Attendees take selfies at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 20, 2025. Andrew Harnick/Getty Images Alex Hinton, Rutgers University - Newark At the start of his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now!” A month later, Trump’s … [Read more...] about I went to CPAC as an anthropologist to see how Trump supporters are feeling – for them, a ‘golden age’ has begun
TRUMP OPENS DOOR FOR PUTIN (CARTOON)
Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests
John Blaxland, Australian National University Last week in Europe, the United States sent some very strong messages it is prepared to upend the established global order. US Vice President JD Vance warned a stunned Munich Security Conference that Europe has an “enemy within”, referring to leaders who ignore their citizens’ concerns and values. He also advocated for … [Read more...] about Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests
Living in the world Mitch McConnell has bequeathed us
I was blissfully surfing through YouTube the other night when, alas, I chanced upon the face that buzz-killed my bid for escape. Mitch McConnell, whose craven Senate machinations nudged us, goosestep by goosestep, toward our fascist future, was featured last week on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” and I felt compelled to click on the interview, to view it much the way we rubberneck … [Read more...] about Living in the world Mitch McConnell has bequeathed us
Trump’s Billionaires With No Balls
It is amazing to see the lack of courage manifested by some of the wealthiest men in our nation. They made their fortunes because of their intelligence, technical expertise, scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit- because they were willing to take risks. Now, they have lined up behind President Trump and are afraid to challenge him on his policies that are bad for the … [Read more...] about Trump’s Billionaires With No Balls
Wish You Were Here (Cartoon and Column)
How do you have talks to end the war in Ukraine without Ukraine? The self-proclaimed greatest negotiator in the world gave away the store to Vladimir Putin before peace talks had even begun. But then again, Trump’s not looking for a fair deal that benefits everyone. Trump claims he’s looking for a fair deal, but why should we care what Russia gets? After Russia … [Read more...] about Wish You Were Here (Cartoon and Column)
Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating
(From left to right): Neville Chamberlain, Édouard Daladier, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano before signing the Munich Agreement, which gave the Sudetenland to Germany. German Federal Archives/Wikimedia Commons Matt Fitzpatrick, Flinders University Ukraine has not been invited to a key meeting … [Read more...] about Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating
If ICE Shows Up for One of My Students, They Will Need to Take Me First
by Thomas Courtney President Trump is making some serious executive decisions on immigration. Some of these orders are causing intensive debate among teachers and administrators in local school systems. However you see the new Trump administration, one thing is for sure: the immigrant communities that trust me to keep their children safe are now afraid. And that’s a … [Read more...] about If ICE Shows Up for One of My Students, They Will Need to Take Me First
60 years of progress in expanding rights is being rolled back by Trump – a pattern that’s all too familiar in US history
There’s a long history in the U.S. of denying the rights, liberties and benefits of democracy to some Americans. rob dobi/Getty Images Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College and Rogers M. Smith, University of Pennsylvania For many Americans, Donald Trump’s head-spinning array of executive orders in the early days of his second term look like an … [Read more...] about 60 years of progress in expanding rights is being rolled back by Trump – a pattern that’s all too familiar in US history
SHUSH YO MOUTH (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
As you already know, Elon Musk staged a photo-op in the Oval Office a few days ago and took control of the event while Donald Trump sat mostly motionless at the Resolute Desk, as he was probably ordered to do, as his “Special Employee” lied to the press. But the star of the show wasn’t Trump or Elon, but Elon’s son, X Æ A-Xii. Yes, that is his name and NOT ingredients listed on … [Read more...] about SHUSH YO MOUTH (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
‘Freedom of the press’ or ‘Freedom from the press’?
by Nik Kowsar I totally understand why President Trump sees the press the way he does. Back in the good old days — before he committed the unforgivable crime of running for office — he was a media darling. Even the five enlightened sages of “The View” found him entertaining. But the second he rode down that escalator, straight out of “The Simpsons’” crystal ball, the … [Read more...] about ‘Freedom of the press’ or ‘Freedom from the press’?
OBEYING COURT ORDERS ISN’T OPTIONAL
The Trump administration must follow the law like everyone else. by Michael Waldman Donald Trump’s lawbreaking spree has now been met with an unprecedented series of judicial rebukes. Just yesterday, five federal courts blocked some of his administration’s moves to shut down agencies, illegally fire anticorruption officials, and more. Office of Management and Budget … [Read more...] about OBEYING COURT ORDERS ISN’T OPTIONAL
Nevada and Ohio report first human cases of bird flu; nominal egg prices hit record high
This week, Nevada reported the state's first human case of avian flu (H5N1); the affected worker was in contact with infected dairy cows. It was the first known infection that carried the variant that recently killed a Louisiana man, who had a backyard flock. This sub-type (D1.1 genotype) is currently the dominant strain in wild birds. Although we call it "bird flu" due to … [Read more...] about Nevada and Ohio report first human cases of bird flu; nominal egg prices hit record high
Those ‘Beautiful’ Executive Orders We Have Not Sufficiently Praised
Buried in the avalanche of Executive Orders and proclamations issued by the president in recent days are several incredibly significant ones that have not received the attention they so richly deserve. Here are a few of them. On January 20, in keeping with his “Make America Beautiful Again” (MABA) edict, Trump issued a “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture” … [Read more...] about Those ‘Beautiful’ Executive Orders We Have Not Sufficiently Praised
Trump should not fritter away the trust of India’s Modi
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Donald Trump at the White House today, he may be the only world leader powerful and politically stable enough in his own country for the American leader to trust. Critics of both Trump and Modi may not like this because they would prefer to project both men as anti-democrats seeking autocratic rule. Time will tell the … [Read more...] about Trump should not fritter away the trust of India’s Modi
The Gulf of Mexico Renamed (Updates)
UPDATE II: Continuing its retaliation against the Associate Press (AP) and its attacks on freedom of the press, today the White House barred an accredited AP reporter and photographer from boarding Air Force One for a trip with Trump, continuing its reprisal against the AP for how it refers to the Gulf of Mexico. UPDATE I: Today, for a second day in a row, the … [Read more...] about The Gulf of Mexico Renamed (Updates)
MAGA Machete (Cartoon and Column)
Donald Trump met with King Abdullah II of Jordan today and the one idea he probably got from that meeting is becoming a king himself. Trump has appointed the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, to go through departments of the federal government to find so-called waste and fraud and if their own communications are to be believed, he’s cutting spending illegally. Emails from … [Read more...] about MAGA Machete (Cartoon and Column)
Russia’s shrinking world: The war in Ukraine and Moscow’s global reach
Russia’s shrinking world: The war in Ukraine and Moscow’s global reach Ronald H. Linden, University of Pittsburgh Russia President Vladimir Putin sent a guarded message of congratulations to Donald Trump on inauguration day, but then held a long direct call with his “dear friend,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping. From Putin’s perspective, this makes sense. Russia … [Read more...] about Russia’s shrinking world: The war in Ukraine and Moscow’s global reach
In Breaking USAID, the Trump Administration May Have Broken the Law
In Breaking USAID, the Trump Administration May Have Broken the Lawby Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Brett MurphyProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Reporting HighlightsCourt Fight: During internal meetings, a political appointee said Trump could not have a higher … [Read more...] about In Breaking USAID, the Trump Administration May Have Broken the Law
