We hear a lot about American exceptionalism today. Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing can be debated, but there is no doubt that we are, in fact, unique in the world. Do you know what happens in …
American Exceptionalism: What Makes the U.S. Different Read More »
I may have mentioned that I tutor at the local high school here, which, among other things, gives me the occasional opportunity to speak with faculty. Of course, discussion of sensitive subjects, e.g., religion and politics, can be tricky, and especially …
The headline above is taken from this article in The Atlantic Magazine that begins: August 10, 1969: San Clemente, California—President Richard Nixon accused his predecessor Lyndon Baines Johnson of complicity in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Speaking with reporters …
The Atlantic: “The Shame and Disgrace Will Linger” Read More »
It couldn’t have been both, right? Well, maybe. While extreme right-wing forces are gaining strength in many places around the world, the free press, the only mechanism preventing would-be autocrats from rising to power, has enjoyed a few good moments …
OK, Charles, What Was it? The Best of Times Or the Worst of Times? Read More »
On this day in 1974, Richard Nixon officially resigned from the presidency. This is worth noting because Nixon had significant political support….right up to the time that he didn’t.
From the Writer’s Almanac: Today is the birthday of the Dutch dancer and spy Mata Hari, born in the Netherlands (1876)…..The exact nature of her spy activities is not clear, but she probably didn’t engage in much actual espionage.
There may be certain ambiguities about the intention of America’s Founding Fathers. Does the Second Amendment grant the right of all individual citizens to own automatic weapons? (Doesn’t seem reasonable to me that the answer could be yes, but apparently, …
According to the Writer’s Almanac: It’s the birthday of writer Alexis de Tocqueville, born in Paris (1805). He was 25 years old when the French government sent him to America to study the prison system. He spent nine months touring towns and …
I know there are people who believe (albeit incorrectly) that civil unrest in the form of protests is ineffective in causing change, but I’m not sure how well that notion would play to the people of Puerto Rico just now; you’d …
Here, my colleague Stephen Lacey, contributing editor to Greentech Media and host of the podcast “The Energy Gang” (pictured), takes on an interesting question: Why is Trump talking about the environment? Why now? What does it tell us about Trump’s …
