The chairman of the Human Rights Foundation in New York says we need to be aware that Vladimir Putin is following in Hitler’s footsteps; the Chris Christie scandal is getting progressively worse; meanwhile, brain implants are getting extremely sophisticated. These discoveries and more below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

Vladimir Putin and the Lessons of 1938 He’s not Hitler. But we’ve got to stop him all the same.

The Chris Christie Scandal Just Got Worse When there is still snow on the ground past St. Patrick’s Day, thoughts turn longingly to the beach.

Beware the Mole! The discussion these days seems to be all about foxes and hedgehogs.

The Future of Brain Implants How soon can we expect to see brain implants for perfect memory, enhanced vision, hypernormal focus or an expert golf swing?

Big-time College Sports Hurting Academic Mission College spending per football player skyrocketed 70 percent compared with only a 6 percent increase in spending per student, with the Southeastern Conference lavishing a nation-high $262,468 on each player, according to findings by the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics that shed light on the escalating imbalance between academics and sports.

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