Why President Lukashenko’s cooperation in Belarus could be more deadly than his refusal. With smoke and whispers of a domino-effect rising in the Middle East, it is difficult to tear attention away from Twitter updates from Egypt and Tunisia to focus on a quieter, as of yet unsuccessful, opposition movement. Indeed, a no less spectacular … Read more
A proposed resolution in New Hampshire rallies conservative, libertarian and liberal college students around a central cause — The New Hampshire House of Representatives is currently considering House Bill 176, sponsored by Representative Gregory Sorg (R-Easton). This bill, if passed, will redefine residency, including a new section entitled “Voters Attending Institutions of Learning.” Hey, that’s … Read more
A word of advice, Mr. Friedman: Let Singapore be Singapore, and America be America. Last month, Thomas Friedman wrote a glowing account of governance in Singapore. This, I believe, isn’t the first time Friedman has written positively of the nanny state; given the sorry state of U.S. government nowadays, the prospect of Singaporean-style authoritarianism does appear … Read more
Gridlock has been the word with which to start in the Lords’ debate over the AV vote bill currently passing through parliament, which must become law by next week if the government is to meet the planned deadline for holding the referendum on the change in the system this May. The bill, if passed, is … Read more
The Federal Reserve is an effective institution that has historically prevented runaway inflation and repeats of the Great Depression. All opponents of the Federal Reserve, from the most reputable and rational to the most angry and sarcastic, need to step away from rhetoric and review the facts more closely. Monetary policy controlled by a knowledgeable … Read more
Virginia Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, is clearly a glutton for controversy. Despite numerous concerns about her prominent involvement in the Tea Party, Thomas has once again stepped into the middle of the fray, announcing that she will head Liberty Consulting, a conservative lobbying group. But while Thomas’ disregard for possible conflicts of interest … Read more
As I wrote after the Midterms in November, the recent upheaval in the House of Representatives is of great consequence to climate legislation. The Republican majority chose Fred Upton (R-Michigan) as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Upton’s views on climate change have run the gamut: in 2009, he spoke of the dangers … Read more
Here’s a look at some of the best political events happening at Harvard this week: 2/10 9:00-10:30am, CGIS South (1730 Cambridge St.), Room S450: “Anarchy, Warlords and Ethnic Cleansing: Lessons from Lebanon, 1975-1976.” Political Violence Workship with Nils Hagerdal, a Ph.D. candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School. Full info. 2:15-4:00pm, Larsen Hall (14 Appian Way): … Read more
In the State of the Union Address, President Obama promised “to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail” in the next 25 years. This is hardly the first mention of rail that the President has made: during his campaign, his official statement on transportation included a dedication to establishing high-speed rail lines. He … Read more
Monday marked the second time I have stepped into Memorial Church. As an atheist, I’ve marveled at the beauty of the venue but have had little motivation to attend specific events. Piqued by the emails titled “From Guns to Pastries” and the mentions of one “Homeboy Industries,” I decided to sit in on Monday’s service … Read more