You’re Blocked! Should Public Officials Be Allowed to Stifle Speech On Social Media?

Should the president be allowed to block someone on Twitter because of their critical views? Does it matter that the administration stated that the president uses the account to make official statements? In legal terms, whether the First Amendment applies in such a case depends on whether there can be a "public forum" on social … Continue reading You’re Blocked! Should Public Officials Be Allowed to Stifle Speech On Social Media? →

Impressions and Reflections from Athens

Less than a week ago, I looked on as people in Athens’ Syntagma Square danced and proudly waved Greek flags in jubilation after voting no to Europe-imposed austerity. Polls confirmed that their side prevailed overwhelmingly nationwide in the historic referendum on whether Greeks should accept the most recent memorandum proposed by the European leadership. A … Continue reading Impressions and Reflections from Athens →

26th and Cali and beyond: A look at Chicago violence and the young people caught in its midst

I spent two days last week at a historic Chicago location where many people hope they never will have to go. Fortunes are decided at this place, and its neighboring building is a stark reminder to many who come here of one possible outcome of these determinations. That place is the Cook County Courthouse on … Continue reading 26th and Cali and beyond: A look at Chicago violence and the young people caught in its midst →

IMIA AUTHOR: TURKEY STILL “UNPREDICTABLE AND DANGEROUS”

From my post on the Hellenic American Leadership Council Blog: Today marks the 17th anniversary of the Imia crisis, a showdown between Greece and Turkey over a couple small islets in the Aegean that brought the two countries to the brink of war.  Though armed conflict was ultimately averted, the crisis set the tone for … Continue reading IMIA AUTHOR: TURKEY STILL “UNPREDICTABLE AND DANGEROUS” →

Don’t Shoot Hermes: A Conversation with a Greek Journalist

"Violence is not something that concerns only journalists; it exists on a more general level." In part one of this series focusing on the state of media freedom in Greece, I speak with Mathaios Papoikonomou-Sideris,  an international news editor at newsbeast.gr, a Greek news web site. I met Mathaios in France through a mutual friend, … Continue reading Don’t Shoot Hermes: A Conversation with a Greek Journalist →

Don’t Shoot Hermes – A series on the state of media freedom in Greece

In light of recent attacks targeting Greek journalists and from speaking to journalists in Greece about the state of media freedom within the country, I will be starting a series of posts addressing the issue of media freedom in Greece. I find it terribly ironic that a country that takes pride in its creating democracy … Continue reading Don’t Shoot Hermes – A series on the state of media freedom in Greece →

Turks and Kurds: How to Curtail Ongoing Violence?

The Kurds have been in the news recently, with peace negotiations between Abdullah Ocalan, the Kurdistan Worker's Party's (PKK) jailed leader, and the Turkish government supposedly in the works. Following a very public funeral with thousands of guests for the three Kurdish activists who were shot in Paris, people on both sides are pointing suspicious … Continue reading Turks and Kurds: How to Curtail Ongoing Violence? →

Six Noteworthy Things About Obama’s Gun Control Speech

1. Invoking of the U.S. Constitution. President Obama invoked the U.S. Constitution in supporting tougher measures aimed at decreasing gun violence in America, the same document often used by proponents of gun ownership in defending their rights to bear arms. He stated that  "we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights that no man … Continue reading Six Noteworthy Things About Obama’s Gun Control Speech →

Questions following the Hagel nomination

More questions for Senator Hagel After avoiding a nomination fight over U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, President Obama has decided to keep his gloves on and elbows up by nominating former Senator Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense. Controversy surrounds the pick. To many conservatives, Hagel, who initially supported the Iraq War but later likened it to … Continue reading Questions following the Hagel nomination →