The phrase “nation-building,” in a vacuum, sounds positive. Building, after all, is constructive. Nevertheless, this phrase has become something with near universally negative associations in discussions of foreign policy. Of course, it requires only a cursory look at the recent history of American attempts at nation-building in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan to understand […]
I will forever be fascinated by how my Jewish Day School handled Holocaust Remembrance Day. There were three parts to it, each of which accorded with the maturity of the students involved. During the introductory portion, all, including the kindergartners, were in attendance. They would then remove the kindergartners and discuss the historical context. Fifth-graders […]
The first months of a spring semester often feel long, tedious and kind of grey. But one thing that surely spices things up (pun definitely intended) is treating yourself here and there by eating out. And though it might not seem like the Norton area offers an array of gourmet options, you may be pleasantly […]
Just over one year ago on Jan. 25, 2017, The New York Times reported that sales of George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel 1984 had increased by a whopping 9,500 percent since President Donald Trump’s inauguration the week prior. The New York Times author drew connections between false statements made by the president as well as […]
“We have to go,” my best friend said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me down the main hallway of the third floor, passing by the shoe and hair exhibits. We ran until we saw one of our teachers with a few of our classmates huddled around her. We entered a small corridor somewhere […]
(Note: This article was written before the Sutherland Springs, Texas church shooting.) On Oct. 1, 2017, the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history was committed by 64-year-old Stephen Paddock. There was no apparent motive behind the attack, the only explanation being that Paddock was mentally deranged. This has led to an important debate […]
In light of recent revelations regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election and in United States politics in general, it is worth taking a look at Russia’s history of covert political interference in the West and its long-term strategy of deception. The Russians developed a doctrine of deception in both war and peacetime during the […]
Playing devil’s advocate is a common discussion exercise in schools. It helps scholars see other perspectives and hone their debating skills. The game of devil’s advocate is a tool to be utilized by trusted peers and exercised in good faith. However, the game begins with a peer announcing their intentions. The advocate is typically already […]
Many conservative economists try to shift the blame of the tepid economic growth onto the regulatory and tax policies of the Obama era. However, these regulatory policies were necessary following the reckless and dangerous deregulatory effects of Bush-era tax reform. Though George W. Bush pushed for and received cuts lowering the marginal tax rates of […]
Since the Great Recession ended in 2009, the U.S. has been locked in the worst economic recovery in our history. GDP growth rates over the eight-year Obama era have been just over 2 percent, a growth recession, while middle class wages are flatlining nationwide. A recent report from Sentier Research found that median household incomes […]