Saudi Arabia has many possible motives for pursuing nuclear power. TTstudio/Shutterstock.com Chen Kane, Middlebury According to a congressional report, a group that includes former senior U.S. government officials is lobbying to sell nuclear power plants to Saudi Arabia. As an expert focusing on the Middle East and the spread of nuclear weapons, I … [Read more...] about Why proposals to sell nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia raise red flags
Bridge and Tunnel to Nowhere
The other night, a friend asked me who I would vote for in Tuesday’s Special Election to fill out the remainder of Letitia James’ term as Public Advocate, I answered plainly: I don’t know. I’ve had a day to think about it and to read up on many of the seventeen candidates, and I can now give a more informed answer: I don’t know. Public Advocate is the … [Read more...] about Bridge and Tunnel to Nowhere
The Freddie Mercury story that goes untold in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
The film glosses over the bigotry Mercury faced as a queer man with HIV. AP Photo Laurie Marhoefer, University of Washington Millions of people will tune in to the Oscars to see “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, compete for best picture. There are already a lot of people cheering against it. “Bohemian Rhapsody” has … [Read more...] about The Freddie Mercury story that goes untold in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
Cartoon: Mr. Trump Hurling Invective
Fealty to Trump or the Constitution?
Now that the inevitable moment of truth has finally arrived - with Donald Trump in banana republic mode, concocting a phony national emergency, flouting the will of Congress and trampling its constitutional spending power - we will soon learn whether he has fatally infuriated the Fellowship of the Furrowed Brow. I am referring, of course, to all those congressional … [Read more...] about Fealty to Trump or the Constitution?
An “Exciting But Dangerous Moment” for Medicare for All
All human beings have a right to healthcare, but powerful forces remain dead set against it. An interview with PNHP president Dr. Adam Gaffney. by Michael Winship Dr. Adam Gaffney is the brand new president of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), the national, Medicare for All advocacy group of medical professionals and others committed to … [Read more...] about An “Exciting But Dangerous Moment” for Medicare for All
In allegedly faking his attack, Smollett grievously injured countless others
WASHINGTON -- I hope actor Jussie Smollett gets the psychological help he apparently needs. And I hope authorities in Chicago throw the book at him, because the lies he is accused of telling will likely bring great harm to innocent victims. Smollett's arrest Thursday for allegedly filing a false police report came as no surprise. His improbable tale -- he said he was … [Read more...] about In allegedly faking his attack, Smollett grievously injured countless others
Iraq’s brutal crackdown on suspected Islamic State supporters could trigger civil war
Family members of Sunni men and boys in Iraq accused of supporting ISIS hold up pictures of their arrested relatives. AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo Eric Keels, University of Tennessee and Angela D. Nichols, Florida Atlantic University Large portions of the Islamic State in Iraq have been either killed, captured or forced underground over the past three … [Read more...] about Iraq’s brutal crackdown on suspected Islamic State supporters could trigger civil war
3 Political Fights to Get Involved in if You Want to Retire with Dignity Someday
I didn't think about my body eventually betraying me, and getting old, and eventually dying, until my grandfather finally let us take him to the hospital. Everybody in the family knew that, if he was asking, something must be badly wrong with him. He hated hospitals. My grandfather didn't have much money in savings, but he and my grandmother did live fairly comfortably on an … [Read more...] about 3 Political Fights to Get Involved in if You Want to Retire with Dignity Someday
A Poor Man’s Nixon (Cartoon, Column and Video)
“A poor man’s something” is an expression used to describe an item or a person as being similar to something else of a higher quality. For example; you can say an Epiphone guitar is a poor man’s Gibson. If you own an Epiphone, don’t feel bad. I own one too and it’s awesome but it’s not a Gibson. You get my point. Yesterday, Donald Trump described former Deputy Director of … [Read more...] about A Poor Man’s Nixon (Cartoon, Column and Video)
How to keep conservation policies from backfiring in a globally connected world
A worker marks timber logs at a concession area in Sarawak, Malaysia. Rainforest logging in Asia feeds much of the world’s thirst for timber. AP Photo/Vincent Thian Andrew Frederick Johnson, San Diego State University For many years environmentalists have urged the public to “think globally, act locally” – meaning, consider the health of the planet, … [Read more...] about How to keep conservation policies from backfiring in a globally connected world
A very British lesson for the American left
Does the bolt of eight members of Parliament from the British Labour Party out of frustration with its left-wing leader, Jeremy Corbyn, have anything to teach Democrats in the United States? There's a case for saying no, since Corbyn is well to the left of anyone bidding to lead the Democratic Party. That would include Sen. Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist who … [Read more...] about A very British lesson for the American left
Executive Time (Cartoon)
After the damage done by Trump, can America ever be great again?
by Richard Cohen Washington Post Writers Group After the damage done by Trump, can America ever be great again? There will be no Mount Rushmore for Donald Trump. But, if there's a presidential library, it should contain a Hall of Tweets, a Hall of Lies, a Hall of Insults and, with the "Marines' Hymn" softly playing, a Hall of Montezuma, with a section of his border … [Read more...] about After the damage done by Trump, can America ever be great again?
Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Bid?
There are reports that US president Donald Trump asked Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe to get his name placed in nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump apparently did so after his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at which precisely nothing was achieved. Comics and pundits will get mileage from pointing to this alleged request as further evidence of … [Read more...] about Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Bid?
The Barber from Sicilia
"Little Joe" (back) in the early days Little did I know, when I first started writing the series “Reflections of a Nation of Immigrants,” that a mere six months later our next-door neighbors – and now dear friends – would, in many ways, perfectly reflect and tell the classic American immigration story. You see, Joseph (“Joe”) and Grace Zambito left their homes in … [Read more...] about The Barber from Sicilia
Republicans who abide Trump’s trashing of the Constitution should be expelled from public life
By GEORGE F. WILL Washington Post Writers Group ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- America's most improbably popular governor, a Republican beginning his second term in perhaps the bluest state, resembles a beer keg with an attitude. Stocky and blunt, Larry Hogan, whose job approval is in the high 70s, has won twice in the state with the highest percentage of African-Americans of any … [Read more...] about Republicans who abide Trump’s trashing of the Constitution should be expelled from public life
‘In the Land of the Blind, the One-eyed Man is King,’ or at Least Mr. Fix-it
While I may have been a whiz at other things, I have never been what one would call a “handyman” around the home. If I was able to hang a picture without damaging the wall (and myself), I would feel very proud of myself. I think my wife felt very sorry, but she never showed it. Fixing a leaky faucet? Forget it! I was always envious of – perhaps even somewhat wrathful … [Read more...] about ‘In the Land of the Blind, the One-eyed Man is King,’ or at Least Mr. Fix-it
Taiwan Nearly Cured of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Taiwan is a very advanced kind of place. Their government stopped all commercial logging in 1992, swore off nuclear power and recently came whisperingly close to recognizing gay marriage. Their democracy, established in the 1980s, is firm, successful and arguably the most advanced in East Asia. So it is no surprise they are making a well-considered move in public health … [Read more...] about Taiwan Nearly Cured of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Trump’s red line is turning blue
By David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- President Trump has been insisting for so long that any investigation of his personal finances would cross a "red line" that people may have overlooked the outrageousness of his claim. But this self-declared immunity is about to change. We're entering a new phase of the Trump-Russia investigation, where the … [Read more...] about Trump’s red line is turning blue