Many Have Tried to Kill Santa. None Have Succeeded.
Throughout the 20th century, religious leaders and anti-capitalists of all persuasions have attempted to question the legitimacy of Santa Claus. It has rarely ended well.
19712 Articles by: Opal Lee
Opal Lee is a writer.
Eugene V. Debs on the 1914 Christmas Truce
Our Christmas present to you: a long-lost Eugene V. Debs article on the famed 1914 Christmas truce, in which German and British soldiers dropped their weapons for a day and played football together — displaying humanity in the face of barbarity.
Guinea-Bissau’s Liberation Struggle Transformed the Face of World Politics
A movement led by Amílcar Cabral fought against Portuguese rule in Guinea-Bissau and won independence against seemingly overwhelming odds. It also contributed to the end of white-settler rule in Southern Africa and the democratic revolution in Portugal itself.
Central Bank Capitalism Is Forcing the Global South Into a Debt Crisis
The Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank are withdrawing money from markets in the name of fighting inflation. But the move is aggravating the pressures of debt on the Global South — and pushing states toward ruinous austerity measures.
The Taiwanese Left Was Once Rooted in the Radical Labor Movement
In the 1920s, Taiwan had a radical anti-colonial movement similar to those in other parts of the colonized world — and central to it was a powerful organized labor movement. Today, with a weak and divided left, that memory needs to be recovered.
Joe Biden Should Commute Whistleblower Daniel Hale’s Sentence
Daniel Hale was sent to a facility known as “Little Guantanamo” for exposing just how deadly the US drone assassination program is. Hale’s actions served the public. President Biden should set him free.
Inside Wall Street’s “Side Letter” Scam
For years, Wall Street firms have inked secret deals to give certain investors preferential treatment. The SEC proposed reforms to regulate these “side letters” — but the industry wants to maintain its ability to enrich some investors at the expense of others.
Los Angeles Is Refusing to Enforce Hard-Won Tenant Protections
In Los Angeles, emboldened tenants are winning big against abusive corporate landlords. But as the city fails to enforce the terms of their victories, landlords continue to harass tenants with impunity.
Britain Waged a Secret War Against Revolutionary Movements in Arabia
In the 1960s and ’70s, Britain’s dirty war against the revolutionary struggle in Dhofar was hidden from the public. But the successful British effort to prop up one of the world’s most reactionary regimes had a lasting harmful impact on the politics of Arabia.
Blame Canada for US Rail Bosses’ Incredibly Dangerous Railroad Management
“Precision scheduled railroading” was pioneered on Canada’s railways. The proof of concept suffered from increased train crashes — and worker injury, exhaustion, and death — but outsize profit for railways clinched the system’s implementation.
Cristina Kirchner’s Conviction Means an Uncertain Future for Argentine Progressives
With her sentencing on corruption charges this month, Argentine vice president Cristina Kirchner has become the latest victim of right-wing “lawfare.” Kirchner has declared she won’t seek public office again — meaning a murky future for her populist movement.
What Is “At-Will Employment,” and Why Does It Matter?
Socialist New York City councilor Tiffany Cabán recently introduced legislation requiring “just cause” for firing workers. We spoke to a labor law scholar about why scrapping “at-will” employment would bring a major measure of democracy to the workplace.
Game Companies Are Throwing Historic Video Games Into the Dustbin of History
Epic Games is shutting down the iconic Unreal series, continuing the games industry’s disturbing trend of turning its own history into abandonware.
Wall Street Wants to Keep White-Collar Criminals in Charge of Your Retirement
A new federal proposal would punish banks that have committed crimes by preventing them from managing retirement funds. Wall Street disagrees — and is deploying an army of lobbyists to block the proposal.
The US Labor Movement Notched Some Impressive Victories in 2022
The American labor movement remains weak. But from the sweeping Starbucks unionization drive to UAW reformers’ successful bid for union leadership, there were serious glimmers of hope in 2022 for a stronger, more assertive labor movement.
France Insoumise’s “Consensus” Model Is Cracking Apart
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Insoumise claimed to replace old political parties using ad hoc structures based on “consensus.” But battles over its post-Mélenchon future have pitched this model into crisis — and show the need for real democratic structures.
No, Anti-Apartheid Activist Chris Hani Wasn’t Killed by ANC Leaders
South Africa–based journalist R. W. Johnson has penned an article implicating ANC leaders for the 1993 assassination of anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani. It’s pure slander and fabrication.
Democrats Have Given Up on Fighting Dark Money
With Republicans taking over the House in January, Democratic lawmakers have given up on efforts to end the political dark money era. Congress’s year-end omnibus spending bill will once again help dark money donors hide their identities from the public.
The January 6 Report Is a Christmas Gift to the Far Right. Thank Liz Cheney for That.
For the sake of her political ambitions and her desire to protect the national security state, Liz Cheney ensured the January 6 committee’s final report wouldn’t cover law enforcement’s failures. It’s a huge boon to the Trumpist forces she claims to oppose.
She Said Misses an Opportunity to Expose Harvey Weinstein’s Elite Enablers
She Said, the new film about the exposure of Harvey Weinstein, keeps its focus on the disgraced movie producer and poster villain for #MeToo — but misses a chance to expose the “girl bosses” who protected him for years.