trump

Why I’m Optimistic About The Way Things Are Going

You all know me by now, so it shouldn’t surprise you that I regularly post feedback at the White House site.  (I figure, the form’s there for a reason, and I’m pretty well-spoken, so what the heck, right?)

Because every now and then, this administration does something right.  Maybe it’s deliberate, maybe accidental; maybe it’s someone inside working against the system — who knows?  Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.  (Old saying but still true.  It may be flashing, but at 12:00 it’s right.)  Anyway — I think it’s vitally important that, when they get things right, it should be acknowledged. (more…)

This Is Getting Ridiculous

When I look back over the majority of my articles written since January, I find a single recurring phrase:  “Look, I don’t like Trump either, but…”

And I’ll tell ya what:  I’m getting sick of writing it.  I’m coming to the conclusion that the average Democrat on social media is whiny, petty, and incapable of seeing any good at all in the opposition.  Don’t get me wrong, mind; we already knew that about most of the Tea Party.  But I thought there was supposed to be a difference.

Seriously, now — What is it we all, even the Tea Party members among us, detest about the Tea Party?  It seems to attract people incapable of real thought.  I’m all about disputing (more…)

The Ethics Of Transgender Military Service

It’s made the news — of course.  It was designed to, the which itself is no news; Trump has long made a habit of doing something obnoxiously distracting on a divisive issue whenever it suits him.  We, apparently knowing no better, follow right along with him.

Because this was so evidently staged, I’d planned to give the entire issue a miss.  I mislike being manipulated.  The topic is nothing I’m particularly expert at; moreover, it’s not a subject with which our society as a whole is even comfortable enough to have developed (more…)

Nothing To See Here; Move Along

(or, Why I Haven’t Written Much Lately)

Most of my posts here are about current events.  When an important new law gets signed, I’m all over it; when there’s a big mystery or scandal, I’m right here with my opinion.  Normally, when there’s a pause in the news for whatever reason, I’ll chime in with a suggestion on policy.

Trouble is, right now, nothing’s happening, and what is happening is just more of (more…)

Here’s The Real Problem With Chris Cillizza

(Editor’s Note:  This dates from July of 2017.  Aside from the fact that Cillizza is no longer new at the job, it’s aged pretty well.)

The online version of CNN has a new dedicated contributor in Chris Cillizza.  In case you don’t know him, he’s an extremely clever writer, experienced in the arena of political commentary and a regular commentator and panelist on news shows.  He wrote for many years for the Washington Post blog The Fix, and he knows politics, elections, and how the media views them.

He contributes daily content to the CNN site, unique for having his name attached to the headline instead of the more traditional byline.  Considering his content ranges from virulently anti-Trump to passionately anti-Trump all the way to reasonable and thoughtful anti-Trump (more…)

Syria: It’s Time To Worry

The Syrian Civil War has been characterized by the United Nations as the “great humanitarian crisis of our age”.  A nation of twenty million, Syria has lost twenty percent of its population, most of whom have fled as international refugees.  On the other hand, over a hundred thousand foreign militants have gone there to fight, and the armed forces of a dozen nations have deployed in what has become one of the biggest proxy wars in all of history.

And it’s nearly over. (more…)

Reality Check

It’s getting so I hate to turn on the news.  I physically cringe.  Bear with me here.

Here’s a quick recap:  There was a shooting yesterday, a man I think can best be described as a domestic terrorist plinking away at a Congressional charity baseball team at practice.  There was a horrific fire at a London apartment highrise where, apparently, the sprinklers malfunctioned and dozens of people were killed.  (It’s been called “corporate manslaughter”.)  Congress approved a multibillion dollar arms sale to Qatar, a nation presently (more…)

Comey Testifies Again; Still Says Nothing

On March 20th, I wrote an article about Director Comey’s testimony before the House Intelligence Committee.  The headline was, “Comey Testifies, Says Nothing”.  Today, he testified as a private citizen before the Senate, and the story is the same.  Once again, James Comey said nothing, and he said it well. (more…)

Three Drug Wars

In the Mexican state of Sinaloa, a new wave of violence has erupted since the January inauguration of new Governor Quirino Ordaz Coppel, who reportedly is contesting the Sinaloa Cartel‘s exclusive control of the police force.

Meanwhile, in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, martial law has been declared following armed clashes between the national army and Moro separatists allegedly fighting under the banner of Abu Sayyaf, an ISIS affiliate which funds its activities through the smuggling of guns, drugs, and slaves — much like the Sinaloa Cartel, albeit with a strikingly different ethos.

What do these two conflicts have in common?  Among other things, they’re both being largely paid for by the United States.  Both sides of both wars are using American dollars to kill each other. (more…)

Renegotiating NAFTA: Pros And Cons

Say what you will about Donald Trump — and you can say a lot — he’s keeping his campaign promises.  Considering some of the things he’s promised, that thought is more than a little frightening.

According to an article in CNN, today the White House officially notified Congress that the timer is on for the NAFTA renegotiation.  Like it or not, we’re going to see some changes. (more…)