Perfect American Nuclear Horror

We love nuclear horror stories in America. We love them whether they’re somber like the film On The Beach, soapy-dramatic like the cult show Jericho, or retro-future like the Fallout series of video games. We laugh at the lunatic optimism of duck and cover, and marvel at the strangeness of the (perhaps exaggerated) all-encompassing fear … Continue reading “Perfect American Nuclear Horror”

America’s Limited Space for Iran Stories

Last week, much of the US seemed to wring its hands over the US government’s deal with Iran over their nuclear program. The hysterical reaction from potential 2016 candidates to a mixed, but fairly positive solution to this crisis – most of them came out against the deal before it was released – was entirely … Continue reading “America’s Limited Space for Iran Stories”

Ex-Politicians Profit Off the Misery They Caused

On Wednesday, ABC news reported that George W. Bush earned $100,000 from a 2012 speech. He also charged $20,000 for a private jet to the event. As nauseating as that figure is – plus another $50,000 for a previous Laura Bush speech –   the news has earned more attention because of the audience the … Continue reading “Ex-Politicians Profit Off the Misery They Caused”

On the US ‘Sensitivity’ to Civilian Deaths

Last week, US News and World Report national security reporter Paul D. Shinkman posited that the U.S. goes above and beyond the call of duty in terms of how seriously it takes civilian casualties of it or its allies’ bombing campaigns. Shinkman didn’t necessarily write his own headline – “Iraqi Civilians Will Die: U.S. Must … Continue reading “On the US ‘Sensitivity’ to Civilian Deaths”

Topple the Cult of the Presidency

A certain type of person will bemoan the current lack of respect for the presidency. Sometimes “national greatness” authoritarian centrists are the ones doing this, but often outrage falls on partisan lines. The same people cheering the shoe assault on George W. Bush call “treason” when someone yells at Obama. What these camps have in … Continue reading “Topple the Cult of the Presidency”

Drone Pilots Are Exhausted and Suffering From PTSD

On Tuesday, The New York Times published the latest look at drone pilots. These Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operators are suffering such a high rate of exhaustion and stress that the US Air Force has been forced to cut drone missions down from a high of about 65 a week. They also currently have about 500 … Continue reading “Drone Pilots Are Exhausted and Suffering From PTSD”

Knowing What We Don’t Know About War

For the past month, the media has managed to remember the fact that the Iraq war was bad. Or rather, would-be and official candidates for the 2016 presidency are being asked about their stance on that war, and whether they would have supported it at the time. This is both an important question and an … Continue reading “Knowing What We Don’t Know About War”

Rand Paul and the Tripartisan Case for Optimism

On Wednesday, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky) “filibustered” for more than ten hours against the PATRIOT Act, the USA Freedom Act, and myriad government violations of the Fourth Amendment. He also daringly added some blistering critiques of the US prison state and its racial disparities. He mentioned civil asset forfeiture and parallel construction. He read from … Continue reading “Rand Paul and the Tripartisan Case for Optimism”

Jackson State and Forgotten History

Many of us have heard the song, most of those probably know its famous backstory: “Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming/We’re finally on our own/This summer I hear the drumming/Four dead in Ohio” sang Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young in 1971. The Kent State shootings – done by National Guard soldiers with live ammo are famous. … Continue reading “Jackson State and Forgotten History”

The Future of Domestic Spying

On Thursday, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the National Security Agency’s (NSA) bulk metadata collection is excessive, and goes beyond its legal authority. Congress didn’t okay it legally, so it’s not okay, according to Judge Gerald Lynch. (Hell, Congress barely knows what’s going on with surveillance, so how could it have okayed … Continue reading “The Future of Domestic Spying”