Shannon Brincat, University of the Sunshine Coast; Frank Mols, The University of Queensland, and Gail Crimmins, University of the Sunshine Coast A modern-day political inquisition is unfolding in “digital town squares” across the United States. The slain far-right activist Charlie Kirk has become a focal point for a coordinated campaign of silencing critics that chillingly … [Read more...] about Political witch hunts and blacklists: Donald Trump and the new era of McCarthyism
Pam Bondi’s authoritarian outburst defies the constitution
by Elwood Watson The horrific assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has unleashed all sorts of cascading emotions, and has apparently resulted in Attorney General Pam Bondi having a mental meltdown. Earlier this week, she appeared on the Katie Miller Podcast and declared federal law enforcement will “go after” Americans for hate speech. Visibly and … [Read more...] about Pam Bondi’s authoritarian outburst defies the constitution
COMEDIANS CANCELLED BEFORE JIMMY KIMMEL
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) should not be political. FCC Chairman Brandon Carr is making it very clear that this is political. He made it clear by going on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show right after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! And all those counter-culture warriors who championed Charlie Kirk as a champion of free speech are cheering this move by the Trump … [Read more...] about COMEDIANS CANCELLED BEFORE JIMMY KIMMEL
Right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and more deadly than left-wing violence — what the data shows
Most domestic terrorists in the U.S. are politically on the right. Paul Campbell, iStock / Getty Images Plus Art Jipson, University of Dayton and Paul J. Becker, University of Dayton After the Sept. 10, 2025, assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump claimed that radical leftist groups foment … [Read more...] about Right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and more deadly than left-wing violence — what the data shows
Corporate America ushers in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four
In Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell warned against a future totalitarian government that exercised control over its citizens through historical revisionism, media censorship and fake news (aka propaganda). Forty one years later, we are living in a world where the mere threat of media censorship leads institutions to "obey in advance." Nothing highlights our current … [Read more...] about Corporate America ushers in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four
Is it news, or is it just click-bait?
Is it news, or is it just click-bait? That question should be asked whenever one reads a sensational headline. Before elaborating, a tidbit of reality bears repeating: The job of media members is to enable their employers to earn a profit through participation in the media industry. If media members also provide the general public with 100%-correct data, then that is a … [Read more...] about Is it news, or is it just click-bait?
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize: ‘Facts and Circumstances’
We are rapidly approaching the date, October 10, 2025, when the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member body appointed by Norway’s Parliament (Storting) will announce the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most prominent and prestigious honors. There is heightened interest this year because of the intense lobbying to have the Prize awarded to Donald … [Read more...] about The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize: ‘Facts and Circumstances’
UN inquiry insists IDF has committed genocide in Gaza but Israel junks it as “distorted and false”.
Even as Israel’s defense minister declared that “Gaza is burning” because “the IDF strikes with an iron fist “, a United Nations inquiry insisted that Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel immediately denounced the genocide allegations as an antisemitic “blood libel”. After a painstaking legal analysis of Israel’s actions and intent, the inquiry named … [Read more...] about UN inquiry insists IDF has committed genocide in Gaza but Israel junks it as “distorted and false”.
Charlie Kirk was wrong about Affirmative Action.
Charlie Kirk said some negative things about Affirmative Action, and he was wrong. He mischaracterized Affirmative Action. Yahoo! News has provided a video clip of Charlie Kirk mischaracterizing what Affirmative Action is. Because certain black women were the beneficiaries of Affirmative Action, Charlie said to those women, "You do not have the brain processing power to … [Read more...] about Charlie Kirk was wrong about Affirmative Action.
THE GOP CLINGS TO POWER HOWEVER IT CAN
After Charlie Kirk’s murder, the US might seem hopelessly divided – is there any way forward?
Many people think the U.S. is at an inflection point. StudioM1/iStock via Getty Images Lee Bebout, Arizona State University Shortly following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, many politicians and pundits were quick to highlight the importance of civil discourse. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for an “off-ramp” to … [Read more...] about After Charlie Kirk’s murder, the US might seem hopelessly divided – is there any way forward?
IF ONLY WE COULD START OVER
We’ve walked this road before or how Woodrow Wilson trampled free speech long before Trump’s efforts
I got a history lesson Sunday night at the Seattle premiere of Suffs, but it may not have been the one its creators had intended. The Tony award-winning musical focuses on the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. In the process, it introduces us to the First Amendment curtailing policies of Woodrow Wilson, the first … [Read more...] about We’ve walked this road before or how Woodrow Wilson trampled free speech long before Trump’s efforts
Charlie Kirk talked with young people at universities for a reason – he wanted American education to return to traditional values
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah, shortly before he was shot and killed. Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images Daniel Ruggles, Brandeis University Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025, at the start of a college campus tour that centered on Kirk … [Read more...] about Charlie Kirk talked with young people at universities for a reason – he wanted American education to return to traditional values
Military spending has exploded to $2.7 trillion while world poverty deepens, UN report says.
The unprecedented $2.7 trillion spent on weapons and the military has left global spending on building peace and sustainable development far behind and is intensifying wars and geopolitical tensions, a new United Nations report warns. Spending on security needs increased across all five global regions during 2024, marking the steepest year-on-year rise for at least the last … [Read more...] about Military spending has exploded to $2.7 trillion while world poverty deepens, UN report says.
The Charlie Kirk/Tyler Robinson shell engravings deconstructed
Guest voice: Chris Thomas As probably the most terminally-online, sane person I know, I'm going to explain the whole Charlie Kirk/Tyler Robinson bullet engravings to y'all so you can share it with your parents and whatnot. The bullet casings (not bullets) the FBI recovered had four messages scrawled on them 1. “Notices bulges OWO what’s this?” 2. “Hey fascist! … [Read more...] about The Charlie Kirk/Tyler Robinson shell engravings deconstructed
UN declares roadmap to a two-state solution amid signs of hope in Gaza’s awful suffering
The United Nations has overwhelmingly agreed on a declaration that lays out a single roadmap to deliver a two-State solution partitioning Israel and a new State of Palestine. In the UN General Assembly, 142 voted in favor, 10 voted against including Israel and the US, and 12 abstained. Those in favor included almost all large members of the European Union. Israeli … [Read more...] about UN declares roadmap to a two-state solution amid signs of hope in Gaza’s awful suffering
Yes, this is who we are: America’s 250-year history of political violence
Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino The day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, commentators repeated a familiar refrain: “This isn’t who we are as Americans.” Others similarly weighed in. Whoopi Goldberg on “The View” declared that Americans solve political disagreements peacefully: “This is not … [Read more...] about Yes, this is who we are: America’s 250-year history of political violence
TRUMP MOURNS THE ATTACKS ON REPUBLICANS
Charlie Kirk and the test of empathy
There’s an unwritten law in our doomscrolling dystopia that when something bad happens, everyone shall speedily post a clickable opinion, something that’s often little more than eye candy with empty calories. So imagine how remiss yours truly has been. I’m apparently the very last member of the far-flung commentariat to weigh in on the horrific public death of Charlie … [Read more...] about Charlie Kirk and the test of empathy