We live in a global family of more than 190 countries. Disputes and squabbles inevitably arise in all families; what matters is how we settle them. Just as immature families might see bullying and violence, at the global level we see countries threatening and waging war, paying dearly in unnecessary death and suffering. By contrast, a mature family resolves its disputes peacefully, often with the help of a dispassionate third party. Providing the world family such a dispassionate dispute settler was the driving purpose for creating the International Court of Justice (colloquially known as the World Court) in the aftermath of Second World War. Unfortunately, the Court suffers from fundamental flaws that have hindered its ability to preserve peace and avoid violent conflict between countries.
Browsing: Opinions
Political talking points are pre-established messages that remain constant regardless of which political party member shares his message with the media and the voters.
South Africa, India, and Mexico just held general elections. Britain will hold a general election July 4. The US will hold one Nov. 5. Record-setting demonstrations in Israel may yet lead to a general election there. Five of these six elections reveal the precarious hold on power of the incumbents, and the threats to democracy posed by leaders and challengers.
A father stands tall in their child’s eyes. Mine towered. He was a 6’6”, red-headed giant of a man, a farmer who loved rock ‘n roll and corny jokes. He taught me to stand up for the underdogs, fight the good fight, and stick it to the Man.
Is It Time for This War to End? Evidently Not
Well, jail time for the Babayka is a consideration but I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.
As a scientist who researches peace and conflict, I find it important to systematically approach questions and see where the evidence leads me. It is a trait I developed from great mentorship, and a value that was instilled in me by my father from a very young age.
The racial divide in America is alive. It’s approaching points as violent as those that led to the Civil War. Social progress has inflamed Republicans’ lust for power. MAGA followers’ hatred toward Black people and others of color remains as destructive as a stick of dynamite. Unfortunately, Trump holds an ignitable fuse in one hand and controls the detonator switch with the other.
Through the years, I’ve never hidden my many misgivings with United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and while I disagree with his conclusions on most of the cases and controversies that our nation’s highest court considers each term, I’ve always suspected that it’s the “how” he reaches his decisions that irks me to no end.
More clean energy initiatives are needed and proposing them should remain a priority for the administration. That said, the new EPA policy rule on existing coal and natural gas plants should be done in a manner that protects the environment and climate while also enhancing the economy. The administration needs to ensure that new well-intentioned mandates will not have the unintended consequences of making electricity more expensive, especially for underserved communities.