Editorial Staff:

Editor-in-Chief: Michael van der Galien

Managing Editor: Jason Arvak

Managing Editor: Michael Merritt

Michael van der Galien: Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Michael van der Galiën is the founder and Editor-in-Chief. He is a 25-year-old former law, now American Studies student at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands, where he was a member of the board of the Criminal Justice Student Organization called Simon van der Aa and he wrote for a studentmagazine about religion, politics and culture called Intensief Magazine. In January 2006, Michael founded the blog Liberty and Justice. Because of his love for the U.S, it was quite logical for him to write about international politics with a special focus on the U.S. In June 2006 he became a co-blogger and later (after quitting his own blog due to lack of time) assistant editor at The Moderate Voice. He resigned from that post in September 07.

In June 2007 Michael became Chief Political Reviewer at Monsters and Critics (section books) where his reviews are published approximately one week before they are published at this blog.

In September 2007, Michael became Correspondent in the Netherlands for Pajamas Media. He reports for them about Dutch politics, European politics and the transatlantic relationship.

Michael’s columns have been published in Turkish Daily News. For instance:

- “The Secular Elite vs. The Popular Islamists”

- “Time for a Change at the CHP”

Michael is a conservative liberal. As with every other political group, they don’t agree with each other on everything. His trademarks are: fiscally conservative, socially more liberal and hawkish on foreign policy.

Michael Merritt: Contributing Author
Michael Merritt is a recent graduate of a public liberal arts university in the US state of Connecticut. A communications major, Michael has worked in the television production field for 7 years, mostly as a video journalist and editor for his school’s newscast. He has also shot, edited, directed, and produced documentaries, commercials, and an award-winning game show. Though by no means claiming to be a news media expert, Michael often writes about the connection of news and politics.

His interest in politics started at the tender age of 14, when he closely followed the 2000 U.S. Presidential race. This interest increased during the 2004 race, and he cemented his future as a politics geek when he chose Political Science as his minor upon entering college. After several start-and-drop failed attempts at a website, he opened up a blog, Dymersion, in December 2005, which focuses primarily on U.S. politics. Michael is a Independent.

Rick Moran: Contributing Author and Grand Pooha
Rick Moran was born in Libertyville, IL Moran grew up in Mount Prospect, IL and attended Drake University where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He has 9 brothers and sisters, all of whom are much more liberal than he is which makes for interesting family reunions. His brother Terry hosts the ABC news show Nightline while his brother Greg is a reporter for the San Diego Union.

He is a freelance writer with more than 15 years experience in grass roots political action, Moran has worked for a number of business trade associations running programs that teach local businessmen how to become active in the political process. Among the trade associations he has worked for at both the national and local level are The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) , the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), and the Painting and Decorating Foundation (PDF). He has been involved in more than 20 political campaigns as both a volunteer and paid staffer, having sat on a dozen or more steering committees as well as acted as speechwriter for a number of local candidates.

Jason Arvak: Assistant Editor:
Jason is a current law student and former professor of international relations. In his research and writing, he focuses on international law, military strategy, and civil-military relations. Prior to graduate school, he served for 15 years in the United States Air Force, including 5 years at the United States Strategic Command.