US politics

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | — There was a rash of Confederate flag removals on Wednesday. The governor of Alabama had it removed from the statehouse. The governor of Virginia recalled vanity plates with the flag on them. Some Mississippi legislators proposed removing it from the state flag. Amazon, E-Bay and other retailers […]

African-Americans

Is the Confederate flag unconstitutional?

contributors

By Alfred L Brophy | (The Conversation) | – The tragedy in Charleston has revived the movement to take the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina statehouse grounds. On Monday June 22 – five days after the shooting in the AME Emanuel Church – South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley called a press conference to […]

racism

Dear GOP: Play the Angry White Man card Enough & you might attract Racist Donors

contributors

Cenk Uygur | (The Young Turks Video) | – – “The leader of a rightwing group that Dylann Roof allegedly credits with helping to radicalise him against black people before the Charleston church massacre has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Republicans such as presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Rick Santorum. Earl […]

Banking

The Would-be Bush Trifecta, Brought to you by the Family Bankers

contributors

By Nomi Prins | (Tomdispatch.com) | – – [This piece has been adapted and updated by Nomi Prins from her book All the Presidents’ Bankers: The Hidden Alliances That Drive American Power, recently out in paperback (Nation Books).] It’s happening. As expected, dynastic politics is prevailing in campaign 2016. After a tease about as long as Hillary’s, Jeb […]

African-Americans

What South Carolina needs to do for Racial equality (taking down the flag is just symbolic)

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – – Governor Nikki Haley announced on Monday that she would attempt to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the statehouse, recognizing the pain it causes the one-third of the state who are African-Americans (about a quarter of whites also don’t care if it is up or […]

Barack Obama

Wife of Israeli Cabinet member tweets Racist Obama Joke, had called for Innocent Palestinians to be Punished

contributors

Nik Zecevic and Margaret Howell | (TheLipTV News Video) |- – “A racist joke about President Obama posted on Twitter by Judy Shalom Nir-Mozes, the wife of Israeli interior minister Silvan Shalom, sparked international outrage on social media on Sunday. The joke, which read, “Do you know what Obama coffee is? Black and weak,” was […]

African-Americans

Top 5 Reasons Confederate Flag should stop Flying at SC Statehouse

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – 1. The Confederate flag in its current form was adopted by the seceding slave states to differentiate their banner from the Stars and Stripes on the battlefield. It isn’t a symbol of regionalism. It is a symbol of violent attack on the Union. 2. Those who […]

Democratic Party

Massive turnout for Bernie Sanders in Denver: Is he Gaining on Hillary Clinton?

contributors

By Sarah Lazare, staff writer | (Commondreams.org) | – – Massive turnout is latest sign the Vermont senator is gaining on Hillary Clinton At least 5,500 people gather in in a gymnasium in Denver, Colorado to hear Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders Speak on Saturday night. (Photo: Bernie Sanders Campaign) At least 5,500 people gather in […]

African-Americans

Patterns of Racial Violence in the US: Charleston Shooting wasn’t a “One-Off” Event

contributors

By Ethan Zuckerman | (The Conversation) | – – When you read about Dylann Roof, think about the patterns he represents. There’s more than one. Over the next few days, we’re going to hear about mental illness. We’re going to hear about troubled loners. We’ll hear about a young man’s racist fantasies, so outrageous that […]