by John Whitehead — The United States, under presidents of both parties, has been building a new generation of nuclear weapons. This project is euphemistically called “nuclear modernization.” One part of nuclear modernization is a plan to dramatically increase production of the plutonium that produces nuclear explosions. Increasing plutonium production is profoundly unwise. Producing more plutonium is unnecessary, wastes money, and endangers communities in the United States

by John Whitehead — Note: This article discusses suicide. — A decade ago, I wrote an article for Rehumanize in which I argued for a particular understanding of the Consistent Life Ethic. I proposed that Consistent Life Ethic activists focus their attention on four major forms of socially approved killing—abortion, assisted suicide/euthanasia, the death penalty, and war—and I offered a rationale for this focus. After a subsequent 10 years of activism and reflection, I would no

by John Whitehead — A terrifying escalation in the United States’ war against Iran seemed all too likely earlier in April. As of this writing, the prospect of escalation appears to have diminished somewhat. Nevertheless, recent events have shown the extreme dangers posed by the current war and by the power of the American president. Threats to Kill a Civilization Since the US-Israeli campaign against Iran began, the Iranian government has retaliated by limiting the passage of

by John Whitehead — US foreign policy perfectly illustrates the saying that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again expecting a different result.” The United States, together with Israel, launched a bombing campaign against Iran on Saturday, February 28. The bombing reportedly struck an array of military and government-related sites across Iran, including the capital, Tehran. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, have reported that more t