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.

American Peace Group Joins Hundreds Rallying In Yemen To Close Gitmo

Protesters were joined by a small American delegation from Code Pink, a women-led grassroots peace movement that has been in Yemen for a week.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the U.S. embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, on Monday, calling on President Barack Obama to release detainees who have been held for years at Guantanamo Bay prison without charge or trial, Russia Today reports. Of the 166 people still detained at Guantanamo, 84 are from Yemen. Fifty-six of the Yemeni detainees have

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Fewer Americans Trust The Media As Conglomerates Increasingly Dominate

Just six media conglomerates own a majority of the major newspapers published in the U.S.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

American confidence in newspaper and television media is near an all-time low, according to the latest national Gallup poll released earlier this month. The poll, which measured citizens’ trust in 16 societal institutions, found that just 23 percent of Americans trust newspapers and television news “a great deal” or “quite a lot.” The media is

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Crisis-Stricken NATO Members Downsize Armed Forces, Raising Eyebrows In Washington

Budget crisis have forced some European countries to implement cuts in military spending, which may further depress economies.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

As the longtime U.S. ambassador to NATO leaves his post, he’s not hesitating to tell European governments what he thinks of their military cutbacks. "Most European allies are hollowing out their militaries, jettisoning capabilities, and failing to spend their existing budgets wisely," said Ivo Daalder in a farewell speech, hosted by Carnegie

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No Relief In Sight For Students: $1 Trillion In Debt And Federal Loan Rates Set To Double

With just days left until the rates double, Elizabeth Warren’s popular proposal has not gained widespread support needed to be passed.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

Once reasonably priced, college has become a nightmare in recent years for a new generation of students saddled with an average of $27,000 debt upon graduation. Nationwide, 39 million students have collectively amassed $1.1 trillion in debt. Instead of offering students a lifeline, the federal government continues to pocket $50 billion each year

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Anti-Discrimination Legislation Protects The Homeless In Connecticut

Contrary to the well-worn tropes portraying homeless folks as “lazy bums” and “freeloaders,” many have jobs, and are discriminated against by employers.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

“Homeless people have apprehension or downright fear that by putting down the address of a homeless shelter when filling out a job application, they could be denied employment. There are a number of people in the homeless community who work and live in a shelter at the same time. There is a fear that people will lose their job if their employers

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What’s With The Controversy Surrounding The ATF Director’s Confirmation Hearings?

Allegations of mismanagement and retaliation have been raised, while the ATF remains under fire for its botched “Fast and Furious” operation.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels

If confirmed, B. Todd Jones would become the first leader of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ending the bureau’s more than 2,500 days without an official director. The ongoing confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary committee is fraught with controversy amidst allegations that Jones initiated crackdowns

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Protesters Clash With Police Ahead Of G-8 Summit

Anti-capitalist and environmentalist demonstrations against the summit of the Group of Eight major nations are already underway.

Martin Michaels
By Martin Michaels
Britain G8 Protests

Police raided and arrested 57 protesters Tuesday ahead of the summit of the G-8 group of major industrial nations next week in Northern Ireland. The raids could be a harbinger of much larger protests by environmental and anti-poverty groups, in keeping with the widespread protests these meetings have drawn in previous years. The Guardian newspaper

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