Peter Bauer

STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR

Opinion

"Death Panels"

By Peter Bauer One of the saddest parts of the whole health care debate has been the idea of 'death panels'- a backroom bureaucratic system that decides who gets to live and who gets to die. But don't you understand? When people are unable to afford health care, a choice for ...read more

Opinion

Thoughts on Obama's Speech

By Peter Bauer As a school teacher, I was able to capitalize on the inauguration today by watching it with my first period class. It was truly an historical moment that my students will undoubtedly remember. Despite their age, I think they are able to grasp the significance ...read more

Opinion

Good Riddance

By Peter Bauer I was elated to learn that protesters gathered outside the White House Monday morning (Bush's last full day in office) to throw shoes at the White House. And although it's never appropriate to laugh at someone in a wheel chair, I must say that Dick Cheney has now ...read more

Opinion

Freedom to Facism in 10 Easy Steps

By Peter Bauer-I came across this five minute video on stumbleupon.1.  Create a terrifying internal and external enemy.  2.  Create secret prisons where torture takes place.3.  Develop and thug caste or paramilitary force not answerable to citizens.4.  Set up an internal ...read more

FOREIGN POLICY

War is Over (If You Want It)

By Peter Bauer I am a huge music fan and am impressed by the massive impact The Beatles have made on music over the last half century. However, I've always been intrigued by John Lennon's social activism- the way he harnessed his celebrity to work for the betterment of society. ...read more

Opinion

Stand By Me

By Peter BauerThis clip demonstrates the ways in which a Digital Age has erased geographic separateness and allows people to connect and create using available technology.  It exemplifies the exciting potential of human creativity. ...read more

Opinion

Clinton Named Secretary of State

By Peter Bauer President-Elect Barack Obama nominated former rival Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State today from his transition office in Chicago. Despite a hard fought primary seasons that some speculated would split the Democratic Party, Clinton and Obama have been able to ...read more

Opinion

Weekend Laughs- Palin Pranked!

By Peter Bauer Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was recently pranked by a pair of radio hosts from Montreal, Canada. The duo managed to get her on the phone by posing as French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and talking with her for nearly six minutes. The clueless Palin never ...read more

Opinion

Reclaim Your Mind

By Peter Bauer I've come across Terrance McKenna a few times through stumbleupon, and although I find his comments thought provoking, I don't always agree with what he has to say.  However, approaching the final weeks of a seemingly endless election cycle, McKenna's words remind ...read more

Opinion

Follow the Money

By Peter Bauer Although this clip is five minutes long, and despite it's weak ending, the first 4:45 are worth watching because it explains just how much commercial banks have invested in today's major political plays.  I particularly like Peter DeFazio's appearance at the ...read more

Opinion

2nd Presidential Debate

By Peter BauerContributing Editor Here are a few closing thoughts about the debate tonight (in no real order). 1.  John McCain said "My Friend" 247 times.2.  When asked if Russia was an Evil Empire (yes or no), John McCain said "maybe."3.  Obama references Kennedy only slightly ...read more

Opinion

Please Put Down the Pencils

By Chalan Moon Permit me to pose a hypothetical scenario.  You and I are in a math class together.  Outside of class, I admit to you that I am terrible at math and need help understanding it.  Then, during an exam, you find that you are doing terribly.  Do you cheat off my ...read more

Opinion

Sarah Palin SNL Sketch

By Peter Bauer Last weekend, SNL did another great Sarah Palin sketch.  This time, SNL used quotes directly from Palin's interview last week with Katie Couric. Is this what Newspeak sounds like in 21st Century? ...read more