Print Magazine

December 29, 2008 Issue

Tom Engelhardt on Studs Terkel, John Nichols on sit-down strikers, Christine Smallwood on art in America…

Cover art by: Cover design by Gene Case & Stephen Kling/Avenging Angels

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Editorial

What’s the Matter With Rick Warren?

Obama's choice to give the invocation at his inauguration is a slap at progressives and a bow to the religious right.

Sarah Posner

Obama’s Green Team

They respect science. But will Obama's team show the necessary spine to cut greenhouse gases and resist "clean coal" and nuclear power propaganda?

Mark Hertsgaard

Sit-Down in Chicago

The plight of striking electrical workers underscores the flaws in Paulson's bailout--and tests Obama's mettle.

John Nichols

Hard Times Without Studs

His death is like the closing of an archive of what was best in America.

Tom Engelhardt

Editorial Malpractice

Deconstructing Russia coverage on the Washington Post editorial page.

Mark Ames

Beware School ‘Reformers’

School reform could take on new meaning if Obama's secretary of education is actually an educator.

Alfie Kohn

Stop Senator No

Will Democrats have the courage to disable the filibuster rule?

William Greider

Noted.

Eric Foner on Dorothy Sterling, Brett Story on Canadian politics, John Nichols on senator selections

The Editors

Stimulus From Below

If the economy continues to deteriorate, the poor won't just always be with us--they'll be us.

The Editors

Column

Where Have All the Black Coaches Gone?

The path to the White House shouldn't be easier than the path to coach college football at Oregon State.

Dave Zirin

Bernard Madoff, Trust-Buster

The $50 billion fraud is bad enough. But the disgraced trader has done even more serious damage. He's destroyed trust in our financial system.

Nicholas von Hoffman

Hurled Shoes: Bush’s Epitaph

The loathing that led an Iraqi to hurl shoes at Bush serves as the world's final verdict on US folly in Iraq. It's also a caution for Obama as he ponders Afghanistan.

Robert Scheer

Detroit’s Auto-da-Fé

In the auto industry's latest trial by fire, Senate Republicans lit the match--and what's left of the economy could go down in flames.

Nicholas von Hoffman

How Hedge Funds and Private Equity Hurt Us

College endowments and workers bear the brunt of hedge fund managers' gambles and private equity takeovers.

Nicholas von Hoffman

‘Center-Right’? Not Quite…

Once again, the MSM is casting Americans as far less liberal than they actually are.

Eric Alterman

American Dreams

If the American Dream is a form of worship, we need new totems to fit new and troubled times.

Patricia J. Williams

On the Auctioning Off of Barack Obama’s Senate Seat

Calvin Trillin

Letters

Colorblind?
New York City

Our Readers

Feature

True Leadership

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the best presidents are humble, open to new options and eager to learn.

Xan White

Ending Student Debt

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the new president needs to take definitive action toward eliminating student debt.

Sean Dennison

Will War Crimes Be Outed?

After the primary players in the Bush administration leave office, will they be held accountable for war crimes?

Jeremy Brecher and Brendan Smith

Farce Meets Justice in Khmer Rouge Trial

A troubled UN-backed court seeks retribution from tottering Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity; Cambodians wonder if the costly legal exercise is worth it.

Barbara Crossette

The New Era of Ecological Civilization

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the success of the new President will depend on his ability to initiate a transition from postind...

Henrik Petaisto

Life or Death

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that health care should be considered an inalienable right on par with any other Constitutional protec...

Daniel Zhou

Underneath the Politics

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that care for the sick is the full responsibility of the government.

Tim Reveri

The Importance of Perspective

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the most important prerequisite for being a good president cannot be found in the marble hallways...

Natalia Thompson

A Teamster Apart: Ron Carey Remembered

Two colleagues remember Ron Carey, the reformer and Teamsters Union president, who weathered controversy and won battles on his own terms.

Steve Early and Rand Wilson

Juan Reynosa’s Environmental Mission

If you want cleaner air and water and less poverty, Juan Reynosa, a community organizer with New Mexico Youth Organized, thinks you should consider environmental justice work.

Kristina Rizga

Addressing Inequity in Education

This essay, the high school winner of The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that until inequities in education are eliminated, a permanent underclass will cont...

Laine Alison Zalac

Learning About Labor

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the new president should restore workers' rights ASAP.

Hugh Baran

Transcending Trauma

This essay, the college winner of The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues for a federal oversight panel to overhaul the treatment of those in foster care.

Victor Lopez

Canada’s Coalition Chaos

After three years of exploiting a divided left, Canada's Conservative prime minister is fighting for his political life. A progressive proposal to establish a coalition government ...

Will Di Novi