NPR had an interesting segment on the history of white bread in America, interviewing the author of the new book White Bread: A Social History of the Store-Bought Loaf,  Aaron Bobrow-Strain, professor of food politics at Whitman College.  In his book he traces the history of our bread choices, reporting the ways in which politics and… Continue reading Moving Beyond White Bread

I’m listening to “This American Life” right now and they were talking about an experiment in Colorado Springs after the start of the recession in which some services were put up for pay when a tax increase didn’t go through.  So bills went out saying street lights would be turned off unless you paid for… Continue reading We Live in Community

What do each of the following have in common? Socialism Hammer Religion Computer Language Democracy Facebook Capitalism Christianity I would like to suggest that each is a potentially valuable or potentially dangerous tool.  Each has been used to revolutionize for good and for evil.  Each can liberate or oppress.  As a tool, though, they are… Continue reading What Is It?

The settlement against Bank of America because of the racist practices of its subsidiary Countrywide has really struck a raw nerve.  I hope we’ll soon begin seeing reports in the major media regarding the longterm harm this has done to the individuals who were bilked by Countrywide, not just reports that analyze the financial impact this will… Continue reading Rose-tinted Glasses