A Long, Hard, Forgiving Look at Chuck Hagel

Posted on Jan 7, 2013

Chuck Hagel has apologized for the anti-gay comments he made in 1998 but liberals continue to disapprove of him for secretary of defense; with so much emphasis on the infamous fiscal cliff, someone should pay attention to the looming “climate cliff”; meanwhile, India’s Supreme Court will rule on a case that may mean the end of affordable generic drugs all over the world.  These discoveries and more below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

Chuck Hagel And Liberals: What Are The Priorities?
Like virtually every prominent politician in both parties, Chuck Hagel had primitive and ugly views on gay issues back in 1998.

Embracing the Concise Power of Movies
Television’s deep dives are great, but film offers something inimitable.

Do You Think Like Sherlock Holmes?
What the detective can teach us about observation, attention, and happiness.

Museum Websites Are Getting Better, But I Have Two Pet Peeves
While I was checking around on museum websites the other day to see which ones would be open on Jan. 1 and which would not, I noticed that many museums have updated their websites in recent months, mostly for the good.

Why Climate Change Won’t Wait for the President
When it came to climate change in 2012, the operative word was “hot” (with “record” a close second). 

Indian Court to Rule on Generic Drug Industry
From Africa’s crowded AIDS clinics to the malarial jungles of Southeast Asia, the lives of millions of ill people in the developing world are hanging in the balance ahead of a legal ruling that will determine whether India’s drug companies can continue to provide cheap versions of many life-saving medicines.

What Does BuzzFeed’s New $20 Million Mean to You?
When things happen, BuzzFeed isn’t generally too far behind.

A Year on the Brink
The year 2012 turned out to be as bad as I thought.

The Untold Story: How America Became a Dangerous Empire
The title of Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States” is a bit of a misnomer, both as a book and a Showtime series.

More Below the Ad

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.