Ryan Aviv Fagan

A Midwestern Jewish Politico

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Jul 13, 2025, 11:20 PM

Liberal, Jewish, and Tired of the Moral Evasion

I’m a liberal. I believe in justice, dignity, and equal rights for all people. I support a future in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security. I’m pro-Israel and pro-Palestine — because I don’t believe...

Jul 11, 2025, 7:36 AM

What Grok’s Antisemitic Meltdown Really Tells Us

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, recently found itself scrambling to delete posts made by its chatbot, Grok, after it went on a vile antisemitic tirade… praising Adolf Hitler, downplaying the Holocaust, and parroting far-right, neo-Nazi talking points. According to...

Jul 9, 2025, 10:36 AM

The Funniest (and Most Dangerous) Joke of the Year

President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral dinner for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Blue Room. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

On Monday, Benjamin Netanyahu, longtime master of political theater, handed Donald Trump a letter recommending him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Yes, really. In 2025. It would be hilarious if it weren’t so tragic. Let’s take a step back and acknowledge...

Jul 6, 2025, 5:46 PM

Stop Making Excuses for Trump

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Donald Trump’s use of the word “Shylock” at a recent rally—a term long recognized as antisemitic, derived from the greedy Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice—is not just another careless gaffe. This is another addition to the...

Jul 3, 2025, 12:49 AM

Jewish Infighting Is a Gift to Antisemitism

I admit it. I’m a bit triggered by the comment section of my previous post. Being called a “fake Jew” on this platform for the hundredth time in 10 years. So, let me share my thoughts on this type...

Jul 2, 2025, 10:36 PM

Bibi and MAGA Zionism Belong in Dustbin of History

Benjamin Netanyahu has long claimed to be the great defender of the Jewish people. It is his schtick. However, the truth is that he has made the world more dangerous for Jews by embracing authoritarianism, cozying up to antisemites,...

Jul 18, 2022, 10:41 PM

The Fist Bump That Brought Out the Trolls

Last week, President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr fist bumped MBS. This comes nearly 21 months after I stated on this very blog that "a Biden presidency will be leaps and bounds better for Israel than Trump having a second...

May 18, 2021, 8:45 AM

Unpopular opinion for a liberal Jew like myself

It's tough being a progressive Jew during times like these. While I am someone who wants to see Palestinians be treated well and have some semblance of self-determination, I cannot sit around and listen to people "bash" Israel in...

Mar 4, 2021, 7:58 AM

Religious freedom ‘for the win’

It is laughable that a secular person like Bibi Netanyahu is using the court's conversion decision as an opportunity to pander to the extreme religious right in order to save his own political rear end. The ruling that recognizes Conservative...

Nov 11, 2020, 9:15 AM

The Long US National Nightmare is Soon Over

Well, we did it! Trump has been defeated and the United States and American Jews such as myself are better off because of it. Without the critical support of America's Jewish population, Trump just might have pulled off a...

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About Me

Reform Jew. Husband. Father. Political Junkie. Failed Political Candidate. Marketing Guy. Time Magazine 2006 Person of the Year.

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