Authoritarian Dreams Three cheers for the Founding Fathers. The structure of our democracy and its constitutional institutions have thus far been able to withstand the seditious acts and attempted coup by Donald Trump and his sycophantic supporters. Since the day of his inauguration, Trump has expressed unabashed admiration for authoritarian leaders, and has increasingly embraced… More
Trump The Pied Piper of Covid-19
The Pied Piper Donald Trump is the Pied Piper of Covid-19. In case you need a refresher, the 13th century legend of the Pied Piper tells the cautionary tale of the townspeople of Hamelin, Germany. Rats had overrun the town, and they hired the Pied Piper to get rid of the rodents. But after the… 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
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
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
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