Utne Politics Blog

Grand Juries and Political Trials

Willie Osterweil — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:44:33 CST

Originally intended to protect defendants from unnecessary indictments, grand juries have recently been used to investigate and intimidate innocent activists. New York City legal activist Jerry Koch is only the latest victim.

Corporate-Sponsored Kids

by�Diane Levin and�Christina Asquith — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:23:50 CST

As marketing to children intensifies, what can society do?

The Enemy-Industrial Complex

Tom Engelhardt — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:57:24 CST

From right-wing think tanks to Homeland Security to the "drone lobby," a lot's riding on the constant threat of global terrorism.

Why the Environment's Trashed, You're Broke, and Wars Drag On

By Suzanne Lindgren — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:27:11 CST

�How corporate power is killing the world, explained in animated GIFs�

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The Trouble with Stuff: A Conversation with Annie Leonard

On the Commons — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:41:36 CST

Annie Leonard is one of the most articulate, effective champions of the commons today. Her webfilm The Story of Stuff has been seen more than 15 million times by viewers. She also adapted it into a book.�Drawing on her experience investigating and organizing on environmental health and justice issues in more than 40 countries, Leonard says she's "made it her life's calling to blow the whistle on important issues plaguing our world."��

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The Big Numbers Behind Big Money in Politics

Sam Ross-Brown — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:18:31 CST

With an increasingly small fraction of wealthy Americans buying and selling elections, power has never been more unequal in Washington, says Lawrence Lessig in a new TED Talk.