Search Results for: So, Where to Now, America

Laurel & Hardy Come to Mind

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Not The Election We Expected. Now What?

The Value of Reflection

Like most everyone who reads this blog, I expect, I was taken aback (to put it mildly) by the presidential election. Not the result so many hoped for, and at least tentatively expected. Enough was “off track” that it seemed to me prudent to take a deep breath, sort through some data, reflect on it all a bit, and then organize thoughts and potential actions.

My first reaction was that famous quote from Laurel and Hardy, amended to say “Well, America – another fine mess you got us into.” A true statement,

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Farewell to All That

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This is a Tough One to Write

What The National Election Says About Us

 As a general guideline, I have always thought one should look at three primary things in choosing a president. One, character. Two, the ability to lead and get things done. Three, policies and positions.

In all candor, we generally have not had to worry too much about the first factor; even people we disagree with can be fudged to doing the best they can for the country, in their own way.

The second factor can be harder to judge with a new candidate,

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The Closing Arguments Said It All

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Today is the Day, America

It’s all over except the remaining voters still in line across the country and the final vote counts. It is possible, but unlikely, that we will know who won by late tonight. More likely, it will take a few days.

There is nothing left to say at this point. Every American has the information they need to decide – now we are doing just that.

Both Chose Their Final Messaging

In so many ways, the closing arguments of both campaigns really did say it all.

One chose – not by coincidence,

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Reflections on Courage

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Character Counts. Courage May be the Most Important Component Today

So, I Had This Idea

 I decided a couple of weeks ago that the subject of Courage would be a suitable topic for this posting, the last one before election day. As you will see shortly, my focus was to be, and still partly is, on courage by election officials and judges.

But things happen. Last week, the billionaire owners of two of the country’s largest newspapers, the LA Times and the Washington Post, interfered with editorial autonomy at the very last minute and cancelled endorsements by both papers for VP Harris.

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It’s STILL The Economy, Stupid

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There Are Two Areas of Vulnerability for the Harris Ticket; This Is The Main One

Some Things Never Change

Most of remember the famous line from the first Bill Clinton Campaign, first spoken by the always outspoken James Carville (a guy many of us think of delightedly as the reincarnation of Hunter Thompson), It’s The Economy, Stupid. His point was that voters feel their wallets as they reach for the voting lever. How they feel about the economy as it affects their lives carries great weight in voting choices.

So has it always been,

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Two Trump Failures to Never Forget

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This is a Man of Many Flaws. Two Cited Here Infuse All The Others

Recent Reminders

Two matters are in the news a great deal of late, one called up by the Trump, the other inflicted by Trump. Both highlight what an unworthy person this is.

The Afghanistan Withdrawal

Trump has tried mightily to blame Biden for a terrible withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has done so with some success. Biden’s public ratings took a beating after the withdrawal and never fully recovered. But the fact is, as we shall discuss momentarily, that this lies squarely on Trump’s shoulders,

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A Tale of Twos

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Two Conventions, Two Platforms Speak Volumes

Did You Hear That?

As we closed out last week, I heard (metaphorically) the sounds of a race beginning. Someone said, “Drivers, start your engines.” Or was it a voice saying, “Get ready, start, go!”? Maybe a starters pistol fired?

Labor Day is right around the corner and so the presidential race has truly begun. I am actually a bit surprised both sets of candidates are not campaigning the weekend just past. No doubt they are working (at least some of them….) in other ways. Lots of things are different in this election,

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You Are There

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We Are in a 90 Day Benchmark in History

Remember That Show?

Those of a certain age may recall a pretty darn good radio/TV show called You are There. It ran on CBS radio starting in 1947, then transitioned to TV in 1953, continuing through 1957, for a total of 90 episodes. There were a couple of years of reruns in the early 1970s. In each show, the viewer was transported to a “newsroom” in another era, where reporters were covering some historic event which was happening around them right now.

I barely remember any of it as a small child,

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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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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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