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
‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence
A boy in Scottsdale, Ariz., attends a Catholic rosary prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk after he was killed during a Utah college event on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Arie Perliger, UMass Lowell The fatal shooting of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025, has brought renewed attention to the … [Read more...] about ‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence
Who was Charlie Kirk? The activist who turned campus politics into national influence
Charlie Kirk addresses the 2024 Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024. Al Drago/Getty Images Stephanie A. (Sam) Martin, Boise State University The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed attention to … [Read more...] about Who was Charlie Kirk? The activist who turned campus politics into national influence
DEMISE OF CIVIL DISCOURSE
Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian — and why that matters for democracy
A free election can still result in authoritarian rule. Photo illustration: Douglas Rissing, iStock/Getty Images Plus Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University In an authoritarian state, the leader engages in unconstitutional or undemocratic practices for the purpose of consolidating power. Key components of authoritarianism … [Read more...] about Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian — and why that matters for democracy
SORRY CHARLIE
Famous last words I don’t wish death on anyone. I’ve scolded more than one friend for posting in my comments on Facebook death wishes for Donald Trump. I don’t do that, and I don’t think liberals or Democrats should do it either. Let the other side be vile. Half of the reason I don’t want political opponents dead is that I don’t wish bad things to anyone. ANYONE. The other … [Read more...] about SORRY CHARLIE
TRUMP ALLY CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATED ON CAMPUS: SO WHAT’S NEXT?
Charlie Kirk, a conservative youth activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who helped propel Trump into office, has died after being shot in the neck during a rally at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Expressions of outrage, sadness, and grief at yet another American in political life being murdered poured in -- but so did the rumblings of partisan and … [Read more...] about TRUMP ALLY CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATED ON CAMPUS: SO WHAT’S NEXT?
The Department of Disease Occurrence (DODO)
With Robert F. Kennedy, Jr in control of the Department of Health and Human Services, the department should be renamed the Department of Disease Occurrence (DODO). Ignoring experts in vaccine treatments, pediatricians and infectious disease specialists, RFK, Jr is making decisions about how vaccines should be allocated to the American population. Though Kennedy says he is not … [Read more...] about The Department of Disease Occurrence (DODO)
Israel’s attack in Doha underscores a stark reality for Gulf states looking for stability and growth: They remain hostage to events
Footage from an Israeli strike in Qatar on Sept. 9, 2025. Photo by Security Camera/Anadolu via Getty Images David Mednicoff, UMass Amherst The oil-rich states of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have a lot going for them: wealth, domestic stability and growing global influence. In recent months, these Gulf kingdoms also … [Read more...] about Israel’s attack in Doha underscores a stark reality for Gulf states looking for stability and growth: They remain hostage to events
DAY AT THE BEACH (CARTOON)
Trump Is Accusing Foes With Multiple Mortgages of Fraud. Records Show 3 of His Cabinet Members Have Them.
Trump Is Accusing Foes With Multiple Mortgages of Fraud. Records Show 3 of His Cabinet Members Have Them.by Robert Faturechi, Justin Elliott and Alex MierjeskiProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.The Trump administration has vowed to go after anyone who got lower … [Read more...] about Trump Is Accusing Foes With Multiple Mortgages of Fraud. Records Show 3 of His Cabinet Members Have Them.
TRUMP BOOED AT US OPEN (CARTOON)
National Guard to fight crime blurs the legal distinction between the police and the military
California National Guard troops stand in front of a federal building in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025. AP Photo/Eric Thayer Luke William Hunt, University of Alabama A federal judge ruled on Sept. 2, 2025, that the Trump administration broke federal law by sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June in response to protests over … [Read more...] about National Guard to fight crime blurs the legal distinction between the police and the military
What’s in a Name? The Department of War, that Is.
On Friday, September 5, 2025, President Trump changed the name of the Defense Department to “Department of War." I am certain that our armed forces were just as competent and powerful for the past 75 years under the name “Department of Defense” as they were under the name “Department of War,” prior to 1949. I am even more certain that the patriotism, heroism and, yes, … [Read more...] about What’s in a Name? The Department of War, that Is.
Trump declares war on American city
UPDATED 8:37 pm Pacific. No matter how the Administration tries to spin this Truth Social post, it is not funny. And based on Trump's public statements this week, it's damn serious. Trump's rhetoric of the Hollywoodification of war, 'Chipocalypse Now’, reflects the Oscar winning movie about Vietnam, Apocalypse Now. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote on … [Read more...] about Trump declares war on American city