The collision early in the morning of June 19 off the coast of Japan between the destroyer USS Fitzgerald the Philippines-registered container ship ACX Crystal caused considerable damage to the US vessel and, tragically, killed seven US sailors trapped in the hull. Evidently, it was only through heroic efforts of the ship’s crew that the Fitzgerald was prevented from sinking altogether.
Read moreMark Twain's Yankee in King Donald's Court: Thoughts on Trump's Solar Wall
Perhaps as a ploy to deflect the wave of intense criticism that followed his decision to withdrawal the U.S. from the Paris Accord on Climate Change, Donald Trump recently floated the idea of placing solar panels atop his anti-immigrant wall along the Mexican border.
Read moreComparing Trump to you know who...
A fascinating aspect of the rise of Donald Trump in American politics has been a rebirth in discussions about fascism, racism, authoritarian politics, enfeebled democracy, propaganda, and similar themes. While much of the conversation is rather thin on substance, the need to explore these possibilities is, in my view, both relevant and highly significant.
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