Martin Michaels

Martin Michaels is a Mint Press staff writer specializing in immigration, international affairs and social justice issues. A native New Yorker, Michaels graduated with a degree in international relations and democratization in the Middle East. He has traveled to Jordan, Egypt and Israel, conducting research and studying human rights issues there. Michaels has also worked in various positions with J Street and Occupy Wall Street, promoting peace and social justice. Contact Martin at [email protected] or follow Martin on Twitter at @MMichaelsMPN.

Nation Still Divided Over Death Penalty, But Not In Texas

In all likelihood, one Kimberly McCarthy will be the 500th person executed in Texas since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels
execution room

Kimberly McCarthy, an inmate convicted of murder, could hold the dubious distinction of being the 500th person executed in Texas since Gregg v. Georgia, a 1976 decision reinstating the use of the death penalty. She is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection this Wednesday barring a last-minute stay of execution. Her case has drawn

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Opponents Of NYC Mosque Sell Pork-Laced Ammunition To ‘Deter’ Muslims

An Idaho-based company now offers pork-coated bullets designed for killing Muslim terrorists.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

Years after the opening of Park 51, a group of ammunition manufacturers is still upset over the construction of the $100 million mosque and interfaith community center located two blocks from Ground Zero in New York City. Idaho-based South Fork Industries is now marketing a product as a means to prevent future terrorist attacks -- a line of bullets

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Despite Regulations, Banks Continue To Flaunt National Housing Rules

The nation’s largest banks are violating the $25 billion settlement that was supposed to end the practices that led to mass foreclosures.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

A report published this week shows that four of the nation’s largest banks are continuing to violate the $25 billion National Mortgage Settlement, which was supposed to end the unscrupulous practices that contributed to the wave of home foreclosures after the 2008 financial crisis. The Washington Post reports that at least 60,000 consumer

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Partisan Deadlock Over Food Stamps Kills The Farm Bill

House Democrats said cuts to the food stamp program were too big; Republicans said they were too small.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

Lawmakers defeated the proposed $940 billion farm bill on a 195-234 vote Thursday after Democrats protested cuts of $20.5 billion to a public assistance program that helps feed 50 million low-income Americans. The United States’ current farm and nutrition programs expire in September 2013, but the American public will have to wait a little longer

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World Refugee Day Marked By Global Crisis: 45 Million Displaced

The UN released a report showing that refugee and internally displaced populations reached a 20-year high in 2012,

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

Ahead of World Refugee Day Thursday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report showing that global refugee and internally displaced populations reached a 20-year high in 2012, with 45.2 million people who have fled their homes due to war, persecution and political conflict. "War is the main reason for this very high

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Wisconsin Supreme Court To Review Constitutionality Of Walker’s Union-Busting Law

Since it was passed in 2011, the hotly contested law has led to mass demonstrations and even a failed recall election.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

Wisconsin’s Act 10, a piece of legislation that effectively nullifies collective bargaining rights for 200,000 municipal employees, could be facing its final challenge after the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of the case last week. Since it was passed in 2011, the hotly contested law has led to a failed recall election, mass

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While The US Hypes Aid, Palestine Faces Barriers To Economic Growth

Even as Kerry pledges billions in aid, Palestine’s problem is that economic growth has been stunted by the Israeli occupation itself.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels
the Israeli West Bank wall

As the Middle East is consumed by anti-government protests in Turkey and a civil war in Syria that has consumed an estimated 93,000 lives, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders last month to discuss economic development in the region, pledging $4 billion to help bolster the Palestinian economy. Unlike previous

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