Jeff Nall, Author at Toward Freedom

The Bipartisan Road to War in Iran and The Activist Response

Jeff Nall July 14, 2008 Jeff Nall

More than 100 House Democrats have joined 117 House Republicans in co-sponsoring a bill which peace activists fear may further pave the road to war with Iran. The Bill, House Concurrent Resolution 362, describes Iran as a threat to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and US National Security. Introduced on May 22 by New York Democrat Gary Ackerman, the bill calls for an affective blockade against Iran, which, according to international law, is an act of aggression.

The Evolution of the Media and the Rise of Public Relations

Jeff Nall June 16, 2008 Jeff Nall

Gutenburg Press

One mistake many make is to see the problems of the corporate media as accidents caused by poor individual behavior. For instance, we see FOX News' bastardization of the concept of objectivity as the work of the evil Rupert Murdoch. But the problem of the corporate media is systemic and requires an antidote which must treat the root of the ailment.

Superdelegates: The Undemocratic Ways of the Democratic Party

Jeff Nall February 19, 2008 Jeff Nall

With the Democratic Party presidential nomination race in a dead heat between Obama and Clinton, everyday party members are getting an education on the behind-the-scenes business of electing a president. Whether you're supporting Clinton, Gravel, or Obama, recent disclosures and discussions about the role played by superdelegates should disturb every member of the Democratic Party.

Beyond Religion: Interview with Robert Jensen

Jeff Nall December 24, 2007 Jeff Nall

Robert Jensen

Last year, around the same time Hemant Mehta (the eBay atheist) was visiting various churches, atheist and journalism scholar Robert Jensen joined one. Jensen, a journalism scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, said he joined St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin as a political act of moral solidarity. Earlier this year I spoke Jensen about his personal beliefs regarding religion and how he got involved with the church. In response, Jensen challenged freethinkers to open their critical analysis to all potentially corrupt power structures, not just religion. He also urges rational minds to strip away all of their illusions, be they illusions about supernaturalism or societal constructs.

Independent Media and Objectivity: An Interview with Robert Jensen

Jeff Nall December 12, 2007 Jeff Nall

Robert Jensen

When independent journalists step beyond the corporate media's code of courtly niceties in dealing with government policy and officials, they are often saddled with the label of 'advocacy journalism.' Meanwhile, the incestuous relationships between mainstream journalists and policy makers escape popular scrutiny. Recently I spoke Robert Jensen, a professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, about the value of independent media, and the question of objectivity in mainstream and independent news.

Ending the War Now: A Look at Recent Anti-War Protests

Jeff Nall November 21, 2007 Jeff Nall

If you were to rely on the mainstream media, including so-called liberal news programs such as NPR, you probably wouldn't know that there's a real anti-war revolution taking place in the United States. This year, five poignant and increasingly radicalized national protests have taken place, dating back to January 27, 2007 when nearly half a million people took over Washington DC.