Mark Twain on Donald Trump

Edition: US - Today's top story: What would Mark Twain think of Donald Trump? [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 4 March 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note Many contemporary writers hold a dim view of Donald Trump. But what would those of the past think? UC Irvine’s Jeffrey Wasserstrom takes readers to Mark Twain’s America – a period in history that bore some striking similarities to today. According to Wasserstrom, there’s a side of Trump that would have captivated Twain. But with Twain also calling bullies of Chinese immigrants the “scum of the population,” we can probably guess [his view of Trump the politician](. March 5 is Selection Sunday, when the NCAA will name the college basketball teams competing in March Madness. For non-sports fans we have an alternative: [March Mammal Madness](, which features simulated battles between pairs of animals. Biologists script the matches to reflect each species’ size, temperament and ecological niche — and the fur starts flying on March 6. Nick Lehr Editor, Arts and Culture Main story Twain was an opinionated, prolific commentator on the personalities and political issues of his day. Terry Ballard/flickr [What would Mark Twain think of Donald Trump?]( Jeffrey Wasserstrom, University of California, Irvine He probably would have been amused by – and maybe even befriended – Trump the entertainer. Trump the president? Not so much. Economy + Business - [Why mass deportations are costly and hurt the economy]( Mark Humphery-Jenner, UNSW Following through on campaign promises to forcibly evict several million illegal immigrants, Trump has set in motion a plan to deport those with criminal records. But doing so won't come cheap. - [How the NEA's measly millions keep America's museums alive]( Robert Ekelund, Auburn University Trump has indicated he wants to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts in his budget to save money. The impact on many US museums could be devastating. Education - [Explainer: Why transgender students need 'safe' bathrooms]( Alison Gash, University of Oregon The bathroom has become a battleground for transgender rights — and rightfully so. Research shows that bathroom restrictions threaten the health and safety of the transgender community. Health + Medicine - [Do you know what the Affordable Care Act does? Here's a primer to help]( Darius Lakdawalla, University of Southern California; Anup Malani, University of Chicago Opinions are strong about the Affordable Care Act, but not everyone understands what the nearly 1,000-page law does. In case you missed the high points of the law, here's a primer to help. Environment + Energy - [Climate change's signature was writ large on Australia's crazy summer of 2017]( Andrew King, University of Melbourne; David Karoly, University of Melbourne; Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute ; Matthew Hale, UNSW; Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, UNSW New South Wales has just had its hottest summer on record – an event that was made 50 times more likely by humans' impact on the climate. - [Why farmers and ranchers think the EPA Clean Water Rule goes too far]( Reagan Waskom, Colorado State University; David J. Cooper, Colorado State University President Trump signed an executive order to roll back the 2015 Clean Water Rule. Two water experts explain why the rule alarms farmers and ranchers concerned about over-regulation. - [March Mammal Madness tournament shows the power of 'performance science']( Katie Hinde, Arizona State University; Chris Anderson, Dominican University; Josh Drew, Columbia University March Mammal Madness, a tournament of imaginary contests between pairs of mammals, makes science irreverent and fun. The event has thousands of fans and is used in hundreds of classrooms. Ethics + Religion - [Who are the Sufis and why does ISIS see them as threatening?]( Peter Gottschalk, Wesleyan University Around the world, Muslims and non-Muslims celebrate Sufi saints and gather together for worship in their shrines, offering an example of pluralism. But groups such as IS oppose this. - [Does empathy have limits?]( C. Daryl Cameron, Pennsylvania State University; Michael Inzlicht, University of Toronto; William A. Cunningham, University of Toronto Research shows empathy itself does not have any limits. If it appears limited, it is because of people's goals, values and choices. Arts + Culture - [Japan's gender-bending history]( Jennifer Robertson, University of Michigan In Japanese popular culture, new trends come and go. But the Japanese have toyed with gender norms for generations. - [Can the black press stay relevant?]( Bill Celis, University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism From the treatment of black World War II veterans to Emmett Till's murder, the black press helped lay the groundwork for the civil rights movement. What role can it play today? Science + Technology - [Reprintable paper becomes a reality]( Yadong Yin, University of California, Riverside Coating paper with an inexpensive thin film can allow users to print and erase a physical page as many as 80 times. That reduces both the cost and the environmental effects of paper use. - [Tooth be told: Millions of years of evolutionary history mark those molars]( Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg, The Ohio State University Anthropologists gather clues about how our ancient ancestors lived from their teeth. What will future anthropologists make of us based on the fossilized pearly whites we'll leave behind? [“Some people who voice falsehoods appear incapable of distinguishing real from unreal, or truth from fiction, yet are sincerely convinced their worldview is absolutely correct.”]( Ronald W. Pies Tufts University [Read more]( [Ronald W. Pies] Politics + Society - [Are Puerto Ricans really American citizens?]( Charles R. Venator-Santiago, University of Connecticut Over the years, Puerto Ricans have in fact been granted three different types of U.S. citizenship, but questions about their rights and equal treatment as citizens still remain. - [The Democratic Party is facing a demographic crisis]( Musa al-Gharbi, Columbia University As America becomes more diverse, many think it will also become more progressive. But one analysis of demographic trends points to gains for Republicans. [Donate and keep independent journalism alive]( [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 745 Atlantic Ave. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111