Category: Politics and Government

A Solution for the Renaming of Public Buildings

4 Comments on A Solution for the Renaming of Public Buildings

Trump has irritated a lot of people by putting his name on buildings. Behold, a solution

A Sure Sign of Clinical Narcissism  

Trump’s desire to see his name everywhere is, as I understand it, a classic symptom of the most advanced form of narcissism. The man really does want to be a king.  Putting his name on the Institute for Peace was a bad joke, at best. Forcing it on the Kennedy Center was obscene.

Fortunately, lawsuits have been filed that may resolve such nonsense sooner rather than later. If not, assuming the election of 2028 goes correctly,

Join the discussion at: A Solution for the Renaming of Public Buildings

Seems A Good Time To Reflect On Karma

Leave a Comment on Seems A Good Time To Reflect On Karma

Some Things Seem to be Coming Due, or at Least to Turning Points

Big Brother Is Watching

U.S. Customs and Border Protection published a notice in the Federal Register of a proposed rule for foreign tourists from 42 countries, requiring them to provide their social media histories from the last five years to enter the United States. A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman said the proposal is not final. 

Tourism to America is already crashing, as is student applications to study here. This will only increase, to our detriment. And it appears similar barriers are being put in front of international journalists who wish to report on and from the USA.

Join the discussion at: Seems A Good Time To Reflect On Karma

December 2, 2025

Leave a Comment on December 2, 2025

A Cold, Hard Month is Coming In Many Ways

In terms of the actual weather, it has been all over the scale of severity around the country. My neck of the woods has had a pretty mild, if brisk, winter approach, while much of the country has endured really cold, tough weather. But the weather provides a good metaphor for the “climate” we humans construct- lots of turbulence, many storms, some rays of hope. Let’s take a look at some of the current sightings on our “weather map.”

How Could the Shooting of Two National Guardsmen Be Made Worse?

Join the discussion at: December 2, 2025

Up and Coming Leaders

1 Comment on Up and Coming Leaders

Trump’s Lame Duck Phase May Be Off To An Early Start. Who Is On The Rise?

Political Timing

A lot of people quite naturally are wondering who is most likely to be the Democratic candidate in 2028 and who will carry the Republican banner. The reality is that this sort of thing generally does not begin sorting itself out until the preceding midterms (2026 for this round) is complete.

But given all the turmoil and issues around Trump, positioning may start a bit early this time around. In fact, candidates for presidential nominations actually do,

Join the discussion at: Up and Coming Leaders

Bill Clinton And James Talarico Said It Correctly

Leave a Comment on Bill Clinton And James Talarico Said It Correctly

America’s Economic Divide Will Decide Our Future – Soon

First, A Note of Recognition

Today is Veterans Day. Take a moment to reflect on those who answered the call to serve and their families. We owe them more than could ever be measured. I look forward to the day when those who serve now have civilian leadership worthy of those responsibilities.

A Few Carefully Chosen Words Communicate Volumes

The most famous phrase to come out of Bill Clinton’s first and successful run for President was “It’s the economy, stupid.”  His colorful campaign manager James Carville is generally accredited with the phrase and the resulting campaign focus.

Join the discussion at: Bill Clinton And James Talarico Said It Correctly

What A Week This Is

1 Comment on What A Week This Is

No Shortage Of Potential Big Deal Events In These Days

Are We A Day Late?

Yes, we are a day late. This blog normally posts on Tuesday, but we had some technical speed bumps and in any case, it seemed better to wait a day to see what the elections developed. Boy, did those elections have an impact! Glad we waited to communicate. We have a lot to reflect upon.

Elections

Three local elections took place this week that have national implications. They are the governorship of VA and of NJ, and the mayor’s race in New York City.

Join the discussion at: What A Week This Is

Why The Coming Midterm Elections Are More Important Than Ever

1 Comment on Why The Coming Midterm Elections Are More Important Than Ever

Think About A Dress Rehearsal For A Coup

Our Vocabulary Is Changing, As Is Our Reality

People tend to be a little loose in the definition of political and social terms, especially when in a fight over an important issue. Trump and friends are quick to call anyone they disagree with communists. In an earlier time, some leftists and progressives were quick to call opponents reactionaries or fascists. It is easy to go overboard in describing others.

But in following the text of Project 2025, statements from throughout the Trump administration, and watching what actions are being taken – with the full support of far too many Republican legislators and officials – times have changed.

Join the discussion at: Why The Coming Midterm Elections Are More Important Than Ever

Where Things Stand in and Around Gaza

Leave a Comment on Where Things Stand in and Around Gaza

And Why We Should Care

Credit Where Due

Before getting into the substance of current events, let’s give a bit of credit where it is due, in three observations:

  • The Biden Plan. What is outlined in the current documents is largely what the Biden team drew up almost two years ago. Taken as a whole, it is a reasonable foundation upon which one could build lasting peace in the region. The Biden team gets credit (although not from Trump) for laying out the framework that the key players could accept.
  • Trump’s Squeeze on Netanyahu.

Join the discussion at: Where Things Stand in and Around Gaza

Five Very Different Observations This Week

1 Comment on Five Very Different Observations This Week

No Shortage of Things to Think About, Is There?

The Roll Up of Senior Military Leaders

This mysterious call up of all senior military commanders and their senior enlisted members, all for a mysterious meeting with the Secretary – and now including Trump – is a bad thing in about 9 different directions.

Of course, no one has a clue as to what this is all about. We will, likely, by the time many of you read this posting. Could be to announce firings, to demand loyalty, to call for the reapplication of a bunch of 1950s standards – no one knows except the perpetrator.

Join the discussion at: Five Very Different Observations This Week

Communications May Be The Key

Leave a Comment on Communications May Be The Key

On Two Levels, We Are In Deep Water

Communications on Two Levels

On a fundamental level, we think of communication as how we talk to you each other, how we share views and information. People to people information and ideas sharing. That has been around pretty well since our species was born. What is new is the internet and related communications means.

On another level, communication may be thought of as a one way flow – how does government communicate with the population at large and how does government seek to influence how others communicate on a large scale.

Join the discussion at: Communications May Be The Key