Author: Carma Henry

     At the risk of being even more a skunk at the garden party, one also cannot ignore the story that President Biden has secretly reconceived nuclear strategy to adjust to the potential military cooperation of Russia, China, and North Korea.

     The permanent stationing of more than 220,000 U.S. troops, weapons arsenals, and thousands of aircraft, tanks, and ships in every corner of the globe makes the logistics for U.S. aggression, and that of its allies, quicker and more efficient. Bases also facilitate the proliferation of nuclear weapons, with the United States keeping nuclear bombs in five NATO member countries, and nuclear-capable planes, ships, and missile launchers in many others. Because the U.S. is continually creating plans for military actions around the world, and because the U.S. military always has some troops “on the ready,” the initiation of combat operations is simpler.

     The Democratic National Convention was happening here in Chicago — my city — and I sat frozen at my desk, staring at my computer. Earlier in my life, yeah, I’d have gone down to the United Center, linked arms with the sane and outraged, joined the cry: Stop funding genocide!

     Last week I explored the politics of Project 2025, the far right’s plan for dismantling the so-called Deep State and replacing it with a President-centered authoritarian system designed with Donald Trump in mind. In foreign affairs, I evaluated the Project’s policy ideas on China and Russia, two of the five countries it identifies as priorities for the next administration. Iran, Venezuela and North Korea are the others, which I’ll discuss here, as well as military affairs. But I begin with international trade, a key section of the Project 2025 playbook authored by none other than Peter Navarro, one of Trump’s main advisers who recently served time in jail.

     I fear that too many people think war is normal. We encounter symbols of conflict frequently, and our everyday language is riddled with the terminology of war. While walking along the high street this week, I noticed a store with the name “Price War.” The day before, a friend described an “uphill battle” at work. Phrases like “spearheading an initiative” or “bombarding someone with information” or “rallying the troops” have become so normalized in sports and workplaces that we barely give them a second thought.

A few weeks ago, Democrats were a divided party headed toward a potentially explosive convention in Chicago. Today, those fears are gone, as Kamala Harris has united the party and concluded one of the most successful conventions in American political history.

        When did politics become such fun? While Democrats will roll up our sleeves to win the November election, in the meantime our candidates are clearly having a good time with the process. Every time she strides across a stage, she beams. Her smile is an incandescence. Her wave joyful.  And as we get to know him, her avuncular running mate projects joy and confidence. The chemistry between Vice President Harris and Minnesota is visible and bodes well for this campaign.

Jimmy Lee Brown – 67  Funeral service was held August 17th at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Overseer Daryl Barber officiating. Makayla Denise…

Betty Bastien  Funeral service was held August 18th at Ambassador SDA Church. Beatrice Cooper  Funeral service was held August 17th  at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.…

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