Author: Dilip

I'm a scholar, writer and teacher; and my blog is designed for intellectual exploration. It carries no advertisements and requires no cash subscription

DOUG NEISS – Military might, market ideology and moral posturing: A toxic combination that has poisoned America

Many of us who support government social programs still feel ambivalent about them — largely because we buy into, or are cowed by, the ideologies of free enterprise and militarism. The first holds that we alone determine our lot in life through competition and have no obligation toward others beyond taking care of ourselves and… Read More DOUG NEISS – Military might, market ideology and moral posturing: A toxic combination that has poisoned America

Dilip

Rolf Hochhuth, Who Challenged a Pope’s Wartime Silence, Dies at 89 ( May 2020). By Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim

The theater historian Louise Kerz Hirschfeld, who was married to the production’s set designer, Leo Kerz, remembered the mood inside the theater on the opening night. “People were weeping,” she said in a phone interview. “At the end there was this deadly silence. Then, people got up and there was a 20-minute applause. For the… Read More Rolf Hochhuth, Who Challenged a Pope’s Wartime Silence, Dies at 89 ( May 2020). By Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim

Dilip

Luis Gouveia Junior: What Portugal can teach us about the far Right

Unless progressive social movements challenge the shortcomings of liberal democracy, the appeal of ‘anti-system’ candidates will only grow    I was unlucky enough to be living in Rio de Janeiro when Jair Bolsonaro, before he became Brazil’s president, was elected to Congress in 2014 with the most votes in the state’s history. Then, two years later,… Read More Luis Gouveia Junior: What Portugal can teach us about the far Right

Dilip

This photographer captures the beauty of Mexico's mountains

Growing up in the remote mountains of Sierra Gorda, Mexico, Roberto Pedraza Ruiz developed a serious case of biophilia. A term coined by biologist Edward O. Wilson, biophilia — meaning “love of life” — describes the human need to connect with nature. Pedraza Ruiz — now a conservationist and photographer — moved from the bustling central Mexican… Read More This photographer captures the beauty of Mexico's mountains

Dilip

BJP MP moves privilege motion against TMC’s Mahua Moitra for comments against former CJI

“The sacred cow that was the judiciary is no longer sacred,” Moitra had said. “It stopped being sacred the day a sitting chief justice of this country was accused of sexual harassment, presided over his own trial, cleared himself and then proceeded to accept a nomination to the Upper House of Parliament within three months… Read More BJP MP moves privilege motion against TMC’s Mahua Moitra for comments against former CJI

Dilip

Samuel Paty: French schoolgirl admits lying about murdered teacher

A French schoolgirl has admitted to spreading false claims about a teacher before he was murdered last year. Samuel Paty was beheaded in October after showing students cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The girl, whose complaints sparked an online campaign against Paty, has now admitted that she was not in the class. Mr Paty’s killing stunned France… Read More Samuel Paty: French schoolgirl admits lying about murdered teacher

Dilip

First independent report into Xinjiang genocide allegations claims there is evidence of Beijing's 'intent to destroy' Uyghur people

The Chinese government’s alleged actions in Xinjiang have violated every single provision in the United Nations’ Genocide Convention, according to an independent report by more than 50 global experts in human rights, war crimes and international law. The report, released Tuesday by the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy think tank in Washington DC, claimed the Chinese government “bears state… Read More First independent report into Xinjiang genocide allegations claims there is evidence of Beijing's 'intent to destroy' Uyghur people

Dilip

Annie Kelly: Female workers at H&M supplier in India allege widespread sexual violence

Women in India making children’s clothes for H&M have spoken out about widespread sexual violence they claim to have faced at one of the company’s suppliers in India. The allegations come just weeks after the body of Jeyasre Kathiravel, a 21-year-old Dalit garment worker, was found in a field close to her family home after she failed… Read More Annie Kelly: Female workers at H&M supplier in India allege widespread sexual violence

Dilip

Kate Williams: The behaviour towards Meghan shows Britain learned nothing from Princess Diana's treatment

NB: What is it with the UK tabloid press + royalty’s obsession with skin colour? They seem demented. But who are we to talk, with our pet paranoia about caste pollution or religious identity. What part of the media works to heal the scars, rather than pour salt on them? DS The story of modern… Read More Kate Williams: The behaviour towards Meghan shows Britain learned nothing from Princess Diana's treatment

Dilip