Political Sample Writing

Week 2 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Given how historically anti-Russia Republicans are, it is hard to fathom why they continually try to smear an investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with our most dangerous foreign adversary.

Despite his plans to step down in March, McCabe still faced intense pressure from Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign sooner. It would appear that Trump’s most steadfast loyalists are trying to clean house of those sympathetic to carrying out this critical investigation—in this case maligning McCabe for supporting his wife running for Democratic office. Yes, even FBI agents are allowed to have opinions, but that doesn’t mean they act on them.

The way in which Republicans of the House Intelligence Committee are attempting to release a classified memo shows exactly how transparently partisan their endeavor is to undermine a legitimate criminal investigation. They have not allowed the FBI, Justice Department, or Senate Intelligence Committee to view the memo prior to its release in order to redact any information that could compromise the country’s national security.

They have also refused to vote to publish the Democrats’ counter-argument to the memo, further reinforcing their one-sided agenda.

It doesn’t take too much foresight to see what the Republicans’ end goal is. Since Rod Rosenstein is charged with oversight of the investigation and Special Counsel Robert Mueller III, he is a clear target for anyone hoping to impede the investigation. The memo hopes to discredit Rosenstein in that he signed the surveillance warrant that House Republicans allege was obtained illegitimately. It is their desire to remove Rosenstein from the investigation such that Trump can appoint someone more willing to depose of the special counsel and thus end, or at the very least dramatically slow down, the Russia investigation.

Week 2 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint It is depressing how low the bar has been set for the State of the Union address. The primary metric of success is now measured by how many off the cuff remarks Trump can refrain from blurting. In that sense, he did okay—although the delivery of the speech seemed as though he were delivering a hostage speech from cue cards. This made for a slow and, at times, agonizing delivery of a speech that glossed over many topics and leaned heavily on the character of featured guests (many more than usual) to make up for his own moral deficit.

The most interesting part of the speech was, of course, about immigration. His line “Americans are dreamers too” struck a nasty tone comparable to saying “All lives matter”. It brings up a well, duh moment that completely misses the point. The more appropriate thing to say would have been “Dreamers are Americans too”. Trump has been all over the place in regards to DACA, cyclically embracing and then rejecting it based on the last voice in his ear. In his speech, he focused heavily on MS-13 and victims of gang violence, which is a tactic to use an obscure facet of a much more complex and valuable issue to induce fear in order to accrue support.

Trump stoked his base and managed not to upset members of his own party, which should be a given at any other State of the Union, so good for him. Giving the response to the State of the Union is typically an undesirable responsibility to have, but Joe Kennedy III did a surprisingly good job, striking a largely positive, empathetic, and hopeful tone. Take notes, Mr. President.

Week 2 Section 3 From the Left – By Lucas Flint I’ve truly begun to lose count of how many resignations this administration has faced so far, and it has only barely been more than a year. Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald is the latest to disgracefully exit a Trump-appointed post, but I think that is where the partisanship ends.

Dr. Fitzgerald put personal profit above ethics, which transcends petty politics.

Fitzgerald had a history of investments in several tobacco companies, and continued to invest even after her appointment to the CDC. What’s more is that it took her two months to sign an ethics agreement and an additional month to divest from her controversial stock holdings. Typically, senior government officials take care of any potential conflicts of interest prior to taking their post to make divesting as smooth a process as possible.

The greatest offense is the direct contradiction of Fitzgerald’s investments to the mission of the CDC. An investor in tobacco leading a premier health organization is about as backwards as it can get, but it seems laughably fitting for a person in a position of power in the Trump-era. It is commendable that the newly-appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services took care of the issue, but it never should have been a problem to begin with.

This gaffe only further exposes the president’s lack of judgment in selecting viable and ethical candidates for several federal positions. One would think that The Apprentice would have given him a trained eye for talent and leadership, but it seems that the only vestige he retained from that show is his ability to fire and dismiss his own employees.

One thing is for sure—Trump sure does know a lot of corrupt people.

Week 2 Section 4 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The atrocities committed against the Rohingya people cannot go unanswered. Call it what you want—does it really have to be called genocide before it can really matter? Is that the magic word? And by what metric does it shift from a mere “ethnic cleansing” to genocide? An entire people who have been shunned for their ethnicity and religion are being systematically eliminated from the only home they’ve ever known. For decades, the Rohingya have been denied citizenship in their own country, nor are they allowed to leave their state without permission. To make matters worse, the Rohingya are terrorized by their own military. Their villages are pillaged and razed, and their women and children raped and murdered. They attempt to cover up their carnage by tossing victims in mass graves and mutilating them beyond recognition.

The silence is deafening. There is hardly any media coverage of what is happening in Myanmar. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and leader of Myanmar, has said little to decry the incontrovertible purge of her own people, despite being in the prime position to reach out to the international community for help. While the military controls several of the ministries in Myanmar, she is the voice of the people, and that voice so desperately needs to be heard. But she is not the only person to blame. Any number of impassioned, moving articles can try to shed light on this issue (which there also aren’t enough of), but until real action is taken to intervene, nothing will change.

Sanctions are not enough. A slap on the wrist will not bring about the systemic change that Myanmar needs. Knowing and not acting is akin to complicity in these crimes against humanity.

Week 6 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint China’s decision to eliminate term limits isn’t exactly surprising given the strict state control of the government, but it is alarming nonetheless in regards to the implications it has in facilitating a shift towards an authoritarian regime.

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President Xi Jinping is already notorious for quashing any sort of opposition and will likely increase censorship of his dissenters, further consolidating his power It is to be expected that President Xi will continue to aggressively expand China’s presence in the South China Sea, consequentially bullying US allies such as Japan and Vietnam.

Some may argue that abolishing term limits in China makes it more stable and predictable internationally, but at what cost?

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A strongman with virtually unchecked power is a recipe for despotism.

Condoning such behavior is contradictory to Western values and should not be lauded.

Silence is a demonstration of weakness and conveys acceptance. It is important for the US to denounce this action despite our inability to change it in order to defend our core democratic principles.

It is doubly important to reprimand the abolition of term limits so as to discourage other countries from following suit. Countries such as Russia and Turkey have taken a similar tact in consolidating executive power in their respective states, although China’s advantage comes with its single-party system and highly-censored media.

While those who support this shift, or at least remain silent, preach a message of stability, there is an ironic and eerily uncanny resemblance of Mao Zedong’s China of the 1960s. Rather than moving towards a more global community, an unlimited presidency only seems to reinforce China’s nationalistic agenda.

Week 6 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint After over a year of operating on only an interim security clearance, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has finally had his security clearance revoked. Kushner has been the subject of much speculation after failing several times to correctly complete his security clearance form, otherwise known as an SF-86.

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Kushner has time and again omitted information regarding meetings and interactions with foreign emissaries and states.

Perhaps most significantly, Kushner failed to disclose his meeting at Trump tower with Trump Jr., campaign chairman Paul Manafort (who has since been indicted and has pled guilty), and a Russian lawyer who was allegedly prepared to share “damaging information” on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Until Kushner’s background check is successfully completed and he is properly permitted to see our nation’s most closely-guarded secrets, he must be treated as a threat to our national security.

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There is widespread concern that Kushner’s business dealings abroad could leave him vulnerable to manipulation. It is particularly difficult to guard against such vulnerabilities when he fails to disclose his dealings with them.

At least four foreign governments—China, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, and Israel—have considered using business opportunities to seek leverage over Kushner.

It’s important to understand that Kushner is by no means being left in the dark. His status has simply been downgraded from “top-secret” to “secret”. It is likely that the reduction in security clearance is only temporary until he clears his background check.

Here’s what to expect next: • •

The FBI is predicted to complete Kushner’s background check within the next month The Bureau’s findings will be submitted to the White House, which has the final say in reinstating his top-secret security clearance.

Week 6 Section 3 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The White House has jokingly been referred to as a “revolving door” as senior staff have resigned in record numbers due to various scandals—there is almost no shock value anymore when another resignation is announced. However, the latest resignation of Communications Director Hope Hicks should raise some ears.

Hope Hicks has played a critical advisory role to Trump since he launched his presidential campaign three years ago. Hicks has surprising maintained a low profile despite her peripheral roles in several scandals that have rocked the White House.

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Hicks is associated with the firing of FBI Director James Comey. She reportedly met with the president regarding a draft speech venting his issues with Comey.

The statement claiming a meeting between senior officials of the Trump Campaign and a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower was about Russian adoptions rather than alleged dirt on the Clinton campaign during the 2016 election was drafted by Hicks.

Hope Hicks was dating Rob Porter at the time he was accused by two of his exwives of domestic violence, and helped prepare a defense to the allegations.

Rather than recusing herself, she doubled down, urging other officials within the White House to back him up as well.

Hicks was most recently interrogated by the House Intelligence Committee in regards to the Russia investigation. While the timing of the questioning and her resignation are suspect of being related, it is likely just coincidence. She expressed plans of leaving the White House long before her hearing before the committee. Her aversion to the limelight during her tenure under president Trump makes it difficult to judge, but the coming months will start to shed some light on the true significance of her role in the Trump administration.

Week 6 Section 4 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The words on everyone’s lips after Trump’s abrupt announcement of drastic tariffs on imported steel and aluminum are these: trade wars. The stock market took a steep stumble in response to the latest instance of Trump’s caprice.

• Canada, the largest source of imported steel and aluminum, has vowed to retaliate with a proportionate and measured response.

• Even stalwart allies such as the EU have threatened to fight back should such policy be implemented.

The president lives in a nostalgic fantasy wherein he believes that he can revive the American steel industry to its former glory days. He is quite alone in his resolution to carry out this bold operation.

• Trump has faced opposition from his most senior advisors, including Director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

• He is taking advantage of an obscure piece of legislation known as Section 232 of the Trade Expansions Act, passed in 1962, which grants the president authority to restrict imports and impose limitless tariffs if the Department of Commerce claims a threat to national security. It is doing just that.

• The president’s tack takes a harder line than any of the other options put forward by the Department of Commerce.

We have been here before. Here’s a taste of what’s to come if Trump moves forward with his plan: • As many as 200,000 jobs were wiped out in 2002 when President George W. Bush levied steep tariffs.

• Consumers could pay more for automobiles, canned drinks, aluminum foil, as well as other steel/aluminum products.

• The Pentagon will have to dish out even more money to make fighter jets and other military-grade equipment.

Week 9 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Brace yourselves for the president’s latest nostalgia for failed Reagan-era policies.

Trump whimsically suggested during a speech in New Hampshire this week that perhaps killing drug dealers would help bring an end to the opioid epidemic.

• If there are any lessons to be learned from the 1980’s, it is that the war on drugs was a complete and utter failure. This is not a problem that can be solved with more incarceration and execution.

• The casual proposal endorsing capital punishment only demonstrates Trump’s inability to comprehend and respond to complex issues with meaningful solutions.

• Trump draws inspiration from the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, who openly encourages murdering people who use drugs.

In addition to relying on authoritarian fear tactics, addressing the opioid crisis through the vehicle of the criminal justice system simply doesn’t make much sense.

• It has been empirically proven that what works are harm-reduction techniques and strategies utilizing evidence-based treatment and prevention.

• The biggest hurdle to addressing the crisis is simply a lack of adequate funding.

If Trump indeed insists on following through with his promise on the death penalty, it will again be through the channels of his Justice Department rather than through the bodies of Congress. Such an unrefined, controversial directive will undoubtedly find its way to the courts rather quickly, as do most of his other ill-thought out plans.

The democratic process is designed in a way such that ideas are tempered and refined by debate in our bicameral legislature. What’s terrifying is that Trump thinks he can simply ram through his latest bad idea by circumventing the legislative process, once again leaving our courts as the last line of defense against his crude caprice.

Week 9 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, also known as MBS, is currently touring the US in order to try and improve American opinion towards Saudi Arabia. Two areas in particular cast a shadow on the Saudi’s reputation: his ill-concealed attempt to consolidate power for himself as heir to the crown, and a prolonged war in Yemen against Iran-backed rebels.

In case you missed it: • Last year MBS detained over 320 of Saudi Arabia’s richest and most influential men (because women are not allowed to be those things in Saudi Arabia) and extorted them heavily.

• While the crown prince frames it as an anti-corruption campaign, critics see it as a demonstration of a despotic power-grab.

Perhaps even more ominous, Crown Prince MBS has been involved with the war in Yemen since it began three years ago as the Minister of Defense (i.e. he plays no minor role).

• Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, is now home to one of the worst humanitarian crises, with problems of child malnutrition and cholera in addition to sporadic bombing that is responsible for thousands of civilian casualties.

• By providing intelligence and resources to either side of the conflict (we aid the Saudi coalition), the United States is participating in a war that creates refugees, costs millions of dollars, and undermines our credibility for a mission of peace in the Middle East.

• The US wants Saudi Arabia to allow humanitarian relief to reach some three million people displaced by the conflict and aims to reduce military support to the Saudi coalition. However, a deal worth several billion dollars in arms undermines our endeavors to extricate ourselves from the problem.

Crown Prince MBS certainly has his work cut out for him if he wants America to view him in a positive light.

Week 9 Section 3 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The Austin bombings are just the latest example of how we choose to downplay the significance of domestic terrorism. Already, news stories recount sympathies for the troubled white male bomber rather than the victims.

• The White House has remained quiet, particularly avoiding answering if they considered the five bombings to be domestic terrorism or hate crimes.

• The two people killed were black males from prominent families with strong roots in Austin’s black civil rights groups and religious community.

The perpetrator was (yet again) a white man acting alone. He wrote that gay marriage should be banned, favored the death penalty, and thought eliminating sex offender registries should be considered. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley had this to say: “[This] is the outcry of a very challenged young man talking about challenges in his own life.”

I’m sorry—is the Chief of Police mourning the terrorist or the victims here? As always, the attacker’s name is the one that gets said over and over again, while the victims, especially those of minorities, are forgotten.

Here are all the things Trump and republicans would rather do than admit that home grown terrorists are a larger threat to national security: • Build a wall to keep out immigrants crossing the U.S./Mexico border (who are automatically assumed to be bad people) • Ban Muslims from entering the U.S. • Frame mass shootings as an issue of mental health rather than an issue of distributing weapons of war to 18 year olds.

• Blame MS-13 and other gang violence The list goes on, but you get the gist. What republicans fail to recognize is the fact that the majority of domestic attacks in the last several years have been committed by white men born and raised here in the United States.

Week 12 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Only days after announcing intentions of withdrawing troops from Syria and then facing backlash from the Pentagon, Trump is now weighing a military response to an alleged chemical attack in the Syrian town of Douma. Trump has issued a 24 to 48-hour timeframe in which he intends to respond to the alleged attack. Here’s why such a hasty and rash response is a bad idea: • Acting independently without the verification of a neutral party will only escalate tensions and finger-pointing. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague, exists exclusively to determine if chemical weapons have been deployed.

• Unfortunately, the OPCW can only declare whether or not chemical weapons were used—it is not allowed to attribute responsibility for the attack. Until a few years ago, a joint UN-OPCW task force had the power to ascribe responsibility for attacks, but they lost this ability after Russia vetoed a measure to renew their authority via the UN Security Council.

• Continuing to veto such a measure implies Russia has something to hide.

Launching a premature military strike without a confirmation of if chemical weapons were deployed and by whom could botch an opportunity to credibly undermine Russia’s reputation in Syria.

Following the attack, military operations have ceased while Syria and Russia reached a deal with the rebels entailing an evacuation of 8,000 fighters and 40,000 of their relatives out of the war torn town, effectively giving the Syrian government full control of the region. Perhaps this is the result they had hoped for if the Syrian regime is truly behind the attack, but launching a US-led attack before we have all the facts will only muddy the waters even more.

Week 12 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The raid seizing documents from Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, opens a new line of investigation beyond the scope of what can be done by Robert Mueller. The warrant carried out for this raid was executed by federal authorities in New York, likely as a result of evidence from Mueller’s investigation that fell outside of the scope of what he is able to prosecute. Here’s why that matters: • Even if Trump were to fire Mueller, this new investigation involving Cohen exists independently. That means that alleged bank fraud and violation of campaign finance laws are under investigation whether or not Mueller is around.

• The net of crimes that Trump and his associates are getting caught up in is proliferating, and it’s not because of a liberal conspiracy theory. The raid on Michael Cohen required authorization by a federal judge granted there was ample evidence a crime had been committed, which is in itself damning, but the Deputy Attorney General appointed by Trump himself signed off on the order.

There is little Trump can do without hurting himself. Firing the special counsel directly raises several flags and further demonstrates an obstruction of justice. Firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in order to install somewhere more amenable to firing the special counsel raises just as many flags. However, letting the investigation run its course is turning over stones Trump probably doesn’t want uncovered.

No, this isn’t out of line. This is the justice system at work. All of the crimes committed by Trump and his associates are finally catching up to them—and hopefully that will phase members of the Republican party sooner rather than later.

Week 12 Section 3 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Paul Ryan’s departure at the end of his term is another symbolic indicator of the poor state of the ailing Republican Party, as traditional conservatives are leaving the political system en masse. Very rarely does a Speaker of the House step down willingly, but Trump’s unorthodox and chaotic approach to politics undoubtedly played some role in his stepping down, in addition to his desire to be with his family.

Trump and Ryan were diametrically opposed on a variety of policy issues, which had to make the Speaker’s job difficult and tiresome by constantly having to fight the president on his positions.

• Ryan champions free trade, yet Trump dismantled the Trans-Pacific Partnership, regularly threatens to tear up NAFTA, and has levied heavy tariffs on strategic trade allies.

• The Speaker has backed relaxed immigration laws his entire career, hoping to make the Republican Party more inclusive for minorities. Trump has imposed a ban on immigrants from several countries and wants to build a wall on the U.S.Mexico border.

• Ryan is an advocate of federal law enforcement, yet Trump tries to undermine the legitimacy of the FBI and his own Justice Department daily.

The recently passed tax cuts are perhaps the closest thing that Paul Ryan has to a legacy during his short tenure as Speaker of the House, which were recently scored by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to blast the projected national deficit beyond $1.8 trillion over the next decade.

• Republicans are traditionally fundamentally opposed to increasing the federal deficit. However, they made an exception for sweeping tax cuts, insisting that they would result in greater revenue than the amount lost in taxes.

Between a potential blue wave this election and a polarizing Republican Party, Paul Ryan is becoming a relic of a bygone era.

Week 12 Section 4 From the Left – By Lucas Flint As Trump continues to replace everyone in his Cabinet, Rex Tillerson’s replacement for secretary of state is perhaps the most troubling. A credible secretary of state requires the capacity to negotiate, compromise, and be diplomatic—and nominee Mike Pompeo is unlikely to have the capacity to do any of these things.

Pompeo is an unabashed hawk when it comes to dealing with other foreign powers, and his inclination and proclivity towards violence is not a trait expected form the nation’s chief diplomat.

• On Iran, Pompeo equated their government to the Islamic State and went so far as to insinuate that they were allied with Al Qaeda, which is a move from George W. Bush’s playbook in linking Iraq to the terrorist organization. Tillerson strongly advised against scrapping the Iran nuclear deal, while Pompeo relishes in the idea of its demise.

• On North Korea, Pompeo has insisted for a long time on a forged regime change.

During his Senate nomination hearing, he shared that he could imagine the US launching a ground invasion of the authoritarian state. Neither of these visions are acceptable for a secretary of state.

There hasn’t been an unfavorable vote on a nominee for secretary of state since 1925, and the fact that that’s a real possibility for Pompeo’s confirmation is troubling to say the least. While he secured the nomination for Director of the CIA quite easily, he has faced significant opposition in his nomination for secretary of state—the criteria for these two posts could hardly be further apart from each other. One can only hope that the committee votes down his nomination and sends Trump back to the drawing board rather than trying to push his nomination to the floor of the senate.

Week 15 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint It’s curious that Netanyahu’s renewed allegations against Iran come just days after the belligerent new secretary of state Mike Pompeo paid a visit to Israel. Regardless of his participation, the use of old propaganda with the illusion of ground-breaking evidence coming to light is an increasingly familiar phenomenon.

• The authenticity of the information could not be confirmed.

• Iran cooperates with international watchdogs by allowing regular inspections regarding the state of their nuclear facilities.

• They repeatedly come to the conclusion that Iran complies with the terms outlined in the nuclear deal made in 2015.

What’s worse than this campaign of misinformation is the damage done to U.S. credibility by withdrawing from a nuclear deal with Iran while simultaneously trying to impose another on North Korea. There are several gaps in the logic of doing so.

• First and foremost, withdrawing from the nuclear deal is in direct opposition to the advice of key European and other global allies.

• Withdrawing from the Iran deal releases the country from any commitment towards NOT developing nuclear weapons.

• Scrapping a deal with a compliant state while offering a nuclear deal to a rogue state will send a message that it is in a country’s best interest to defy and threaten the United States instead.

The way the deal is currently written practically anticipates that Iran will violate its obligations to the treaty. Agreed upon by several world powers, determination of the consequences in response to any such transgression were delegated almost exclusively to the United States—thus pulling out of the Iran deal forfeits the very leverage that Trump seeks to wield.

Week 15 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Why would one not aspire to better standards to create a cleaner and more efficient environment? Current auto regulations help curb greenhouse gas emissions and make for longer spans between filling up the tank. Scott Pruitt’s EPA is proposing a regressive policy that parallels the retrograde nostalgia for Reagan’s America, before we knew any better about what we were putting in the air. But to pretend that we don’t know the harm such a policy, or rather the absence of policy, would do is a sham.

• California is resolute in their commitment to a higher standard. Maintaining the stringent policies set forth by Obama while the rest of the country abides by Pruitt and Trump’s lax criteria would create a chasm in the automotive industry.

• Automakers are backpedaling from their initial plea for lower standards after seeing California’s resolve, fearing a split in the market more than abiding by stricter rules. However, Trump and Pruitt seem all too eager to undo any legacy of Obama’s.

18 states representing nearly 140 million Americans, or roughly 40% of the automobile market, are no small force to be reckoned with. California has been allowed to abide by its own stricter rules since the foundation of the Clean Air Act in 1970, as 12 other states have also abided by standards greater than those established by the Federal government. The EPA has issued a challenge to that liberty with a mandate for lower standards on cars, resulting in worse fuel economies, greater spending on fuel, and an altogether less-clean environment than one we were previously on track to improve.

Week 17 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The Trump administration’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem may not seem like a big deal from an American perspective, but to both Israelis and Palestinians alike it is seen as a gesture siding with the Israeli’s on an extremely sensitive and longstanding conflict.

• The inaugural ceremony of the new embassy Monday instigated a flare-up in ongoing protests at the Gaza-Israel border, where over 50 Palestinians were killed and over 1,000 wounded.

• Egypt, a key Israeli ally, condemned Israel for excessive force against unarmed protestors.

• Turkey and South Africa have recalled their ambassadors to Israel over what they considered a “massacre” at the Gaza border. Turkey also recalled their ambassador to the U.S. for the disregard of Palestinian rights, contending that the new embassy in Jerusalem would further destabilize the region.

Clearly the United States is tone deaf as to what peace in the Middle East looks like.

The embassy relocation demonstrates Trump’s lack of empathy towards Palestinians and has done nothing but incite more violence. The Right will be quick to criticize the protestors for their own casualties, but it is important to first examine the cause of those protests.

• Israel has nothing short of destroyed Gaza’s economy and infrastructure, launching unemployment to over 40 percent and limiting electricity to only a few hours a day.

• Most civilians in Gaza are refugees or descendants of refugees from Israel (specifically East Jerusalem). They have been denied their homes and identity.

The purpose of protest is to create discomfort. The conditions under which Palestinians have been forced to live in Gaza have caused them to feel they have no other alternative than to engage in violence in order to get attention. In the words of MLK Jr., “A riot is the language of the unheard.”

Week 17 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The denuclearization of North Korea is in the best interests of the entire international community, but has been an elusive ambition for several administrations. Hopes of such high-level peace talks one unstable leader to another has been tentative at best, but of course we want U.S. peace talks with North Korea to be successful. The rogue state’s capricious withdrawal from a summit meeting with its southern neighbor has put all parties on edge again, and the world is holding its breath to see how Trump will respond.

• Trump could resort to name-calling, which, while the most familiar tactic, is likely one of the most damaging to the peace process.

• The administration could ignore the news altogether, continuing to plan for its own meeting with Trump next month.

There is also a level of predictability with the behavior of North Korea. We have reached similar points in diplomacy before, only to foiled by some idiosyncratic sensitivity.

• The six-party talks were an endeavor of several world powers to reach a peaceful resolution in regards to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. It came about when North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003.

• As a result of these talks, North Korea agreed to shut down its nuclear facilities in 2007 in exchange for aid while simultaneously taking steps to normalize relations with the U.S. and Japan.

• However, the denouncement of a failed North Korean satellite launch was enough of a provocation to restart their nuclear enrichment program and expel all nuclear inspectors from the country.

Substitute the failed satellite launch with a naval military exercise known about well in advance and you see the same formula for a disappointing attempt at diplomacy with one of the world most fragile and unstable states.

Week 17 Section 3 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Opposition research is typical of any sort of political campaign. Aides dig through primary sources (government documents and financial disclosures) and secondary sources (policy positions, direct quotes from a candidate) to try and find some sort of compromising information.

• The kind of information exhumed from this kind of ‘oppo’ is usually simply embarrassing to have out or distasteful. Examples could be as mild as a candidate getting a $400 haircut or as lewd as having an affair.

• What isn’t typical in opposition research is accepting external help from foreign powers, particularly hostile foreign adversaries. This in no way, shape, or form should be accepted or normalized.

Shedding light on poor moral character is one thing, but digging skeletons out of your opponent’s closet is simply uncouth.

• The fact that Trump Jr. jumped so quickly at the prospect of damaging information on his father’s political challenger despite the fact that the information was coming directly from Moscow says something about the Trump campaign’s own moral compass (not to mention no ‘dirt’ was ever revealed during the meeting).

This isn’t the first time that Moscow has tried to interfere in an election. In 1960, the Soviet ambassador to the United States clandestinely approached both John F. Kennedy and another Democratic presidential hopeful. However, rather than willingly opening a channel of communication with a longstanding foreign adversary, they had the moral character to reject any assistance whatsoever.

Opposition research is normal. Accepting damning information from foreign powers that only wish to sow discord and divisiveness is not. It is important to set the record straight so as not to set a precedent for future elections—it is vital to the very essence of our democracy.

Week 17 Section 4 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Agriculture is one of the most delicate industries in our country, but an incredibly important one to protect. The farm bill, revisited roughly once every five years, provides subsidies to help farmers fight produce prices from bottoming out and bankrupting their farms and livelihoods. Not every industry needs protectionist policies to keep it afloat, but there are several reasons why agriculture requires it.

• We don’t want to rely on imports for food. It is important to maintain the ability to feed ourselves rather than be at the mercy others to feed our own mouths.

• Food is essential. Steel and aluminum are not. Industries will rise and fall as technology progresses, but the necessity for food will always be constant.

• Local, fresh, sustainable. Keeping our farms up and running will provide us with reliably fresh options and reduce emissions from transportation.

There is a strong argument to be made that the government has a role to play in regulating and protecting our agricultural industry in America. That isn’t to say that the farm bill is without its flaws: • For starters, the sugar industry technically falls under the umbrella of agriculture, but has a far less noble mission than keeping the nation from going hungry.

Commodity begins to blur with necessity.

• Small and medium-sized farms make up ninety-seven percent of farms in America, yet the farm bill tends to favor large operations instead.

Our country was founded as an agrarian and egalitarian society, thus it is only natural that our country’s deep-rooted identity in agriculture outstrips even the pining nostalgia for steel and coal. What contradicts those values is how big farms are disproportionately favored over small farms despite their minority—enabling a plutocracy in one of America’s most humble livelihoods.

Week 21 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint For all the pomp and fanfare surrounding a summit between leaders that only weeks ago were issuing death threats to one another, there was little to show in terms of accomplishments besides a vague, circuitous statement and a really nice handshake.

• Some of Trump’s aides produced a kitschy film depicting a flourishing North Korea if it were to relinquish its nuclear arsenal. Trump followed up with a weird pitch for more hotels and condos on their beaches.

• Trump managed to concede halting military drills between the US and South Korea to the complete shock and utter surprise of both South Korea and the Pentagon.

• A non-binding statement was signed by both leaders, but failed to lay out a timeline as to how quickly North Korea would de-nuclearize. Trump further undermined the endeavor by inferring that dismantling their program would take a long period of time.

• When asked how he could possibly enforce such a vague statement regarding North Korea’s disarmament: “We’re going to have to check it, and we will check it. We’ll check it very strongly.” Well said, Mr. President.

Trump left the G7 summit on a sour note, so some foreign policy experts have speculated that he may have been prepared to make more concessions in order to make the North Korea summit seem more like a win, rather than having two consecutive failed diplomatic events.

• European allies in particular may feel miffed after Trump arrived late, insulted key allies, and then departed early in order to meet with a dictator with a terrible human rights record.

The Singapore Summit was bizarre all around. Watching both childish leaders sign their superficial statement was akin to watching two strongmen sign each other’s’ yearbooks H.A.G.S.

Week 21 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Rather than panic, Democrats should take solace in the results of Tuesday’s primary.

The selection of heretical fringe candidates puts moderate Republicans in an uncomfortable position—abstain from voting, cast a ballot for the opposing party (i.e.

Democrat), or compromise their core values and stay loyal to their party in true tribalistic fashion.

• The Republican Party is fracturing before our very eyes. The lack of representation from more moderate candidates and an even more abysmal midterm turnout than usual in many states reflects the passive abjection of many right-leaning constituents.

• Middle-of-the-road voters may be more likely to don the Democratic badge, or even register as independents and cast ballots for Democrats—especially in more diverse and well-educated electorates.

• Fringe candidates are having success in the primaries because centrist Republicans are staying at home, disgruntled by the sharp swing to the right in the party as of late.

Case and point: Corey Stewart, notorious lover of all things Confederate and comrade of white supremacists, won the contest for Republican Senate nominee in Virginia on Tuesday.

• The Republican party failed to run a single establishment wing candidate for that particular race, leaving only three Trump-loyal candidates on the ballot.

• Further infighting within the party is demonstrated by the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s decision to withhold endorsement of fringe candidate Stewart in Virginia. The committee is the party’s primary campaign arm dedicated to electing Republican candidates.

There is certainly cause for alarm that there is any degree of viability for such divisive candidates at all, even at the primary level. But do not fret— the silence is deafening.

The number of ambiguous centrists is shrinking quickly, and not in favor of Republicans.

They have none other than Donald J. Trump to thank.

Week 24 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Amidst fanfare typical of his celebrity presidency, Trump delivered a theatrical primetime address announcing his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

• Trump had narrowed his selection to four candidates before selection Kavanaugh, who will arguably be the most difficult nominee to put on the bench before the November election.

• Trump disregarded the advice of senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who suggested finalists Thomas Hardiman and Raymond Kethledge as the easiest nominees to confirm in the senate.

Kavanaugh has a long history that is liable to prolong the journey to confirmation. He has been part of several high-profile cases including assisting with the investigation into Bill Clinton’s affair as well as the Florida vote recount in 2000 that tilted the election in favor of George W. Bush despite losing the popular vote.

The newly nominated judge of course draws vociferous opposition from democrats for fear of women’s right to choose and the health of the Affordable Care Act. However, it is curious (yet reassuring) that some of Kavanaugh’s most vocal critics come from the right.

• A dissenting argument by Kavanaugh in the DC Circuit Court regarding the Affordable Care Act framed the individual mandate as a tax, which created a road map for Justice John Roberts to preserve most of the ACA in the 2012 ruling when the case reached the Supreme Court.

• Kavanaugh similarly drew ire from fellow conservatives for some of his rulings on religious liberties that seemed to express sympathy towards more liberal-leaning dogma.

McCain is absent from the senate, Murkowski and Collins will allegedly vote to defend abortion, and several democrats in Trump country are up for re-election this fall. Right now Kavanaugh’s odds are about as good as a coin-toss.

Week 24 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The president seems to be breaking from precedent (again) in disregarding NATO as an invaluable alliance by hurling insults at member states while saying that talking to Russia would be the easiest part of his trip (perhaps a personal ‘thank you’ for handing him the election).

Trump tweeted Tuesday: “Many countries in NATO, which we are expected to defend, are not only short of their current commitment of 2% (which is low), but are also delinquent for many years in payments that have not been made. Will they reimburse the U.S.?”

• NATO members stopped cutting their military budgets in 2014 and decided to move towards spending 2% of their GDP on defense by 2024. It is a non-binding aspiration, not a required contribution to NATO or a debt owed to the U.S. • The U.S. is “expected to defend” NATO allies when threatened, just as they are expected to defend the U.S. when threatened. That’s how a mutual defense treaty works.

• NATO has a shared budget where contributions are relative to size of the member’s economy, hence the U.S. pays the most at 22.1 percent, while Germany, France, Britain, and Italy pay a combined total of 43.8 percent (smaller states pay less and make up the remainder).

The president isn’t exactly known for his apologies, and it is unlikely that he will walk back his statements or ratchet down his divisive rhetoric. How he chooses to treat some of our closest allies could impact U.S.-international relations for years to come.

Trump left the G7 summit early to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and will similarly be departing the NATO meeting to rendezvous with strongman Vladimir Putin in Finland. I suppose that Trump likes to recharge from his democratic extroversion amongst allies by convening with authoritarian heads of state.

Week 24 Section 3 From the Left – By Lucas Flint How ironic is it that Trump accuses Germany of being “captive to Russia?” His accusation was in response to plans for an undersea gas pipeline between Germany and Russia that is expected to come online by 2020.

• The U.S. and a handful of other European countries oppose the pipeline because they believe it would give Russia leverage over Germany and, by extension, Western Europe.

• Let’s not forget how overly sympathetic Trump has been to Russia, despite an overwhelming consensus in the U.S. intelligence community that the foreign adversary meddled in the 2016 presidential election to help tip the odds in his favor.

NATO exists as a bulwark against Soviet aggression, yet Trump has expressed exuberance in meeting with Vladimir Putin, a Russian despot, immediately following his brash tantrums in Belgium.

• Pretending that the US is in charge of NATO and demanding (via tweet, no less) that members pay 2% of their GDP immediately for the alliance rather than by 2025 is nothing short of bullying and strong-arming allies into an uncomfortable position.

• He then suggested behind closed doors that states should pay 4% of their GDP on the military instead, which is even more than what the US currently contributes.

The very notion of ratcheting up militaries in an increasingly globalizing world is absurd.

It is an attitude that capitulates to xenophobia and isolationism rather than embracing and building a future different from a past we’ve ever known.

Week 24 Section 4 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The repulsive and asinine behavior exhibited by republican congressmen on Thursday during a hearing regarding ambiguous text messages written by FBI agent Peter Strzok exemplifies an aversion for facts and evidence in pursuit of impugning the character of their witness and fabricating conspiratorial scenarios that better suit their agenda.

It is the incredulous assault on our own intelligence community that is the true “witch hunt” underway.

• Law enforcement agents and government workers are allowed to have political views just as any other American citizen, with the expectation that they are kept clear from compromising their work. When Strzok sent a text stating “we’ll stop” a Trump presidency, he framed it in such a way so as to mean that the American people could not possibly fathom electing a president who would denigrate a gold star family (it turns out that we can).

• Of course Republicans leapt at the possibility of a conspiracy theory, implying that Strzok instead intended to abuse his authority within the FBI to manipulate the election (with no evidence to back up their claim).

• There is plenty of evidence, however, that reaffirms the necessity of Mueller’s investigation, which has resulted in guilty pleas and indictments of over 20 people so far.

Republicans would rather fabricate evidence where there is none than pay attention to the hard evidence they have before them. Instead of taking the chance to elicit information from their witness, they took Strzok’s hearing as an opportunity to unleash their pent up frustration with the blundersome circus act of an administration that can’t seem to stop incriminating itself.

Week 27 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint The task of safeguarding the integrity of our elections is not a task that should be left to Facebook—rather it is up to Congress to better understand the issue and to collaborate with Silicon Valley to find and fund an appropriate solution.

• Facebook is trying to be more proactive and diligent in preventing fake accounts from influencing elections, but the culprits have been circumventing countermeasures by using virtual private networks (VPNs), internet phone services, and third parties as proxies to fund their ads.

• The company has implemented new guidelines for political ads, requiring donors to disclose their identities and recording their information in a database.

Congressmen on the intelligence panel intend to hold a hearing in early September with representatives from Facebook, Twitter, and Google.

• A large part of the problem is the lack of knowledge in how the perpetrators conduct their work both logistically and technically.

• We are at a disadvantage in that we have an aging congress with a large deficit of digital natives who may be better equipped to respond to an issue such as election interference through Facebook.

Burdening Facebook with the mission of protecting our elections from foreign interference is not only unfair, but irresponsible. For once, Congress needs to rise to the occasion and truly attempt to understand the scope of the problem we face and take the necessary steps to fix it. This is a problem that transcends party lines and should garner the support of all legislators—this is a crisis that strikes at the core values of our democracy.

Week 27 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and acting administrator of the EPA Andrew Wheeler argue that Obama-era standards regarding antipollution and fuel-efficiency standards “impose significant costs on American consumers and eliminate jobs.”

• Even more ludicrous, they think that their proposal would somehow continue to protect the environment. How does using more oil and reducing tailpipe emissions possibly do that?

• Their plan faces criticism from more than just environmentalists, including individual states as well as the very auto industry they are trying to help.

• 20 attorneys general plan to sue the administration should it choose to finalize the rule. The premise of their legal argument is expected to focus on a claim that cleaner cars are somehow congruous with more crash fatalities.

Auto-makers and manufacturers of auto parts are some of the biggest critics of the impending rule. While they advocated a slackening of Obama-era rules, they hadn’t expected such a drastic overhaul that would adversely impact their industries—the very same that the administration is allegedly trying to assist.

• The anticipated legal battle that would unfold between the states and federal government would likely hinder investment and innovation in the auto-parts industry.

• In the worst case scenario, the auto market would split into two factions should the administration lose the case in court, resulting in the enforcement of more stringent state rules where they exist and compulsory lax rules where they do not.

As you can see, there are very few positive outcomes. There aren’t very many voices arguing that the administration should move forward with their ill-conceived plan.

Trump’s administration is in pursuit of yet another folly that will inevitably fail, like most of his plans that address issues too complex for his short attention span to grasp.

Week 29 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Trump’s knee-jerk reaction to sue his adversaries is an indicator that he’s afraid of what they have to say. Omarosa Manigault Newman has been releasing recordings of interactions she had during her time at the White House, and it has everyone on edge.

Despite how you may feel towards Omarosa, she is holding the reigns here.

• If Manigault Newman makes a statement and the White House doesn’t refute it, it implies they are guilty of the charge. They don’t know what Newman may or may not have on tape.

• On the flip side, if the White House refutes a claim, she can very well release a bit of conversation to diminish their credibility.

One of Newman’s biggest qualms is the lack of diversity in the Trump White House, where no senior advisory position is held by an African American since her departure, despite her strong recommendations to bring on a more diverse staff.

• Seemingly in tandem with the lack of color in the White House is a serial barrage of disparaging remarks towards influential black people.

• Trump constantly refers to California Rep. Maxine Waters as “low I.Q.” and has said that it takes the “dumbest man on television” to make LeBron James “look smart”.

In recalling her day-to-day interactions with the president, she describes a capricious, if not scatterbrained, attitude with which he addressed the communications team— often giving one set of instructions in the morning that in the afternoon he might directly contradict, claiming he didn’t recall giving the former instruction. Either way, that makes him a liar or a dotard, neither of which are great traits for an American president to have.

Week 29 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Trump has a nasty habit of framing the media as an “enemy of the people”. Not only does it gaslight Americans confused about who they should even be listening to—it also sends a signal to other countries that it’s okay to declare the press an enemy of the state.

• America is fortunate to have the freedom of the press enshrined in its constitution. Other countries don’t have it so easy. Having the “leader of the free world” sow doubt regarding the integrity of the press gives permission for autocratic leaders to persecute reporters without fear for repercussions.

• Trump’s vitriolic rhetoric incites violence domestically as well. A caller to C-Span threatened on live television to shoot journalists Don Lemon and Brian Stelter of CNN for their political commentary. Only weeks ago five employees were killed in a shooting at the Capitol Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland.

Thankfully, the press had the audacity to band together and speak out as one.

• More than 350 newspapers across the country organized to publish editorials condemning the president’s shameless attacks on reporters and the media.

• Perhaps even more significantly, the senate unanimously (when does that ever happen) passed a resolution denouncing attacks on freedom of the press, declaring that such efforts to undermine the credibility of the press are to be viewed as a threat to democracy itself.

The press has always been critical of sitting presidents. The role of the press is to keep the government accountable and further a national discourse. Attacking the integrity of the press for an unflattering portrayal of the president is intolerable. If anything, we should take Trump’s tantrums as a sign that the press is indeed doing its job well.

Week 35 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Per usual, Trump managed to make a fool of himself in front of the international community on Tuesday during a speech at the United Nationals General Assembly. He began by touting how his administration had “accomplished more than almost any [other] in the history of our country,” at which the audience began to break into laughter.

His confusion at the crowd’s reaction drew the only applause during his speech.

However, his speech wasn’t all buffoonery—he made a lot of divisive declarations for an assembly of nations with the purpose of promoting unity.

• Trump’s most striking remark was a rejection of globalism in turn for an embrace of patriotism. These two things are not mutually exclusive. It is entirely possible to exhibit patriotism while engaging in a global community. What he is advocating for, however, is a jingoistic nationalism that taps into fear and distrust of others.

• The persistent promotion of his “America First” policy will continue to push allies towards perceived enemies (e.g. China) for trade partners, especially as he continues his tariff tantrums.

• He not only praised the North Korean dictator, but he also doubled down on criticizing allies for not paying what he considers their fair share for military defense in addition to accusing allies of exploiting American workers through allegedly unfair trade practices.

The severity of his reprisals reflect the views of many of those close to him, including his primary speechwriter and senior domestic adviser, Stephen Miller, as well as national security adviser John Bolton, who is a strong proponent of American sovereignty and stringent isolationist policies. It’s unclear if Trump himself holds these opinions or if he simply espouses the bellicose agendas of whoever has his ear at the time.

Week 35 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint Dr. Christine Blasey Ford arrived at Capitol Hill today to give testimony supporting her allegations of being sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

• The committee Republicans chose to use a non-partisan prosecutor with experience handling sexual assault cases to do their questioning for them—a clever and probably wise choice, albeit a cowardly one.

• They knew to keep quiet while the prosecutor questioned Dr. Ford, yet broke into passionate tantrums during judge Kavanaugh’s testimony, declaring the accusations an act of character assassination.

Dr. Ford’s Testimony: Ford began her testimony by simply stating, “I’m terrified.” It takes courage to come forward and share such a personal traumatic experience despite the repercussions she anticipated (e.g. death threats).

• Ford was very patient and earnest with the accuracy of her words, several times clarifying her statements so there was no room for misinterpretation.

• When asked if it was at all possible that she confused Kavanaugh with someone else, a case of mistaken identity, she adamantly insisted that she was “100% certain” that it was Kavanaugh that assaulted her.

• She took a polygraph test and requested the FBI look into the accusations to ascertain the veracity of her accusations—is that something a liar would do?

Furthermore, why won’t Kavanaugh agree to the same if he insists on clearing his name?

Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Testimony: Kavanaugh’s opening statement was nothing short of furious and full of bitter partisanship. If he was hoping to display some modicum of objectivity as he might on the Supreme Court, he failed miserably.

• He portrayed the accusation by Dr. Ford and response of committee Democrats as a coordinated attack by the left, attributed it to some vendetta for the outcome of the 2016 election, and as an act of revenge on the behalf of the Clintons.

• When asked if he would consider requesting the FBI re-open the investigation into his background, he refused to respond. The FBI could corroborate all of his claims and collect the testimonies of the other parties present during the incident.

Why he won’t pursue the truth is telling.

• He thinks his well-documented calendars, love for beer, and inclination to hire several women clerks and have female friends are evidence enough that he could never sexually assault someone. Because he would have put ‘black out and sexually assault someone’ on his calendar, right?

It is clear that one of these witnesses is not telling the truth. The sincerity and conviction with which Dr. Ford testified was far more compelling than the whiny, partisan insulthurling done by Judge Kavanaugh. However, I fully anticipate that the senate judiciary committee will move forward and bring a confirmation vote to the full senate—despite the fact that more uninvestigated allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh have come forward. My only hope is that senators Murkowski (R-AK), Collins (R-ME), and Flake (R-AZ) were convinced in such a way that they subvert the Republicans’ attempt to elevate someone credibly accused of sexual assault to a lifelong appointment on the highest court in the land.

Week 39 Section 1 From the Left – By Lucas Flint “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These are the words emblazoned at the base of the Statue of Liberty. For a country composed entirely of immigrants, stoking fear and xenophobia over the journey of a caravan towards our nation’s borders is grossly hypocritical.

• Over 100 million, or roughly one in three, Americans can trace their ancestry to immigrants who arrived in America by way of Ellis Island in New York City. But they were primarily European and white, so I guess it was okay.

• These huddled masses today are fleeing their homes in Central America to seek a better life in America—they flee the very violence that Trump accuses them of perpetrating.

In regards to the caravan, Trump went so far as to imply that people of Middle Eastern descent were accompanying the group (inferring that being Middle Eastern makes you a terrorist), hoping to further fan the flames of fear towards foreigners.

• Trump even acknowledged that this was purely a hunch. As in there was no evidence supporting his claim. He is literally fabricating falsehoods to mislead and indoctrinate his followers. Sounds pretty despotic.

It’s clear that Trump and Republicans plan to use the caravan story as a political tool to rally his base in hopes of mitigating the blue wave expected on Election Day. The fact of the matter is that the people in this caravan do not pose a national security threat to the United States—in fact they deserve our empathy and support, for we were once in their shoes.

Week 39 Section 2 From the Left – By Lucas Flint If there’s anything to be learned from the MAGA bombs, it’s that words have consequences. The rhetoric that Trump uses at his rallies is reliably divisive and inspires violence. Targeting Democrats that are frequently the subjects of Trump’s criticism demonstrates just how motivational his words have been.

Even more appalling than the bombs themselves, however, is the ability of some conservatives to deny the intent of the bombs as reflective of Trump’s attitudes.

• Several high-profile voices in conservative media have subscribed to a conspiracy theory suggesting that liberals planted these bombs themselves in order to portray conservatives as violent radicals in a last ditch effort to get votes just weeks before the midterm elections.

• What peddlers of conspiracy theories sorely lack in their delusions is the principle of Occam’s Razor—the philosophy that an explanation that requires the least speculation is usually the best. In other words, the more assumptions that have to be made, the less likely it is to be true. This “false-flag” conspiracy theory certainly takes a lot of liberties as far as making assumptions goes.

• Having a conspiracist as president (e.g. birthers, QAnon, pizzagate, etc.) combined with the pliability of social media inevitably grants a greater tolerance for these theories despite their lack of roots in fact.

The fact that some people believe the bombs are a ploy to get votes is not only incredibly offensive and grotesque, but ironic given that Republicans have latched onto the narrative of “the caravan” as a means of rallying their xenophobic base to turn out in greater numbers for the election. Republicans have got to stop living with their heads in the sand and start facing the facts.