With his fat-cat friends, what he says about us is J’accuse. So some of us moochers would sure like to see him lose. We’ve got the Mitt thinks that we’re moochers, takers and not makers, blues.
Sep 26, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Blasphemy Is Good for You Blasphemy Is Good for You
What if the right to be a jerk is where freedom begins?
Sep 26, 2012 / Column / Katha Pollitt
The Battle for Congress The Battle for Congress
Even if Obama wins, he won’t be able to accomplish much if progressives don’t do well in legislative races. Here are ten worthy contenders.
Sep 26, 2012 / Feature / John Nichols
Has Florida Created a Trap at the Polls for Ex-Felons? Has Florida Created a Trap at the Polls for Ex-Felons?
Many of Florida’s ex-felons are receiving conflicting information on their voting rights. That could spell disaster in November.
Sep 26, 2012 / Feature / Brentin Mock
The Blue-State Strategy for Progressive Renewal The Blue-State Strategy for Progressive Renewal
Democrats have a rich opportunity to push electoral reform at the state level.
Sep 26, 2012 / Feature / Steven Hill
A Way Out of Syria’s Catastrophe A Way Out of Syria’s Catastrophe
Washington must work with Russia, embracing the letter and spirit of the Geneva principles agreed upon in June.
Sep 26, 2012 / Feature / Jonathan Steele
A Tale of Two Zionisms: On Peter Beinart A Tale of Two Zionisms: On Peter Beinart
Why Israel’s purposes cannot be grasped only through the American Jewish experience.
Sep 26, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Bernard Avishai