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Columns/Opinion

Facebook’s political ‘ad’ ban hurts publications

by Norman Stockwell Shortly before this year’s presidential election, Facebook — chastened by public opinion and congressional hearings — announced that it would cease all political ads in order to slow the flood of misinformation and disinformation that abounded on its platform. That made sense, given the power the social media website had over public opinion. But, more ominously, the platform with more than 2.7 billion active monthly users also announced that, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 4, the day after the election, it would ban all ads “about social issues, ...

Even before Trump, politicians had loose relationship with truth

by Dave Anderson Politicians are known for many things, but telling the truth is not regarded as one of their chief strengths. Long before President Donald Trump came to Washington, U.S. senators, representatives, presidents, vice presidents and Cabinet members have shown themselves to be highly skilled at saying what they need to say in given circumstances to achieve their objectives. If withholding information is needed to achieve an objective, then information is withheld. If spinning information in a certain way will help your boss or increase the chances that a bill ...

by Rex Huppke Thanksgiving is over and it’s time to talk seriously about Christmas cookies. “But, Rex,” you say, rudely assuming we’re on a first-name basis. “I just finished my leftover turkey, and it’s still digesting.” SILENCE, PERSON I CREATED IN MY MIND! It’s never too soon to talk about Christmas cookies. Of all the holiday comestibles, none engender more passion than frosted sugar cookies in festive holiday shapes. If you Google “Christmas cookies,” your laptop will explode. If you Google “best Christmas cookie recipe,” your phone will ...

It’s incumbent on us to avoid the spoils

by Edward McMahon Many of my fellow Democrats have spent the past four weeks aghast at the reality that more than 73 million of our co-citizens saw fit to vote for the reelection of Donald Trump. “How could they do that?” we ask. After four years of his presidency, there is no longer any question of how manifestly unfit he is to lead this country. How could our fellow Americans have voted for a feral autocrat, a misogynistic racist, a narcissist, a liar and a cheat? The list could continue. What could possibly have motivated them to make such a choice? Of course we know ...

The damage of the ‘superpredator’ lie

by  Kim Taylor-Thompson Twenty-five years ago, John DiIulio, a political science professor, created and disseminated one of the most dangerous and lethal lies in our history. He coined the term “superpredator,” depicting Black children as remorseless animals who would prey on victims. Make no mistake, racism propelled the spread of this theory. DiIulio insisted that this younger, more dangerous breed of offender would soon target “upscale central-city districts, inner-ring suburbs, and even the rural heartland.” His warning was clear: White America was in danger. The ...

A new beginning

by Salena Zito MT. LEBANON, Pa. — It was never supposed to be my forever home. Last week, I took one last look at what has been home for most of my adult life and decided to say thank you instead of goodbye. Thirty-one years ago, I crossed the threshold of 260 with a 6-day-old infant and a boisterous 3-year-old. Home is never really a place as much as it is a kaleidoscope of experiences that range from soaring highs to heartbreaking lows, with plenty of ordinary in between. If you embrace those moments, they never go away, despite leaving the structure where you hung ...