Category: Politics and Government

Ten Thoughts on Ten Topics

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A Lot Has Happened in the Last Week or So

The Middle East Muddle

Israel killed a prominent Hamas leader last week – in Iran. They also took out a Hezbollah leader, in Beirut. I personally have no issue with Israel taking out their sworn enemies who are responsible for atrocities and attacks. But one must question the wisdom of killing the Hamas official who was leading the peace talks, making any progress on that front most unlikely for the foreseeable future. The only senior Hamas leader still standing is the worst of the lot.

The risk of a two front war for Israel is getting uncomfortably close,

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Two Letters to Read And At Least One That Is Missing

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 Plus, Reflections on the Harris Effect

There Are Some Special People Among Us

I had the pleasure and the opportunity to work with some of them over the years. Some were political appointees, but most were career civil servants, government leaders, or military officers. A couple of characteristics made them special over the long haul.

One, they were dedicated to the principle of service to the country. They were, without exception in my experience, leader-servants. They all believed passionately in the country. Most had a copy of the constitution with them pretty much always (me,

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I Have Good News and I Have Bad News

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American Democracy is Conflicted, Clumsy, Inefficient – That is the Good News

That’s The Good News?

Yes, it is – and the results are largely what the Founders intended – for good reason.

It is worth recalling that those who first organized this country brought some very through research and reflection to the task, framed by their own experiences.

The thought was to form a democratic republic, for several reasons too long to articulate here. Know that they worked this hard. I often marvel in reflection that we were at that time a tiny group of Europeans,

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Some Weekend, Eh?

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A Very Few Notes on the Biden Decision and All That Follows

What Happened and Why?

The truth is that we really don’t know what all happened that led to the Sunday decision, although there is a ton of speculation and slowly some reliable leaks and back stories are coming out. There was a lot going on in public and behind the scenes and it likely will take some time to sort it all out. But in candor, all that is of interest, but is not especially important. What is important is what happens the next 100 days or so.

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You May Have Heard About A Shooting Last Weekend?

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Tragedy, Opportunity, Accelerator, Brake? Yes, Likely All of the Above

What This Blog is NOT About

Everyone and their brother started writing about the PA shooting within minutes of the event. Like the debate we talked about earlier, I find it useful to give things a couple of days to sort out at least a little. This blog will not recap the event, blow by blow. We have all had more of that than we need. I remember when it broke on tv, I found myself thinking-

“Oh great. This will be continuous coverage by everyone everywhere for at least the next 24 hours,

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OK, Democrats – Now What?

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This Feels Like a Mix of Laurel & Hardy with the Alamo – But Not for Long

To Biden or Not to Biden? That is the Question

Well, actually that is not THE question. At least not as a simple up or down. The discussion, if I may use that polite term, since the infamous debate actually raises a number of questions and parameters. Sorry, cannot just focus on one.

I deliberately chose not to discuss this matter last week, simply because it was too soon and too much was unknown. We will talk about what is included here that must be addressed (3 key elements) momentarily,

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A Short Observation on Loyalty

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How a Leader Thinks About Loyalty Tells You All You Need to Know

Loyalty as a Value

There is no doubt that loyalty is an important element in any organization. It is an energy source and the lubrication that helps keep the wheels turning. An organization in which loyalty is missing, towards the institution or towards the leader, is an organization at risk.

Does that mean leaders should expect, even demand it? No. In fact, quite the opposite.

Looking at Loyalty in the Wrong Way

As long-time readers may recall, leadership is a life-long area of interest to me.

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This Week: Politics & Science

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A Few Stories and Thoughts in Two Important Areas of Life Today + A Bonus

Politics
Immigration

Pretty much all the poles show that immigration is a major issue for the coming presidential election, and one that hurts Biden.  Much of this is a result of fear mongering and racism fanned by Republican politicians, but honesty requires noting that there is actually something of a problem (as well as some opportunities). Reliable reporting from border communities and popular destinations like New York City make it clear that a flood of immigrants is happening at unsupportable and unsustainable rates.

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The First Trump Conviction (Actually, 34 Convictions)

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Riveted to the TV, were you?

 

This Trial Has Been Talked About Ad Nauseum. Focus on Just 4 Key Points to Take Away

The System Worked, Darn Near Perfectly

In spite of delays, distractions, lies, threats, and more, the system did what was needed to be done. Twelve citizens (and six back up jurors) took the oath, took the time took the risks, and did the right thing. The judge was the model of patience, decorum, and fairness.

In some ways, this reminded me of the last presidential election and the midterms after that.

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Six for Today

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A Range of Very Different Topics To Fill Our Basket This Week

First, A Moment to Reflect Upon Memorial Day

Yesterday was Memorial Day. This is being published a day after Memorial Day. Hope yours was a meaningful one and that you reflected at least a little on what they day means and the service members who sacrificed it all. Of all our national holidays, this is one of the  most purposeful and thoughtful. I had the opportunity to participate in a local service yesterday; it was a powerful thing to be in the midst of a large group that absolutely understood what this day honors and commemorates.

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