Backpedaling at the IRS
The New York Times reported this week that the Bush administration is eliminating almost half of the lawyers at the Internal Revenue Service who audit the tax returns of the wealthiest Americans.
Corn-based Ethanol and the Quest to Replace Fossil Fuel
Contrary to the usual outcome of Washington’s subsidies to U.S. farmers, recent grants for ethanol producers could actually improve many lives, both at home and abroad.
Who’s Got Your Tongue? What's Behind the English-only Campaign
Seizing any weapon with which to attack the growing movement for immigrant workers’ rights, the Republican Party and the right wing have found a new gripe: the recording of a Spanish-language version of the national anthem.
Prescription Politics
Two recent studies have shown that prescription drug prices rose significantly during the first quarter of the year. AARP, an advocacy organization for older Americans, found that the prices charged by pharmaceutical companies for brand-name drugs increased by almost four percent.
Homeless Women Lack Shelter in Atlanta, Activists Are Livid
Each night, there are thousands of women like Kimberly and her friend Regina who roam the streets of Atlanta in search of shelter. Because of the painful lack of shelter for women, many are forced to sleep on sidewalks, in the park, or take the risk of rooming with a complete stranger.
Containing the Military Industrial Complex
More than any other weapons system, the chief products of the military industrial complex are lies. We just learned this week that Congress was cracking down on corruption by denying another contract to Halliburton.
Global Warming in Siberia
Russian researchers returned from an exploratory mission in Western Siberia last year to report that the world’s largest frozen peat bog there, land as large as France and Germany combined, was quickly melting away “into shallow lakes.”
Georgia Lawsuit Filed over E-Voting Questionability
Representatives from VoterGA filed suit this morning against Secretary of State Cathy Cox, the Georgia State Election Board, and Governor Sonny Purdue over the current electronic voting system as well as the audit trail pilot project.
Noise Pollution and Human Health
Researchers have known for years that exposure to excessively-loud noise can cause changes in blood pressure as well as changes in sleep and digestive patterns--all signs of stress on the human body.
Japan: Opposition parties oppose lifting of ban on U.S. beef imports
Urging the government not to rush to lift the ban on imports of U.S. beef, the Japanese Communist, Democratic, Social Democratic, and People's New parties held a rally in Tokyo on June 13.
