‘Fiddler on the Roof’ may be many Americans’ image of Judaism – but American Jews’ heritage is stunningly diverse
Students prepare for their bar and bat mitzvahs at a camp for Jewish children of color in California. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Samira Mehta, University of Colorado Boulder “Tradition!” rings out the opening line of “Fiddler on the Roof,” the Broadway play that brought Jewish life to stages around the world. The 1964 musical gives audiences … [Read more...] about ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ may be many Americans’ image of Judaism – but American Jews’ heritage is stunningly diverse
Hunter Biden’s three gun felony convictions: Political fallout?
Within minutes of the news that President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden was convicted of three gun felony charges reaction poured in. Democrats reacted somberly but didn't claim the verdict was rigged. Some Republicans rejoyced and didn't call the verdict rigged or the Department of Justice weaponized. And some Republicans contended the whole thing was a set up by Joe Biden - to … [Read more...] about Hunter Biden’s three gun felony convictions: Political fallout?
A brief history of tragic presidential relatives, from Alice Roosevelt to Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden embraces his father, President Joe Biden, and his stepmother, Jill, at Biden’s 2021 inauguration. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Shannon Bow O'Brien, The University of Texas at Austin A Delaware jury found Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, guilty on June 11, 2024, of three felony counts related to lying on a federal … [Read more...] about A brief history of tragic presidential relatives, from Alice Roosevelt to Hunter Biden
It’s Morning Again In America, But No One Notices
Under President Biden’s watch, America saw the death of al-Qaeda’s number two leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. According to many terrorism experts, al-Zawahiri may have been a more formidable threat than Osama Bin Laden himself. Additionally, the United States is now experiencing an unemployment rate currently below 4%. Had there been a killing of an al-Qaeda leader like al-Zawahiri … [Read more...] about It’s Morning Again In America, But No One Notices
Medal of Honor Tuesday: Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr.
At my age, my eyesight is not that good. Thus, I might be forgiven for misreading the name of this week’s highlighted Medal of Honor recipient at DoD News. At first glance, I read his last name as “Mr. Cool.” Of course, I absolutely do not mean any disrespect by pointing my gaffe out. On the contrary, this week’s honoree, Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool, is one of the most … [Read more...] about Medal of Honor Tuesday: Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool Jr.
Federal Election Commission and Citizens United
The Federal Election Commission has generally been a do-nothing agency composed of three Republicans and three Democrats. Whenever an issue that could reform the election process comes before the Commission, it is inevitably turned down, with the three Republicans and three Democrats voting in opposite ways. Republicans on the Commission and Republican politicians want freedom … [Read more...] about Federal Election Commission and Citizens United
Justice Alito is unfit to sit on the SCOTUS because “his impartiality might reasonably be questioned”
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said, “I agree with you, I agree with you,” after "liberal documentary filmmaker" Lauren Windsor said to him: “People in this country who believe in God have got to keep fighting for that — to return our country to a place of godliness.” The exchange occurred at the annual Supreme Court Historical Society dinner last week (tickets cost … [Read more...] about Justice Alito is unfit to sit on the SCOTUS because “his impartiality might reasonably be questioned”
What do we know about alleged Hamas sympathizer, Abdallah Aljamal? An example of error-filled “breaking news”
In short: not a lot. Various western news organizations have reported that Abdallah Aljamal died in the latest Israeli attack on Gaza. Many have led with inaccurate inflammatory headlines and lede paragraphs. What do we know versus what has been alleged? First, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on Twitter that there were three hostages in his home and that … [Read more...] about What do we know about alleged Hamas sympathizer, Abdallah Aljamal? An example of error-filled “breaking news”
Biden and Trump may forget names or personal details, but here is what really matters in assessing whether they’re cognitively up for the job
This image of Trump and Biden was taken during the 2020 presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn. Pavlo Conchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Leo Gugerty, Clemson University Some Americans are questioning whether elderly people like Joe Biden and Donald Trump are cognitively competent to be president amid reports of the candidates … [Read more...] about Biden and Trump may forget names or personal details, but here is what really matters in assessing whether they’re cognitively up for the job
ANTISEMITISM SUCKS
ANTISEMITISM SUCKS Nothing is new They blame the Jew While we are only a few They wish what we knew. When they’re in trouble And feel they’re in a bubble They do what they normally do They call the Jew. Maybe they should grow up And face the facts And get off our backs We’ve taken our licks And used no tricks. Our secret is Hitting the books We read and … [Read more...] about ANTISEMITISM SUCKS
Love and Marriage Near Normandy’s D-Day Beaches
Readers have been flooded with dozens of heartrending stories about “that Day” eighty years ago. The stories are about bravery, sacrifice, heroism, selflessness, patriotism and, yes, tragedy and death. I cannot resist burdening the reader with one more story related to the “Longest Day.” This one, however, is about love and marriage a mere 35 miles (as a crow flies) … [Read more...] about Love and Marriage Near Normandy’s D-Day Beaches
AI chatbots are intruding into online communities where people are trying to connect with other humans: report
AI chatbots are butting into human spaces. gmast3r/iStock via Getty Images A parent asked a question in a private Facebook group in April 2024: Does anyone with a child who is both gifted and disabled have any experience with New York City public schools? The parent received a seemingly helpful answer that laid out some characteristics of a … [Read more...] about AI chatbots are intruding into online communities where people are trying to connect with other humans: report
LGBTQ+ Christians exist.
LGBTQ+ Christians exist despite contrary claims coming from within Christendom. Those contrary claims do not match the Bible's Good News. Before one continues reading this commentary, keep in mind that Christendom is not the same thing as faith in Jesus. Christendom is the accumulation of ideas and traditions developed by people after the Apostolic Era ended. Ideas and … [Read more...] about LGBTQ+ Christians exist.
News organizations ignore ProPublica ‘bombshell’ about possible witness tampering
On June 3, ProPublica told the world that witnesses against Donald Trump had received monetary rewards "including large raises from his campaign, severance packages, new jobs, and a grant of shares and cash from Trump’s media company." Mainstream news organizations seem to be playing "not my scoop, not my story." That's bad for democracy. No Washington Post or New York … [Read more...] about News organizations ignore ProPublica ‘bombshell’ about possible witness tampering
ProPublica: Nine Trump witnesses have received significant financial benefits from his businesses, campaign
If any benefits were intended to influence testimony, that could be a crime. Nine witnesses in the criminal cases against former President Donald Trump have received significant financial benefits, including large raises from his campaign, severance packages, new jobs, and a grant of shares and cash from Trump’s media company. The benefits have flowed from Trump’s … [Read more...] about ProPublica: Nine Trump witnesses have received significant financial benefits from his businesses, campaign
Yes He Did (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Donald Trump now claims he never said “lock her up.” Fox and Friends co-host Will Cain said, “You famously said, regarding Hillary Clinton, ‘lock her up.’ You declined to do that as president.” To that, Trump said, “I beat her. It’s easier when you win. They all said ‘Lock her up’—and I could have done it—but I felt it would have been a terrible thing, and then this … [Read more...] about Yes He Did (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The MAGA movement extolls lies, White supremacy. This time, it’s Kari Lake.
Last week, Arizona Senatorial candidate Kari Lake (R) held a campaign event at a Trump merchandise store where the modern Confederate flag was both displayed behind her and for sale. Like a broken record, Lake claimed that she won the 2022 gubernatorial race and that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential contest, despite repeated court decisions that should have buried … [Read more...] about The MAGA movement extolls lies, White supremacy. This time, it’s Kari Lake.
D-Day 2024 in Photos
We will always remember D-Day as one of the most noble and consequential days in recent history. On the 80th anniversary we felt the gamut of emotions. But what is perhaps the most poignant to this writer is the realization that those young, dapper, unafraid troops who stormed the beaches eighty years ago – some as young as seventeen -- are now gentle, beautiful … [Read more...] about D-Day 2024 in Photos
Emigration: The hidden catalyst behind the rise of the radical right in Europe’s depopulating regions
Smaller towns and villages in Sweden have suffered economically as a result of out-migration. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images Rafaela Dancygier, Princeton University and David Laitin, Stanford University Earlier this spring, the European Parliament voted to overhaul its immigration policy to more evenly distribute responsibility … [Read more...] about Emigration: The hidden catalyst behind the rise of the radical right in Europe’s depopulating regions