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Rally Against Islamic Center Sullies Day of Remembrance Rally Against Islamic Center Sullies Day of Remembrance
A rally in opposition to the proposed Islamic center in lower Manhattan marred what should have been a day of remembrance and reflection with disturbing outbursts of racism and mis...
Sep 14, 2010 / Braden Goyette and Michael Tracey
Briefing: Melissa Harris-Lacewell on Covering Progressive Causes Briefing: Melissa Harris-Lacewell on Covering Progressive Causes
Lack of coverage of progressive movements and protests in the face of an angry and well-funded right wing can be disheartening. But they're out there, fighting hard to keep a ...
Sep 13, 2010 / Video / The Nation on Grit TV
Major Student Loan Mistakes, and Ways to Avoid Making Them Major Student Loan Mistakes, and Ways to Avoid Making Them
The economy's long nosedive has done more than raise unemployment rates and housing foreclosures—it's also contributed to a devastating increase in the amount of student debt. Following a recent Education Department report on debt repayment figures, Gawker compiled a list of the top ten universities for student debt, which is topped by NYU's staggering $659 million total. This year also marked the first time in history that outstanding student loan debt exceeded outstanding total credit card debt, with student loan debt nationwide increasing at a rate of about $2853.88 per second. It's a grim landscape for students who've borrowed money, and one that is rife with ways to exacerbate the amount owed. In light of this, Sarah Deveau has provided a helpful list of tips and practices to avoid via the San Francisco Chronicle. Highlights from the pieces, "The 6 Worst Student Loan Mistakes You Can Make" include smart warnings against tempting practices like falsifying information on a student loan application, spending loan money on non-essential purchases and missing payments. "Some experts suggest that your monthly student loan payment should be no more than 10% of your expected salary," Deveau writes. "Calculate your monthly loan payments based on a 10-year repayment schedule, including interest, the find out the average starting salary for your career choice. If your loan payments will be higher than 10%, look at reducing the amount you borrow, either through producing more income or switching to a less expensive program." The bottom line, she says, is this: A student loan is often the first large sum of money a young adult must manage themselves. Avoiding common money mistakes when it comes to financing your college education is crucial to graduating with only good debt, and as little of it as possible. Some of it seems fairly no-brainer, but Deveau lays it out in concrete, practical terms that should make a lot of sense—especially to students taking on loans for the first time.
Sep 10, 2010 / StudentNation / Carrie Battan
Slacker Friday Slacker Friday
Obama's power-grab, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the mail.
Sep 10, 2010 / Blog / Eric Alterman
NFL Opener Becomes Site of Solidarity NFL Opener Becomes Site of Solidarity
The opening of the NFL season witnessed perhaps the most public display of solidarity in US history. Seriously.
Sep 10, 2010 / The Notion / Dave Zirin
New York’s Real Culture War New York’s Real Culture War
Shadowy individuals aim to control our way of life, and women's lives and liberties, especially, are at risk.
Sep 10, 2010 / The Notion / Laura Flanders
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child… Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child…
Newest pieces, women complaining about the attention given to Jonathan Franzen, some book and DVD recommendations and the latest mail.
Sep 9, 2010 / Blog / Eric Alterman
Schools vs. Slogans Schools vs. Slogans
The disconnect between the realities of public schools and the policy prescriptions coming from the White House is the crux of the problem in education.
Sep 9, 2010 / Editorial / Pedro Noguera
Freshmen Specimen Freshmen Specimen
When we willingly donate parts of our bodies to science, who should profit?
Sep 9, 2010 / Column / Patricia J. Williams
Money Well Spent Money Well Spent
The ultra-conservative funders the Koch brothers don't directly fund media—and they don't have to. Instead, they've successfully funded the politicians and the "ex...
Sep 9, 2010 / Column / Eric Alterman