Understand, this is a critique of a set of values, myths and rules, not believers. It isn’t bigotry either. Objecting to a set of beliefs is all fair game.
“Live From New York!”…Not So Much, Dateline: Manhattan
After weeks of near-total isolation, handwashing so hard, looking to rubbing my eyes as if I’d just been tear-gassed, fitting both fists into my mouth!
New York State and the World’s Oldest Profession
The State, pushed by people blessed with better life circumstances, decided these marginal women need to be punished by prohibition. Let’s end this madness.
Carlos Ghosn’s Wild Japanese Disappearing Act
His claim is that he’s not fleeing justice as a fugitive but rather escaping a racist and rigged system. It’s hard to know which of those narratives is true. James Bond (or James Bond villain?)
Not So Fast On That New Capital City, Burundi
Burundi’s capital is being moved for the good of the people! Actually no: the dictatorship is moving and building a new administrative city as a mega-theft.
where to now for ISIS and the forever war on terror?
Baghdadi’s end in a hideout in a corner of the broken state he helped break prompts questions of where to now for ISIS and the forever war on terror.
This Stupid Moral Panic About Vaping
Nicotine is an addictive but harmless drug which gives people pleasure and legitimate vaping is a relatively safe way to experience that pleasure. These are facts that taunt the fanatics.
Extinction Rebellion Wants a Mass Psychedelic Protest. Bad Idea.
This wildly self-indulgent psychedelic protest is the new nadir from Extinction Rebellion. The climate crisis is real – stunts like this can only damage the acceptance of psychedelic medicine as well as the climate crisis.
The English Psycho and Brexit: A Psychological Profile
It is a psychological fact that in chaotic times people frequently allow narcissists and psychopaths to rise to the top of organizations, often faster than they do normally. Clinically, Trump and Boris Johnson tick nearly all the boxes.
Behind Populist Authoritarianism: Brazil and Other Recent Hellscapes
Brazil is a country whose citizenry rarely enjoy good governance. They were doing well in recent years despite the fact their politicians seemed to be regularly impeached, locked up or otherwise disgraced.