Exploring the Intersection of Faith, Law, and Identity in Modern Heathenry Through the Figure of AFA’s Lawspeaker Modern Heathen and Ásatrú movements represent a unique convergence of ancient religious revivalism and the bureaucratic realities of the twenty-first century. These movements often strive to reconstruct the spiritual and cultural frameworks of pre-Christian Northern Europe, while simultaneously operating within modern legal, social, and organizational systems.

A nonpartisan public-policy analysis of powers, guardrails, risks, and likely outcomes In a recent statement, President Donald Trump declared that he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 “if necessary,” a pronouncement that immediately reignited debate over one of the most controversial instruments of executive power in American law. The Insurrection Act serves as a statutory exception to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878…

From Deborah to Mary Magdalene — Stories of Faith, Freedom, and the Feminine Divine. For generations, the Bible has stood at the center of debates about gender, power, and purpose. It has been used to justify oppression and to inspire liberation — wielded both as a weapon and as a source of healing. Too often, selective interpretations have silenced women’s voices, confining them to the margins of the story.

Finance, Media, and the Carceral System in One Portfolio A small circle of financial giants—Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street—holds outsized stakes in both private prison operators (CoreCivic and GEO Group) and cultural powerhouses (Paramount/BET, Universal Music Group, Warner/Atlantic). These asset managers do not run the day-to-day operations of these companies, but their concentrated ownership ensures they profit from—and can exert influence over—two industries that shape both confinement and culture.

How Female Rulers Redefined Strength in a Patriarchal World Throughout history, women have been written into—and often out of—power. In the Roman world, where patriarchy defined both the state and the household, a woman wielding authority was not only unusual but threatening. Yet some of Rome’s greatest adversaries were precisely that: women. Figures such as Cleopatra VII of Egypt, …

On October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the U.S. federal government entered a shutdown after Congress failed to agree on funding for fiscal year 2026 and could not pass a continuing resolution (CR). The failure centers on partisan disputes over spending levels, healthcare subsidy extensions under the Affordable Care Act, and cuts to foreign aid, among other budget priorities (Stanton, 2025).

How the Bible’s Redaction Erased Asherah and Subjugated Women The intersection of gender and religion has always been battleground. The Bible, probably the most influential book in human history, has been invoked repeatedly to sanction patriarchal power. But closer examination of ancient Israelite religion reveals that subordination of feminine divinity was not theological exigency but a reinterpretation justified on political grounds.

Why the distinction matters for better research, better policy, and better public conversation What is inference—and why should anyone care? Political life is messy. We never observe all actors, intentions, or decisions. Inference is how we move from the data we can see to the truths we want to understand. Without it, we’re stuck with anecdotes or spreadsheets; with it, we can make…

This system may be constitutional. But is it just? Year after year after year, over 20,000 young people age out of foster care in America—not into safety and support, but into the void. These kids, and indeed often with no kin or stable relational ties, enter adulthood by their own self. And all too often, their fates—on streets or unemployment or thiving—occur…

The Promise vs. Reality of Law Democracy rests on the premise that legislation reflects transparent debate, public interest, and fair compromise. Citizens assume that when Congress passes a bill, its primary purpose is to address a pressing social or economic issue. Yet history reveals that legislation often carries shadow dimensions: provisions, omissions, or administrative designs that produce outcomes far removed from the stated intent. Sometimes these shadows are unintended consequences of rushed policymaking, while in other cases they reflect deliberate attempts to obscure who benefits and who bears the costs (Hacker & Pierson, 2010; Stiglitz, 2015).

When Evidence Disappears In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) quietly removed a major research report from its official website. The document in question—What NIJ Research Tells Us About Domestic Terrorism (2024)—provided extensive evidence that far-right extremism has been the dominant source of ideologically motivated violence in the United States for decades. The timing of the removal was striking: it came just days after the high-profile assassination of conservative media figure Charlie Kirk, fueling speculation that the federal government may be sidelining politically inconvenient data.

Finance, Media, and the Carceral System in One Portfolio A small circle of financial giants—Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street—holds outsized stakes in both private prison operators (CoreCivic and GEO Group) and cultural powerhouses (Paramount/BET, Universal Music Group, Warner/Atlantic). These asset managers do not run the day-to-day operations of these companies, but their concentrated ownership ensures they profit from—and can exert influence over—two industries that shape both confinement and culture.

Evidence-Based Insights from Payne County, Oklahoma Amidst increasingly polarized debates, what if we talked about policies without the politics? Focusing on outcomes—not parties—this blog evaluates the real-world impact of education funding, foster care reform, maternal health, and after-school programs in Payne County, Oklahoma. We rely on data-driven analysis, local case studies, and peer-reviewed research to explore:

Understanding How Government Works in Everyday Life Why Civic Literacy Matters Civic literacy is more than memorizing three branches of government. It is a set of knowledge, skills, and habits that enable people to understand public institutions, evaluate information about them, and participate effectively in shaping collective decisions. At the individual level, civic literacy strengthens political efficacy—the belief that one’s voice and actions can make a difference.

History, as it’s usually told, tends to spotlight a few familiar names—Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks. While these women absolutely deserve recognition, they are part of a much larger and more complex story. For every name that made it into the textbooks, countless other women fought just as fiercely, challenged injustice just as bravely, and left legacies that still shape our nation.

Understanding the intersection of congressional demographics, redistricting, diversity, and rising extremist movements America is becoming more racially and culturally diverse. Yet at the same time, white supremacy and extremist movements are recharging. This paradox raises urgent questions about the relationship between demographics, political representation, and democratic legitimacy. Recent debates over nationwide partisan redistricting—and the possibility of dramatically increasing white control in Congress despite demographic decline—highlight the ways…

Beyond Binary Thinking in U.S. Politics. Symbolism and the American Flag: Red, White, and Blue Together. Beyond Binary Thinking in U.S. Politics The politics of America have come to resemble a red-blue battlefield, one that too often simplifies peoples’ identities to party affiliations. Does such a devout Christian—any Christian shaped by feminist thinking—have to take sides? The answer is an emphatic no.

How extremist associations can translate into lawmaking What this is: a neutral roundup of who’s in key roles, what they’ve done so far (January–August 2025), and how those actions line up with themes in Mandate for Leadership (the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint). Sources are official dockets, notices, and major outlets. Inclusion ≠ endorsement. Baseline: what Project 2025 generally recommends…

Recent scandals and long-term trends reveal an ongoing accountability crisis. Politics is meant to be a public trust, but recent events underscore a troubling reality: sexual misconduct allegations continue to surface at every level of government. From federal lawmakers to statehouse representatives, the problem is neither new nor limited to one political party. The data and cases below show both the…

Why bipartisan solutions to prevent gun-related domestic violence are already working—and where we still fall short The Scale of the Crisis Every year, more than 600 women in the United States are shot and killed by an intimate partner. That’s more than one every 15 hours. These deaths are not random. They happen in kitchens, bedrooms, driveways, and parking lots—often after a victim has already reached out for help.

Understanding the Systems of Control and Exploitation in the Sex Trade Human trafficking is a pervasive global issue, and yet one of the most insidious aspects remains under-addressed: the role of pimps and traffickers who exploit vulnerable individuals, especially women, through coercion, manipulation, and violence. These individuals are often portrayed in popular media as figures of control or power, but the reality is far darker.

How Bipartisan Efforts Can Address the Epidemic Perpetrated by Big Pharma The Scale of the Crisis The opioid epidemic continues to devastate American families, communities, and economies, with no regard for political affiliation. In 2021 alone, more than 81,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses, a staggering figure that has only worsened in recent years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2023).

When Restoration Becomes Contamination: The Hidden Cost of Effluent in Wetland Projects A Hidden Threat Beneath the Surface Wetlands are often called the “kidneys of the earth” because they filter pollutants, store floodwater, and provide habitat for wildlife. In recent years, restoration projects have increasingly used treated wastewater (effluent) to replenish or create wetlands, framing this as an eco-friendly, resource-saving solution.

From Flint to the Forgotten – How Communities Across America Still Struggle for Basic Access to Safe Drinking Water The Illusion of Universality In one of the most industrialized nations in the world, the idea that millions of people lack access to safe drinking water seems unthinkable. Yet across the United States, particularly in communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, and rural towns, the basic human right to clean water remains elusive.

How Strategic Design and Inclusive Leadership Can Expand Community Impact and Foster Sustainable Solutions Human Services as a Public Policy Imperative Human service organizations play a critical role in bridging systemic inequities by directly addressing the social, economic, and educational needs of underserved populations. Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency (COCAA) serves as a prime example of a multifaceted service provider that prioritizes holistic, community-driven solutions.