Donald H. Harrison

Academic Freedom vs. Hurting Some Feelings

In what has become an increasingly frequent and troubling occurrence on campuses, a McGill University emeritus professor of anthropology, Philip C. Salzman, is under fire by pretentious, virtue-signaling students who wish to hear only viewpoints that conform with their own and who, in attempting to shield others from ideas that might make them uncomfortable, want to suppress the ideas of their ideological opponents. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

Academic Freedom vs. Hurting Some Feelings Read More »

International, Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israeli-Palestinian Confederation: Why and How

After 72 years of conflict, it is time for Israel and the Palestinians to realize that while a two-state solution remains the most viable option, there are irreversible realities on the ground that can be addressed only jointly in the context of a confederation. The contours of such a confederation are dictated by these realities, the resolution of which requires both sides to fully and permanently collaborate on many levels. The question is, why must Israel and the Palestinians reconcile these realities as a prerequisite to reaching a peace agreement, and how should they go about it to maintain the integrity and independence of their respective states? [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]

Israeli-Palestinian Confederation: Why and How Read More »

Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA

Yoko Ono urges gun control as fans commemorate John Lennon’s death

New York (AFP) – Mourners sang and laid flowers Tuesday on Central Park’s candlelit memorial to John Lennon on the 40th anniversary of his murder in New York City, as his widow Yoko Ono marked the moment with a call for gun control. “The death of a loved one is a hollowing experience,” tweeted the

Yoko Ono urges gun control as fans commemorate John Lennon’s death Read More »

International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

Supreme Court rejects GOP congressman’s last-minute effort to upend Pennsylvania’s election results

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a Republican congressman’s last-ditch effort to reverse the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania, delivering what legal experts described as an ominous sign for the lingering legal challenges pushed by GOP allies of President Donald Trump. The justices issued their decision, without comment, in

Supreme Court rejects GOP congressman’s last-minute effort to upend Pennsylvania’s election results Read More »

USA

Can Joe Biden win the transition?

President-elect Joe Biden introduces his foreign policy and national security team on Nov. 24 in Wilmington, Del. Mark Makela/Getty Images Joe Biden won the election, but whether he wins the transition is another question. The peaceful transfer of power always tests an incoming president, but this time promises to be particularly perilous. The coronavirus pandemic

Can Joe Biden win the transition? Read More »

USA

Trump calls on Supreme Court to ‘have the courage’ to overturn Biden’s election victory

President Donald Trump brought his bid to subvert the 2020 election to a new low Tuesday, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court and legislatures in a handful of battleground states to “have the courage” to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Speaking at a White House event that was supposed to focus on COVID-19 vaccine distribution,

Trump calls on Supreme Court to ‘have the courage’ to overturn Biden’s election victory Read More »

USA

These California lawmakers distanced for work. Then they shared dinner at a restaurant

Two are from San Diego County SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For their swearing-in session on Monday, Assembly leaders moved their house from the state Capitol to the Golden 1 Center to make sure lawmakers were appropriately spaced. COVID-19 safety concerns meant that families and guests were excluded from the event. Just hours later, however, five California

These California lawmakers distanced for work. Then they shared dinner at a restaurant Read More »

USA

White House proposes new $916 bn stimulus plan to break deadlock

Washington (AFP) – The White House unveiled a $916 billion stimulus proposal on Tuesday in a final dash to break a months-long logjam over new aid for the coronavirus-stricken US economy before President Donald Trump leaves office in January. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the plan, which he said includes “money for state and local

White House proposes new $916 bn stimulus plan to break deadlock Read More »

Travel and Food

A Holocaust Haggadah To Help Preserve Memory

The idea of a Holocaust Haggadah is fabulous; we have a Tu’B’ Shevat Seder Haggadah, why not one on the Holocaust—especially since Yom HaShoah occurs within a week after Passover ends?  Historically, the Passover Haggadah provided a practical template how to convey the meaning of Passover; Rabbi Rosenberg’s Holocaust Haggadah aims to create a practical syllabus on how to make the Holocaust relevant to the themes of Passover and redemption. For the children of Holocaust survivors (like myself), we must find new and creative ways to preserve the sacredness of Jewish memory. This is similar to the way the retelling of Passover serves to challenge new generations with the seminal thoughts since the time when the traditional observance of Passover ceased with the destruction of the Temple. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

A Holocaust Haggadah To Help Preserve Memory Read More »

Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Margaret Keenan, 90, First In The World To Receive Approved COVID-19 Vaccine

History in the making occurred today in the United Kingdom as they are the first country that began administering their citizens with the vaccine to COVID-19. The first to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was 90 year old Margaret Keenan. She received the first of two doses this morning at 6:31 a.m. local time by nurse May

Margaret Keenan, 90, First In The World To Receive Approved COVID-19 Vaccine Read More »

International

Independent Scholars Offer 31 Essays on the Covid Pandemic

In September Dorothy L. Parker, President of San Diego Independent Scholars and project editor, reached out and invited likeminded independent scholar organizations to participate in a writing and art project about Covid-19 experiences. The result is a collection of 31 essays about  pandemic experiences, thoughts, impressions and history. The writers represented a range of backgrounds, academic disciplines, and perspectives. They were seasoned and experienced, most over 65. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]

Independent Scholars Offer 31 Essays on the Covid Pandemic Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak

Modern ‘Prometheus Bound’ a Delight to Read

Howard Rubenstein’s play Prometheus Bound” is based on the play of the same name attributed to the famed Greek playwright Aeschylus (c. 525 BCE – c. 456 BCE), called the father of tragedy, from which it was freely adapted, and based on the epic poem “Origin of the Gods” by the Greek didactic poet Hesiod (c. 750 BCE – c. 650 BCE). The late Dr. Rubenstein of San Diego, California, wrote his version in ordinary English which made the play accessible, meaningful, comprehensible, thoughtful, and entertaining. It is very good. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Modern ‘Prometheus Bound’ a Delight to Read Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Thank you, Mossad’: Israeli flag spotted in Iranian capital following scientist assassination

Iranians were left shocked this week after videos surfaced online showing an Israeli flag and a thank you message to the country’s spy agency on the streets of Tehran, following the killing of a top nuclear scientist, allegedly by Israel. The Israeli flag was raised on a pedestrian bridge in the Tehranpars neighbourhood of the

‘Thank you, Mossad’: Israeli flag spotted in Iranian capital following scientist assassination Read More »

Middle East