Obama’s final cabinet choice is also his most progressive. Hilda Solis, the daughter of a Teamsters shop steward has been on the front lines of every big labor battle in Southern California in recent memory and has been very good on immigration, green jobs, and trade. The question is, will she have the president’s ear? According to Lori Wallach of Global Trade Watch there is the real danger that Obama will be

Obama’s final cabinet choice is also his most progressive. Hilda Solis, the daughter of a Teamsters shop steward has been on the front lines of every big labor battle in Southern California in recent memory and has been very good on the issue of immigration, green jobs, and trade. The question is, will she have the president’s ear?

Bush's loan for the auto industry is a shot in the arm for those who hate labor.

The American News Project Reports: On December 19th, Henry Paulson urged Congress to release the second half of the $700 billion of the bailout money. But no one seems know what banks have done with the first $350 billion. Despite the fact that Congress wrote more than one hundred pages about oversight in the bailout bill, they left a gaping hole.

Last week the Bush administration approved up to $17.4 billion in loans for the ailing auto industry. And while those union bashers on Capitol Hill and beyond did not succeed in forcing the Big Three into bankruptcy, potentially breaking the power of the UAW, the storm of anti-union ballyhooing from the bailout’s detractors sets the stage for steep concessions by auto workers as well as a knock down, drag out battle

Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, and the recent recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, talks about the show's 13-year history and the role of independent media in an age of corporate domination. The Internet, she says, is capable of providing a global platform for social justice. The media can be a great force for peace in the world and can build bridges between communities.

Out with the old and in with the new. As the most unpopular president in US history prepares to leave the White House, comic Kate Clinton is making sure that the bad spirits go with him. On January 19, the night before the inauguration, Clinton and others will be meeting at 6 pm before walking around the White House with their sage.

There is no getting around the fact that these are tough times for newspapers. The Tribune Company recently filed for bankruptcy and a number of other papers are rumored to be on the selling block. Others have announced cuts in staff and distribution. The Detroit Free Press recently made the decision to limit home delivery to Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, the heaviest advertising days and the most popular papers for readers.

There is no getting around the fact that these are tough times for newspapers. The Tribune Company recently filed for bankruptcy and a number of other papers are rumored to be on the selling block. Others have announced cuts in staff and distribution. The Detroit Free Press recently made the decision to limit home delivery to Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, the heaviest advertising days and the most popular papers for readers.

As far as political corruption goes there’s been no shortage of drama over the last eight years. Yet the sheer rot of our political system may at times obscure the motivations and machinations of those in high office. Corruption of course is not limited to high office. Ronan Noone’s play The Atheist tells the story of Augustine Early an American journalist who will do anything to capture the perfect front-page headline.