Portside

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.

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.

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.

When the Supreme Court ruled that unions could not collect dues from the home-care workers they represent, the justices set workers and their clients on a course that could harm them both.

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

Dr. Ana Maria Fores Tamayo, a New Faculty Majority Board Member, describes her treatment as an adjunct and why they must fight back.

Belafonte looked out at the crowded room of pacifists, many of whom are no longer young and said, “Keep on singing.”

A growing number of city workers, teachers, and other union workers can’t live here anymore.

“We have a revenue crisis, and we know where the money is, it’s on Wall Street.”

"... [H]uman rights abuses under the existing government continue to threaten basic civil liberties, opposition candidates do not enjoy a level playing field, and state security forces are taking on an increasingly central, and ominous role in context of the election."