Hey, @RealDonaldTrump, Hands Off My Flag
. By Thomas L. Knapp “Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag,” writes US president-elect Donald Trump in one of his patented incendiary (pun intended) tweets. “[I]f they do, there must be consequences — perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!” You’ve probably heard all the arguments for and against a flag-burning […]
Will Trump Roll Back “Net Neutrality?”
. By Thomas L. Knapp US president-elect Donald Trump will appoint a new Federal Communications Commission chair in January. That chair will likely be inclined to undo the FCC’s 2015 “Net Neutrality” power grab and, to at least some degree, let markets settle how bandwidth gets priced and who pays. Good. For the most part […]
The End of Privacy is on Sale, and We’re Buying
, By Thomas L. Knapp Like it or not, these days the reason for the season seems to mostly be: Shopping. Even if you weren’t among the millions lining up outside brick and mortar establishments on “Black Friday,” you’ve probably got your eyes peeled for holiday deals on the web. The hottest bargains this year […]
Thanksgiving 2016: Uncertain But Still Grateful
. By Thomas L. Knapp So, it’s that time of year: Time to reflect on the good things in our lives; to appreciate family, friends, community; to consider that for which we ought to be thankful. I’m grateful for many things, starting with my family, my church and its members, my comrades in the freedom […]
The Washington Post vs. “Fake News”: Pot, Meet Kettle
. By Thomas L. Knapp “Freedom of expression is a bedrock of American democracy,” the Washington Post’s editorial board writes in a November 18 jeremiad, “but its irresponsible exercise can distort and destabilize our politics.” The Post’s editors, mining the bottomless pit of mainstream media excuses for not predicting Donald Trump’s victory in November’s presidential […]
Sandy Hook Suit Victimized Families Yet Again for Political Gain
By Thomas L. Knapp It’s been nearly four years since Adam Lanza murdered his mother at the Newtown, Connecticut home they shared, then assaulted Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children, six staff members and, finally, himself. Naturally the usual suspects — including but not limited to US president Barack Obama — immediately began rolling […]
War Crimes: John Kerry’s Really Got Some Kind of Nerve
By Thomas L. Knapp US Secretary of State John Kerry opined (in an October 7 appearance with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault) that Russian military actions in Syria “beg for an appropriate investigation of war crimes.” French President Francois Hollande echoed the sentiment. Kerry might want to keep the fate of his German predecessor, Joachim […]
The Race is On: Uber versus the Real Sharing Economy
. By Joel Schlosberg A new kind of ride has arrived just in time. Early in February, hundreds of Uber drivers converged on the company’s office in Long Island City, Queens to object to sweeping fare reductions. Drivers must charge 15 percent less — while still paying Uber the same percentage, plus the ongoing […]
“Somehow This Has Become Routine”
. . By Thomas L. Knapp That’s what president Barack Obama said after a gunman killed ten before police shot him to death at Umpqua Community College in Rosebud, Oregon on October 1. Obama said a mouthful there; more than he knew. “Mass shootings” — gun homicides with four or more victims — are indeed […]
Private Prisons: Bernie Sanders is Right
By Thomas L. Knapp US Senator Bernie Sanders (allegedly a Vermont Independent, but running for president as a Democrat) and US Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced bills in Congress last week aiming to “ban private prisons, reinstate the federal parole system and eliminate quotas for the number of […]
