Weekend Musical Break - Ron Sexsmith

by Nomad

Somehow I had never heard of Canadian singer-songwriter, Ron Sexsmith until just the other day. I can't explain it. He has been laying down tracks and touring for decades.

Film: Love Thy Neighbor

by Nomad

Here at the blog, we spend quite a bit of time bashing phony Christians and evangelicals for their hypocrisy. In fact, we are in good company. Americans have a long and proud tradition of mocking the self-righteous, especially the religious variety. 

One of America's most beloved authors, Mark Twain once wrote:

If Christ were here there is one thing he would not be--a Christian.

As Twain pointed out many times, the major problem isn't so much that there are not enough Christians, but that so many Christians refuse to actually follow the tenets of their faith.

The NRA's Financial Weakness Explained

by Professor Brian Mittendorf, Ohio State University

In August, the National Rifle Association (NRA) made a fairly shocking announcement. According to a recent court filing, the organization was "in grave financial jeopardy" and could soon “be unable to exist… or pursue its advocacy mission.”

Film: America, Also my Home

by Nomad

Things we all take for granted are, for the undocumented immigrant, filled with risk. This short film depicts a situation most of us cannot begin to imagine. The intro explains:

After arriving in the US against her will, a young woman's children are caught in the 35W bridge collapse. As an undocumented immigrant, she is forced to choose between driving without a license, and caring for her kids.

America: Also My Home from The Perennial Plate on Vimeo.

The Coming Schism between Israel and the American Jewish Community

by Dov Waxman, Northeastern University

A protest by ‘If Not Now’ outside the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., March 2017. Gili Getz

Messy Breakup

This week, The New York Times, ran an op-ed piece entitled "American Jews and Israeli Jews Are Headed for a Messy Breakup." The article highlighted the widening schism between American Jews and their counterparts in Israel. Much of that dissension has to do with the right-wing views and authoritarian tactics of the leaders of their respective countries.

Sanity Sunday Musical Break - Richard Hawley

by Nomad

The Hidden Connections between Racism, Income Inequality and the Demise of Unions

by  Nick Mullins, from Thoughts of a Coal Miner

In his article, former coal miner, lecturer, and writer Nick Mullins offers his unique perspective on the rise of racial inequality in coal country. 
And he draws an unexpected conclusion.

Civil Rights and the All Mighty Economy

When I attended Clintwood High School throughout the mid-90s, there was an amazing lack of ethnic diversity.  Our school was 99.8% white.

It goes without saying that we had a very limited understanding of diversity. What little we did know came in the form of 80’s and 90’s whitewashed television programming pulled in with our 10-foot diameter c-band satellite dishes perched on the hillside.