The first Republican Presidential Debate was held last night. There were two of them if you counted the “Kids’ Table” debate earlier, which included presidential hopefuls polling outside of the top 10. Anyone who tuned in hoping for the Donald Trump show was not disappointed since Trump was the event’s main draw. The first question out […]
On Cecil The Lion, Walter Palmer and the Morality of Hunting
Anyone with an internet connection can hardly have missed the outpouring of grief which accompanied Walter Palmer’s murder of Cecil the lion outside Hwange wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe last month. The nature of Cecil’s death was particularly nasty, having been lured from the sanctuary with meat, only to be severely wounded with a crossbow bolt […]
Inside Chicago Police’s Secret Cell Phone Spying Agreement with the FBI
Post written by special guest contributor, Freddy Martinez. Over roughly the last year I’ve worked to uncover quite a bit about cell phone spying that Chicago Police has been doing since at least 2008. CPD has been quietly purchasing IMSI catchers (usually called Stingrays), which they describe as “military-grade electronics” which act as fake, portable […]
Is The Media Apologising For Terrorism In The Wake Of Charlie Hebdo?
It’s been just over two weeks since the horrific attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, long enough for the initial surges of sadness and anger to die down and be replaced by something resembling more considered reflection. There’s been considerable rumination on what the attacks mean for free speech and artistic expression, including […]
Common: “War”
Chicago hip-hop legend Common unexpectedly dropped this No I.D.-produced gem, “War” yesterday via the Internet. Long regarded as one of the more influential and insightful artists of his generation, the conscious rap king delivers what amounts to an address of the current state of affairs in Chicago right now. Throughout the track, Common takes ownership […]
Pussy Riot Released From Prison
Two members of Russian all-women punk band Pussy Riot were released from prison two months early, after having spent nearly two years behind bars for performing a punk-infused protest in Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. The act brought hooliganism charges against three of the band’s members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich. Shortly […]
Chuck D: A Hero To Most
What more can you say about Chuck D, the front man for Public Enemy? Really, what can you say? So much ink, video reels, and audio tapes have been devoted to Chuck D and his musical brilliance that this intro is probably one of the most difficult that I have had to write in all […]