Portside

Americans for Prosperity's misleading new spots bring back memories of Harry & Louise.

While it’s probably too early to declare victory over the Pat Robertson types, a new opinion survey definitely suggests a new political future — with religious progressives wielding growing influence — is possible.

President Obama on Trayvon Martin. Food stamp funding. Rachel Jeantel interview. New York vs Texas. If God came back. Judy Collins -- Both Sides Now.

Reader Comments - March on Washington; Even McDonald's Thinks Its Workers Need $15; NLRB, Chris Hedges and the Pequod; Labor & Obamacare; Greens and Fracking; Saving Underwater Homes at the Local Level; Low-Wage Workers; R.I.P. - Fred Hicks (Louisville); Henri Alleg - Journalist who revealed French torture in Algeria; Announcements: Pastor's Message to Cuba; Celebrate Nelson Mandela's Life - Berkeley - July 21; Confronting the Climate Crisis - San Francisco - Aug 2

Efforts to achieve such unity is possible if we maintain an atmosphere of tolerance and eschew subjective responses to past encounters and disputes. This effort should involve not only members of existing socialist groups and publications but the many unorganized left activists in the struggle for economic and social justice, democracy and peace.

Socialist youth from the 60s and 70s recently held a reunion. Some are still active and members of socialist organizations, most, however, are not in any socialist grouping - though still active in their unions, in local peace groups, in community, school boards and other settings. Many setbacks notwithstanding, optimism was present at the gathering. It was reaffirming to see so many still engaged, still committed.

With Israel entering into another round of diplomatic inaction, the call for an economic boycott has become a patriotic requirement. Haaretz editorial board member Gideon Levy adds his voice to world-wide call for boycott of Israel.

As the AFL-CIO prepares for its upcoming national convention, the issue of non-traditional workers' organizations looms heavy on the agenda. As so-called alternative labor organizations - a.k.a. "alt-labor" - have multiplied, the question of funding organizations and activities without a traditional negotiated dues check-off system is being debated.