Mike Pilewski writes about life, politics and culture in the United States
Remember the “tea party” — the faction of Republicans devoted to fighting the establishment? Rafael Edward Cruz is what’s left of it. Whenever controversy is brewing, the one-term senator from Texas is never far from the TV cameras. In fighting for his principles, Cruz often tests the limits of his own party, as when he turned his protest over health-care … >>
Last week was the week I didn’t exist. Well, I knew I existed, but I couldn’t prove it to anyone. The document that confirms my identity was out of my hands. Renewing a US passport used to be a speedy affair: I’d walk into the consulate here in Munich and walk out two hours later with a new document. Now … >>
Do you know the difference between nationality and citizenship? A lot of people use these words to mean the same thing — but they don’t. The word “citizen” comes to us from Latin civitas, meaning “city”. The French took that word centuries ago and made the word citeain — someone who lives in a city. Today, a citizen is a … >>
If you don’t know how many states are in the United States, here’s an easy way to remember. This Friday marks exactly 50 years since America added its final, 50th, state: Hawaii. The country was ready: the growing availability of air travel in the 1960s made Hawaii a popular vacation spot for those who could afford it. Those who couldn’t … >>