Afghanistan

Costs of the Afghanistan war, in lives and dollars

At just short of 20 years, the now-ending U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan was America’s longest war. Ordinary Americans tended to forget about it, and it received measurably less oversight from Congress than the Vietnam War did. But its death toll is in the many tens of thousands. And because the U.S. borrowed most of the money to pay for it, generations of Americans will be burdened by the cost of paying it off.

General Lloyd Austin Is First Black U.S. Secretary of Defense

“I pledge to fight hard to rid our ranks of racists and extremists,” Gen. Austin pronounced during his confirmation hearings. He also pledged to overturn several discriminatory bans on military service put in place by the previous administration. The confirmation vote cleared by a 93-2 margin – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) were the lone no-votes.

Black History: Its Meaning, Message and Forward Motion Dr. Maulana Karenga

As we contemplate various ways to celebrate Black History Month, we must ask ourselves how do we pay proper hommage to this sacred narrative we know as Black History?  How do we think and talk about this, the oldest of human histories and about the fathers and mothers of humanity and human civilization who made it? And how do we honor the lives given and the legacy left in and on this long march and movement through African and human history?

FILM REVIEW: Vice

It was an historic power grab. Not the Republicans taking back the White House after a controversial, razor-thin win by George W. Bush over Al Gore. It was the vice president-elect, Dick Cheney, out-maneuvering George Jr. and becoming the puppet master.

Success On “The Way” Ask Dr. Jeanette: ‘The Left Hand And The Right Hand!!???’

Mae Mae (my mother)  used to say, “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” In the context of her statement, it was most likely brokered with a lot of wisdom. She was saying, don’t tell all your business to one person or one friend. Don’t show all your feelings out in the open. The one you tell all to may be the one who might hurt you more. The problem with that kind of thinking is that you cannot and should not live in this world as a loner.

Teammates Of U.S. Green Beret Face Murder Prosecution

More than a year has passed since the death of U.S. Green Beret Logan Melgar in Bamako, Mali. Investigators now believe they have men of interest – two Navy SEALS and two Marine Raiders. The four face charges that include felony murder in the strangulation death of Staff Sgt. Melgar.

Violence Against Women – Never Acceptable, Never Ending

Violence against women and girls, one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today, remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it, says the U.N. on its webpage “end violence day.” The reality of domestic violence is a plague that affects millions of women, often trapped in a toxic environment they cannot escape. 

Wendy’s Window–MOVING STORIES: Human Migration – Causes, Consequences and Community Responses

The moderated morning discussion will include Martin Zogg, Director of the International Rescue Committee L.A.; Eliane Fersan, Director of the Initiative on Immigrants & Global Migration, USC Gould School of Law; Patricia Ortiz, Project Director at Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project; and Rigoberto Reyes, Acting Director for the L.A. County Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Future of Democratic Party Lies in Moving to the Moral Center

A new generation of Democrats, such as New York congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is challenging the party’s establishment, writes Jesse Jackson, and the party’s goal should be to embrace the “moral center.” The media is now reporting on the debate among Democrats and activists about what the party should stand for, and how it will win elections. Establishment Democrats are said fear that the populist reform energy represented by Bernie Sanders and rising star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (who upset Rep. Joe Crowley, the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House, in a New York City primary) will turn off the moderate, upscale, White