The Beckoning Ghosts of 1914

Looking around the world these days, it’s easy to agree with those who say this is our 1938 moment.  By then Japan and China were already at war. Germany annexed Austria in March 1938 while most European powers did precious little to oppose that aggression. Consequently, Hitler asserted claims over the Sudetenland, Read more

The New Brownshirts

Sometimes I wonder if we have lost our nation to infantile and spoiled brats who think they are sufficiently knowledgeable of world events when in fact they are narrow-minded—and lately—profoundly anti-Semitic.  I speak of the Hamas apologists who have brought violence to our intellectually castrated university campuses across the country.  Read more

Getting it Right

After years of fighting counterinsurgency wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US Army has a tough mission ahead of it.  During those counterinsurgency years—some of which continues today as we keep a lid on any resurgence of ISIS—the US Army engaged in a combination of urban warfare and search and Read more

Budget Standoff

Yesterday, Virginia could not agree on a budget for the next two years.  So, the Governor and both sides agreed to symbolically meet in the epicenter of the Capitol in the shadow of Geroge Washington’s statue and plot a way forward.  That path will take the General Assembly into a Read more

Past is Prologue

Four years ago this month, I began writing each week to all of you on matters that I think are important. Today marks the 200th issue of my weekly missives.  I hope that you have found them useful.  So, forgive me if I engage in a bit of self-promotion concerning the Read more

A Gardener

I love spring.  Most people do.  Set aside the possibility of a late season cold or flu.  I’ve had those in the April and May time frame, and they can knock you out and ruin balmy days, budding flowers, and blossoming trees. And yes, I also get hay fever—allergies more generally—and Read more

Horses, Tinkers, and Victory

It’s now evident to everyone—even those who can’t imagine it—that we’re headed for a rematch of the 2020 Presidential election.  You may have wished for another result, but as the old Scottish proverb goes, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”  And for those who lament the presidential candidates before Read more