Opinion: Why political violence is a part of who we are as a country

Opinion: Why political violence is a part of who we are as a country

Today, at a meeting with young black conservatives, President Trump said in relation to 14 fake pipe bombs mailed to politicians and CNN, “These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country. No place. We must never allow political violence to take root in America.” Others are also all over the media saying, […]

US budget deficit swells to largest level in six years

US budget deficit swells to largest level in six years

The Associated Press (AP) reports the federal budget deficit swelled to $779 billion in FY 2018, the largest level since 2012 and 17 percent higher than FY 2017.  Additionally, the Treasury Department forecasts the deficit will increase again in FY 2019, to over $1 trillion—the first time since 2012 the federal deficit would top the […]

New study shows that the “exhausted majority” of Americans are fed up with PC culture

New study shows that the “exhausted majority” of Americans are fed up with PC culture

The social sciences are sometimes looked down upon by those who practice so called hard science, such as physics or chemistry, as being something of a pseudo-science.  Granted, I may be biased as I majored in political science myself, but the what makes it an actual science is the adherence to tested statistical methodologies.  These […]

Hero or villain: Why does Kaepernick have to be one or the other? (Part I)

Hero or villain: Why does Kaepernick have to be one or the other? (Part I)

Colin Kaepernick is back under the microscope now that he is the face of Nike’s new “Just Do It” ad campaign. Just as when he initially chose not to stand during the national anthem, he remains an unnecessarily polarizing figure. To some, he is a martyr for social justice; to others, he is an ungrateful […]

Four American industries changed by the September 11, 2001 attacks

Four American industries changed by the September 11, 2001 attacks

Just about everyone alive at the time remembers where they were when they first heard about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I was 11 years old, sitting in my 6th-grade Social Studies class when someone said something vague about a plane hitting a building in New York City. As the day went on, […]

Veterans divided over Nike’s Kaepernick ad controversy?

Veterans divided over Nike’s Kaepernick ad controversy?

Amid the controversy surrounding Nike’s ad campaign focused on Colin Kaepernick, we’ve been treated to something of a deluge of military veterans and associated patriots who, as Green Beret Tim Kennedy put it, “are livid” about the decision by the company to sponsor a former NFL player who ostensibly disrespects our flag and our troops. It […]

Italy’s “Years of Lead” offer a glimpse of America’s future

Italy’s “Years of Lead” offer a glimpse of America’s future

Tensions are running high in America as social and political forces collide, sometimes forcefully, and sometimes in the streets. Political polarization in America has been closely studied over the last several decades and while the large-scale impact of social media, which has only risen to prominence in perhaps the last five years, is still being […]

Tooned: Chill dude, they’re just fireworks

Tooned: Chill dude, they’re just fireworks

This Independence Day many of us will be surrounding ourselves with family and friends while we BBQ and blow stuff up. As a veteran, it’s important to me that we enjoy this day with all we’ve got because it’s exactly what we served for and is a celebration of the American way of life. Now, […]

Opinion: Remembering the good things

Opinion: Remembering the good things

These days it seems like everyone is in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction. Even compared to the Karen people, who live under the oppressive thumb of the Burmese government while surviving in an unforgiving jungle, I have rarely come across people more profoundly dissatisfied with their lives as Americans.  In fact, the Karen are among […]