Portside

No one likes taxes, but government services cost money. And there is little evidence that tax cuts at the state level help juice a state's economy. A study in 2013 by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found deep cuts in income taxes to be "an approach that has not worked particularly well in the past and is not supported by the preponderance of the relevant academic literature.

For expanded Isis strikes, president relies on legal authority he disavowed only a year ago.

NPR taketh away; The team with a racist name; Truthy-ness; Net neutrality; El Machete strikes

The truth is that a huge number of young, well-educated, professional Israelis have already decamped, or are making plans to do so, to more hospitable climes in Europe or elsewhere. They do so for many reasons: some are economic, seeking greater financial, professional or educational opportunities. Some are security-related. And some find the climate in Israel to be stifling either culturally or politically.

This is a response by Greg Grandin to a review of his book, The Empire of Necessity: Slavery, Freedom, and Deception in the New World. The review was titled, “Slavery: Not Black or White.” It appeared in the Economist and was unsigned.

Like other states, Israel pleads "security" as justification for its aggressive and violent actions. But knowledgeable Israelis know better. As historically has often been the case, massive bombings and other assaults do not destroy the support of populations for movements or governments, but tend to solidify it. Israeli policy is reducing civilized life for Palestinians in a major way and yet increasing the urge both to fight on and the desire for revenge.

OK, you didn't see this one coming. Canada, yes, Canada, leads the world in forest degradation, according to a new mapping project.

Figuring out where we are in the universe makes "Where's Waldo" look like child's play. Wait, "Where's Waldo" is child's play, but locating our location in the universe is really cool science.

Tax avoidance in the United States contributes to the national debt, but in developing countries it’s literally causing people to go hungry.

Race plays an unmistakable part in the Democratic challenge in conservative states and districts. And it's deeper than just antipathy to Obama; in fact, it goes back half a century.