American exceptionalism is not an excuse. It's not even a real thing, except superficially. I'm so tired of Americans smugly declaring they're different from everybody else. The United States needs to learn from other countries.

It may not have been easy 75 years ago, but it's a well trodden path now. You can follow our lead.

Are there PEAS in the mac and cheese?

Interesting and fun article. But was it impossible to take a proper picture of its subject, @economist.com? (And a paragraph on Jainism seems like an obvious addition, since you remark on just how obscure it is amongst world religions)

Other humane alternatives include chick peas. Mushrooms. Seitan. Kidney beans. Tofu. Walnuts...

"a new Constitution... could drastically roll back presidential authority and return [the country the article is about] to a full-fledged parliamentary system... parliamentarians would have to embrace coalition politics.. Alliances and compromises, rather than the impulses of the head of state"

"Nearly two and a half centuries into one of the longest-running democratic experiments... The far right is rising, and backlash to immigrants is growing. Public services and the social safety net are under threat... Trust in the political class is plummeting... "
Sorry, we're talking about France?

Turkeys are intelligent, loyal and perceptive creatures raised to be slaughtered when barely full grown. Anyway, wasn't it a Christmas goose in the Dickens story?

Yes, yes, yes, sure, whatever; but I NEED this!

So... we should try to appease the dictator? Historically, not a great strategy.

Am I too late to say it's "All right", and "alright" is not a word. Gonna go down swinging on that one.

Informing the public is not bullying, although the less tactful may come across as shaming - but vegan advocates face strong headwinds of sneers, ridicule, and endlessly repeated bogus arguments in support of the carnivores. Truly, they're the ones being bullied. 2/2

Interesting choice of words. I don't know how you would "bully" anyone into changing their diet. But you acknowledge that there are many good, objective reasons to go vegan if it can be accomplished in significant numbers. 1/2

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I'm saying that the argument for ending birthright citizenship is hollow. Even if there are those who would take advantage, the numbers are inconsequential. There's no reason to abandon our principles for fear of the impact of mere thousands of babies and their families.

I don't see how 6000 babies a year in a country of 40M, or even "thousands more", are a worry unless it's the colour of their skin that's really the issue.

It's quite reasonable to confront the assumption that anyone born on our soil is entitled to citizenship. Perhaps the bar should be a little higher. But...

That's the point, right? They don't want you there; but there are all too many others who would see the flags and feel welcomed

I wanted to love it, and they put a lot into the production, but IMO the casting was disastrous. Read the books, if you haven't already.