The Restoration of a Mural Is the Resurrection of Lost History

Paul Von Blum / Truthdig Jan 21, 2016 Noni Olabisi’s painting "To Protect and Serve"—perhaps the most controversial mural in Los Angeles in the past 80 years—features a positive depiction of the Black Panther Party and its contributions to the African-American community. Such information about the party's constructive role is nowhere to be found in school textbooks. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

California Primary Election: GOP Gets a Leg Up, Dems Face Close Race for Waxman’s Seat

Staff / Truthdig Jun 4, 2014 Just half an hour after the polls closed in California on Tuesday night, Gov. Jerry Brown was so sure of his status as the clear leader in the Golden State's gubernatorial sweepstakes that he made a victory speech at the governor's mansion. Those vying for Rep. Henry Waxman's seat, however, weren't granted that kind of confidence. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

California Gold Rush: The Race for the Hottest Job in Congress

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig May 27, 2014 California's 33rd Congressional istrict is home to some of the Democrats' wealthiest donors and one of the party's most progressive leaders. No fewer than 17 candidates are running to pick up the keys to the treasure chest, but is any a worthy heir?California's 33rd Congressional District is home to some of the Democrats' wealthiest donors and one of the party's most progressive leaders. No fewer than 17 candidates are running to pick up the keys to the treasure chest, but is any a worthy heir? Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Chain Linked

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Jan 12, 2014 On Feb. 25 the Santa Monica City Council votes on whether Paul Conrad's peace sculpture should be knocked over and replaced with retail development. Because nothing says we should work to prevent nuclear self-annihilation like a Tommy Bahama, a food court and a lighted fountain full of pennies tossed by shoppers wishing for world peace with their eyes closed.Nothing says we should work to prevent nuclear self-annihilation like a Tommy Bahama, a food court and a fountain full of pennies tossed by shoppers wishing for world peace with their eyes closed. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Why Is the President Fighting for a War He Doesn’t Believe In?

Staff / Truthdig Jan 10, 2014 This week on Truthdig Radio in association with KPFK: According to former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the president didn't buy into his own strategy. Also, what's up with Dennis Rodman? Saving public art. And we remember Amiri Baraka. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Goliath’: How Israel Became the Third Rail of Journalism

Staff / Truthdig Nov 15, 2013 This week on Truthdig Radio in association with KPFK: Three Jews talk about Israel. Also: The human error of Typhoon Yolanda, and a rap to save public art. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Chris Hedges Talks With Sonali Kolhatkar

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Oct 11, 2013 In advance of his talk in Santa Monica this Sunday, the Truthdig columnist spoke with the host of KPFK's "Uprising" about how the ongoing government shutdown "is illustrative of an entire system that is unraveling." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Saving Paul Conrad’s ‘Chain Reaction’

Paul Von Blum / Truthdig Aug 27, 2013 For the past 22 years, the city of Santa Monica has had one of the most significant public political artworks in the nation, installed adjacent to the Santa Monica Civic Center in the tourism hub of this beachside town.For the past 22 years, the city of Santa Monica has had one of the most significant public political artworks in the nation. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Why ‘Chain Reaction’ Must Be Preserved

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig Jul 23, 2013 The sculpture towers 26 feet above the Civic Center lawn in the Southern California coastal city of Santa Monica, a disturbing warning about the danger of nuclear arms. Now the artwork is in peril. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Ed Asner for Peace and ‘Chain Reaction’ on the Fourth of July

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jul 6, 2013 On Independence Day in Santa Monica, Emmy Award-winning actor Ed Asner played the role he comes to most naturally: the engaged citizen taking a principled stand for what is right, in this case preserving Paul Conrad's compelling reminder of the ever-present danger of a nuclear holocaust.On Independence Day, Emmy Award-winning actor Ed Asner played the role of engaged citizen taking a principled stand against the abuses of power. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

On His Birthday, a Famed Artist’s Masterpiece Faces the Bulldozer

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Jun 27, 2013 The late political cartoonist Paul Conrad won the Pulitzer Prize so many times it was deemed unseemly to give him any more. Now, on the Thursday he would have turned 89, one of his masterpieces faces oblivion. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Santa Monica Shootings: Gun Violence Happens Everywhere

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Jun 8, 2013 A rampage that left five people dead, including the suspected gunman, in the wealthy, liberal, seaside paradise of Santa Monica, Calif., reminds us that guns and killers are everywhere in America. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )