Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Debate how to hire, not fire, teachers
With thousands of teachers’ jobs on the chopping block across the country, there is a vigorous debate over how to implement layoffs in a “fair” way. At issue in New York and other states is the policy of LIFO, “last in, first out”. Seniority is the determining factor. There are calls from across the political spectrum […]
Are state pensions in crisis?
Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin and other Republicans have said that the cost of pensions to state employees is unaffordable, and a central reason why collective bargaining needs to be virtually eliminated. However, as I noted in my article on Wisconsin, it is understandable why the pensions appear under-funded today: This situation is due to the decline […]
Republicans make Wisconsin their battle ground
My op-ed on Wisconsin has been published in The Australian, the country’s biggest-selling national newspaper. You can read it here.
Patronizing talk of “non-violent” Middle East protests
In yesterday’s New York Daily News, Stanley Crouch wrote that uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya were a “victory for non-violence”: Now that Black History Month is ending and the Middle East has shown a fresh face to the world by removing some formidable dictators, it is important to realize that the Rev. Martin Luther King […]
A faux war in Wisconsin
This is not a return of class war to America. It’s a clash between nervous-nellie Republicans and trade unions that can only play the victim card. Read my spiked article in full here.
Obama on Egypt: more confused than cool
The idea that Obama played it “brilliantly cool” on Egypt represents a spectacular rewriting of history. Read my spiked article in full here.
Good riddance to Mubarak, now take on the military
Bye Bye Mubarak from Ramy Rizkallah on Vimeo. Mubarak is gone – congratulations to the Egyptian people! The video above, shot by Egyptian film-maker Ramy Rizkallah, captures the celebrations shortly after the announcement that Mubarak was stepping down. Egyptians’ courageous protests have been a great inspiration. Hopefully, their example will stir others in the region and […]
Showdown in Egypt: may the people prevail!
Egypt went from festive jubilation to anger last night as Mubarak refused to step down. It was a disappointment felt around the world. It has become clear that the army is backing the Mubarak-Suleiman regime. The military’s statement today, “communique #2”, said the army will ensure that the reforms will be enacted, including the removal of the emergency law and […]
For America, stability trumps freedom
In echoing Mubarak’s call for an “orderly transition”, the US is undermining the fight for democratic rights. Read my spiked article in full here.
Protesters only in Square for the Kentucky Fried Chicken
The Mubarak regime has spread a ridiculous rumor that the only reason the protesters are staying in Tahrir Square is because foreign powers are providing them with free Kentucky Fried Chicken, reports Robert Mackey in The New York Times. The other rumor spread by the regime is that outsiders are paying protesters 100 Euros a day. Both of these notions are sent […]