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Is US–Russian Spy Intrigue Behind Boston Bombing?
by James Henry
Even after Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s conviction, the story behind the Boston Marathon Bombing has never really been clear. But cumulative evidence points to some kind of complex intrigue on the parts of security apparatuses in both the US and Russia.
WHO
Turning Presidents Into Pharaohs
What’s the deal with Presidential libraries, anyway? Why do we—or, more to the point, outgoing presidents—feel compelled to spend upwards of half-a-billion dollars to build monuments to presidencies? Perhaps it’s a subconscious projection of the unspoken reality that America is far less like a democratic republic and, more and more, like an ancient imperial power ruled by self-aggrandizing elites.
Texas Attack on Muhammad Cartoon Event Rattles Muslim Community
Infamous anti-Muslim rabble-rouser Pamela Geller went deep into the heart of Texas to hold a “Mohammed cartoon drawing contest,” and it appears that it sparked an ISIS-inspired counter-attack that led to a deadly shootout. The FBI is investigating supposed links to ISIS, but the incident is also putting Geller’s track record of incitement, and the use of religious caricatures, in the spotlight.
Duck Dynasty Keeps Tax Break as Bobby Jindal Cuts Louisiana Colleges
Few headlines sum-up the bizarre nature of contemporary American politics better than this one. Gov. Jindal (R-LA) is an uber-Conservative, anti-evolution zealot with a $1.6 billion hole in his state’s budget. Meanwhile, Duck Dynasty is reaping a $415,000-per-episode tax break. What’s a governor to do? Clearly the answer is to cut education and protect the profits of God’s duck-hunting prophets. Say “Goodnight,” Gracie.
WHAT
The Anti-Drone Drone
Technologists and engineers have often tapped into the world of insects to find new and exciting ways to create swarms of flying killer robots and to develop algorithms for autonomous drones. So it makes sense that one of the first anti-drone drones looks like a giant fly swatter.
May the 4th Be With You: 54 Facts About ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Today is “Star Wars Day!” To commemorate both the occasion and the enduring power of this cultural phenomenon, the Wall Street Journal compiles a long-list of facts about the forthcoming sequel to the original set of three movies. The last fact on the list is more of a prediction: “The Force Awakens is going to make a lot of money.” And that’s one prediction Disney’s taking all the way to the bank.
WHY
Good News from the US–Mexican Border
At a time when a lot seems to be going wrong in Mexico and drought concerns are dominating the American West, the two neighbors agreed last year to let the Colorado River once again run its natural course all the way to the Sea of Cortez—for the first time in nearly 50 years! And guess what? A land that went barren and bereft of life after the water stopped… suddenly bloomed and teemed with birds and life after humans re-opened the spigot. Whether that renewal persists depends on the decisions we make as the drought dries up the thirsty West.
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