Narcissism After three plus years of listening to and watching Donald Trump, I know I’m not alone in concluding he’s an incompetent narcissist. It wasn’t so long ago that the word “narcissist” was used primarily by professionals like psychiatrists and psychoanalysts. But in the time of Trump, it’s a word that gets bandied about, and… More
Bernie, It’s Time to Withdraw
A majority of Democrats, independents and appalled Republicans agree Joe biden is best suited to defeat Donald Trump; Bernis Sanders
A Clear and Present Danger
Origin of the Phrase You might think the phrase, “A Clear and Present Danger” is only a movie title. But it’s not. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendel Holmes, Jr. coined the phrase in a famous opinion on freedom of speech. It defines an exception to First Amendment rights. He concluded that no one has a… More
The Dangerous Rise of Autocracy
The Worst Autocrats of the 20th Century An autocracy is a system of government controlled by one person with absolute power. Our founding fathers designed a unique form of democratic government with built-in safeguards that significantly distinguishes it from an autocracy. For example, countries with democratic governments are less likely to preemptively make war, but… More
Trump—Divides Americans, Unifies Enemies
A Dickensian Tale To paraphrase Charles Dickens: It was the most unifying of times, it was the most divisive of times; it was the epoch of unquestioning belief, it was the epoch of perpetual incredulity; it was the spring of blind faith, it was the winter of discerning despair. Donald John Trump, bankrupt real estate… More
WHITE SUPREMACISTS
Racism White supremacists are people who cling to the unfounded, self-admiring belief that being white makes them superior to every other human being. And that logic leads them to conclude they should have power over everyone else, their inferiors. All white supremacists are, by definition, racists. Being white-skinned has become membership in the white… More
Russia is Not Our Friend
Russia the Enemy—Not Friend A friend is an ally, someone who is on your side. But it goes deeper than that. A true friend is one who seeks to promote your happiness and prosperity. An enemy is someone hostile to you; one who works to harm you and your best interests. By any set of… More
Russia’s Useful Idiots
Origin of the Term Useful Idiots Vladimir Lenin, founder of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was a master of propaganda and manipulation. To spread communism worldwide, Lenin recognized the need to transparently support socialist movements in foreign countries, but clandestinely subvert their governments. He found he could exploit individuals who, wittingly or unwittingly… More
Betraying Their Oath
From the Continental Army to the Constitution Merriam-Webster defines an oath as a “solemn attestation of the truth of one’s words or the sincerity of one’s intentions.” It is a promise (as to perform official duties faithfully) corroborated by an oath. The Founding Fathers of the United States took the concept of an oath quite… More
All Roads Lead to Russia
Putin’s Goals Last month Donald Trump put an exclamation point on what we’ve known for some time. All roads lead to Russia. From the 2016 campaign throughout his presidency to date, Trump has steadfastly placed Russia’s interests over ours. Stunning as it may sound, I believe the Russians expected this result. When Trump was declared… More