Category: Commentary

Mahmoud Khalil 0

Mahmoud Khalil’s Arrest Should Worry Everyone Who Cares About Free Speech

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and recent Columbia University graduate, was detained by federal immigration agents. This unprecedented action has sparked demonstrations and debates about the use of immigration enforcement in political contexts. Khalil, known for his advocacy rather than violence, was arrested without being charged with a crime, highlighting a use of power that seems to target his free speech rather than any unlawful activity which should concern us all. Khalil’s detention drew outrage from civil rights groups and free speech advocates, who accused the administration of using its immigration enforcement powers to squelch criticism of Israel. — apnews.com Trump...

Which companies are on the Wall of Shame? 0

Should local governments publish lists of unscrupulous activities by private employers?

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander recently unveiled a new tool aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the business sector: the “Employer Violations Dashboard.” Known colloquially as the “Wall of Shame,” this dashboard is a public resource that catalogs and displays a range of labor law violations committed by businesses across the city from 2020 to 2023. This initiative, according to Lander, is designed to spotlight businesses that fail to uphold workers’ rights. Publishing this list will inform the public and other stakeholders about these entities’ unethical practices. The Office of the New York City Comptroller has created this...

Should Arabic numerals be taught in schools? 0

Were you taught in school that the numbers we use are Arabic numerals?

A recent poll by CivicScience has revealed a big misconception that might highlight a significant gap in American educational awareness. The poll asked 3,624 respondents whether “Arabic numerals” should be taught in schools, revealing that 56% of participants opposed their inclusion in the curriculum. Ironically, these are the very numerals (0-9) used universally in daily life and critical for basic literacy in mathematics. The survey didn’t provide an explanation of what “Arabic numerals” meant, a move that CivicScience CEO, John Dick, said was employed to “tease out prejudice among those who didn’t understand the question.” fox10phoenix Poll: 56 percent of...

Nuance with Mike Scala and Jay Carter 0

Are you concerned about the budget cuts in New York City?

In a development that aligns with months of forewarning, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a series of significant budget cuts impacting every city agency. These cuts, which represent a 5% reduction across the board, are poised to affect vital sectors including sanitation, education, and notably, public safety and the NYPD. Five percent cuts across the board will effect every city agency. Sanitation programs and schools will feel the pinch, but the most dramatic effect will be on public safety and the NYPD. — CBS Mayor Eric Adams announces sweeping budget cuts that would drop number of police...

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Do you vote in every election, even if it’s an off year?

While presidential elections in the United States capture significant attention with about 50-60% of eligible voters participating, off-year and local elections frequently experience a notable decline in voter turnout. This reality was recently exemplified in New York City, where the Board of Elections reported low turnout compared to the total number of eligible voters. In these off-year elections, crucial positions, such as City Council seats, are often at stake, yet voter participation remains low. Multiple factors contribute to the lower turnout in off-year elections: In New York City, only about 313,000 out of the 4.6 million active voters participated in...