Katrina vanden Heuvel: Around The Nation

from The Nation:




Around The Nation
posted by Katrina vanden Heuvel on 08/16/2009 @ 10:17am


August used to be a slow month in politics. Instead we've seen simmering anger over healthcare, fiery debates over the future of the Democratic party, and breakthroughs in two major Nation investigations. Here are five items of note this week:


•Melissa Harris-Lacewell has been following the disturbing racial undercurrents to the healthcare town halls. Her segment from Tuesday's Rachel Maddow Show is a must-see: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/462896/around_i_the_nation_i


•Speaking at this week's Netroots Nation conference in Pittsburgh, The Nation's Chris Hayes sought to make sense of the details (rather than the debate) around health care. Here is his response to a question about exactly what the public option is and how it would work: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/462896/around_i_the_nation_i


•The Nation's Ari Melber also played an important role at Netroots Nation, moderating Friday's Senate debate between Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Joe Sestak. You can watch video of the whole debate here (it's about an hour) or read some of the coverage.

•Our investigation into Blackwater, USA has started to break through to the mainstream, raising tough questions about why the US State Department continues to renew Blackwater contracts. Still, the issue has largely been relegated to the internet and to opinion forums. It's our hope that even as healthcare and the President's vacation (certain to be a hot topic on cable news) take center stage, some courageous outlets will press the Obama administration about Blackwater's continuing role in the Middle East. Here's Jeremy's latest reporting. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/462896/around_i_the_nation_i