Mary writes about being homeless in New York City.

She lost her job, then her apartment. Without an apartment, she can't possibly get either a job or an apartment. Our right-wing government, that doesn't dare tax the rich, won't do anything for her. Republicans say her homelessness is proof she deserves it, and Democrats don't face the issue.

"The nation has been modified…"

Eating popcorn in a movie theater makes advertising ineffective.

If their explanation is correct, eating anything would do the job, even carrot sticks or celery. And perhaps just thinking and subvocalizing something else, such as "No" or "I don't need this", would also do the job, as long as you don't forget to do it. These methods might be effective against advertising in other situations such as watching TV. It would be interesting to test these conjectures.

Four the fourth time in a month, apparent Afghan soldiers shot at US soldiers in Afghanistan.

Austerity's effects can be seen in both wealthier and poorer countries, in the form of squeezed wages and unhealthy conditions for everyone.