Portside

Since 2000, the Latin American region as a whole has increased its growth rate to about 1.9% annually per capita – not like the pre-1980 era, but a serious improvement over the prior two decades when it was just 0.3%. But Mexico hasn't joined in this long-awaited rebound: its growth has remained below 1%, less than half the regional average, since 2000. And not surprisingly, Mexico's national poverty rate was 52.3% in 2012, basically the same as it was in 1994 (52.4%).

If the FDA’s intention to remove growth promoters is going to be meaningful. Simply reducing antibiotic use (if that does indeed happen) isn’t adequate; by itself, it may even be a threat to welfare. Changing the livestock practices that made antibiotic use necessary will improve animal and human health both.

The environmental justice community needs to make a very intentional effort to link the economic and ecological crisis, to reveal the root causes of those crises, and to stimulate a conversation about is there a better way, is there a better way that we can live in this country.

Think our anxiety about the dehumanising effect of technology is a new thing? It's been a concern since the invention of writing

'Nobody should have to struggle on poverty wages just to satisfy big corporations’ endless thirst for profits.'

Benghazi, unemployment benefits, Social Security, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Obamcare

Media Moments That Didn't Smell Right

We should anticipate more progress toward rational drug policies in 2014. Here are three key developments.

The outlook for Mayor de Blasio’s signature initiative just got a whole lot brighter.

The New York Times and The Guardian (London) published major editorial statements on New Year's Day, reviewing the evidence that Edward Snowden's whistleblowing on NSA spying has largely been vindicated. They call for the creation of conditions that will allow Snowden to return home with dignity.