Category: Politics and Government

Lessons Offered from the Ohio Vote

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Whether All Sides LEARN Those Lessons is in Question

What Was This All About?

On the surface, the issues were quite clear. The effort run by Republican legislators sought to change Ohio law, saying that referendums must pass by 60% of the vote, vs half the vote (50%) +1, which has been the law for decades. Also included were requirements making it harder for citizens to gather enough signatures to get something on the ballot.

But a great deal more was, of course, at stake. This referendum was done to kill off the ballot initiative scheduled for this Fall to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.

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So, Some Guy Was Indicted in DC This Week

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A Few Side Issues to Think About All This

Trump Earns His Frequent Flyer Badge for Indictments

This latest indictment is being thoroughly covered by everyone, so no point in going over the case here. I would note that the indictment is remarkably short and easy to read. If you have not done so, read it. Copies are easy to find. Here is one such link: https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2023/08/trump-indictment.pdf

There is a lot more I would like to have seen him charged with, but Smith knows what he is doing in keeping it short and simple.

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Reflections on the Power of Thinking About Thinking

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A Recent Experience Brought Back a Valuable Lesson in National Life

We’re Late Today!

Its true, today’s posting is a half-day late. That is pretty much a first for this blog (and hopefully the last time). In candor, I usually complete the next posting 1-3 days in advance, recheck it the day prior, then post it.

Yesterday I was delightfully sidetracked with a zip line adventure, accompanying my goddaughter and her three sons through the skies and amongst the trees. Something about flying along at 350 feet above the trees (or along the trees close enough to touch),

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Tuesday, July 25

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Five Very Different Topics to Reflect Upon for This Round

Tony Bennett

We don’t do much on show business or entertainment in this blog. If you ever saw me dance or heard me sing, you would be grateful that the scant treatment of such things in this blog minimizes your risk of ever seeing a video of me doing such things. You are welcome.

But an exception for Tony Bennett. He was, quite simply, the best of his generation at what he did – maybe the best ever. Frank Sinatra once said Bennett was the best singer he ever heard.

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Most Prominent Physical Feature of a Politician?

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No, Not That! No, Not Those Either! Shame on you.

Tis the Season

I know – sometimes it seems it is eternally the case, but in face we are about to enter another national election cycle. In a little more than a year, we will be voting for all sorts of offices, from President to Dog Cather, and about every office in between.

Among other things, this means that the media, in all its forms, will be focusing on politicians and would-be politicians. Unfortunately, much of that coverage looks likely to continue being focused on horse race status and some gotcha articles,

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Some Really Good News About the Supreme Court

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The Court Certainly Was in the Headlines Recently – Now We Live with the Results

Happy Fourth of July, America

Before today’s posting, a moment to wish everyone a good day celebrating our country’s birthday. For all the huge problems and threats we face (See the discussion below, for example), this still is a remarkable place to live and a grand experiment in the human species.  There is much to celebrate and much to face up to honestly. May we be mature enough and brave enough to both celebrate and face up – both are called for.

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The Terrible Price of Weak Leadership

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Two Examples Prove Their Weakness Almost Daily. Now a Third?

Why Weak Leaders Carry Such a Cost

Every case is unique of course, but finding someone in a leadership position for which they are clearly incapable of fulfilling is a painful thing to observe. In almost every such case, there are clear costs to be extracted:

  • Everything in the organization becomes transactional. There is very little in the way of mutual respect or loyalty to the leader. The goals and priorities of that leader are up for grabs and up for sale – or are simply ignored.

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Welcome to the Rogue’s Gallery

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Six “Winners” Who Merit Our Disdain

Highlighting a Few People That Are Disappointments to Civilization

As we all know, the world has at least its share of less than laudable souls walking the Earth. We might even feel that we are way over our quota of such people in recent years.

Still, even in this category of n’er-do-wells some people stand out as exceptional wastes of oxygen. Today, we call out six of them worthy of our highest scorn and our lowest esteem.

The Latest Trump Indictment Gives Us Two Such Individuals

One,

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June 6, 2023

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A Mixed Collection Today: Celebrate Some, Worry Some

Today is D-Day

On this date in 1944, the Allies bet it all on an important event that could be the beginning of the end for the war in Europe. And so it was to be. A good date, perhaps, to reflect on what assaults and defenses we need to mount in the common interest. A few events and mindsets rise to the surface.

Some Good News to Share & Reflect Upon

How The Country is Doing: By almost any measure (economy, alliances and security,

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Hey, Is Anyone Else Writing Some Good Stuff?

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Yes, Indeed. Today We Share a Sample of Worthwhile Reading

A Lot of People Are Writing Well, About Important (and/or Fun) Matters

I invest more time than I probably should reading the work of other writers, particularly bloggers and columnists. Part of this is a desire to learn more, part of it is admiration of good writing. Some readings are like a hot fudge sundae – completely satisfying.

I thought you might enjoy a few of such outstanding examples that have come across my computer screen in recent days. I hope you enjoy them and learn from them as much as did I.

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