Why is it that one person can shout out in the market place and be disregarded and another person can start a series of events leading up to something as powerful as a devastating tornado?

By James C. Moore In Italy, there is a bust of Julius Caesar in Torlonia Museum that scholars have insisted depicts the great conqueror as a Christ-like icon. The resolute warrior’s face has been more compassionately composed and the oak wreath of the soter, or savior, slips low across his brow, hardly distinguishable from a [...]

There is a famous quote attributed to Jefferson, “An informed citizenry is the bulwark of a democracy…” Whether or not he actually said those specific words, it does capture an important theme he dwells upon, the importance of a well-informed citizenry.

The secretiveness and dishonesty of the current administration provides a stark contrast to Jeffersonian Democracy and we must take all efforts to make sure the citizenry is well-informed.

If you want to get someone to do something, you need to make the benefit of doing it greater than the effort required. The common perception that ‘my vote doesn’t really count’ lowers the perceived benefit. The perception that ‘all politicians are the same’ lowers the perceived benefit. Difficulties in getting to the polls during [...]

Creating change through Community Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the different technology campaigns could be using. The GOP’s new WebVoter, http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4828804.html and the progressive’s www.voter2voter.org have been discussed. People have talked about the efforts that both the DNC and the RNC are doing to get better voter files and better mailing [...]

PLEASE SIGN the petition our friends at DriveDemocracy.org have created asking that the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct fully investigate Rep. Chris Bell’s charges against Rep. Tom DeLay. The complaint accuses DeLay of ethics violations in his dealings with with Westar Energy Corporation, and illegally funneling corporate contributions to state office candidates in [...]

This past week we have had lots of reflection on the life and times of Ronald Reagan. I believe it is fitting to honor the dead, but I believe that the honors should be fitting. I have felt uncomfortable with some of the harsh criticism that has been heaped upon Reagan by some people over [...]

For an excellent daily clipping service of significant international news, you will want to subscribe to TIDES World Press Reports. Current Issues: DARPA TIDES Iraq Reconstruction Report (D-TIRR): DARPA TIDES Iraq Reconstruction Report No. 227, 15 June 2004 Special Resources: UN Human Rights Report: REPORT OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: The Present Situation [...]

“Can I speak freely here?” This is the sort of question one might find as they confront some sort of authority figure. Can I talk about what matters to me without fear of reprisals? Our country cherishes free speech. We like to believe that people can speak freely. However, there are always ramifications of what [...]

I just returned from Venice, where peace is proclaimed everywhere. Rainbow-striped flags with the word pace (peace in Italian) in white block letters hang from buildings along every canal. The crew of one boat in a regatta was bedecked with capes made from the flags. During a discussion about politics at my husband’s local barbershop, [...]