Pop goes the weasel

John Daniel Lighting the Fire
Nothing more clearly shows the absurdity and evil of the Vietnam War and yet the subsequent successful invasion of capitalism in a country ostensibly an enemy state than John Daniel's new poem.

Why Presidential Debates Need Real-Time Fact-Checking

Ryan J. Thomas The Conversation
Candidates can get easy applause by lambasting journalists. Nevertheless, as a scholar concerned with the critical functions journalism fulfills in a democracy, the author argues that the highest imperative for journalists is to serve the needs of audiences and the democratic process for critical information. Journalists moderating presidential debates must function as journalists.

100,000 NYC School Children Face Airport-Style Security Screening Every Day

Cecilia Reyes, ProPublica, and Jenny Ye, WNYC ProPublica
Despite the widespread use of the scanners, the amount of contraband found is low. Some school officials believe the daily security checks actually lead to behavior problems among the students. The metal detectors send a message to the students, says one principal, that “we don’t trust you. And even if we trusted you, we don’t necessarily trust the guy behind you.” That message, she said, runs counter to what her school is trying to teach and “it’s alienating.”

The Great Of The Union

President Obama’s final State Of The Union speech was long on inspirational messages and short on reasons for Paul Ryan to applaud.

Fortunate Son -- Creedence Clearwater Revival

Written by John Fogary, 'Fortunate Son' was released by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. It has remained a popular for its denunciation of hypocritical militant patriotism.

The Legend of Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders closes in on Hillary Clinton in the presidential polls, so Trevor examines the Vermont senator's brand of democratic socialism.

Friday Nite Videos -- January 15, 2016

Portside
Get Up Stand Up | Live in Brazil. The Legend of Bernie Sanders. Fortunate Son -- Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Great Of The Union. Oscars' Voting Is Biased Toward Bland Movies.