America’s long, slow constitutional meltdown and the perils of literalism
by Rashmee
Posted on October 26, 2020
Ed Luce, the Financial Times’ US editor, recently asked what America can do to avert a constitutional meltdown. It’s a good question considering the strains are increasingly evident. The Christian conservative right has managed to seize control of what’s legal in America via the Supreme Court. And smaller rural conservative states continue to have more … Continue reading “America’s long, slow constitutional meltdown and the perils of literalism”
Read MoreFrom America to Saudi Arabia, textual sacralisation induces a unique fervour
by Rashmee
Posted on October 25, 2020
Just how sacralised has the American constitution become? Very. It would not be inaccurate to say it has become a secular religion, inspiring the same sort of fervour as a revealed religious text such as the Quran. In fact, exactly that sort of fervour, a righteous rage over the defence of something that’s considered … Continue reading “From America to Saudi Arabia, textual sacralisation induces a unique fervour”
Read MoreIs it really all over for the office?
by Rashmee
Posted on October 23, 2020
Many companies don’t expect workers to return to offices until next summer. Those that have allowed employees back are doing so in a phased fashion. London law firm Osborne Clarke, for instance, plans to have up to 25% of workers in the office at any one time. Goldman Sachs executives said last week that about … Continue reading “Is it really all over for the office?”
Read MoreWhat the battle for the US Supreme Court is really about
by Rashmee
Posted on October 22, 2020 / The National
This is a big week for American politics, arguably just like every other week in the years since the 2016 election of President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Mr Trump debates his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the last such exchange before election day on November 3. It may not be a game-changer. By last weekend, … Continue reading “What the battle for the US Supreme Court is really about”
Read MoreSudan will be off the US list of terrorism sponsors. It’s a quid pro quo and contentious
by Rashmee
Posted on October 21, 2020
GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, … Continue reading “Sudan will be off the US list of terrorism sponsors. It’s a quid pro quo and contentious”
Read MoreIn America, the usual suspects start to vote in-person
by Rashmee
Posted on October 20, 2020
In-person voting starts in Wisconsin, Hawaii and Utah on October 20. Only one should have you on the edge of your seat. Wisconsin. Donald Trump won in Wisconsin by a small margin in 2016 but polls show the state is leaning towards Joe Biden. As for Hawaii, in 2016 it was one of only two … Continue reading “In America, the usual suspects start to vote in-person”
Read MoreAs a Florida voter, here’s my two cents on the chorus of doom for the election
by Rashmee
Posted on October 18, 2020
As a Florida voter, I recently cast my vote, sending my overseas ballot on its way, tracked and signed for. It cost me £7.50 to ensure that my ballot gets to its intended destination well before election day, November 3. While marking my ballot, I had to choose between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. I … Continue reading “As a Florida voter, here’s my two cents on the chorus of doom for the election”
Read More‘The Eyes of Darkness’ is not about the Coronavirus and not a particularly good read
by Rashmee
Posted on October 16, 2020
By curious coincidence, I finished Dean Koontz’s ‘The Eyes of Darkness’ on the day it was announced that vast swathes of south-eastern England would be placed under “high” alert for risk of Coronavirus infection, which means tough restrictions on moving around and socialising. The reason I mention the Koontz novel in the context of … Continue reading “‘The Eyes of Darkness’ is not about the Coronavirus and not a particularly good read”
Read MoreGuess who’s holding a national election on Nov. 3. A republic with the world’s first nuclear-free constitution
by Rashmee
Posted on October 12, 2020
So who’s holding a general election on November 3? (Hint: It’s a democratic republic.) This isn’t, dear reader, a trick question. I know you know that the US general election is on November 3. But the US doesn’t have a constitution that dreams of a world free of nuclear weapons. Obviously, we’re not talking about … Continue reading “Guess who’s holding a national election on Nov. 3. A republic with the world’s first nuclear-free constitution”
Read MoreIl Duce for the 21st century
by Rashmee
Posted on October 11, 2020
In Anne Applebaum’s minutely observed piece in The Atlantic, there is an astute analysis of old newsreel clips of Benito Mussolini, the dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945. And reasons are offered for why they’re relevant today. Ms Applebaum focusses on “the imagery. The staged entrances. The gesticulation, the posturing, the arms raised in … Continue reading “Il Duce for the 21st century”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK