Teaching Gov Web Sites Oct08
CAVEAT: I have not previewed all of these sites and do not endorse the content nor
veracity of any of them. I include them as possible resources for political
information. Please understand that some of the sites may be partisan, some
may be biased, some may be funded by large organizations with a particular
agenda, and some may post false or misleading information. On the other
hand, of course, many of these sites provide information that may be far
more in depth than you will get from a daily mainstream newspaper or
television news program.
NOTE: Please let me know if you come across other useful sites regarding politics,
media, citizen rights, etc. I may add them to this list so that they will be
available to students in the future. Also, please let me know if you have
problems with any of these sites.
Adbusters
Alternative Radio with David Barsamian. www.alternativeradio.org/
commercialcloset.com
monitors portrayals of homosexuality in ads and shows.
Council for Media Integrity, a part of CSICOP att he Center for Inquiry.
www.feedmag.com
Media Access Project
non-partisan group supporting diverse news
Our Natural Environment, Population Growth, and Poverty
pirg.org/enviro/superfund. Public Interest Research Group page about superfund
funding shifting from polluters to taxpayers. PIRG has info on many
consumer issues, including the credit card industry. 212-546-9707
prb.org. Population Reference Bureau.
povertyusa.org. On eliminating poverty.
Political Sites
dfosummit.com. Register for "Democracy for Oregon Summit", 21 May 2005, at PSU.
leg.state.fl.us.
lwvor.org. League of Women Voters. Publishes non-partisan voters magazine that
describes all candidates and measures.
democracynow.org. Site of daily news program Democracy Now! of Pacifica Radio.
Amy Goodman essays.
projectcensored.org. Project Censored is program at Sonoma State University that
presents important stories that are largely ignored by mainstream press.
Every year they publish the "Top 25 Censored Stories of the Year."
Criminal Justice Sites
doj.state.fl.us.
supremecourtus.gov/: recent opinions, etc.
Judicialwatch.com
narconews.com. Narco News, WEB site; covers the war on drugs from latin america;
includes defense fund.
aascu.org/programs/adp. American Democracy Project. Consortium of Universities
who have committed to more intentionally preparing students to be active
citizens.
abcnews.com/sections/politics/.
accuracy.org: Institute for Public Accuracy; critical reporting of news
afl-cio.org. National union with pro-union information, resources, endorsements,
etc. Also information on Union Summer, a program that links college
students to labor movements.
aclu.org
aflcio.org. Site of international union AFL-CIO. Much info on labor, and links.
allpolitics.com. Mixes both mainstream and investigative news. Nonpartisan
political news.
alternet.org. Independent Media Institute. Promotes alternative journalism.
Original pieces and links. Include link, Give it Back, Mr. President, which
discussing Bush's work with Harkin.
altpr.org. Alternative Press Review
altpress.org
americanconservative.com. This is the site for the magazine, The American
Conservative.
americansforhealthcare.com. Discusses and advocates national health care. Project
of Service Employees International Union.
americanprogress.org. Issues progress reports and analysis of public policy.
americanprogressaction.org. Political essays and news. Many links. Leans left.
atimes.com. Info on media, including "We Report, You Get It Wrong", which surveys
people to find out about misperceptions of citizens.
au.org. Americans United. Advocates separation of church and state.
basicrights.org. Basic Rights Oregon. Aims to end discrimination based on gender
and sexuality, including political lobbying.
biotechnology.org. Reports on GMOs.
blackbox.com. Info on electronic voting technology--ownership of the companies
and conflicts of interest (many execs and politicians have personal, political,
and economic ties), control of data (the count of the votes and verification of
the count is now done by private company and the government is excluded
from participation or oversight) federal subsidies, security breaches, etc.
blackboxvoting.org. Info on electronic voting technology.
blackcommentator.com
blacknews.com. General news source, with focus on issues affecting blacks.
blackpressusa.com
blogforamerica.com. Populist political activism.
bollier.org. David Bollier site advocates protecting commons.
bordc.org. Bill of Rights Defense Committee; info on federal and state politics and
civilian liberties
busproject.org. Site for the Bus Project. Empasizes voter registration. Leans
progressive. Link to trickorvote.com, a voter registration site.
Buzzflash.com
campaignlegalcenter.org. Monitors relationship between corporate contributors
and both political parties; includes "Internal Political Party Documents"
cco.org. Center for Campus Organizing. Pools together campus activists.
ccr.NY.org. This site has info on civil liberties, as well as alternative political
parties.
cdc. gov. Center for Disease Control. Much info. on drugs, prescription laws, etc.
cdi.org. Center for Defense Information, monitors US military, including its budget;
often counters Pentagon's official position.
census.gov
centerforamericanprogress.org. Monitors politicians.
cepr.net. Center for Economic and Policy Research. Think tank on economic policy,
e.g. social security.
cfr.org/background/background_iraq_readings.php. Council of Foreign Relations,
which publishes Foreign Affairs. Promotes public understanding of
international affairs. Here is their research on Iraq.
citizen.org. Public Citizen
citizenchange.com. Sells non partisan politcal shirts.
citizenstrade.org. Info on globalization and international trade agreements.
citizenworks.org
cjr.org. Columbia Journalism Review. Great site on media.
climatecrisis.org. Identifies problem of global warming and advocates for new laws
to mitigate it.
co-intelligence.org. Non partisan group focusing on increasing political dialouge in
USA.
commercialfree.org. Center for Commercial Free Public Education
commonassets.org. Common Assets Defense Fund, advocates protecting commons.
commoncause.org. Site of Common Cause. Political organization, aims at
registering voters. Includes news.
commondreams.org. Run by Craig Brown, former staffer to Tom Andrews, US Rep.
Culls articles, speeches, etc.
commonsensedrugpolicy.org. Info on criminalization of drugs and enforcement of
said laws.
communique.portland.or.us/ Local political watchdog.
congressionalreportcards.org, Keeps tabs on congress
consortiumnews.com. Investigative news reporting.
ConWebWatch.com. (or conwebwatch.tripod.com) Monitors other Internet sites.
coopamerica.org. Co-op America provides catalogues on products produced in
economic systems that promote worker safety and well being, environmental
conservatism, and other social benefits. 1800-58-GREEN
corporatepredators.org. Lists and analyzes corporations deemed malignant.
corpwatch.org (I think that’s the spelling). They watch corporations. Much like
people watch seals in San Francisco.
costofwar.com (or .org)
counterpunch.org, Political news source. Often counters what is reported in
network/corporate press.
craigslist.com-- for local political events and resources
crashingtheparty.org
csmonitor.com. Christian Science Monitor, includes info on media and reporters, e.g.
"Reporters on the Job".
cursor.org, No-spin news. Usually leans left. Opinion and Links
cyber.law.harvard.edu/home. The Berkman Center for Internet and Society at
Harvard Law School.
cybereditions.com. Compilation of news stories.
dailykos.com. National news and party politics.
dailyhowler.com: Humorist’s criticism of media.
declareyourself.com. Sells non partisan politcal shirts.
democracycampaign.org. Democracy in America Campaign.
democracyctr.org. Democracy Center On-Line. Distributes electronic newsletter.
To be added, go to info@democracyctr.org.
democracyforamerica.com. Democracy for America. Populist movement. To find if
there is a meeting near you, you can go to dfa.meetup.com.
democracyfororegon.com Local chapter
democracynow.org. Site of daily news program Democracy Now! of Pacifica Radio.
Amy Goodman essays.
democracyrising.org
dfn.org. Digital Freedom Network. Publishes dissidents and censored journalists.
doj.state.or.us. Oregon department of justice. Has info on candidates and other
crime stats.
dnet.org. Democracy Network
drivingvotes.org. Voter drive, as well as outline for grassroots activism.
drugwarfacts.org. Info on criminalization of drugs and enforcement of said laws.
earthcharter.org
earthisland.org. Tomales Bay Institute, a think tank dedicated to protecting
commons.
economist.com. British magazine and web site; leans libertarian. (check this
address)
electiononline.org. Reports on election, including ones in progress.
epa.gov. Environmental Protection Agency
epi.org. Economic Policy Institute
epic.org. Public interest research center
equalitystate.org. Advocates clean elections; info on electronic voting.
extension.oregonstate.edu. Find out about canning and preserving, as well as food
nutrition in general. I know it's not political, but it's a handy resource, and
it's our state dollars at work.
ewg.org. Environmental Working Group. Info and data on use of public lands.
factcheck.org. Great site of raw political information. Non partisan.
fair.org
FairEconomy.org
fairvote.org. Center for Voting and Democracy. Monitors voting systems in USA,
including electronic voting. Has information on voting reforms in other
countries.
workingfamiliesparty.org. Example of fusion party politics.
fas.org Project on Government Secrecy of the Federation of American Scientists.
Among other efforts, objects to GW Bush's March 25 Executive Order that
allows the government to conceal documents that used to be open to the
public and therefore elevate government secrecy.
fec.gov. Federal Election Commission
feedmag.com. Feed Daily. News on politics, arts, and technology, as well as essays.
freedom.idahogreenparty.org--information on USA PATRIOT Act, etc., as well as the
Green Party itself.
freepress.net. Focus on educating people about media. Advocates for diversity of
ownership and programming. Links to hundreds of other sites.
freepress.org
freespeech.org
fsrn.org. Free Speech Radio News. A great radio newscast--commercial free and
much investigative reporting. At this site you can find news and if the
syndicated programs are broadcast in your area.
ftaa@globalexchange.org. Can order an "FTAA Kit" that describes impacts of global
trade agreements and suggests strategies for activists.
georgewbush.com. President's own site--news as well as campaign efforts.
globalexchange.org. Global Exchange is a human rights groups that focuses on both
war and industry. Info on globalization and international trade agreements.
gmfoodnews.com. Info on genetically modified foods.
grannyD.com. Example of grassroots activism--at the age of 89 she walked across
the USA to advocate for campaign reform. Also organizes voter registration
drives.
grassrootscampaigns.com. Voter registration efforts.
greatpublicschools.org. Favors improving public education over use of charters and
vouchers.
gregpalast.com. Site of American BBC reporter Greg Palast. Populist. Links to
documentary films; much info on elections and election fraud. Author of
several books.
guardian.co.uk, and, guardianweekly.co.uk, Sensible British press, with reporting on
USA.
harpers.org. Investigative reporting and political essays.
HearUsNow.org. Consumers Union. News on media, corporations, products, and
related politics. Resources for activism.
highereducation.org
hmc.org. Human Rights Campaign. Monitors international and domestic cases of
governments abusing the rights of people.
hotlinescoop.com. Mainstream news. Produced in conjunction with AOL.
http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience. Rep Waxman set up this
web page to identify when science is rejected in favor of pushing an ideology.
huduser.org, Housing and Urban Development.
huffingtonpost.com
iandrinstitute.org. Initiative and Referendum Institute
igc.org. Institute for Global Communications
ilo.org. International Labor Organization, of the UN. Info on labor, wages, etc.
ilsr.org. Monitors corporate presence in towns and advocates small, local commerce.
independent.co.uk. The Independent. British news source.
indymedia.org, Independent Media Center. Radical Democratic site--anyone can
post. Can be overwhelming, but contains debates on many ballot measures
and candidates.
indypress.org
indyvoters.org. League of Independent Voters.
jimhightower.com. Hightower's site. Political commentary. Many links to other
populist sites.
jwj.org. Jobs with Justice. Labor issues.
john-loftis.com (sp.?)
Judicialwatch.com
LauraFlanders.com. Political author and radio host. Links to other political sites.
left-right.com
legitgov.org
louisville.edu. University of Louisville, info of franchise expansion and suffragist
lsu.edu
lucianne.com. Comments on news, including by visitors. Politically right.
lwc.edu/adminstrative/library/suic.htm. Info on physician assisted suicide debate
lwvor.org. League of Women Voters. Publishes non-partisan voters magazine that
describes all candidates and measures.
markcrispinmiller.org (check)
mercycorps.org. Nonprofit aid organization; provides information on international
problems, e.g. famine.
mediachannel.org. Investigates media itself. Has info on 2003 dereg.
mediaaccess.org
mediaed.org, or mef.tv. Info on media and media literacy
mediareform.net. Links to hundreds of other sites.
mediathink.org. The Northwest Media Literacy Center. Provide training on how to
assess media techniques as well as the impact of media on society.
mediaempowerment.org. Media Empowerment Project. Based in United Church of
Christ and that churches commitment to civil rights. Provides organizing
manual for media activists.
medialit.org. Center for Media Literacy, 213 931 4177; 4727 Wilshire Blvd, Suite
403; LA, CA 90010
mediamatters.org
MediaNews.com. Journalist's reporting on the media itself.
mediatown.org. Jay Newell, professor of journalism at Iowa State, set up this site to
feature his research on media saturation.
MediaTransparency.org. Tracks media publications and their funding.
mediawatch.com. Media Watch focuses on challenging sexism and racism in the
media. They have a list of educational videos.
meetup.com--go to "Politics and Activism", then "Groups and Associations" to find
local political groups.
metafilter.com. Generally mainstream news.
motherjones.com. News magazine, with emphasis on investigative reporting. Leans
populist.
MoveOn.org
multinationalmonitor.org. Multinational Monitor. Reports on corporate activity,
including political influences and malfeasance. Publishes magazine of same
name. 202-387-8030
musicforamerica.org. Political music.
nabj.org. national Association of Black Journalists
nahj.org. national Association of Hispanic Journalists
naral.com. click on "The Ten Minute Activist for voting record of congress. May be
confined to abortion.
narconews.com. Narco News, WEB site; covers the war on drugs from latin america;
includes defense fund.
nationalreferendum.org. Coalition for National Referendum
nea.org. National Education Association site. Much information on education,
education reform, scholarships, etc. Includes info on "No Child Left Behind"
act.
nervygirlzine.com. A Portland based magazine that focuses on women's issues such
as abortion issues, sexuality, employment. Provides links.
news.google.com. Searches many news sources.
NewsMax.com. Political opinion pieces. Somewhat incendiary. Politically right.
newvotersproject. New Voters Project.
NoMediaKings.org
nra.com. National Rifle Association
nrdc.org. Natural Resources Defense Council. Evaluates politicians' conservation
records.
nwrage.org. Lobbies against genetically modified food.
OPB.org: Has information on many topics, including Media Matters, which covers
trends in media.
ojr.org. Online Journalism Review. News about the media, as well as job listings and
resources for online research. Great for accuracy checking. Also, news on
consumer issues.
olcg.com. National Voting Rights Museum.
oneworld.net. Plethora of political articles and essays. Leans libertarian and
populist.
onlinejournal.com
opengov.media.mit.edu. Tracks government officials.
opensecrets.org, the site of the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political
contributions and voting machines.
openthegovernment.org. Monitors government officials and agencies, esp. with
regards to secrecy, or failure to be transparent
oregonfollowthemoney.org. Money in Politics Research Action Project. Nonpartisan
oversight of campaign contribution, media ownership, etc.
oriononline.org. Orion Afield. Journal of social movements. The Orion Society; 187
Main St., Great Barrington MA 01230
ourfuture.org. Campaign for America's Future
paywatch.org: for CEO pay.
percyschmeiser.com. Schmeiser is a farmer who was engaged in a lawsuit with
Monsanto regarding genetically modified food. Has links to sites regarding
gm food.
pfaw.org. Politics in America.
people-press.org. Info on press, including surveys of journalists.
ThePetitionSite.com: people can post or sign petitions. May abet low-funded social
movements.
pirg.org/enviro/superfund. Public Interest Research Group page about superfund
funding shifting from polluters to taxpayers. PIRG has info on many
consumer issues, including the credit card industry. 212-546-9707
PoliticalMoneyLine. Tracks campaign money.
politics.com. Collection of political news plus many links to other sites.
prb.org. Population Reference Bureau.
populist.com. The Progressive Populist. News magazine and web site with populist
leaning; includes its "Dispatches" column.
poynter.org/medianews. Journalist's reporting on the media itself.
pressthink.org. Jay Rosen's site on media and journalism.
Privacyrights.org. Privacy issues.
progressive.org.
progressivemajority.org. Progressive Majority, political site.
projectcensored.org. Project Censored is program at Sonoma State University that
presents important stories that are largely ignored by mainstream press.
Every year they publish the "Top 25 Censored Stories of the Year."
prometheusradio.org. Pushing for Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations to be
established in US. They were to be built but stymied by media lobby in 2000.
1877-907-2346
prwatch.org. PR Watch. Monitors government and corporate propaganda.
publicagenda.org. National Council of Public Polls; can download "20 Questions
Journalists Should Ask about Poll Results"
publiccampaign.org. Public Campaign focuses on special interest money in politics.
202-293-0222
publiccitizen.org. Info on globalization and international trade agreements.
publicintegrity.org. Much political info, including the text of the BearingPoint Plan
to restructure Iraq's economy through MNC privitization and criminalization
of unions.
punkvoter.com. Punk voter drive.
purpleocean.org. Labor rights organization.
PhysioMedia.org. Proposed (2005) site for research on physiology and the media.
qland.org. An organization that lobbies for reduced discrimination based on gender
and sexuality.
questionsquestions.net
radiopower.org. Talk radio, with much political talk.
redrosenw.homestead.com , Red Rose School 4312 SE Stark;;
redrosenw@yahoo.com; 232-5043; 230-0488, Offers classes on current
events.
rwpdx.org. Radical Women, a socialist political organization. Hosts monthly
meetings and many film showings and lectures.
salon.com. News and analysis. Non partisan.
SinclairAction.org. Media Matters for America. Info on media and democratizing
media.
slate.com. Slate. News regarding the media.
sonoma.edu/projectcensored: Phillips and Project Censored; includes weekly
updates and the annual report of the most important stories that were
censored by mainstream media.
scoop.co.nz
secretplan.org. Site for political activist/voter drive group, Oregon Bus Project.
Publishes Zephyr Magazine.
sierraclub.org. Sierra Club, environmental/conservation group.
sos.state.or.us. State site, info on ballots.
southendpress.org, Southend Press. Publishes short and inexpensive books on
many current events.
SpeakOut, for speakers: POB 99096; Emeryville, CA 94662; 510 601 0182;
speakout@igc.org; www.speakersandartists.org/
spinsanity.org
spitfirelist.com
splcenter.org. Southern Poverty Law Center
startchange.org. Liberal leaning activist group.
stayfreemagazine.org/gm. Info on GMOs.
stopcafta.org. Info in opposition to international trade agreements as they are
currently written.
stopcorporateabuse.org. Part of Corporate Accountability International. Monitors
large corporations.
stophospitalinfections.org. Consumer Union site monitoring hospitals and
pharmeceuticals.
suck.com
supremecourtus.gov/: recent opinions, etc.
synergy.org--for local political events and resources, as well as non-political
activism.
takebackthemedia.com. Media reform.
talkingpointsmemo.com Journalist Josh Marshall's site.
thecorporatelibrary. Reports on corporations. Includes IRS stats, e.g. average
income compared with income of CEOs.
thecorporation.com (or thecorporation.tv). This is a site for the movie, The
Corporation. But it provides many links to other political sites.
theocracywatch.org. Theocracy Watch. Religious studies program at Cornell
University that focuses on the influence of religion on government.
theonion.com. The truth.
TheRawStory.com. Info on voting irregularities.
TomPaine.com. Tom Paine. Democratic Left. Essays.
TrueMajority.org. True Majority Campaign. Electronic movement. Oppose war and
fiscal irresponsibility. Monitors government and sends emails to people on
its list.
truthout.org. Critical news and commentary on world events. Also voter
registration.
uiowa.edu/~commstud/resources/GenderMedia/index.html. Gender , Race, and
Ethnicity in Media--list of media studies.
unbrandamerica.org
unionvoice.org. Provides voting record of congress members regarding issues of
import to unions.
unityjournalists.org. UNITY: journalists of color.
usleap.org. Info on global trade; advocates fair trade.
ustogether.org. Reports on electronic voting.
verifiedvoting.org. Info on electronic voting technology--ownership of the
companies, federal subsidies, security breaches, etc. Run by Stanford
Professor David Dill.
volunteerhere.com. Connects interested people with volunteer options in the
Portland Metro area
voteenvironment2004.org. Political organization lobbying for conservation,
renewable fuels, and environmental protection.
vote-smart.org (or is it smart-vote.org): Project Vote Smart. Non Partisan
clearinghouse of info on national and state elected officials. Info on voting
record, campaign contributions, experience, etc. Excellent source. They also
have a hotline, which I think is 1888VoteSmart.
walmartwatch.com. Monitors Wal-Mart, surveys effects, etc.
washingtonpost.com. Political news from major newspaper.
whiterosesociety.org. Talk radio, with much political programming.
wired.com. Some tech stuff, some political stuff, esp. as it relates to the internet.
WiseDemocracy.org. Non partisan group focusing on increasing political dialouge in
USA.
wonkette.com. DC blog.
workingforchange.com. Includes electronic petitions, e.g. one by Martin Luther King
III and Greg Palast pushing congress to take voting systems out of the hands
of private companies.
worldnetdaily.com. Political news and commentary. Leans conservative.
wsws.org. World Socialist website. Slanted political view (obviously), but good
reporting
Y2vote.com
yesmagazine.org
zmag.org
znet.org. Political essays and news. Emphasis on grassroots activism.
*************
SITES OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
SITES OF BALLOT MEASURES
Other resources for learning about candidates and local initiatives
Voters' Pamphlet
Local newspapers, e.g. Asian Reporter, Hispanic News, Mercury, Observer,
Oregonian, Portland Tribune, Skanner, Willamette Week, as well as their
WEB pages.
National publications all have WEB cites: NYT, WSJ, National Review, In These
Times, Nation, American Spectator, MSNBC, etc.
Radio: AM: 690 (morning, local news programs), 1460
FM: 89.9 (morning and 5-7, local news programs), 105.7