Big, Beautiful Bombs: The Outrage of the Budget Bill and Spending on Nuclear Weapons

The US Congress is currently considering a budget bill that, despite being dubbed “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” will do serious harm to millions of people. Among the most harmful aspects of the bill are its changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provide healthcare coverage and food assistance, respectively, to low-income … Continue reading Big, Beautiful Bombs: The Outrage of the Budget Bill and Spending on Nuclear Weapons →

“This Legalization of Racism”: Remembering the Korematsu Decision and Japanese-American Internment after 80 Years

A grave injustice in American history marks its 80th anniversary this December. The US Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case Korematsu v. United States on December 18, 1944. The decision helped ratify the federal government’s 1942 decision to remove roughly 120,000 people of Japanese heritage, most of whom were American citizens, from … Continue reading “This Legalization of Racism”: Remembering the Korematsu Decision and Japanese-American Internment after 80 Years →

Overlooked Conflicts: Haitians’ Struggle to Survive

Although the Ukraine-Russia war and the Gaza war have dominated the news, other countries have been suffering violent conflicts recently. In this ongoing series, I highlight contemporary wars and other conflicts that are too often overlooked. Haiti remains under the domination of feuding criminal gangs, while the Haitian government is unable to assert effective control … Continue reading Overlooked Conflicts: Haitians’ Struggle to Survive →

A Complex Man’s Complex Legacy: What the Movie ‘Rustin’ Leaves Out

The great civil rights activist and thinker Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) has received renewed attention thanks to the recently released movie Rustin. The movie is an engrossing look at Rustin’s role as an advisor to Martin Luther King and as the organizer of the 1963 March for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, DC. Rustin organized one … Continue reading A Complex Man’s Complex Legacy: What the Movie ‘Rustin’ Leaves Out →

“Never Again”: Taking Action against the Nuclear Threat

The following is adapted from remarks given at the Vigil to End the Nuclear Danger, a peace witness outside the White House on August 12, 2023. The vigil was co-sponsored by the American Solidarity Party of DC and Maryland, the Consistent Life Network, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, and Rehumanize International. We are here today to … Continue reading “Never Again”: Taking Action against the Nuclear Threat →

Pro-Life Voting Strategy: A Problem without a Solution

With a new electoral season looming before Americans, we’ll no doubt soon hear the latest round of a long-running debate: how should pro-lifers vote? Should they vote for candidates (usually Republicans) who express explicit opposition to abortion and may support efforts to restrict legal access to abortion?Or should they vote for candidates (usually Democrats) who … Continue reading Pro-Life Voting Strategy: A Problem without a Solution →

Political Action’s Opportunities and Dangers: Some Lessons from Bayard Rustin

Social movements learn from one another: strategies and tactics that work on behalf of one cause may also work for another. Learning from other activists requires discernment, though: times and circumstances differ, so what worked for one movement at one historical point may require adaptation and selectivity to be effective for a different movement. The … Continue reading Political Action’s Opportunities and Dangers: Some Lessons from Bayard Rustin →

Varieties of Hawk: Clinton v. Trump on Foreign Policy

For an American peace advocate, the two major political parties rarely offer appealing candidates in a presidential election. The 2016 election is no exception to this rule. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the nominees for the Democratic and Republican Parties, respectively, seem dedicated to the continued use of American military force around the world. … Continue reading Varieties of Hawk: Clinton v. Trump on Foreign Policy →

Provide a Safe Haven: The Case for Admitting Syrian Refugees

The United States’ plans to admit 10,000 refugees from the Syrian civil war into the country has become the center of a major political controversy. The controversy began in the aftermath of the November 13 attacks in Paris by operatives of the Syria-based terrorist group ISIS that killed 130 people. The possibility that one of … Continue reading Provide a Safe Haven: The Case for Admitting Syrian Refugees →