“Markets don’t exist in nature. They’re created and enforced by governments,” Robert Reich points out, echoing what George Lakoff has previously written about all markets being constructed for someone’s benefit.
LaunchIn Russia, the pandemic is beating Putin
“A deadly virus can’t be ignored, jailed, exiled or co-opted — nor can it be locked down without great economic cost. That puts President Vladimir Putin of Russia in a bind. The pandemic, perhaps his hardiest foe to date, has starkly revealed the limits of his power,” writes Alexey Kovalev, the investigations editor at Meduza, an independent Russian news outlet.
LaunchA century of tragedy: How the car and gas industry knew about the health risks of leaded fuel but sold it for one hundred years anyway
For decades, most gas sold in the U.S. contained a lead additive. Historian Bill Kovarik sees this anniversary as a time to reflect on the role of public health advocates and environmental journalists in preventing profit-driven tragedy.
LaunchThe media has given Republicans a free pass on assaulting democracy
“The media’s fixation with false equivalency between the two political parties and fear of criticism from the right has led to distorted coverage and misleading characterizations of the assault on democracy,” Jennifer Rubin writes.
LaunchThis is what the total solar eclipse only visible from Antarctica looked like
The weather cooperated, allowing NASA to offer a livestream of the eclipse courtesy of the Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition.
Launch3 progressive candidates just changed politics in SeaTac — here’s how
“Mohamed Egal, Jake Simpson and Iris Guzmán won their races as three progressive candidates in Seattle were defeated, attracting notice in the big city and calling attention to efforts by political groups to make change throughout South King County,” Seattle Times political reporter Daniel Beekman reports.
LaunchSNL debuts new fake game show for Thanksgiving episode: Republican or Not?
Watch highlights from the seventh episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Simu Liu, with Saweetie as the musical guest, including the Jeanine Pirro spoof cold open.
LaunchSNL once again takes aim at Ted Cruz in cold open
Watch highlights from the sixth episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Jonathan Majors, with Taylor Swift as the musical guest, including the Ted Cruz Sesame Street cold open.
LaunchHow Mitch McConnell, one of Washington’s longtime power players, succumbed to the preeminence of Trump
“He clearly doesn’t care about being labeled a hypocrite. It just doesn’t bother him. He is brazen about it. That’s one of the cynical sides of Mitch. He doesn’t care. If it’s expedient, he’ll do it,” U.S. Representative John Yarmuth said.
LaunchSNL delivers important message on reproductive rights; James Austin Johnson shares dynamite Trump impression
Watch highlights from the fifth episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Kieran Culkin, with Ed Sheeran as the musical guest, including the Weekend Update segment on reproductive rights.
LaunchSNL delights fans by bringing back What Up With That and The Devil for Jason Sudeikis’ hosting debut
Watch highlights from the fourth episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Jason Sudeikis, with Brandi Carlile as the musical guest, including the return of What Up With That.
LaunchSNL takes aim at the NFL; Rami Malek and Pete Davidson impersonate each other
Watch highlights from the third episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Rami Malek, with Young Thug as the musical guest, including the cold open skewering the NFL.
LaunchSNL takes aim at Facebook, spoofs Senate hearings in October 10th cold open
Watch highlights from the second episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Kim Kardashian West with Halsey as the musical guest.
LaunchSNL returns for forty-seventh season; drags Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin in cold open
Watch highlights from the inaugural episode of SNL’s forty-seventh season, hosted by Owen Wilson, with Kacey Musgraves as the musical guest, including the cold open skewering Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin.
LaunchWhy we need to upgrade our face masks — and where to get them
“High-quality respirators such as N95s and KN95s are now widely available and provide the best protection against COVID, according to experts. Why aren’t more people wearing them?” Tanya Lewis asks.
LaunchRepublicans’ overreach on abortion may haunt them in 2022
“It seems Republicans have taken a divisive issue and created an enormous bipartisan coalition against themselves, uniting pro-choice and even some antiabortion voters who don’t like the vigilante mechanism,” Jennifer Rubin writes.
LaunchJoohn Choe dissects Marjorie Taylor Greene’s absurd “look at me with my gun” ad
In a lengthy Facebook post, Joohn Choe explains why the extremist, militant Georgia member of Congress is a poseur rather than a legit shooter. As Choe puts it: “Trashy weapon, threatening posture, and always, a thin veneer of Instagram ‘gun-bunny’ posturing overlaying stark ignorance and rank mediocrity.”
LaunchDenali National Park is losing its only road due to climate damage
“For decades, the rangers at Denali National Park in Alaska were easily winning their battle against a slow-moving landslide underneath the park’s only road. Now, due in part to the effects of climate change, they are losing very badly,” Andrew R. Chow reports.
LaunchHow the September 11th attacks changed us
“The betrayal of America’s professed principles was the friendly fire of the war on terror,” Carlos Lozada writes.
LaunchBiden, allies frustrated with media’s hawkish coverage of Afghanistan withdrawal
“After years of ignoring Afghanistan, many close to the Biden White House — and the president himself — feel some major outlets are adopting a pro-war stance,” Huffington Post’s Daniel Marans writes.
LaunchAs a doctor, I’m out of compassion for unvaccinated people
“The burden of this pandemic now rests on the shoulders of the unvaccinated,” writes Anita Sircar. “On those who are eligible to get vaccinated, but choose not to, a decision they defend by declaring, ‘vaccination is a deeply personal choice.’ But perhaps never in history has anyone’s personal choice impacted the world as a whole as it does right now.”
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