By Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson, Opinion Contributor
Matt graduated from KU in 2011 with a degree in political science. He’s planning to enroll in the global and international studies graduate program this fall. He’s from Salina, Kan., which isn’t part of the “27 square miles of reality” known as Lawrence. (Apparently, the rest of his state is some sort of bewildering, Republican fantasyland.) He’s fond of American beer, gin, rare steak, banana sandwiches, Mad Men, and Star Wars (all 6 of them – alright, maybe not episode II). He spends far too much time and money at Louise’s Downtown. He voted for Obama and plans to do so again. Finally, he enjoys writing and arguing and sincerely hopes you’ll find his work either helpful or infuriating.
Petraeus Legacy Should Not be Unraveled by Affair
I’m not trying to trivialize the impact of the affair on the families involved, but it should be nothing more than a depressing, personal footnote on Petraeus’s legacy, not the catalyst that unraveled his career.
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Johnson: Mitt Romney and the Republican Party Lack Originality
Mitt Romney simply wasn’t original enough. A presidential hopeful has to be compelling and inventive to challenge an incumbent as politically savvy as President Obama. Gov. Romney was certainly compelling, but he wasn’t inventive. In fact, he was stultified.
Read More The Rest of the World: Obama’s Finest Performance Comes During Final Debate
Obama was composed, methodical and resolute in defense of his decisions, leaving Romney with sparse ammunition. The debate favored Obama because he was able to tout the last four years of accomplishments without the specter of a sluggish economy looming over his words as it had in the previous two debates. It was a different conversation, and Romney couldn’t rely on a string of depressing numbers and anecdotes to discredit the president. In the end, Romney’s foreign policy is simply too chaotic and reactive to pose any serious challenge to Obama.
Read More The Rest of the World: Riots Over ‘Innocence of Muslims’ Film Should Not Deter Support for First Amendment
Eric Posner’s recent piece in Slate Magazine, “The World Doesn’t Love the First Amendment,” is meant to be a sobering appraisal of the rioting over “Innocence of Muslims,” but it’s nothing more than an arid, overly reductive misapprehension about the role of free speech in American society.
Read More The Rest of the World: Romney takes more shots at Obama during speech on foreign policy
For the most part, Romney’s “criticism” of President Obama is an obnoxious blend of mischaracterizations and contrived talking points. He enforces distinctions that don’t really exist, employs facts selectively and insists on a false, overarching narrative about Obama’s “weakness.” His speech in Virginia fully encapsulated this messiness.
Read More The Rest of the World: Terror, Stupidity and Politics
In an election season dominated by the economy and social issues, we now know what it takes to reignite America’s interest in foreign policy: A coordinated assault on the American consulate in Libya, the murder of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three of his colleagues, scores of senseless casualties across nine countries and widespread protesting over [...]
Read More Will Post-Revolution Libya and Egypt Disprove Democratic Peace Theory?
International relations scholars have long debated a concept known as “democratic peace theory.” The question at the core of the argument is simple: Do democratic countries go to war with one another? As democracies continue to blossom in the Middle East, this theory will become either increasingly relevant or entirely indefensible.
Read More The Rest of the World: US Intervention Needed in Syria
In the face of indiscriminate abominations, a steadily increasing casualty count and a widening humanitarian crisis, it’s time to muster the will to intervene in Syria.
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