Portside

Ideological purity! Patriots only! The heresy hunters of this week’s Conservative Political Action Conference sniffed out and rejected those who aren’t ‘suitably’ right wing, like Chris Christie and GOProud. It’ll ensure the same losing result, writes Michael Moynihan.

What are the implications for art and science collaborations? Despite popular perception, there are many similarities in the ways that artists and scientists approach their work. Ultimately, the methods and the products may be different, but if there is a mutual interest in, and respect for, the ‘other’ side’s practices, then these sorts of collaborations are likely to succeed. Through this kind of exchange, artists and scientists can learn from one another.

You action is needed to fully protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and to urge action on the Progressive Caucus Back-to-Work Budget.

The man behind the 47% video comes forward. Three good reasons why we should raise the minimum wage. Detroit drivers stage mass civil disobedience to protest disenfranchisement. Movie: Pink smoke over the Vatican.

Staughton Lynd's tribute to Herbert Shapiro, fellow historian and staunch civil rights and anti-racist activist.

President Obama called for a modest raise in the federal minimum wage to $9, and several Democratic legislators have upped his bid with a proposed increase to $10.10. But an insidious effort to lower the wage floor is already underway much closer to the ground - in the state legislatures. Among the proposals are measures to undercut minimum wages for teenage workers, restrict overtime pay and repeal or ban local laws to improve working conditions.

Readers Comments on: Wealth Equality; Robert Reich on raising the minimum wage; Unions and evictions; Wither the Socialist Left? - another response to Mark Solomon; LA School Board election and Big Money; Hugo Chavez: Lest We Forget; Guns, the NRA and Newtown; Why not better unions; Philip Bonosky Memorial April 21 in New York; Francisco Aruca R.I.P.; Robin Hood rides again - April 20 - Washington; The Literary Left - Tribute in honor of Alan Wald - March 21 - Ann Arbor

Everybody's talking about Pope Francis, but nobody's asking about his role in Argentina's bloodiest war. Critics of new Pope Francis have claimed that he maintained his silence as Argentina's brutal military dictatorship raged a dirty war against left wing activists. Claims were made in the wake of the publication of an interview with Argentina's former military dictator Jorge Videla.

Focus on jobs and restarting the economy, not deficits and cuts to social programs. 'A reminder that we don't need to cut teachers and school lunches when we can eliminate wasteful giveaways to fossil fuel corporations.'

Argentine Pope Will Make History, but Backs Vatican Line