Chicago has numerous challenges including, but not limited, growing crime and other public safety threats. Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago must clearly understand her priorities as a local elected official, and govern accordingly. Putting Wisconsinites on a COVID-19 quarantine list should not be on her list of things to do. According to her recent comments,…
Author: Tawsif Anam
EROSION OF LAW AND ORDER MAKES NY UNSAFE
New York is becoming unsafe for living and raising a family due to rising crime. This is further exacerbated by the fact that people are calling for police to be defunded. It was recently reported that New York City homicides have risen 21 percent in the first half of the year, and shootings have gone…
MASK MANDATE IS GOVERNMENT OVERREACH
Freedom is under attack in states and counties across the country. Shockingly, various states and counties are requiring law-abiding people to wear masks, and some are threatening citizens with steep penalties for failure to comply. Government does not have the authority to implement such mandates. The state of Louisiana, starting Monday, July 13, 2020, would…
IS JOE BIDEN TRULY LEADING IN THE 2020 RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE?
According to various media reports, former Vice President and Democrat Party’s presidential candidate Joe Biden is leading in the polls. If reports are true, then it could indicate electoral headache for President Donald Trump. But is Joe Biden Truly leading? To understand the current electoral statistics better, I decided to look at the various reports….
CALIFORNIA BANS CHANTING, SINGING IN PLACES OF WORSHIP
California has once again made its way to newspaper headlines for another example of government overreach. This time, the state is banning singing and chanting in houses of worship, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Almost all religions have some form of singing or chanting involved in faith-based rituals or prayers. Chanting and singing are…
WILL CALIFORNIANS SEE A GAS TAX INCREASE DURING THE PANDEMIC?
The gas tax in California is scheduled to increase on July 1, 2020. I believe that lawmakers must take action to stop this increase from being implemented. What happens in one state can often set an example for other states. As Americans continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic, as well as deal with widespread unemployment…
CAN MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM TRUST FAST FOOD?
National guard soldiers found glass in pizza that they ordered during their deployment in Washington, D.C. This is not the first time that people in uniform have been targeted through food contamination. Nearly twenty years ago, in May of 2001, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled, “Tampering Has Causes Police To Become Leery…
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MARS?
Space exploration is about to get a whole lot more exciting! Not long after SpaceX partnered with NASA to successfully send two American astronauts to out in space and to the International Space Station, Elon Musk is reportedly telling thousands of the company’s employees that SpaceX would focus on Starship as its main goal. Starship…
A STORY OF HOPE DURING THE PANDEMIC
A woman in Massachusetts, who is 103 years old, survived the coronavirus. Not only that, but to celebrate her victory over this life-threatening virus, Jennie Stejna opened a Bud Light beer. A story such as this provides hope during this very challenging time in our country’s history. Elderly individuals, according to the Centers for Disease…
FROG BREAD – A SENSATIONAL CREATION
I was getting fuel for my car at a Kwik Trip location when I first heard the word “frog bread” during a video clip being played on the gas station TV screen. I became very curious and wanted to look up the details. Some may think that it is a new kind of food that…
MY FIRST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE AFTER THE END OF CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN
Yesterday, for the first time in months, I went to a restaurant for dine-in service. This visit was possible because of the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions in America. I live in Dane County, Wisconsin, where the county-issued “safer at home” directive would expire on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. However, following the Wisconsin Supreme Court…
PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
A college education, especially one in an Ivy League school or another school of similar reputation, is a dream for many students in America. Not only is it hard to get admission in these colleges because of stringent requirements, it is also extremely difficult for students and families to pay for the fees, room and…
AMERICA IS THE LEADER IN SPACE
The United States Space Force just unveiled its new flag. This is the first official flag of a new American military service in 72 years. The creation of the Space Force now requires the recruitment of bright and energetic Americans, who will bravely defend the country and ensure national security. The United States is the…
EVOLUTION OF CELLULAR PHONES
I remember, in the 1990s, when cellular phones started gaining popularity, the competition among companies was to make the phones smaller. Many years later, things have reversed. The competition now pertains to how big and bold can the phones, especially the screens, be. There was a television commercial in the mid-90s, which I enjoyed watching…
WOULD COVID19 CHANGE THE AMERICAN FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY FOREVER?
Hollywood touches every life. No matter what genre or generation, we all watch movies as a form of entertainment or even education. Unfortunately, this is one of the industries deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. When film production finally resumes, would matters go back to normal, or would there be new health and safety protocols…
“COVID19 SURCHARGE” – A POSSIBLE ADDITION TO YOUR RESTAURANT BILL
Some restaurants are adding a “COVID19 surcharge” on the bill. Reportedly, this surcharge would help offset the rising cost of food during the pandemic. Whether restaurants should add this fee is open for debate. Restaurants have been extremely adversely affected because of the global pandemic. They were forced to close their doors to dine-in customers….
THE FUTURE OF BLOW-DRYERS AND HAND-DRYERS IS UNCERTAIN
Reportedly, future of blow-dryers at salons and barbershops is uncertain. It is believed that blow-dryers can help spread droplets in the air, and may lead to the spread of viruses, including the life-threatening coronavirus. Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut announced that hair salons in the state could re-open on May 20, but the establishments would…
ARE DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS MAKING A COMEBACK?
As the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of social distancing, drive-in movie theaters are starting to gain popularity again. I have watched the movie Twister, featuring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, many times. One of the most memorable scenes is the one showing a drive-in movie theater. In that scene, everyone seems relaxed. Cars are…
A HUG SYMBOLIZES FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE
The word “hug” symbolizes friendship and love. A hug is extremely powerful. And yet, in this age of social distancing, people are not hugging each other, fearing the spread of the coronavirus. People hug each other upon meeting up, when saying goodbye, when mending broken ties, to congratulate, or to help alleviate one’s sorrow. A…
WRITING ONE’S STORY IN SIX WORDS
It is widely believed that the legendary author Ernest Hemingway wrote six-word stories about his life. This is in sharp contrast to the conventional view of long autobiographies that are published in the form of books. While these are no substitutes for full-length biographies, six-word stories do in fact have a tremendous impact. First, a…
POST-PANDEMIC, WE WILL BE STRONGER AS A NATION
I believe that life will be very different, following the coronavirus pandemic. But I also believe that as a nation, America will be stronger than ever before. The coronavirus pandemic has deeply impacted us. Not only did this virus infect well over a million people in America, it also claimed tens of thousands of lives….
TESLA SUES ALAMEDA COUNTY, THREATENS TO MOVE FACTORY TO BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATES
I applaud Tesla’s decision to sue Alameda County over the county’s directive that the automaker should not reopen its factory in Fremont, California, as long as the lockdown remains in effect. Businesses, large and small, are already in tremendous pain over these lockdown orders in many states across the country. Some businesses have hit rock-bottom…
COVID19 LOCKDOWN HURTS PEOPLE WITH DENTAL HEALTH NEEDS
Wisconsin is suffering from a shortage of dentists. At the same time, dental health needs are severe. The pandemic, which resulted in widespread shutdowns including dental offices, would make the crisis even worse. In Wisconsin, there are unmet dental health needs. Reasons include from lack of insurance coverage, significant out-of-pocket costs, and long wait lists…
WAIVING THE ROAD TEST IS A FLAWED POLICY DECISION
The State of Wisconsin decided to waive the road test requirement for obtaining a new driver’s license. The reason for this change is to contain the spread of coronavirus. This flawed policy may have unintended consequences by contributing to more accidents and possibly deaths by unintentional injury. Beginning May 11, individuals aged 16 and 17…
VESPA MANDARINIA – IT’S HERE AND IT’S THREATENING US
“Hornet” sounds scary enough. “Murder hornet” sounds really very scary. In fact, as the name explains, it can be life-threatening. Unfortunately, murder hornets are now here in the United States. New York Post reported over the weekend that these murder hornets (scientific name being “Vespa mandarinia”) have found their way from Asia to America. These…
WOULD THE DIRECT PRIMARY CARE MODEL GROW IN AMERICA?
The Direct Primary Care (DPC) model is a promising way to improve access to medical care for Americans of all ages. The American Academy of Family Physicians defines DPC as a “practice and payment model where patients/consumers pay their physician or practice directly in the form of periodic payments for a defined set of primary…
DONATE HAIR FOR THOSE IN NEED
During the coronavirus pandemic, hair salons and barbershops in many states are closed, causing inconvenience for people. However, people can use this as an opportunity to grow their hair, and once the lockdown is over, they can make a hair donation to organizations that make wigs for those who lose hair due to medical reasons….
THE INVISIBLE COST OF THE PANDEMIC
The coronavirus pandemic has cost lives and jobs. The ‘invisible’ cost of this outbreak is the mental health toll on America’s population. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. Additionally, many children suffer from identifiable mental health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and…
PANDEMIC BRINGS AMC’S “THE WALKING DEAD” TO A HALT
The coronavirus pandemic has brought The Walking Dead to a halt on its path. This is just another example of the widespread impact of the pandemic in people’s lives. The highly popular television series is broadcasted on AMC on Sunday evening. For many years now, The Walking Dead, a series based on a post-apocalyptic world,…
WILL CASES OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS INCREASE IF LOCKDOWN IS LIFTED?
As governors of various states are extending the stay-at-home orders, protests are starting to brew because people are frustrated with not being able to lead normal lives. At the center of all this is the question of whether or not cases of COVID-19 infections would increase if lockdown is lifted. Federal guidelines recommended social distancing,…
DOES DENNIS QUAID, IN SUPPORTING TRUMP, REPRESENT HOLLYWOOD VOICES?
Dennis Quaid recently praised President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, during an interview with The Daily Beast. In particular, the actor expressed that the Republican president is doing a good job trying to bring the American states together in the fight against this deadly virus, while also managing the economy during this crisis….
WHAT DID GOV. ANDREW CUOMO JUST SAY ABOUT 2020?
The hashtag #CuomoForPresident has been spreading among liberals on Twitter, as Democrats desperately look for an alternative to Joe Biden, after Biden’s gaffe-filled campaign and awkward television interviews reduced the support he has within his party. Joe Biden has been in Washington for decades. He served in Congress and also as vice president for eight…
TAKE EXEMPLARY ACTION AGAINST PRICE-GOUGERS
Many attorneys general from across America are demanding action on price gouging. Given the nature of the consumer market, and the volume of business that take places online, companies such as Amazon and Facebook must step up and ensure that they prevent sellers from unfairly inflating prices amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Americans are not only…
A “SEA WALL” IN NEW YORK? NOT FEASIBLE.
The proposal to build a six-mile-long “sea wall” in New York, costing $119 billion and requiring 25 years for construction, is not feasible. Scientists study the history of the Earth, analyze geological and atmospheric changes, and try to predict weather patterns. Even with current technology, we have seen that weather forecasts are often wrong. That…
ARE FLYING CARS THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION?
The concept of a flying car that Hyundai is developing with Uber, was introduced at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, this month. This raises the question about the future of transportation. At a time when American communities need transportation funding to fix crumbling roads, due to exposure to snow, ice, salt, extreme heat, etc., the…
TWO WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE AMERICA’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
In the United States of America, cost of health care is rising, and utilization of health care services is increasing. This means that our health care system must be efficient and effective in responding to the needs of the population. Here are two ways that our health care system can better serve the people of…
WISCONSIN’S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOULD BECOME MORE CONSERVATIVE
The electorate is changing – children grow up, foreign-born individuals become naturalized citizens, many develop passion for politics, people move in and out of cities and state, etc. Wisconsin’s second congressional district leans towards Democrats. However, the support for conservatives could gradually grow. Dane, the largest county in the district, has major employers and entrepreneurial…
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED STATEHOOD
Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and other Democrats, are advocating to make the District of Columbia a state. Current proposal calls for the election of two U.S. senators and one House representative from Washington D.C. I believe the District of Columbia should not be granted statehood. The District of Columbia is not a state,…
ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE NOT FIT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE
Innovation is excellent, it is what keeps the world moving forward. But sometimes, traditional ways of doing things are preferred. That is my conclusion after reading a news article about an electric vehicle for police that ran out of charge during a chase in northern California. There are benefits to using gasoline over electricity. First,…
LET’S NOT TEAR UP OUR ECONOMICS TEXTBOOKS
Robert J. Samuelson’s article – “It’s time we tear up our economics textbooks and start over” – has a provocative title, but the concluding remark that “textbooks must be up to date” is reasonable. Having read Gregory Mankiw’s (and other economists’) publications, I understand that laws and theories in textbooks must be accompanied by real-life…