Trump Abandons Bid to Include Citizenship Question on Census

JILL COLVIN, MARK SHERMAN and ZEKE MILLER / The Associated Press Jul 12, 2019 The president says he isn't "backing down," but he clearly reverses course amid backlash and after the Supreme Court blocked his effort. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Prisoners Could Vote Under N.J. Bill, as Long as They’re Veterans

Staff / Truthdig May 9, 2014 Prisoners serving their sentences as well as parolees and probationers would be allowed to vote in New Jersey under newly introduced legislation, but only if they had served in the military. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Is Democracy in Trouble?

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig May 20, 2013 We know American politics are dysfunctional. But after a week of scandal obsession during which the nation's capital and the media virtually ignored the problems most voters care about -- jobs, incomes, growth, opportunity, education -- it's worth asking if there is something especially flawed about our democracy. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Truthdigger of the Week: Naomi Wolf

Staff / Truthdig Oct 21, 2011 Author and feminist Naomi Wolf, whose dedication to helping protesters understand and exercise their rights got her arrested outside a private, black-tie event, is our Truthdigger of the Week.Author and feminist Naomi Wolf, whose dedication to helping protesters understand and exercise their rights, got her arrested is our Truthdigger of the Week. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Boehner Bursts Birthers’ Bubbles

Staff / Truthdig Jan 7, 2011 Those "birthers" out there still hoping to contest President Obama's American citizenship won't have much of an ally in the newly installed House Speaker John Boehner, but he also won't question their own beliefs on that front. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Closer Look at Citizen Whitman

David Coleman / Truthdig Sep 10, 2010 Looking back at Meg Whitman's history of fulfilling public obligations as a California citizen, we can measure whether her current commitment to public service matches her record of participation in some public spheres of citizenship in the Golden State.We can only assume that Meg Whitman wants to be governor so she can provide a public service for the citizens of California. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Etheridge Stops Paying State Taxes in Prop. 8 Protest

Staff / Truthdig Nov 7, 2008 If California is going to deny lesbian Melissa Etheridge her full rights as a citizen because of Proposition 8, the musician is happy to return the favor by refusing to add her tax money to the state's coffers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Protesters Razz Bush at July 4 Event

Staff / Truthdig Jul 5, 2008 When President Bush took to the podium on July 4 to speak at a naturalization ceremony at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home, there were some in the crowd besides those gathered to be sworn in as American citizens. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Paris Fetes Dalai Lama

Staff / Truthdig Apr 22, 2008 Despite disapproval from French President Nicolas Sarkozy's party, which is working on improving relations with the Chinese government, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe has championed the Dalai Lama by making the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader an honorary citizen of the City of Light. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Surge Success at a Rate of $10 a Day

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2008 Here's an interesting idea for dampening insurgent violence in Iraq: Pay the would-be troublemakers to temporarily join America's side and watch the surge success reports roll in. That's the tactic the U.S. military has employed with some 70,000 former insurgents, according to this NPR report. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Robert Scheer: Hayden–the Spook in Your Phone

Robert Scheer / Truthdig May 10, 2006 UPDATE: Michael V. Hayden, nominated by President Bush to head the CIA, is the man responsible for the most extensive attack ever on the privacy of U.S. citizens. While head of the NSA, he oversaw the program that recorded the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans. Want to take action? Check out StopHayden.org (includes video proof that Hayden is smugly incorrect about the privacy foundation of the Fourth Amendment). Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Legalize the ‘Illegals’

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Mar 29, 2006 "This is a moment of truth for America. It is time to acknowledge that we need the immigrant workers as much as they need us, and to begin to treat them with the respect they deserve." Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )