Category Archives: American society

A Very Slender Reed

“The President – whoever he is – has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job.” – Harry S. Truman The sound that you hear is the … Continue reading

Posted in American politics, American society, War | 7 Comments

Are the American People Smarter than they Look?

My father believed in social progress. He was a traditional Jewish liberal, maybe a bit on the left side despite having become a successful businessman. He was born on the lower East Side of Manhattan, lived through the crash and … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American society, Jew Hatred | 3 Comments

How Orwell’s Vision Might Become Reality

The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the crown. It may be frail – its roof may shake – the wind may blow through it – the storm may enter – the rain … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, American politics, American society, Media, The Future, Wokeness | Comments Off on How Orwell’s Vision Might Become Reality

Is it a Still a “Free Country?”

I didn’t want to write about the USA anymore. People keep telling me that I don’t know anything about events there, that it’s a different country than when I lived there, and that I don’t get how Donald Trump almost … Continue reading

Posted in American politics, American society | 4 Comments

The Machine

During most of the 20th century, news was delivered primarily by professional reporters, via newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV. Although various media had biases, these biases were generally known and could be taken into account. There was a sharp … Continue reading

Posted in American politics, American society, Media | 3 Comments

Donald Trump and Me

Before I begin to write about the events of this past week, I feel the need to say a few words about myself and my own political consciousness. I’m a former American who has lived in Israel a total of … Continue reading

Posted in American politics, American society | 11 Comments

Birthright and Jewish Continuity

Since 2009, the Jewish Futures Project at Brandeis University has been following participants in the Birthright Israel program to try to see how the program affected their Jewish identity. Since those who choose to take Birthright trips to Israel would … Continue reading

Posted in American Jews, American society | 6 Comments

Is the US Choking on Ideological Miasma?

What is happening to my former home? You Americans don’t notice it, because you are the frogs being boiled (yes, I know that this is not really true about frogs). But you can see it from a distance. The temperature … Continue reading

Posted in American politics, American society, Terrorism, Wokeness | 2 Comments