The Media’s Frankenstein
By Lawrence Meyer Donald Trump held a press conference on August 8 in the ballroom of his “home,” Mar a Lago–at least he called it a press conference. The press was there, of course, but they were actually props who asked questions that no one watching on live television could hear, allowing Trump to go…
Read MoreCorporal J.D. Vance’s military career in perspective
J.D. Vance has taken on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about his military service—more than 20 years in the Army National Guard, retiring as a master sergeant. Vance has criticized Walz for allegedly resigning from the National Guard when his unit was deployed to Iraq. “What bothers me about Tim Walz,” Vance said, “is the stolen…
Read MoreWhat Were They Thinking?
Fifty years ago this month the House Judiciary Committee was preparing for the impeachment of President Richard Nixon. The committee ultimately charged Nixon with obstruction of justice, abuse of power and contempt of Congress. Nixon had participated in the cover-up of crimes committed by his agents—the Watergate break-in, the burglary of the offices of Daniel…
Read MoreTrump, Thoreau and Jesus
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of…
Read MoreHigh Noon in the House of Representatives
In the 1952 movie “High Noon” Will Kane, the sheriff of an unnamed western town, is left alone to face the murderous Frank Miller. The townspeople, who the sheriff is paid to protect, desert him in his hour of need because they are cowards, willing to accept the chaos and corruption Miller represents rather than…
Read MoreTrump and the Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Never mind dog whistles. If any doubt remained about where Donald Trump draws his inspiration, we no longer need to wonder. He revealed his source on Veterans Day, promising to “root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal…
Read MoreIf You’re Upset About Gun Violence. . .
This is a little out of the ordinary for this space, but the times we live in are–we can hope—a lot out of the ordinary. I want to say a word about my favorite cousin, Judy Lyons Sherry. She’s been my favorite cousin as long as I can remember so that goes back almost 80…
Read MoreJerry Springer, Donald Trump and Thomas Hobbes
In one of our earlier installments, I attributed much of the bad behavior in our recent experience to Jerry Springer. It was Springer, the former mayor of Cincinnati, who became a television talk show host of a different kind, inviting participants to come on television to reveal their innermost, darkest secrets—and to brawl with each…
Read MoreInvading Iraq—and Its Consequences
“Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don’t want war, neither in Russia nor…
Read MoreIs Lying Contagious?
Some years ago, while traveling for a client, I spoke with the editorial page editor of a Wyoming newspaper about writing an editorial supporting the trade agreement I was advocating. He told me he couldn’t do it. I asked him why. He said if he did support the agreement, a small, local cattleman’s association wouldn’t…
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