Sounds like we’ve heard it all before, because we have, back in August 2013, and that turned out to be less than convincing. Skepticism is likewise mounting over current White House claims that Damascus used a chemical weapon against civilians in the village of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province on April 4th. Shortly after the more recent incident, President Donald Trump, possibly deriving his information from television news reports, abruptly stated that the government of President Bashar al-Assad had ordered the attack. He also noted that the use of chemicals had “crossed many red lines” and hinted that Damascus would be held accountable. Twenty-four hours later retribution came in the form of the launch of 59 cruise missiles directed against the Syrian airbase at Sharyat. The number of casualties, if any, remains unclear and the base itself sustained only minor damage amidst allegations that many of the missiles had missed their target. The physical assault was followed by a verbal onslaught, with the Trump Administration blaming Russia for shielding al-Assad and demanding that Moscow end its alliance with Damascus if it wishes to reestablish good relations with Washington.

James Q. Whitman's new book is called Hitler's American Model: The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law. It is understated and overdocumented, difficult to argue with. No doubt some will try.

In cartoonish U.S. historical understanding, the United States is, was, and ever shall be a force for good, whereas Nazism arose in a distant, isolated land that lacked any connection to other societies. In a cartoonish reversal of that understanding that would make a good strawman for critics of this book, U.S. policies have been identical to Nazism which simply copied them. Obviously this is not the case.

An estimated 5500 people came out to support science at the March for Science April 22 in Columbus, Ohio today. The marchers started at the Statehouse and walked to the Commons for the Earth Day celebration. 

Drone photos courtesy of Eric Vestfals

Saturday, April 22 - Earth Day
Here is the official route for the Columbus March for Science:
We will start on the west lawn of the Ohio Statehouse and finish at the Columbus Commons. See you Saturday!
Facebook Event
Here's the plan:
Rally and teach-ins start on the West Lawn of the Statehouse at 10:00 a.m.
We'll step off for the march between 11:00 and 11:30.
We'll march straight down High Street to Rich and enter the commons from the back.
After the March, stick around at Columbus Commons for the Earth Day festivities!
Parking, accessibility and transportation info here: http://marchforscience-columbus.webflow.io/faq

Sometimes our tame and compliant media upchucks a piece of truth. For instance:

“American officials had predicted that the missile strike would result in a major shift in Assad’s calculus, but the U.S. attack appeared to be symbolic in reality. Within 24 hours of the strike, monitoring groups reported that warplanes were again taking off from the bombed Shayrat air base, this time to attack Islamic State positions.”