| Franken resignation shows Democrats' line in the sand Posted: 07 Dec 2017 01:44 PM PST ![Franken resignation shows Democrats' line in the sand]( "Franken resignation shows Democrats' line in the sand") Sen. Al Franken (D) of Minnesota's decision to resign his seat – announced Thursday from the floor of a somber, almost funereal Senate chamber – reflects just how quickly, and comprehensively, his party is moving to stake out an uncompromising position on the issue of sexual misconduct. Calling himself a champion of women, Senator Franken said flatly that some of the allegations against him "are simply not true" and that others he "remembers very differently." He insisted that as a senator, he has done nothing to bring dishonor on the institution. Franken's decision follows that of Rep. John Conyers (D) of Michigan, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, in the wake of a series of sexual harassment allegations involving staffers.
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| In Trump era, US-UK 'special relationship' faces – and causes – new trials Posted: 07 Dec 2017 01:39 PM PST ![In Trump era, US-UK 'special relationship' faces – and causes – new trials]( "In Trump era, US-UK 'special relationship' faces – and causes – new trials") When a report came out Sunday claiming that President Trump's first official visit to Britain had finally been scheduled for late February, it didn't take long for the backlash to come. Within minutes of The Sunday Times article putting a date – Feb. 26 to 27 – to the controversial visit, activists vowed to organize the biggest protest in British history to greet Mr. Trump. Thousands of Britons – many still angry about Trump's retweeting last week of anti-Muslim videos published by Britain First, an extreme far-right group – have already pledged to attend, despite the lack of official confirmation of the date.
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| Massachusetts justice system wrestles with how to define 'adult' Posted: 07 Dec 2017 01:04 PM PST ![Massachusetts justice system wrestles with how to define 'adult']( "Massachusetts justice system wrestles with how to define 'adult'") Massachusetts could be the first state to view 18-year-olds as juveniles in the criminal justice system. A sweeping criminal justice reform package that would, among other things, raise the age of criminal majority to 19 – meaning that 18-year-olds would be treated as juveniles for most crimes – recently passed in the state Senate. The proposal follows on the heels of widespread reform across the country to raise the age to 18. Ten years ago, 13 states – including Massachusetts – didn't consider 17-year-olds to be juveniles when they were arrested.
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| If not the US, then who as Mideast mediator? Posted: 07 Dec 2017 12:31 PM PST ![If not the US, then who as Mideast mediator?]( "If not the US, then who as Mideast mediator?") One popular tool for peacemaking over the past century has been the use of independent mediators to resolve conflicts. It created bridges between Israel and its adversaries by building up trust, empathy, patience, and openness. Has that evenhanded approach by the US now ended with President Trump's decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
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