To the Point

Adolf Hitler admired Jim Crow laws, segregation and other historic departures from America’s highest ideals. That’s detailed in, “How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us Against Them.” Yale philosopher Jason Stanley says that President Trump is resurrecting ideas, rhetoric and practices from the past to divide Americans in the present.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has admitted that climate change is a factor in this year’s massive wildfires. But President Trump continues pushing a disinformation campaign. That’s fueling the conflict between environmentalists and the timber industry over how best to manage America’s forests.

President Trump promised to hire “the best people” and “drain the swamp” in Washington.  But he’s setting White House records for firing his own staff, and it’s “business as usual” for many of those who remain. We’ll look beyond the trial of Paul Manafort.

Israel’s recent “national unity” law calls the country “unique” to the Jewish people. But 21 percent of Israelis are Arabs. Do Jewish values conflict with pluralistic democracy? Jews in both countries are sharply divided over a question that goes to the founding of the “Jewish State.”

From Bernie Sanders to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,“socialism” is having a hot summer. Is it the future of the Democratic Party or an easy Republican target? Prominent liberals and conservatives describe the history--and possible future--of a term loaded with many meanings in America’s political history.