The White South’s Last Defeat

Michael Lind Salon
Hysteria, aggression and gerrymandering are a fading demographic's last hope to maintain political control.

What's Next For the Voting Rights Movement?

Brentin Mock The Nation
A Florida coalition is working to amend the Florida state constitution so that it guarantees voting accessibility for all citizens—a state-level voting rights act. “We’re focusing on legislation that grants an explicit right to vote in Florida,” says Katherine Culliton-González. “It would aim at big picture issues and make voting a fundamental right so no election law changes could happen that would take us back in time.”

Top Ten Surprises of the Brennan Hearing on CIA Torture and Drones

Juan Cole juancole.com
The confirmation hearing for John Brennan allowed the country to grapple with many issues that had been swept under the rug and seldom discussed in public. While few to none of them were resolved, it does seem positive that they were brought up in public.

Beasts of the Southern Wild


Benh Zeitlin's BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD whisks you to a surreal realm, where little girls and mythical animals coexist in a bayou called The Bathtub, all intertwined in the cosmic mesh of the universe. Hushpuppy (stunning newcomer Quvenzhane Wallis) relentlessly explores her world for answers, to satisfy her curiosity, and to make her budding mark on a world she's only beginning to comprehend.  PG-13, 1 hr. 31 min. Directed by Benh Zeitlin. Written by Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin. Now in limited release. For show times and other information, go here and here.

Half the Oil: A Practical Solution

The Union of Concerned Scientists says using less oil is practical, achievable, and benefits us all. Yet one powerful group is intent on blocking progress. Who’s standing in the way? See for yourself. For more information about how we can cut U.S. oil consumption in half in 20 years, go here.

Friday Nite Videos -- Feb 8, 2013

Video Moderator Portside
How the Super Bowl defines what it means to be an American: dueling ads. Stephen Colbert wrestles with bipartisan immigration reform. Republicans think CIA nominee Brennan gives the public too much information. The Union of Concerned Scientists says we can cut oil consumption in half, and who's standing in the way. Beasts of the Southern Wild imagines a surreal realm where little girls and mythical animals coexist.

Shrinking US Labor Unions See Relief in Marijuana Industry

Reuters CNBC
The medical marijuana shop next to a tattoo parlor on a busy street in Los Angeles looks much like hundreds of other pot dispensaries that dot the city. Except for one thing: On the glass door - under a green cross signaling that cannabis can be bought there for medical purposes - is a sticker for the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW), the nation's largest retail union.