No less a person than the Jewish president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of perpetrating a “genocide” against the Ukrainian people. This compels unavoidable and untenable analogies with the genocide Germany perpetrated against the Jewish people during World War II. More to the point, though, it demands Israel explain why it is shunning… Read more.
General
Sanction Putin and the Oligarchs, Not the Russian People
I published a podcast episode on the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 26. I noted the farcical way a manifestly paranoid Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to assassin proof his life. More to the point, though, I pleaded for Western leaders to sanction Putin and the oligarchs. Because they are the enemy, not… Read more.
Clarion Call for Westerners to Join Fight in Ukraine
Given the universal values at stake, I am dismayed that more Westerners have not joined the fight in Ukraine. I am reminded of the way writers Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, and Pablo Neruda led the brigade of those who not only sounded that clarion call, but rushed themselves to join the fight for democratic freedom… Read more.
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Podcast Episode 67: History Repeating Itself in WWII Redux… Related commentaries: Putin humiliates spy chief… Read more.
Biden Nominates Jackson as First Black Woman to Supreme Court
Trust me, Ketanji Brown Jackson is far more qualified to sit on the Supreme Court than Amy Coney Barrett. And Blacks everywhere should be proud and encouraged in equal measure that she is even more suited for this pioneering role, as the first Black woman, than Thurgood Marshall was, as the first Black man, when… Read more.
Putin Humiliates Russia Spy Chief
Donald Trump famously invited TV cameras to watch his cabinet secretaries say what an honor it will be to serve him, the country be damned. Vladimir Putin showed his former puppet yesterday that real strongmen instill fear more than finagle flattery. He invited TV cameras to watch his spy chief and other national security advisers… Read more.
Medina Spirit Stripped of Kentucky Derby Win
Findings of doping finally moved Kentucky racing officials to strip Medina Spirit of last year’s win in the Kentucky Derby and suspend its famous trainer Bob Baffert. Unfortunately, the only news is that the punishment was so lenient. Because here in part is what I wrote in “Baffert ‘Baffled’ as Doping Dogs Derby Winner. Ha!”… Read more.
Eyeing Ukraine Has Putin Acting Like a Bully
Russia is now poised for an invasion of Ukraine – just as North Korea has been for an invasion of South Korea for over 50 years. In fact, Russia’s menacing bully, Vladimir Putin, is just like North Korea’s menacing bully, Kim Jong-un … only with lots of oil and more nukes to leverage his mischief… Read more.
No German Weapons for Ukraine Is Pacifism Masquerading as Penance
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock insisted today that Ukraine will not receive any German weapons to defend itself against Russia. She explained that Germany’s role in WWII imposes a special duty to “seek other ways to secure peace.” Of course, it’s self-evident that Germany remains haunted by this past. But this smacks of an ironic form… Read more.
Racial Profiling in Way Cops End Fight Between White and Black Teens
Boy, talk about racial profiling. Because only racism explains white cops breaking up a typical fight at a suburban mall by comforting the white teen while cuffing the Black one… The viral video clearly shows the (bigger) white kid was the aggressor. Moreover, it shows him on top pummeling the Black kid when two white… Read more.