(Illustrations by Edel Rodriguez) Our June investigative report on a Texas courtroom battle over “estrogenic-active” chemicals in consumer plastics is part of a much larger story involving compelling evidence that the plastics industry is hiding the toxicity of a product used in millions of American homes every day. Consider. The Eastman Chemical Company has spent […]

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Revelations by National Security Agency (NSA) contract employee Edward Snowden have seized the attention of the world and sparked a national debate about government surveillance and privacy. Snowden’s disclosures pose two questions that strike at the heart of any democracy. What are the American people entitled to know about their government? And what is the […]

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(Protesters at Fort McNair | Source: US News & World Report) It’s stunning how a simple traffic advisory can be transformed into a subliminal screed about security and safety. But perhaps not surprising. For months, the Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden affairs have been debated in blogs, the mainstream news and editorial pages, TV and […]

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(Kevyn Orr | Source: Fox News Sunday) Detroit’s bankruptcy and a high profile lawsuit in San Jose highlight a nationwide effort led by fiscal conservatives to undo the basic promise embodied in public employee pensions—a guaranteed, defined retirement benefit. If they succeed in unraveling public pensions, as they have to retirement benefits offered by private […]

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(Image source: Benoît Deniaud/Flickr/Creative Commons) Nelly was wider than she was tall (about five hands or so), and kind of a jerk. She was old, and some brat (me) was always trying to put a saddle on her and play National Velvet in her paddock. But Nelly had that infuriating and endearing quality that most […]

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