Author: Barry Fagin
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PERSPECTIVE: Artificial intelligence versus ideology
As a computer science professor, I’ve spent the last 40 years telling students “Our job as technical professionals is to make politicians’ lives difficult.” Judging from the Colorado legislature’s attempts to deal with artificial intelligence, I can proudly say “Mission accomplished.” Colorado’s first attempt to engage with AI was Senate Bill 205 — a make-work opportunity for lawyers and a virtue-signaling opportunity for social-justice warriors. Passed in 2024, its obsession with “algorithmic…
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COLUMN: Apologies can be too little, too late
Apologies are indeed better late than never. But sometimes the apology takes so long, the damage done so harmful, that the difference between late and never might as well be zero. I’ve been thinking about this after reading about the film “2000 Mules.” Anybody remember it? When it came out two years ago, I had…
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COLUMN: Proposition 131 will fix a broken two-party system
The most important item on your ballot next Tuesday is not for any elected office. It is for something that will make a much greater difference for good: Proposition 131. It would implement ranked choice voting, RCV for short. I urge everyone who is serious about making our country a better place to vote for…
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COLUMN: Springs a leader in a major trend in politics
“Americans are leaving both parties. This Colorado City shows why.” So says the political columnist David Sider, on the DC insider web site politico.com. Which Colorado city is Sider talking about? Colorado Springs, of course. I have definitely seen what he’s talking about. Thirty years ago, my wife and I had to think very carefully…
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COLUMN: On Trump’s so-called ‘antisemitic’ remarks
When I heard the internet buzz about Donald Trump making antisemitic remarks last week, at an event denouncing antisemitism, I planned to write this week’s column denouncing him. But after doing a little more research, and reviewing Trump’s remarks in context, I no longer think there’s anything there. Antisemitism is on the rise around the…
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COLUMN: Strap on the backpack and cancel the carry on
Passengers of the world unite: You have nothing to lose but your carry-on luggage. Relinquish the rollaboard and discover the freedom of under-the-seat travel. You won’t regret it. My last two international flights have been backpack-only. I’ll never go back. Permit me here to list the benefits of flying commando. Disclaimer: No bulkhead or exit…
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COLUMN: Combating our new Ministry of Truth
Some of you might remember Robert Reich. He’s the archetype of a neoliberal intellectual: secretary of labor under Clinton, has the requisite Ivy League credentials and a prestigious academic position at that bastion of intellectual diversity known as Berkeley. A friend read a recent Reich blog post he liked and asked me to respond. I…
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COLUMN: Examining a complicated prisoner exchange
You can learn a lot about a country through prisoner exchanges. It’s here that the stark contrast between freedom and tyranny is most clearly revealed. Last week, Russia released 16 prisoners, in exchange for eight from the West. Just going by the numbers, you’d think we made out like bandits. Looking at the deal tells…
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COLUMN: The pitfalls of relying on magical thinking
This is an open plea to Christian pastors: Please, please help show the world you can be a good Christian without magical thinking. In return, I’ll passionately defend you in the public sphere against all who accuse you of ignorance, greed, stupidity, and a host of other words not suitable for a family newspaper. Trust…
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COLUMN: Please cut my Social Security benefits
I hope to retire around 2030. Three years after that, according to the latest government study, Social Security benefits will have to be cut by over 20%. We need Social Security reform, and we need it now. We can start by cutting my benefits. Social Security is the well-known “third rail” of politics; it’s deadly…