“Why I Cancelled My 2025 Trip To Trump’s America”

That's the title of a recent video by Rob Groves, who is based in the UK. Rob has a YouTube channel with nearly 60,000 subscribers, where we speak truth to power about British politics, and challenge the establishment narrative peddled by the overwhelmingly right-wing press and BBC. In the words of Noam Chomsky, 'power knows … Continue reading “Why I Cancelled My 2025 Trip To Trump’s America”

Vietnam Today (Video)

About 20 years ago, I helped create a video entitled Vietnam Today for the In FOCUS: Vietnam project funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. It was part of a series designed to serve as a pre-departure orientation tool for students who participated in the Hobart and William Smith … Continue reading Vietnam Today (Video)

Smotrich: Israel’s future is ‘to expand to Damascus’

Israeli Minister of Finance and leader of National Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich, speaks to the press during a party meeting in Jerusalem on 5 February 2024. I give Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich credit for one thing: his brutal honesty. No code or dog whistle, just speaking candidly about the "Greater Israel" project. I first saw … Continue reading Smotrich: Israel’s future is ‘to expand to Damascus’

Got the COVID Blues (Lord, Have Mercy on Me)

On another lighter note, I'm pleased to announce the release of a song I wrote during the pandemic. I had the music in my head and worked it out on a piano but never recorded it. This music is AI-generated. Not bad for a computer, eh? 😉 https://youtu.be/3k38yqbpfwM?si=0MZIwCQ7fJKLiGda Here's a direct link to the version … Continue reading Got the COVID Blues (Lord, Have Mercy on Me)

Capstone Fairs Are Coming to Town! 🇻🇳

All smiles after finishing the video. "That's a wrap!" It's true, I was a musician in another lifetime. The piano and a mellifluous baritone voice were my primary instruments. I also played a variety of others, including clarinet, flute, trombone, saxophone, etc. with varying degrees of proficiency and success. Among my many accolades, I was … Continue reading Capstone Fairs Are Coming to Town! 🇻🇳

Highly Recommended:  “I Have Arrived, I Am Home – Documentary About Thích Nhất Hạnh”

From Plum Village: Made specially for the first anniversary of the passing of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh, "I Have Arrived, I Am Home" is a new documentary from filmmaker Max Pugh (A Cloud Never Dies, Walk With Me). The film includes footage and commentary on Thich Nhat Hanh's return to his native Vietnam, where … Continue reading Highly Recommended:  “I Have Arrived, I Am Home – Documentary About Thích Nhất Hạnh”

“The core sadism & power madness totally on display…”

In an image from 25 May 2020 video provided by Darnella Frazier, then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneels on the neck of George Floyd who was pleading that he could not breathe. (Darnella Frazier via AP) What's Past Is Prologue I detect a smug look of self-satisfaction on Derek Chauvin's cop face as George Floyd's … Continue reading “The core sadism & power madness totally on display…”

“Jealous Coronavirus” Music Video from Vietnam Ministry of Health

On a lighthearted and entertaining note but with an important message, check out this music video/public service announcement from the Vietnam Ministry of Health, which has gone viral. It has been featured by a number of international media outlets, including NPR and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. This 4 March Straits Times article describes … Continue reading “Jealous Coronavirus” Music Video from Vietnam Ministry of Health

S. Brian Willson: Veteran, peace activist, & attorney-at-law

We are not worth more.  They are not worth less.  S. Brian Willson What makes Paying the Price so powerful is hearing the voices of so many veterans, women and men who know what war is and have had the courage to walk away. They invite us to remember – however much the national “security” … Continue reading S. Brian Willson: Veteran, peace activist, & attorney-at-law