As I sit here and digest the recent news of a Republican candidate telling Black Americans to leave the US in a Juneteenth message, I can’t help but feel a wave of anger and frustration. These words, spewed by Valentina Gomez, a Colombian immigrant running for Missouri Secretary of State as a Republican candidate, are not just offensive; they are a reflection of the deep-seated racism and ignorance that still plagues our society.
It’s astonishing to me that someone who has only lived in the US since 2009 has the audacity to tell Black Americans, whose ancestors have been in this country for generations, to “get the fuck out.”… Continue reading
As a concerned individual, the recent revelations made by the Boeing chief regarding the company’s retaliatory actions against whistleblowers are deeply troubling. The fact that employees have been threatened and mistreated for speaking out against unethical practices within the company is a clear indication of a toxic corporate culture that prioritizes profit over integrity.
One particularly disturbing account involved a whistleblower, John Barnett, who police ruled had died by suicide earlier this year. Barnett testified that a supervisor had harassed him relentlessly, going as far as to tell him, “I’m going to push you until you break.” The tragic outcome of this situation is a stark reminder of the dangers whistleblowers face when trying to expose wrongdoing within powerful entities like Boeing.… Continue reading
Growing up in a school district where cellphones have been banned for decades, the news that the 2nd-largest school district is also taking steps to restrict cellphone and social media use for students came as no surprise to me. In fact, it made me wonder why cellphones were ever allowed in schools in the first place. Cellphones are engineered to be addictive distraction machines, and it’s clear that they can get in the way of student learning.
Being a teacher myself, I fully understand the challenges of enforcing a cellphone ban in the classroom. It’s a losing battle in many cases, as students find ways to bypass the rules or use burner phones to deceive teachers.… Continue reading
It’s always a bit alarming when we hear about new alliances forming around the world, especially when it involves countries like Russia and North Korea. The recent news of Putin stating that Russia and North Korea will help each other if attacked after signing what is being called a ‘breakthrough’ partnership is quite an interesting development. The idea of these two nations coming together to support each other in times of conflict raises many eyebrows and sparks a lot of skepticism.
The very notion that Russia, which has been at odds with many Western countries, and North Korea, known for its oppressive regime and isolationist policies, would come together in a defensive partnership is quite perplexing.… Continue reading
It’s truly mind-boggling to think that the President of the United States, the leader of one of the most powerful nations in the world, could believe that a global pandemic would simply vanish into thin air. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened with Donald Trump and COVID-19. His delusional belief that the virus would disappear like magic, without any real action or strategy in place, is both baffling and terrifying.
The fact that Trump based his COVID response on hearsay from Fox News and unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine, rather than listening to expert advice from global health officials, speaks volumes about his lack of leadership and competence.… Continue reading
The recent news of Just Stop Oil activists spray-painting orange paint over Stonehenge has left me feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief. Stonehenge, dating back to the late Neolithic period, is not just an ancient relic but also a World Heritage Site and a symbol of immense historical and religious significance. So, why would anyone think defacing such a monument would further their cause?
The tactics employed by Just Stop Oil activists raise questions about the effectiveness of such public stunts in raising awareness about environmental issues. The use of orange paint, or in this case colored cornflour, on Stonehenge might wash away with the rain, but the damage caused by their actions is more than just superficial.… Continue reading
The recent news that the United Nations committee found insufficient evidence to declare a famine in Gaza seems to have stirred quite a controversy. All major news agencies have been reporting about the possible famine, but once the UN committee weighed in, suddenly there was silence. It makes me question why the sides in this conflict seem to be pitted against each other so starkly.
Reading through the report from the Famine Review Committee, they clearly state their inability to determine if famine thresholds have been crossed in Gaza due to a lack of up-to-date data. This raises the question of why such a crucial issue, affecting human suffering in Gaza, is based on uncertain and inconclusive evidence.… Continue reading
The recent clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea has once again brought to light the tense territorial disputes in the region. As a concerned individual, it is disheartening to see the aggressive tactics employed by China in seizing Philippine boats and injuring navy personnel. It is clear that China is acting as the bully in this situation, disregarding the sovereignty of neighboring countries and escalating tensions in the region.
The United States, as a treaty ally of the Philippines, has renewed its warning that it is obligated to defend the Philippines in such situations. This reaffirmation of support is crucial in deterring further aggressive actions by China and upholding international laws and norms in the South China Sea.… Continue reading
The news of the Hinduja family, worth an estimated £37 billion, being on trial for human trafficking is not only shocking but also deeply disturbing. The allegations of confiscating staff passports, paying them as little as $8 for 18-hour days, and restricting their freedom to leave the house echo the standard model of domestic servant trafficking and abuse. It is appalling to think that individuals of such immense wealth would resort to such despicable and exploitative practices, all in the name of maintaining their opulent lifestyles.
The defence lawyer’s argument that watching a film with the Hinduja children cannot be considered work is beyond comprehension.… Continue reading
The recent reports of the Greek coastguard throwing migrants overboard to their deaths are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals seeking asylum. The fact that witnesses have come forward with harrowing accounts of these events should not be dismissed lightly. While there may be skepticism and doubts raised about the credibility of these claims, it is essential to consider the broader implications of such actions.
The idea that human beings, regardless of their migration status, could be treated in such a callous and inhumane manner is abhorrent. It is a stark reminder of the challenges and complexities surrounding the global migration crisis.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker