Issues

What happens when a nation begins to forget the defining moments that shaped its character? As Germany wrestles with preserving the memory of the Holocaust amid the passing of survivors and growing historical amnesia, America faces its own challenge as the 25th observance of September 11 approaches. The greatest threat isn't forgetting the date, it is forgetting the courage, sacrifice, unity, and resilience that emerged in its wake. "Never Forget" must be more than an annual slogan; it must become a generational commitment to teach our children not only what happened on 9/11, but why it still matters. The future of our national identity depends on what we choose to remember, and what we choose to pass on.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, a troubling Gallup survey shows national pride at a historic low. But this moment should not be viewed as evidence that America has lost its greatness. Instead, it is an invitation to rediscover the shared principles that have sustained our Republic for nearly two and a half centuries. Patriotism is not rooted in believing our nation is perfect, it is rooted in believing its founding ideals remain worth pursuing. America250 offers more than an opportunity to commemorate our past; it offers every citizen a chance to renew our shared commitment to liberty, unity, and civic responsibility.

Nearly twenty-five years after terrorists murdered 2,977 innocent people on September 11, a troubling narrative continues to emerge: that America somehow brought the attacks upon itself. As a survivor of Ground Zero, I reject that premise unequivocally. Nations can debate foreign policy, confront historical mistakes, and strive to become more just, but there is no moral framework that can justify the deliberate murder of innocent civilians. As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we must preserve the distinction between victim and perpetrator, honor the extraordinary courage displayed that day, and ensure that future generations inherit history rooted in truth rather than revisionism.

At the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Barack Obama reminded Americans of a truth too often forgotten: democracy depends on the power of “we.” That message mirrors the central theme of my forthcoming book, America as a Cultural Mosaic. Unlike a melting pot, where differences disappear, a mosaic preserves the uniqueness of every piece while creating something greater when viewed together. America’s strength has never come from uniformity. It has come from people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences embracing shared values of liberty, opportunity, and civic responsibility. As a Ground Zero survivor, I witnessed this spirit firsthand in the days after 9/11, when Americans united around a common purpose. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, we must rediscover that sense of shared identity and remember that our differences are not flaws, they are the pieces that make the American mosaic possible.

In this opinion piece, I examine the growing effort to frame prostitution as a progressive cause and argue that the commercialization of vulnerable people should never be mistaken for empowerment. Drawing on high-profile cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly, and Robert Kraft, I explore how wealth, celebrity, and power often enable exploitation while masking coercion behind the language of choice. I also highlight the important work being done by organizations such as the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Safe House Project, Voices Against Trafficking, and Enough Is Enough to combat trafficking, support survivors, and expose the realities of sexual exploitation. Ultimately, I challenge readers to confront the broader systems of trauma, poverty, abuse, and demand that continue to fuel human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, while asking whether society is willing to acknowledge that not every profitable market is morally acceptable.

An OpEd reflecting on Jewish American Heritage Month and the enduring role Jewish Americans have played in shaping the nation’s civic, cultural, economic, and moral foundations. The article explores themes of resilience, religious liberty, shared humanity, and the importance of preserving America’s identity as a diverse yet united society. Drawing connections between Jewish American history, civil rights, and the broader American experience, the piece argues that the nation’s strength has always come from its ability to embrace different cultures and perspectives while maintaining a common civic purpose as America approaches its 250th anniversary.

Rewatching American Sniper recently served as a reminder not only of the tragedy of September 11th, but of the unity that followed on September 12th. In the days after the attacks, Americans from every background seemed to rediscover a shared sense of purpose, sacrifice, and national identity. Flags filled neighborhoods, strangers supported one another, and the country briefly remembered what it meant to belong to something larger than political division. This OpEd reflects on how America moved from that moment of unity to an era increasingly defined by outrage, tribalism, and civic fragmentation. As the nation approaches both the 25th observance of 9/11 and America’s 250th anniversary, the article asks whether we still remember the spirit of September 12th, and whether that spirit can still help hold the country together today.

As the boos rain down each year at the NFL Draft, a deeper lesson emerges: leadership is not about popularity, it is about conviction. This piece uses Roger Goodell’s annual reception as a metaphor for a broader truth facing America today. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary and the 25th observance of the September 11 attacks, it argues that real leadership means standing firm through criticism, confronting difficult issues like mental health and human trafficking, and choosing courage over applause. In divided times, the crowd’s approval is not the measure of character.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary and the 25th observance of the September 11 attacks, this piece asks a defining question: What kind of country should America be? It argues that today’s deepest conflicts reflect enduring tensions over liberty, responsibility, tradition, and fairness—and that America’s strength lies in debating those differences while remaining one nation.