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April 2025

NATIONAL NEWS & OPINION Comments turned off

Voters Align With Trump On DEI, ‘Transgender’ Bans: I&I/TIPP Poll

By on April 21st, 2025

https://issuesinsights.com/2025/04/21/voters-align-with-trump-on-dei-transgender-bans-ii-tipp-poll/

President Donald Trump’s executive orders forbidding transgender athletes from competing against females and eliminating so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government have been met with political opposition, outrage, and angry ridicule. But who’s winning the debate? Trump is, as the latest I&I/TIPP Poll shows.

In the most recent national online I&I/TIPP poll, taken from Mar. 26-Mar. 28, 1,452 adults were asked: “Do you support or oppose President Trump’s executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports?”

It wasn’t close. Among those responding, 64% said they either “support strongly” (48%) or “support somewhat” (16%) the move, compared to the 24% who said they either “oppose strongly” (15%) or “oppose somewhat” (9%) Trump’s order.

Only 4% said they were “not familiar” with the order, while 7% answered they were “not sure.” The poll has a margin of error of +/-2.6 percentage points.

Of 36 major demographic groups followed each month by I&I/TIPP Poll, only two showed less than 50% support: Democrats (46% support, 43% oppose) and self-described “liberals” (39% support, 50% oppose).

By comparison, Republicans (88% support, 6% oppose) and independents (61% support, 25% oppose) showed overwhelming backing, as did every other major demographic category.

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FOREIGN POLICY, HISTORY Comments turned off

Broken Trust — Iran, America, and Diplomatic Immunity Warren Kozak

By on April 21st, 2025

https://www.nysun.com/article/broken-trust-iran-america-and-diplomatic-immunity

The hostage crisis between 1979 and 1981 needs to be remembered as a signal of the kind of regime with which we are again negotiating.

The hostage crisis between 1979 and 1981 needs to be remembered as a signal of the kind of regime with which we are again negotiating.

Is Iran a country we can trust in any kind of agreement — nuclear or otherwise? A realistic answer could be found in an event that took place before most people in both countries were born.

America and Iran broke off diplomatic relations in 1979. That’s some two generations ago. With talks between the two countries underway, it would be a good time to revisit exactly what initiated that break. There is another, seemingly irrelevant question, that arises at the same time: Just how important is diplomatic immunity? It’s a question at the heart of the distrust.

Up until 1979, Iran was one of America’s staunchest Middle East allies. Between 1941 and 1979, it was ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, an autocratic, pro-Western monarch whose reign was supported by the United States. 

Like any ruler of a non-democratic Middle East country, Pahlavi was no shrinking violet. His Savak secret police were brutal against any faction that opposed his authority, especially Islamic fundamentalists. 

At the same time, the Shah modernized his country with a series of reforms. He instituted land reform and wealth sharing. The incomes of middle-class Iranians increased substantially. Women were not forced to wear headscarves, they dressed in the latest Western styles, they attended universities, and held professional positions.

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