Is it news, or is it just click-bait? That question should be asked whenever one reads a sensational headline. Before elaborating, a tidbit of reality bears repeating: The job of media members is to enable their employers to earn a profit through participation in the media industry. If media members also provide the general public with 100%-correct data, then that is a … [Read more...] about Is it news, or is it just click-bait?
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize: ‘Facts and Circumstances’
We are rapidly approaching the date, October 10, 2025, when the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member body appointed by Norway’s Parliament (Storting) will announce the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most prominent and prestigious honors. There is heightened interest this year because of the intense lobbying to have the Prize awarded to Donald … [Read more...] about The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize: ‘Facts and Circumstances’
UN inquiry insists IDF has committed genocide in Gaza but Israel junks it as “distorted and false”.
Even as Israel’s defense minister declared that “Gaza is burning” because “the IDF strikes with an iron fist “, a United Nations inquiry insisted that Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel immediately denounced the genocide allegations as an antisemitic “blood libel”. After a painstaking legal analysis of Israel’s actions and intent, the inquiry named … [Read more...] about UN inquiry insists IDF has committed genocide in Gaza but Israel junks it as “distorted and false”.
Charlie Kirk was wrong about Affirmative Action.
Charlie Kirk said some negative things about Affirmative Action, and he was wrong. He mischaracterized Affirmative Action. Yahoo! News has provided a video clip of Charlie Kirk mischaracterizing what Affirmative Action is. Because certain black women were the beneficiaries of Affirmative Action, Charlie said to those women, "You do not have the brain processing power to … [Read more...] about Charlie Kirk was wrong about Affirmative Action.
THE GOP CLINGS TO POWER HOWEVER IT CAN
After Charlie Kirk’s murder, the US might seem hopelessly divided – is there any way forward?
Many people think the U.S. is at an inflection point. StudioM1/iStock via Getty Images Lee Bebout, Arizona State University Shortly following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, many politicians and pundits were quick to highlight the importance of civil discourse. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for an “off-ramp” to … [Read more...] about After Charlie Kirk’s murder, the US might seem hopelessly divided – is there any way forward?
IF ONLY WE COULD START OVER
We’ve walked this road before or how Woodrow Wilson trampled free speech long before Trump’s efforts
I got a history lesson Sunday night at the Seattle premiere of Suffs, but it may not have been the one its creators had intended. The Tony award-winning musical focuses on the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. In the process, it introduces us to the First Amendment curtailing policies of Woodrow Wilson, the first … [Read more...] about We’ve walked this road before or how Woodrow Wilson trampled free speech long before Trump’s efforts
Charlie Kirk talked with young people at universities for a reason – he wanted American education to return to traditional values
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah, shortly before he was shot and killed. Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images Daniel Ruggles, Brandeis University Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025, at the start of a college campus tour that centered on Kirk … [Read more...] about Charlie Kirk talked with young people at universities for a reason – he wanted American education to return to traditional values
Military spending has exploded to $2.7 trillion while world poverty deepens, UN report says.
The unprecedented $2.7 trillion spent on weapons and the military has left global spending on building peace and sustainable development far behind and is intensifying wars and geopolitical tensions, a new United Nations report warns. Spending on security needs increased across all five global regions during 2024, marking the steepest year-on-year rise for at least the last … [Read more...] about Military spending has exploded to $2.7 trillion while world poverty deepens, UN report says.
DONATE TO THE MODERATE VOICE
Donations received as of 9/14/25: $240 The Moderate Voice hasn't done a fundraiser in quite a while -- and now is the time. TMV is one of a small number of traditional news-political blogs that remains in a social media-powered era. Its posts appear on a phone news app and also on Google News. Over the years, it won various awards and some well-known print and broadcast … [Read more...] about DONATE TO THE MODERATE VOICE
The Charlie Kirk/Tyler Robinson shell engravings deconstructed
Guest voice: Chris Thomas As probably the most terminally-online, sane person I know, I'm going to explain the whole Charlie Kirk/Tyler Robinson bullet engravings to y'all so you can share it with your parents and whatnot. The bullet casings (not bullets) the FBI recovered had four messages scrawled on them 1. “Notices bulges OWO what’s this?” 2. “Hey fascist! … [Read more...] about The Charlie Kirk/Tyler Robinson shell engravings deconstructed
UN declares roadmap to a two-state solution amid signs of hope in Gaza’s awful suffering
The United Nations has overwhelmingly agreed on a declaration that lays out a single roadmap to deliver a two-State solution partitioning Israel and a new State of Palestine. In the UN General Assembly, 142 voted in favor, 10 voted against including Israel and the US, and 12 abstained. Those in favor included almost all large members of the European Union. Israeli … [Read more...] about UN declares roadmap to a two-state solution amid signs of hope in Gaza’s awful suffering
Yes, this is who we are: America’s 250-year history of political violence
Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino The day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, commentators repeated a familiar refrain: “This isn’t who we are as Americans.” Others similarly weighed in. Whoopi Goldberg on “The View” declared that Americans solve political disagreements peacefully: “This is not … [Read more...] about Yes, this is who we are: America’s 250-year history of political violence
TRUMP MOURNS THE ATTACKS ON REPUBLICANS
Charlie Kirk and the test of empathy
There’s an unwritten law in our doomscrolling dystopia that when something bad happens, everyone shall speedily post a clickable opinion, something that’s often little more than eye candy with empty calories. So imagine how remiss yours truly has been. I’m apparently the very last member of the far-flung commentariat to weigh in on the horrific public death of Charlie … [Read more...] about Charlie Kirk and the test of empathy
‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence
A boy in Scottsdale, Ariz., attends a Catholic rosary prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk after he was killed during a Utah college event on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Arie Perliger, UMass Lowell The fatal shooting of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025, has brought renewed attention to the … [Read more...] about ‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence
Who was Charlie Kirk? The activist who turned campus politics into national influence
Charlie Kirk addresses the 2024 Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024. Al Drago/Getty Images Stephanie A. (Sam) Martin, Boise State University The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed attention to … [Read more...] about Who was Charlie Kirk? The activist who turned campus politics into national influence
DEMISE OF CIVIL DISCOURSE
Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian — and why that matters for democracy
A free election can still result in authoritarian rule. Photo illustration: Douglas Rissing, iStock/Getty Images Plus Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University In an authoritarian state, the leader engages in unconstitutional or undemocratic practices for the purpose of consolidating power. Key components of authoritarianism … [Read more...] about Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian — and why that matters for democracy