The Unlikely Buddha

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 , one of the four infamous Alien and Sedition Acts, was originally designed to empower the president to detain or deport non-citizens from hostile nations during wartime. Passed amid fears of foreign influence during the quasi-war with France, the act has been invoked only sparingly throughout U.S. history. However, its use has often been controversial, and its latest application by former President Donald Trump in 2025 has reignited debates about its constitutionality, fairness, and relevance in modern times. Trump’s invocation of the act targets Venezuelan migrants, allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang—a group he recently designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Critics argue that this move is not only legally dubious but also a pretext to deport thousands of Venezuelans, most of whom are asylum seekers fleeing violence and economic collapse in their home country. This article explores the origins of the Alien Enemies Act,...

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X (formerly Twitter), recently sparked controversy by publicly attacking Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy fighter pilot, astronaut, and current U.S. Senator representing Arizona.  Musk labeled Kelly a "traitor" in response to the senator's support for Ukraine during its ongoing war with Russia. This criticism has drawn widespread backlash, particularly given Kelly’s distinguished record of service to the United States.  Who Is Mark Kelly? Mark Kelly is a highly respected figure in American public life. He served as a Navy fighter pilot during Operation Desert Storm, flying 39 combat missions in defense of U.S. interests.  After his military career, Kelly became an astronaut, flying on four space shuttle missions and contributing to scientific advancements while representing NASA.  He later transitioned into politics, winning his Senate seat in Arizona in 2020. Throughout his career, Kelly has demonstra...

President Donald Trump has issued pardons for individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6th Capitol attack, including those found guilty of seditious conspiracy and violent assaults on police officers. These pardons mean that those who were lawfully tried and convicted by juries of their peers will not serve their full sentences.   Even more concerning, these individuals will now have their rights to purchase and own firearms restored and will no longer be subject to standard post-prison monitoring like parole or probation. Many of these crimes involved violent actions against law enforcement, and the pardons effectively erase both accountability and consequences for these serious offenses.   This decision raises significant concerns about public safety and the precedent it sets for future acts of political violence. It is a stark reminder of how political power can be used to undermine the rule of law and justice.