I have lived in beautiful Austin, Texas, on and off for more than 30 years. While I had seen some beautiful murals in Austin (I will leave the definitions of and differentiation between “street art” and “public art” to the critics), I was not aware of the extent and sophistication of such large, elaborate, colorful and, yes, artistic murals throughout the city. They … [Read more...] about (Street) Art for a Cause
AN OLD DISEASE (Cartoon)
California ‘gig worker’ ballot ruled unconstitutional
Published by AFPSan Francisco (AFP) - A California voter-approved referendum that lets many "gig workers" be treated as independent contractors was ruled unconstitutional on Friday, setting up more legal fights over the controversial measure. The labor legislation known as Proposition 22 -- heavily backed by Uber, Lyft and other app-based, on-demand services -- effectively … [Read more...] about California ‘gig worker’ ballot ruled unconstitutional
UN chief insists on international unity to confront Taliban
The United Nations has little capacity to run Kabul airport to help in the American and allied exit from Afghanistan, although it is using diplomatic influence to the maximum to protect human rights and the freedoms of women, provide humanitarian aid and work towards an inclusive regime in Afghanistan. But in these early days of Taliban rule, the struggle is steeply uphill. … [Read more...] about UN chief insists on international unity to confront Taliban
Biden’s excruciating foreign policy learning curve
After nearly half a century in powerful jobs and the practice of international diplomacy, President Joe Biden is relearning the core principle that foreign policy is a quicksand that sucks in successive American governments and never lets them get out again. His desperate struggle to exit Afghanistan under the full unblinking glare of global television, social media, film … [Read more...] about Biden’s excruciating foreign policy learning curve
NEW AND IMPROVED TALIBAN (Cartoon and Column)
The Taliban is trying to reassure the world they won’t suppress and subjugate women like they did the last time they ruled the Afghanistan. A Taliban spokesman said, “If the international community is worried about these issues, we will tell them there will be nothing against women in our ruling.” He then added, “Our women are Muslims, they accept Islamic rules. If they … [Read more...] about NEW AND IMPROVED TALIBAN (Cartoon and Column)
Afghanistan: Disaster 20 Years in the Making
by Mike Fuqua The recent events leading up to the debacle that is unfolding in Afghanistan has stirred up the blog juices in me. In addition to being a catastrophe of epic proportions, it's a ripe field for comment. So why not? You've all seen the images. Taliban thugs with their ragtag outfits and various weaponry taking over the country. Their assurances that … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Disaster 20 Years in the Making
Who Pays For the Unvaccinated?
We do. The entire population of the United States pays the price for those who are unvaccinated. The payment occurs in several ways. Those who are unvaccinated and become infected with Covid 19 can be hosts in which the virus can mutate, producing more variants which can be more deadly and more contagious. This is what happened with the delta variant which fortunately appears … [Read more...] about Who Pays For the Unvaccinated?
The Afghan people’s incessant calamities
The true calamity of the Taliban’s lightening victory in Afghanistan is the inevitable suffering of its helpless people. After lurching for decades from one cruel warlord to another, the Soviet jackboot and the American eagle’s claws they have fallen into the hellfire of Sunni Islamic zealotry. They have suddenly fallen through a time warp to an epoch 1,400 years ago. The … [Read more...] about The Afghan people’s incessant calamities
Afghanistan is not America’s responsibility.
Some people are wringing their hands in response to the U.S. military being pulled out of Afghanistan. According to them, the U.S. military must remain in Afghanistan until that place is turned into Sesame Street. Such people are living in a fantasy world, one in which it is possible for Americans to tame Afghanistan. Meanwhile, back in the real world, the American … [Read more...] about Afghanistan is not America’s responsibility.
Organic food has become mainstream but still has room to grow
Organic vegetables at the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, Goleta, Calif. Citizen of the Planet/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Kathleen Merrigan, Arizona State University CC BY-ND Organic food once was viewed as a niche … [Read more...] about Organic food has become mainstream but still has room to grow
Could we have done more? Veterans share mixed feelings about US withdrawal from Afghanistan
Published by The Philadelphia InquirerAs she watched events unfold in Afghanistan this week with staggering speed, Kristin Leone began questioning her 2015 deployment with the U.S. Naval Reserve Nurse Corps, tending to wounded American and NATO soldiers. “Did I do enough?” the Berlin Borough nurse wondered. “Did we do all of this in vain?” Like many veterans of the conflict in … [Read more...] about Could we have done more? Veterans share mixed feelings about US withdrawal from Afghanistan
Biden defends Afghanistan decision, blames Afghan army’s unwillingness to fight
Published by ReutersBy Steve Holland and Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden said on Monday he stood "squarely behind" his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan despite searing images of chaos in Kabul that exposed the limits of U.S. power and plunged him into the worst crisis of his presidency. Breaking his silence on the U.S. pullout after … [Read more...] about Biden defends Afghanistan decision, blames Afghan army’s unwillingness to fight
Afghanistan: Taliban victory inevitable despite the trillions the US poured in
Nawid Tanha/EPA-EFE Natasha Lindstaedt, University of Essex In less than a week, the Taliban has captured nearly a dozen key cities in Afghanistan. With the departure of US forces, it is poised to take over the country from the embattled Afghan government. Over the past 20 years, the US has poured trillions of dollars into Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Taliban victory inevitable despite the trillions the US poured in
If, When, As Afghanistan Collapses
I started working on this piece a couple of days ago. I have had to change the starting paragraph twice. Two days ago, it was “If Afghanistan falls….” Yesterday it became, “When Afghanistan falls…” Today, tragically it is “As Afghanistan falls…” I’ll pick it up from there. As Afghanistan falls there is already the endless finger pointing and blame shifting, … [Read more...] about If, When, As Afghanistan Collapses
Afghanistan War Consquences (Cartoon)
Taliban enters Kabul, Afghan president flees: 4 essential reads
U.S. personnel were evacuated from the U.S. embassy in Kabul, the Afghan capital, as Taliban insurgents broke through the city’s defensive line, Aug. 15, 2021. AP Photo/Rahmat Gul Catesby Holmes, The Conversation Under siege, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan has departed the country as Taliban insurgents, who had seized most major Afghan cities … [Read more...] about Taliban enters Kabul, Afghan president flees: 4 essential reads
Taliban want full power after return to Afghanistan capital
Published by ReutersKABUL (Reuters) -Afghanistan's Taliban entered the capital Kabul on Sunday and Western-backed President Ashraf Ghani left the country, with the insurgents saying they were seeking complete power. Two officials from the militant Islamist group https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-key-facts-islamic-militant-group-2021-08-15 told Reuters there … [Read more...] about Taliban want full power after return to Afghanistan capital
Who’s to blame for Afghanistan exit disaster? Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush or all of them?
Afghanistan's President has fled the country as the Tailban quickly move into Kabul. Whether it's totally applicable or not, the images and stories now coming out of Aghanistan do seem like the chaotic images and stories from Vietnam when the United States had to flee the capitol in defeat. A firestorm of comment online and in news stories is trying to answer: who is to blame … [Read more...] about Who’s to blame for Afghanistan exit disaster? Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush or all of them?
Taliban on outskirts of Afghan capital, poised to take power
Published by Al-ArabyThe Taliban was on the brink of total victory in Afghanistan on Sunday, with its fighters ordered to wait on the outskirts of the capital and the government conceding it was preparing for a "transfer of power". The Taliban's militants surrounded Kabul following an astonishing rout of government forces and warlord militias achieved in just 10 days. The fall … [Read more...] about Taliban on outskirts of Afghan capital, poised to take power