Here are some of the people writing about some of the stuff I wish I had time to write about, for May 14th through May 19th:
- Racism is far more than old white men using the N-word | Gary Younge | Comment is free | The Guardian – Why is there outrage only when epithets are caught on tape? Discrimination is in reality carried out by well-mannered people
- Libertarians’ reality problem: How an estrangement from history yields abject failure – The libertarian tradition fundamentally misunderstands human life. No wonder its adherents get politics so wrong
- Ready, set, masturbate!: The mastermind behind “International Masturbation Month” – In honor of Masturbation Month, Salon talks to the pioneer of self-pleasuring who coined this quirky holiday
- Editorial: Children Don’t Belong in Tobacco Fields – With children suffering from nicotine poisoning, Washington can’t just rely on the tobacco industry to police its suppliers.
- John M. Crisp: Michael Sam’s kiss is just a kiss – When Michael Sam became the first openly gay football player to be drafted into the NFL, President Barack Obama congratulated him, the St. Louis Rams, and the NFL "for taking an important step forward today in our nation's journey." And many enlightened citizens felt good about our continued progress toward equal treatment for all.
- “You Need to Die”: Cliven Bundy and Violent Militias Still Terrorizing Utah, Nevada – Donald Sterling stole the spotlight, but the menace from Bundy's supporters continues—and might be getting worse.
- Why Don’t We Know How Many People Are Shot Each Year in America? – How many Americans have been shot over the past 10 years? No one really knows.
- The Solution That Shall Not Be Named – The White House is warning Congress that it has until August to find at least $18 billion for the federal account that funds the nation’s roads and public transit systems from going broke. Failing to fork over the money would immediately threaten to slow or stop thousands of transportation projects around the country. Even assuming lawmakers find a short-term fix, the account will face a similar $18 billion shortfall every year for the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It’s Infrastructure Week, but it’s safe to say no one is celebrating.