Secret World War II Chemical Experiments Tested Troops By Race

Caitlin Dickerson NPR
While the Pentagon admitted decades ago that it used American troops as test subjects in experiments with mustard gas, until now, officials have never spoken about the tests that grouped subjects by race. And it wasn't just African-Americans. Japanese-Americans were used as test subjects, serving as proxies for the enemy so scientists could explore how mustard gas and other chemicals might affect Japanese troops. Puerto Rican soldiers were also singled out.

Greek People to Vote July 5 on “Blackmailing Ultimatum”

Anastasios Papapostolou Greek Reporter
Late Friday night Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced Greece will hold a referendum on July 5 to ask Greek citizens if they approve the proposed bailout agreement put forward by Greece’s foreign creditors. “I call on the Greek people to rule on the blackmailing ultimatum asking us to accept a strict and humiliating austerity without end and without prospect, ” Tsipras said. Included: Tsipras’ address to the Greek people and a link to the creditors’ proposal.

Emma Goldman: What Is Patriotism?

Don't register for the draft; do know about birth control, Emma Goldman proclaimed, a century ago, for which she was jailed multiple times. Here's what this radical, modern woman had to say about patriotism.

James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglass

James Earl Jones (introduced by Howard Zinn) reads excerpts from anti-slavery crusader Frederick Douglass' speech, 'The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro' (July 5, 1852).
 

Bruce Springsteen: Born in the USA

Springsteen's rock masterpiece captures the anguish of fighting a war (Vietnam) for which the soldier can find no explanation and no justification. 
 

Roy Zimmerman -- 'America'

How's this for love of country: 'America is a '57 Chevy that veers to the Left and lurches to the Right'? And lots of other crazy, authentic, striking images. Nevertheless, Zimmerman thinks it might just work.

Friday Nite Videos -- Fourth of July, 2015

Portside
Which America should we recall on the Fourth of July? The "all men are created equal" of the Declaration of Independence or the gross inequalities by race, class and gender, the crying disparities of wealth, voice and security in real life? Both. Because the lofty declaration is more than a platitude and a snare; it has also always been a goal and a call to strive "to finish the work we are in." Lefty alternatives for the Fourth: songs, thoughts, a little inspiration.

All Night You Ask the Children of the World to Forgive You

Julia B. Levine Small Disasters Seen in Sunlight
The award-winning poet Julia B. Levine opens her eyes to global tragedies we leave for our children to inherit and our attempts still to shelter their innocence from what will haunt them.