Category: Politics and Government

January 21,2023

Leave a Comment on January 21,2023

Presidents, Trains, Insurrection,  and Talking to the Animals

President Carter

As this is being written, it has been announced that President Jimmy Carter is going home for hospice care. It appears we will lose him in the near term. Always sad to note a death, even for a long life of contributing and living values, but at 98 all indications are that he has decided it is time leave this realm.

Carter is a most interesting person. I voted for him, and glad that I did, but his administration had a good dose of errors,

Join the discussion at: January 21,2023

February 7, 2023

1 Comment on February 7, 2023

Politics, Drones, and Sports – Competition Abounds

The New Democratic Primary Calendar and the Old Republican One

The Democrats made the expected change and rearranged their primary calendar in a big way. Some thoughts about all that:

  • It is way past time to make such a change. Setting the pace with Iowa and New Hampshire has made no sense for a very long time. I personally like the Iowa caucus model, and New Hampshire’s tradition of just about everyone personally meeting the candidates has appeal. But neither state is representative of the country at large,

Join the discussion at: February 7, 2023

Thoughts on 3 Countries, 1 Forest – and a Jar

3 Comments on Thoughts on 3 Countries, 1 Forest – and a Jar

January 31, 2013 – The New Year is Already a Month Old and Full of News

New Zealand

Like many people around the world, I was disappointed and saddened to learn of the resignation of NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She had justifiably caught the world’s attention as a bright, bold leader, a young female just starting a family and while she was at it, dealt with a deadly plague and terrible gun violence effectively.

Her departure could be a complicated set of rationales – hard to tell what was most important. She no doubt felt that as a female leader and a young leader,

Join the discussion at: Thoughts on 3 Countries, 1 Forest – and a Jar

Six Views for Your Consideration

6 Comments on Six Views for Your Consideration

Security, Books, Pizza, and More

Securing Classified Documents

We have heard in recent days, and will hear a lot more, about classified papers on the loose at the presidential level. There are elements yet to be resolved on the Biden end; we know the story on Trump. Still, we know enough overall to call out the following essential elements.

  • Both cases involve mishandling of classified data. That is serious and has to be treated as such. As noted below, there are important differences in these two cases, but appointing a Special Prosecutor for both has its merits.

Join the discussion at: Six Views for Your Consideration

Turning the Page

5 Comments on Turning the Page

No, This is Not About Politics or Philosophy; It’s About Music (Mostly…)

What May Seem Small Can Count a Great Deal

I have attended two classical music concerts in recent days and watched one on Youtube. All three reminded me that seemingly small contributions can have great value and are worthy of our attention.

In this case, I speak of the humble Page-Turner (that is the actual title of such an individual), the individual who stands next to a performer playing an instrument, turning the page on the sheet music at the right moment.

Join the discussion at: Turning the Page

That Was Quite a Year!

3 Comments on That Was Quite a Year!

Politics (and Its Many Step-Children) Never Had a Dull Day This Year

The Year That Was

I was tenuous about writing this, since when you receive it we will still have five days left in the year and anything could happen. Still, it is almost a wrap for 2022.

Lots of other publications are doing The Year in Review this week. This one is more modest – we are just going to recall a very few but very important things from this year in politics. What a year this has been.

What a year 2023 is likely to be.

Join the discussion at: That Was Quite a Year!

December 20, 2022

3 Comments on December 20, 2022

Farewell to the January 6 Committee

 

The January 6 Committee closes out its work this week, with one last public session and vote on referrals to DOJ, release of their Executive Summary and shortly, their full report. We owe this group a lot. This was, in my view, a model of how an investigative Congressional committee should operate. They were focused, professional, and productive. They did an even better job than did the Watergate Committee. Over time, I expect we will recognize they informed the public and shaped public understanding of the threats faced, and they did so to a greater degree than many expected (or still recognize).

Join the discussion at: December 20, 2022

December 6, 2022

1 Comment on December 6, 2022

The Georgia Runoff

By the time you read this, it will be election day in Georgia. Most polls indicate Warnock looks likely to get reelected, but it’s generally within the margin of error. Four observations:

  • Voter turnout has been just amazing. Warms the heart to know people care and they are determined not to be ignored. I note that so far officials have not arrested anyone for giving water or snacks to people in line for hours. They could try it – instant riot.
  • President Obama hosted a rally in Georgia this weekend and he was in his best form.

Join the discussion at: December 6, 2022

Tis the Season of Politics, Family, Science – and More

6 Comments on Tis the Season of Politics, Family, Science – and More

Assorted Issues and Observations to Share

Thanksgiving

 I can never think about Thanksgiving without remembering the now iconic column written by journalist/humorist Art Buchwald, explaining the holiday to the French (he was assigned to Paris at the time, with the Herald Tribune). He closed the column with two very true observations – this is the one day of the year almost the entire country eats the same things and – it is the one day of the year Americans eat better than the French.

I made a harvest pie this year for thanksgiving,

Join the discussion at: Tis the Season of Politics, Family, Science – and More

Observations on Occurrences of Note

2 Comments on Observations on Occurrences of Note

The Past Week or So Left Us a Lot to Think About

Pelosi and Team Step Down

Not unexpectedly, Speaker Pelosi announced this week that she was stepping down as party leader in the House after a 20 year run. Her two key deputies did the same. A few points to highlight:

  • It was a gracious and classy speech.
  • This marks the end of what could well be the most effective Speakership ever. She has been a remarkable leader because, as is often said, she does so many things so well.

Join the discussion at: Observations on Occurrences of Note