July/August 2004 - Issue 2

A hate crime at the Women's Center

The incident that occurred on May 27th shattered both a window and any illusions that may have existed of the Women Center as a space free from hatred and violence.

Somerville's Diesel Cafe—protect and defend

The music plays, pool balls click together, people chatter as they socialize over coffee and snacks, and local students type away on their laptops trying to meet deadlines for their latest school paper. It’s a typical afternoon at a not-so-typical café located in Davis Square.

Vietnam vet: no cheers for John Kerry

As a Vietnam veteran I have more than a passing interest in the fortunes and foibles of our Senator, John Kerry. Being that John once called himself a member of an organization that I am a member of gives me more reason for concern.

Are some persons more equal than others?

It appears that some are.

Note to Dems: dealing with 'spoilers' as simple as I.R.V.

In the last three U.S. presidential elections, no candidate has received a majority of the popular vote. It seems quite possible that George Bush would have won the 1992 election had the voters who voted for Perot instead chosen between Bush and Clinton. Clinton was the better choice because Perot ran, but would Bush have been better if Perot had not run?

Is the Motor Voter law more trouble than it's worth?

It’s called the Motor Voter law, because when you go to get a driving license, you are also presented with a voter registration form. The same thing is supposed to happen when you apply for any kind of public assistance.

The fight for rent regulation is part of a larger struggle

If we want to analyze the fight for rent regulation in Cambridge, we have to understand how it is part of a larger context, a struggle dealing with economic trends and forces beyond Cambridge.

Rent control initiative failure due to poor organizing

As members and supporters of the Committee for Cambridge Rent Control (CCRC) look back at the year just completed, there are some things to be glad about and unfortunately a lot left to be done.

Against the DNC occupation of Boston

When the convention of the self-styled "Democratic" Party descends on Boston this summer, it will clearly show the contrast between the party's rhetoric and what it is really all about.