The Education Gap
President Trump picked the right time to make education in the U.S. worse than it is currently. The gap between the U.S. population and the rest of the world in terms of general knowledge is larger than it has ever been and getting worse every year. The gap between the elites in our country and the average American as far as information is concerned is also widening. What … [Read more...] about The Education Gap
Canadian Prime Minister Carney’s new cabinet – not much like the old cabinet
On Tuesday, Prime Minster Carney announced his new cabinet, hoping to signal, it would appear, that his government will not simply be a continuation of went on under the government of fellow Liberal Justin Trudeau. As Trudeau had become extremely unpopular, toxic really, to the Canadian electorate, it is certainly in Carney's best interest to be seen as something totally … [Read more...] about Canadian Prime Minister Carney’s new cabinet – not much like the old cabinet
India-Pakistan ceasefire shouldn’t disguise fact that norms have changed in South Asia, making future de-escalation much harder
A member of the Indian Border Security Force stands guard near the India-Pakistan border. Narinder Nanu/AFP via Getty Images Farah N. Jan, University of Pennsylvania India and Pakistan have seen the scenario play out before: a terror attack in which Indians are killed leads to a succession of escalatory tit-fot-tat measures that put South … [Read more...] about India-Pakistan ceasefire shouldn’t disguise fact that norms have changed in South Asia, making future de-escalation much harder
Fly The Grifter Skies (Cartoon and Column)
Donald Trump is a crook, and since he gets away with everything, he’s not even trying to hide it. The royal family of Qatar is going to gift a luxury 747-8 Boeing jumbo jet, which will be used as Air Force One. The jet, described as a “flying palace,” will have to be refitted to serve as Air Force One, and won’t be ready until shortly before Trump is “supposed” to leave … [Read more...] about Fly The Grifter Skies (Cartoon and Column)
BRIBE FORCE ONE TRUMP QATAR PLANE (CARTOON)
I felt proud to be an American… in Normandy
If you’ve ever visited Normandy, where the American-led freedom crusade launched the multifaceted assaults that ultimately vanquished fascism, you surely know – as I’ve just learned – that nouns and verbs and adjectives can’t begin to encapsulate the experience. I won’t even try. Last week, I found that it was sufficient, on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, to … [Read more...] about I felt proud to be an American… in Normandy
Don Trump and the world of slimy favours
I wouldn’t be the first person to point out how Trump runs his administration like a Mafia crime family: the importance of personal loyalty above all else; open threats against political opponents; the purely transactional nature of everything, to name a few of his tendencies. It is fascinating to see how Trump’s team is trying to defend accepting a super luxury Boeing 747-8 … [Read more...] about Don Trump and the world of slimy favours
Do Americans know how their system of government is supposed to work?
There has been much concern this week about comments made by senior White House advisor Stephen Miller that the administration is looking for ways to suspend habeas corpus in their efforts to deport migrants in the country illegally. Miller told reporters: The Constitution is clear — and that of course is the supreme law of the land — that the privilege of the writ of … [Read more...] about Do Americans know how their system of government is supposed to work?
Casus belli for the Pakistan-India war.
The latest casus belli is the brutal carnage of 26 innocent tourists by terrorists in a verdant meadow in Kashmir on a balmy April 22 evening. Islamabad has denied any involvement but is already rattling nuclear threats and seems well prepared for conventional war. For Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enough is enough. As a resolute pacifist, Modi may try to avoid … [Read more...] about Casus belli for the Pakistan-India war.
Pope Donald vs. Pope Leo XIV
Donald Trump proved that he is all crass and no class when the White House posted online an image of him as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Granted, Trump is defintely a pope to his current supporters if not their messiah. Now that Pope Leo XIV has arrived on the global scene, it should be interesting to watch how Trump reacts to him. In his 08 May 2025 report for … [Read more...] about Pope Donald vs. Pope Leo XIV
The Chinese shadow over Pakistan and India’s nascent war
President Donald Trump could soon face the ignominy of seeing American F-16 fighters flying alongside arch rival China’s J-10 and JF-17 warplanes piloted by Pakistanis against his Indian partners. The risk of ignominy arises because Trump designated India as a “Major Defense Partner with Strategic Trade Authorization-1” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February visit to … [Read more...] about The Chinese shadow over Pakistan and India’s nascent war
Reaction to Cardinal Robert Prevost Being Named Pope Leo XIV
The reaction to the news that U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago will become Pope and will now be known as Pope Leo XIV was swift in the news media and on social media. The consensus is that he is progressive to moderate. Social media was raging with political takes on his selection. Some GOPers and MAGA members clearly felt he wasn't the kind of Pope they wanted - a … [Read more...] about Reaction to Cardinal Robert Prevost Being Named Pope Leo XIV
Even with Pope Leo XIV in place, US Catholics stand ‘at a crossroads’
Parishioners attend a memorial Mass in honor of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on April 21, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Maureen K. Day, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Shortly after 6 P.M. in Rome, the longed-for sight appeared above the Sistine Chapel: white … [Read more...] about Even with Pope Leo XIV in place, US Catholics stand ‘at a crossroads’
Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church – but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini Dennis Doyle, University of Dayton Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been picked to be the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church; he will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Attention now … [Read more...] about Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church – but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes
The recent Canadian election and the lesson for America
This week many Americans got their first look at new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Although Carney seems to have an impish sense of humour, for the most part he comes across as the banker he is and as a serious and highly intelligent guy with an impressive resume. More than anything, he's a manager. A funny thing happened in the last federal election in Canada. A few … [Read more...] about The recent Canadian election and the lesson for America
TRUMP SHARPIE EDIT TO THE CONSTITUTION
News flash: Prime Minister Carney’s meeting with President Trump wasn’t awful
Press reports from Canada suggest satisfaction with yesterday's meeting between Prime Minister Carney and President Trump. As the Globe and Mail reported, there were no breakthroughs but also no blowups. Given recent events, that's considered a win. Most notable is the personal politics of the encounter. Trump made no secret of his dislike of former Prime Minister Justin … [Read more...] about News flash: Prime Minister Carney’s meeting with President Trump wasn’t awful
DOGE Aide Who Helped Gut CFPB Was Warned About Potential Conflicts of Interest
DOGE Aide Who Helped Gut CFPB Was Warned About Potential Conflicts of Interestby Jake PearsonProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Last month, a Department of Government Efficiency aide at the nation’s consumer watchdog agency was told by ethics attorneys that he held … [Read more...] about DOGE Aide Who Helped Gut CFPB Was Warned About Potential Conflicts of Interest
Could Trump put “his military” on the streets of America?
If you are like me, you spend far too much time sitting around with your friends talking about just how bad things could get with Trump. These chats are frequently accompanied by some embarrassment that we are talking like this. So much seems both ridiculous and plausible at the same time, but here we are. Living in Toronto as I do, I have had conversations about what U.S. … [Read more...] about Could Trump put “his military” on the streets of America?