From a larger painting, Commiseration by Gilbert Schramm Over the last forty years or so, Republicans have built their election strategy around two hot button issues, banning abortions, and promoting gun rights. As a quick review will show, they don’t have viable policy on either issue. They simply use them to inflame emotions and divide... Continue Reading →
Humanity: A Plug for a Great Book
Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century by Jonathan Glover An old Peace Corps colleague sent me an excerpt from this book. I found it very relevant to the times we are living though. I haven’t read the whole book yet, but I read enough to recommend it highly. The excerpt is as follows:... Continue Reading →
What Ukraine and Palestine Have in Common
Shireen Abu Aqla and the national flower of Palestine, the Faqqua Iris Written in honor of Shireen Abu Aqla and Nakba Day I thought I would take some time to share my recent reflections on two continuing conflicts that trouble the world (or should). These are the ongoing aggressions in Ukraine and Palestine. The brutal,... Continue Reading →
A BOOK REVIEW: Gods of the Upper Air by Charles King (2019)
I haven’t posted much in recent months, but I felt compelled to give a plug for this great book. It is readable, engaging, educational and imminently worthwhile in many ways. King has crafted a great story about the circle of groundbreaking cultural anthropologists who studied with the renowned Frank Boas. His subjects include Boas, Margaret... Continue Reading →
Democracy vs. GOP Malpractice: The Fight of the Century
The contrasts between Biden and the Trump/GOP administration couldn’t be clearer. In 170 days, Democrats have passed Covid-19 relief, vaccinated 65% of the population, brought unemployment down, kept the stock markets happy, created jobs, rebuilt important alliances, and partially restored America’s standing in the world. Meanwhile, Republicans have tried to block every effort Biden... Continue Reading →
Surprise!: After his Brutal Assault on Gaza, Netanyahu Tries to Stick Americans with the Bill
Yes, it’s true. On his way out the door, Israel’s PM is asking American taxpayers to shell out a billion dollars to “replenish” the vaunted “Iron-Dome” missile defense system. In addition to some $4 billion of annual US aid (mostly military) he now wants another billion for more ammunition. Palestine... Still Waiting for Justice When... Continue Reading →
How “Iron-Dome” has Transformed Prospects for Middle East Peace: An Analysis of Israel’s Missile Defense System and What it Means for Peace (written around 2014)
Sky Watcher What follows is extensive analysis of the vaunted “Iron-Dome” defense system. I have been thinking about what I call “Iron-Dumb” for some time, and I was happy when Obama made the point in Jerusalem that, “we’ve invested in the Iron-Dome system to save countless lives.” Of course, he also noted that, “no... Continue Reading →
Refocusing American Activism in Support of Justice for Palestinians
Broken Madonna, Obvara Ceramics, Gilbert Schramm By Gilbert Schramm (5/23/21) Reader beware. I am not a theologian and I rarely discuss theology. Recent events, however, have led me to some thoughts I believe are worth sharing. The recent brutal violence directed against Gaza is one of those events. As the news coverage went on, I... Continue Reading →
Wait and See the Carnage on the PBS Newshour
By Peter Miller, Guest Contributor With permission of (Nick_ Raille_07 / Shutterstock.com) This was sent to the PBS Newshour on May 16th, after Biden failed to demand a ceasefire in the latest round in Gaza: I was very disappointed in the discussion by David Brooks and Jonathon Capehart concerning the latest carnage in Gaza, the West... Continue Reading →
Gaza, May 20, 2021: An Update and Some Simple Truths
By Gilbert Schramm The brutal, ongoing violence in Gaza has brought on the usual handwringing and nonsense. Yet strangely, in some ways, there seems to be a bit of a breakthrough. It is long overdue. In some quarters, the admissions now made by pundits, policy wonks and reporters would have been unthinkable a few years... Continue Reading →
Mind-Cast 