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February 6, 2024 | www.baltimoresun.com Armstrong Williams is the new owner, along with David Smith, of the Baltimore Sun. Williams speaks about the new venture at Howard Stirk Holdings, his media company, in Washington. He’s known as a conservative political commentator who hosts a nationally syndicated television show on Sinclair network affiliates. (Kim Hairston/Staff photo) By BENJAMIN CRUMP February 6, 2024 at 5:45 a.m. Today, we live in an era defined by widespread social injustice and inequality. Yet, the co-acquisition of The Baltimore Sun by Armstrong Williams, a Black American entrepreneur, is a source of encouragement and optimism in a world that is otherwise bleak. In my role as a civil rights attorney, I am cognizant of the significant impact that Black entrepreneurship has on elevating the economic freedom and intergenerational prosperity of Black Americans. Moreover, I consider this development to be emblematic of a more extensive and consequential narrative of Black entrepreneurship and the role it plays in the lives of Black Americans. The co-acquisition of the paper by Williams helps highlight the fundamental truth that economic empowerment overcomes differences in ideology. Let there be no doubt that this purchase is an exceptionally courageous action. Obtaining such a platform is not without its detractors, but I am certain that Williams and his partner, David Smith, will make every effort to guarantee truth, transparency and a variety of diverse perspectives; something that some in the media of today have forgotten. This holds significant importance, especially in a society where the media exerts substantial control over public sentiment and the construction of narratives. William’s co-acquisition of The Baltimore Sun virtually ensures that the experiences, obstacles and triumphs of Black Americans are not only recognized but also understood and depicted in an authentic and comprehensive manner. But not only that, it will ensure that The Baltimore Sun will resist detractors of truth generally and that honesty, transparency and reality will be a marker of a paper that was once marked by a reputation of racism. Ironically, The Baltimore Sun advocated racist ideologies, segregation and even more divisive racist action for decades when it began in 1837. Now, today, The Baltimore Sun is under co-ownership by an individual who is of the very race against which the paper published articles. Williams, however, would argue that his race is inconsequential. He is one of the most colorblind people I know. Yet, although he abstains from judging individuals according to their fixed attributes, he nevertheless acknowledges the plight of Black Americans. William’s life story has stood as an enduring testament to the tenacity and resolve that have come to define the course of the Black American community in the United States. It is vital to point out to young Black children that their ambitions are not constrained by socioeconomic factors or the color of their skin. The successes attained by Williams should function as a model, illuminating a path toward attaining enduring financial autonomy. These are fundamental components in the ongoing pursuit of social progression and equality. Newspapers play a pivotal role in the community. They create jobs and internships; they help local businesses gain recognition and local heroes gain the spotlight. They do all of these things not just because they are profitable, but more so because it’s good for the community that the paper serves. Now, with Willaims at the helm of The Sun, the newspaper can create internships for underprivileged youth, it can recognize businesses in need of a boost, and it can give a spotlight to the people who do good for their communities. The newspaper can do all of this independently, without fear. This holds particular meaning for the Black community, given its enduring economic hardships. With Williams as a co-owner, my expectation is that he will make every effort to guarantee that The Sun provides economic empowerment to the Black community. Not only that, but I have no doubt the co-ownership of Williams will herald in a new era and profession of journalism in Baltimore. By reinstating local ownership of the paper, money will be reinvested into the community. Furthermore, the profession will benefit from William’s example, as a man of integrity and bravery, who will without a doubt enable journalists to reestablish the time-honored ethics of journalism that have been lost today. As a significant step toward continued economic equality and empowerment, Armstrong Williams’ co-ownership of the Baltimore Sun signifies a monumental accomplishment. Despite political divisions, it unquestionably demonstrates that economic freedom and the path to wealth creation remain indispensable components that empower Black Americans to determine their own destinies. This accomplishment ought to be celebrated as a forward-thinking advance toward greater representation, which should transcend the media and permeate all aspects of American life where the voices of Black Americans need to be amplified. Benjamin Crump (bencrump.com; X: @AttorneyCrump) is a prominent civil rights attorney. Among his clients are the families of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Tayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Breonna Taylor.

February 3, 2024 | www.ocregister.com Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) In the shadowed corners of the Middle East, where ancient trade routes twist like serpents through the desert, lies an obscure outpost in Jordan called Tower 22 (T-22). This newly discovered outpost and the name, now a glaring testament to the convoluted and often opaque nature of modern warfare and foreign policy, became known to most Americans in the first press releases addressing the Jan. 28 attack on the base. The retreat of U.S. forces from al-Qaim and the tiny outpost that preceded Tower 22 in 2004 marked the beginning of a tumultuous period, a prelude to the rise of al-Qaida and ISIS. Today, the vastly expanded base, reportedly home to 350 Americans and visible on Google Earth, stands not as a symbol of strength but as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities and contradictions inherent in America’s military engagements in the shadows and mirrors of the Middle East and Arabia at large. The attack on T-22, a costly reminder of the perils of such exposed positions, raises fundamental questions about the transparency of the U.S. military operations. The Pentagon’s penchant for secrecy, ostensibly to protect national security, has ironically left the American public in the dark, while those with malevolent intent seem to be steps ahead, armed with meticulously assembled “target packages” on “secret” facilities throughout the region. The root of this strategic quagmire lies in the shifting sands of international politics and economics. The U.S. government’s policy, which currently appears to lack direction, is being exploited by opportunistic global players such as Iran, China and Russia. Iran in particular has emerged flush with cash, a consequence of the U.S.’ own faltering steps — from the Obama administration to Donald Trump’s tenure — that inadvertently bolstered Iran’s economic resilience. Sanctions, once the sharp sword of U.S. foreign policy, have been blunted. The reliance on the U.S. dollar as the primary currency in global trade has been eroded by alternative systems such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), which challenge the dollar’s supremacy. Moreover, Iran’s deep roots in ancient trade networks and its adept use of traditional barter systems and underground financial networks like Hawala and Siraj further dilute the effectiveness of traditional economic sanctions. As the toll of the attack in Jordan climbs, questions arise about the impact of U.S. financial policies on Iran’s military capabilities. The strategic landscape is reminiscent of a George Carlin skit — tragically comical in its absurdity where the U.S., in its bid to exert economic pressure, ends up undermining its own currency and, inadvertently, empowering its adversaries. Meanwhile, the situation in Iraq is evolving toward “Lebanonization” of the entire nation, with Iran extending its influence through well-equipped militias and Iraq itself negotiating the departure of American troops, including from the Kurdish regions. This development, tied to a one-year ticking clock on the withdrawal decision that aligns with the U.S. presidential inauguration in January 2025, suggests that a crucial strategic decision will fall either at the twilight of a presidency or at the dawn of a new administration — a timing as precarious as it is significant. In this complex geopolitical chess game, where ancient trade routes intersect with modern warfare and economic strategies, the U.S. finds itself at a crossroads. Its technological prowess, once a formidable advantage, now seems less decisive against the backdrop of age-old barter systems and hidden financial networks. As the U.S. grapples with these challenges, the future of its engagement in the Middle East and the safety of its personnel stationed there hangs in a delicate balance, a narrative woven with threads of irony, tragedy and the enduring complexities of global power dynamics. The unfolding scenario at the T-22 base in Jordan is more than a tactical blunder; it reflects a broader strategic myopia. It raises critical questions about the efficacy of U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The ancient wisdom of the Middle East, where history is written in the sands and whispered in the winds, stands in stark contrast to the technological might and economic power of the West. Yet, in this age-old battleground of empires, it’s the unseen currents of culture, tradition and covert finance that often dictate the outcomes of conflicts. The U.S., in its pursuit of global dominance, must adapt to these realities or risk being outmaneuvered in a game where the rules are as fluid as the shifting sands of the desert. Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. The Opinionist: Get out of your bubble with daily links to informed commentary on local, state and national issues.

February 2, 2024 | www.baltimoresun.com The notion that Republicans and Democrats are deeply divided across a broad spectrum of political issues is as orthodox as the heliocentric theory of the universe. The notion is not without some basis. Abortion, religion, LGBT rights and climate change sharply divide the parties.  But a closer look reveals remarkable unity on issues more important to the future of the country. It explains why the more things change in American politics with each election cycle and new faces in the corridors of power, the more they stay the same. Unity is alarming when it drives a country off a cliff. The two parties unite behind limitless executive power, the diminishment of Congress to mere ornament, and the jettisoning of separation of powers — the Constitution’s crown jewel that thwarts the government from unjust encroachments on liberty. The two parties agree, for example, that the president possesses the power to play prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner to kill any person anywhere on the planet based on secret, unreviewable speculation that the corpse could have become an imminent national security threat. We all live at the indulgence of the president of the United States. The two parties unite behind the bugle cry that the United States is the indispensable nation uniquely endowed with angelic DNA tasked with cramming political virtue down the throats of adversaries by force and violence — i.e., a warfare state. The two parties unite behind the multi-trillion-dollar military-industrial-security complex against which President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned. Our $1.5 trillion and climbing annual national security budget passes effortlessly in Congress with virtually no debate. The lavish funding persists despite the absence of any audit of Pentagon spending and an unending series of calamitous interventions. We spent more than $2 trillion on a 20-year fool’s errand in Afghanistan to return a second edition of the Taliban grislier and more misogynistic than the first. None of the authors or participants in this extravagant folly have been demoted or lost political standing or stature. A craven Congress has failed to hold hearings on “Why our Afghanistan Venture Shipwrecked,” to prevent repetition. We have stupidly spent more than $2 trillion in Iraq, precipitated by Saddam Hussein’s imaginary Weapons of Mass Destruction, to make it a satellite of archenemy Iran. None of the authors or executioners of this stupendous blunder have suffered professionally or lost political standing. Congress has held no serious oversight hearings addressing the Iraq war, like the highly acclaimed Fulbright hearings on Vietnam. We orchestrated the overthrow and gruesome murder of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 after he abandoned his WMD. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton effused that Gaddafi’s ouster and death marked smart diplomacy at its best. Libya soon degenerated into a violent dystopia and sanctuary for international terrorists and human traffickers. Our ambassador was killed in Benghazi. Immigrants by the millions departed from unpoliced Libyan shores for Europe causing radical political upheavals and strife among our European friends and massive drownings in the Mediterranean Sea. None of the authors or participants in the Libyan disaster have lost professional or political esteem or luster. Congress fixated on the Benghazi tragedy but left the elephant in the living room unexamined: What were we doing in Libya after Gaddafi had surrendered or destroyed WMD? The intervention guaranteed that neither North Korea nor Iran will ever reject a nuclear arsenal to deter a United States invasion. The parties are unified behind fighting pointlessly in Somalia, Yemen and Ukraine, or attacking China if it invades Taiwan. The parties are unified behind special forces in more than 100 countries in such remote and inconsequential nations as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso or Chad. The two parties unite behind a surveillance state in which the cherished Fourth Amendment right to be left alone is crucified on a national security cross. The Big Brother National Security Agency surveils the entire American population without suspicion that crime is afoot. The NSA views the “not-yet-guilty” (most of us) as necessary targets. What the NSA intercepts, stores and searches is generally unknown. Congressional hearings are rare and superficial. When the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, lied in 2013 to the Senate Intelligence Committee in disputing that the NSA was collecting data on millions of Americans, there was no penalty or even official rebuke. Americans remain clueless as to whether the bloated and exorbitant surveillance state has foiled even one terrorist attack against an American. The two parties unite behind a soaring national debt exceeding $33 trillion and annual budget deficits as far as the eye can see.  The idea of a freeze or slash in federal spending is not even on the table. The parties unite behind fiddling, while the nation races off a financial cliff risking bankruptcy in our lifetime. The two parties unite on secret government pivoting on the state secrets doctrine, shocking overclassification of documents, executive privilege, and flouting congressional subpoenas or requests for information. The consequence is untold waste, fraud, maladministration and lawlessness.  As Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis admonished, “Sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.” Unity is not always a good thing. It commonly leads to stagnation and the persistence of evils like slavery or burning witches. Separation of powers necessitates a broad consensus before the government acts. It can slow remedies for pressing problems.  But experience teaches the alternative of limitless executive power and jettisoning of checks and balances is vastly worse. Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun. This column is part of a weekly series written from “The Owner’s Box.”

February 1, 2024 | www.creators.com In the shadowed corners of the Middle East, where ancient trade routes twist like serpents through the desert, lies an obscure outpost in Jordan called Tower 22 (T-22). This newly discovered outpost and the name, now a glaring testament to the convoluted and often opaque nature of modern warfare and foreign policy, became known to most Americans in the first press releases addressing the Jan. 28 attack on the base. The retreat of U.S. forces from al-Qaim and the tiny outpost that preceded Tower 22 in 2004 marked the beginning of a tumultuous period, a prelude to the rise of al-Qaida and ISIS. Today, the vastly expanded base, reportedly home to 350 Americans and visible on Google Earth, stands not as a symbol of strength but as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities and contradictions inherent in America's military engagements in the shadows and mirrors of the Middle East and Arabia at large. The attack on T-22, a costly reminder of the perils of such exposed positions, raises fundamental questions about the transparency of the U.S. military operations. The Pentagon's penchant for secrecy, ostensibly to protect national security, has ironically left the American public in the dark, while those with malevolent intent seem to be steps ahead, armed with meticulously assembled "target packages" on "secret" facilities throughout the region. The root of this strategic quagmire lies in the shifting sands of international politics and economics. The U.S. government's policy, which currently appears to lack direction, is being exploited by opportunistic global players such as Iran, China and Russia. Iran in particular has emerged flush with cash, a consequence of the U.S.' own faltering steps — from the Obama administration to Donald Trump's tenure — that inadvertently bolstered Iran's economic resilience. Sanctions, once the sharp sword of U.S. foreign policy, have been blunted. The reliance on the U.S. dollar as the primary currency in global trade has been eroded by alternative systems such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), which challenge the dollar's supremacy. Moreover, Iran's deep roots in ancient trade networks and its adept use of traditional barter systems and underground financial networks like Hawala and Siraj further dilute the effectiveness of traditional economic sanctions. As the toll of the attack in Jordan climbs, questions arise about the impact of U.S. financial policies on Iran's military capabilities. The strategic landscape is reminiscent of a George Carlin skit — tragically comical in its absurdity where the U.S., in its bid to exert economic pressure, ends up undermining its own currency and, inadvertently, empowering its adversaries. Meanwhile, the situation in Iraq is evolving toward "Lebanonization" of the entire nation, with Iran extending its influence through well-equipped militias and Iraq itself negotiating the departure of American troops, including from the Kurdish regions. This development, tied to a one-year ticking clock on the withdrawal decision that aligns with the U.S. presidential inauguration in January 2025, suggests that a crucial strategic decision will fall either at the twilight of a presidency or at the dawn of a new administration — a timing as precarious as it is significant. In this complex geopolitical chess game, where ancient trade routes intersect with modern warfare and economic strategies, the U.S. finds itself at a crossroads. Its technological prowess, once a formidable advantage, now seems less decisive against the backdrop of age-old barter systems and hidden financial networks. As the U.S. grapples with these challenges, the future of its engagement in the Middle East and the safety of its personnel stationed there hangs in a delicate balance, a narrative woven with threads of irony, tragedy and the enduring complexities of global power dynamics. The unfolding scenario at the T-22 base in Jordan is more than a tactical blunder; it reflects a broader strategic myopia. It raises critical questions about the efficacy of U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The ancient wisdom of the Middle East, where history is written in the sands and whispered in the winds, stands in stark contrast to the technological might and economic power of the West. Yet, in this age-old battleground of empires, it's the unseen currents of culture, tradition and covert finance that often dictate the outcomes of conflicts. The U.S., in its pursuit of global dominance, must adapt to these realities or risk being outmaneuvered in a game where the rules are as fluid as the shifting sands of the desert. Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

January 31, 2024 | themessenger.com Migrants wade across the Rio Grande while crossing from Mexico into the United States on Jan. 07, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas.John Moore/Getty Images here's a standoff in Texas, and it’s not between cowboys this time. It’s between the Texas National Guard and federal border agents in Eagle Pass. All of this is occurring in the wake of a Supreme Court decision requiring the Texas National Guard to grant access to federal border agents deployed by the Biden administration to take down razor wire erected by the state to prevent the influx of undocumented migrants. Recent events have caused widespread anger regarding the deployment of razor wire along the border, specifically in areas on the water. People expressed concern that migrants who encounter difficulties while crossing the water could drown in the absence of assistance from border agents. On Jan. 12, these concerns came to a head when a mother and her two children perished while attempting to traverse the Rio Grande River. The drownings occurred in the vicinity of Eagle Pass, the site of the ongoing confrontation. The United States has seen a mass influx of migrants over the past year — 2.5 million encounters with migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Undoubtedly, the issue buried deep within this is the fact that most of these unauthorized border crossings happen in Texas, a state that is grappling with the challenge of supporting its estimated 1.7 million illegal immigrant inhabitants. States such as New York, to which Florida and Texas have bussed migrants — and which are “sanctuary states,” despite frequently bemoaning their inability to assist the migrants because of a lack of resources — are vastly outmanned by this figure. Eagle Pass, Texas, in particular, is a hotbed for migrant inflows. The small city — 28,130 people in the 2020 census — has become known as a “border town.” Yet Eagle Pass has a rich history, beginning as a garrison town named for the abundance of Mexican eagles that circled the area, and evolving into a customs point for the cotton and munitions trade between Mexico and the Confederacy after soldiers withdrew. At this moment, Eagle Pass is the focal point of the immigration debate in the United States. After the Supreme Court ruled that the Texas National Guard could not prevent the entry of border agents to cut down the razor wire, video surfaced online purportedly showing Texas officers erecting even more razor wire, and capturing Texas officers impeding the entry of Border Patrol Humvees into the region, although reports have indicated there have been no hostilities thus far. After all, Texans don’t want to harm Texans. But what does this all mean? This situation is becoming the perfect analogy for the border crisis that the Biden administration has provoked: a standoff between the federal government and the state that bears the brunt of the administration’s immigration policies. It’s no wonder that 25 Republican governors have signed a letter stating they stand in solidarity with Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and the Texas National Guard. At the heart of this situation is the question of whether states will allow themselves to be trampled by the federal government. The tragic aspect of this situation is that the federal government is attempting to compel Texas to accept and process migrants they don't want, and then Texas is told they can’t send them elsewhere. The end result must take care of migrants, not the federal government. Many Americans, and Texans in particular, are not oblivious to the injustice of the situation; they are the ones who daily contend with problems that illegal immigration can produce. Abbott’s decision to begin transporting migrants to other states by bus is unsurprising, given that these states have contributed significantly to the crisis Texas is experiencing due to their elected officials’ influence in Congress. There is more to the standoff in Texas than merely a disagreement over razor wire and border control restrictions. It is a prime example of a more extensive and intricate dispute concerning the sovereignty of states, the authority of the federal government, and the handling of immigration in the United States. This standoff in Texas likely will be remembered in history as the moment when states fought back — even if there is no bloodshed. I pray that no hostilities transpire and that there is a favorable outcome. Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year.

January 25, 2024 | www.keysnews.com The leisurely pace of the new year gives birth to reflection. We celebrate the new year, but from time immemorial each new year proves the prescience of Ecclesiastes, that there is nothing new under the sun. Then why do the celebrations endure? Because hope springs eternal. Happiness is commonly the temporary suspension of disbelief. Dreams are our nectar and ambrosia. What do ordinary Americans want? They do not want a free lunch. That leaves an empty soul lacking in self-esteem. You can’t be proud of being born with a silver spoon. The more challenging the struggle, the more euphoric the triumph. Ordinary Americans want a fair opportunity to develop their faculties and pursue their ambitions unhandicapped by the accident of birth. Character and accomplishments are all that should count. President Abraham Lincoln instructed that the leading object of government was “to elevate the condition of men — to lift artificial weights from all shoulders — to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all — to afford all, an unfettered start, and a fair chance, in the race of life.

January 25, 2024 | www.creators.com The United States is known for its economic and military prowess. Its diversity of cultures and ideas has made the U.S. a destination for people from all over the world in search of the American dream. Despite this fact, even the wealthiest country in the world deals with poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 42.31 million people live in poverty as of 2020. While this number may seem staggering, it is roughly 12.75% of the total population, which currently stands at 331.9 million citizens. Economic self-sufficiency is a critical component of uplifting Americans out of poverty. While this hurdle is challenging for most, census data cited by the Aspen Institute "indicated that 3.5 million Americans lifted themselves out of poverty in 2015" and those numbers continue to rise, albeit not fast enough for those tasked with studying and creating ways to solve this problem. While these numbers are staggering, they only tell part of the story. Poverty in the U.S. is a multifaceted issue, impacted by a range of factors including economic policies, access to education and availability of health care. The numbers have improved since 2020. In fact, in 2022, the official poverty rate was 11.5%, translating to 37.9 million people living in poverty. This rate has remained relatively unchanged since 2021, indicating the persistence of poverty across the nation. The Supplemental Poverty Measure for 2022 was 12.4%, marking an increase of 4.6 percentage points from 2021. This increase, the first of its kind since 2010, can be largely attributed to changes in federal tax policy. The expiration of temporary expansions to the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as the end of pandemic-era stimulus payments, have played a significant role in this rise. The economic landscape of the U.S. in 2022 showed a decline in real median household income by 2.3%, settling at $74,580. This decline was influenced by a 7.8% increase in inflation — the largest annual rise since 1981. The real median earnings of all workers also decreased by 2.2% between 2021 and 2022. The distribution of poverty in the United States is uneven, with significant variations across age groups and geographical regions. The child poverty rate in 2022 was reported at 16.3%, higher than the overall rate. In contrast, the poverty rate for those aged 65 and over was lower, at 10.9%. The geographical distribution of poverty rates presents a diverse picture, with more than half of the states in the Southern region reporting child poverty rates exceeding 18%. The persistence of poverty in the United States calls for a multifaceted approach to address the issue. Economic self-sufficiency is key to lifting Americans out of poverty. However, achieving this requires a combination of robust economic policies, accessible education and comprehensive health care. The Aspen Institute has highlighted the progress made, citing that 3.5 million Americans lifted themselves out of poverty in 2015. Yet, the pace of this progress is not fast enough for those tasked with studying and creating solutions to this pervasive problem. To combat poverty effectively, targeted strategies tailored to the unique needs of different demographics and regions are vital. Investment in education and job training, alongside policies supporting wage growth and affordable health care, are key factors in reducing poverty. Additionally, tackling systemic issues that contribute to income inequality and economic disparities is essential. While the United States offers ample opportunities, it also faces the daunting challenge of poverty. A concerted effort from policymakers, community leaders and citizens is required to diminish poverty and ensure the American dream is achievable for all. Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

January 26, 2024 | www.baltimoresun.com/ Since the Oct.7 terrorist attack on Israel, justice has been turned on its head. The victims of the grisly Hamas terrorist attacks have been portrayed as the perpetrators. Jews were burned alive in their homes, gang-raped, shot to death and beheaded. Infants were snatched from their cribs and found dead in ovens. Women were mutilated as they were raped, and summarily executed. Atrocities against Jews were taken to a level not witnessed since Hitler’s gas chambers. Three months have elapsed. More than 100 people remain hostage in Gaza, held by Hamas terrorists. Israel has answered Oct. 7 with self-defense, as the United States did after 9/11. Terrorists cannot be defeated by the Sermon on the Mount. Social media platforms overflow with vile antisemitism, including the baseless accusation of an Israeli genocide of Palestinians indistinguishable from the Holocaust. A companion defamation is that Israel is an apartheid state. The social justice warriors who claim to champion Palestinian self-determination were silent when Syrian Dictator Bashar al Assad and his government, between 2011 and 2021, killed  307,000 civilians, torturing many. President Assad employed chemical weapons against women and children, and displaced millions. The government of Sudan led by President Omar Bashir was indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Darfur from 2003-2005. Yet the former president remains outside the ICC’s clutches in Sudan, while the world looks away. South Africa in particular permitted Bashir to escape during his 2015 visit there, notwithstanding an outstanding ICC criminal arrest warrant. South Africa has no moral standing to sue Israel for alleged genocide in the International Court of Justice. Clamors for a cease-fire are misplaced.  All experience teaches Hamas would use the intermission from war to replenish its arsenal supplied by Hezbollah and Iran. A cease-fire would risk a second edition of Oct.7. Has the United States declared a cease-fire against Al Qaida, ISIS or other international terrorist organizations since 9/11? A video recently surfaced of four teenage girls in Gaza. They are terrified. Their faces are caked in dried blood and dirt. They cower in abject terror. They have been apparently tortured.  The world is silent, as it was during the Holocaust. Jews have underwritten the progress of civilization. Of the 965 Nobel Prize winners from 1901 to 2023, 214 —  a staggering 22% — were Jewish. Only 0.2% of the world’s population is Jewish. Take a stroll through the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nearly every hall features the names of MOMA’s benefactors. Many, if not most, are Jewish. Who knows? A persuasive argument can be made that Jews have contributed more to the world and more to the United States than any other minority ethnic group. And yet in their darkest hour and time of need, can they rely on the reciprocal goodwill of nearly every American? Absolutely not. MeToo is fueled by accusations of sexual assault against celebrities of various races or heritages. Scores are eager to destroy the careers of such attackers, except when their victims are Jews and the assaulters Palestinian. Is this not antisemitism? How can we continue to be idle when Jewish babies are held for ransom by Hamas terrorists who previously squandered billions of dollars in international aid? The diverted money was meant to build a brighter future for Palestinians. Instead, it was used to fortify Hamas’ proficiency in killing Jews. The United Nations General Assembly offered Jews and Palestinians a two-state solution in 1948.  Jews accepted despite getting less than they had hoped. Palestinians balked, and five Arab nations declared war on the new state of Israel. Who bears the lion’s share of responsibility for the post-1948 chronic convulsions in Palestine?  Those who scorned the two-state solution in 1948. “Jews don’t matter, they’re worth nothing.” That is the message the world is sending to the Jewish hostages in Gaza. It is wrong. It is repugnant. It is high time to step forward and call it out. Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun. This is the first in a series of weekly columns written from “The Owner’s Box.”

January 18, 2024 | themessenger.com Charlie Kirk, the executive director of Turning Point USA, spoke to students and teachers at a Turning Point-organized “America Fest” political convention in December, declaring that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “was awful. He’s not a good person. He said one good thing he actually didn’t believe.” Kirk has reiterated his view of the civil rights icon in several social media posts and interviews since then. Unlike Dr. King, Mr. Kirk has never risked that last full measure of devotion for any principle higher than himself. He epitomizes cynical opportunism. Has he ever read Gunnar Myrdal’s An American Dilemma, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, or Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin? The 1960s ushered in three landmark federal civil rights statutes, not simply one, as Kirk insinuates. There were the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which ended a century of unconstitutional Black disenfranchisement by white racists, and the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which prohibited real estate advertisements proclaiming that “No Blacks need apply.” Does Kirk know anything of the marquee figures in Black American history — Crispus Attucks, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, W.E.B. Dubois, William Monroe Trotter, Paul Robeson, Marion Anderson, James Baldwin, Ralph Bunche, Charles Hamilton Houston, Rosa Parks, James Meredith, Medgar Evers, William Coleman and Edward Brooke, among others? Has Kirk denounced D.W. Griffith’s racist film, Birth of a Nation, which premiered at President Woodrow Wilson’s White House? Has he rejected the nation’s practice of conscripting Black soldiers in World War I and World War II to fight in segregated units? Has Kirk condemned the separate-but-equal racism of the Supreme Court’s Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896, or the declaration of then-Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) that Blacks had no rights which whites were bound to respect? What has Kirk said about the thousands of Black lynchings with impunity during a century of “Jim Crow”? What has he said about the infamous “Scottsboro Boys” trial? What has he said about the declaration by then-Gov. George C. Wallace (D-Ala.) that, “In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever”? Kirk’s assault on Dr. King is as farcical as would be a middle-school student’s critique of Albert Einstein’s theories, as ludicrous as Pontius Pilate’s declaiming against Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Charlie Kirk is asleep at the wheel. The Supreme Court threw a dagger into the heart of the “diversity-equity-inclusion” mania in schools and workplaces in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College last summer. In its decision, the Court cast a constitutional cloud over race as a legitimate proxy for educational or other diversity by invalidating racial preferences in admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. It vindicated Dr. King’s legendary “I Have a Dream” address at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963. Despite that landmark, widely publicized Court precedent, Kirk, five months later, bugled to the American Fest crowd: “The courts have been really weak on this. Federal courts must yield to the Civil Rights Act as if it’s the actual American Constitution.” We might conjecture that perhaps Kirk has not read and digested the Students for Fair Admissions precedent. The decision is online (and linked above), so it does not require an archeological expedition. Instead, he stumbles badly in seeking a smoking gun. He points to a student’s complaint that Title IX of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1972 exposed him to a gender discrimination investigation for posting an Instagram story mocking transgender people. Sorry, Charlie, Title IX is not part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that you perhaps hope to repeal. Dr. King was not a saint. But he gave that last full measure of devotion to lift Blacks from de facto or de jure servitude to racist masters. His devotion to nonviolence was worthy of Mahatma Gandhi; he was fearless in the face of Bull Connor’s fire hoses and Jim Clark’s cattle prods. His Nobel Peace Prize speaks for itself. Mr. Kirk should continue his own education. He has no standing to give Dr. King a report card until he writes something as eloquent, electrifying, and convincing as Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year.

January 11, 2024 | www.creators.com Children are not property to be exploited; they are gifts from God — and what do you do with a gift? You cherish it, grow it and protect it. Yet, in a world marred by moral decay and power imbalances, the most vulnerable among us, children, often fall prey to the darkest desires of influential figures. The Jeffrey Epstein case, among others, lays bare a troubling pattern: a fascination among certain powerful individuals for underage boys and girls. This is not a new phenomenon; history is replete with instances where those in positions of power, be they priests or potentates, have succumbed to this heinous proclivity. But why? The answer perhaps lies in the corrupting nature of power itself. As Lord Acton famously said, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." In the case of the exploitation of children, power becomes a vehicle not just for corruption but for the perversion of the most sacred trust. Let us consider priests, traditionally seen as moral guides and protectors of the flock. When they succumb to such vile desires, it is not only a betrayal of their sacred duty but an affront to the very tenets of faith and morality they are meant to uphold. Similarly, when influential figures like Epstein and his band of unknown powerful figures, most of whom are men, engage in such acts, it reflects a gross abuse of power and privilege, a twisted assertion of dominance over the most defenseless. This reprehensible behavior is not just a violation of law but a moral abomination that should be met with the severest of punishments. In this context, the call for the death penalty for child predators might seem a fitting retribution. The argument is straightforward: Such an act is so fundamentally against the natural order, so damaging to the very fabric of society, and so irreparably harmful to the victims that only the most extreme form of punishment would suffice. As we grapple with these dark realities, we must remember that the true measure of a society is found in how it treats its most vulnerable. In safeguarding our children, in nurturing their growth and in fiercely defending their innocence, we uphold not just a legal duty but a moral imperative. For, in the words of Charles Dickens, "In the little world in which children have their existence, there is nothing so finely perceived and so finely felt as injustice." Children, the purest embodiment of innocence, should be the cherished treasures of our society, protected from the snares of those who would do them harm. However, as cases like Epstein's tragically illustrate, often the mighty have the most depraved of desires, exploiting the defenseless and leaving an indelible scar on the tapestry of humanity. Why do such abominations occur, especially among the powerful? The intoxicating nature of power distorts the moral compass, leading some to exploit the innocent in a perverse display of control. This is not only a breach of legal boundaries but, more critically, a profound moral failure. As Edmund Burke wisely noted, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Thus, it becomes imperative for society to act decisively. The psychological and societal impact of these crimes is catastrophic. The betrayal of a child's trust can fracture the foundation of their world, often leaving lifelong emotional and mental scars. Beyond the individual tragedy, such violations erode public trust in institutions and figures of authority, undermining the social fabric that binds communities. In facing this grim reality, our justice system must be unyielding in its pursuit of those who prey on children. While some advocate for the ultimate punishment, the death penalty, we must tread cautiously. The pursuit of justice must be balanced with the principles of fairness and the potential for rehabilitation. As Alexander Pope eloquently put it, "To err is human, to forgive divine." Our approach must reflect a balance between the gravity of the crime and the principles of a just and humane society. The solution lies not only in punishment but in prevention and education. It requires creating environments where children are informed, empowered and encouraged to speak out. We must cultivate a culture that prioritizes the welfare and protection of children above all else. The exploitation of children by the powerful is a stark reminder of the moral and ethical failings that can permeate any society. Our response must be resolute, not only in punishing the guilty but in safeguarding the innocence of the young. Through vigilant protection, education and moral guidance, we can strive to build a world where the innocence of childhood is not just a fleeting moment but a lasting legacy treasured and protected by all. Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. Photo credit: Biljana Martini? at Unsplash

December 28, 2023 | www.newsweek.com Former South Carolina Governor and GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley is facing backlash from Black conservatives over her explanation for the cause of the U.S. Civil War. Haley's comments were made during a town hall campaign event in Berlin, New Hampshire, on Wednesday, during which a voter asked her to identify the cause of the Civil War. She responded by saying that the fight was about "how government was going to run" and failed to mention slavery in her answer. "I mean, I think it always comes down to the role of government and what the rights of the people are," she said during her answer. "And I will always stand by the fact that I think government was intended to secure the rights and freedoms of the people. It was never meant to be all things to all people. Government doesn't need to tell you how to live your life. Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley addresses the crowd during a campaign stop at the Nevada Fairgrounds community building on December 18, 2023, in Nevada, Iowa. Haley is facing backlash from several Black Republicans after failing to mention slavery when asked about the cause of the Civil War. Prominent Black conservatives, such as Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, criticized Haley for her answer, which focused on "the rights of the people" and "economic freedom." "1. Psst Nikki... the answer is slavery PERIOD," Donalds wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. "2. This really doesn't matter because [former President Donald] Trump is going to be the nominee. Trump 2024!" Newsweek reached out to Haley's campaign via email on Thursday for comment. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele also reacted to Haley's comments with a message on X, writing: "Umm, Nikki...seriously?" Conservative political commentator Armstrong Williams wrote on his X account that Haley's comments were only part of the answer. "Former Governor Nikki Haley, yes many issues ignited the Civil War: including states' rights, role of federal government, preservation of our Union, and the economy; but all were inextricably bound to the institution of slavery," Williams posted. Haley's comment sparked backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, her closest rival in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination behind Trump. "Yikes," DeSantis' campaign wrote on X alongside a video of Haley's answer. "Local New Hampshire stations are already covering Nikki Haley's disastrous town hall tonight where she declined to mention 'slavery' when asked 'What was the cause of the Civil War?'" President Joe Biden also reposted a clip of Haley's answer on his X account, adding: "It was about slavery." Haley further explained her answer during a campaign event in North Conway, New Hampshire, on Thursday, stating: "Of course, the Civil War was about slavery." "That's unquestioned, always the case, we know the Civil War was about slavery," she said. "But it was also more than that. It was about the freedoms of every individual. It was about the role of government. For 80 years, America had the decision and the moral question of whether slavery was a good thing and whether government—economically, culturally, any other reasons—had a role to play in that."

December 22, 2023 | www.journal-news.net Next time you tune in to a high-profile Senate hearing — perhaps to view a Supreme Court nominee sit before the Senate to be questioned during his or her nomination process — consider this: A man sodomized another man in that very room, in one of the very seats that a sitting Senate representative would sit to engage in his or her constitutional duties. The person involved in the incident — a Senate staffer — has since been relieved of his position. Unfortunately, the now-former staffer will face no further punishment, as a senior congressional official stated “no crime was committed” — assuming the sex was consensual. And what might even be worse, the staffer, in a childish and unsuccessful attempt to shift the narrative, hardly acknowledged any wrongdoing, stating that he has been “attacked for who [he] love[s] to pursue a political agenda.” The disturbing video, which shows clearly the two men engaging in anal sex between where Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) most recently sat, according to the Daily Caller, was uploaded to “a private group for gay men in politics.” That leaves us with an important question: Why would somebody be so brazen enough as to upload such an incriminating video of themselves? What this should tell everyone is that this staffer was both a perpetrator and a victim — a perpetrator who desecrated a solemn and venerable place, but also a victim of a wider problem that is undoubtedly persisting in the halls of Congress. The problem is that he did not just think he could get away with it; his posting of this content is indicative of a mindset where he thought he would be celebrated. Why else share an intimate moment like this with a large group of people, where only one would need to turn on you? The halls of Congress are where the most important decisions in this country are made. Legislation that will affect millions, funding that sits in the trillions, negotiations, diplomatic retreats and more all occur in these halls. Yet, what should not occur is debauchery of this level. Members, staffers and guests alike must treat these halls with respect, lest they become a breeding ground for the decline of American morality. The tragic part about this entire situation is that the occurrence of this is extremely unsurprising. This coincides with a drastic downward spiral of American morality, where our nation is turning into the next Sodom and Gomorrah. Only a person so emboldened by the lack of respect shown toward work and others, in general, would commit such an act in such a place. Only a person so feeble and self-righteous could attack others and shirk responsibility. The way this staffer acted is not just indicative of his own failing moral character, but indicative of the state of this country. The staffer was fired. Good. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, no doubt. If someone felt so emboldened as to post such a disgusting act in a historic Senate hearing room, what have others done to stoke his behavior? Will he find employment elsewhere in politics? Will there actually be others who believe his response was justified, and that his sexual acts were not so bad? He worked for a Democrat after all — and he clearly is one. No doubt there are elected officials out there who condone this form of behavior, just as there are many who condone and support the actions of Hamas, the destruction of U.S. cities and small businesses, the brainwashing of young kids, and the moral and intellectual decline of our nation’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning. America is better than this, but we are not on the right path. If we continue down the path we are on, this type of action will not just be normalized; it will be encouraged. The fringe will become the mainstream in the most important employer in our nation, and those who fight back will be silenced. American values of decency, respect and integrity will be overshadowed by a culture of divisiveness and disrespect. This erosion of values and increase in tolerance for reprehensible behavior requires now a cleansing of our political discourse, something that unfortunately will not happen any time soon. So, until then, maybe the Senate Judiciary Committee should start with a physical cleansing of their hearing room. Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.