For many years I have expended a fair amount of time thinking about foreign policy. Some of that is a function of my military service. Having served in Germany for seven years, I learned a lot about other people, their customs, views, and values, especially living with German families. That Read more…
To say that we have just survived a tumultuous election season would be an understatement. I won’t recount that here. It makes me weary to even think about it. Indeed, my fingers seem incapable of tapping out any remembrance. It’s as if my fingers are saying to me, “Pah-leezzzzz, oh Read more…
So, what is a Reconciliation Bill? You’ve probably read about this in the news as a way for Congress to pass a bill dealing with spending, revenues, or the national debt. Reconciliation bills provide a means for Congress to skirt the 60-vote requirement in the US Senate to bring a Read more…
Some years ago, I wrote—not original thoughts—that the purpose of the free speech amendment was designed to distill truth from a reasonable discussion of the facts of a matter. The idea here is that when we discuss, argue, or debate a proposition, the purpose is to arrive at some form Read more…
It has been a remarkable week. Not since President Grover Cleveland won election to the Presidency in 1884 and then again 8 years later in 1892 has a president won, lost, and won a return to office as President-elect Donald Trump did on 5 November. It was truly a historic Read more…
For those of us who witnessed President George W. Bush’s victory over Vice President Al Gore in November of 2000, the disputes that played out following the contested results in Florida were very divisive. Worse yet, the slim margin that put Bush in the White House provoked Democrats to see Read more…
I have a memory of several past Presidential elections. The year after my birth, Republican Dwight Eisenhower defeated his Democrat rival Adlai Stevenson. I was too young to remember that election or the one that followed when Eisenhower dispatched Stevenson again. The first presidential contest I recall was in 1960. Read more…
For those whose circadian rhythm is tied to presidential elections, this week—12 days from Election Day—you may be in a high state of euphoria or depression. That depends on your allegiance to one candidate or the other. Fortunately, I have no such emotion because all I can do is vote and I’ve Read more…
I would love to ask Kamala Harris these questions. Bret Bair of Fox News tried a few of them. But Harris avoided straightforward answers. She needs to answer these. 1. After being clear in 2019 that you opposed and would ban fracking, now you say you won’t. Which person should Read more…
Trust is an essential factor in relationships. We learn that from the moment that our parents take us in their arms. They are expressing love. That loving care is the foundation for trust we extend to our mothers and fathers. The people holding us are taking care of us. We learn to trust them. Then Read more…