Tag Archives: politics

Expelling the Tennessee 3: Bad for democracy, bad politics. And not so good for “decorum.”

Posted on April 7, 2023 by David S. Meyer

The Republican Party had nothing to gain by voting to expel two Democratic state reps (Justin Jones and Justin Pearson), and just barely deciding not to expel a third (Gloria Johnson). The expulsions were about the dumbest thing the Republicans … Continue reading →

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Israeli protest continues, along with challenges to democracy

Posted on April 2, 2023 by David S. Meyer

The massive extended protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued, even as protesters claimed credit for a victory. Netanyahu postponed consideration a plan to severely limit the independence of the judiciary, frustrating hard right allies within his coalition and, for … Continue reading →

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Is Occupy one?

Posted on September 16, 2012 by David S. Meyer

I mean: is Occupy now one year old?  Is it still around?  Is it unified? A year ago on September 17, the Occupation of Zuccotti Park began, with a beautiful poster and far less participation and promise than it soon … Continue reading →

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Where’s the peace movement?

Posted on July 2, 2012 by David S. Meyer

(This was written in response to a request from Mobilizing Ideas.  You can see related essays from Catherine Corrigall-Brown, David Cortright, William Gamson, Michael Heaney, Kathy Kelly, Lisa Leitz, and Andrew Yeo here.) Just over a decade ago, activists around … Continue reading →

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More, Miley!

Posted on November 30, 2011 by David S. Meyer

I didn’t think I’d be writing about Miley Cyrus again, but: Patricia Grim, identified as an “influential leader” in the Occupy movement, has endorsed Miley’s video, but challenged the singer to put her body on the front lines.  According to … Continue reading →

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An Agenda for the Occupiers?

Posted on October 5, 2011 by David S. Meyer

One of the gripes, cautions, criticisms of the emergence of a movement of Occupiers is the lack of a coherent agenda.  (I’ve also made these points.) But take a look at We are the 99 percent http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/ and see if … Continue reading →

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Divining Authority (Religious Endorsements)

Posted on May 20, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Many many many Christians, readers have pointed out, are not worried about the Rapture tomorrow–despite the confident predictions of some committed co-religionists.  While some of the faithful have quit jobs to prepare–and to alert others of the coming judgment, other … Continue reading →

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Celebrity politics: Eva Longoria and immigration

Posted on May 17, 2011 by David S. Meyer

When Arizona adopted SB 1070, a bill that would mandate police investigation of people suspected of being in the country illegally, Eva Longoria announced the bill was unconstitutional.  With MALDEF’s (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund) Executive Director Thomas A. Saenz, … Continue reading →

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A Recurrent DREAM (Social movement effects)

Posted on May 12, 2011 by David S. Meyer

For the courageous young people who willingly disclosed their undocumented status last year, Congress’s failure to pass the DREAM Act was a devastating blow.   They had an overly optimistic view, as activists often do, that the justice of their cause, … Continue reading →

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The Culture/Politics Thing (again)

Posted on November 18, 2010 by David S. Meyer

I thought that I was done writing about either Bristol Palin or Dancing with the Stars.  Dancing voters, however, sent her along to the show’s final round, at the expense of singer, Brandy, a somewhat older single mother.  The decision … Continue reading →

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