Op-Ed

The Terrorist Watch List is managed by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center. The FBI does not publicly confirm or deny any individuals on the Terrorist Watch List. However, "No Fly List" is a subset of the Terrorist Watch List and is overseen by The Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The no-fly list contains names of individuals prohibited from "boarding an aircraft when flying within, to, from, and over the United States." These individuals are part of the federal terrorist watchlist administered by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center.

The Terrorist Watch List and the No-Fly List were created by George W. Bush's administration in 2001 and have continued to be used until this day. There are two types of No-Fly Lists. The second No-Fly List is maintained by individual airlines for unruly passengers. The No-Fly List is different from the Terrorist Watch List, which is a much longer list of people said to be suspected of some involvement with terrorism. Based on Wikipedia, as of June 2014, the Terrorist Watch List is estimated to contain over 2.5 million people whereas the No-Fly list has about 1.8 million.

As I watch former President Trump on the campaign trail, attempting to reclaim the White House, I feel compelled to share a fable that has been on my mind since his first impeachment trial in 2021. This fable from Arab culture, involving a wolf and a dog, provides a striking analogy to the perplexing loyalty many continue to show toward Trump —a man whose flaws are as glaring as his ambitions.

Before diving into the fable, it’s important to understand the cultural significance of dogs and wolves in Arab culture. Historically, the dog, despite being revered as a loyal companion and hunter, is also viewed by some as unclean and impure. This perspective is not unique to Arab culture; similar views are found in Jewish tradition, though Islamic teachings offer a more nuanced view. The Quran, for example, recounts the story of a dog that faithfully accompanied a group of righteous youths fleeing persecution, symbolizing loyalty and protection.

The Democratic National Convention was happening here in Chicago — my city — and I sat frozen at my desk, staring at my computer. Earlier in my life, yeah, I’d have gone down to the United Center, linked arms with the sane and outraged, joined the cry: Stop funding genocide!

Instead, here I was, gawking at the event’s opening ceremony of day two: A pastor delivers a public prayer, at one point saying we should treat all humans “as sacred creations of the Almighty.” Huh? Is he serious? Does he really mean this? The word “sacredness” has been let loose; joined by “God.” Someone sings the National Anthem. The delegates recite the good ol’ Pledge of Allegiance, their hands ceremoniously pressed against their hearts. Then “God bless America” fills the hall.

The message I hear, quietly hovering behind the words, is this: Democrats are as patriotic as Republicans! Democrats are as religious as Republicans! We can put on a good show too — our clichés are fantastic.

I stroke the unknown . . .

Bear with me as I finish my short walk. I was ambling through my neighborhood the other day, wielding a pair of walking sticks, “forcing myself,” you might say, to enjoy the beautiful afternoon but actually just plodding forward, in a hurry to get back to the house and be done with this bit of exercise.

But then, oh so briefly, I paused in my hurry-upness, took a deep breath and continued slowly, deliberately on my way. Suddenly I was no longer in a pointless hurry, but, my God, surprisingly awake and present in this beautiful moment of sky and grass and sidewalk concrete. I felt the air fill my lungs and revered every step I took, knowing that one of them — someday — would be my last.

The corporate media report on elections — especially the biggie coming up — as though they were sporting events. If you win, hurray! You get the gold cup or whatever. The election process is a matter of shrewd strategy combined with, uh, likability.

Thus, as per the New York Times: “Tim Walz is going to bring big Midwestern dad energy to the presidential campaign.”

Like most Americans, Vice President Kamala Harris has evolved on marijuana.

In 2010, when she was San Francisco’s district attorney, Harris urged voters to reject a proposed ballot initiative to legalize the adult-use marijuana market. At the time, Harris’ position aligned with that of most California voters, 54 percent of whom ultimately decided against the measure.

But not long after, Harris — and most Americans — changed their stance. 

Why are many amongst us still tiptoeing around language when it comes to the horrific Israeli genocide in Gaza? 

 Layers of censorship imposed on Palestinian and pro-Palestinian voices in corporate and social media seem to have blurred the judgment of some. They continue to speak of a 'conflict', calling on 'both sides' to use ‘restraint’ and, partly, blaming the Palestinian Resistance for the ongoing Israeli massacres.   

 Though such language is expected from the 'sensible' few of mainstream media, there are those who are counted as ‘pro-Palestine’ intellectuals, journalists and activists who often use similar language. 

In a shameful moment for U.S. history, an accused war criminal addressed Congress on July 24. 

In the morning, thank you, thank you

In the evening, thank you, thank you

In the middle of the day, thank you, thank you

In the deep dark night, thank you, thank you

Yeah, I’ll second that. The words are from the Sara Thomsen song “Rhapsody of Rest,” but more specifically, they were sung by my sister a few days ago at – can you believe? – the third annual Bob’s Rhubarb Lounge event, a mélange of poetry and music, stained glass and vulnerability.

Let me prance and jump around like a four-year-old for a moment. This happens at my house. I participate in it – I read poetry and add to the mix. But so many people participate in making it happen that I feel myself pushed beyond my own ego, beyond my sense of singularity. As a writer, I am embedded in the belief that I work alone. And I do work alone; we all do, to some extent. And some people become the ones who get singled out as cultural bastions, as though that’s the primary point: to be celebrated, to become famous individuals.