‘Left, Right & Center’: Wisconsin Showdown, Mideast Crackdown, Budget Throwdown

Staff / Truthdig Feb 19, 2011 In Wisconsin, in the midst of a deep state budget crisis, thousands of public sector employees have been protesting a bill that would slash their collective bargaining rights. Is this a preview of budget fights to come in other states? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Protests Continue in Wisconsin

Staff / Truthdig Feb 19, 2011 Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers fled their state to avoid voting on a controversial anti-union bill that would boost public workers' pension and medical contributions and deny them the right to collectively bargain. In Madison, meantime, thousands of protesters milled around the state Capitol building Friday in a fourth day of demonstrations. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Activist Judges Strike Again

Stanley Kutler / Truthdig Feb 15, 2011 The Constitution is rooted and understood in terms of its history; without that, it is merely an isolated document, portraying a moment in 1787. We can do without the arriviste Michele Bachmann to tell us exactly what its words mean.What will the Supreme Court decide on the new health care law? First, Justice Clarence Thomas' position should offer no mystery. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Wisconsin Governor Moves to Gut Public Sector Unions

Staff / Truthdig Feb 13, 2011 Gov. Scott Walker in cash-strapped Wisconsin is pretty sure he's doing the right thing in trying to ram through a bill ending collective bargaining rights for most public employees. But, just in case, he's putting the National Guard on alert. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ryan to Respond to State of the Union

Staff / Truthdig Jan 22, 2011 Responding to the State of the Union is an odd honor. You become the face of the opposition for 10 minutes but you have to immediately follow extraordinary rhetoricians at their chosen sport. House Budget Committee Chairperson Paul Ryan gets the job this year. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Changing of the Guard at RNC

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2011 There's a new sheriff in town for the Republican Party. Ousted Chairman Michael Steele has been replaced by Reince Priebus, former party chief in Wisconsin and a friend of the irascible tea party movement. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Tea Party Test Case

David Sirota / Truthdig Oct 23, 2010 The only way to objectively define the tea party is to find a test case. And thanks to Wisconsin's Senate race, we have exactly that. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Deaf Defendant Includes Pope in Sex-Abuse Suit

Staff / Truthdig Sep 28, 2010 By virtue of his past and present vaunted positions in the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI has certainly had to deal with the ramifications of the wide-ranging sex abuse scandal that's still rocking the Vatican But now the pontiff has actually been named (continued). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Bone Tired’ Rep. Obey to Hang It Up

Staff / Truthdig May 5, 2010 Can you blame Wisconsin Congressman David Obey for being "bone tired," as he claims to be? Even if you can, this will not impact Rep. Obey's newly announced decision not to run for re-election this November. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hitchens on Vatican Sex Scandals: ‘Enough of Forgiveness … We Need Justice’

Staff / Truthdig Mar 31, 2010 It's no secret that Christopher Hitchens isn't big on religion, but above and beyond his disdain of deity worship, he's got some serious issues with the Catholic Church's handling of both the child abuse claims made against clergy members (continued) . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Best Justice That Money Can Buy

Stanley Kutler / Truthdig Nov 4, 2009 It is somewhat late in the day to lament the politicization of the judiciary, a condition that has always existed, but extravagant campaign contributions have now perilously altered the landscape.It is somewhat late in the day to lament the politicization of the judiciary, but extravagant campaign contributions have now perilously altered the landscape. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Wis. Same-Sex Couples Make Domestic Partnership Official

Staff / Truthdig Aug 4, 2009 Given that the Wisconsin Constitution explicitly bars same-sex couples from marrying, the state's newly instituted domestic partnership registry may seem cold comfort, but it does offer some rights, like hospital visitation and property-related benefits. Some couples are ready to sign up although bigger battles remain to be won. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )