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The Avocado Jungle is a source for current events, politics, arts and culture on the web. Editor In Chief David P. Kronmiller, along with a talented staff and guests, bring you news, commentary, analysis, interviews, humor, music, art and more. Our deeper mission is to seek truth in understanding, offering current events, arts and culture as paths to that understanding. We value and promote creative thought, intelligent dialogue, elevated debate, and informed action. If see something that interests you on the site, please take the time to leave a thoughtful comment. Thanks for visiting.

Jungle Writers

David P. Kronmiller, Editor-In-Chief
Notes from the Jungle
Matthew Tullman, Current Events Editor
On current events.
Joyce Chen Blogging from New York.
Tharuna Devchand Blogging from South Africa.
J Lampinen
Our resident comic strip, Congo & Steve
Joanna Lord
Blogging on life, art and spirituality.
Jeremy Olsen
Director of Development and occasional commentator.
Dan Rickabus
On things musical.
Nicky Schildkraut
On poetry.

Plus guest writers and past staff, including Zach Fehst, Amy Reynolds, Aaron Vaccaro, Jae Day, Sarah Jawaid, Scott Martin, and Bronson Picket.
June 18, 2009, at 1:29 pm — Blogs

Wish I Could Have a Presidential Vacation Like W.

So former President George W. Bush broke his silence and opened up a quick line of criticism on President Obama by waving the super villain in Gitmo flag and the usual GOP line of small, hands off government works best. It was this stab at the economic policies of Obama’s that reminded me of how little President George W. Bush did during his tenure as Commander in Chief when it came to domestic policy and it also reminded me of his holding the record for most time on vacation by a sitting president.

April 28, 2009, at 12:00 pm — Blogs / / / /

Was it Torture, Fraternity Hazing or Just Right?

Last week, in response to litigation filed by the ACLU, the Obama administration released four top secret memos used by the Bush administration in discussing interrogation techniques approved for use by the CIA on high-level detainees at Guantanamo Bay. But what of the acts discussed in these memos? Do the acts constitute torture in the minds of most Americans? In my view, most of them sound like activities that fraternity pledges willingly submit themselves to during Hell Week each and every year in our academies of higher learning.

April 4, 2009, at 12:00 pm — Audio | Blogs | audio podcast / / / / / / /

The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

As is the case with every Avocado Jungle topic, this week’s topic begins with the familiar four words, “Searching for the truth…”. Considering the given subject includes the Iraq War, those four words are particularly significant, because, the truth is readily available for those willing to listen. However, for many, the truth is no match for an oft-repeated lie. Despite this sad and lazy irony, I will continue to fight this uphill battle against those willing to ignore facts in favor of their hearts. Podcast available.