Portside

The U.S. is now involved in more than 130 wars or none, depending on your definition of 'war.' Or it is involved in one worldwide "War Against Terror," that successive U.S. Administrations, with Congressional support, have used to justify U.S. military operations in at least 134 countries, where they are engaged in direct combat operations, conduct special covert missions, act as military advisers, or train foreign troops or militias.

With a unprecedented voter turnout of 85% and a political mobilization that shook the foundations of the United Kingdom, much was accomplished even in defeat by those who voted for Scottish independence. The Scottish referendum has left a significant legacy. "The result of the independence referendum is the beginning of a conversation, not the closing statement of a soliloquy."

The bracing campaign for independence gave Scots a vision of a real political alternative.

Some dogs respond to an ambiguous signal with the kind of enthusiasm they have for a treat. These are the bowl-half-full dogs. Other dogs do not respond to an ambiguous signal. These are bowl-half-empty'ers, with Eeyore-ish personalities.

The protests in Ferguson, Missouri mirrored images from the Civil Rights Movement 50 years earlier. But that’s where the similarities ended.

Brother Earth (Boots Riley). Playing for Change: La Bamba. Sarah Jones: The Future. Colbert: No Boots on the Ground in Iraq. 300 Years of Fossil Fuels in 300 Seconds.

This is a test - please ignore

Syria, Iraq, ISIS and the increased role of the U.S. (once again) has prompted wide-spread opposition, discussion and disagreements by those on the left. Yesterday's Congressional vote on war appropriations, with many who have opposed the Afghanistan and Iraq war, now voting for a new war, shows this lack of clarity and unity. Two long-time activists for peace and social justice, Seymour Joseph and James E. Vann sent Portisde opposing perspectives.

Reader Comments- People's Climate March - climate change, environmental activism, labor unions; Syria, Iraq, ISIS; public education; labor organizing; Zephyr Teachout - Working Families Party, Democratic Party, 2016 elections; Spain, Scotland, Cuba, Gaza, El Salvador; racial bias; worker cooperatives; Announcements - Film Screening African Americans in Spanish Civil War; Mobilizing Against Inequality Book Launch; Southern Tenant Farmers Union celebrates 80th anniversary

Fifty years ago, Ella Baker said, "Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother's sons, we who believe in freedom cannot rest." Michael Brown's murder by a Ferguson, Missouri, cop has, once again, provoked a national conversation about how far the United States has come in its quest for racial equality.