Here’s a talk I gave last semester on the subject of “What is Gov 2.0?” It begins a bit slowly; you might want skip to minute 1:30. If you like this talk, you might also enjoy this article I published in Perspective magazine on the same topic: Just as Wikipedia obviated the professional encyclopedia class, empowering amateurs … Read more
Can something good come out of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, one of the worst recorded natural disasters in the country’s history? The Huffington Post’s Nathan Gardels certainly thinks so: But if one can look past the devastation, there is a silver lining. The need to rebuild a large swath of Japan will … Read more
The gaffe has found its way on numerous websites: Michele Bachmann mistakenly confused New Hampshire’s Concord with Massachusetts’, botching history along the way. She is not alone in her personal revisionism: Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi seems to have forgotten much of the injustices towards African Americans in the history of his state. Mike Huckabee, … Read more
Dear Representative King, It is regrettable that instead of working with your party to find an amenable solution to the budget crisis, you have opted to drive a fork into the American community by targeting Muslim Americans for acts committed by a small minority of their community. In calling this series of hearings, not only … Read more
The state of Texas remains a serious contender for the title of “America’s most controversial state.” Lawmakers have introduced legislation repealing some of the current restrictions on gun ownership on public university campuses. If the bill passes, holders of legal concealed carry permits (at least 21 years of age), will be able to carry a concealed weapon … Read more
At the Cancun Climate Change conference in December, the United States and other developed nations announced their support for a $100 billion “Green Climate” fund. A significant fraction of those funds were allocated to support “climate aid” to developing countries. Rich, developed countries tend to be in temperate regions distant from the direct impacts of … Read more
After four long years, Lupe Fiasco has finally graced listeners with what they’ve been yearning for, and the excitement and anticipation surrounding his third album, Lasers, has been tangible. After an incredible freshman album and some good tracks on his sophomore effort, critics hope this album will fortify or end the intrigue that is Lupe … Read more
Despite failing to gain a significant following, the Jasmine Revolution in China spent a surprisingly long period of time in the 24 hour news cycle last week. Most experts seem to agree that the movement was destined to fail due to current cultural zeitgeist and effective central government propaganda. According to Wenran Jiang, a professor … Read more
The 2012 election is finally starting to heat up folks. Candidates are making gaffes (Huckabee vs. Portman), others are defending their past (Romneycare), the incumbent says he’s not worried (Good luck with that Barack), and Florida is already breaking the rules (Florida to lose convention). But what we can begin to look at that has … Read more
In the race for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination, few have put their names forth as actual candidates. Many are still waiting to see what the others do, or feel it’s too early. So the roster is thin so far. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, has dithered his way to a website, NewtExplore2012.com, … Read more