Topic: Mother Jones

Who is George Zimmerman, and why did he shoot Trayvon Martin?

George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch captain who shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, wanted to be a police officer and mentored an African-American boy. Is he a vigilante or, as one neighbor said, 'a good dude'?

Is Rush Limbaugh damaging the Republican Party?

Before Rush Limbaugh spoke up, the Republicans thought they had a winning issue on contraception in health-care plans. Now, everyone is on the same side: against Rush Limbaugh. 

A Syria hit list? A list of regime enemies emerges.

News organization Mother Jones has gotten hold of a massive spreadsheet containing names and contacts for thousands of Syrian dissidents.

New York braces as Occupy Wall Street protesters target stock exchange

New York police are out in force Thursday in the vicinity of the New York Stock Exchange, as Occupy Wall Street protesters vow to shut it down. Protest is slated to spread to other sites later in the day.

Six ways the rich really do get richer

“Class warfare:” Lately this old term has been taking on new life as political theater, a way to rebuke Wall Street protestors, and, predictably, fodder for Fox News. According to Google, in just the last month alone, 3,870 articles have been published containing these words. Another way to express the concept of rich vs. not-so-rich is the expression, “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” It’s been around for a long time: According to Wikipedia, William Henry Harrison went there in 1840: “I believe and I say it is true Democratic feeling, that all the measures of the government are directed to the purpose of making the rich richer and the poor poorer.” I’m not going to take a stand on either side of the “class warfare” debate by saying that the rich do or don’t take unfair advantage of the rest of society. This is America, where we all have the potential to become rich. But I will say this unequivocally: The rich do get richer, or at least have the potential to. Let’s count the ways:

Citizen action: partnering with conventional news media

Citizen groups and citizen journalists are addressing social problems around the world. But they may still need traditional news organizations to help tell their stories.

Triangle factory fire: why a century-old disaster touches us still

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was the deadliest industrial accident in the history of New York City.

Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner: 5 of his strange ideas

Jared Lee Loughner is accused of killing six people and wounding 14 in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday. Here’s a look at five ideas believed to come from Loughner, in his words and those of the people who know him.

Nihilism or Sarah Palin: What motivated Arizona shooting suspect?

Early reports suggest that the philosophies of shooting suspect Jared Loughner are tangled and largely incoherent – ranging from nihilism to 'lucid dreaming.' So far, there does not appear to be clear link to talk radio or hyperpartisanship, though that could change.

A fair trade approach to Africa's diamonds

A US company brings fair trade principles to Africa's diamond industry and aims to improve the life of diamond miners.

Activists frustrated at Obama’s environmental record

Environmental activists were delighted to have Barack Obama replace George W. Bush as president. But greens are increasingly unhappy with Obama’s record – especially on climate change.

Guardians of the free Republics looked to Gandhi, King, and Mandela

The Guardians of the free Republic's stated desire was to peacefully and nonviolently 'restore' America to a pre-1933 form of government. But why would 50 governors step down at their request? In the wings, the group insinuated, waited the military.

The gray wolf heads back to court

Are we making too many Americans?

According to new federal data , some 4.3 million babies were born in 2007, surpassing the previous record set in 1957 at the peak of America's Baby Boom.

Does wind power really provide more jobs than coal?

Earlier this week, Fortune's eco-blog, Green Wombat, ran a story under the headline, "Wind jobs outstrip the coal industry."

Oxford English Dictionary's word of the year: 'hypermiling'

For the third year running, the Oxford English Dictionary has selected a green-themed term as its word of the year.

Does Al Gore think he's too old for civil disobedience?

Speaking at the annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting, the former vice president and climate activist called for young people to engage in "civil disobedience." But why not old people, too?

Greenpeace slams Nintendo, offers others faint praise

Greenpeace released its eighth quarterly Guide to Greener Electronics Wednesday, raising its standards and handing out poor marks to all of the 18 companies it reviewed.

Why I defend President Bush when I'm abroad

I'm no fan, but it's my patriotic duty. At home, let's lift debate via comity.

A maverick yet informed point of view

China's pollution nightmare is now everyone's pollution nightmare

The environmental disaster springs largely from its emulation of the American way of life – so let's set a better example.

China's pollution nightmare is now everyone's pollution nightmare

The environmental disaster springs largely from its emulation of the American way of life – so let's set a better example.