(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 […]
In light of recent events such as the Charlottesville protests, the now 72-year-old tolerance paradox is once again relevant. The concept of the tolerance paradox is that, should a tolerant society tolerate intolerance, the tolerant society will inevitably be destroyed and replaced by an intolerant one. Putting aside, for the moment, the historical fact that […]
It may come as a surprise, but I actually love flying. I love everything about it. I love the bureaucratic hassle of security and the sterility of airports. Above all, however, I love watching the great American empire fly by thousands of feet below me. As someone from California with family in Connecticut, there’s a […]
I don’t know if I’m the only person who feels this, but I’m a little bit exhausted of hearing about Donald Trump. It’s not even so much that I’m tired of Trump himself. Rather, I’m sick of seeing his presence everywhere on TV and the internet. Every late night comedian seems to have their own […]
Welcome back, Wheatonites! I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer vacation and is ready to start the 2017-2018 academic year with renewed energy. As the current opinions editor, I would like to open the Wire with a few remarks about the opinions section this year. I am declaring a war against intellectual uniformity at Wheaton. […]
One of the largest displays of white supremacy and general bigotry in the 21st century was exhibited in Charlottesville, Virginia, six weeks ago. Members of various white supremacist groups under the umbrella term “alt-right” gathered to protest the removal of a statue of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee after this was voted upon by […]