The Taliban were routed in 2001, bin Laden killed ten years ago. What has the US done since? To "nation build," i.e. convert a deeply tribal culture into a modern democracy, is unbounded hubris- a fantasy.

Revelations of Trump's seditious mentality are getting creepier and creepier.

The first sentence has been handed down for the January 6th break in of the Capitol - merely 8 months. I'm disappointed. The court should come down much heavier, especially in the beginning. Destroying our democracy is a grave crime!

When will charges of antisemitism grow stale and become counterproductive? Assuredly, antisemitism remains a very serious problem. But Israel's charge of Ben & Jerry's divestment on the West Bank as antisemitism, as they support sales in Israel proper is ludicrous. #Antisemitism

It's a surprise to see bipartisan movement on the infrastructure bill. But Republicans snub more money for the IRS. Heaven forbid the wealthy elite be overseen and properly taxed! Democrats

A recent essay of mine on Afghanistan. facebook.com/joe.chuman/pos…

The Texas anti-abortion law is evil in its clever gerrymandering of the law in the service of the hatred and oppression of women. Another index of our dark times. I passionately yearn for a new dawn.

The irony is extraordinary: Mexico's Supreme Court is moving to legalize abortion throughout the country, while to its north the border state of Texas has essentially outlawed it. Aren't we the greatest country in the world?

This Sunday at 4:00 pm I interview Eyal Press on his book "Dirty Work," in conjunction with the Puffin Cultural Forum. It is the first of a series of author interviews every first Sunday. The interview will be streamed on You Tube. The link is: youtu.be/P9Q4KyKppAg

I have been writing on Substack. I invite those interested to check out my site. You can access it through the link: joe834.substack.com Many thanks.

I have a new essay on Substack: "What Secularists Can Learn From the Religions." You can check it out here: joe834.substack.com

I now write regularly on Substack. If you wish to read my essays, the link follows. I look forward to entering into correspondence with you. Many thanks. - Joe joe834.substack.com

I have recently written a piece on the horrendous Texas law banning abortion. You can find it on my Substack newsletter: joe834.substack.com

I continue to write on Substack. If you are interested in my essays, you can find them at: joe834.substack.com

I recently had a very engaging interview with Nadine Strossen, former president of the national ACLU, on her book "Hate: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship." I also wrote a review of the book on my Substack page. The link is:joe834.substack.com/p/hate-why-we-…

Ukraine may prove to be Putin's Afghanistan.

Putin's naked aggression in Ukraine is horrid. But it may cause those enchanted by authoritarianism a jolt as to what authoritarianism truly looks like. As such, it may rekindle a commitment to liberal democracy.,

My review of Nadine Strossen's book on hate speech has been published on "Books for Readers." a lovely site founded and managed by Meredith Sue Willis, a novelist and professor at NYU. For those who missed it elsewhere, you can find my review at: [email protected]

The wife of a Supreme Court Justice cavorts with and applauds those seeking to destroy democracy. Do we need more evidence that the lunatic fringe has gone mainstream?

The Republicans' refusal to honor Kentanji Jackson's conformation speaks to their fundamental character. But we didn't need this act of rudeness to know that. It is also a rejection of honoring American democracy. But we know that, too.