QUICK TAKES | news & newsmaking broken down, with added nutrients
QUICK TAKES are timely, shorter articles that provide fresh insight into what is happening today. Your support is essential in allowing us to produce this content.
CLOSE READING: The Saudis, a Twitter Investment, and the End of Arab Spring?
By Russ Baker on Feb 2, 2012
Recently, Twitter announced it would restrict tweets in countries where the government declares the tweets illegal. That troubling announcement was treated by the American media as a blip. But is it a blip? Or is it a crisis for freedom everywhere? And did a huge investment in Twitter by a Saudi prince have anything to do with the move?
Wag the Seal
By Russ Baker on Jan 30, 2012
The Navy SEAL raid that rescued an American woman in Somalia is heartening. But who is really being rescued in these very occasional high-profile media events?
Ten Questions on Romney’s Taxes
By Russ Baker on Jan 25, 2012
Did you look through the very limited tax filings Mitt Romney released? Didn’t think so. Here are a few things you should know. And a few questions that still need to be asked. Hope they’re not too taxing!
The Deaths of JFK, RFK—and the Silence of the Lambs
By Russ Baker on Jan 23, 2012
Plenty of new “JFK assassination” material coming down the pike for you avid consumers. Too bad it’s mostly garbage. When exactly did courage and truth-seeking go out of fashion?
So Pa, So Good…But Must Activists Always Align With Corporations to Win?
By Russ Baker on Jan 21, 2012
It’s possible to get Congress to spin on a dime—but only a corporate dime. An alliance between tech companies and activists seems to have scared off, at least temporarily, a threat of ‘net censorship. But how do we get elected officials to do the right thing when corporate entities aren’t on the public side?
Sugarcoating the Lies: A New York Times Sampler
By Russ Baker on Jan 16, 2012
Scrutinize one day’s helping of headlines and story summaries, read between the lines, and you begin to see why our problems never get solved.
Occupy’s 99 Pledge
By Russ Baker on Jan 13, 2012
So those wacky “Occupy” folks don’t have a clear picture of what they want? So they’re just a bunch of people who enjoy protesting? Watch this—from little Ole Occupy Santa Fe.
An Open Letter to NYT Staffers: Leave the Plantation and Join Us
By Russ Baker on Jan 9, 2012
The New York Times staff are in (partial) revolt. But it’s corporate-owned media that is truly revolting. Here’s a solution: let’s build something better, together.
State of New Mexico: Happy Hundredth Birthday!
By Russ Baker on Jan 6, 2012
On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became a state. Today is the 100th anniversary. It’s quite a place, to be sure. Enjoy this collage of photos from the Los Angeles Times.
Obama: “Yes, I’m in a Can”
By Russ Baker on Jan 4, 2012
Let’s look a little further at what ails Obama—and us. It’s about the pretty small part of the One Percent that really calls the shots, and keeps a president from doing what he surely knows he must.
ORIGINALINVESTIGATIONS
In-depth, Exclusive Reporting
In-depth, Exclusive Reporting
