Presidential Doctrines Most Presidents come to office with their own ideas about foreign policy. Some even put them in writing in the form of a doctrine. President James Monroe issued the first Presidential Doctrine in 1823. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement of American foreign policy. It warned European powers not to further colonize in… More
Russian Meddling – Don’t Talk About It
Don’t Talk About Russian Meddling Don’t talk about Russian meddling in our elections. That was the essence of the warning Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney gave then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen earlier this year before her meeting with the President. Several news sources reported Mulvaney told her it “wasn’t a great subject… More
National Security—an Emergency?
The National Security Emergency For 35 days the President of the United States forced a shutdown of the Federal Government. He made 800,000 government employees miss two paychecks and federal contractors lose that many days of pay. He created financial hardship for them and the thousands of small businesses that depend upon them for their… More
Trump, Treason and The Manchurian Candidate
Treason Defined in the U.S. Constitution The U.S. Constitution provides a definition of treason. It declares, “Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them [the U.S.], or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.” Some may contend that certain actions—for example, Russian interference in U.S. elections—are the… More
Isolationism — Prelude to World Wars
The Policy of Isolationism Isolationism is a policy whereby a country separates itself from treaties, agreements and other international political and economic relations. It does so to utilize its resources and concentrate its efforts to advance its own interests. Isolationists believe that this practice keeps them out of foreign wars. Sadly, history has proven the… More
Nationalism—The Gathering Storm
Nationalism and World War One The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 was the spark that set off WWl. However, historians suggest that Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism (known as MAINS) were the underlying cause. Some might argue that it was principally nationalism that fueled the seeds of conflict. Nationalists… More
Useful Idiots – Danger Signs Blinking Red
Origination of “Useful Idiots” In a political context, the disparaging term “useful idiots” describes individuals who, wittingly or unwittingly, provide propaganda for a cause not fully understood, and are regarded contemptuously by the leader of that cause. Though never confirmed, many believe the Russian, Vladimir Lenin—a master of propaganda and manipulation, and founder of the… More
The Fifth Column—Can History Repeat?
Origin of the term and its impact For those unfamiliar with the term, a fifth column refers to a group of subversive people who undermine their own country by any overt or clandestine means to collaborate with an enemy. The term originated in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War when troops of the fascist General… More
Putin’s Puppet Donald Trump
Putin’s Puppet Congratulations Donald Trump on the enormous satisfaction you provided Russian President Vladimir Putin at Monday’s summit in Helsinki. You’ve done something no other President ever did before. You groveled before a tyrant who rules a major adversary of the United States. But I guess that was to be expected. You’ve given new meaning… More
Republicans’ New Pledge of Allegiance
Updated version of the Pledge of Allegiance In honor of Independence Day 2018, I think it fitting to publish a new and more relevant version of the Pledge of Allegiance that acknowledges the fealty demanded by the President of the United States from the Republican Party, especially the members of Congress, the Government’s propaganda arm—Fox… More