Category Archives: News Opinion

Bringing Back the Stocks

February 25, 2008 – 11:49 am

Here in Asheville, NC, the police department is updating an ages-old concept in their attempts to discourage unwanted behaviour: public humiliation. As was recently announced, Asheville police have begun posting on their website and on the local television channel names and photographs of individuals charged with prostitution or soliciting for prostitution.
Now read that again, […]

By celestina | Also posted in Asheville | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

No Such Thing As False Hope

February 4, 2008 – 11:49 am

Just look at that crowd… — Photo by roxannejomitchell’s photos, Creative Commons.I spent much of yesterday writing a carefully researched and documented essay comparing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, with the aim of demonstrating why the former was a better choice for President than the latter. As it sat this evening in not-quite-done […]

By celestina | Also posted in Election 2008, US News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Super-Delegates, Public Funding, and the Sham of the Democratic Primary Process

January 30, 2008 – 11:56 am

Reminds me of “The Hanged Man”…*sigh* - Photo by Austen Squarepants. (License: Creative Commons Attribution)The Presidential primary process is settling into full swing now, as I am constantly reminded by emails from various political and activist groups. Everyone’s eyes are on the Democratic showdown between Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, and the news is […]

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The Polar Bear Threat to Organized Religion

December 13, 2007 – 5:39 pm

It’s about power, not about God. Photo by MJ Mac. (License: Creative Commons Attribution)Last night, I went with my family to see The Golden Compass. Even if you are not a fan of the fantasy genre, you have probably heard about this film by now due to the efforts of some Christian […]

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Blueprint for the Disintegration of America

December 10, 2007 – 5:49 pm

Bumper stickers as the modern version of political activism… Photo by cesar bojorquez. (License: Creative Commons Attribution)Recently, there has been an increasing amount of talk centering on the possibility (or even probability) that President Bush and his administration are going to declare martial law and bring around a new fascist state. […]

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Should We Freak Out About H.R. 1955?

November 12, 2007 – 5:32 pm

One of the more disturbing bits of news to hit headlines today was that back in October, the House of Representatives passed a bit of legislation entitled Violent RadicalizationPhoto by kaerast. (License: Creative Commons Attribution) and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, H.R. 1955. Reading quick synopses and evaluations of this bill, one […]

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Eight Things You Just Can’t Say In The U.S.

July 27, 2007 – 5:45 pm

In thinking about taboos recently, it occurred to me that while some of them are obvious (no peeing in public, for example), some of the cultural standards with the deepest impact are the ones which are hardest to see: those dealing with ideas. Here in the United States, we champion our freedom, and get […]

By celestina | Comments (1)

Legalize Marijuana or Hand Over Your Guns

June 20, 2007 – 6:17 pm

It came up when I searched for “high”. Photo by Coulsey. (License: Creative Commons Attribution) Let’s take just a moment and consider some fundamental paradoxes within the United States’ legal system. We like to think we are the nation of freedom, the nation of get-ahead, the nation of self-made men and women […]

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