Divisive politicians. Shouting TV pundits. Mean-spirited social media trolls. Are you concerned about the decline in civility? As Former Congressman, Ric Keller, explains it’s not too late to turn things around even if we fear America being ripped apart by divisive leaders and talking heads, we just need to follow these simple rules.
While leaders, oftentimes, demand flexibility in their use of technology, this can be problematic for their security personnel. In light of the recent events at Mar-a-Lago, cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa, puts into context the multitude of security issues that former President Trump brought to the table during his time in office.
Booking Michael National Conference of State Legislatures On August 4, 2025, Michael spoke in Boston at the 50th gathering of the National Conference of State
When we assign key functions of our brain to be performed by a smartphone, are we not devolving? PJ DiMuzio, co-founder of Creative Outfit, chronicles the year that he chose to protect his mind by unplugging it; ditching his smartphone– despite working in digital production– so that he could reconstruct his relationships, memory, focus, and business.
About Us Michael Smerconish Host Youtube X-twitter Facebook-f Instagram Tiktok Threads Bluesky Michael Smerconish is the host of a daily radio program heard nationwide on
As a resident physician in Emergency Medicine, my day ranges from treating the common cold to a heart attack to a gunshot victim. The first question Michael asked me was – Why did I want to spend a month working with him? What does a doctor gain from learning about the media? The answer to this question lies in the parallels between professional journalism and medicine.
The 2022 primary season has seen many twists and turns, upsets, medical emergencies, shocking TV ads, and scandals- but one feature of the 2022 primaries has received no attention: the emerging effort being led by Trump-aligned legislators to prevent millions of Americans from voting in primaries at all.
It almost goes without saying that our nation is very polarized on how we should treat gun ownership. Despite where you personally land on the debate, it is not the goal of this article to give more credence to one side or the other.
Since the day he took office, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have undermined our energy and cyber independence, appointing agency heads and enacting executive orders designed to undermine America’s businesses.
Is Pennsylvania the ultimate swing state? The moniker will be put to the test, but as we say, “Pennsylvania Memories Last a Lifetime.”
Today’s overprotected kids are missing formative adventures as constant adult supervision has replaced the freedom to explore, fail and find their own way.
Across Europe, the Offline Club hosts phone-free gatherings where city dwellers trade screens for silence, creative activities, and unmediated social connection.
Once-hidden Japanese snack bars are drawing travellers with their intimate, mama-run spaces built on conversation and connection.
Some Europeans say American sauna culture has turned a centuries-old tradition of slow, communal relaxation into a competitive wellness trend that misses the point.
For most of the 20th century, pop culture was the glue that held the U.S. together. But what will it mean now that everything’s splintered?
As Gen Z increasingly avoids phone calls and face-to-face conversation, they aren’t just risking social disconnection but missing out on cognitive and emotional brain benefits.
Young Americans are increasingly unplugging from screens, embracing analogue habits like reading books and setting daily offline time, and reporting greater happiness, calm, and connection.
Weary of ‘smart’ everything, Americans are craving stylish ‘analog rooms’ free of digital distractions—and designers are making them a growing trend.
As people dial back their drinking and companies reel in fun budgets, the age-old ritual of getting a beer with colleagues is taking a hit.
Read Shanin Specter’s reflection on Easter Island/Rapa Nui, whose mysterious history and culture invite a deeper appreciation for uncertainty and meaning beyond definitive answers.
As social media footage spreads instantly, more young concertgoers are holding back on the dance floor, leaving artists lamenting a generation afraid to move freely.
Dr. Mardy Grothe delivers his sixth annual showcase of great opening lines, a captivating collection of first sentences from 2025’s novels, memoirs, and articles.
A growing aversion to nature – biophobia – is driving people indoors, weakening support for conservation and posing risks to public health and environmental protection.
Eva M. Meyersson Milgrom argues that bridging political and cultural divides begins with building friendships across lines of difference to help rediscover shared humanity.
An AARP study finds loneliness surging among adults over 45, as shrinking social circles, life transitions, and limited community engagement deepen disconnection.
A study of professional golfers finds that playing alongside someone with opposite political views slightly worsens performance, suggesting polarization may spill over into workplace productivity.
Denver’s upcoming Coba Bathhouse is set to become the city’s largest communal spa, offering thermal amenities aimed at rebuilding community when it opens in 2027.
Campers say they often make four new friends per trip, as the unplugged, community-focused environment of campgrounds encourages easy conversation, genuine connection, and shared experiences.
The holiday season is a popular time for volunteering, but experts say giving back is beneficial year-round.
Data from a Gallup / Kettering Foundation survey shows there are core values that unite Americans far more than political discourse would have us believe.
Eating alone does more than cause loneliness. Studies show solo dining among seniors links to less nutritious diets and weight loss.
Bill Ackman’s dating advice—telling young men to open with “May I meet you?”—went viral, sparking thousands of comments, memes, and debates over its effectiveness.
Gen Z is reviving communal dining, embracing shared tables as a way to foster real-world connection, social ease, and shared experiences in the digital age.
The decline of casual nudity in American locker rooms reflects shifting cultural norms around privacy and consent, leaving everyday bodies increasingly hidden and highly sexualized.
Target’s new employee policy requires staff to smile, make eye contact, and greet customers within 10 and 4 feet, aiming to boost customer connection.
Genuine connection grows in the space between us, urging a shift toward collaborative, win-win communication that nurtures empathy, interdependence, and a healthier social ecology.
Social media giants are now pivoting towards AI-driven interactions, as Mark Zuckerberg suggests AI chatbots might fill the gap in declining face-to-face socialization.
Most Americans under 45 factor politics into dating decisions, prompting a WHYY discussion on whether love can thrive between partners with opposing political beliefs.
As alcohol consumption declines and solitary vices like marijuana, online gambling, and internet pornography rise, Americans are increasingly pursuing pleasure alone, reshaping social habits.
Beloved Philly DJ Pierre Robert’s passing symbolizes the decline of community-centered media amid corporate consolidation, eroding trust, and the fading era of truly local voices.
Tech-enabled food delivery has transformed American dining, turning restaurants into profit-driven takeout factories and eroding the in-person experiences that once defined them.
Los Angeles singles are attending The Feels, a dark-room event where guided eye contact, gentle touch, and deep conversation aim to help participants connect authentically.
A new trend is replacing doomscrolling with “analog bags” — totes filled with books, crafts, and other screen-free activities, embracing a return to offline wellness.
NYT: Candidates who embrace pragmatic, populist centrism consistently outperform ideological extremes, and Democrats in particular must reclaim the political center to restore voter trust.
Jonathan Haidt warns that AI poses an even greater threat to kids’ mental health than social media, urging parents to act before serious long-term damage.
We’re seeing the rise of artificially intelligent ‘chatbot’ companions capable of romance and naughty talk, from G-rated to pornographic.
A “Month Offline” challenge in D.C. helped a group discover how disconnection from constant connectivity reshaped their attention, relationships, and sense of presence.
In Ireland’s tiny town of Lisdoonvarna, Europe’s last great matchmaking festival keeps the spirit of old-fashioned romance alive as thousands gather each year.
Nearly one in five high schoolers has experienced or knows someone who has had a romantic relationship with AI, highlighting risks to privacy and wellbeing.
Despite the rise of social media, humans’ brains appear hardwired to maintain stable social networks of about 150 people, with closer circles within that limit.
One influencer’s advice has given some singles the permission — and confidence — to look for love offline. It’s “Sit at the Bar September.”
More parents are reviving landlines as a low-tech alternative to smartphones, helping kids build stronger communication skills while limiting screen time and online risks.
Children’s room to roam independently was once measured in miles. Today, it’s often in feet. Here’s what they’re losing and what we can do about it.
Half of U.S. youth report that loneliness and family struggles disrupt their mental health daily, with sharp disparities tied to income and LGBTQ+ identity.
In a digital age that shuns stillness, embracing profound boredom can restore reflection, depth, and a genuine connection with being.
Catherine, Princess of Wales asserts that the true key to lifelong health and happiness lies in nurturing meaningful human connections, beginning in early childhood.
Medill’s annual survey finds audiences drifting from TV and print, wary of AI, and turning to independent content creators.
How college kids — or anyone, really — can truly think differently, or more calmly, about politics in charged moments
Here are 8 things college kids (but really all of us) can do to think and act more optimistically and optimally.
At least 2.5 million students across the country are using Yondr pouches, as 35 states have laws or rules limiting cellphones in schools.
Finding a fulfilling hobby—whether journaling, cooking, or joining a club—can help reduce screen time, boost well-being, and make leisure more intentional.
You choose the read, watch, listen inputs that feed your mind and shape your reality.
This year more states than ever are banning students’ devices during school hours.
Banning phones and laptops in his classroom led to more engaged, focused students and dramatically improved course evaluations, highlighting how digital distractions undermine learning.
The challenges facing young men today mirror the “boy problem” of a century ago, demanding a renewed civic effort and more male role models.
An internal Meta policy document reveals the social-media giant’s rules for chatbots, which have permitted provocative behavior on topics including sex, race and celebrities.
Gen Z and millennials overspend to maintain friendships. It’s costing them.
Adults seeking real-world connection are flocking to sleep-away camps, where shared activities and late-night bonding are helping them forge lasting friendships.
Before smartphones and social media, teenagers constructed their identity on the walls of their room.
Smartphones have rewired young minds, sending conscientiousness into freefall. Faster than the printing press, this revolution may already be beyond control.
New research on “SuperAgers” reveals unique brain features that may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and offers new clues to preserving cognitive health in aging.
Children who were raised on screens need more freedom out in the real world.
And there are costs to our isolation.
As human-AI relationships evolve from sci-fi to reality, experts warn that the rise of romantic and personal bonds with chatbots raises ethical and psychological questions.
This movement ‘has more legs’ than past efforts and a switch would lead to electing moderate candidates, a professor says.
Independents now total more than 1.4 million voters, a steadily increasing number as registered Democrats and Republicans decline.
Loneliness is a deadly silent epidemic and the WHO is urging global leaders to treat social connection as a critical public health and political priority.
City life is often described as ‘fast-paced.’ A new study suggests that’s more true than ever.
A global study links owning a smartphone before age 13 to poorer mental health in young adults, driven by early social media exposure.
Using smartphones before age 13 could damage kids’ mental health, according to a new study based of nearly 2 million people in 163 countries.
In the most connected era in human history, people are dying of loneliness. Roughly 100 every hour, according to a grim new WHO report.
More than one million independent voters in Pennsylvania are barred from participating in primary elections, a policy now being challenged as a state Constitution violation.
Doctors around the world are increasingly prescribing community activities like biking, dancing, and art to improve physical and mental health.
A new UK report reveals children are turning to chatbots for homework help, emotional advice — and sometimes, because they have no one else.
Young Americans today spend 70 percent less time attending or hosting parties than they did at the beginning of the 21st century. Why?
The U.S. spends almost twice as much on healthcare but is experiencing rising and largely preventable child mortality, driven by firearms, prematurity, and chronic illness.
“Love Island” reveals Gen Z’s complicated dating scene, where hypersexualized performance clashes with emotional hesitancy, reflecting a generation shaped by social media and pandemic isolation.
Nearly 200 gathered in Philadelphia to explore whether face-to-face discussions could reduce political polarization, leading to increased consensus on issues like immigration and climate change.
Once a symbol of childhood freedom and independence, biking has sharply declined among kids due to safety concerns, car-centric infrastructure, and changing social norms.
Young adults are drinking less alcohol and seeking more connection, and New York’s dispensaries are putting themselves out there as alternative gathering spaces.
Gen Z’s shifting relationship with sex reflects a broader cultural reckoning with intimacy, power, and identity in a post-Roe America.
A new study finds that addiction to social media, mobile phones and video games is linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
A growing number of parents—and their kids—are pushing back against overwhelming digital culture, hoping to reclaim childhood from the grip of smartphones and social media.
As live sports stream across expensive platforms and private equity takes control of teams, the community-driven experience of fandom is being priced out and dismantled.
Once free to spread out and self-sort, America has been digitally crammed into a single room by social media, turning ideological divides into daily conflict.
Pew Research data reveals that Americans’ trust in and use of news sources is deeply divided along partisan lines.
A large international study of children found that increased screen time, especially gaming, is linked to higher risks of aggression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
By simply moving your coffee routine to the front stoop, you can spark spontaneous connection, build lasting community, and turn strangers into neighbors.
By forming supportive, like-minded communities, parents are discovering that they can delay or even forgo smartphones—giving their children richer, real-world childhoods free from digital distractions.
More Americans are camping alone than ever before—seeking solitude, self-reliance, and a much-needed reset in an increasingly chaotic and disconnected world.
Once-deep childhood male friendships have quietly faded into silence, casualties of adulthood, emotional reticence, and the unspoken rules that keep men from truly connecting.
More than half of U.S. states now have laws restricting student cellphone use in schools due to concerns about mental health, learning, and safety.
Boys’ educational achievement, mental health and transitions to adulthood indicate that many are not thriving.
Only 34% of Americans believe most people can be trusted, a viewpoint shaped by personal experiences, social and economic inequality, and political polarization.
While most Americans say they’re willing to help their neighbors, far fewer believe their neighbors would do the same for them.
Deep, in-person relationships are essential to happiness and meaning, but young people today struggle to build them amid declining institutions and rising digital isolation.
Tariffs and industrial policy can’t solve America’s declining workforce participation, which stems from deep-seated government-imposed barriers that limit mobility, adaptability, and economic opportunity.
Young people around the world are increasingly unhappy, a crisis rooted not in material lack, but in a profound loss of connection, purpose, and meaning.
Material prosperity isn’t everything. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, which was released last month, the happiest country in the world is…
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a statewide “bell to bell” cellphone ban in public schools, while allowing exemptions for medical, learning, or language needs.
Though it’s fallen out of fashion, hitchhiking remains a powerful act of connection and trust in the kindness of strangers.
Meta’s introduction of AI-powered digital companions has raised concerns about their potential to engage in explicit and inappropriate conversations, particularly with underage users.
Chimps in Guinea-Bissau were recorded sharing fermented breadfruits in the wild, offering a clue about the origins of social drinking among humans.
Sara Sweet remembers her father who was killed in the OKC bombing 30 years ago, and how the nation came together to mourn and rebuild.
Off-premises dining—now accounting for nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic—has evolved from a convenience into a core business strategy, driving innovation, loyalty, and growth.
Artist and writer August Lamm embraced a “dumbphone” to escape the pressures of digital life, advocating for reduced smartphone use to enhance mental well-being.
As more employees opt to bring lunch from home to save money, office-area restaurants are facing a decline in midday business.
As casual dining chains decline, families are losing affordable sit-down meal options, impacting communal dining experiences and human connections once fostered by these middle-class restaurants.
Signalgate raises massive concerns about Chinese espionage on US telecom networks and sparks questions about the U.S. military’s actions in Yemen.
While studios and streaming providers are busy competing with each other, tougher competition is coming from social video platforms that are hyperscale and hyper-capitalized.
The genetic information company declared bankruptcy on Sunday, and California’s attorney general has issued a privacy “consumer alert.”
The creators of Netflix’s “Adolescence” want adults to pay attention.
Do you eat a meal in 20 minutes or less? Scientists say it might be time to slow down and consume your food more mindfully.
Major demographic shifts have put men and women on divergent paths. That’s left more women resigned to being single. “The numbers aren’t netting out.”
For the 8th year in a row, Finland is rated the happiest country in a global study, while the United States dips to number 24.
90% of schools provide laptops for their students, but as they spend more time than ever on screens, social skills and test scores are deteriorating.
Men are increasingly preferring the ease and satisfaction of online porn, finding themselves emotionally disconnected to real relationships, especially with women.
Idle chitchat may feel dreary, but it establishes the brain “synchrony” that allows for more meaningful exchanges.
Music-focused rooms at home are helping more people detach from their devices.
The class of 2021 missed important rites of passage – first job, first car, first date. Now young adults, they’re making up for lost time.
After noticing single women struggle to find straight men, Tommy Flaim founded a cornhole league for people to meet in person.
The trend of gray-colored homes in American cities is seen as a symbol of the displacement of longtime residents, particularly in once predominantly Black neighborhoods.
English actress Sophie Winkleman calls for less technology in classrooms, warning parents and governments that excessive screen time is harming children’s’ well-being.
Cybercriminals have been posing as teens online, building trust and obtaining sensitive content to use as blackmail, leading to at least 30 youth suicides.
A study found that blocking the internet on smartphones for just two weeks led to significant improvements in mental health, mood, and attention-span.
LAUSD students will now be prohibited from using cellphones and earbuds during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies, health-related needs, and approved learning accommodations.
Today’s teens are spending more time online and less time socializing in person, creating a tech-driven loneliness crisis that parents and educators struggle to address.
87-year-old Doug Turner of Bucks County in Pennsylvania went viral for delivering handwritten party invitations for his “Celebration of Winter,” inspiring community connection.
Progressive policies have inadvertently restricted geographic mobility in the U.S., trapping many Americans in stagnant communities and deepening economic and social divides.
“By lifting others, that’s how we rise up.” Brad Pitt narrates a patriotic TV ad on America’s resilience after the L.A. Fires and Hurricane Helene.
The Trump administration is quietly censoring vital information for marginalized communities and scientists, while focusing public attention on more prominent policies.
Jo Ellis shares her journey of balancing a lifelong commitment to military service with the courage to live authentically as a transgender woman.
While the U.S. fixates on TikTok’s potential security risks, it neglects the urgent threat posed by Chinese cyber-penetration of critical infrastructure, including telecom networks.
Ester Horowitz’s online quest to find friends blossomed into a thriving “Friendship Circle” for nearly 850 women on Long Island, providing a vital support network.
Urban pedestrians are walking faster and doing less socializing, according to a study of NYC, Boston and Philly. Is technology or public space to blame?
Robert A. Pape argues that by pardoning January 6 offenders, President Trump risks normalizing political violence, undermining democratic norms, and setting a dangerous precedent for future challenges to the peaceful transfer of power in America.
With bipartisan support, many states are banning cellphones to reduce distractions, foster socialization, and protect students’ mental health, though parents are divided over safety concerns.
August Lamm shares her thoughts on how to navigate life without constant digital distractions and rediscover the benefits of presence, time, and peace of mind.
Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.
Cohabs, a European co-living company, is tackling Washington D.C.’s high rates of solo living and loneliness by converting properties into shared housing spaces.
Many guys are bad at messaging their friends back—and it might be making them more lonely.
As economic challenges and shifting social expectations keep many 30-somethings from reaching traditional adulthood milestones, some fear the delay may become permanent.
On the 25th anniversary of Y2K, national security expert Richard Clarke recounts the extraordinary bipartisan efforts that kept global systems running January 1, 2000.
Nature-based activities like bat-watching and beach explorations are being studied for their potential to reduce loneliness and improve mental health through social outdoor settings.
“Shtom-tish” means “regulars’ table,” a German tradition where a group gets together at a bar routinely for the sake of deepening friendships and social interaction.
Dr. Mardy Grothe delivers his fifth annual showcase of great opening lines, a captivating collection of first sentences from 2024’s novels, memoirs, and articles.
A new real estate platform will allow prospective homebuyers to see the political leanings of their desired neighborhoods based on election results, campaign contruibutions, etc.
Sarah Bernstein argues that as women surpass men in success, outdated gender norms fuel resentment, loneliness, and the rise of divisive figures like Donald Trump.
Robert Putnam, author of “Bowling Alone,” reflects on the importance of social connections for personal well-being and the health of democracy in an isolated America.
Australia has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, sparking debate over online safety versus user identification privacy.
A study by media regulator Ofcom revealed that Gen Z spends a record average of 6 hours per day online, with women leading the trend.
Group fitness classes, with their shared routines, feel-good camaraderie, and a bit of silliness, create an unexpectedly perfect environment for building meaningful adult friendships.
My college initiation brought an unexpected friendship with a football player nicknamed ‘Lone Wolf.’ I feel for my son, who handpicked someone just like him.
In the wake of their recent loss, Shanin Specter calls on Democrats to prioritize unity and strategic compromise to regain centrist voters and push for meaningful policy change.
Technology and loneliness are interlinked, researchers have found, stoked by the ways we interact with social media, text messaging and binge-watching.
Australia’s Labor Party has backed legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, with enforcement onus on the platforms.
Four in five Japanese teen boys and nearly three in four girls have never kissed, deepening worries over Japan’s shrinking population.
A new study shows that Americans agree on more than they’re willing to admit.
U.S. news deserts are expanding as newspapers continue to close, leaving nearly 55 million Americans with little to no local coverage.
Six lifelong friends, now in their 80s, have faithfully met for pints every Thursday since 1968, cherishing their tradition through life’s ups and downs.
According to Peter Meltzer, the 2024 election is a lose-lose situation, with Trump’s lies and Harris’s lack of substance making it one of the bleakest choices in American history.
Former governors warn state leaders must certify 2024 election results by December 11 under the 2022 Electoral Count Reform Act—or risk disenfranchising millions and causing national chaos.
At our most polarized time in living memory, the two parties have never been more unified on ideas.
A former FBI agent and behavior expert reveals how subtle nonverbal cues unveil more about political candidates than their words, shaping voter perceptions subconsciously.
Northwestern researchers are studying “SuperAgers”—older adults with exceptional memory—to uncover insights into aging, memory preservation, and ultimately find ways to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Budget cuts and driver shortages are causing a decline in school bus services, leaving students stranded, increasing absenteeism, and forcing families into difficult alternatives.
Nearly half of Americans reported feeling lonely at least sometimes in the latest vibe check from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Congressman Tim Ryan reflects on his debates with JD Vance, expecting Vance to rely on dodging direct answers and pushing fear-based soundbites.
Dr. Scott Jensen draws on his experience from three gubernatorial debates with Tim Walz, warning that his evasive tactics may take center stage again.
Richard Clarke warns that Israel’s impending invasion of Lebanon could trigger conflict with Hezbollah, Iran, and US involvement, all during the US Presidential election.
A University of Michigan study reveals one in five parents fear their child has no friends, with shyness and social barriers as common obstacles.
Table of Contents Criminal Justice General Overview President Donald Trump President Trump has been a skeptic
Iowa school sought to curtail impacts of rising cell phone use on bullying, learning, and student mental health.
Chiefs cater to younger workers’ needs and give them advice; ‘nobody told them how to be.’
In 2020, Harvard psychologist Richard Weissbourd uncovered alarming new insights into America’s growing loneliness epidemic, worsened by the pandemic.
Schools are tackling student disengagement linked to cellphone addiction and post-COVID isolation with bans and new activities to boost participation.
A survey shows that college graduates enjoying abundant opportunities for community engagement while less educated Americans face growing social isolation and fewer chances to connect.
Schools are still battling high absenteeism post-pandemic, with one in four students missing significant class time despite creative solutions.
John Paul Lederach has worked in war-torn countries, and he’s seen what works. People need to leave their bubbles.
No one is immune to loneliness. But some are more at risk.
Solutions to the mental-health crisis striking young people in particular are within reach.
Jeffrey Green argues that while Harris’s choice of running mate may have minimal direct impact on the election, it will reflect her judgment and could shape her future political trajectory.
Unfettered phone usage at school is hurting our kids and depriving them of connection. But it’s not too late to make a change.
Despite his European roots, Trump’s foreign policy and business interests suggest he may not prioritize defending Slovenia or other European nations unless they meet his defense spending expectations.
In many ways, a world built for cars has made life so much harder for grown-ups.
New research shows that when children grow up in a neighborhood where more adults have jobs, those children are better off economically as adults themselves.
Despite ongoing war, Ukrainian students showcased their resilience and hope for the future by winning over 45 medals at the 2024 International Genius Olympiad.
A new social experiment in San Antonio uses the Timeleft app to connect strangers for weekly dinners, helping adults make new friends.
NYU developmental psychology professor Niobe Way discussed her book, “Rebels with a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves, and Our Culture,” with ABC News.
The author of “Bowling Alone” warned us about social isolation and its effect on democracy a quarter century ago. Things have only gotten worse.
The U-shaped curve that pegged youth and old age as the happiest times of life has changed.
UCLA Professor Daniel Blumstein outlines a scenario where interconnected threats, including climate change and nuclear risks, could impact the upcoming election.
Pandemic isolation has unleashed a generation of workers eager for social interaction: ‘I don’t care how much I get paid. I love it here.’
Independence is a luxury no one should take for granted.
The only thing connecting each tiny room at the Happiness Factory to the outside world is a feeding hole in the door.
In his ongoing series on presidential campaign crisis preparations, Richard Clarke details Biden and Trump’s theoretical responses to escalating hostility with North Korea.
WSJ reports that today’s college students are so lonely, sad, and anxious that they prefer eating dining hall food in their rooms.
Parents around the globe are banding together to keep their kids away from smartphones.
Los Angeles is moving in favor of students’ well-being. Mayor Eric Adams can ensure NYC does, too.
In his ongoing series on presidential campaign crisis preparations, Richard Clarke details how campaigns might plan for a potential Israel-Hizballah war involving drone attacks and missile strikes, and how candidates could respond.
Zuckerberg and his team drove Meta’s efforts to capture young users and misled the public about the risks, lawsuits by state attorneys general say.
English-speaking teens are spreading their problems abroad as smartphones and social media are contributing to the rise in teen mental distress.
LAUSD Board of Education voted to ban cellphone use during the school day to improve students’ social skills and reduce media distress.
Dr. Vivek Murthy said he would urge Congress to require a warning that social media use can harm teenagers’ mental health.
In his continuation of detailing how presidential campaigns prepare for crises, Richard Clarke focuses on a potential massive blackout caused by a cyber attack during a heatwave.
Lonely people are 26% more likely to die early, with increased risks of heart disease, strokes, anxiety, depression, and dementia.
There’s still good TV out there that people talk about, but the overlap in “watercooler discourse bait” is getting smaller and smaller.
Republicans, missing a private spot for cigars, are urging Speaker Johnson to find a new space for fostering members’ camaraderie.
In the final weeks before an election, campaigns fear unexpected crises. Richard Clarke explores how teams prepare for such hypothetical events.
In a society plagued by isolation and polarization, Rick Grimaldi shows how The Mingle Project can inspire workplaces to bridge generational and cultural gaps.
Trade in an evening of swiping for a night out at one of these tried-and-true New York hotspots, where you can meet in person.
Research reveals that depressive symptoms and memory loss in older adults fuel each other.
Nearly half our eating time is spent in isolation, contributing to America’s loneliness epidemic.
Remote work disrupts workplace friendships, worsening America’s loneliness crisis as employees struggle to form social connections.
More meetings and faceless chats. Fewer work friends. How the modern workday is fueling an epidemic of isolation.
The UK Conservative Party’s proposal for mandatory national service aims to unite young people and combat societal “fragmentation,” but critics across the political spectrum dismiss it as an underfunded and impractical gimmick.
UK PM Sunak plans to reintroduce service for 18-year-olds, requiring a year of military or civilian service if the Conservatives win the July election.
Amid declining global birthrates, a young woman articulates her decision to remain childfree, offering insight into the concerns of her demographic.
Dr. Brian Rosenwald argues that despite low approval ratings, Biden is a narrow favorite over Trump due to better fundraising, Trump’s legal troubles, and positive economic data.
Disinvited from delivering his commencement address, Michael Smerconish shares what he would have told the Class of 2024.
The bestselling author is calling on parents to take away their children’s phones. He also is confronting allegations of junk science.
Governor Ed Rendell’s letter to Dickinson President John Jones in response to Michael Smerconish having been disinvited as the Dickinson College commencement speaker.
Read Michael Smerconish’s response to having been disinvited as the 2024 commencement speaker at Dickinson College.
Dr. Tami D. Benton, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at CHOP, emphasizes the critical need for teen mental health support in conversation with Michael.
A Connecticut middle school banned cellphones, sparking initial protests but then led to improved focus and fewer conflicts among students.
Michael and Dr. Conrad Kickert discuss research from the University at Buffalo suggesting well-maintained front yards could combat loneliness in America.
i Ricchi, a Tuscan gem, fell from grace amid DC’s political shifts, losing its allure to dwindling power lunches and changing social fabric.
We’ve lost the art of creating local infrastructure that allows young people to explore, play and lead healthier lives.
A study of Buffalo’s Elmwood Village found that lively, welcoming front yards, from porches to flowerpots, foster strong neighborhood connections and a sense of belonging.
The APA is calling on technology companies to take more steps to protect adolescents, arguing age restrictions alone don’t address the dangers.
Peggy Orenstein highlights a troubling rise in ‘rough sex’ among teens, especially choking, in her op-ed.
Harvard study suggests declining church attendance may contribute to rising U.S. mental health issues, possibly affecting suicide rates and depression.
Haidt’s book claims smartphones and social media are harming teen mental health, though evidence and critiques suggest the impact is less clear.
The ongoing debate over whether social media is causing a teen mental health crisis pits skeptics (correlation) against alarm ringers (causation).
New poll shows most Americans, despite polarization, agree on core national values like voting rights and equal protection. Differences are minor except on gun rights.
Survey finds 40% of UK adults often feel isolated, even in social settings. Only 14% discuss their loneliness, despite its negative impacts on health.
The evidence is equivocal on whether screen time is to blame for rising levels of teen depression and anxiety — and rising hysteria could distract us from tackling the real causes.
New York’s private clubs fill the pandemic-induced void of communal spaces, leveraging empty offices to offer community in an exclusive landscape.
Pandemic impacts led to a spike in U.S. school absences, with 26% of students chronically absent last year, up from 15% pre-pandemic.
Prof. Haidt became a favorite for his work on the “coddling” of young people. Now, he has an idea for fixing Gen Z.
US kids face a mental health crisis linked to smartphones, with rising depression and suicide rates since the 2010s, exacerbated by social media use.
Self-reported data from those under 30 knocked the U.S. out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time since 2012.
Engagious speaks with a group of swing voters who reveal stark concerns over the southern border crisis—a growing challenge at the heart of America’s political battleground.
Cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa’s third edition of Disinformation Depot dissects the emergence of deepfake Trump supporters, audacious audio manipulations, Russian campaigns, and the slow justice response.
Inflation: A term that ignites universal dread, yet its complexities reveal a fascinating ecosystem of causes and effects, stretching far beyond simple price hikes.
Jonathan Haidt warns that adolescent mental health worsened dramatically in the 2010s, with soaring depression, anxiety, and suicide rates globally.
Iowa State University introduces a class on happiness science to enhance well-being among students facing mental health challenges.
2020 pandemic devastated US restaurants, leading to job losses and unlikely recovery. Wages grew sharply in 2021-2022, challenging managers.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Malcolm Lazin explores how Trump’s controversial stance on NATO and alliance with Putin could turn into a strategic advantage for Democrats in the upcoming election.
A young worker’s TikTok complaint about feeling lonely on a work trip sparked debate over enjoying solitude and the growing loneliness epidemic.
From high-stakes drama to a predictable procession: Why does this year’s Super Tuesday feels more like a formality than a fierce battle?
Cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa’s second edition of ‘Disinformation Depot,’ unravels a web of global deception tactics—from AI-powered fake news to state-sponsored propaganda.
How has North Korea’s missile program, capable of targeting any American city, been stealthily funded by cryptocurrency thefts, and what does this mean for global security?
Brian Rosenwald contends that the GOP has shifted dramatically to the right, making past conservative figures seem moderate by today’s standards, a profound realignment within American political dynamics.
In an electoral showdown that defied expectations, Trump’s commanding victory over Haley not only shakes up the campaign playbook but also sets the stage for what’s next in electoral warfare.
Snow days offer crucial learning through play, but virtual learning may threaten this key childhood experience of joy and discovery.
A doctor grounded in both science and faith navigates the contentious debate over whether embryos are considered beings, blending scientific insight with ethics.
President Biden has the chance to turn GOP’s political miscalculations into a decisive executive action on border security, altering the immigration conversation before the election.
US face-to-face socialization has halved over 20 years, impacting all ages and worsened by increased screen time and tech use.
Verkada’s ‘3-3-3’ perk funds outings for groups of 3 employees after 3 PM, boosting business by enhancing team interaction.
Rediscover the true essence of the holiday we call ‘Presidents Day’ and join a journey back to its roots as George Washington’s Birthday, questioning the fading recognition of real heroes in our modern era.
A society in which members of different generations do not interact “is a dangerous experiment,” said one researcher.
Amidst government optimism about the economy, a deeper look into rising consumer debt uncovers a looming crisis, challenging the narrative of recovery and highlighting the need for urgent economic reform.
Explore the multifaceted landscape of disinformation tactics and their impact on the 2024 U.S. election cycle in a series that sheds light on global trends, cybersecurity threats, and the urgent need for electoral integrity.
Living alone is linked to higher depression rates than living with others, per 2021 National Health Interview Survey data.
In early America, community involvement thrived, but since the 1970s, social engagement has declined, particularly due to screen time and less face-to-face interaction.
Tired of dating apps, singles are returning to in-person events like speed dating and mixers, with attendance up 42% in 2023.
Derek Carrier, influenced by his condition, explores romance with an AI girlfriend, highlighting the broader surge in AI companionship and its complex impacts.
In a nation divided, the Supreme Court is called upon to interpret Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, challenging states’ rights versus federal authority in determining the political fate of former President Donald Trump.
On the eve of America’s grandest sports spectacle, one professor explores the Super Bowl’s thrilling convergence of athletic prowess, star power, and an intriguing twist of politics.
In Nevada’s GOP nomination process for 2024, only the caucus awards delegates, sidelining Nikki Haley in a primary that will not count towards the Republican National Convention.
85% of Americans say political debate quality has worsened, leading to a new “Dignity Index” that scores political speech for respect.
Swedish fika, a coffee break ritual, boosts workplace happiness, productivity, and social bonding.
Independents John Opdycke and Paul Rieckhoff highlight their party’s role in elections, citing their impact in the New Hampshire primary and calling for more recognition in a partisan political world.
For the first time on record, most U.S. students travel to school by private vehicle instead of bus.
In the wake of attacks by Iranian proxies against US forces, calls for retaliation against Iran are mounting, but a diplomatic approach may be the key to ensuring security and stability in the Middle East.
From its 1954 debut as a cultural staple to its peak as a moral authority in sports journalism, and eventual decline in the face of digital transformation, Michael Bamberger chronicles the storied journey of Sports Illustrated.
Cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa delves into the alarming role of AI in election manipulation, revealing how deep fake technology influenced voter behavior in the recent presidential primary.
Explore Larry Paul’s 25-year journey with electric vehicles, from his initial drive in a 1999 Honda EV Plus to the present, debunking myths and showcasing the practical evolution of EVs.
Exploring the Civil War’s lasting emotions and misconceptions, Campbell addresses the minimization of slavery’s role and critiques Nikki Haley’s recent political revisionism.
In a surprising turn, the 2024 presidential campaign, with pivotal moments in New Hampshire, shifts focus from personal attacks to substantial policy discussions, enhancing voters’ understanding of the candidates’ visions for America.
As Trump secures an unexpected victory and key endorsements shape the outcome, the 2024 Iowa Caucuses mark a significant shift in the landscape of this critical electoral tradition.
The November/December market surge defies recession fears and rides the wave of AI innovation, raising questions about economic success amid looming uncertainties.
Amid concerns about the upcoming presidential election, a long-time independent voter shares his strategy for influencing the primary process by re-registering as a Republican.
A Political Science Associate Professor at the University of Northern Iowa offers an insider’s view on his state’s caucus, an intimate and influential early presidential contest that shapes America’s political landscape.
In her annual birthday editorial, the Smerconish.com Editor shares a handful of memories from her circus past that helped her navigate the circus of political radio.
Amidst pivotal global and national issues, the 2024 Election raises critical questions about Biden’s age, the viability of candidates, and the Democratic Party’s path to safeguarding democracy.
For somebody whose favorite Taylor Swift song is “Trouble,” he sure is about to be in a lot of it.
In an intimate exploration of America’s escalating mental health crisis, delve into the personal odyssey of certified peer Chuck Hall as he offers insights and practical strategies for addressing the nation’s mental health challenges.
In an era where the Supreme Court tackles cases like the January 6 prosecutions and abortion rights, we confront a stark reality: a once impartial judiciary increasingly mirrors a political battleground.
In a nation grappling with myriad pressing concerns, it’s astonishing that education, despite its pivotal role in shaping our future, remains conspicuously absent from top voter priorities.
As Congress addresses the housing bottleneck and soaring home prices with the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act of 2023, can this legislation truly pave the way for affordable homeownership?
Explore the art of storytelling through its most impactful moment with Dr. Mardy Grothe’s annual showcase of the finest literary openers from 2023, demonstrating the captivating and inspiring power of the first sentence in each narrative.
As families shrink and the number of cousins declines dramatically, these often underestimated relationships may become vital anchors for emotional support and family cohesion.
A professor’s journey through Israel reveals new insights into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, challenging biases and shedding light on its complex history and human impact.
Jack Smith’s Supreme Court push for a rapid ruling on Trump’s immunity, timed crucially close to the 2024 election, stirs a potent mix of legal strategy and political calculus in an already turbulent election year.
“Zuckerberg testified that ‘instead of being granted immunity, platforms should be required to demonstrate that they have systems in place for identifying unlawful content and removing it.’ Clearly, the time has come to revisit immunity.”
From bipartisan beginnings to a complex legislative battleground, the story of America’s Dreamers reveals the evolving challenges and misconceptions surrounding DACA and the elusive Dream Act.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s faith-based policies starkly contrast with America’s secular democratic foundations, highlighting critical questions about maintaining the separation of church and state.
Rich Zacaroli explores the task of reconstructing Gaza’s economy post-war, highlighting the need for global investment and effective governance to address poverty and radicalization.
Despite a booming economy under Biden, with rising GDP and wages outpacing inflation, Americans still perceive economic woes, challenging the president’s political standing ahead of the election.
In a twist to the 2024 U.S. Presidential race, No Labels Group’s push for alternative candidates amidst voter discontent with Biden and Trump raises questions about electoral outcomes and the pivotal role of House races.
From Florida’s tax policies to California’s stance on marijuana, the recent DeSantis-Newsom debate exemplifies how American federalism thrives, aligning with the vision of the Founding Fathers.
“Anywhere the citizenry can walk in, pull up a chair, and watch its government function, there ought to be a camera permitted,” argues Michael Smerconish, advocating for public access to the inner workings of justice.
Unveiling the complexities of Gen Z, a BYU political science student, reveals how this often mislabeled generation is challenging stereotypes and reshaping politics through initiatives like Our National Conversation.
Engagious delves into the minds of Arizona’s swing voters as they navigate the complex opinions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, revealing a microcosm of global anxieties and the specter of World War III.
Military law expert Geoffrey Corn contends that the excessive labeling of Israeli actions as war crimes and genocide erodes their true meaning, much like overclassification diminishes the value of secrecy.
In a world where facts and fiction blur, Podcaster and Former ‘Seinfeld’ writer Andy Cowan dissects how the excessive use of ‘Right?’ in conversations highlights our quest for agreement and the risk of echo chambers stifling diverse opinions.
Is Trump’s legal peril a political asset? Michael Smerconish explores how his mounting indictments and trials might paradoxically strengthen his grip on the GOP nomination.
Frank Wrinn uncovers the enduring impact of the October 7 Kibbutzim Massacre, a pivotal event in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, remembered from varied perspectives around the world.
Discover the hidden struggles and legal battles facing Maine’s veterans as one attorney sheds light on the critical, often misunderstood aspects of disability benefits and fights to ensure they get the support they’ve earned.
Mitzi Perdue shares the harrowing journey of Dr. Oleh Berezyuk, a Ukrainian psychiatrist at the frontline of mental trauma, whose fight to heal the invisible wounds of torture reveals the urgent need for global action.
Amid a world fraying at the seams of diplomacy, the UN stands as an indispensable yet neglected cornerstone of global peace, urgently calling for a renewed commitment from world powers to steer clear of a diplomatic Tower of Babel.
Amidst the tangle of free speech and moral dilemmas at Penn, one alumnus confronts the controversial divide, challenging the very definition of loyalty and advocacy in higher education.
In a delicate balance of precision and patience, Israel’s new Gaza strategy unfolds—an encircling dance of intelligence-led strikes aiming for a future beyond the tunnels and turmoil.
Dr. Don Clardy explores America’s aging triumphs and life expectancy crisis, revealing a complex tale of centenarians’ secrets, lifestyle choices, and systemic challenges.
In a critical moment for Central Bucks, Katherine Semisch’s op-ed confronts divisive issues in education, advocating for inclusive, effective schooling amid political turmoil, with the November election set as a pivotal turning point.
Swing voters in pivotal states reveal a growing preference for fresh, dynamic gubernatorial leaders over traditional figures like Trump and Biden, hinting at a transformative shift in America’s presidential landscape.
Only smartphones plus social media can explain the international collapse in the early 2010s.
Amidst an ongoing UAW strike and escalating industry concerns, the disparity between workers’ and CEO pay in traditional automakers collides with the looming shadow of Tesla’s cost efficiency and market dominance.
Are America’s democratic ideals being undermined by the very rules that were designed to protect them within Congress?
One-sided condemnation masks the true nature of war crimes; understanding the law behind the conflict reveals the depth of Hamas’s violations.
Michael J. Pomante II analyzes the maze of congressional accountability, dissecting the case of Rep. George Santos amidst allegations of scandals, lies, and criminal charges.
In the shadow of Col. Kit Carson’s 1864 strategy, Israel grapples with a historic decision: engage in a ground invasion or employ a patient siege against Hamas – which path holds the key to victory and international support?
From a Yeshiva’s celebration of Israel to confronting harsh realities at Hunter College, Charles Chakkalo journeys from staunch defense to understanding the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict, while recognizing the unequivocal nature of terror.
“Even if Biden were 20 years younger… they dread the prospect of a continuation of Democratic policies every bit as much, if not more.”
Barry D. Wood delves into the changing landscape of the US auto industry, contrasting Doug Fraser’s strategic union leadership during the industry’s 1982 crisis with today’s challenges of electric vehicles, CEO-worker wage disparities, and the current UAW president’s approach.
As Israel faces echoes of the Yom Kippur War’s surprise attack, the stakes are high, and the risks of a broader conflict involving major powers loom large. Will history repeat itself, or can we address the root causes to prevent future wars in the region?
In a tumultuous political landscape, Michael Smerconish delves into the Democrats’ decision regarding Kevin McCarthy, the looming shadow of Jim Jordan, and the potential for new alliances in Congress.
Amid rising dissatisfaction with the two-party system, can a third-party presidential contender truly change the course, or will it further deepen America’s political divide?
Directly after the impeachment inquiry announcement, Engagious dives into the real sentiments of swing voters: unveiling motivations, revealing suspicions, and the surprising age factor.
In a climate where trust in public institutions is plummeting, the latest congressional drama is just a symptom of a deeper democratic ailment – and it’s up to all of us to rebuild faith in our shared democratic ideals.
Unraveling the federal funding controversy for school hunting programs highlights the vital distinction between ‘weapons’ and safety education – underscoring the importance of clarity.
Inside the political quagmire: How Speaker McCarthy’s own party poses the greatest challenge to his leadership and the potential for a government shutdown looms.
The surge in virtual AI girlfriends is deepening a loneliness crisis among young men, threatening future relationships, birth rates, and the U.S. economy.
Dive into Rhys Williams’ expert analysis on the economic and political shifts toward 2024, as he uncovers the potential pitfalls and opportunities ahead, asserting, “the path to the White House leads through Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.”
Reactivating JFK’s MECEA could be the key to defusing escalating tensions with China, but can the bridge of cultural and educational exchange rebuild the trust between the world’s superpowers?
Venturing through Tampa Bay’s industries, Sean Schrader demystifies AI’s looming presence, revealing not a job-stealing menace but a tool primed for enhancing productivity and fostering undiscovered opportunities.
Fifty years after the Yom Kippur War, Israel and its neighbors stand at a crossroads; reflecting on past challenges and envisioning a shared path toward stability and prosperity.
In a world where sound bites often overshadow science, Dr. Len delves deep into the mask debate, highlighting the nuances and challenges of understanding COVID prevention in today’s information age.
In the midst of a bustling city, thousands in Philadelphia face a silent crisis of hunger; together, we can rewrite this narrative and forge a city where no child goes to bed on an empty stomach.
Inside the turbulent world of Texas politics, unravel the saga of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impending impeachment trial — is the GOP prioritizing the state’s welfare, or simply playing a high-stakes game of political chess?
In a candid reflection on Joe Biden’s presidency, Shanin Specter urges the Democratic party to embrace the inevitable: a rigorous primary could be the Democrats’ best hope against Trump in 2024.
Loneliness, as deadly as smoking or obesity, is a growing public health crisis—but simple, low-cost solutions like shared meals, volunteer programs, and community events could save lives
Air Force Veteran Matt Scherer highlights the sacrifices of American and Afghan allies, underscoring the urgent visa challenges threatening those who stood with our troops.
In a game of Monopoly skewed from the start, can Baby Bonds level the playing field for America’s children? Dive into the transformative power of this pioneering initiative.
Amidst rising legal discourse, prominent scholars argue the Constitution’s 14th Amendment disqualifies Trump from future office — but will the nation heed this constitutional clarion call?
In the hidden war against disinformation, Ukraine’s Cyber Police confront Russian bot farms spreading propaganda, revealing that the battle for truth is as crucial as the combat on the ground.
In an era of self-checkouts and automation, longtime cashier-customer bonds like the one between 83-year-old Marliss Myers and Albertsons’ Sharon Hechler show how small, warm interactions can combat loneliness and keep communities connected.
From the Smithsonian’s dark past to modern newsrooms, is our language around race really evolving, or are we still grappling with the same old biases?
Despite significant legislative achievements under President Biden, a surprising majority of swing voters remain unaware, potentially jeopardizing his re-election chances in a tight race.
As America’s faith in its democratic institutions teeters, are we on the brink of trading cherished liberties for empty promises and autocratic rule?
Facing the possibility of a second Trump presidency, Shanin Specter urges the nation to confront the risks of sidelining voters in favor of judicial decisions.
Facing a crossroads in our nation’s timeline, would you consider voting across party lines to uphold and safeguard the storied legacy of the U.S.?
Dive deep into the mind of entitlement, as a seasoned psychologist unpacks the criminal psyche and its implications on the controversial indictment of Donald Trump.
Erik Hoel argues that 2012 marked a profound cultural tipping point—ushering in the psychological, technological, and ideological landscape that now defines the modern world.
As political divides deepen, the once-untouchable public confidence in the military wanes; it’s time to rescue this vital institution from the clutches of partisan warfare.
How is President Erdogan’s recent pivot towards NATO, including actions supporting Ukraine and Sweden’s membership bids, reflecting a dramatic shift in Turkey’s relationship with Russia, and what does it mean for the delicate balance of power in the region?
In a post-pandemic educational crisis with declining enrollment and achievement, mass resignations, and divisive issues, Dr. Vincent F. Cotter examines the disconnects in the education system and calls for a unified approach to stabilize and grow schools.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to end race-conscious admissions, Dr. Benedict I. Truman examines the implications for higher education, highlighting concerns about interracial competition, social justice, and the broader impact on economic and racial equality in America.
In the landmark criminal case against Donald Trump, legal expert Miles Zaremski examines the critical issue of televising the trial, arguing that public access may be vital for restoring faith in American democracy.
To defend America against those who would exploit our social disconnection, we need to rebuild our communities.
From the Space Shuttle to the Titan submersible, Scott Jackson probes the hidden assumptions behind some of history’s most devastating technological failures, and asks whether engineers are truly asking the right questions about risk.
Unveiling the landmark shift in military justice: Will replacing commanders with Special Prosecutors in sexual assault trials challenge perceptions of a flawed system?
Discover the alchemy of judgment in pivotal decision-making moments, as author Chris Mailander reveals lessons from his journey from law student to advisor for multinational corporations.
How utilizing university endowments and increasing government funding to public schools could revolutionize higher education, making it more accessible and affordable for all.
How do perceptions of the American Dream vary among Trump-to-Biden swing voters, and what does this reveal about concerns on wealth inequality, education costs, and the future?
Journey through a war-torn landscape: iconic activist singer Joan Baez and her team navigate the frontlines of Ukraine’s struggle, uniting in song and solidarity with the resilient children bearing the brunt of the conflict.
Are we ready to challenge the binary view on transgender athletes? Professor Michael Grant explores complex genetic factors and advocates for a more nuanced approach to sporting fairness.
Journey with television writer Cort Casady as he grapples with the skyrocketing costs of college education and explores the complex world of student debt forgiveness.
In the wake of Jason Aldean’s controversial music video, one Tennessean explores the impact of art against the backdrop of historic racial tension in Columbia, Tennessee – a town no stranger to struggles of its own.
In the shadow of an impending AI revolution, Joan Juliet Buck paints a grim reality for Hollywood’s actors and writers, who stand against mega-rich CEOs in a struggle reminiscent of Fritz Lang’s 1927 Metropolis.
Delving deep into the ongoing Adderall shortage and its ties to the pandemic, psychiatrist Dr. Moldawsky provides a take on telepsychiatry, the risks of overdiagnosis, and the ethical dilemmas within online ADHD treatment.
Explore how Trump’s leadership parallels the false idol in the epic 1956 film, The Ten Commandments, amid his myriad legal battles and threats to our democracy.
Cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa investigates how online communities spur the radicalization of young men, amplifying mass shootings, and advocates for healthier societal communication structures.
Delving into the controversy of arming Ukraine with cluster munitions, unravel the United States’ rationale behind its stand on the weapon, balancing military necessity with humanity, and the necessity for ensuring moral responsibility in wielding such devastating power.
Could social media’s information deluge and the rise of biased media be fueling America’s increasingly extreme social, economic, and political divisions, and if so, how can we regain a united front?
Join a business student’s journey from Florida beach cleanup to UN Forum, as he redefines sustainability, highlights the power of small changes, and advocates collective action for sustainable development.
Could lab-grown meat, touted as a climate-friendly alternative, actually pose a higher environmental impact than traditional animal farming as suggested by a scientist-turned-rancher?
The Supreme Court’s recent decision against affirmative action in college admissions sends shockwaves through DEI initiatives in the workplace, potentially fueling an increase in reverse discrimination lawsuits, as cautioned by employment attorney Lou Pechman.
We’re left with a catch-22, where cities and citizens are locked in a relentless cycle of being forced to accept the unacceptable. By now, it’s clear that homelessness will never solve itself. So here’s a proposal, one that requires national will and investment…
Despite top readiness rankings, the U.S.’s calamitous COVID-19 response, marked by misinformation, inadequate resources, and poor leadership, raises a grim question – are we equipped for the next health crisis?
Unraveling the social divide between our tribes through the uniting power of music, explore how the shared human experiences echo in the lyrics of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car.’
Discover former NFL running back Femi Ayanbadejo’s inspiring journey from trauma to NFL stardom, entrepreneurship, and resilience, showcasing how personal trials can fuel growth and bring out the ‘badass’ within.
Discover the Hollywood sign’s centennial journey from a real estate ad to an enduring symbol of the entertainment industry’s evolution, global reach, and commitment to inclusivity.
Stanford-trained psychiatrist David Brody unpacks the truth behind the recent Adderall shortage, debunking misleading media narratives and revealing the impact of the pandemic and the untapped demand surfaced by telepsychiatry.
Harris, a seasoned psychologist, tackles the nuanced complexity of homelessness, challenging the ‘common sense’ solutions frequently debated in our courts and media.
Dr. Benedict I. Truman, a renowned epidemiologist and CDC veteran, offers an insightful roadmap to a more effective public health response against COVID-19 and future infectious diseases.
Braving the social and racial complexities of America, a filmmaker premieres his provocative documentary in a small Mississippi town, sparking a nationwide dialogue about white guilt.
Amidst the Ukraine crisis, China’s diplomatic role is under scrutiny; Paul Webster Hare investigates China’s potential as a mediator and the necessity of its global influence for a balanced world order.
Delve into the complexities of legacy admissions in elite private schools, financial factors, and possible alternatives for a fairer admissions process.
Is it time for a New Governing Charter in the U.S.? Eric Lindner proposes an audacious overhaul of the Constitution led by respected, non-political leaders.
Explore the blurred boundaries between the media’s portrayal of crime and your perception of reality, revealing the influence of your favorite crime dramas, news broadcasts, and video games on your worldview.
Exploring the evolving sentiments of swing voters, Engagious delves into the rise of skepticism and disappointment in President Biden’s performance, despite initial optimism, based on in-depth focus group studies.
“We cannot meet his needs; he cannot come back,” a chilling voice message left by a med technician on my phone, starkly unveiling the harsh reality of evictions in adult care homes for dementia patients.
Carl Grantley’s sequel in his gun control series offers pointed responses to popular assertions and promotes strategies that balance violence concerns with the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Explore the intricate relationship between energy generation, population growth, and climate change, and unravel the complexities of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable sources in our quest for a sustainable future.
With a level playing field, overseen by true democracy and a nudge towards better understanding our fellow citizens, we could put this nation on a hopeful path…
As the climate crisis turns from distant concept to our lived reality, the impact of human activity, from driving violent storms to escalating wildfires, can no longer be ignored.
AI should not be viewed as a replacement but rather as a companion to the doctor, making doctors more efficient and allowing healthcare workers to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time actually connecting with patients.
Amid labor negotiations and potential disruptions, an airline captain provides an insider view on the airline industry, illuminating the complexities behind common concerns.
Diagnosed with autism at 60, a successful executive pushes back against stereotypes, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of a condition that, far from a deficit, can equip individuals with extraordinary abilities.
The Supreme Court seems poised to end Affirmative Action in college admissions, and perhaps beyond. But, asks Michael Smerconish, is the problem of racial disparity in America any closer to being solved?
An immigrant from Sierra Leone offers a novel solution to the U.S. immigration crisis, envisioning immigrants revitalizing the American manufacturing sector through their hardworking ethos.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Dr. James Magner, a physician and scientist, shares a reading list that has changed his life profoundly; books that helped him navigate challenging times.
Big Tech’s unchecked power, ethical oversights, and diminishing safety protocols are threatening democracy and individual freedoms, as revealed by cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa.
Brent Sadler, a former Navy officer and Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, proposes using ‘naval statecraft’ to manage U.S.-China tensions, advocating action over dialogue to maintain U.S. interests in Asia.
“‘Our children are swimming around in a toxic soup,’ said RFK Jr. to Michael Smerconish on June 5th, 2023. RFK Jr. might have a lot of controversial opinions, but this statement is not.” Says Kaitlyn Pany, a high school junior with a passion for the impacts of environmental toxins on the human body.
A former high-ranking government official shares his shocking experience of reading the federal indictment unsealed against former President Trump, revealing the mishandling of classified information, and raising questions about national security and justice.
What if we conducted a nationwide referendum, under Congress’s guidance, to shape gun control legislation based on public consensus and potentially resolve the polarized gun debate?
Reflecting on his past belief that American voters wouldn’t tolerate political transgressions, German media correspondent, Peter DeThier now acknowledges a shift in norms, with behaviors once seen as disqualifying being accepted and even celebrated.
The White House’s plan to combat Antisemitism falls short in effectively addressing the issue, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of partnerships, responsible handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, combating online hate speech, investing in education, and ensuring accountability.
In this exploration of the relocation of CRT books in a Miami-Dade County elementary school, educator Kathleen Butterly Nigro reflects on the necessity of confronting historical truths, promoting diversity, and fostering a more inclusive, comprehensive understanding of American history in our educational systems.
Bohrer underscores that combating hate speech necessitates a comprehensive strategy, including education, legal measures, media policies, victim support, and more, while cautioning against responding to hate with further hate.
When Marjorie Taylor Greene equates the term ‘white supremacist’ to the N-word, she exhibits a fundamental misunderstanding of power dynamics, as such an insult, while offensive, doesn’t diminish her power, unlike the historically abusive context of the slur.
It seems the world gradually edging towards a new Cold War era driven by rising tensions among nuclear nations and escalating weapons development, with around 12,700 global nuclear warheads reported by the end of 2022.
Delve into a balanced examination of common gun-control assertions, offering responses that challenge popular views and suggest that given America’s unique history and firearm prevalence, gun ownership may be a rational decision for many individuals.
The declining competence in US history and civics among eighth graders could be tackled by integrating local and familial history into education, a hypothesis James Magner, MD, tests through a reading and assessment experiment.
In potential 2024 presidential match-ups, key swing voters currently give a narrow edge to the Democrats, regardless of the candidates, but their mixed feelings towards all possible contenders signal the possibility of another tightly contested election.
With automakers removing AM radios from cars, there’s a bipartisan effort to save the century-old technology. If it goes away, will conservative talk radio lose its power? No, says Michael Smerconish, “it will just be found on different platforms.”
The importance of maintaining and rebalancing the U.S.-China relationship cannot be overstated, particularly within the consulting industry, as it plays a pivotal role in formulating constructive engagement strategies that safeguard commercial exchange and avert the possibility of a cold war.
Revising Section 230 could make Big Tech, operating as ad-driven media, accountable for election misinformation, enhancing media competitiveness and potentially improving democratic trust.
Companies implementing diversity goals to address racial and gender inequalities are facing legal challenges, as some white male applicants claim reverse discrimination in high-profile lawsuits, raising concerns about potential conflicts between DEI initiatives and EEO laws.
The debt ceiling deadlock between Speaker McCarthy and President Biden highlights the need for politicians to prioritize compromise and statesmanship over ideological differences to prevent economic disaster and advance the nation.
Trump and DeSantis appear at dueling rallies, but combined, they could form a stronger ticket against Biden and Harris despite potential complications due to residing in the same state.
In an era of DeepFakes and misinformation, the “Liar’s Dividend” threatens to erode the public’s ability to discern truth from fiction, making it crucial for society to implement detection technologies.
In the case of Matt Araiza, a former football player who was unjustly accused, the spotlight is cast on the stark contrast in media coverage when it comes to innocence and the dire need for fair judgment.
Discover the urgent need for improved dementia care training and its impact on patients and caregivers, as one woman shares her husband’s harrowing experience in the hands of an insensitive medical professional.
Tennessee Republicans’ attempt to expel three Democratic legislators backfired, propelling them to national prominence and inadvertently energizing their fight for gun reform that’s needed now more than ever.
Israel’s 75th anniversary marks a momentous occasion, celebrating the nation’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to democracy and human rights despite numerous challenges faced since its founding in 1948.
King Charles’ coronation will break tradition by featuring mixed-gender choirs, but research shows that boys-only groups help young men challenge traditional gender norms by promoting emotional expression.
Born into a newspaper family, Emmy award-winning writer and producer Cort Casady emphasizes the importance of local papers that continue to shape the heart and soul of communities, despite the challenges they face in today’s digital age.
This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, it has never been so crucial to acknowledge the complexity, address the systemic barriers, and amplify the lived experiences that will aid the 1 in 5 adults in the US that struggle every day.
The collapse of SVB reveals that the changing nature of contagion in today’s world, where social media, smartphones, and financial technology have become catalysts for contagion, questions the idea of small-enough-to-fail banks.
Now that President Biden officially declared his run for a second term, now more than ever, we need to acknowledge how outdated notions about age and retirement can be harmful and why we need to reimagine work, retirement, and aging in 21st-century America.
CDC data shows that in 2021 nearly one-third of U.S. high school girls seriously considered attempting suicide, highlighting a growing mental health crisis.
While last month’s CPI report showed positive results, rising shelter prices continue to shake up the housing market. What’s keeping home prices so high and causing first-time homebuyers to face so many challenges in our current real estate landscape?
In light of lingering questions about American democracy post-2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection, Philadelphia proposes a chief democracy officer to address voting barriers, increase turnout, ensure fairness, and offer nonpartisan voter education. Will other cities follow suit?
Discover how 14 Pennsylvania swing voters react to the powerful AI tool ChatGPT, as they weigh its potential benefits against the risks it poses to the job market.
The arrest of a former U.S. President highlights the importance of due process, while thousands of wrongfully convicted individuals face misconduct or fabrication of evidence by police and prosecutors.
Michelle Obama’s immense popularity has positioned her as a leading choice for Democrats if Biden opts out of the 2024 race. But questions have been raised about the former First Lady’s qualifications and whether her popularity alone can sufficiently equip her to govern a nation.
Serving as a blueprint for navigating high-profile civil cases, there are critical lessons from the Dominion v Fox litigation in the importance of public disclosure, remediation, and accountability, as well as the potential drawbacks of large monetary settlements.
A powerful coalition is forming, including medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and women, in response to efforts to restrict reproductive choices in America, emphasizing the potential for significant change through this united front.
Sara Sweet shares her story of losing her father in the Oklahoma City Bombing and emphasizes the importance of empowering youth to prevent violence and combating its normalization through community involvement.
A Fox News defeat in the Dominion libel showdown could send shockwaves through mainstream media, igniting a surge in libel cases and thrusting government control over journalism standards.
The use of unofficial chat apps in the military can inadvertently lead to radicalization, highlighting the need for healthy connections and mentorships for young men.
Uncover the intricate reality behind the Pentagon’s leaked documents, a shadowy realm of Discord servers, and the boundaries of cybersecurity amid an era of extremism and complacency.
Utah is tackling the teen mental health crisis by introducing groundbreaking legislation aimed at regulating social media and protecting vulnerable youth. Will other states follow suit?
Despite being a reluctant gun owner, Dr. Don Clardy highlights the urgent need for stricter gun laws as mass shootings and gun violence continue to shatter lives and devastate communities across America.
The Fair Chance Housing Ordinance seeks justice by combating rental discrimination, fostering safer communities, and supporting families amidst high incarceration rates and changing court rulings on housing access.
Amid escalating tensions, President Tsai’s visit to the U.S. sparks swift retaliation and military exercises from China, while also exposing divisions within Taiwan’s political landscape and foreshadowing the upcoming presidential election’s potential impact on regional stability.
How can we address the privacy and security risks posed by TikTok and similar apps from adversarial countries, without causing government overreach and ensuring the protection of internet freedom?
Discover the hidden risks and regulatory shortcomings in the banking industry revealed by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank. Are more multi-billion-dollar bank failures on the horizon?
Could blanket primaries, as opposed to traditional primaries that bolster extremes and reduce the sway of moderate voters, address the decline of ideological diversity in the American political landscape?
Unearth the timeless charm of the Masters golf tournament amidst the chaos of the modern golf world in this article that transports you to the heart of Augusta National, where tradition meets the challenges of a changing sport.
Uncover the power of the Software Bill of Materials in the battle against the relentless surge of cybercrime as they detect hidden vulnerabilities within the software supply chain to fortify against cunning cybercriminals.
Landmines severely threaten Ukraine’s agriculture and global food supply, but former Green Beret Ryan Hendrickson’s charity work to clear mines is benefiting farmers and helping prevent famine in various countries.
Will the new Israeli government’s policies spell trouble for the Abraham Accords? Despite the strategic, economic, and geopolitical logic that brought UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco into formal relations with Israel, recent tensions could signal a change in the intensity of these relationships.
Discover how promoting advance directives, a powerful tool for individual choice in end-of-life care, could potentially save billions of dollars in healthcare costs without sacrificing patient autonomy or quality of care.
There have been 130 mass shootings in the US so far this year, including the tragic Nashville massacre that killed six. Could sensible gun regulation bring change by holding the gun industry accountable for safety instead of profits?
The Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy suggests that sore loser laws could prevent Trump from running as an independent or third-party, but further examination of state regulations reveals potential leniency for the former Commander-in-Chief.
The shift towards for-profit healthcare corporations has focused on maximizing profits rather than patient care. But what are the tactics leading to inadequate patient care, escalating healthcare costs, and preventable deaths?
After the SVB and Signature Bank collapse, mortgage rates dipped while housing starts increased. Though recent data suggest some cautious optimism, housing analysts fear a resurgence in home-buying competition could give all-cash buyers the upper hand.
Declining youth mental health, coupled with its potential link to persistent social media use, begs the question: what can be done to protect teens’ well-being?
In a focus group with Wisconsin swing voters, Engagious prompted questions about tying childcare to the Chips Act, which aims to reduce US reliance on other countries for technology inputs. Within the discussions, they uncovered a familiar trend seen in Americans known as “silo” mindsets.
Recognizing the difference between unhappiness and disobedience has never been so crucial as last month, the CDC revealed that 42% of high school students reported experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness, and 22% seriously considered suicide. Our children are screaming at us that they need help.
Former President Trump could be indicted and arrested in New York County as early as this week. Weighty constitutional issues arise with charging a former president and a presidential candidate. There are also issues that do not implicate the constitution, but are equally compelling. Like: should Trump smile for a mugshot?
Russia’s war in Ukraine is ratcheting up in its 13th month, but the GOP is peeling away from supporting Ukraine. Where is this heading?
St. Patrick’s Day is as much, if not more, an Irish-American holiday as it is Irish. While the day was observed as a holy day in Ireland for centuries, it evolved into the iconic event and celebration that we know today in America, not Ireland.
Although confinement-based trauma is well-studied and acknowledged, meaningful treatments for these conditions have become back-burner issues for prisoners.
The Federal Reserve’s efforts to curb inflation might bring a subtle relief in lowering gas and food prices, but for homebuyers and renters, it may be too little too late.
Engagious conducted focus groups with 14 uncommitted Republican and right-leaning Independent respondents to uncover what happens when tough-on-crime meets conservative populism.
If charged for the Stormy Daniels case, Trump would become the first former President to be indicted, but would it slow his current presidential quest?
Two men linked to Michigan universities were arrested for handgun violations. Despite the law appearing to function and offenders being apprehended, the punishment does not always fit the crime.
While it is understandable that schools may want to compare themselves to others with similar demographics and challenges, at what point is it acceptable to be satisfied with mediocrity, let alone failure?
Before you grab a bottle of vitamins off the shelf, know that supplements are not required to undergo testing to ensure their safety before being sold and often contain inaccurately labeled ingredients. So how can you navigate the supplement aisle safely?
The origins of COVID-19 have been a point of contention since the beginning of the pandemic. However, have these recent news stories actually brought forth any new information on the topic?
On February 27, 2023, the Smerconish.com Poll question asked, “Should newspapers drop the Dilbert cartoon?” The situation
Despite the perception of deep divides in American schooling on subjects like critical race theory and parental oversight, most Americans actually agree on practical education. While partisan differences do exist, recognizing this shared consensus can provide a governing agenda for K-12 education.
For years, and by years I mean decades, we have been hearing that the answer to the crisis in the Middle East is to create a two-state solution by dividing Israel into Jewish and Palestinian sovereign nations. While those words sound like a good idea to many, the practical matter is that it’s more fiction than ‘Die Hard 8’ might be.
Ott partnered with the newly famous and (possibly) soon-to-be infamous Artificially Intelligent text generator ChatGPT to develop a comprehensive guide on how to call into the Michael Smerconish Program.
While there are some unintended consequences and pitfalls of bail reform, overall, the system is offering valuable insights into the criminal justice system.
It’s difficult to overstate how traumatic this past year has been for the kids of Ukraine — and the impact of the war on these children is already posing a serious threat to the country’s future.
This February, the Washington Post published an op-ed by seasoned national security observer David Ignatius. However, according to a former professor of national security studies, Ignatius’ insights about “the spy business and life” are misleading.
Long-term earthquake plans are crucial for saving survivors but are missing in countries like Turkey and Syria that require international assistance to implement such emergency protocols.
Since the Great Recession, the Republican Party has failed to attract young voters, and contrary to the common belief, younger generations are not becoming more conservative as they age but remain liberal or become more liberal.
Those old enough to remember the Carter administration are as likely to recall stagflation, gasoline price hikes, and the Iran hostage crisis as the Middle East peace accord Carter brokered at Camp David or his forward-thinking environmental policies. Yet with the perspective of time, it is now clear that President Carter was a gifted leader.
More than 60% of young men in America are single—nearly twice the rate of young women—reflecting a growing crisis of male social isolation.
Few of us would put diplomacy in the same category as climate issues or global pandemics as something that affects our daily lives. It is, after all, something that the world has done for centuries, largely away from the glare of international public opinion. So why does diplomacy need now to catch up with the world?
OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, and other Large Language Models (LLMs) have been all the rage for the past few months. However, one of its most deeply concerning aspects is that I got it to lie to me willfully.
We played a two-minute snippet during a pair of Swing Voter Project focus groups where Biden railed against “junk fees.” We wanted to know what these Trump-to-Biden voters thought of his advocacy for the Junk Fee Prevention Act.
You might remember that I was critical of Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor during his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Now comes the news that the junior Senator from Pennsylvania admitted himself to a center for treatment of clinical depression. We need a role model right now. Here’s hoping he fills that bill.
We might wonder why this is such a big deal since we were previously aware that the Chinese Government has satellite assets that continuously monitor the U.S. and much of the free world. The answer is fairly simple…
We need to realize that Silicon Valley is akin to the tobacco business. They are producing an addictive product that is hurting people, and they know it.
It is now beyond any debate that this ersatz congressman is a walking fraud. But beyond the sensational story of how he lied his way into public office, there are larger takeaways.
We must reimagine 21st-century life where 75 plus marks a robust time of engagement and work. We cannot sacrifice the momentum critical to achieving our society’s healthy aging goals to pessimistic, regressive notions of what getting old is “like.”
While we remain mired in debates, many school districts have taken proactive steps in developing and coordinating programs in concert with local parents, psychologists, and EAPs (employee assistance programs) for dealing with the immediate impact of a school shooting.
CNN senior legal analyst and nationally bestselling author Elie Honig explores America’s two-tier justice system, explaining how the rich, the famous, and the powerful— including, most notoriously, Donald Trump—manipulate the legal system to escape justice and get away with vast misdeeds.
We view health and weight as an individual problem or responsibility rather than a societal one. And while I agree that there is a substantial individual component to health, what is severely lacking from the mainstream conversation around obesity is the issue of health equity.
In a video, former president Trump outlined radical proposals to withhold funding for states that support CRT, protect religious freedom, and bar trans athletes from sports. But these face little chance of becoming policy; even if Trump could secure reelection, he would soon discover that the federal government has minimal authority and oversight over American public education.
After ChatGPT prompted panic across the educational community, FlexSchool’s leadership team chose to do what we do with any new policy discussion: we took it to the neurodiverse, gifted, and twice-exceptional students to gain their unique perspectives.
Michael’s dinner with ex-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, where the two discussed the Bush Administration, foreign policy, Osama bin Laden, and America’s then-perception of Pakistan.
Against the backdrop of an economy steadily emerging from three years of pandemic-induced turmoil, House Republicans sit with their finger on the trigger of a nuclear bomb, as chief economist Mark Zandi warned that a failure by Congress to raise the debt ceiling on a timely basis could have disastrous consequences.
If an all-out cyberwar were to commence tomorrow in the United States, the attackers would have some ripe and possibly easy-to-hit targets that would not only disrupt our lives but also throw our society and economy into chaos.
At the most fundamental level, our national security secrecy system is about knowledge. If the targets of our information collection learn how we acquire it, they may be able to block our future access.
The most recent attacks on CRT and DEI are situating politicians as capable of defining what counts as “academically valuable.” Academics should work to reject the current frames on the discourse regarding DEI in higher education and consider a better, proactive strategy.
America, the Corporate World, and every one of us is at risk. This may sound ominous, but it’s true and the main reason to remember the following philosophy: Never Trust; Always Verify.
Engaging in discourse is essential to a functioning democracy. If you spend little time consuming political media that differs from your own viewpoints, maybe consider joining a Junto!
Despite fracking’s growing prominence in America’s energy portfolio, critics’ concerns over the health, environmental, and social costs of the practice reached a critical juncture in one of the leading natural gas producers in the country.
The sudden cardiac arrest suffered by Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, may be uncommon for fans to witness during a live event, but it can happen to many young, healthy-appearing athletes.
A controversial proposal that could affect millions of American workers is splitting a group of swing voters we focus grouped this January.
What might aliens think of our way of life? This abstract op-ed by Timothy Philen explores that age-old question and more themes through the eyes of a young extraterrestrial who is sent to Earth to be “scared straight.”
If communication is key, then the Democrats have a lot of work to do in ensuring that their messages are reaching the American people loud and clear.
An NHL defenseman is under fire because he’s uncomfortable with those who “play for the other team,” but did he deserve to be benched? As is often the case, the facts here are straightforward, but the issue is complicated.
Let’s face it, no matter who uses the word “Obamacare,” it is not a “neutral” term. It is not devoid of politics. The same would have been true if Democrats or the media had personalized the healthcare law and named it “Trumpcare” during the Trump administration.
Fifty years ago, most Americans chose to affiliate with a party. Today, the largest and fastest-growing segment of the electorate are independents, a fact that officials would be reckless to overlook.
When we look at Brazil, it feels like we are looking through a window at the history of Latin America. The juntas, coups, assassinations, and authoritarian rulers trampling nascent democratic institutions… but this time, it is not a window we are looking through, but rather a mirror reflecting back on ourselves.
Why doesn’t legalized MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) work for those who rationally choose to end life earlier rather than accept a prolonged experience devoid of dignity? Currently, ten states and Washington D. C. allow ending life with medical assistance. But all is not as it might appear as the laws are written.
It seems many people are shocked that Bryan Kohberger – the alleged killer of four University of Idaho Students– was a graduate student in criminology. Well, I am not that shocked, and if you polled New York City cops, I’m sure many of them would not be either.
For years, cybersecurity experts have been warning that the technological infrastructure in the United States is seriously at risk. Now the FAA just showed us that consistency in the government’s technological infrastructure has serious issues that are years overdue for fixing. And while that may not be the end of the world, it could have a serious impact on millions of people.
Those are the words of Lanny Davis, the Clinton confidante and crisis manager, who wrote a whole book called Truth to Tell on how to handle a public crisis. Davis’ advice is the exact opposite of the approach of the Biden White House to date around the discovery of classified documents in his possession.
The man who fatally shot 13-year-old Karon Blake shortly before 4 a.m. reportedly believed someone was breaking into cars and shot Blake to defend those vehicles from theft. Is the shooter likely to be able to claim defense of those cars as a justification for the shooting?
The Smerconish.com editor gives some context to her circus past, answers some of the most common questions about tightwire walking, and hopes she still has a job at the end of the day.
Since the New York Times broke the story about the fictitious Santos resume on December 19, almost all of the news coverage and statements by politicians have focused on how to punish Santos: Should Santos resign? Should there be an ethics investigation? A criminal indictment? Should he be expelled?
We have all heard this before, but it certainly applies to California’s seemingly intractable issue of reducing homelessness. Cities are being overrun, many millions are spent, and yet the numbers grow. Why? The issue is a complex societal issue dating back decades as the family unit started failing. It has gotten even more complicated in the 21st Century.
On December 15th, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Representative Troy E. Nehls (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Trucker Bathroom Access Act. It just seems like basic human decency to me. Why did I have to wait 35 years for something like this?
While the AHRQ just released a report with a takeaway that millions of Americans suffer each year due to “misdiagnosis,” the role of the ED is not to give you a clean bill of health…
If you can walk in off the street, so too should a camera be able to film. That goes for local township building, city hall, school board meeting, state legislature, courtroom, and the Supreme Court of the United States. . .and without any limitation as to camera angle. Whatever the naked eye can see, so too should cameras at public meetings.
Admiral James Stavridis offers ideas on how America can overcome its deep political divisions and global challenges.
If we follow the plain text and the historical context at the time of the Constitution, a professor of English or history would be as qualified as any attorney to interpret the plain text of the Constitution and understand the nation’s history at its founding.
For all of the angst and revelation of the lies and overstatements of George Santos, all of us have to realize that he is a symptom of the problem. A high-profile exhibit.
This may be the first time in history that a mountain lion took over the internet. Yet perhaps the question many of those not already in the P-22 fan club are asking is, why would the world mourn a mountain lion?
With an excess of available jobs and not enough qualified candidates, those left to do the work have been given increased responsibilities and not always an equal bump in compensation. However, even if the money is put on the table, employees push back and say no… because they can.
Although the First Amendment protects our right to free speech, there is no unalienable right to deceive. Free speech does not mean freedom from responsibility, and for any that attempts to use the shield of unnecessary censorship in the advancement of falsehood, that pretext needs to be stopped in its tracks. Free speech does not mean freedom from the obligation to speak the truth.
As the new year dawns, many of us who live or work in a big city are looking for just a scrap of progress. But for those yearning for more radical change — a year 2050 real-life utopia — check out Singapore, as our family did for a week in December.
Studies show that 91% of us won’t achieve our New Year’s resolution. How do you break the cycle? How can you become one of the 9% of successful goal achievers who do consistently well?
As Charles Darwin argued, the species that survive are those most responsive to change. In the spirit of that hopeful idea, I list here my simple Resolve Model for anyone who might wish to try personal resolve and commitments in helping alter aspects of their life in a new Era.
Red and Blue America Can’t Divorce, But We Can Settle for a More Permanent Separation.
A poetic exclusive: “I awoke one morning to the shadows reflected on the wall from my curtains… and then I remembered Ukraine.”
While the US has the best doctors and hospitals in the world, many Americans cannot afford to access the advances of modern medicine because of a lack of basic health insurance. The United States is the only nation in the world that does not provide health coverage for all its citizens… and our health is suffering because of this.
The Fabelmans (2022) gives us a new take on a cliché message “Do what makes you happy,” but at what cost? This movie shows us the power of film on and off the screen and how filmmakers can pour their hearts into their art.
On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the “PACT” Act into law which, among other regulations, allows a veteran to have a telephonic disability hearing before a Veterans Law Judge… but what if the veteran cannot afford a smartphone or a computer?
When the site was launched, I commemorated the event by doing a Smerconish.com post on “Twenty of the Best Opening Lines of 2020”. A year later, I followed up with a similar list for 2021. This marks my third compilation of the best opening lines of the year, and I’m hoping to make this an annual tradition. Let’s jump right in.
Yes, there is an effective policy for eliminating nearly all senseless mass shooting events while preserving Second Amendment rights. Staring us in the face is the policy solution that would fit with American practices. It’s just a matter of political will.
It’s off to the races in Kentucky. No, not the horse races, which Kentucky is famous for, but the race for the Republican candidate for Governor. There are currently eleven candidates in the race. But there is one “long shot” with big odds that may pay off in a big way. His name is Alan Keck.
What if we told you that being a sports fan is good for you, good for others, and good for society?
What is it going to take for us to courageously use our common sense, our sense of decency, the innate sense of our humanity, and take action needed to stop mass shootings?
The more we learn about Paul Pelosi on the night he was attacked, the more impressive becomes the picture of his response. Not that it will silence the conspiracists — but maybe more public disclosure could.
While the number of Americans identifying as Christian has been declining, reports that a slight majority now support acceptance of homosexuality. While white evangelicals are still the largest group that openly opposes LGBTQ+ behavior, the shocking news is that 66% of these individuals now support protecting their legal rights.
To its future recruits, the U.S. Navy promises adventure and the opportunity to visit exotic ports worldwide. But it’s failing its sailors who want to leave after military service. Two former sailors, participants in my non-profit, demonstrate how the Navy could have better helped them with their transition to new opportunities after their service.
This year’s students were challenged to write an essay answering the question; “Should the Constitution be interpreted based on a literal reading of the document’s original text (“originalism”) or viewed in the context of our nation’s evolving social, scientific and other changes since the time when it was written (a “living constitution”) and why?”
We must focus our approach on what has been often referred to as “American Excellence.” In this case, that refers to the use of technology to approach the issue of mass shootings from schools, concerts, and other highly attended venues.
As social media sites came to fruition, the idea of providing users with an emotional support structure by linking them to their closest friends faltered and devolved. Why? The answer is multifaceted, but at its core, it’s simply this: some people just suck.
There have been many questions surrounding Artemis, which includes all of NASA’s human and robotic missions to the Moon in the 21st century. I want to provide a NASA flight director’s perspective on what the Artemis human spaceflight missions are about and why we are undertaking the most complex human space exploration missions in history.
Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema just announced a change in her party registration from Democratic to Independent. She’s got lots of company.
A bachelor’s degree is a reliable route to a well-paying job, but it is not the only pathway. In fact, as concerns grow about the affordability of a college degree and the labor market remains tight, middle skills credentials represent good alternatives that often pay off for workers.
With new legislative sessions starting around the country next year, there’s an opportunity to reset the debate on election reform.
Ghosting in the workplace is an ever-growing concern for employers. The number of candidates who don’t show up to scheduled interviews, don’t arrive on the first day of work, or quit without providing any notice continues to increase.
Prediction markets, like any markets, are real-time aggregators of information. Not just of raw data but of overlaid analysis, tinged – for better or worse – with intuition and emotion.
Against widespread election denialism, a new and possibly more serious threat to our representative democracy looms, and it is being played out before the U.S. Supreme Court: Moore v. Harper.
Here in Manhattan, mayor Eric Adams is under attack for his approach to what we’ve come to call homelessness. This week the mayor announced the city would begin hospitalizing more of the population that is in “psychiatric crisis.” In reading the new directive, I was surprised by how little of a policy shift it should represent.
Given today’s current politically polarized society, golf allows two people the chance to talk things through. Golf is more than a game; it’s a regulated platform, more personal and, I’d argue, miles more effective than social media. It’s a vehicle, if not for solving problems, at least for a beginning.
Those who want to overthrow a tyrannical government better have enough firepower to win because prosecutors won’t have sympathy with their patriotism or interpretation of the intent of the 2nd Amendment.
We need some distance, some sobriety, to see the discourse clearly, and ask a few simple questions: Why is this dinner, attended by a proven New White Nationalist, joined by guests who themselves are New White Nationalists, to talk about their New White Nationalist ideas, a story at all?
A Florida woman is suing Kraft Heinz for allegedly misleading advertising based on the time the box says it takes to microwave a cup of macaroni and cheese.
There’s a constitutional void that must be addressed. All major press/media, networks, print, and even US-based social media need to identify and expose the anti-constitutional actions and consequences of those actions.
There are many reasons that drivers are getting progressively worse. We have become reliant on technology. Mostly though, we just aren’t paying attention.
No amount of carnage — even involving kids — will give politicians the willingness to address a uniquely American problem. We aren’t inherently more violent than the rest of the planet, nor do we have a monopoly on mental health problems here in the United States. Our kids are not the only ones to watch movies and play violent video games. What sets us apart is the access to and inventory of guns.
Thanksgiving is a reminder that there’s more that unites us as Americans than divides us. We don’t believe families should avoid politics when they get together over the holidays. After all, if we can’t discuss important issues with our loved ones, how can we expect our leaders to work together?
Independent voters just obliterated the condescending stereotypes that they are apathetic and uninformed. They rejected the politics of extreme partisanship, election denial, and disinformation. They voted for candidates, not parties. They stood up for leadership, action over rhetoric, and democratic values.
Assurances by our political leaders, election officials, voting machine companies, and major news organizations that voter fraud is virtually nonexistent, fall on deaf ears to those persons inclined to “believe” this widespread conspiracy theory.
While having things stay the same is comfortable, unfortunately, keeping things the same is neither the nature nor the path of our existence. That is why, when it comes to change, the first thing that must happen is acceptance.
Even before his announcement on November 15. the media –both red and blue– have accepted that Trump is actively running to be the Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential election…. but he isn’t.
It sounds so great: “Stuck in the Middle with You.” The problem, maybe my problem, is that it’s hard to know where the middle is of almost anything.
While Congressional Republicans have expressed interest in investigating Hunter Biden, Anthony Fauci, the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago, and the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the latest focus group conducted by the Swing Voter Project made it clear that voters aren’t interested in political investigations that don’t focus on the issues that matter most to them.
Lynda ran to the cry. “Oh. My. God.” She exclaimed. You know that whatever is going to follow that opening is rarely good news. I walked into the living room. She didn’t even give me a chance to ask, but just pointed toward the baseboard.
On Friday night, the Arizona Senate race was called for Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly. As for Donald Trump’s reaction on Truth Social? “This is a scam and voter fraud. . .”
What seemed unimaginable to many Jews in the American Diaspora just a few years ago has now become a living reality, and for some a nightmare. Incidents against the Jewish community occur daily. What seemed to happen only in other parts of the world is taking place right here in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.
HIPAA regulations would imply a sense of duty for the patients they protect, but recent deficiencies have been observed by veterans– including former US Navy civilian Nurse Kathy Pokorny when these procedures failed her late son and Army Special Force Soldier, James.
To be clear, Twitter itself could live on for years as a website and app people can visit and use. What will die were the intentions of well-minded people trying to make Twitter into something it could never be; a place for open, honest, intelligent, and rational discussion or debate. If Twitter were a horse, Musk just shot it in the leg with a rather large gun.
The weapon of choice in this war – words. The devastation caused by this weapon of mass destruction – incalculable.
For months now, the Governors of the Federal Reserve have insisted that they would not be deterred from raising interest rates until there is strong evidence that inflation is coming down, and since the release of the inflation numbers for September, the Fed has been barreling toward more large increases in interest rates. Then, seemingly out of the blue – with no particularly positive news on the inflation front to point to – a few Fed Governors started whistling a different tune.
It is not true that sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Words hurt and hateful words can really hurt. And we need to talk about it.
The brilliance of the Jewish Conspiracy is that it is so malleable, flexible, and reliable for those that spew hate in order to mobilize people to their agendas. So how can I convince you that we are not at the center of some mastermind plot, pulling the strings, and controlling your livelihood? It is a tough challenge, but let me start by telling you about some Jewish people that I know very well…
It starts with the traffic to the ballpark, made worse by sharing city streets and red lights with Friday afternoon commuters. A drop-off a few blocks away saves time and then it’s a miserable exercise to avoid the puddles on uneven sidewalks.
Before attending college, I always prided myself on being a straight-A student. But my grade after this initial exam made me lose my ever-loving mind! I couldn’t understand how this professor could expect me to ever become a great engineer or design spacecraft if he couldn’t teach me well enough to pass his darn tests.
Here’s a bold proposition to combat our dysfunctional political division: If Joe Biden decides to run for reelection, Moderates and Independents should reregister as Republicans en masse. You think that’s crazy? Hear me out…
The efforts of Turkey’s opposition to change the government through elections are not only interesting and important to the Turks and those interested in Turkish politics. These efforts concern all citizens of the world who are looking for ways out of the deepening “democracy crisis” that is likely to worsen along with the global economic crisis.
From the latest Swing Voter Project focus groups, conducted on October 11 with 13 Trump-to-Biden voters across Pennsylvania, we learned that despite months of campaigning and millions of dollars spent on ads, some are still undecided about whom they will support in these races.
More than a few of us are convinced that the authoritarian threat to democracy is real and serious. It seems to be bearing down on us like an unstoppable locomotive. But the railway system in India can teach us what must be done.
With people transforming landscapes for agriculture, roads, businesses, and homes, introducing species to new places, and changing the global climate, life everywhere is caught in a race just to keep up. The story of the American chestnut is emblematic of this shift, and it’s the subject of a major decision looming in conservation that will have ramifications for decades to come.
Every day, agents, police, and prosecutors across America are fighting to protect our communities, safeguard U.S. national security and financial markets, and stem the flow of dirty money into the United States. Even so, current safeguards against money laundering still allow a tidal wave of illicit cash into the United States. I should know. I led many of these types of investigations for 20 years.
For the better part of the year, a battle has been brewing between the Federal Reserve and Wall Street to convince the elite cadre of professional money managers and stock and bond traders that Jerome Powell is the second coming of Paul Volcker. The conversation has been a titanic struggle, with trillions of dollars and Powell’s legacy on the line.
For a multitude of reasons, the unprecedented protests in Iran no longer qualify as uprisings but foretell of a blooming insurgency for secular democracy. For over forty years, Iranian people have endured a number of now high-profile massacres, yet the free world has by and large viewed these atrocities through the lens of ambivalence.
TikTok has become the runaway hit app of social media. It deserves every bit of its success for building an incredibly appealing service… and yet, there’s a problem with TikTok that we can’t ignore: its Chinese ownership and the role that the Chinese government likely plays in how it’s operated.
The key to a long and healthy life may lie not in diet, exercise, or genetics, but in the power of close-knit communities.
After a series of airline crashes, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed $201 million in fines against Boeing and its CEO for misleading investors about the safety of the planes involved. However, there is still a need for criminal investigations into Boeing CEOs Dennis Muilenburg and David Calhoun.
The pop culture portrayal of physician arrogance is pervasive, but how closely does art reflect reality? The recent survey by Medscape of 1500 physicians entitled Physicians Behaving Badly gives us some indication.
Hubbard, or Jack Farnsworth, as he was known to the locals, died in circumstances less than
The terms of the settlement may have been surprising to some. Hutchins will now apparently be an executive producer, and work to complete and release the film. But, the fact that the parties have settled is not. Not in light of recent events.
The ‘S’ word needs defining. The Pandemic has exposed flaws at all levels of the US health system and required numerous ‘Socialist’ government interventions, yet the term is still being weaponized across the country.
Just when you thought you’d heard about the “Greatest Existential Threat to Democracy”, I encourage you to think again because there’s a potential threat quietly dawning on America’s horizon.
A recent Washpo article revealed that, within the NFL, there are just 3 Black coaches today out of 32 teams— less than 10%, even though about 70% of the players are Black. How do we explain this racial underrepresentation?
We see journalism criticized often— with both sides droning on about the “lamestream” media, fake news, pandering to “bothsidesism”, or not reporting the hard facts. What truly is the role of a journalist?
The loudest voices can oftentimes control the national megaphones, even wishing to curtail our liberties under the guise of saving them. Cybersecurity expert, Nick Espinosa, explains why defending ourselves against the suspension of rights is best understood through the lens of how we approach cybersecurity.
We need to improve student achievement ASAP! With COVID’s documented impact on the instructional process, it is no surprise that the U.S. Department of Education announced declines in reading and math scores as the sharpest since 1990.
The midterm political football continues to bounce. We’ve had so many last-minute factors in past elections: the 2008 economic crash and Barack Obama, Anthony Weiner’s laptop and 2016 — or Hunter Biden’s laptop — or even the timing of the release of the Covid vaccines. We still have no idea what last minute bounce the ball could still take in the 44 days between now and November 8.
National polling indicates President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan enjoys majority support from the public at large. But how do swing voters feel about it?
With rising inflation and a looming recession, the medical debt crisis in the U.S. is about to get worse. In light of this, more states are preparing legislation to make healthcare services more affordable.
Dr. Michael Gavin, author and President of Delta College describes the blurred lines between white fantasy and reality, while the imagined and physical borders for our own citizens are being drawn more rigidly to oppress non-whites, women, and LGBTQ+ people.
While the CHIPS and Science Act will bolster U.S. semiconductor production and make critical investments in domestic production of modern technology, Russia’s war on Ukraine has squeezed the market for rare gases that are vital to this production – highlighting our continued vulnerability in an unstable world.
Opioid addiction is on the rise around the world. Most people know someone who is struggling with opioid dependency, but we might not realize it. If you are concerned that your friend or a loved one has been affected, there are certain signs you can look for.
For those who live in urban areas, sometimes it’s easy to forget how much of rural America remains as remote and self-sufficient as the frontiers of old. Defense against animals was a crucial part of the self-defense equation during the founding of the Second Amendment, and so it remains today.
While there are obvious cases where extremist rhetoric aroused strong emotions and violence, the view that rhetoric producing a passionate response is inherently dangerous may also be, misguided. Fortunately, there is a means of distinguishing between forms of rhetoric producing reactions that are dangerous and those that are forces for societal reform.
There is no shame in pursuing an alternative higher education. Ira H. Schoen is a firm believer that every school district should provide both a trade school and one that’s academic-oriented— further exploring why parents and students should carefully consider whether a private university is actually of less value than a public one.
Divisive politicians. Shouting TV pundits. Mean-spirited social media trolls. Are you concerned about the decline in civility? As Former Congressman, Ric Keller, explains it’s not too late to turn things around even if we fear America being ripped apart by divisive leaders and talking heads, we just need to follow these simple rules.
Returning content contributor and 34-year veteran truck driver, Jeff Clark, explains why he — a self-proclaimed “ordinary Republican” — is frustrated by his government, as he observes both parties drifting too far into extremism.
Imagine sitting down with your partner/spouse to discuss next year’s finances, and you agree on everything except one purchase—there is just no budging for either of you! Welcome to the world of federal government spending. The way Congress funds the government is a mess, so to ensure it does not shut down, they increasingly rely on a stop-gap measure — Continuing Resolutions.
In the 1992 presidential election, Bill Clinton’s strategist, James Carville, famously coined the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” As of early September 2022, it’s looking like “It’s AGED+, stupid.” That’s not seniors taking over— it’s an acronym for Abortion, Guns, Environment, Democracy, and +.
The 2022 mid-term elections are less than 90 days away. The decidedly pro-choice abortion vote in Kansas is a more enduring bellwether of what’s happening across America. Fading ardor for Trump, declining support for Trumpists, and growing rejection of Trumpism, suggest a November surprise may be brewing.
While leaders, oftentimes, demand flexibility in their use of technology, this can be problematic for their security personnel. In light of the recent events at Mar-a-Lago, cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa, puts into context the multitude of security issues that former President Trump brought to the table during his time in office.
For almost a year the media and handicappers have predicted that, in November, a massive red wave will sweep Republicans into office, even in blue states and districts. But, these predictions have ignored three key factors that might make the 2022 midterm elections different from past.
A recent poll highlighted how college students disassociate from peers with opposing political opinions. Dr. Nathan Shrader, an associate professor of political science at NEC, analyzed this phenomenon through a modern lens: “I wouldn’t expect them to have the feelings I did of my peers whom I disagreed with twenty years ago because the disagreements—and what we disagreed about—have changed so very much.”
The last few chapters of the arrest and death of George Floyd unfolded recently with federal prison sentences for every officer on the scene for crimes including failure to provide medical aid, and failure to intervene Chauvin. The next test the justice system is facing is if it will apply the federal precedent in similar cases. Joe Tamburino, a leading criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis, explains how the DOJ is, so far, failing that test.
Despite bipartisan calls for comprehensive charter school reform, the PA General Assembly has, once again, put this year’s budget to bed without any significant reforms to the charter school law—widely recognized as one of the worst in the country. Long-time public servants, Robert Gleason and Eugene DePasquale, express their disappointment with the continued inaction by their state legislature. Their message to policymakers: it’s time for reform!
Pedro Vega, a high school social studies teacher from New York, has always appreciated the articulate discussions of his students. However, in recent years, he’s noticed that they’ve been more reluctant to openly share and discuss their views on politics. It’s not that they don’t have opinions, as Vega explains, they are afraid of being ostracized in front of others— fearing being called racist, intolerant, fascist, or woke.
Some lawmakers believe that carried interest has become a financial burden on American society as it misaligns rewards for the wealthy, inhibits risk, reduces competitiveness, and penalizes the American workforce. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that the carried interest tax law incentivizes long term investments and increases and more efficiently distributes the country’s wealth. Robert Goldberg, an entrepreneur and investor, argues that both are wrong.
Liz Cheney being defeated in her primary in a resounding thirty-point landslide has cultivated no shortage of reactions. But one proverbial collective sigh of relief came from an often-overlooked community when talking politics: combat veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters of the “Global War on Terrorism”.
After years of facing a global health crisis, the workforce was collectively exhausted. As the labor shortage continues to rise, companies have responded by wooing recruits with perks and pay. But new data shows that more pay is not the solution for burnout. Award-winning journalist and author, Jennifer Moss lays out everything you need to know before you decide to make your job work, or if quitting is the cure for your burnout.
In the wake of the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, Robert Kelly, a retired Coast Guard Reserve Captain who served in the White House for Presidents Reagan and Bush, reflects on his own handling of classified information. He explains the standard protocols surrounding secret material, and why he and so many of his former colleagues are, “sickened by seeing so many of the people’s elected representatives acting in such an irresponsible manner.”
When we assign key functions of our brain to be performed by a smartphone, are we not devolving? PJ DiMuzio, co-founder of Creative Outfit, chronicles the year that he chose to protect his mind by unplugging it; ditching his smartphone– despite working in digital production– so that he could reconstruct his relationships, memory, focus, and business.
There is an ancient inscription carved above the door of St. Paul’s Monastery located on the secluded Mount Athos peninsula in Macedonia, Northern Greece. It reads: If you die before you die, you won’t die when you die. Allow me to dissect the metaphysical maxim into two segments via an experiential self-inquiry to better help clarify the head-scratching questions that are potentially arising in your voice-in-the-head at this very moment.
Persistent drought in the Western U.S. has the potential of becoming a national security crisis of catastrophic proportions. Given that the interruption of such a large portion of the nation’s food production may potentially be at stake, one might consider the desalinization of seawater, notably agriculture production, to be a national priority of the highest order. Yet it is rarely discussed in our national political discourse with any kind of urgency.
All of us have witnessed in recent years the growing visibility of trans and non-binary people in American culture and life. Rich Thau, president of Engagious Inc., conducted a pair of focus groups to explore what swing voters make of this evolution, especially with so many younger people, in particular, identifying as either trans or non-binary.
Alfred and Blair Sadler, authors and identical twin brothers, once served as a medical-legal team ushering in several large-scale shifts in the practice and delivery of healthcare services in the United States. In this piece, they reflect on what they have learned over the course of their careers, and how it’s shaped their perspectives on today’s polarized political landscape.
“The Constitution of the United States lets us consider who we are today. It does not limit us to who we were centuries ago…” John J. Hamill, a Chicago-based trial lawyer, examines how constitutional rights are being reinterpreted as the concept of “originalism” is becoming more popular within public discourse.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Malcolm Lazin, examines the aftermath of the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, and the subsequent hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee, through the lens of criminal prosecution. “As a former federal prosecutor who led investigations into white-collar crime, official corruption, and organized crime—methodically working up the chain and convicting underlings is underappreciated.”
Childhood obesity in the U.S. has more than tripled since the 1970s, affecting approximately 20% of school-aged children today.
In the examination of concerns related to violence, is there a priority? Mass shootings, suicides, domestic/family conflicts, deadly encounters with law enforcement, and uncontrollable protests are all setting new records. In this analysis, Dr. Don Clardy, a tenured professor at Baker University, focuses on violence associated with Anti-Semitism, which has persisted for more than 100 years, has led to the deaths of millions, and continues to show malignant growth.
It is no longer sufficient to design supply chains that are timely and cost-effective. As we learned over the past two years, resilience is paramount and making supply chains resilient demands a new management paradigm. One of the most effective models to compare in this context is air travel and how the TSA conducts airport security because how it centers on providing security to the human supply chain.
The workplace is yet another opportunity for fostering friendships of the type that lift the poor out of poverty — and bridge our political divide — but not when practiced over a Zoom call. New data has found that bringing people together is not enough on its own; relationships must be forged. They won’t be — if we are only connected by ethernet.
It is somewhat of an oxymoron to suggest that educational institutions have the potential to resolve our fractured political and social issues which have polarized America into distinct ideological camps. Parental rights, curriculum content, gender identification, and school admission practices have many leaders failing to see “the forest for the trees.”
As a resident physician in Emergency Medicine, my day ranges from treating the common cold to a heart attack to a gunshot victim. The first question Michael asked me was – Why did I want to spend a month working with him? What does a doctor gain from learning about the media? The answer to this question lies in the parallels between professional journalism and medicine.
With gun violence on the rise, and politicians working to put more limitations on firearms, another looming threat is being overlooked by legislators. Author and manufacturing consultant, Kip Hanson explores how ignoring the capabilities of 3D printers could be a danger to public safety.
A study found that poor children who grow up in neighborhoods with more friendships across class lines earn significantly more as adults.
As climate change drives more extreme weather, the insurance industry is shrinking coverage and raising premiums, leaving U.S. homeowners scrambling for protection.
With a week to go before the primary, we wanted to understand how undecided Republicans in the state view not only that election, but a few key issues. While both inflation and the Second Amendment were top concerns for the 13 voters we interviewed in a pair of focus groups on July 26, we probed on another issue that matters to them: immigration.
The Foreign Agents Registration Act was passed in the Fall of 1938. Though FARA’s original purpose was largely to ferret out foreign government propagandists, the term “foreign principal” also includes foreign corporations, individuals, and associations. Joshua Ian Rosenstein, Member of Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, P.C, explains that FARA is much broader than is commonly understood, as it covers more than just lobbying, instead regulating “political activities.”
The 2022 primary season has seen many twists and turns, upsets, medical emergencies, shocking TV ads, and scandals- but one feature of the 2022 primaries has received no attention: the emerging effort being led by Trump-aligned legislators to prevent millions of Americans from voting in primaries at all.
In January of 2008, the Pew Research Center released a report that said: “if current trends continue, the demographic profile of the United States will change dramatically by the middle of this century.” This was widely interpreted to be good news for one party; Demographics are the democrats’ best friend, or so thought many…
While media outlets are more than willing to show images of carnage during their reports on war and combat zones, they’re too afraid to show those needlessly gunned down throughout America. Why are there two different standards applied to the same human suffering when the shock of these images could help advance effective gun control measures into law?
Irwin and Karen Redlener, co-founders of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project, report on their most recent visit to the war-torn country, where they met with children, teachers, doctors, and government officials— introducing a plan that would help the children of Ukraine navigate the upcoming school year within their calamitous situation.
A major 2021 poll found that the largest portion of Americans surveyed believe that China is economically stronger than the United States, but is America really losing out to China? And if it is, what does that mean for tackling global challenges like climate change without Beijing?
There’s been a lot of talk about how 9% inflation has become Americans’ top concern, but far less discussion about how high gas prices, for example, are affecting day-to-day lives, especially over the summer travel period. Rich Thau and Jill Ditommaso asked 14 Wisconsin swing voters—who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020—to describe how they are adapting to higher prices.
Our politicians’ failure to expose the common origin of many national issues may illustrate why liberals, Democrats, independents, and some Republicans are now politically impotent against a tide of political, social, educational, and juridical crises. Dr. Michael H. Gavin, author and President of Delta College, identifies that origin as The New White Nationalism.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, we learned that the U.S. responded with sanctions for Russia and humanitarian and military support to Ukraine. Though Ben Freeman, a Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute, reveals that most Americans don’t know that there was another battle being waged by a force as powerful in American politics as an army is on the battlefield: lobbyists.
A look into recent investment trends reveals a move among socially-conscious investors to screen potential ventures by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. While these investors may be well-intentioned, the ESG criteria are misleading due to faulty algorithms, and they do not represent what the public generally believes sustainable investing is. Instead, conscious investors should seek alternative investment methods to ensure that their sustainability efforts are not made in vain.
I’ve been off for two weeks on account of a family visit to Italy. It was a time to relax — and also, to reflect. The trip was one part pure vacation; the other a roots tour.
These five laws exemplify the framework that disinformation falls into so that we may understand how incredibly harmful it can become.
From a gun-wielding Missouri candidate for Senate saying that he will hunt down RINOs, to the Texas GOP writing a platform with a rigid list of stances, the GOP may be a brand that is meandering way too far outside the mainstream of American politics.
Most Democrats think that abortion should be legal while Republicans think that it should be illegal. But it was not always this way – at the time of the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, partisan differences were small.
This is a community that respects life, is law-abiding, and is a great place to raise a family as my wife and I have done since the mid-1970s. It felt like a bad dream – a science fiction movie – and continues to feel surreal when I think about it. But it was real.
When a so-called solution to inflation involves making countless workers and their families worse off, it is not a solution. It’s just cruel.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was clearly a judicial and social earthquake.
For 40 years, Republicans treated every election as though Roe v. Wade itself was on the ballot, while too many Democrats, so often caught up in one internecine feud or another, failed to grasp the urgency of the moment.
If Trump was indeed “willfully ignorant,” Attorney General Merrick Garland and the DOJ have a legal roadmap for indicting the 45th President of the United States.
As Congress appears poised to pass the first major gun legislation in a generation, swing voters in Arizona remain doubtful it will have much impact on preventing gun violence.
The “business as usual” mindset toward energy has historically undermined its strategic importance.
Reducing our negative biases towards undocumented immigrants is possible. It starts with holding the media and politicians accountable for misleading information about undocumented immigrants and acknowledging that undocumented immigrants who seek asylum are here legally.
The recently announced bipartisan gun safety bill is a welcome step in the right direction. Yet it could use the playbook on airport security to make it even more effective.
The real danger of men like Trump and Joe McCarthy is that the facts don’t seem to matter at all. They believe the end justifies the means and if some people lose their lives or their careers or their mental health along the way, so what?
It almost goes without saying that our nation is very polarized on how we should treat gun ownership. Despite where you personally land on the debate, it is not the goal of this article to give more credence to one side or the other.
Congress needs to dive in and throw children a life jacket. They must help families across this country by extending child nutrition waivers through June 2023.
As long as misperceptions about gun violence persist, solutions will remain elusive, killings will continue, and the prejudices that motivate so many of these crimes will only harden.
It’s 8.6 versus January 6. Two stories are competing for our attention. Both are important, and related. One spares no victims and threatens our wallets, the other – for those paying attention – is exposing an unprecedented attack on our system of government.
It is true that we have made significant process in reducing severe illness and death from COVID-19, but is the emergency phase of the pandemic really over?
Since the day he took office, President Biden and Congressional Democrats have undermined our energy and cyber independence, appointing agency heads and enacting executive orders designed to undermine America’s businesses.
Strange as it may seem on the surface, intellectual property law today is one of the areas of legal study where fundamental values of bodily autonomy and equal dignity are frequently at stake and adjudicated.
Rather than take to social media and scream into the void of our respective echo chambers, we must all take the time to make informed decisions and vote – not just on the most high-profile posts, but down the ballot to the most local positions.
Images from the January 6 insurrection are indelible. But these moments, however memorable, are only a small part of the larger story.
To me, the argument that restrictive abortion laws are about protecting the sanctity of life rings very hollowly because, in the next breath, lawmakers find every excuse to argue why they can’t pass laws to minimize the likelihood of our children being slaughtered at school.
Is it possible that the survival of the Republican Party depends upon the perpetuation of white working-class grievances and resentment?
A former president of the American Psychological Association provides a list of meaningful, data-backed steps that can be taken to curb gun violence and mass shootings.
Dad photographed the queen on July 5, 1953; his grandson did likewise on June 17, 2017.
Actionable policies to curb this violence aren’t being put into place. It’s simply up to us. This is where technology comes into play which can help these horrid situations.
If a politician or media figure truly is among the Unnuanced, having to rank themselves should present a dilemma for them.
Is Pennsylvania the ultimate swing state? The moniker will be put to the test, but as we say, “Pennsylvania Memories Last a Lifetime.”
After curating the data from another 250 studies, we now offer you compelling evidence that serving others is the best medicine in any environment.
So, what problems do crypto enthusiasts promise us their technology will solve? And is crypto moving towards the utopian vision that these enthusiasts promised us?
Fertility and women’s health apps do not fall under HIPAA compliance and have been known to data data-mine their users typically without their knowledge as studies show that virtually no one reads the End User License Agreements that are often times convoluted and vague.
We could debate whether any one of these items is truly the “fault” of the president. But the reality is that they are all unfolding on his watch.
The feedback we received from these swing voters—three Democrats, six Republicans, and four independents—indicates many are lukewarm towards Biden, but a second Trump term would be a bridge too far.
Due to the recent carnage, many wonder if they should bail out of stocks? For the average investor, the correct answer is no, since market timers have to be right twice: once when to get out and again when to get back in.
To the justices on the court’s high bench ready to reverse Roe, we ask: how is this fair, equitable and equal treatment under the law?
For months I’ve said all eyes across the country should be on the Pennsylvania primary elections. And while I knew things would get interesting, I never envisioned the many twists and turns in the home stretch.
The choice Putin is offering the world is stark. Either cede to him the right he has demanded to impose Russia’s will on its neighbors, or he will take the world into the abyss.
While the demise of Roe v. Wade will no doubt constitute a tsunami-sized political event, it may not matter much in 2022. The hill Democrats have to climb is far too steep, and even a complete dismantling of Roe would not offset their current political liabilities.
The landslide victory of Hungary’s Fidesz party under Prime Minister Viktor Orban on April 3rd raises new questions on how to stop democratic backsliding.
As a society, it is time to acknowledge that our traditional approaches to the drug problem are no longer sufficient – or even appropriate.
As private citizens watching the Russian aggression on Ukraine play out in our living rooms, it is quite clear that the Russian military is waging a mid-twentieth-century war in the 21st century.
The Chief has a firm view of where the Third Branch should fit within our system of government, and he spent his entire tenure ensuring that the prestige and reputation of his court remain protected.
The loyalty of the 200,000 cast members that make Disney “the happiest place on Earth” has been jeopardized – and so, too, has the magic that makes Disney so special.
During a Sunday school class, the two of us – a retired preacher and a professor – enjoyed spirited discussions on faith when the topic turned to the concept of an afterlife and the extent to which personal beliefs may steer our actions.
The International Criminal Court (ICC), seated in The Hague, Netherlands, is one possible venue to hold Russian leaders criminally accountable. But it has limits.
In many ways, special districts are the aspirational model of government. They are local, for the people, and by the people.
It’s human nature to empathize with people who experience natural disasters, accidents, or war, but because our TV screens are constantly flooded with such images for so long, many people have simply grown immune. But for me, it’s more personal.
It has become clear that Xi is not going to walk back support for his partnership with Putin, but rather will let the war play out.
What a shame that today, even Disney is subject to the partisan divide. But here we are.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is harming vulnerable people far from the battlefield through its impacts on global food prices.
The good news for the Biden Administration is most of our swing voters – 10 of 13 – approve of how President Biden is handling America’s role in the conflict.
Trucking companies will claim that we can’t recruit enough drivers, but people like me who have been in the industry have been calling bull on that for decades.
The stress on companies to find workers goes far beyond any one industry and affects almost every corner of our economy.
Like everything else around us, Musk just became subject to our partisan divide. His interest in acquiring Twitter now being heralded on the Right and greeted with trepidation on the Left.
Why is the culture of debating unraveling and what can be done about it?
While I did not previously identify as a Ukrainian American, I do now.
The most recent extension to the payment pause and interest waiver is driven more by politics than by policy.
Jonathan Haidt argues that the past decade of American life has been marked by unprecedented social and cultural fragmentation, fueled by social media.
Zelenskyy’s leadership of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked aggression demonstrates traits we hope to instill in our students during their brief time with us: dedication and perseverance, courage and integrity, and empathy in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Even more than the inordinate fiscal costs of the death penalty, I believe the most incalculable loss for us as a people has been the moral costliness.
Here’s what’s missing: consistency. If you think the pandemic conditions no longer warrant slowing immigration, then it follows that student loan payments can also return to normal.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has spurred one of the greatest volunteer movements in history.
While death is inevitable, we are the first generation in human history that has a say about when, how, and where we die.
Seven hours of missing call logs throw up multiple red flags and, in my opinion as a cybersecurity professional, there are only three possible and plausible scenarios at play here.
Yes, the story is fictional. But it is nevertheless insightful as to the country in which it is set and the man who leads it.
Like all diplomats Putin has cultivated allies and personal friends, but his invasion of Ukraine shows how far those same allies and friends have been manipulated and embarrassed on an international stage.
The progress on the intellectual and diplomatic front in Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington is good news because a neutrality agreement for Ukraine is really the only alternative to a protracted and bloody war of attrition like that of Afghanistan.
Mapping current projections shows cultural centers and economic hubs in megacities like New York, London, and Shanghai could be kept above the tideline if global temperatures peak at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial norms.
Still, despite the agreement, there is a ton of repair work to be done with communities and fans throughout the country.
We’ve seen massive upheavals in our food system with issues in supply chains, drastic increases in fresh produce prices, labor shortages, and malnourished marginalized communities.
The rise of crypto and NFTs symbolizes much more than the mere transfer of value — it signals the increasingly prominent role that crypto, NFTs, and those that own them may play in the global economy going forward.
With the Internet being as indispensable as it is for the global economy, communications, governments, and societal stability, it’s time to fully understand that an attack on technological infrastructure can be just as devasting in its own way for a country.
By relying on these powerful strategies for endemic management of COVID, we can more readily return to the “new normal” of public life where we live with the virus in the most rational way possible.
In many ways, Ukraine is Cold War 2.0: a hybrid of conventional combat with information and economic warfare.
The most historic moments are inextricably linked with the popular music of that time.
To those who assert that a Kyiv Airlift might start WWIII, should Russia emerge victorious Putin will be both enriched and emboldened to undergo a larger invasion of Europe and former Soviet satellite states.
Following a call to arms by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, at least 16,000 volunteers from 52 countries around the world are arriving in Ukraine to join the ranks of its defenders.
Scholars and pundits frequently cite hyper-partisanship and public polarization, but a sober look at the evidence tells a different story.
Ukrainians will fight for as long as it takes to evict the Russians. The only question is when and at what cost. By now, Putin knows this.
If we forsake Ukraine now, we would forsake the values that our forbearers fought and died for in the last great assault on democracy.
While nine out of 13 respondents thought Biden struck the right tone when speaking to his experience and understanding of the economic issues they face, only four respondents actually believed that his plans would get inflation under control.
Russia’s historical role in the region changed the lives of many Floridians forever. Glib attempts to recast Putin as somehow aligned with America’s and Florida’s interests suggests a reckless case of amnesia.
When prosecutors for the Department of Justice opened their case against Texas “Three Percenter” Guy Wesley Reffitt this week, they essentially put their entire January 6 strategy on trial.
Just a few weeks ago, it seemed inconceivable that Russia would invade Ukraine. This is the 21st century after all, and invading another sovereign country seemed like such an antiquated approach to conflict resolution.
Biden publicly committed to nominate his next Supreme Court pick based on gender and race is essentially affirmative action – or “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) by another name.
If consumers had more options and transparency around the breeding and sale of pets, that would reduce demand and reform such a cruel industry. It’s not so far-fetched and there is a solution on the table in Pennsylvania called “Victoria’s Law.”
It has taken decades for this situation to evolve to where it is today, and unaddressed it will continue to worsen and eat away at our democratic institutions.
The only way to thwart Russian aggression is by offensive action by the U.S. and NATO. But twenty years post-9/11, Americans are fatigued by war in distant lands.
Will he pave the way for Democratic candidacies moving forward, or will he just be another thin-skinned politician picking losing battles?
Those few truckers who are fueling this so-called “Freedom Convoy” and holding up our economy are not representative of all of us. They should not wreck our image anymore and go to work.
Open and peaceful debate is healthy for any democracy and this situation should be no different. Unfortunately, this current issue is not as transparent as some would like to make it out to be.
Anyone who lived through the Cuban missile crisis recalls the helpless feeling of doom at the doorstep. This contemporary crisis has the same sleepwalking feel.
While eliminating the filibuster might provide the Democrats with a short-term win, it would be a long-term disaster for the party and, more importantly, the country.
Across the nation, there is a culture move to ban literature in our school system – from texts featuring miscarriages to discussions of mental health and suicide. It is one of the most un-American movements of my lifetime.
The current state-by-state winner-take-all method of electing the President channels the campaign into a dozen or so closely divided states.
Is the administration finally trying to shut down the prison at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station (GTMO), as Biden, and before him, Obama, had repeatedly pledged to do? Some perspective is in order.
With homicides up 44% in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic 2019, Trump-Biden voters in key swing states are taking note of massive spikes in crime.
We may not be able to stop China from expanding its powers but we can stand together and deny them the ability to violate our online privacy by making the right choices and informing every one of the risks.
In as little as a couple of weeks in many parts of the US, COVID-19 will be at low levels similar to most endemic respiratory viruses. Unless a new variant appears, the time is now to change how we manage our approach to the virus.
If the Democrats have a strategy, it has not been easy to discern.
Unfortunately, we will continue to see low COVID-19 vaccine rates for U.S. kids without coordinated efforts from state and local health leaders.
The answer will not come from Washington, D.C. The gridlock is now baked in.
A Constitutional amendment may be required. But with today’s polarized political landscape, how likely is that?
I thought it was reckless for Palin to interact with others in a public space while having COVID. Not just because of the risk of contaminating others. I mean reckless in a legal sense.
When examining these recent Supreme Court decisions, let’s do our utmost to view them by the merits and not forsake the justices’ legal analysis as partisanship.
Will Kazakhstan continue to balance its relationships with Russia, Europe, China, and North America?
The Court declared that OSHA was exceeding the authority that Congress had given it. This was manifestly untrue.
This is what happens when power is concentrated in the hands of the new upper class, which lacks the requisite empathy to make decisions for the remainder of society.
President Biden campaigned on his promise to “shut down the virus,” but as he completes his first year in office, swing voters we interviewed on January 11th are ready for a new strategy—one that recognizes the virus is here to stay.
To honor the lives of the 13 US service members who were lost during our hasty and improperly executed withdrawal, we must sustain our evacuation efforts.
Nassar, Anderson, Chatfield. This state is home to some of the nation’s most notorious and prolific sexual abusers, but we can fix it.
Democracy is in peril, poverty is rampant, and racism is alive and well, yet as friends, we can set the table of freedom and justice.
While some of the vexing issues are arguably beyond a president’s control, many were missteps. Not the sort of thing you’d expect from a Washington lifer who campaigned as seasoned and experienced.
There are lives to be saved by exposing the ultimate consequences of disinformation.
When it comes to utilizing the bully pulpit, was Donald Trump an exception to past presidents?
We are in the eye of a hurricane that is headed directly for our democratic principles and ancillary election laws.
Americans of all faith traditions or no faith at all, regardless of pro- or anti-vaccination opinions, should pay close attention to this case.
What have we done to our kids? For the past two years, we’ve given them no chance to grow up and allowed children to accept more harm in exchange for a smoother adulthood.
Tragically, the U.S. has allowed its focus on educational excellence to drift aimlessly for years, and this neglect has finally caught up with it.
Why is the U.S. seeing a surge in hospitalizations that looks poised to surpass last winter’s high?
Rather than forgiving student debt, I would propose a risk-sharing approach with the education institutions.
Taking Evusheld would be a massive step in returning to normalcy and winning back my freedom. Nevertheless, I have not yet gotten it.
Every time I turn on the news, I am struck by how simplistic and polarized the arguments our politicians make about abortion can be, compared to the reality of abortion care in the lives of the people and families I care for each day.
Appealing invitations can take many different forms, as you will shortly see, and I found all of this year’s selections not merely difficult to refuse, but almost impossible.
Holiday cards are my favorite part of the season. They make us take stock of where we are — what we’ve gained, what we’ve lost, and who we have added to our lives or lost from it.
What happens when we wake up to find that we are no longer the moral leader of the world we have long imagined ourselves to be?
What is becoming all too apparent is that significant attacks on critical national infrastructure are likely to hit the United States, thus leading it to participate in cyber warfare.
Hyper-partisanship and apathy. These are the two biggest forces keeping us from unlocking the full potential of America and staving off any further dalliance with authoritarianism.
A trifecta of good news came on Wednesday. There’s this potentially game-changing COVID pill from Pfizer, studies proving omicron to be less deadly than delta, and a surprising moment of harmony from Trump and Biden.
Earlier this month, the City Council in New York City approved a measure to allow non-citizens ages 18 or older – who hold work permits or green cards – to vote in local elections.
The American public, American policy-makers, and their European, Russian, and Chinese colleagues seeking a diplomatic path forward, must also understand the three falsehoods that form the basis of Israel’s anti-Iran marketing campaign.
It is ironic that, while most Republican voters support the most significant individual provisions of the BBB bill, they are opposed to the BBB bill itself.
There is a difference between policies that poll well and policies that get voters to the polls, although journalists, pundits, and even politicians broadly confuse the two.
As a high-risk obstetrician and gynecologist, I know what it is like to provide the full spectrum of reproductive health care to pregnant people facing challenging circumstances.
When deployed, our military professionals must focus on the mission at hand; they cannot afford to be distracted by concerns for their families’ welfare in subpar homes.
While well-intentioned, many young, idealistic people are making policy mistakes because they have not experienced the tradeoffs associated with the policies they are advocating for.
This tax credit is not a sop to cable news; it’s an antidote.
The conservative majority of the Supreme Court is not “pro-life”, they are “pro-birth”. Their questioning clearly exhibited an improper understanding of the medicine and science required to ensure the life and wellbeing of a woman who would have to endure a potentially dangerous, life-compromising pregnancy.
The short answer is that workers who are fired or quit their job because of a refusal to comply with a vaccine mandate will be at the whim of their respective state when it comes to unemployment benefits.
Buried in the reporting about Germany’s lock-down limiting the activities of the unvaccinated was this pretty significant caveat: The ban does not apply to those who have recently recovered from COVID-19.
So, travel bans were only able to stave off omicron for a little more than a week (if at all), which begs the question: Are they even worth the trouble?
In addition to improvements that you would expect in an infrastructure bill, the 1,000-page tome funds a new program that will build new bridges and underpasses… for animals.
Every time you leave your house, you’re an unwitting human test subject in the grand experiment of the race to autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment, even if you never ride in one.
So far, the new strain, dubbed Omicron by the World Health Organization, has also been located in Belgium, Botswana, Israel, and hong kong.
With road mortality threatening the survival of many imperiled species, and collisions with wildlife increasing dramatically across the country, the dawn of this new era comes not a moment too soon.
With American democracy hanging in the balance, the political allegiances of the white evangelical voting bloc require close scrutiny.
I’ve observed a lot of headshaking and handwringing by non-lawyer armchair quarterbacks who wonder how the state’s attorneys could have made such a mistake.
What does this physical and this polling mean for Biden’s presidency and the chance he’ll run again in 2024?
They’re showing nurses and healthcare workers that their rights and their beliefs don’t matter. The message is clear: get the shot or get out.
In the case of climate change policy, the pursuit of more data might hinder action.
No one is the same as they were 20 months ago, and everyone agrees that the global pandemic is to blame. But that might be where the universal agreement ends.
What’s the per-person value of those civil suits pending against the United States government for the separation of immigrant families on President Trump’s watch?
The question is how did we get such a polarized media? As marketers, we see three forces that led the media astray, two of which are marketing-related, but all three exacerbate the nation’s divide.
Conventional wisdom says the buck stops with the person in charge, but the past year has been anything but conventional.
Statistically speaking the social media platform is far more likely to fail than succeed, but Donald Trump does have a few advantages that many fledgling platforms don’t. So, let’s examine the good, the bad, and the ugly.
While the prospect of seeing Donald Trump behind bars retains a stronger hold upon the imagination, the civil case has the promise of inflicting immense economic harm on Trump, with legal requirements that are far easier to prove.
It is now widely agreed that the preservation of human life should be the highest priority in policing. On that basis alone, we should avoid reflexively dismissing the “shoot to incapacitate” approach.
The burning question on the minds of many: Is the new Facebook parent company name change going to work?
What if there was a boycott of schools in states that restrict voting by “Blue Chip” athletes? Activists think that this could be the most effective way to get these states to change their ways.
We are seeing a massive “catechesis” failure – or, in other words, a failure in religious instruction. The Evangelical church in the U.S. over the last five decades has failed to form its adherents into disciples. So, a great hollowness developed.
Rather than dig in their heels and follow a battle plan with lawyers and PR people trying to deflect blame onto the media, the company needs to become self-aware and heal itself.
We saw justice in the case of George Floyd; it is time we find justice for Ahmaud Arbery.
Even if McAuliffe squeaks by, the notion that Democrats are shedding support nationally among independents is a big, big problem.
The Biden administration and employers have used vaccine mandates and the prospect of potential job loss, but these measures are only egging on individuals’ refusal of the vaccine. So, what are we to do?
Schools with high COVID-19 vaccination rates will make everyone safer from COVID-19, and I understand the temptation to reach for mandates. But I still think it’s premature, at this point, for three reasons.
In the wake of a transgender uproar over Dave Chappelle’s Netflix special “The Closer,” I was charged by Michael Smerconish to provide my thoughts on this controversial offering.
Americans would be better served to understand that the daily perversion of facts, truth, and history that is corrupting our national dialogue are symptoms stemming from a deeper problem.
As a psychologist and conflict mediator, I contend that the failure of our system has as much to do with our inner lives as our outer ones.
Today’s facts suggest we need an even more ambitious legislative agenda to meet the moment – not less.
Today, the most dangerous threat to our democracy comes not from a foreign adversary but from within, as the radical right ascends in the Republican Party and the radical left gains strength in the Democratic Party.
The machinations of our trade networks were never perfect to begin with, but the pandemic caused numerous upsets and brought the issue to the forefront of our lives.
I think there should be a middle ground for people somewhere between the extremes. That space keeps getting uncomfortably more narrow.
If the current board meetings resemble a car, its dashboard lights are blinking, the engine is smoking, and the wheels are falling off. School district leadership needs to “pop the hood” and see what is happening.
Polling over the last few months has shown a marked drop in support for Joe Biden, with his approval in the latest RealClearPolitics “poll of polls” standing at 44 percent – 11 percentage points below where he stood in late May.
We are now living in a world of right-wing fueled propaganda, healthcare misinformation, smears, death threats, and incessant harassment. This school board race is anything but simple.
The pandemic has illuminated and exacerbated the disparity between rural and urban healthcare. Recent reports show that rural COVID deaths are occurring at a rate of twice that of urban areas.
We need to change the paradigm that separates mental and physical well-being.
We learned from whistleblower Frances Haugen and internal Facebook documents that the algorithm decides which posts of your selected friends and groups are pushed to you ahead of others.
Democrats are worried about the prospect of Donald Trump running again – and stealing the 2024 election. No wonder.
In what is perhaps the most unknowing coalition the world has ever seen, psychologists, privacy advocates, cybersecurity experts, comedians, world leaders and even one of the founders of the world wide web have been sounding the alarm for years on serious harm social media has done to the fabric of society and democracies around the planet.
Every day that passes by America seems more and more unrecognizable to me. When I turn on the news or read a newspaper, the country I hold dearly appears to be unraveling before my eyes.
China’s prizes the opportunity to gain global legitimacy, and unfortunately for them, they need Western broadcasters to do so.
Jim Clyburn convinced the country, but who convinced Clyburn?
For years now, raising the debt ceiling has become a ritual imbued with unsurpassed political hypocrisy.
If you are going to serve in the public arena, your face will be marred by dust and sweat, but shouldn’t be blood!
To understand the underlying cause of the great recission, we need to look beyond surface indicators by delving into how the pandemic is impacting people’s psychology.
The core question that arises is simply, why the disparate treatment of two equally afflicted groups of people seeking protection?
But today, even as schools begin to open and we teachers get the joy of seeing our students in person, many challenges remain. Chief among them, we must also acknowledge that there is some disillusion towards teachers and school administrators.
As we head into October and lurch toward the end of the first session of the 117th Congress, the Democratic Leadership and President Biden face a terrifying trifecta of goals.
Data indicates that the economy is only returning to normal for America’s upper and middle classes, leaving behind citizens on the lower end – forming a “K-shaped” recovery.
It’s been a roller coaster of a week in Washington as Democrats tried to advance a 1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill. But when all was said and done, Democrats failed to vote on the infrastructure bill intended to be Biden’s hallmark legislation. Are Senators Manchin and Sinema the problem, or the solution?
American businesses — already overburdened by pandemic hardships— may be facing a host of new challenges due to Joe Biden’s recent vaccination mandate for federal workers and certain employers. It could, however, be the gift employers have been waiting for since the advent of the vaccines.
One brought the nation to peril and the other now finds himself in a perilous place, politically speaking.
Both candidates seem to have strong hands, but each may be overplaying what they have been dealt. In Texas political terms, each is playing a game of Hold’em.
Youngkin is doing his utmost to pitch himself as an affable, moderate Republican from the days of old, while Democrats are tarring him as yet another Trump devotee.
The perception that President Biden mishandled the Afghanistan withdrawal undermined swing voters’ confidence in him, but it didn’t trigger a full abandonment of support.
The hard truth is that many of these obstinate, vaccine-hesitant individuals will not suddenly get a shot thanks to the government.
He was operating through an agreement signed by his predecessor, and at the direction of President Trump, designed expressly to reduce the risk of military miscalculation.
Media and political rhetoric distort Americans’ views of each other, and that arguably, the best single remedy we have against raging civil discord is dialogue.
The contemporary Senate procedure continues to bear traces of the word’s origin in that, like the pirates, a political filibuster is used to disrupt.
At least this much is certain: The picture painted by social media was not the whole story.
In a society that has become increasingly polarized, the use of social media may not create partisan divisiveness in the first instance, but it does exacerbate it.
If remaining healthy is to remain a right for us all, particularly with COVID-19 easily spreading, public health and safety can never become the stepchild of personal liberty.
The question is whether Biden can make peace with organized labor and eliminate the tariffs before the November 2022 Congressional elections, or whether domestic politics keeps them in place at least until 2023, and perhaps longer.
The conundrum facing a GOP candidate like Parnell in this purple state is: how to best exploit the nod from Trump in the Republican primary, both politically and financially, while not simultaneously closing the door on his chances in November.
We have seen first-hand how misinformation can impact the fight against a public health emergency. For us, it was our work against AIDS denialism in the early 2000s.
To honor our troops, the Afghans who helped us, and the generations that must endure future conflicts, we must break the cycle of disastrous foreign interventions.
The traumas of the pandemic are evident everywhere– from suddenly losing a loved one to the overwork and burnout of our frontline workers.
There is the perception that these ecosystems are evenly divided between the right-wing and left-wing media, but this is an incorrect assessment of an expansive system with mainstream news organizations, partisan media outlets, and a good deal of garbage spread all around.
No doubt, a tragic number of my generation has succumbed to the virus, but it has also shown that we are far healthier than past generations at our age.
Perhaps, the pandemic has been the greatest economic disruptor of all and has led to many much-needed reforms to the way we work.
The global community must ensure that human rights are preserved by the new Taliban government, and one of the most concerning aspects of that mission is the digital footprint of our Afghan allies.
While the U.K. doesn’t have a vastly higher vaccination rate than the U.S., there are no ‘pockets’ where there are larger percentages of unprotected citizens.
There is a common misconception that military veterans can seamlessly rejoin society following their military service – as if they can simply flick a switch and put their service behind them. But that is clearly not the case.
So damn sad. That’s the one and maybe only observation on which we can all agree about the suicide bombing outside Kabul airport Thursday that killed 13 U.S. Servicemen among more than 170 people – with another 200-plus wounded.
A crisis demands an all-hands-on deck approach, but communicating a crisis is best left to a single, consistent, credible individual.
The decision by President Biden to withdraw from our longest war in Afghanistan was the correct and proper one because, tragically, we never learned from our history in Vietnam.
Rather than continue to tweak how they evaluate applicants to fit the changes brought on by COVID-19, colleges need to remake the application itself to spotlight what really matters once students get to campus.
When it came to those moments when he needed someone intimate yet independent enough to speak to him in blunt, honest terms… he had no one.
As we put the war in Afghanistan behind us, a central question left hanging in the air is whether the American people any longer have the will to defend the international order established under our watch.
To the extent mistakes were made – and they were – that doesn’t bear on service and sacrifice of those who were boots on the ground.
False beliefs act as a catalyst pushing the population toward the behavior after which it can be maintained.
In short, a top-down government approach for addressing issues related to COVID isn’t appealing to “Trump-to-Biden” voters.
Lindell promised to produce evidence of election fraud live at his Cyber Symposium and offered a $5 million reward to anyone who was able to disprove his evidence. Being a cybersecurity professional myself, I was anxious to see this event.
The clock is ticking. We need to face the challenges of addressing our changing climate. The phony “debate” about the science needs to be transformed into a real debate about the solutions and supporting timely actions.
When President George W. Bush tried to whip up support for an attack on Afghanistan after 9/11, he made a fundamental blunder that has bedeviled American politics for 20 years.
Workers realize that they no longer have to tolerate toxic customers and office cultures. We are rage quitting in record numbers.
A single data point rarely tells the whole story. The underlying dynamics that are driving changes in poll numbers are far more compelling than the top-line data.
Recent revelations on how foreign governments are using NSO spyware to hunt journalists and political opponents is another example that reflects a prevalent norm in our online society: digital surveillance.
Does an officer’s service make them a hero, or is it the manner of their death?
Despite their sometimes-glossy public facade, and blandly positive names – like “Reopen Bucks” or “Keeping Kids in School” – they espouse a virulent disregard of science, medicine, inclusion, and people’s lived experiences other than their own.
To those who choose to not get vaccinated, the message should be that while it is your right to make your own choice about getting the vaccination, your decision can no longer threaten the health of others.
Wall Street investors are cornering the housing market in favor of shareholders and at the expense of homebuyers trying to earn their American Dream of homeownership.
Similar to convention warfare, the culture war we are now experiencing will only be won once we vaccinate street by street, community by community.
Pelosi’s removal of Jordan and Banks is a great fundraising tool for Democrats in the coming months, but the stench of Pelosi’s political hostility and coercion is so pungent that it forces even seasoned political junkies to hold their noses.
To understand why so much of the 2020 polling was askew, I along with other members of the polling industry, academia, non-profit sector, and the media were tasked with finding out what went wrong.
No doubt, this level of funding is an opportunity for transformative, once-in-a-generation change to our nation’s outdated infrastructure. However, as it stands now, Congress and the Biden Administration risk pouring more money down a bottomless bucket.
Not only does Washington political news fail to reach these swing voters, but high-profile political figures also remain largely unknown.
Why would some be resistant or—in extreme cases—outright hostile to the idea of a highly effective vaccine that almost eliminates the risk of serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19?
Even before the school doors open, the coming academic year already appears to be anything but normal.
Today, the Cuban people have had enough and are spilling out into the streets insisting on better governance.
To understand ‘Havana Syndrome,’ you need to start at the beginning.
In Arkansas, the arrival of the Delta variant, low state vaccination rates, and laxity in masking and social distancing have fanned what were once embers to the point that we now find ourselves in a raging inferno of cases.
This pandemic has revealed many holes in our healthcare infrastructure, but a uniquely American dilemma has to do with the conflict between rigid defenders of individual rights and public health proponents who focus on general welfare.
Emboldened by a stamp of approval from the FDA and patient advocacy organizations, Biogen and its misinformation campaign are in an unprecedented position to cause harm to patients.
We are not yet at the point where Republican leaders are pressuring voters and public health officials to withdraw from all public health efforts, and hopefully, that moment will not arrive.
Why amidst this vaccine hesitancy is president Biden not ordering all 9 million federal employees – including the military – to get vaccinated?
His new platform is all feeling and no substance, reflecting and amplifying the grievances projected onto him – a Rorschach test of polarized America.
Through all the public doubts, the law and the judiciary have always supported immunizations – until now.
If there is one thing that China desires above all else, it is legitimacy in the eyes of the global community, and the West fails to properly leverage that desire.
By “unfixing” monthly student loan repayments, millions of borrowers will have an opportunity to immediately and permanently increase their monthly cash flow.
If Republicans are going to win back Independent and suburban voters sixteen months from now and take back the Senate, Mitch McConnell needs the 2022 midterm to be about something other than Donald Trump, January 6th, and Republican voter suppression.
Over the last few years, against a backdrop of a growing global mental health crisis, excitement has been building around psychedelic therapies that appear to have an extraordinary capacity to create life-changing experiences.
As the United States is entering the third wave of COVID-19, the facts of where we are and where we’re going are clear. Equally clear is that course corrections can save lives while preserving political freedoms and economic recovery.
There is no silver bullet for fixing education in our inner cities. We must address each issue at a time. But for me, I think it is time for better educational experiences for students.
In many respects, the vaccination maps of the United States resemble the final result of the 2020 election And you can usually tell the Red States because they have a lower rate of vaccination.
McSwain’s willingness to bend the knee to the former president is understandable given today’s political dynamics, not to mention observable throughout the Republican Party’s ranks.
Instead of celebrating what was achieved, politicians, pundits, and the public cavil and query the science behind the vaccines and how they are being utilized. Why all the angst? Why all the politics? There are no easy answers…
Filed in federal court in Miami as a putative class action on behalf of other supposed digital censorship victims, Trump’s suits are DOA — dead on arrival. They’ll be thrown out by a judge long before they reach trial.
Even with a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court – along with scores of conservative appointees in the lower courts – the rights of the LGBTQ+ community continues to become a normalized part of American society.
Forget the debate about voter fraud versus voter suppression for the moment. There’s a new election threat on the horizon, and it requires urgent and bipartisan action from Congress.
If there is no longer a consensus across the aisle that even taxes on the books should be collected, it may be time to embrace a fundamental reimagining of what we tax and how.
At some point, the world changed. As technology became more efficient, and humans were able to communicate with each other at a level never before witnessed by humanity, we lost the ability to trust.
Americans have the right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures, both in their homes and in rented spaces like safe deposit boxes, apartments, and storage units.
The New White Nationalism is very much concerned with how academics and other professionals legitimatize particular peoples’ experiences as indicative of the ‘American’ experience.
Joe Biden’s inaugural promise was to bring bipartisanship back to Washington, D.C. But after the past couple of weeks, that goal regrettably seems more out of reach than ever—and that puts the Democrats in political peril heading into the 2022 midterms.
Cameras in courts are simply the logical evolution of a core principle of the United States: that our courts must be open to the public and the press.
In order to close the infrastructure gap, the U.S. would need investment from all levels of government and the private sector from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent of the country’s GPD by 2025.
Even as economies recover from COVID-19 and stock markets boom, authoritarian populism remains a threat to freedom.
The California Legislature just approved a $100-million plan to “bolster and support” California’s legal cannabis industry. The plan was passed to combat the large illegal marijuana market that continues to hamstring the highly regulated market of legal growers.
While recent happenings may have accelerated and accentuated changes in the workforce, the real cause of current labor problems is demographic, not political.
In the long run, the emergence of this government in Israel highlights two principles: that politics makes strange bedfellows and that even very partial democracies, if they feature intense partisan competition, can make progress toward building a more inclusive and reasonable society.
It is still your right to vaccinate or not. It is not your right to dodge the question, lie, or waffle. Yes, you can, but you would be a jerk who does not give a whit about others.
On Monday, June 21st, Hosts Buck Sexton and Clay Travis debuted a new national radio show that answered a momentous question for syndicator Premiere Radio: who would take over the time slot vacated by the man who made modern talk radio?
The enshrinement of Juneteenth as a national holiday is an opportunity for us to truthfully examine the legacy of slavery and the systems of oppression that continue to endure.
Even as Americans are more aware of public health issues than ever before, this condition affects millions of women, especially pregnant ones, and it has generational implications for their offspring.
The bipartisan Restaurant Revitalization Replenishment Act would make up for the gap in funding and help nearly a quarter of a million businesses across all parts of America keep their doors open.
Naturally, many Americans want to know if employers can make such personal mandates, and employment law attorneys such as myself have been inundated with calls from employees seeking guidance.
While President Biden drew a line in the sand on the sixteen critical infrastructure sectors of the United States that should be exempted from cyber-attack, the statement itself was rather vague in scope and carried an unquantifiable amount of weight to it.
If Dong Jingwei provides compelling new evidence on the virus’s origins, or how the Chinese government handled the virus, his testimony could verify months of speculation that the virus emerged from a lab.
Now that the latest challenge to the ACA has been shot down, I believe we have ushered in a new mandate to expand healthcare and begin to codify that our healthcare is a universal right.
While moderate Manchin waves the flag of bipartisanship, his new, slimmed-down counter-proposal to his fellow democrats might be a waste of time.
On June 2nd of this year, on behalf of five families of LCPS students, Liberty Justice Center has brought a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school district for violating two fundamental promises of the Constitution: free speech and fair treatment.
No major piece of legislation’s path to victory is without turbulence, and the For the People Act is no different. It’s par for the course in our bicameral system, where many competing interests weigh in as Congress considers a bill.
My hope in writing this is to give the reader a sense of how my attitudes about race were impacted in surprising and unexpected ways.
Democracy, it turns out, is not imperative – winning is.
If President Biden truly has his fingers on the pulse of American public opinion, he’ll recognize that Americans want this problem dealt with, but not with live bullets.
We haven’t even yet reached the traditional summer spike in crime, and yet major U.S. cities are already experiencing historic murder rates after 2020 saw a 33% increase in homicides.
The Black vaccine hesitancy narrative is nothing more than a cover-up for the failure of elected officials to plan for mass vaccinating communities of color.
Now more than ever, as the world starts to return to work and other life activities, the prevalence of separation anxiety has the potential to reach epidemic proportions.
Today, few remnants of the Great Society’s aspirational goals emphasize self-support and human dignity. Instead, welfare’s present form provides material support – transferring resources to help individuals obtain goods and services they cannot purchase independently.
Critics don’t actually understand what 230 does and why the law is so vital to the open operation of the Internet. They are actually working against their best interests.
While we await word from the mostly tight-lipped world of federal prosecutors and FBI agents, there are other aspects of this case to watch that haven’t been mentioned.
Our current education system prioritizes high-paying jobs, rather than cultivating a core of critical thinking skills grounded in a civics education.
Here’s my takeaway: First that the lab leak theory is plausible, second, that politics and bureaucratic turf wars hampered the full exploration of the lab leak theory.
Medical researchers must now dig deeper into the data to answer the elephant-in-the-room question: did more Americans choose to end their lives by overdose during the year of COVID?
As scientists, we have been stunned and disheartened to witness many strange scientific claims made during this pandemic, often by scientists.
For us, this is about our son, the kid we raised, the kid we love beyond words. We also appreciate that his detainment is about the importance of a free press and the role it plays in a democracy – both at home and abroad.
If President Biden were to appoint four more justices, it would only further politicize the process and further damage the Court’s standing in the eyes of the American people.
I’ve spent several days on the radio this week discussing the latest revelations concerning the origin of COVID-19. A number of callers asked a question that I find absurd and it is this: “Who cares?”
The Pipeline itself technically wasn’t hacked. I would know; I am the CEO and chief security officer at a private cybersecurity firm that was contracted by a company in Colonial’s supply chain following the ransomware attack.
President Joe Biden’s proposed spending, in excess of entire fiscal budgets, shows evidence of extraordinary financial ambition and effort to re-engineer America in ways that may exceed that of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ during the Great Depression.
I suppose I am simultaneously reveling and lamenting for a variety of reasons, but I am doing so through the unique lens of a white woman who has been married to a Black man for nearly 22 years. I am also reflecting as a mother of three biracial teenagers.
As the COVID pandemic recedes, states and the Department of Labor have started to bring back work search requirements. Some ask, however, whether it is too soon to reimpose search requirements.
Humankind’s failure to focus on population is equivalent to health care addressing illness by focusing on symptoms instead of cause, making short-term relief a false sign of causal abatement.
Baby Anna was just welcomed to the world less than 24 hours ago when she starts a nails-on-chalkboard, high-pitched wailing cry that won’t stop.
There remains another midterm intangible that cannot be avoided by either party. Two cases will be heard this fall by the Supreme Court – which has been reshaped by three, Trump-nominated Justices.
Unless the Republican Party is comfortable with the future of conservatism riding on the shoulders of Senator Joe Manchin, it’s time for the GOP to try governing rather than obstruction.
As Americans, we have to recognize the violation of Palestinian human rights. To publicly recognize the suffering of Palestinians does not make one antisemitic or against the existence of Israel.
After a year of living in a pandemic and the unconscionable loss of life, we’ve learned many useful precautions that could improve our public health practice and clinical care.
As a patriotic American who is now living in Texas, my feeling is there is no reason for the nation to step aside if it wants to leave our Union.
If employers are building their recruitment and staffing strategy around attracting the unemployed back to the workforce with pay, it is likely not a sound or sustainable strategy.
Many small business owners claim they can’t find employees and point to competition they face from the government’s offer of enhanced unemployment benefits – which had been $600 per week and are now $300.
On the one hand, “Trump-Biden” voters regularly insist that they cast their votes for the best candidate, irrespective of party. At the same time, they say they maintain a remarkably sour view of the Republican brand.
As with any tool, how body cameras are used matters significantly more than whether they are used. When it comes to the potential benefits of a police body-worn camera program, the devil is in the details.
Perhaps the fabric of our nation – the shared commitment to our founding purpose and creed that has long been presumed to bind us together – has become frayed beyond repair.
Both sides of the political spectrum cannot agree on basic facts. If we continue down this path, we will fail to enact meaningful changes in police accountability that are sorely needed.
Instead of serving as a forum for great national debates, the United States Senate has devolved into both a graveyard and a stage. The Senate is where bills go to die and where Senators go to perform.
The memories of 9/11 are still so chilling and vivid, I can hardly believe we are approaching 20-years from that fateful day.
So is the government being too generous? And will the jobs we see open today be there come September?
While many are drawing parallels between the three cases and critiquing the involved officers’ actions, not many seem to grasp what these cases tell us about police leadership.
Thanks to California’s election laws, an avalanche of candidates have stepped forward to potentially replace the governor – most notably, the transgender, former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner. Well, if history is a teacher, those who backed the recall may have just given Governor Newsom a golden political opportunity.
Traditional political wisdom says that voters tend to look for “someone like me” and vote accordingly. Today, the level of political self-sorting has increased to the point that political affiliations are valued more by voters than experience.
When I listen to my ultrasound, I can hear two heartbeats. One belongs to my son, and the other belongs to Samantha Whitney.
With no prospect of bipartisan legislating on the horizon, a fight on the filibuster is coming. As such, Democrats need to find a hill to fight on: an issue that will give them the best chance of busting open this archaic procedure.
Diesel prices are rising, climate change is real, and freight volumes are growing. America needs to keep running and freight needs to move, so how can the trucking industry tackle all three?
This week we reached a tipping point. In many parts of the country, the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine now outstrips demand.
I do not regret my vaccine hesitancy, but I also do not regret my decision to finally get the vaccine based on the available science and data. As so many others have said, getting a vaccine is not just about you, but about the safety of our own communities.
These Dreamers never had a choice to come to the U.S., but now that they are here, they should be welcomed with open arms.
Human life has become so cheap in the eyes of our society we have simply become numb to it. Mass causality events dominate the news for a single cycle and then we will move on.
Truth was the first casualty in the war on COVID-19. We’ll only win this war when we ask hard questions and answer them honestly.
Time will tell if the suburban New York Democrats that Jones represents support his push for D.C. statehood. If Jones’ constituents rally behind his messaging, it could indicate how socially progressive the party is becoming – even in the wealthy burbs.
Entrance exams, at face value, are ironically quite limited in their scope. Indeed, the SAT is binary in nature, essentially just testing two disciplines – English and Math.
The trial of Derek Chauvin was vindication for cameras in American courtrooms. Not since the OJ Simpson Criminal Trial in 1995 have so many Americans gathered around televisions to watch the administration of justice.
Transgender citizens have been participating in the sports team of their choice for years, so why has this topic been elevated to the forefront of the national conversation?
Turmoil within the Republican Party has given Democrats an opportunity to confound history, make gains in off-year elections, and solidify its hold on Congress. Yet some Democrats seem determined to return the favor and hand the advantage back to the GOP.
The repercussions of these ham-handed lockdown measures will be suffered for years. More carefully conceived measures could have fought the pandemic with less damage to the economy and people’s lives.
The President has his marching orders from swing voters: work in a bipartisan fashion, let the rich pay the tab, and don’t incur more debt.
For us, we want the brave men and women who raised their right hand to serve their country to be able to live in peace. They deserve the American dream they fought so hard to defend.
Just imagine for a moment if we all recognized the true essence of our Self; if we deeply adhered to the prophetic prescription to ‘Know Thyself’.
Why the sudden change in course for America’s first female vice president? Though just shy of her first three months in office, speculation and finger-pointing are already playing out in the Beltway.
With light visible at the end of this pandemic’s achingly long tunnel, now’s the time for a candid assessment of what we’ve learned.
The issue is that trust in the United States government and its institutions is at an all-time low. So, the real debate is how we as a society convince the deeply skeptical population that a potential government ID is in their best interests?
Recent years have been revolutionary times for American cuisine, as chefs creatively explore the roots of our common foods and expand their interpretations of them. This raises the question: What cuisine will be the next to entice so many of us that it becomes part of our national menu?
Consider what kind of care you’d like if you couldn’t speak for yourself, and who you would want to represent you if that were to happen?
Last Saturday, we garnered our 50,000th subscriber for the Smerconish.com daily newsletter. Within a year, the newsletter subscriber base is bigger than the Tower, Spectrum, and Citizens Bank Park.
This is not the first time in our history that the business sector has weighed in on politically sensitive issues. In fact, corporate social activism increased during the Trump administration, albeit more behind the scenes.
The Biden administration and state governments need to expand advanced workforce skills programs behind bars. If we do not invest in technology and training, we will continue to see dismally high recidivism rates for the hundreds of thousands of citizens who return to society from prison.
Attempting to run unaffiliated from any political group, as an Independent, can be herculean, even for political behemoths.
At the end of the day, please keep truckers like me – the people who are on the road every day – in your thoughts when you make these changes. Our industry is hurting, and we cannot go through another complicated tax that could sink us.
Global legitimacy is a powerful and specific form of leverage that China yearns for. Leveraging it may be able to provide enough diplomatic pressure to grant us concessions in a number of ongoing issues.
If you believe that postal workers are theoretically bribable, that fake ballots and envelopes are theoretically printable, and that voters are theoretically targetable, then you understand the weaknesses built into our vote-by-mail (VBM) system.
There are many reasons why political incentives are totally out of whack, but the primary reason – and the primary problem in our politics today – is partisan primaries.
I am not advocating a return to the pre-1985 version of the Fairness Doctrine; however, I do believe we need a modern reinterpretation of it for the Internet Age.
This is no longer about former President Trump and his accusations against the Chinese Communist Party. This is about the 552,000 dead Americans and the search for truth. They all deserve an answer.
In an age where every company in the United States is trying to build and improve its diversity and inclusion programs, they would be putting money where their mouth is. They already were vocal proponents of the BLM protests over the summer. If they do not stay consistent, they will be seen as opportunistic panderers.
Almost everyone we met said that they loved our mission, our story, and our licenses but ultimately shied away from sponsoring us. At the time, it felt like we hit a wall.
If you don’t wear your mask to work – be it at the grocery store or Congress – you may come in contact with the father or mother of a child like Hallie. Don’t think of the mask as something that takes away your freedom. It’s not about control, it’s about benevolence.
In the jury’s deliberations, they will have to ascertain, among other matters, if there was a lack of investigation, a failure to properly identify Floyd, any fraudulent intent, valid probable cause for arresting him, and whether Floyd posed a threat to the four officers.
U.S. immigration policy needs to shift its focus from bolstering barriers to migration to helping alleviate the conditions that drive people to become asylum seekers.
The Capitol is covered in scaffolding as if they are a series of scars reminding us of the seditious assault on the temple of our Democracy on January 6th. When they are gone, we cannot – and should not – put January 6th in our rearview mirror.
There’s a certain type of person who voted for Barack Obama in 2012 and Donald Trump in 2016. There’s also a different—and equally fascinating type—who voted for Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.
It’s exciting to find a long-lost family or a relative and can be a relief to know that a propensity for cancer doesn’t run in the family. However, most don’t realize the risks associated with giving away what is uniquely yours to a for-profit corporation.
As society begins to return to the so-called “new normal,” we must do everything we can to learn from this collective trauma. As such, I think a bipartisan 9/11-style commission must convene to look back on the pandemic, investigate any instances of government mismanagement, and propose a set of recommendations to prevent this mess from happening again.
A big part of what is driving people to our southern border is narco-terrorism. The drug wars have killed thousands in Mexico and Central and South America. Intimidation and corruption run rampant.
Frankly, the tired anecdote of people in orange vests leaning against shovels and bridges to nowhere is not supported by data. The more we complain about earmarks, the faster our local infrastructure crumbles.
As measured by our personally-held national aspirations, Americans are not remotely as divided as we may be led to believe. It’s time to see Americans as we are – in full nuance – not as how public opinion narratives caricature us to be.
The admissions process has always been a one-sided affair with colleges holding more of the cards; this year it promises to be even worse with the specter of the pandemic. So, maybe this is the perfect time to rethink some of the traditions of admissions.
We knew we needed to push this through the right channels and see if somehow, someway, medical cannabis could make it into the Veterans Health Administration. Could this be a viable alternative to opiates that are being prescribed? How could we even make the case?
Whatever your opinion of Biden, know this: He has empathy. Biden, who has a deep history of personal loss and grief, called upon his own hardships to provide a much-needed salve to a nation plagued by unrelenting loss.
This camouflage-wearing, gun touting bigots, once the underbelly of our society, have been whipped up and empowered by Trump’s ire. They are a threat to our democracy and have committed violence in various other cities.
Left unchecked, the governments of the world could essentially and inadvertently kill the open Internet by simply making it unpalatable to operate in their countries from another country.
I wonder what happened to the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan, Dirksen, McCain, and the Bushes. Today’s GOP is a shadow of its former self and continues to cleave to an orthodoxy of simple blind loyalty to one man and to his intractable base.
Some members of the GOP Doctors Caucus say the US Covid-19 vaccine strategy should emulate the UK, where the priority is to get administer as many first shots as possible before giving out the second dose.
The right to free speech does not ‘cancel’ our societal right to truth. We have all lost family members and or friends due to what I would call mostly non-violent radicalization from social media misinformation. The truth is their beliefs and actions are a form of self-cancelation and only they can undo this form of self-harm.
Why is the messaging about Latino voters so fraught with ambiguity? Part of the reason lies with a lack of understanding about who Latinos are and how to communicate with them.
This week begins the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for his role in the death of George Floyd. As the trial unfolds, the public will once again discuss a myriad of ways to reform police departments, debating everything from “defunding the police” to banning chokeholds.
The most pressing, near-term question of American politics will be which of the two parties can best advance their ideological objectives within the confines of reality.
As the public relations officer and assistant to the superintendent and board of education in a suburban Chicago school district, I have a bird’s eye view of the collective power of the local teachers’ union as our nation prepares to open our schools.
Here’s one thing I’m hoping to get soon: a coronavirus vaccine. But in so many parts of the country, getting a vaccine can be a complicated, confusing ordeal.
While I am sympathetic to the economic fallout of the virus, I believe that public health and safety need to be prioritized. Our state is continuing to grapple with the fallout of an unprecedented winter storm, and to me, Abbott’s decision is both reckless and irresponsible.
The parliamentarian’s determination not only dealt a decisive blow to Biden’s short-term economic agenda but also set new limits on how the Democrat-controlled Senate will be able to pass their most ambitious policies moving forward.
I believe that vesting the decision to use nuclear weapons in one person is the correct answer. President Truman’s “he alone” intonation gives you every sentiment you need to understand why. This decision is so intimate for the President that it will never be used in a reckless or spasmatic way.
A trillion dollars is apparently a bridge too far for those ten Republicans. They were all for unity, but unity comes at a price. If unity is what Joe Biden wants, apparently he needs to take things down a bit. Into the billions, preferably.
Tomorrow in Orlando, former President Trump will address the Conservative Political Action Conference (or “CPAC”). It’s an event that could offer an early window into the party’s 2024 presidential contest.
The government, in collaboration with the business sector, has an unprecedented opportunity of addressing the legitimate grievances of tens-of-millions of Americans, bringing greater income and social equality to those sections of the county that have been most impacted by industrial decline.
Bitcoin (BTC) has no intrinsic value. It can’t because it doesn’t actually exist. So, why then has the price of BTC increased over 15,000 percent in just the past 5 years from $350 to over $55,000? To explain this, it is necessary to understand how Bitcoin came to exist and how cryptocurrency works.
There are two transformational events in modern American history: the terrorism attack on September 11, 2001, and the insurrection on January 6, 2021. They defined a moment when the nation was at existential peril.
The light of our collective conscience is shining brightly on the insidious nature of racism, especially in our law enforcement. The time is at hand to face the consequences of unbridled bigotry openly and honestly. It may be impossible to legislate tolerance and compassion, but we must nevertheless pursue justice.
You want to know what caused this? Blame the ‘Texas Strong, Texas Proud, Texas Independent’ acts of machismo that too many subscribe to in this state. Instead of basic blocking and tackling, many spearheading our response are preening and strutting.
While many schools continue to teach virtually, there is a severe downward slide of student achievement across the nation. It’s dropping at an alarming rate. Actually, it’s fallen off a cliff.
I didn’t know Rush Limbaugh personally, I was in his company just one night, but he had an enormous impact on my profession and our nation. News of his passing has been met with as divided a reaction as his work while alive. But Rush’s legacy is more complicated than any caricature.
I could fill up my time scrolling through my Twitter, happily watching the Internet flay Cruz for his stupidity. He’s a tempting emotional punching bag. But what will this public condemnation accomplish?
What he has done by going to Cancun in the middle of this humanitarian is literally indefensible. Morally. Politically. In any possible way of looking at it. Indefensible.
Ten years ago, if your organization was not a tech company in some form, then you were in trouble. Today, if you’re not a creative company – no matter your sector – then watch out.
Whether you loved him or hated him, recognize that no one had more impact in shaping where we are both politically, and in terms of the media we consume, than Rush Hudson Limbaugh III.
Now, as we have seen the ease with which public opinion can be manipulated by social media and the news-entertainment complex, and a large percentage of one political party convinced of fraud claims made up out of whole cloth, the frail underbelly of our democracy has been exposed.
Throughout the past four years, I have repeatedly believed that, following each of Trump’s many dreadful misdeeds, that the party could not possibly sink any lower. Every time, I was proven wrong.
Having withstood the assaults of Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration, public education, one of America’s best ideas, now faces attack in the states.
Which U.S. president was born in a log cabin, raised in the backwoods, became a lawyer, served in his state legislature and Congress, foiled Southern led gutting of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, opposed slavery, and was an ardent Unionist?
Apply your common sense and ask yourself: Was Trump glad or sad that the Capitol was invaded? It’s really all you need to know when determining how this should end.
After a decade of research, we believe that lawmakers should step back and study how mobsters take the long view and push decision-making at the local level; most importantly, they should examine how mobsters employ incentive schemes that motivate and contribute to America’s endless fascination with their very existence.
If closing was so universal, and officials on both sides of the aisle are calling for opening, why is restarting school so hard? As someone in education for 25 years, allow me to offer some thoughts.
This coup was made possible due to the rampant amount of misinformation online, which made enough of the population is seemingly O.K. with their military assuming control of the government.
They make a principle argument that the Constitution “requires that a person actually hold office to be impeached.” Since Donald Trump is no longer President, his attorneys claim “the present proceedings are moot and thus a nullity.”
Former President Trump main defense at the upcoming second impeachment trial will be that the Senate lacks jurisdiction to try him because he is no longer in office. Any senator who hides behind that argument to avoid passing judgment on the merits is craven and derelict.
The growing tension between teachers and parents hit a breaking point this week as, in spite of overwhelming scientific evidence supporting full or at least substantial opening of schools.
The electoral college challenge and Cheney leadership votes are inconsistent. Think about it. You can’t believe the election was “rigged,” but also want to protect Liz Cheney for her vote to impeach.
Would you rather receive information that corrects a misconception, or would you prefer to be told that you’re right? That is the choice millions of us face every day.
How can we ensure that today’s adolescents (and tomorrow’s voters) will not fall into this myth-making world? By mandating information and media literacy in public education.
As the nation now prepares for another impeachment trial, the immediate call for one of these democracy reform priorities is pressing. Open primaries, in which candidates must face all registered voters instead of only their registered partisan voters, must be adopted nationwide.
Much of the current polarization in our politics stems from the country’s wealth inequality. A UBI is not the only solution, but it can be an integral part of the reforms the American people are yearning for.
We need the VAT now and I hope the Biden administration will make it a priority to study it. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a VAT of 5% would raise roughly $300 billion a year, an amount we will need to start closing the budget gap.
I don’t need to tell you all downsides of this pandemic. Still, I am clinging to the silver-linings and the time I have been able to spend with my family. All in all, we had a great 2020, who would have thunk?
A second chance is what Republicans in Congress will need from voters in 2022 if they want to regain majorities in the House and Senate. And according to most of the swing voters I focus-grouped on January 21—ones who voted for Trump in 2016 then Biden in 2020—they’re willing to give Graham’s and Paul’s Congressional colleagues that chance.
We no doubt need a certain degree of faith in our leaders. However, unlike the authoritarian states or monarchies of the past, we place faith in titles, not the personalities occupying them.
This may get each side the best possible outcome and spare the nation another bruising impeachment trial when the country desperately needs to begin a healing process and focus on pressing issues, particularly the unprecedented deployment of COVID vaccines.
Marjorie Taylor Greene really is deplorable. I didn’t like it when Hillary Clinton used the word to describe Trump voters, but in this case, it applies.
We need to ask ourselves, how did we allow Trumpism and right-wing radicals to usurp our foundational values to the point of blatant sedition? The answer is complex. It lies in a convoluted fusion of multi-faceted political and socio-economic factors that have plagued our nation for decades.
As a teacher and eternal student of history, it’s fascinating to experience events that will define our society in the future. We are witnessing such a time right now. It has to do with the future of LGBTQ+ Americans.
In Joe Biden’s haste to show his politically correct bona fides to the LGBTQ+ community, he may have in the process harmed female college athletes throughout America. It began, as overreach often does, with good intentions.
Hank Aaron was a legend within the game of baseball, no doubt, but his life was significant beyond the game and those who followed him held him in the highest esteem.
We must examine and educate ourselves, then commit to a rigorous application of critical thinking – adjusting our worldview accordingly. And finally, we must do everything in our power to help our fellow Americans embrace and apply critical thinking to their lives. The future of our democracy depends upon it.
Our best hope of saving many more lives is to find more effective treatments for COVID-19 right now. But we don’t have to rely entirely on developing treatments from scratch; we must continue to look at repurposing existing medications.
With rumors about assassination attempts circulating, President Buchanan took measures to protect the President-Elect.
The “1776 Report” was a transparent White House effort to whitewash history. Free of footnotes, lacking documentation, and unsigned – as well as loose with facts – it was a piece of propaganda insultingly issued on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
President Biden said in his inaugural address that to restore the soul of America requires unity. But that might have to wait while some of the residual issues surrounding his predecessor are sorted out.
Just as economic inequality has been declining for decades between countries but increasing within them, the internal tensions within geographies, and separation into different virtual “societies” will grow.
The fact is that one rarely even hears the word “lockdown” in the media anymore, at least as an option for handling the pandemic going forward. Mask up and social distance, yes; lockdown, no.
So how does a society combat foreign influence, especially when its goal is to ensure the survival of the most toxic elements we face today?
As Trump’s legacy begins to enter our rearview mirror, many more Americans will wake up to the cynical nature of Trump’s grift, reject his relentless attempts to overturn the results of a legitimate election and condemn his seditious plot against the government itself.
The lessons we learned after Lincoln’s assassination are important. Booth was merely the most visible symptom of a wide-spread disease in the Confederacy.
Unfortunately, it is not sufficient to simply look to multiple sources for news because each side does not address the concerns or views of the other. Each side simply presents their own facts and narratives.
The essay was provided by President Bush’s longtime chief of staff, Jean Becker, and is included in her book about him, The Man I Knew, which will be released June 1st.
I could not support Donald Trump in 2016. And last year, I vigorously supported Joe Biden. I believe he will be a president who will inspire, reunite, and elevate all Americans.
Donald Trump is now the only American president to have been impeached twice. But like Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, he will not be removed from office.
The fact is that we presently inhabit a deeply divided and dangerous information landscape. This landscape poses a long-term threat not only to our ability to govern effectively, but also to the very principles and institutions of democracy itself.
January 6th was a tragic event, but perhaps it will also be a juncture that creates new possibilities. Rather than a herald of our unraveling, it may come to be seen as the moment when the trajectory of the country changed and building a shared commitment to democratic values became possible once again.
Simply put, SARS-related coronaviruses present one of the greatest threats to future pandemics. The original SARS emerged in 2002, the related MERS coronavirus emerged in 2012, and finally, SARS-CoV-2 in 2019.
Jefferson acknowledged current affairs and the divisive partisan politics of the last four years and referred to them as “the conflicting elements of a troubled world.” Biden will do the same.
For a healthy marketplace of ideas to exist, questionable speech must remain in the mainstream where it can be considered, questioned, and refuted.
We are in the midst of the Civil War of 2021. The president is selfish and desperate. Beyond him, there is a political leadership vacuum.
Following the attack on the Capitol last week, the cowardice and short-sighted craftiness of so many of our politicians is analogous to the behavior of Weimar politicians whom Hitler held in contempt.
These camouflage-wearing, gun touting bigots, once the underbelly of our society, have been whipped up and empowered by Trump’s ire. They are a threat to our democracy and have committed violence in various other cities.
Indeed, this need not be a lengthy process. It should be short and decisive: A message to Americans that this is neither who we are nor who we aspire to be.
Finally, he did shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, but he might not get away with it. It didn’t have to end this way. He could have protected, even polished, his legacy. But his personality wouldn’t allow it.
I look back now and cringe at my naivety and self-assured confidence that the pandemonium, violence, disorder, and corruption suffered by the citizens of these nations could never be visited on the United States. How wrong I was.
Given the events of the past 24 hours, now more than ever does the American public need reassurance that their institutions are in place, secure, and can deliver accurate results so situations like this never happen again.
Instead of the usual mundane resolutions that people know will not survive January, it is important that Americans identify ways and means that will help people recover more quickly from 2020.
My theory is two-fold. First: Trump’s narcissism took him and his party down. Second: it did not have to end this way.
Mr. Hawley and Mr. Cruz are quite capable of separating fact from fiction. They are not bullshit artists. So why are they pulling this 2020 election schtick?
Recent acts of domestic terrorism have stronger connections to Trumpism and American Christian tradition than many people want to admit.
Bands bring community with them on tour — something this country is sorely lacking right now. As society recovers, live concerts will be the last to return, but when they do, it will be one hell of a party.
When people think about great opening lines in world literature, their minds almost automatically go back decades – or even centuries. But great opening lines are not a thing of the past.
In this article, I’ll address the questions I’ve been asked most often about the vaccines. In part two, I’ll give you the background on how we got where we are today.
This era offers many lessons – about both society and ourselves – but the most painful one to comprehend is that if there wasn’t a vaccine, America would not have been able to fight the virus.
The 2020 Presidential election saw the highest moderate, independent turnout in decades – the majority of whom voted for Biden and his spirit of compromise. Now is the center’s chance to get back in the driver’s seat and lead us down the center lane of politics.
Carter’s speech was his honest assessment of the direction America was heading and provided remedies reverse what he saw as impending American decline.
As I see it, many citizens have decided that instead of having the freedom of religion as defined in the U.S. Constitution, they would rather have laws passed that interpret religious teachings in one way only or another.
In a pandemic-stricken world, many are suddenly grappling with their mortality. Some die suddenly in hospital wards with their loved ones distant and no plan in place once they pass. For those who survive the virus, an alarming number continue to suffer from crippling symptoms that call for long-term medical care.
I knew he’d lose. The question was how far the court would go in its explanation. The answer is not far enough.
The speed that these vaccines were developed has caused many to take pause about their safety and efficacy. These are not people who engage in bogus conspiracy theories or are outright “anti-vax,” but those who have legitimate concerns about political interference or want more information about the science.
While many solutions are still in their early planning stages, many questions need to be considered before a final solution can be effectively implemented. Whatever answer, it should incorporate and tackle community issues, fair immunization process, and complete confidentiality of patient data.
Both Federalists and Democratic-Republicans believed the future of the country would be disastrous if the other side won. Sound familiar?
Trump’s most destructive actions are occurring before our very eyes. Nothing is more harmful – and perhaps more irreparable – than his continuing efforts to undermine public faith in elections themselves.
The real question is not how we quiz the understanding of those seeking naturalization, but how we raise the civic knowledge of those who are citizens by virtue of their birth.
The future of the American Senate, and perhaps our entire political system, is unfolding before our eyes. This is not happening in Georgia. It’s happening in Washington, where a bipartisan group of U.S. senators are working together to support a Covid-19 relief bill.
We need to stop debating and discussing politics like we do sports. At the same time, the discussion and coverage of sports have to stop dwelling on the politics of the front office and the locker room.
President Trump is not subverting the Constitution, but he is weaponizing loopholes in it in a manner that undermines its democratic ideals. The fact that this is possible should be sufficient motivation to enact legislation to protect future elections.
Of all of Biden’s presidential appointments, Janet Yellen has the monstrous undertaking of putting the economy back on track, protecting small businesses, and safeguarding the financial wellbeing of average Americans. But above all, she must restore the American Dream of homeownership.
Delving into the Payroll Protection Program provides insight into the importance of all of the programs, processes, and people that must be regarded to ensure any significant economic recovery from COVID-19.
Now that our laptops are shopping carts and dogs everywhere have given up barking at postal workers, we’ve become a nation surfing on waves of plastic air pillows.
As we slowly make our transition to a more ‘normal’ society, I urge us to discuss the issues surrounding how we implement COVID vaccines. How we conduct ourselves in the coming months can save countless lives.
Many politicians – on both sides of the aisle – treat the term socialist as if it is just a notch above social deviant. The truth is that we all benefit from socialist ideals.
While Republicans have privately been on tenterhooks, wondering when they can cut Trump and move on, he has given them a clear answer: Over my dead body.
Upon returning to the Pentagon, my boss, a no-nonsense Assistant Secretary of Defense, made sure we had gotten the message from President Bush: we had a duty to the new administration to help them take over this mission. I had to make sure, in a manner of speaking, to “let them know where the landmines are.”
The next party system is beginning to take shape, and it is doing so in places that people wouldn’t think to look: amongst socially liberal suburbanites and socially conservative minorities.
Unless we expand our definition of public health and recognize the value of investing in it, the next global health crisis will be equally as disastrous as our current predicament.
Realizing that he has not won a second term in the White House, President Trump has decided to figuratively burn it to the ground. He will not cooperate in the transition of power to a new administration, and he is intent on making the work of the next president as difficult as possible.
While preliminary data for vaccine effectiveness is promising, the reality is that we will be dealing with the menace of COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. It takes time for a population to achieve this vaccine-acquired herd immunity. There will inevitably be hiccups in vaccine distribution.
The people of Sudan are making significant strides to achieve peace and security. Still, will international promises and domestic commitments be enough to pull this fragile country out of a decades-long freefall of conflict and instability?
Who is better suited to critique Congress and suggest transformative changes to improve its effectiveness than you? You spent an entire career there, and now as a presidential voice, you can make a case for change better than anyone.
Politics is the alternative to violence. So, let’s not wear down what undergirds the legitimacy and the strength of our politics: our democracy.
There is another way to view Trump’s election denial and the GOP’s hostility: It is an attempt to secure the political future of Trumpism, and perhaps more importantly, it’s religious fervor.
Only one ‘Term of Service Agreement’ is truly needed in my view: You are responsible for anything you post. That’s it. Let’s actualize that by exposing users to liability.
When considering the votes at the presidential level, as well as those for the Senate and the House, it is abundantly clear that neither party has a hands-down mandate. There was no “Blue Wave” in congressional races, but voters wanted a different type of governing from the White House.
Information and data are of paramount importance to ensuring a free, open, and fair election. Let’s make sure the United States separates fact from fiction, and there is no better way than to look at the data.
Assuming that someone should be obligated to act and think in a particular way because they belong to one specific group is the racism of faulty assumption. It’s time for the Democrats to spend less time labeling others as racists and take a long, hard look at their own behavior.
After the last highly partisan four years, it’s the parents’ turn to go to Washington. It’s a bit counterintuitive, but one cure for the politically torn and weary populace is experiencing the city in the flesh. To heal as a nation, we’re in dire need of seeing the big picture of what America stands for rather than being laser-focused on our own personal visions of the USA.
My proposal is simple: No state releases results until all precincts are counted. No more watching states on a map in the CNN studio shift from red to blue to pink to pale blue. No more analysis of which county or uncounted precinct ballots are coming from and who it favors.
After this election, part of rebuilding our national reputation will be to embrace our brethren in the south on a more level playing field.
Remember, we may not control how the votes are tallied, but we can control how we respond and treat one another once the election is over. I believe a win for America will depend not on the election results, but on how we treat one another once it is over.
After being branded a red state for so long, we will see if Texas busts out of the gate with the GOP on the saddle or with the Democrats seizing the reins.
No matter what happens on November 3rd, it will be up to all of us to pick up the pieces and start doing some serious democracy repair if we want this continental union to endure.
Unlike Pennsylvania and other states that may take days to tabulate their mail-in votes, we should know the results of North Carolina reasonably early. If Trump loses North Carolina, Pennsylvania will not matter.
For the Trump campaign, they needed a radical change in the trajectory of the race. For Biden it was to not rock the boat – stay on message and get out of the evening whole.
Rubio’s tweets are part of a pattern of careless uses of the Bible to score political points and colonize public space for religious interests.
Trump’s base supporters are indeed shrinking, but they still make up a sizable portion of the electorate. If he can retain this cohort following a possible loss, he’ll still wield significant political power.
The mad genius of the dubious news stories that occupy today’s media ecosystem is that they cannot be effortlessly discredited. If a story rings true enough – wrapped up in so many asterisks, hidden behind such thick pettifog – then removing the facade of truthfulness takes time and resources.
As a Cuban-American, I feel compelled to speak directly to those with the same background and heritage and warn them how detrimental another four years of Donald Trump will be.
PBMs began processing pharmacy claims in the late 1970s-early 1980s but have grown to a nearly $400 billion industry. They are the designers of benefit plans, gatekeepers of patient plan formularies, the approvers of prior authorizations, and the enforcers of “step” or “fail first” therapies.
Outdoor play boosts children’s health, success, and skills like socialization and risk-taking.
Even if Joe Biden wins, and one national nightmare comes to an end, the nation will continue to face complicated issues that will not be easily addressed by a change in leadership.
Today, Americans can offer up a prayer that we, as individuals, can muster the strength to contribute to our communities and our nation in the years to come, no matter the election results.
The lawsuit against Google is the most significant antitrust action the Justice Department has taken since its monumental Microsoft case nearly two decades ago.
There are too many gaps in the story and too many points that have no independent verification, which means a good deal of this alleged evidence is taken on faith alone. True cybersecurity professionals would never abide by this standard of proof.
It blew past me – the comments, the votes, the admonitions to speak into the camera. It was exciting, challenging, and aggravating all at the same time.
Have my parents abandoned their conservative values? Absolutely not. They still believe in capitalism and free trade. They are pro-business. They are pro-life. However, they recognize issues just as pressing as protecting the unborn, such as climate change, gun control, and racial justice.
Holding out my own incarceration as an example, we should be encouraged to use these difficult and tumultuous times to learn more about ourselves, our country, and our future. We will never be able to return to the ‘normal’ we had before, so instead, we should embrace a “new normal” that welcomes our pandemic experience.
Friends in my town have houses filled with many family members. Lasagna noodles have been sold out for weeks because whole tribes of kids have settled in and are working remotely. Grandkids from the City are going to public schools, which are crowded now that the population has swelled.
If Biden wants to win, his messaging to Latinos needs to be concise and compelling. As it stands, his outreach remains muddled, leaving Latinos wondering if their issues are resonating or even understood.
We need leaders capable of marshaling history, context, and life experiences and synthesizing them into clearly stated visions of how we move forward into the next chapter of this country’s growth.
If Texas is close – within the O’Rourke v. Cruz range – for either Joe Biden or MJ Hegar, who is running for Senate, take it as an indicator of how the election will end up nationwide. If either of them wins, it may usher in not a Blue Wave, but a Blue Tsunami.
The politicization of the vaccine development process has seeded doubt in many Americans, including myself. I am a nurse practitioner, and being hesitant about a vaccine is a paradox for me.
Bottom line: Both the national and state polls are telling a similar story. It’s one of Joe Biden holding a comfortable lead with just about three weeks until the final day of voting. There’s not a single poll I can point to either nationally or in a battleground state that reads differently.
For the GOP, the data coming out of the first debate has to be frightening. While the numbers look good for the Democrats, they should not rest on their laurels.
Three peer-reviewed studies found that the Abbot ID Now test had a high false-negative rate – missing between a quarter and a third of patients who were infected. Alarmingly, the Abbott ID Now is the test used in the White House.
For the past four years, the Democrats have stood opposed to the GOP and the current occupant of the Oval Office. But rather than proving themselves to be the adults in the room as our president engages in name-calling and grievance politics, the Democrats have devolved into hysteria in more ways than one.
If people manage to tear their gaze away from the national spectacle, they might find communities of citizens committed to upholding the values that make American democracy great: freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, tolerance, and respect.
The people who I am most grateful for are the ones who I see on the road. The woman who makes my sandwich at Subway – she is out here working for a lot less money than I am. She is also in contact with a lot more people than I am. Funny, over the last few weeks, I have been talking with these people. I never really did that before.
It’s vital for fair and accurate elections that the electoral process is transparent, precise, and authenticated. Through the use of smart cards, I believe we’ll have a credible, trustworthy way of electing our democratic leaders.
As I look around, there are just as many Trump signs here as there were four years ago – and quite a few pickup trucks with Trump flags. Not many people I know are turning. However, I have noticed that there are a lot more Biden signs than there were Clinton ones.
Make no mistake about it: If you eliminate the individual mandate as Trump has, there is no alternative to cover pre-existing conditions other than subsidies through taxes in some form or another.
The first debate was a disaster but buried underneath the chaos, a young Joe Biden was sticking it to the schoolyard bullies and showing courage in the face of a lifelong impediment.
Security Theater is an excellent tool for calming a distressed population with a reassurance that they’re not out in the wild alone and left to fend for themselves. Still, there is a time and place where it works and a time and place where a heavily divided electorate requires more to help ensure the smooth transition of power, which may seem like a distant memory come November.
There’s so much talk today about “defunding the police.” The sound bite has morphed into many different interpretations – ranging from the reallocation of funds to dissolving entire police forces and rebuilding them from the ground up. I have a different idea: Let’s require police officers to carry liability insurance.
Whatever other surprises lie in store, Donald Trump has made clear that he will pronounce anything short of an outright victory in November – a landslide even – the result of massive voter fraud.
In keeping with the trend of election time, some voters are researching countries to move to if the unimaginable happens. But what if you don’t want to leave your country of great jazz, baseball, and coffee-to-go behind?
It is not just a coincidence. We are witnessing the mechanisms of systemic racism delegitimize the rights and concerns of minority people.
Picture saving democracy by Federal Express, Amazon, UPS, and others accepting ballots at trucks, drop boxes, and storefronts around the country.
While tracking the crisis of COVID-19 at various scales, including molecular, epidemiological, and medical applications, AI can significantly help in developing proper treatment plans and prevention strategies.
In Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s fight for equal protection under the law, I see how it impacted my own story.
With the Supreme Court vacancy thrust to the forefront of public debate, a question begs to be asked: Will this affect the outcome of the race? Or is it just another political footnote?
President Trump is the first president since James K. Polk (our 11th president) to not own a White House pet.
As a virologist, I wish I could say that we have learned from our mistakes and implemented sound policy and uniform public health guardrails to combat the virus; however, that has not been the case.
I want to believe that we all live and exist on equal footing. However, today, you do not have to look that hard to see that is not the case. Until we bring about the change that we desperately need, we need to insist that Black Lives Matter. Only then will All Lives Matter.
If these statistics show anything, it is that this virus does not discriminate. It affects Republicans and Democrats alike. Moving forward, remember: Decent people treat all cases and deaths with compassion.
To be successful, we must find common ground and take smart, non-partisan steps to save the way of life I hold dear.
“What is reasonable for citizens to expect from police officers during a traffic stop?” The answer to that remains pending.
After the great journalist, author, and editor Pete Hamill passed away on August 5th, I was
While some say that Gen. Kelly and others’ silence is tantamount to verification, Trump has proven time and time again that this is not enough.
Instead of turning to Trump for guidance, let us instead turn to our scientists and doctors. It is in our hands to protect our healthcare and well-being.
If we’re going to honor 9/11, we need to have the courage to combat terrorism in any form – even if it has names like Dylann, Samuel, and Robert.
We are at war in 2020. The primary enemy to our civil liberties is the virus itself. We will secure the freedom that so many of us crave by defeating it. As has been the case for centuries, we need our young to sacrifice to help win.
If Democrats and Republicans want the free ride they get through state-subsidized primaries, we must insist on our Constitutional right to allow nonparty members to participate.
If we don’t have debates this cycle, we may lose them forever. Why? Each side could come up with a reason why debating is not in their interest, argue that it is not in the public’s interest, and therefore, not come to the stage.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unexpected industry arose to support nurses and doctors on the frontlines: the energy and petrochemicals industry.
As we close in on November 3rd, the people must demand an open, free, and fair election, which provides the highest level of opportunity for the largest number of qualified voters. It is our patriotic duty.
Our entire modern-day lives depend on our individual and collective health. As Winston Churchill once said, “healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”
People of color, families with children, and low-income communities are most likely to be deprived of the benefits that nature provides.
Before the pandemic, many political pundits (and average people) talked about Trump’s re-election with confidence, but they always cited the same reason; as long as Trump keeps the economy in good shape, he should be ‘good to go’ in November.
There are many good examples of countries that have attempted to reconcile after traumatic acts, like genocides, massacres, and apartheid. Yet, the United States of America hasn’t committed to the process of truth, reconciliation, and justice after the original sin of American slavery.
President Trump just returned from his first official visit to India a few days ago. While his visit certainly made for exciting moments, the subtext behind the visit is more alarming than it seems on paper.
Retelling family stories helps children learn history and identity, offering significant psychological benefits and important life lessons.
Trick-or-treating isn’t disappearing, but many American families are shifting from traditional door-to-door routes to organized events, malls, and “trunk-or-treat” gatherings for convenience and safety.
Research shows that today’s teens, raised on smartphones and social media, are physically safer but facing unprecedented levels of loneliness, depression, and delayed independence.
Charles Murray’s quiz measures if you’re in a cultural bubble, indicating disconnection from the average American life and culture.
Morton Downey Jr.’s bombastic talk-show style not only revolutionized television but also laid the groundwork for today’s toxic, polarized political and media culture.
A simple wristwatch proved to be the smartest upgrade for one writer, helping him break free from the endless pull of his smartphone.
Nick Gillespie argues that American culture has grown increasingly anxious and overprotective, projecting exaggerated fears onto children who are, by most measures, thriving.
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