As we move into 2008, it seems appropriate to highlight some of the better stories that have appeared on Mediamouse.org over the past year. Most of the following stories were either never covered corporate media or discuss points that were ignored by the media in Grand Rapids and Michigan generally. As always, please consider donating to help us in 2008 -- we're able to do this work only because of contributions from folks like you.

That said, here's a list of stories that we felt were particularly important to West Michigan residents over the past year, divided by topic:

Elections:

• Ron Paul Opens Michigan Office, Progressives Shouldn't Be Fooled
• Missed Votes and the 2008 Democratic Party Candidates
• Presidential Debates Announced; Debate Process Ignored
• Democrats, the 2008 Elections, Iraq, and the Antiwar Movement
• Organizing for the 2008 RNC Protests: A Report and Reflections
• Republican Task Force Holds Hearing on "Illegal Immigration" in West Michigan
• Campaign Finance Reports Show Majority of Proposal 2 Funding came from Outside Michigan

Organized Racism:

• Michigan "Stormfront" Members Attend Nick Griffin Speech at MSU
• 9/11 Father that Testified at Immigration Hearing had Ties to the Far Right
• Michigan Klan Member to Speak at Kalamazoo White Supremacist Event
• 
  "Pastor" from Michigan has a Long History of Involvement in the White Supremacist Movement

Antiwar:

• Michigan Senator Carl Levin on the Iraq War: His Views and Policies in Public Statements - September 2002 to March 2007
• Antiwar March Confronts Congressman Ehlers at his Home
• Senator Debbie Stabenow: A Consistent Supporter of the Iraq War
• Ehlers Claims War Vote a Mistake, Press Portrays him as Misled and Reluctant Supporter of War Despite his Consistent Record of Supporting the War

Media:

• WOOD TV 8 and Global Warming Skepticism
• Report Examines Six Months of Press Coverage of Latin America
• National TV Campaign in Favor of the US Occupation comes to Grand Rapids
• Study Shows Grand Rapids Press Iraq Coverage Over-Emphasizes Government Perspectives
• Grand Rapids Press Supporting Government's Iran Claims
• Local Corporate Media Discusses their 2006 Election Coverage

Globalization:

• Proposed I-69 Expansion being Opposed in Indiana
• Peru FTA to be Debated in Congress Today
• Ehlers Votes to "Help" Laid-off Workers, Fails to Mention his Record on Trade
• Bill Clinton, NAFTA, and Michigan

Patriarchy:

• Area Radio Stations Promoting Misogynistic Content through their Websites
• Professor Challenges Audience to Think Beyond Pink Ribbons
• PETA Highlights Treatment of Chickens at Protest, Ignores Sexism

Environment:

• Author Derrick Jensen Speaks in Kalamazoo
• Overwhelming Opposition to Sulfide Mine at Lansing Hearing
• Clinton's Environmental Policy
• Grand Rapids Think-Tank Brings ExxonMobil Funded Global Warming Skeptic to Town

The Right in West Michigan:

• Erik Prince and his Family Significant Backers of Republican Politicians from Michigan
• Author Speaks in Holland on Blackwater
• Holland's Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation Major Local and National Supporter of the Religious Right

Did we miss anything that you liked over the past year? Suggestions for 2008? Let us know by leaving a comment or sending us an email.

Finally, we encourage all of readers to read the following essay by Michael Albert, it was incredibly moving when he read it at the 2007 Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) conference and we find that whenever we are feeling beaten down, disempowered, or apathetic, his essay is an excellent way of renewing our inspiration:

• Michael Albert: "To Win A New World"