Politics roundup: Mail bombs target Democrats, create tension nationwide

Someone has been mailing explosive devices to Democrats and other progressive figures. What does this mean for midterm elections and our political rhetoric?

Bomb threats target multiple figures, draw questions about political rhetoric

Beginning on Monday, a variety of suspicious packages and pipe bombs have been sent to various progressive figures throughout the United States. The first, a package containing an explosive device, was discovered in the mailbox of George Soros, a billionaire business owner known for his support of Democratic politicians. An employee recovered the package, which was likely delivered by hand to Soros’ New York home.

At this point, packages containing explosive devices have been sent to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Former Attorney General Eric Holder, and actor Robert De Niro, among others. Former Vice President Joe Biden has been sent at least two packages containing explosives. California Congresswoman Maxine Waters has also received two packages at different offices. So far, none of the devices has detonated and no one has been injured.

The FBI has since started an investigation into the matter, including a nationwide manhunt for the sender. Currently, the Washington Post reports someone has been named a suspect. The situation is especially tense, given the much-anticipated U.S. midterm elections less than two weeks away.

In the wake of the news, the president has variously called for more civil political discourse and blamed the media for encouraging a climate of violence.

Some even claim that the attacks are really part of a larger conspiracy meant to undermine the president and other Republicans ahead of a major election. Certainly, it does not help matters if people see the president and his party as the purveyors of inflammatory rhetoric themselves.

So, is this all a plot by the media? An act of terrorism, as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo deemed it? As of now, there is no evidence to show that media giants are putting people in danger in order to tilt an election in their favor. However, with so many people now on alert for suspicious packages, and with so many prominent Democrats and progressives seemingly targeted, words like terrorism may seem increasingly appropriate.

Saudi Arabia changes its Khashoggi story

Following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, couldn’t seem to get their stories settled. First, Saudi officials were not willing to even admit that Khashoggi had died. Maybe he was simply “missing” and possibly alive somewhere.

Then, he was definitely dead, but it wasn’t really the Saudi government’s fault. Khashoggi was supposedly violent when confronted by 15 Saudi nationals at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. He was so violent, said the account, that the men present subdued him. These “rogue” agents accidentally killed Khashoggi, then not-so-accidentally disposed of his remains.

Practically everyone else called that story nonsense. Even close allies such as the United States couldn’t help but be skeptical. So, the Saudi account began to change again. The nation’s Foreign Ministry now states that Khashoggi’s death was part of a “planned operation.”

Even now, officials in both the United States and Saudi Arabia are reluctant to trace that operation back to any particular person. Specifically, no one involved wants to say that Crown Prince Mohammed, a powerful and often divisive figure in his own nation and abroad, gave the order.

Instead, a statement from a joint Turkish-Saudi investigation published by the Saudi state news agency, “the suspects in the incident had committed their act with a premeditated intention.”

Mattis sends troops to U.S.-Mexico border

Secretary of Defense James Mattis is expected to send an estimated 800 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, following news that thousands of migrants are heading north towards the border. The Department of Homeland Security has requested these troops to join the more than 2,000 National Guard members already stationed along the border.

The president has stated that he will not allow any of the migrants into the country. He has also said that the U.S. will cut aid to the migrants’ countries of origin as a retaliatory measure. These nations include Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Some of the migrants, who have already crossed into Mexico, state that they plan to apply for asylum once at the border. Other migrants have already applied as such as U.S. ports of entry earlier this year. Many say that they are fleeing gang violence in their communities. Some believe that traveling in such a large group is safer than traveling alone, despite the growing publicity and government resistance.

Proposed transgender policies spark protests

On Monday, the president announced that the federal government is considering a change in how it treats transgender people. More specifically, the administration may use a person’s biological sex — as listed on their birth certificate – as an analogue for that person’s gender.

Many argue that gender is both a social construct distinct from one’s chromosomes, and something that could be dynamic and subject to change. It’s also worth noting that chromosomes themselves don’t result in binary female and male sexes. Consider all of the variations on the XX/XY format that undermine the idea of only two biological sexes.

Such a move might remove or greatly diminish federal protections for people based on their gender. That change would great affect transgender people, many of whom express a gender different than that listed on their birth documents.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is leading this change. However, the Department of Education has expressed reluctance to go along, say sources. That’s significant, given that the Education Department is responsible for implementing civil rights laws (including gender-related regulations like Title IX) as they apply to schools and universities.

An estimated 1.4 million adults in the United States identify as transgender. Previously, the Obama administration had specifically added federal protections for people on the basis of their gender identity. Removal of these protections could significantly affect transgender youth and adults nationwide.

And, finally, your palate cleanser

Given the cultural moment and the fact that it’s near Halloween and Samhain, witches are on a lot of peoples’ minds. Recently, witchcraft has been on the rise as something of an aesthetic, becoming prominent on Instagram feeds and fashion runways alike. Witches have also been a big part of pop culture for quite a while. There’s the cartoonish but memorable Wicked Witch of the West, with her pointy hat, green skin, and ear-piercing cackle. And who wouldn’t want a bevy of devilish, flying monkeys at their command?

If that’s not quite your style, then there’s plenty of other pop culture witches for your perusal, from Anjelica Huston in The Witches to the high school coven seen in The Craft.

Then again, it’s worth remembering that, for quite a few people, witchcraft is more than a trip to the movies or an upcoming Netflix show (though you have to admit that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina looks interesting). For some, witchcraft is a genuine religious and spiritual practice with a rich history. And, yes, we should be careful about cultural appropriation, especially when living groups of people are involved.