Portside

Even under a progressive hero like FDR, we needed an independent left. Imagine how much more one is needed today.

Outrage at Obama on Funny or Die. Riverdance Flashmob. Cosmos: First Look. 10 Minutes of History from Tony Benn.

Tony Benn served in the House of Commons and in Labor cabinets, but he was perhaps most influential after he resigned from Parliament. He wrote and campaigned in favor of genuine democracy tirelessly, and on other issues including against the invasion of Iraq.

'His ascent to power had meaning, but now his interventions are too rare and too piecemeal to constitute a narrative'

On paper, the influence-peddling business is drying up. But lobbying money is flooding Washington, DC like never before. What’s going on?

The dark money strategies Noble helped pioneer at the Center are likely to play a substantial role in the upcoming midterms. Targeted blasts of spending by outside groups could have far more effect on this year’s smaller slate of congressional and local races than they had on 2012’s megabuck national and statewide contests, campaign finance experts said.

Michael Sam and the NFL. Language and Human Nature. Moral March on Raleigh. Are We Descended from Martians? Pete Seeger Speaks.

Operation Jumpstart plans to carry out a thousand "projects" across North Carolina by Election Day: trainings, forums and other outreach to people and groups needing help to navigate the state's bewildering -- and potentially intimidating -- laws that aim to restrict voting rights.

Bruce Springsteen & Jimmy Fallon rework "Born To Run" to address the Fort Lee, NJ bridge scandal.