AlterNet.org: Rights and Liberties

More and More States Introduce Costly Anti-Immigration Bills

Seth Hoy, Immigration Impact — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:01 PST

Despite the devastating consequences of state immigration laws in Alabama and Arizona, legislators in other states have introduced similar enforcement bills this year.

5 Big Lies About the Phony 'War on Religion'

Sarah Jaffe, AlterNet — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:01 PST

Right-wingers claim Obama and Democrats across the country are waging a war on religion -- and of course, conservatives are the civilian casualties.

Obama Campaign Copies Gingrich -- Decries Then Embraces Super-PACs

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:01 PST

The 2012 money race is on, with both sides looking to secretive groups to fuel their ad wars.

Do We Need a More Nuanced View of Sexuality?

Jill Dolan, AlterNet — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:01 PST

People should be able to choose their sexual practices, and not be penalized when their partners donâ€™t mirror the conventional norm.

Knocked Up: Republican Presidential Candidates' Plan for American Women

Adele M. Stan, AlterNet — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:01 PST

Birth control is under attack by all of the candidates competing for the Republican presidential nomination.

Report: "Enforcement-Only" Immigration Strategy Still an Utter Disaster

Michele Waslin, Immigration Impact — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:01 PST

The result has been undermining human rights, devastating families and communities, hurting local economies and placing unnecessary burdens on all Americans.

The Dark Side of Chocolate: What Our Love Affair With Cocoa Means for the World

Ari LeVaux, AlterNet — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:00:01 PST

In addition to labor issues, chocolate plantations can be responsible for deforestation. But it can also be empowering to farmers and relatively healthy for the environment.

Occupy DC Forcefully Evicted, Protesters Injured, Arrested, Under Pressure from Congress's Richest Member

Jefferson Morley, Salon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:00:01 PST

What had started as a politically-tinged eviction of an entirely peaceful encampment had suddenly turned into an aggressive display of force by the National Park Police officers.

7 Privacy Threats the Constitution Can't Protect You Against

Tana Ganeva, AlterNet — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:01 PST

When it comes to a spate of new technologies, our privacy protections are wildly outdated.

How the GOP Is Resegregating the South

Ari Berman, The Nation — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:01 PST

Republicansâ€”to protect and expand their gains from 2010â€” are diluting the minority vote in swing districts held by white Democrats.

The NYPD Commissioner Told Cops to Follow the Law -- So Why Did Illegal, Racist Pot Arrests Continue to Increase?

Paul Armentano, NORML — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:01 PST

Even after the Commissioner told cops to follow the books on pot charges, small time weed arrests continued, breaking records for the past decade.

Komen Foundation Exploits Breast Cancer Mission to Make War on Planned Parenthood

Jodi L. Jacobson, RH Reality Check — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:01 PST

The Komen Foundation has been infiltrated by right-wing ideologues who saw to the withdrawal of support for breast exams at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Apple Tries Damage Control after Horrific Working Conditions at its Factories Exposed

Jeff Ballinger, Labor Notes — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:01 PST

Apple's attempts at cleaning up its image after recent scrutiny of its labor practices are more about reputation than actual change.

The Future of Pot: Is Legalization Around the Corner In Colorado and Washington?

Steven Wishnia, AlterNet — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:01 PST

While Americans are becoming increasingly aware of prohibition's consequences, the legalization movement still has many obstacles to overcome.

New York Muslims Fight Back Against Police Department's Institutionalized Paranoia About Islam

Alex Kane, AlterNet — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:01 PST

Muslim community leaders say Islamophobia is deep-seated in the New York Police Department.

Clashes in Oakland: 400 Arrests, Tear Gas, Flash-Bang Grenades

Joshua Holland, AlterNet — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:00:01 PST

Police once again ratcheted up the tension by using force against an entire crowd of protesters.

Where do the GOP Candidates Stand on Drug Policy? Why Now is the Time to Know

Ryan Devereaux, The Guardian — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:01 PST

The battle for the Republican nomination has moved to Florida, which also happens to be a key battleground in an entirely different fight: the $15bn war on drugs.

5 Important Things You Should Know About Privacy and the Supreme Court Ruling on GPS Tracking

Scott Lemieux, AlterNet — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:01 PST

On its face, this represents an important victory against the surveillance state. But this is a narrow ruling that leaves many crucial questions unanswered.

Is Fighting Corporate Corruption a Crack in the Supreme Court's Citizens United Ruling?

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:00:01 PST

Montana ACLU backed a corporate campaign spending ban. National ACLU did not.

Stung by Bad PR, City Officials Adopting New Tactics to Suppress Occupy Oakland

Susie Cagle, AlterNet — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:00:01 PST

"The government can always articulate rationales for why they're prosecuting one person and not another."