When our Founding Fathers devised our Constitution in 1787, they sought to balance power between the Executive, the Congress, and the Judiciary. Each would have their duties. Each was a separate but equal partner in a federalist system between the States and the Federal Government. Yet in the years since Read more
My life is filled with reunions these days. That’s a good thing, particularly being able to attend them. (Consider the alternative.) I had a dear colleague in the General Assembly of Virginia who, when addressed by another “Good to see you,” would respond, “Better to be seen than viewed.” So Read more
Yesterday afternoon, our power went out after a large storm passed through our area of the Northern Neck of Virginia. We’re fortunate because we have a propane-powered generator and some of our power for essentials were uninterrupted. It’s a price worth paying when you look at the weathered crops that Read more
Some years ago, my friend Ken, who grew up in the rural southland of our great nation, introduced me to an expression I had never heard before. He proceeded to explain the meaning of the phrase “come up a big cloud.” That’s the way his part of the old south Read more
Summer is a good time to think. Life is busy. As the Nationwide Insurance commercial said, “life comes at you fast.” And at that speed, it tees up challenges to address quicker than you can dispense with them. Fortunately, after you retire, you have more time to think about things. I Read more
I love the summer. As I get older, winter wears on me. And while spring breaks the cycle of frigid days, it can be wet and chilly. Fall is actually my favorite season, particularly in Virginia where the changing of the season explodes into a bouquet of colors. But summer Read more
What is at stake in 2024 aside from our sanity? If you are like me, you are just about fed up with all of the meaningless and exaggerated rhetoric that is bandied about with no regard for accuracy. Let’s consider a few phrases: Real (Fill-in-the-Blank) for Real People We often Read more
Our current political landscape is pocked with the craters of political warfare that resemble the battlefields of WWI. Let’s explore this by delving into four keywords. Likability There’s no question that likability is a good trait to possess as a politician. I tried to keep that front of mind when Read more
When I was growing up, there were three national television networks. The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC,) the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and American Broadcasting Company (ABC). We also had a public television channel, which was largely devoted to public education back when education wasn’t indoctrination. I recall how people would Read more
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