Democracy
Unions Hedge Their Democratic Bets
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By Daniel KreissThe union vote has been reliably Democratic. But what happens when organized labor tries to shake up the party?
Democracy
Rounding up the Youth Vote / Partisans vie for untapped demographic
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By Rania TikooAn upsurge in interest by young voters has sparked a flurry of partisan activity hoping to tap into a groundswell.
Democracy
No Bouquets for the FCC in Monterey
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By Malaika Costello-DoughertyThe FCC’s most recent hearing on localism brought discourse and disputes.
Culture
U.S. Courts Tackle Foreign Abuses: Energy corporations question “law of nations”
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By Jennifer Huang | World Power I: Business & Law
A 215-year-old law originally written to address piracy and crimes abroad against American ambassadors is at the heart of litigation targeting some of the world’s largest energy corporations. Plaintiffs allege that ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, Unocal and Royal Dutch/Shell are responsible for atrocities committed by foreign troops guarding their refineries and facilities overseas. The corporations say that the lawsuits are without merit, and that such human rights problems are the domain of U.S. foreign policy, not domestic courts. But a recent Supreme Court ruling may have left the door open for the suits to proceed. Anticipated ruling
The cases were filed under the Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789, a law giving federal courts jurisdiction over international civil suits brought for violations of “the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.”
Democracy
Activist Churches Question Speech Limits
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By Julia Scott The battle for the religious vote pits free speech against nonprofit tax law and campaign finance reform.
Science
Why California Must Burn / Fire ecology is bad news for sprawl
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By Glen MartinThe disastrous southern California wildfires of 2003 have their origins in human planning and government policy … and December’s heavy winter rains will only make things worse.
Culture
Farmers Neglected at Home and Abroad / Critics trade blame over subsidies, WTO
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By Michael StandaertAgricultural subsidies — intended to save rural communities and feed the world’s billions — are blamed for poverty, hunger and environmental destruction.
Democracy
Unlikely allies gird for FCC battle over free speech, high finance and “Net Neutrality”
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By Jen Anderson, Steve Rhodes and Josh Wilson High-speed cable modems and fiber-optic networks are up for grabs, and the future of media is at stake.
Science
“Rocket Fuel” Controversy Deepens
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By Jill ClayPerchlorate — used for decades in rocket and missile fuel — is leaching into groundwater and food supplies, as regulatory efforts drag on.
Culture
U.S. Seniors Face Increased Poverty
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By Stephanie L. Freid; additional writing and reporting by the editorsA looming federal deficit may squeeze already tight elder-care budgets, as baby boomers age en masse.