Among other reasons–like reclaiming America from “illegitimate” Obama and the like–Donald Trump is claiming he should be President because he is such a successful business person. That point, of course, is being called into question, considering his many screw-ups and shady dealings. But what about the broader point—the presumed superiority of Republicans in enhancing the … [Read more…]
See the following recent article which raises yet again questions about the foundations of some of Trump’s support: http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/commentary/schleifer-i-can-t-believe-we-re-related/article_6b2b6662-6120-57a7-8973-44030cab512f.html
The forum in Richmond on September 17, sponsored by ACLU-VA and the RPEC, explored how the events of September 11, 2001, and policy decisions in its aftermath have changed the direction of our society. The past 15 years was the focus because anti-democratic activities seriously increased at that time. The morning plenary session of the … [Read more…]
Another black man, Keith Lamont Scott–perhaps unarmed–was shot and killed by a Charlotte police officer on Tuesday. Many people are taking to the streets and protesting the fact of another black man being killed by the police. They are protesting what looks like a clear racist act similar to the many other recent killings of … [Read more…]
After the tragedy of 9/11 we did not heed Benjamin Franklin who famously wrote, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Instead, there were substantial infringements on our civil liberties in the name of security. Since then, advocates for civil liberties have fought … [Read more…]
As a result of Colin Kaepernick’s protest stance on the National Anthem, the Anthem’s sacredness and inviolability is all the rage across the country. Kaepernick is castigated for not being “patriotic.” If the Anthem is so pure and so important why play it at a football game? As a youngster, I often wondered why the … [Read more…]
Please see this article: https://www.thenation.com/article/america-needs-to-listen-to-what-colin-kaepernick-is-actually-trying-to-say/
I recently met an Episcopal priest who uses the slogan, “All lives won’t matter until #Black Lives Matter.” That statement should throw some explanatory light on the term and the movement, #BlackLivesMatter, at least for those persons who earnestly wonder about singling out black lives for emphasis. As it happens I have seen an even … [Read more…]
While it is well-known that Fox News is a propaganda machine for right-wing causes, it is not so widely understood that it got that way through the evil genius of Roger Ailes, the recently ousted CEO. Fox’s owner is media tycoon, Rupert Murdoch; however, Fox News was created by Roger Ailes, who ran it for … [Read more…]
On Thursday Donald Trump became the Republican presidential nominee on the same day that Roger Ailes rode off into the sunset. These two events are not unrelated. Ailes was forced out as chairman and chief executive of Fox News amid allegations of sexual harassment; however, the damage has been done. Ailes is the ruthless genius … [Read more…]