There is a bear in the woods. For some, the bear is easy to see, others don’t see it all. That bear is an impending second American Civil War. Many have joked about the prospect of a third Trump term. But the very idea of Trump being elected even once seemed like a joke, until it happened. There is currently a GOP congressman attempting to pass legislation to allow President … [Read more...] about There May Be A Second Civil War. First, There Must Be Two Smaller Civil Wars
German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe
Ed Turner, Aston University Friedrich Merz, the presumptive chancellor of Germany, has confirmed he will seek a coalition with the social democratic SPD after the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won the February 23 election, topping the poll with 28.5%. Although the SPD has gone from winning the last election to a record low result of 16.4% of the vote, it remains the only … [Read more...] about German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe
IS HE A FASCIST? YOU TELL ME
by Paul Lerner “Now that it’s just us,” asked an earnest student as we packed up after the morning’s “Approaching Fascism” lecture: “Tell me: is he? Is he a fascist?” Teaching under any circumstances provokes a tension between one’s classroom persona and who one is in real life. Presenting this material now, at a time when fascism, or something resembling it, is … [Read more...] about IS HE A FASCIST? YOU TELL ME
GODZILLA ATTACKS SOCIAL SECURITY (CARTOON)
Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle In
Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle Inby Eli HagerProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.President Donald Trump was asked at a press conference this month if there were any federal agencies or programs that Elon Musk’s newly formed … [Read more...] about Anxiety Mounts Among Social Security Recipients as DOGE Troops Settle In
So What of Gaza? Trump’s Plan and Some Context
Trump's vague plan, his new vision for the Eastern Mediterranean has some supporters and some advantages. It is important to see the local context. Historically if you start a war and you lose that war, you lose your land. If you're lucky you escape with your life. There are so many instances of this it is fair to say human history is one long example of it and it still … [Read more...] about So What of Gaza? Trump’s Plan and Some Context
TRUMP ACTING LIKE A KING (CARTOON)
Resigning in protest is a rare act of courage
If only we could all be like Danielle Sassoon, who told the thugs to stick their crime where the sun don’t shine. Hard as it’s been for us sane Americans to navigate the MAGA idiocracy, the journey has been even more torturous this past month for public servants who still believe in venerable America values like the rule of law. This dilemma is not new. Typically, cogs in … [Read more...] about Resigning in protest is a rare act of courage
I went to CPAC as an anthropologist to see how Trump supporters are feeling – for them, a ‘golden age’ has begun
Attendees take selfies at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 20, 2025. Andrew Harnick/Getty Images Alex Hinton, Rutgers University - Newark At the start of his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now!” A month later, Trump’s … [Read more...] about I went to CPAC as an anthropologist to see how Trump supporters are feeling – for them, a ‘golden age’ has begun
TRUMP OPENS DOOR FOR PUTIN (CARTOON)
Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests
John Blaxland, Australian National University Last week in Europe, the United States sent some very strong messages it is prepared to upend the established global order. US Vice President JD Vance warned a stunned Munich Security Conference that Europe has an “enemy within”, referring to leaders who ignore their citizens’ concerns and values. He also advocated for … [Read more...] about Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests
Living in the world Mitch McConnell has bequeathed us
I was blissfully surfing through YouTube the other night when, alas, I chanced upon the face that buzz-killed my bid for escape. Mitch McConnell, whose craven Senate machinations nudged us, goosestep by goosestep, toward our fascist future, was featured last week on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” and I felt compelled to click on the interview, to view it much the way we rubberneck … [Read more...] about Living in the world Mitch McConnell has bequeathed us
Trump’s Billionaires With No Balls
It is amazing to see the lack of courage manifested by some of the wealthiest men in our nation. They made their fortunes because of their intelligence, technical expertise, scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit- because they were willing to take risks. Now, they have lined up behind President Trump and are afraid to challenge him on his policies that are bad for the … [Read more...] about Trump’s Billionaires With No Balls
Wish You Were Here (Cartoon and Column)
How do you have talks to end the war in Ukraine without Ukraine? The self-proclaimed greatest negotiator in the world gave away the store to Vladimir Putin before peace talks had even begun. But then again, Trump’s not looking for a fair deal that benefits everyone. Trump claims he’s looking for a fair deal, but why should we care what Russia gets? After Russia … [Read more...] about Wish You Were Here (Cartoon and Column)
Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating
(From left to right): Neville Chamberlain, Édouard Daladier, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano before signing the Munich Agreement, which gave the Sudetenland to Germany. German Federal Archives/Wikimedia Commons Matt Fitzpatrick, Flinders University Ukraine has not been invited to a key meeting … [Read more...] about Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating
If ICE Shows Up for One of My Students, They Will Need to Take Me First
by Thomas Courtney President Trump is making some serious executive decisions on immigration. Some of these orders are causing intensive debate among teachers and administrators in local school systems. However you see the new Trump administration, one thing is for sure: the immigrant communities that trust me to keep their children safe are now afraid. And that’s a … [Read more...] about If ICE Shows Up for One of My Students, They Will Need to Take Me First
60 years of progress in expanding rights is being rolled back by Trump – a pattern that’s all too familiar in US history
There’s a long history in the U.S. of denying the rights, liberties and benefits of democracy to some Americans. rob dobi/Getty Images Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College and Rogers M. Smith, University of Pennsylvania For many Americans, Donald Trump’s head-spinning array of executive orders in the early days of his second term look like an … [Read more...] about 60 years of progress in expanding rights is being rolled back by Trump – a pattern that’s all too familiar in US history
SHUSH YO MOUTH (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
As you already know, Elon Musk staged a photo-op in the Oval Office a few days ago and took control of the event while Donald Trump sat mostly motionless at the Resolute Desk, as he was probably ordered to do, as his “Special Employee” lied to the press. But the star of the show wasn’t Trump or Elon, but Elon’s son, X Æ A-Xii. Yes, that is his name and NOT ingredients listed on … [Read more...] about SHUSH YO MOUTH (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
‘Freedom of the press’ or ‘Freedom from the press’?
by Nik Kowsar I totally understand why President Trump sees the press the way he does. Back in the good old days — before he committed the unforgivable crime of running for office — he was a media darling. Even the five enlightened sages of “The View” found him entertaining. But the second he rode down that escalator, straight out of “The Simpsons’” crystal ball, the … [Read more...] about ‘Freedom of the press’ or ‘Freedom from the press’?
OBEYING COURT ORDERS ISN’T OPTIONAL
The Trump administration must follow the law like everyone else. by Michael Waldman Donald Trump’s lawbreaking spree has now been met with an unprecedented series of judicial rebukes. Just yesterday, five federal courts blocked some of his administration’s moves to shut down agencies, illegally fire anticorruption officials, and more. Office of Management and Budget … [Read more...] about OBEYING COURT ORDERS ISN’T OPTIONAL