Archives

For posts before June 2012, please follow these links to our archives.

E.g., 2013-06-19

Social Networking and the Death of the Internet

May 11, 2013
Portside
http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/05/08/social-networking-and-the-death-of-the-internet/
Counterpunch
In our convoluted world of constantly flowing disinformation, governments tell us the Web is a “privilege” to be paid for and lost if we misbehave, corporations tell us they invented it, and most of us use it without really thinking much about its intent.

Michigan: Largest Fast Food Strike Yet

May 10, 2013
Portside
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/05/10/detroit-experiences-what-may-be-largest-fast-food-strike-yet/
MSNBC
As many as 400 workers at more than 60 fast food restaurants in the Detroit metro area walked off the job on Friday. The fast food strike in Detroit is the second major labor action to hit an American city’s fast food industry this week: On Wednesday and Thursday, more than 100 workers in St. Louis walked off the job at roughly 30 different restaurants. These rolling walkouts followed similar actions in New York, central Pennsylvania, and Chicago.

Guatemala: Why We Cannot Turn Away

May 10, 2013
Portside
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science/jan-june13/guatemala_05-08.html
PBS Newshour
Miles O'Brien reports from Guatemala on forensic science used to document charges of a genocide against thousands of indigenous Mayans in the 80s. From Boing Boing's Xeni Jardin, who co-produced the piece, here's a look at their reporting.

Detroit Fast Food Workers Join Strike Wave

May 10, 2013
Portside Labor
http://www.labornotes.org/2013/05/detroit-fast-food-workers-join-strike-wave
Labor Notes
At a busy intersection dotted with fast food brands, 80 fast food workers and supporters chanted outside a Detroit Popeye’s this morning, one of several restaurants the group of enthusiastic young workers will hit as they strike today.

Targeting Stephen Hawking and Dustin Hoffman: Right-wing 'Pro-Israel' Advocacy as Hate Speech

May 10, 2013
Portside
Increasingly, the rabid far-right 'pro-Israel' camp is carrying out repulsive, hate-filled attacks on Jews whose most cherished wish is to see a stronger, more democratic Israel. It is time to take a stand. The celebrated physicist Stephen Hawking became embroiled in a deepening furor today over his decision to boycott a prestigious conference in Israel in protest over the state's occupation of Palestine.

A New Era for Worker Ownership, 5 Years in the Making

May 9, 2013
Portside
http://inthesetimes.com/article/14972/at_last_occupiers_turned_owners_celebrate_factory_opening/
In These Times
The New Era Windows Cooperative opens its doors (and windows) for business. The workers know launching and running a company won't be easy, but given their deep knowledge of the industry and their personal investment in the project, they are confident they can do it.

Tidbits - May 9, 2013

May 9, 2013
Portside
Portside
Reader's Comments - End of the War in Viet Nam; Paid Sick Leave Law in New York; Guantanamo; Dodging Corporate Taxes; Working Class; Education; Health Care; Songs for May Day; Interview with Rene Gonzalez; What Can I Do - Portside emails have suddenly stopped?

In Another Blow to NLRB, Court Says Bosses Don't Have To Notify Workers of Rights

May 9, 2013
Portside
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14965/another_blow_to_nlrb_court_bosses_dont_have_to_notify_workers_of_rights/
Working In These Times / In These Times
Appeals Court rules NLRB cannot require employers to post notices informing employees of their labor rights. The decision, which comes less than three weeks after lack of regulatory enforcement led to a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas that killed 14 and left about 200 injured, opens the door for businesses to challenge requirements that workers be informed of their health, safety and employment rights.

The Need To Work For Peace On The Korean Peninsula

May 9, 2013
Portside
https://blogs.lclark.edu/hart-landsberg/2013/05/02/the-need-to-work-for-peace-on-the-korean-peninsula/
Reports from the Economic Front
The details of U.S.-North Korean relations are complex, the story is relatively simple. The U.S. government continues to reject possibilities for normalizing relations with North Korea and promoting peace on the Korean peninsula in favor of a dangerous policy of regime change. And, the U.S. media supports this policy choice with a deliberately one sided presentation of events designed to make North Korea appear to be an unwilling and untrustworthy negotiating partner.

8 Killed in Bangladesh Garment Factory Fire, Protests Grow

May 9, 2013
Portside Labor
Eight people were killed when a fire swept through a clothing factory in Bangladesh on Wednesday, as the death toll from the collapse of another factory building two weeks ago climbed above 900. Meanwhile, multinational corporations are coming under growing scrutiny and facing mounting protests over their involvement in the exploitation of Bangladeshi workers. One U.S. union is targeting Gap, Inc.

NYT Story Just an Excuse to Bash Welfare State

May 8, 2013
Portside
http://www.remappingdebate.org/article/nyt-story-just-excuse-bash-welfare-state?page=0,0
Remapping Debate
Not only is this narrative mistaken, but by indulging in it, we are missing a huge opportunity to learn the lessons that Denmark might offer us

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