AlterNet.org: Rights and Liberties

Army Sends Mom to Afghanistan, Infant to Protective Services

Dahr Jamail, AlterNet — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

"This would do irreparable harm to her child. I think they are doing this to punish her."

Dobbs' Resignation Was Long Overdue

Janet MurguÃa, AlterNet — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

My problems with Dobbs surfaced more than two years ago, during the debate over the last version of immigration reform.

New Right-Wing Craze: Using Bible Quote to Pray That Obamaâ€™s 'Days Be Few'

Amanda Terkel, Think Progress — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:01 PST

A new slogan is making its way onto t-shirts and even teddy bears: 'Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8,' which reads, 'Let his days be few; and let another take his office.â€

Maddow: Anti-Muslim 'McCarthyism' Making Us Less Safe

David Edwards, Raw Story — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:01 PST

Wave of prejudice among Republican politicians may actually be frustrating anti-terrorism efforts Maddow says.

Economic Crisis Is Getting Bloody -- Violent Deaths Are Now Following Evictions, Foreclosures and Job Losses

Nick Turse, AlterNet — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Despite ever rosier economic predictions and a surging stock market, the body count from the economic crisis is destined only to grow in the weeks and months ahead.

Why Is Congress Demonizing an Investigation of Israel's War Crimes in Gaza?

Bill Moyers, Bill Moyers Journal — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Recognition of human rights expert Richard Goldston's investigation is essential to the peace process in Israel and Palestine -- and the Congress is trying to demonize it.

Organizers Fire up Grassroots for Immigration Reform Fight Ahead

Marcelo Ballve, AlterNet — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:01 PST

Organizers are putting together a series of â€œhouse partiesâ€ after the White House said it was preparing to push Congress on immigration reform early in 2010.

Rachel Maddow Interview with Former Evangelist Frank Schaeffer: Christian Right Is 'Trolling for Assassins'

AlterNet — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Schaeffer: "There is a crazy fringe [receiving] messages that have been pouring out of FOX News ... talking about doing away with Obama, asking God to kill him."

Is House Health Care Bill a Threat to Our Constitution?

Barry W. Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:01 PST

The House health-care bill isn't just a threat to women's rights; with the Stupak amendment, it's a breach of the Constitution.

U.S. Christian Right Activists Pushing Death Penalty for Homosexuals in Poor African State

Christi van der Westhuizen, IPS News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Some believe a slew of new, homophobic laws are an attempt to preserve Uganda's shaky patriarchy.

Anti-Abortion Group to Protest Palin

Stephanie Mencimer, Mother Jones Online — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

To liberals, she epitomizes the anti-choice far right of the GOP. But to American Right to Life, Sarah Palin is not pure enough.

Still No Justice for Priests in Notorious El Salvador Massacre 20 Years Later

Norman Stockwell, AlterNet — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

In 1989, six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter, were brutally murdered in El Salvador. Two decades later, the extent of U.S. complicity remains largely unspoken.

NYC 9/11 Trial Will Shine the Lights on the Roots of Terrorism

Ray McGovern, Consortium News — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:01 PST

As Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other alleged 9/11 conspirators go to trial, the corporate media's embargo on the truth about the Bush years will be under great strain.

Does Racism Drive Opposition to Health Reform?

Tom Jacobs, Miller-McCune.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

In a recent study, prejudiced people were more likely to support the health plan when it was linked to Bill Clinton, than when it was linked to Obama.

American Youth in the 21st Century: Pathologized, Criminalized and Disposable

Henry A. Giroux, AlterNet — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:01 PST

Young people today face imprisonment, the prescription of psychotropic drugs, psychiatric confinement, and zero tolerance policies that model schools after prisons.

Immigration Hardliners Gearing Up to Kill Pragmatic Reform Once Again

Maribel Hastings, America's Voice — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Organized anti-immigrant groups range from extremist neo-Nazi organizations to respected Washington, D.C.-based think tanks.

Decision to Try Terror Suspects in New York Draws Praise from Human Rights Activists

Willam Fisher, IPS News — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

At the same time, the Justice Department is being strongly criticized for keeping the military commissions in place to try some suspects.

Napolitano Signals Reform to Come in First Major Discussion of Immigration

Mary Giovagnoli, Immigration Impact — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:00:01 PST

Napolitano challenged Congress to do its share, to be brave enough to give her the tools she needs to enforce and transform our immigration laws.

The Relentless War on Drug Users Is Escalating Violence in the US: It's Time for Harm Reduction

Don Hazen, AlterNet — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Hundreds gather in Albuquerque to celebrate a new dawn of wider acceptance of drug reform, while still feeling a little nervous about the path ahead.

The Pentagon's Long-Term Plan to Get Back on Campus

Michael Schwartz, AlterNet — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:01 PST

The military wants to integrate itself into campus life and therefore gain routine access to rank-and file students to recruit regular soldiers