Living in a country like North Korea must be a challenge. The limited access to information, the lack of freedom, and the strict government control are just a few factors that make it a difficult place to live. I recently came across an article discussing how North Korea has ordered all its students abroad to return home for ideological training. The purpose behind this decision is to reverse the outside influence the students have been exposed to while studying overseas. It made me ponder on the extent of control and manipulation that the North Korean regime exercises over its citizens.
It’s intriguing to think about how someone who has experienced life outside of North Korea, with all its freedoms and opportunities, could willingly return to a place known for its oppressive regime.… Continue reading
Trump says we ‘gotta’ restrict the First Amendment. The mere thought of such an appalling statement should send shivers down the spine of every American who values democracy and freedom. Trump’s proposal to send someone to jail for a year for burning the American flag is not only absurd but fundamentally anti-American. The flag itself symbolizes the very freedom to engage in such acts of protest. It represents the right to dissent, to criticize, to speak out against injustice, and to challenge the status quo.
The fact that Trump is openly advocating for the restriction of the First Amendment is a clear indication of his authoritarian tendencies.… Continue reading
It came as a shock to many when news broke that the founder and CEO of Telegram had been arrested at a French airport. The allegations against him are grave, ranging from drug trafficking to complicity in criminal offenses. But the question that lingers in my mind is, is he directly involved in these activities, or is he being used as a scapegoat for the actions of others who operate on the platform?
The fact that he chose to land in France, despite the looming arrest warrant, raises eyebrows. Was he unaware of the potential consequences of his arrival in the country, or does he have an ulterior motive for seeking the relative safety of a French prison?… Continue reading
Donald Trump’s latest outburst claiming it to be “illegal” to criticize his Supreme Court appointees is nothing short of absurd. It begs the question: does he even understand the basic tenets of the First Amendment, or is he just conveniently ignoring them when they don’t suit his agenda? As an American citizen, I am deeply troubled by the idea that our elected officials, especially the President, would seek to restrict our right to freedom of speech and expression merely because they are being held accountable for their choices.
The notion that criticizing judges and justices should be punishable by “very serious crimes” is not only preposterous but also dangerous.… Continue reading
This announcement of Russia’s plan to slow down YouTube download speeds by 70% comes as a concerning development. The leaked information suggests that this deliberate effort is aimed at pushing users towards a government-controlled Russian alternative website and eventually phasing out access to YouTube entirely. The strategy seems to be an attempt to boost the popularity of their own platforms, which have struggled to compete with the widespread adoption of YouTube in the country.
The decision to target YouTube specifically can be seen as a direct response to the platform’s popularity in Russia, where many individuals, including anti-government and counter-culture content creators, have found a voice and a substantial following.… Continue reading
Bill to arrest librarians filed for 2025 Alabama house session? Yes, you heard that right. Librarians, the custodians of knowledge, are now being targeted as criminals. This bill, part of Trump’s Project 2025, aims to classify educators and public librarians who provide access to certain materials as registered sex offenders. This alarming move is not only an attack on the freedom of speech but also a dangerous step towards censorship and control.
The language of the bill is vague, redefining what is considered “harmful to minors” and potentially criminalizing librarians for shelving certain materials. It redefines “sexual conduct” and sets out a procedure that could lead to criminal charges against those who provide access to such materials.… Continue reading
I am deeply disturbed by the blatant disregard for truth and decency displayed by Donald Trump in his wildly unhinged attack on The New York Times. The fact that he not only targets one of the most respected news outlets but also spews dangerous rhetoric without consequences is a clear indication of his unfitness to hold any position of power, let alone the presidency.
The media, especially The New York Times, have a responsibility to hold those in power accountable and to not aid in the spread of misinformation and hate. However, it seems that Trump’s outlandish behavior only increases viewership and clicks, leading to a dangerous cycle of enabling his erratic behavior for profit.… Continue reading
Russia’s recent sentencing of a 15-year-old schoolboy to five years in prison for criticizing the Putin regime and the war against Ukraine is a chilling reminder of the fragility of freedom of speech under authoritarian rule. The idea of an entire nation’s military and its leaders being threatened by the words of a teenage boy showcases the desperate lengths to which dictators will go to silence dissent and maintain their grip on power.
We must acknowledge that Russia, under Putin’s rule, is not a democracy but rather a dictatorship. The swift and severe punishment meted out to this brave young boy for daring to speak out against injustice highlights the dire situation within the country.… Continue reading
As an Israeli-American, events like Ottawa canceling a public ceremony for Israeli flag-raising citing security concerns hit close to home. It’s disheartening to see such a blatant capitulation to threats and intimidation by those who seek to stifle any show of support for Israel. This decision raises questions about the state of our society and the values we hold dear. Do we continue to pander to those who harbor animosity towards others, allowing them to dictate our actions and decisions, or do we stand firm in our beliefs and principles?
The cancelation of the flag-raising ceremony not only sets a dangerous precedent but also sends a chilling message to the Jewish community and supporters of Israel in Canada.… Continue reading
Public school tried to ban student’s lesbian art work because it’s “offensive” to Christians. Her piece was about religious trauma that LGBTQ+ people deal with, and it apparently struck a nerve. The recent incident where a public school attempted to censor a student’s art piece, solely based on the fact that it was deemed offensive to Christians, brings to light the ongoing battle between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities. The work in question delved into the religious trauma experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, shedding light on the struggles they face within religious communities. It is alarming that an educational institution, a place that should encourage critical thinking and open dialogue, would seek to silence the voice of a young artist expressing her truth.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood