Political Dissident: What do you call a democracy that ignores its own laws?

Share: It’s a strange time to be writing a political opinion column—even for a community college newspaper. This week alone, hundreds of international students have had their visas revoked. Activists are being detained by agents in unmarked vans. A man was deported and imprisoned in a foreign country because of an “administrative error.” And the President of the United States was caught on a hot mic saying, “the homegrowns are next.” As a writer, I’ve never been so hyper-aware of what I put out into …

Political Dissident: Elon’s government mooching leaves lingering musk

Share: Elon Musk is a character unlike anything we’ve seen before in U.S. history. He’s managed to worm his way into the Oval Office, seemingly becoming a fixture in the hearts and minds of the GOP. His title as a “special government employee” is an affront to the very laws and legal precedents designed to address conflicts of interest. The person most enamored with the father of 14 (from four different women) is, tragically, the most powerful person in the country: Donald Trump. Just last …

Media Monitor: Why Trump is at war with the AP Stylebook

Share: In journalism, the words we choose shape the way people understand the world. That’s why newsrooms rely on style guides—references that ensure consistency, accuracy, and fairness in reporting. The Associated Press Stylebook is the most influential of them all. Its guidance extends far beyond AP reporters, shaping coverage across newspapers, broadcasters, and digital media that adopt its standards. When the AP makes an editorial decision, it has a ripple effect. And that’s exactly why Donald Trump has set his sights on it. The AP’s …

Political Dissident: We are all puppets in an oligarchical playground

Share:   It has been a month since Donald Trump took office as president of the United States. In that month, he has signed upwards of 65 executive orders, has threatened to take over multiple countries, and has given more authority to a South African billionaire than ever before seen in US politics. Trump has precisely and effectively whittled down those in the white house who may disagree with him, and has surrounded himself in unprecedented ways with yes men who will bow down to …