Trump is running the “Domino Theory” in reverse

During the Cold War, the theory held that one country falling to communism led to another, but today Trump is toppling states allied with China and Russia in an inverted incarnation. In the aftermath of World War II, the world was roughly divided into two spheres of influence.  Countries either lived under the protective umbrella… Continue reading Trump is running the “Domino Theory” in reverse

The ridiculous audacity of Donald Trump

There doesn’t seem to be a single element of the status quo the President finds acceptable and whenever he happens to determine something is unacceptable, he has not hesitated to put his entire Presidency and its ultimately legacy on the line.  In some other universe, Donald Trump retook office on January 20, 2025 and proceeded… Continue reading The ridiculous audacity of Donald Trump

Democrats in Minnesota and elsewhere desperately need a lesson in the nature of power

Presidential Power

Contrary to the conventional wisdom, President Trump cannot simply allow his political adversaries to dictate his actions.  No President has ever done so, and none ever will.  Full disclosure:  I wrote most of this post before the second ICE shooting left a man dead in Minneapolis less than a month after the first on Saturday… Continue reading Democrats in Minnesota and elsewhere desperately need a lesson in the nature of power

Patton, the man, the movie, and the “they just don’t write ‘em like that anymore” phenomenon

Somehow, a mere 25 years after Patton’s death Hollywood managed to create a big budget masterpiece that unflinchingly and unapologetically tells his story.  Rather than moralize or criticize, the film immerses the viewer in the unique combination of madness, genius, grit, and determination that drove one of America’s greatest generals.  In one sense, legendary general… Continue reading Patton, the man, the movie, and the “they just don’t write ‘em like that anymore” phenomenon

Oppenheimer and the FBI’s long history of both spying and lying to destroy political dissidents

Oppenheimer broke laws, was not investigated for any crime or formally charged with one, and yet he was subject to every type of surveillance imaginable at the time. The output of this effort ran to thousands of pages and the contents were frequently used to issue false statements as part of coordinated smear campaign implicitly… Continue reading Oppenheimer and the FBI’s long history of both spying and lying to destroy political dissidents

George Washington, Ferris Bueller, and those “-isms” that aren’t good

How the wisdom of George Washington, the indispensable man, and Ferris Bueller, the lovable rogue who valued experiencing the moment, can unite to guide us through these troubled times. “-Ism’s in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, ‘I don’t… Continue reading George Washington, Ferris Bueller, and those “-isms” that aren’t good