Category: Politics

Labor, Politics, Trump

The Mythical Land of Deep State

Donald Trump pledged to “drain the swamp” when he took office in 2017. Steve Bannon went further, calling for “deconstruction of the administrative state” itself with aims to “destroy all of today’s establishment.” Trump, Bannon and their followers believe that American society is controlled by the “Deep State,” an evil conspiratorial cabal. A vast army of conspirators embedded throughout the federal bureaucracy and judiciary is … Continue reading The Mythical Land of Deep State

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Politics

Hamas. Israel. It’s Complicated.

Preface Followers of this blog probably know that I effectively broke with the U.S. Socialist Workers Party (SWP) after almost 50 years supporting it and working with it. I took this action over disagreement on a few specific issues. These disagreements are strong and heartfelt, but narrow. I still broadly agree with the SWP on many others. With respect to international politics, I consider the … Continue reading Hamas. Israel. It’s Complicated.

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LGBTQ+, Politics, Transgender

The Not-So-Slow Creep of Bigotry

Ron DeSantis’ infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law was initially aimed at young elementary school children whose tender ears were deemed too sensitive to be told their classmate Johnnie has two mommies or two daddies. The law covered K-3. It wasn’t long before DeSantis decided that even 12th graders are too young. From there DeSantis aimed his sights on state universities, banning diversity programs on the … Continue reading The Not-So-Slow Creep of Bigotry

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LGBTQ+, Politics, Racial Justice, Transgender, Women's Rights

Society Needs a Collective ‘Time Out’

An article in yesterday’s New York Times got me thinking. It described the latest round of something we see constantly these days: speakers (usually conservative) being shouted down or denied a platform altogether by (usually “progressive”) students or activists. The right does this too, though in their case it’s often more institutionalized than ad hoc. Examples include the expulsion this week of two Tennessee state representatives or … Continue reading Society Needs a Collective ‘Time Out’

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LGBTQ+, My Personal Journey, Politics, Transgender, Trump

My Liberal Turn

I became a socialist in the early ’70s before attending college. While never a member, I’ve been involved off and on in different capacities with the U.S. Socialist Workers Party (SWP) ever since — until last spring. In April I broke off my formal connection over political differences. This has led to a series of letters, texts and emails between myself and a close friend … Continue reading My Liberal Turn

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Politics, Racial Justice

Courting Tragedy: Reflecting on the Rittenhouse & Arbery Trials

I’ve spent a awful lot of time watching Court TV this month with the Kyle Rittenhouse trial in Wisconsin and the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial in Georgia. I can’t immediately recall two trials of this magnitude coming back to back like this, nor situations touching simultaneously on so many social, legal and political issues — to name just a few… the Second Amendment right to … Continue reading Courting Tragedy: Reflecting on the Rittenhouse & Arbery Trials

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Climate Change, Politics

Nightmare on Glasgow Street

Glasgow, Climate Change & Capitalism: A true Halloween horror. An article in today’s New York Times drives home the depth of the climate change crisis. It’s not that we can’t deal with it — yet — but there’s little chance we will be. Certainly not in time to avoid catastrophic consequences that will fall especially hard on those who are just young children today. The danger some … Continue reading Nightmare on Glasgow Street

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Climate Change, Labor, Politics

Only the Working Class Can Defeat Climate Change

As I see it, there are two dimensions to the climate crisis facing humanity: conquering global warming in the long term and managing its consequences in the short term. Both are critically important. Conquer Global Warming The New York Times and other media are reporting on a document released this week by the United Nations in preparation for a conference this Fall in Glasgow of … Continue reading Only the Working Class Can Defeat Climate Change

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Cuban Revolution, Labor, Politics

Speeches by Fidel Castro Responding to 9/11

Official Statement of the Cuban GovernmentIssued September 11, 2001 During a speech delivered on September 11, 2001, Cuban President Fidel Castro read an official Cuban government statement issued in response to the terrorist attacks that day against the United States: The Government of the Republic of Cuba has learned with grief and sadness of the violent surprise attacks carried out this morning against civilian and … Continue reading Speeches by Fidel Castro Responding to 9/11

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