It is hardly news to observe that many of the European nations are struggling at the moment. Inflation, unemployment, budgetary crises, and high energy costs are all taking their toll. Many governments are also suffering a crisis of credibility, as they take extreme and anti-democratic action to ward off “the far right”—and in doing so,...

A few days ago, at a press event in Venice, Italy on September 2, actor and activist George Clooney offered some biting remarks on the present US government. Unfortunately, they weren’t biting enough. Amidst some talk about climate change and the lack of American governmental action (Venice is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels), Clooney...