Commentary

When Europe’s Abused Became Abusers in Palestine

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , , , ,

This is a repost of a Substack essay (The Progressive Jew) by Robert Rosenthal, who describes himself as "a former Zionist, a Jewish progressive, and a family member of Holocaust victims." The following statement applies to me and probably many of you. I know (knew) people who fit this description: "Perhaps you’ve wondered why Zionists … Continue reading When Europe’s Abused Became Abusers in Palestine

How Minnesotans Deal with Federal Agents

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, video , , , , ,

Did you ever think the revolution would start in Minnesota? Prince did. So be a good neighbor. Below is link to a YouTube video uploaded on 21 January 2026 by Frost Simula and followed by a transcript. Simula introduces himself as the First Gentleman of Columbia Heights, MN. His wife Amáda Márquez Simula is the … Continue reading How Minnesotans Deal with Federal Agents

The Suicide Pact of a Crybaby King

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

A recent Facebook post by Michael Jochum in which he describes the US as a gangster state whose actions accelerate the decline of the US empire. What Jochum views as detrimental I, as a global citizen without national affiliation, see as a silver lining: 1) "we would create a unified enemy across the Atlantic," 2) … Continue reading The Suicide Pact of a Crybaby King

Journalist Tests ICE Recruitment; Surprised to Find Herself Hired with No Background Check

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , ,

Here are a link to a Democracy Now! interview with Laura Jedeed, a freelance journalist, and a transcript that I created. At the bottom are links to two articles by Ms. Jedeed and one about her. Here's a quote that jumps off the screen, a sentiment that's been echoed by many others who are knowledgeable … Continue reading Journalist Tests ICE Recruitment; Surprised to Find Herself Hired with No Background Check

Gangster State Blues

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Songs , , , ,

ChatGPT created this image based on the lyrics and called it Voices of resistance in chaos. Nations that stomp around the globe like King Kong infect themselves with a fatal virus. This is a song I created that was inspired by Chris Hedges' latest essay America is a Gangster State. Here are some other articles … Continue reading Gangster State Blues

Me & My Keffiyeh

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is hands down the best purchase I've ever made. I ordered it online and paid the princely sum of $3.47 USD, including delivery. The keffiyeh ( كُوفِيَّة) is probably the most multi-purpose garment created. It is to Palestinian and other Arab cultures what the conical hat (nón lá) is to Vietnamese. (The latter also has … Continue reading Me & My Keffiyeh

Three Shots Kill a Mother Driving Away

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary, video , , , , , , ,

Renée Good seconds before she was shot. (Source: Wikipedia) She calmly said "It's fine, dude, I’m not mad at you,” before Jonathan Ross, who was videotaping her, shot her three times and another ICE coward yelled, "Fucking bitch."  This fatal encounter started with an ICE brownshirt screaming, "Get out of the fucking car!" Cruelty is … Continue reading Three Shots Kill a Mother Driving Away

The ICE List – “Put ICE on Ice”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Websites , , ,

It's my pleasure to post information about this accountability project as a public service. There are many ways to contribute to this noble initiative. Spreading the word is one of them. Check out the website to find out about more. Peace, MAA The ICE List is an open journalistic project, created by Crust News, aimed at … Continue reading The ICE List – “Put ICE on Ice”

The Five Stages of Fascism

Mark A. Ashwill Books, Commentary, video , , , ,

Robert O. Paxton's book, The Anatomy of Fascism, originally published in 2004, is on my list of books to read. Unfortunately, this is not history but a credible description of what's happening in the US. I recently watched a 3-minute 25-second video analysis entitled The Empire Strikes Back by Charles McBryde in which he argues … Continue reading The Five Stages of Fascism

 I Could Have Played It Safe

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

People with advantages are loath to believe that they just happen to be people with advantages. They come readily to define themselves as inherently worthy of what they possess; they come to believe themselves ‘naturally’ elite; and, in fact, to imagine their possessions and their privileges as natural extensions of their own elite selves.” -C. … Continue reading  I Could Have Played It Safe