Articles by: Kristin Christman

 Brainwashed To Violence

 Brainwashed To Violence

When brainwashed to commit violence, your conscience doesn’t prick when you kill. The barbaric actions at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 were taken by Americans convinced by Donald Trump and others that violence—even war—is essential to secure the nation, democracy, and freedom. Consequently, when rioters killed one police officer, savagely beat another, tried to gouge out the eye of[Read More…]

by — January 23, 2021 — World
 Iran And The US Holy Code Book Of Double Standard Morality

 Iran And The US Holy Code Book Of Double Standard Morality

On January 3, 2020, the U.S. military, following President Trump’s orders, killed Major General Qassim Suleimani, respected leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Groups’ Qud Force. I never understood the morality of foreign policy, but I’m getting the hang of it, thanks to the little-known pocket manual “The U.S. Holy Code Book of Double Standard Morality.” According to U.S. Code,[Read More…]

by — March 10, 2020 — Imperialism
Exceptionally Insulated: Americans’ unconcern enables wrongdoing abroad

Exceptionally Insulated: Americans’ unconcern enables wrongdoing abroad

If you were Iranian and learned that U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton wanted to attack your country, wouldn’t you feel terrified? But we’re taught to dismiss that. The training begins early: Complete the assignment. Get good grades. Insulate your life. Automate your soul. Don’t worry about U.S. bombs pulverizing Baghdad or U.S.-funded death squads mutilating peasants in Latin America.[Read More…]

by — July 23, 2019 — Imperialism
Rethink Weapons Exports

Rethink Weapons Exports

  How do we treat opponents? In strong democracies, we engage them in cooperative dialogue. In weaker democracies, we exclude and overpower them. If we’re undemocratic, we might kill them. So why has the United States, democracy’s alleged leader, become the world’s largest weapons exporter? In 2016, U.S. government arms exports totaled $38 billion, more than a third of the[Read More…]

by — April 3, 2018 — World
It Wasn’t The Threat That Worked, It Was Reduction Of Fear

It Wasn’t The Threat That Worked, It Was Reduction Of Fear

  Americans are instructed that North Korea is an aggressor that violates international agreements and doesn’t negotiate. Until North Korea denuclearizes, we are told, the U.S. must continue rejecting its peace proposals. After all, North Korea withdrew in 2003 from the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Its subsequent nuclear and missile testing violate the 1953 Korean[Read More…]

by — December 12, 2017 — World
Take Torture Off Agenda

Take Torture Off Agenda

  According to President Donald Trump, people who are tortured deserve it. Trump’s initial draft executive order in January revealed his passion for reopening U.S. black site prisons, loading Guantanamo with prisoners, and rewriting the Army Field Manual to redefine allowable interrogation techniques. Sure, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis opposes torture. But multiple CIA agents, military brass, legislators, and citizens have[Read More…]

by — May 29, 2017 — World
Prejudice Against Atheists Troubling

Prejudice Against Atheists Troubling

The Democratic National Committee’s conspiring to sabotage Bernie Sanders’ campaign is disturbing on many levels, but what makes me livid is that the DNC was hoping to portray Bernie Sanders as an atheist. What’s worse than the intended smear is the belief that branding someone an atheist is a smear. So what if he were atheist? Does this make him[Read More…]

by — August 30, 2016 — World