December 29, 2008 Issue

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December 29, 2008 Issue

Cover art by: Cover design by Gene Case & Stephen Kling/Avenging Angels

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Features

True Leadership

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the best presidents are humble, open to new options and eager to learn.

Xan White
Ending Student Debt

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the new president needs to take definitive action toward eliminating student debt.

Sean Dennison
Will War Crimes Be Outed?

After the primary players in the Bush administration leave office, will they be held accountable for war crimes?

Jeremy Brecher and Brendan Smith
Farce Meets Justice in Khmer Rouge Trial

A troubled UN-backed court seeks retribution from tottering Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity; Cambodians wonder if the costly legal exercise is worth it.

Barbara Crossette
The New Era of Ecological Civilization

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the success of the new President will depend on his ability to initiate a transition from postindustrial society to a new era of civilization.

Henrik Petaisto
Life or Death

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that health care should be considered an inalienable right on par with any other Constitutional protection.

Daniel Zhou
Underneath the Politics

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that care for the sick is the full responsibility of the government.

Tim Reveri
The Importance of Perspective

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the most important prerequisite for being a good president cannot be found in the marble hallways of the nation's elite institutions.

Natalia Thompson
A Teamster Apart: Ron Carey Remembered

Two colleagues remember Ron Carey, the reformer and Teamsters Union president, who weathered controversy and won battles on his own terms.

Steve Early and Rand Wilson
Juan Reynosa’s Environmental Mission

If you want cleaner air and water and less poverty, Juan Reynosa, a community organizer with New Mexico Youth Organized, thinks you should consider environmental justice work.

Kristina Rizga
Addressing Inequity in Education

This essay, the high school winner of The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that until inequities in education are eliminated, a permanent underclass will continue to exist.

Laine Alison Zalac
Learning About Labor

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the new president should restore workers' rights ASAP.

Hugh Baran
Transcending Trauma

This essay, the college winner of The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues for a federal oversight panel to overhaul the treatment of those in foster care.

Victor Lopez
Canada’s Coalition Chaos

After three years of exploiting a divided left, Canada's Conservative prime minister is fighting for his political life. A progressive proposal to establish a coalition government has sparked a historic battle for public opinion.

Will Di Novi
Back to the Future for the RNC

Republicans are trying to roll back the clock on campaign finance limits. Haven't they been paying attention?

Laura MacCleery
Meddling in Kenya’s Elections

Will Obama change US Africa policy?

Karen Rothmyer
Socialism Is No Longer a Dirty Word

The case for public ownership.

André Schiffrin
A Crime Against Society

Rape destroyed the social fabric of Congo. Women are trying to repair it.

Ann Jones
The Pragmatist

We get it. He's pragmatic. But what does that mean--politically and philosophically?

Chris Hayes

Editorials

What’s the Matter With Rick Warren?

Obama's choice to give the invocation at his inauguration is a slap at progressives and a bow to the religious right.

Sarah Posner
Obama’s Green Team

They respect science. But will Obama's team show the necessary spine to cut greenhouse gases and resist "clean coal" and nuclear power propaganda?

Mark Hertsgaard
Sit-Down in Chicago

The plight of striking electrical workers underscores the flaws in Paulson's bailout--and tests Obama's mettle.

John Nichols
Hard Times Without Studs

His death is like the closing of an archive of what was best in America.

Tom Engelhardt
Editorial Malpractice

Deconstructing Russia coverage on the Washington Post editorial page.

Mark Ames
Beware School ‘Reformers’

School reform could take on new meaning if Obama's secretary of education is actually an educator.

Alfie Kohn
Stop Senator No

Will Democrats have the courage to disable the filibuster rule?

William Greider
Noted.

Eric Foner on Dorothy Sterling, Brett Story on Canadian politics, John Nichols on senator selections

the Editors
Stimulus From Below

If the economy continues to deteriorate, the poor won't just always be with us--they'll be us.

the Editors
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Columns

Where Have All the Black Coaches Gone?

The path to the White House shouldn't be easier than the path to coach college football at Oregon State.

Dave Zirin
Bernard Madoff, Trust-Buster

The $50 billion fraud is bad enough. But the disgraced trader has done even more serious damage. He's destroyed trust in our financial system.

Nicholas von Hoffman
Hurled Shoes: Bush’s Epitaph

The loathing that led an Iraqi to hurl shoes at Bush serves as the world's final verdict on US folly in Iraq. It's also a caution for Obama as he ponders Afghanistan.

Robert Scheer
Detroit’s Auto-da-Fé

In the auto industry's latest trial by fire, Senate Republicans lit the match--and what's left of the economy could go down in flames.

Nicholas von Hoffman
How Hedge Funds and Private Equity Hurt Us

College endowments and workers bear the brunt of hedge fund managers' gambles and private equity takeovers.

Nicholas von Hoffman
‘Center-Right’? Not Quite…

Once again, the MSM is casting Americans as far less liberal than they actually are.

Eric Alterman
American Dreams

If the American Dream is a form of worship, we need new totems to fit new and troubled times.

Patricia J. Williams
On the Auctioning Off of Barack Obama’s Senate Seat

The smartest guys in the room.

Calvin Trillin

Books and the Arts

Rising Above

An anecdotal history of New York City street art.

Nick Stillman
Pixies, Sheilas, Dirtbags and Cougar Bait: Modern Slang

There's more slang than dictionaries can capture, but two new lexicons speak volumes on the riches of language.

Caleb Crain
Back Talk: Thelma Golden

The director of the Studio Museum in Harlem talks about gentrification, MFA burnouts and how artworks speak to us.

Christine Smallwood
That Girl: The Captivity and Restoration of Patty Hearst

Was Patty Hearst really a rebel in search of a cause?

Rick Perlstein
In Congo Square: Colonial New Orleans

Two new books uncover the colonial origins and musical roots of New Orleans.

Joshua Jelly-Schapiro
The Pragmatist

We get it. He's pragmatic. But what does that mean--politically and philosophically?

Chris Hayes
Poem Including History

Joseph Massey
The stakes are higher now than ever. Get The Nation in your inbox.

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Letters

Letters

Colorblind?
New York City

Our Readers

Crossword

Puzzle No. 3150

ACROSS

1 Old magazines that display the things that might make your spine lose all sensation? (4,7)

Frank W. Lewis

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December 29, 2008 Issue

Features

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the best presidents are humble, open to new options and eager to learn.

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the new president needs to take definitive action toward eliminating student debt.

After the primary players in the Bush administration leave office, will they be held accountable for war crimes?

A troubled UN-backed court seeks retribution from tottering Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity; Cambodians wonder if the costly legal exercise is worth it.

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the success of the new President will depend on his ability to initiate a transition from postindustrial society to a new era of civilization.

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that health care should be considered an inalienable right on par with any other Constitutional protection.

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that care for the sick is the full responsibility of the government.

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the most important prerequisite for being a good president cannot be found in the marble hallways of the nation's elite institutions.

Two colleagues remember Ron Carey, the reformer and Teamsters Union president, who weathered controversy and won battles on his own terms.

If you want cleaner air and water and less poverty, Juan Reynosa, a community organizer with New Mexico Youth Organized, thinks you should consider environmental justice work.

This essay, the high school winner of The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that until inequities in education are eliminated, a permanent underclass will continue to exist.

This essay, a finalist in The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues that the new president should restore workers' rights ASAP.

This essay, the college winner of The Nation's Student Writing Contest, argues for a federal oversight panel to overhaul the treatment of those in foster care.

After three years of exploiting a divided left, Canada's Conservative prime minister is fighting for his political life. A progressive proposal to establish a coalition government has sparked a historic battle for public opinion.

Republicans are trying to roll back the clock on campaign finance limits. Haven't they been paying attention?

Will Obama change US Africa policy?

The case for public ownership.

Rape destroyed the social fabric of Congo. Women are trying to repair it.

We get it. He's pragmatic. But what does that mean--politically and philosophically?

Editorials

Obama's choice to give the invocation at his inauguration is a slap at progressives and a bow to the religious right.

They respect science. But will Obama's team show the necessary spine to cut greenhouse gases and resist "clean coal" and nuclear power propaganda?

The plight of striking electrical workers underscores the flaws in Paulson's bailout--and tests Obama's mettle.

His death is like the closing of an archive of what was best in America.

Deconstructing Russia coverage on the Washington Post editorial page.

School reform could take on new meaning if Obama's secretary of education is actually an educator.

Will Democrats have the courage to disable the filibuster rule?

Eric Foner on Dorothy Sterling, Brett Story on Canadian politics, John Nichols on senator selections

If the economy continues to deteriorate, the poor won't just always be with us--they'll be us.

Subscribe Today and Save $129!

Columns

The path to the White House shouldn't be easier than the path to coach college football at Oregon State.

The $50 billion fraud is bad enough. But the disgraced trader has done even more serious damage. He's destroyed trust in our financial system.

The loathing that led an Iraqi to hurl shoes at Bush serves as the world's final verdict on US folly in Iraq. It's also a caution for Obama as he ponders Afghanistan.

In the auto industry's latest trial by fire, Senate Republicans lit the match--and what's left of the economy could go down in flames.

College endowments and workers bear the brunt of hedge fund managers' gambles and private equity takeovers.

Once again, the MSM is casting Americans as far less liberal than they actually are.

If the American Dream is a form of worship, we need new totems to fit new and troubled times.

The smartest guys in the room.

Books and the Arts

An anecdotal history of New York City street art.

There's more slang than dictionaries can capture, but two new lexicons speak volumes on the riches of language.

The director of the Studio Museum in Harlem talks about gentrification, MFA burnouts and how artworks speak to us.

Was Patty Hearst really a rebel in search of a cause?

Two new books uncover the colonial origins and musical roots of New Orleans.

We get it. He's pragmatic. But what does that mean--politically and philosophically?

The stakes are higher now than ever. Get The Nation in your inbox.

Letters

Colorblind? New York City

Crossword

ACROSS 1 Old magazines that display the things that might make your spine lose all sensation? (4,7)

Colorblind?
New York City

ACROSS

1 Old magazines that display the things that might make your spine lose all sensation? (4,7)