The Venezuelan oil deal, the Panama Canal, and our American values

Man in suit overlooking tropical canal construction site

Almost 125 years ago, critics of President Teddy Roosevelt described another world-changing deal in Latin America as an un-American imperialist adventure despite having no solution of their own beyond the fantasy that countries will magically become modern democracies thanks to the power of words alone. In 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt secured a deal with the… Continue reading The Venezuelan oil deal, the Panama Canal, and our American values

The datacenter delusion

Illustration connecting POLICY, INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY, DATA, and INNOVATION through balanced scales

They used to say country over party.  Perhaps, we should put the future over politics, and rather than behaving like craven fools politicians should lead. If you’ve been looking for an issue that finally unites Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives alike, opposition to so-called AI datacenters might be it.  As the Associated Press characterized… Continue reading The datacenter delusion

Iran: Do we need or want a deal at this point?

Balance scale with coins and stones overlooking a desert oasis at sunset

After both of our previous attempts failed largely because Iran has proven completely unable to stop firing missiles for no seemingly sane reason, it appears to be a good time to reconsider our options. Before we begin, I should come clean:  Throughout the conflict with Iran I have consistently advocated to make an even less… Continue reading Iran: Do we need or want a deal at this point?

No, the real problem with Ceuta being invaded by 60,000 migrants isn’t Republicans or other right wing politicians, it’s the invasion itself

World map with refugee silhouettes walking along migration paths across continents

The Atlantic makes the bizarre argument that conservatives are responsible for 60,000 people storming a peaceful beach in a Spanish territory in North Africa while completely ignoring the obvious role of lax immigration policies around the world. Last week, much of America and the rest of the world was shocked by videos from Ceuta, a… Continue reading No, the real problem with Ceuta being invaded by 60,000 migrants isn’t Republicans or other right wing politicians, it’s the invasion itself

The Democratic Socialists of America want to abolish the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the Presidency, but where are the Democrat Champions of Democracy?

Two teams of muscular people competing in a tug of war in a historic stone arena

If mainstream party members fail to act, Democrat Senate candidates and eventually the 2028 Presidential nominee will be in the bizarre position of being asked whether they support abolishing their own positions in the government.  As far as political platforms go, the Democratic Socialists of America’s “Workers Deserve More” is radical almost beyond description to… Continue reading The Democratic Socialists of America want to abolish the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the Presidency, but where are the Democrat Champions of Democracy?

Springsteen isn’t a “critical patriot,” he’s a partisan hack, but I love him anyway

Statue of Liberty replica on pedestal with inscription honoring fallen heroes under dark cloudy sky

For a man who claims to be driven by principle, he has an odd habit, one dating back to the 1980s, of only entering the fray when a Republican is in office, either sleeping through Democrat Presidencies or somehow believing all our problems are solved when we elect a Democrat. “I believe in critical patriotism,”… Continue reading Springsteen isn’t a “critical patriot,” he’s a partisan hack, but I love him anyway

No, Iran isn’t the same as before and they’re certainly not stronger

Two abstract human figures fighting on a broken chessboard with scattered chess pieces and crumbled architectural ruins around them.

Unless they’re the equivalent of an alien organism out of a science fiction film, not subject to any of the normal limitations of government, economics, or military might, the death of a leader in power for almost forty years and a trillion in damage will have an effect. As we continue to celebrate America’s 250th… Continue reading No, Iran isn’t the same as before and they’re certainly not stronger

America at 250, the heat was both literal and figurative

Crowd of protesters with signs 'Civil unrest', 'Freedom', and 'Enough!' in a burning cityscape with US landmarks and flags

After losing power for the entire weekend, we joked that we were doing it as the Founders did – no lights, no running water, no air conditioning – but who are we kidding? The Friday before the Fourth of July my lovely wife and I did something we almost never do:  Went out for dinner… Continue reading America at 250, the heat was both literal and figurative

America at 250, why does progressive politics define the lives of so many of our fellow citizens, making them almost completely miserable?

Mountain landscape with sunrise on left and thunderstorm with lightning on right

As even Vox.com was honest enough to note, America in 1976 was in a far worse place than today, and yet Americans felt better about the country and the future. Before the results of the 2024 election were known on the evening of November 5, I encouraged everyone to remember their Billy Joel.  At the… Continue reading America at 250, why does progressive politics define the lives of so many of our fellow citizens, making them almost completely miserable?

If simple words like “temporary” don’t mean what everyone knows they mean, democracy is screwed

Antique brass balance scales with weights on old parchment paper

In 1990, Congress established a program for refugees that needed temporary relief, but somehow, almost no one admitted under the program ever left, the number admitted increased ten times in the past nine years, and proponents are now insisting they never should. In principle, I’m a supporter of the Temporary Protected Status program, which allows… Continue reading If simple words like “temporary” don’t mean what everyone knows they mean, democracy is screwed