Adults' access to post-secondary education and job training in Michigan is limited by a lack of funding and a lack of programs according to a recent report by the Michigan League for Human Services.
A new poster from an anarchist collective in the Bay Area is raising critical questions about the support of Obama and McCain for the Wall Street bail out and illuminating what is generally little difference between the two major parties on financial policy.
The antiwar group United for Peace and Justice has released a new voter guide comparing five candidates for president on foreign policy and war related issues.
Television advertising by the two major parties is up over 2004 and the ads being run this campaign are more negative than in 2004 according to a new review by the Wisconsin Advertising Project.
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
Once again, local news coverage of the presidential debates focused more on "style" than "substance" with all of the local news outlets downplaying what the candidates said and instead emphasizing how they said it.
West Michigan Representative Vern Ehlers--who last week voted for the bail out bill--wrote a column in yesterday's Grand Rapids Press defending his vote.
On Tuesday, the United States' war against Afghanistan entered its seventh year. However, the anniversary was met with little attention. The local antiwar group ACTIVATE released a pamphlet to mark the occasion.
As part of a recent article on the their Iraq policies, Barack Obama and John McCain recently gave detailed interviews explaining their position on Iraq. Both candidates make it clear that they have no intention of ending the US presence in Iraq.
Last night, PBS journalist Ray Suarez spoke on the 2008 presidential elections at Fountain Street Church. Suarez shared his insights on the campaign, describing it as one based on personalities rather than issues.
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
Reading The Grand Rapids Press and watching the local media, its hard to get good information about the financial crisis--let alone a left-based critique of it. Here's some good resources to provide a more comprehensive explanation and critique.
Two new polls reveal some interesting views on NAFTA and neoliberal trade agreements. In the first, 55% of those polled in Michigan say NAFTA and the WTO have been "a bad thing." In the second, voters respond that by a margin of almost 3 to 1 they believe the US should withdraw or revise NAFTA.
Heating prices are expected to rise in Michigan this winter--perhaps by as much as 25%. That means that utility shut-offs, which have already increased this year, will likely continue at a much higher pace.
The Bash Back! network--which formed out of the organizing against this year's Republican National Convention (RNC)--is planning a gathering in Lansing, Michigan next month to evaluate the protests against the RNC and to talk about where to go from here.
A collection of important articles from around the web. Today's selection includes articles on the war in Afghanistan, the financial crisis and the Wall Street bail out, last night's presidential debates, and more.
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
Michigan is one of 43 states with a law allowing prisoners access to post-conviction DNA testing to prove their innocence. However, that law is set to expire on January 1, 2009 and the Michigan Senate has refused to take up its extension.
The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee are outspending McCain and the Republican National Committee on television ads in Michigan according to a new review by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.
The Center for Media and Democracy has launched a new election reform wiki that collects resources on voting rights and reports on election integrity and makes them available in one place. The wiki identifies Michigan as a state where "the integrity of the election results is most at-risk."
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
Wall Street firms played a significant role in helping to guarantee passage of the legislation aimed at curbing the financial crisis. Two new reports show that legislators who supported the bail out were more likely to have received contributions from the financial industry.
Kevin Holloway--president of Monsanto's Animal Agriculture division--is coming to Grand Valley State University (GVSU) later this month. During his tenure at Monsanto, Holloway has overseen the production and marketing of the controversial rBGH milk hormone. rBGH is just one of many genetically engineered products produced by Monsanto.
The Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union announced today that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against Starbucks alleging that it engaged in anti-union activity when it fired union barista Cole Dorsey from the company's East Grand Rapids store.
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
The local media's coverage of the Biden-Palin contained very little information about what the candidates said during the debate. Despite giving the debate prominent attention, the coverage focused on style over substance.
On Thursday, various news sources reported that Republican presidential candidate John McCain is shifting resources--including staff and advertising--out of Michigan in an apparent recognition that he is no longer competitive in the state.
A review of spending by the two major party presidential campaigns in September has found that the Obama campaign outspent the McCain campaign on political advertising in September. Given McCain's recent announcement that his campaign would suspend activity in Michigan, perhaps the cut in advertising spending was an earlier indicator of this decision.
Paul Street's new book on Barack Obama is a critical examination of the Democratic Party nominee for president. Street looks at Obama's career in both the Illinois Senate and the US Senate to come to the conclusion that for all the hype, Obama really isn't "progressive."
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
McCain's health care plan would end employer-based insurance programs for many in Michigan according to a new study. However, Obama's plan--while better--would hardly deliver a major change in the health care system. Both candidates would keep a system of private insurers.
Today, Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama gave a well-received speech to a crowd of several thousand in downtown Grand Rapids. Obama focused on the economy and called for the passage of a bailout bill.
Headlines from Democracy Now!, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.
A compilation of interesting articles published elsewhere on the web today covering topics ranging from the economic bailout and the Wall Street crisis to the ongoing occupation of Iraq.
On the recent failed "bailout" bill, Representative Ehlers decided to vote for the bill despite hearing overwhelming opposition from his constituents. Unfortunately, it isn't the first time that he has made such a decision.
