“Why Isn’t Harris Running Away with This?” is the provocative title of an op-ed piece by David Brooks (NYT, October 18, 2024, print). He wonders why the polls are so immobile. He notes the lack of a strategy by either political party to broaden its electoral reach. Deadlock is the new normal. He suggests that […]
State of American History, Civics, and Politics
Field of Dreams: Sometimes Myth and Reality Coincide
Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway, not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. “Of course, we won’t mind if you look around,” you’ll say. “It’s only twenty […]
Lessons from the Olympics
America managed to tie China for the most gold medals in the 2024 Summer Olympics. This feat was considered a victory for the United States. Let’s examine more closely the American record. Even though the United States won a lot of medals (126), there are many areas where the country is not competitive. Here is […]
He Lost By a Whisker So He Ate the Cat: A Second Debate Update
The current presidential election cycle has been and continues to be an unusual one for many reasons. Both debates have been memorable. In the first debate, one candidate lost so badly he ended up withdrawing from the race. In the second debate, one candidate also lost but instead of acknowledging his humiliation, he claimed victory, […]
Neither Woke nor MAGA: Stardate Zero, Join the Journey
There is much that needs to be done And even more that we can do. We may fail; we have no guarantee of success But a destiny awaits that only We the People can fulfill. For as this vibrant ball of blue sails the celestial void, We stand on the shoulders of the giants of […]
Republicans Declare War on Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights has been the topic in multiple blogs. Its story transcends high school to encompass the entire community in small town America. It joins with other stories like Remember the Titans and Hidden Figures among others to showcase the social fabric of the communities that make up the country. These stories stress family, […]
ZOOM AND PROFESSIONAL POLITICAL WRESTLING ARENAS: A TALE OF TWO CAMPAIGNS
The two presidential campaigns in 2024 have two different ways of communicating. One has used a heretofore unused form of communication taking advantage of changed technologies since COVID. The other employs the same venue he used in prior presidential elections. PROFESSIONAL POLITICAL WRESTLING ARENA For Trump, the standard mode of communication continues to be the […]
American Revolution 250th: Can Bush and Obama Save It?
There has been big news on the American Revolution 250 front. Two former Presidents and First Ladies were named honorary co-chairs on August 1, 2024. Before turning to that event, let’s put that announcement in perspective starting with a blog in 2020. The American Revolution 250th and Joe Biden: An Historic Opportunity November 6, 2020 […]
Joe Biden: We Are a City on a Hill and the Eyes of the World Are Upon Us
Vladimir Putin agreed to step down before he reaches the age of 80. Xi Jinping agreed to step down before he reaches the age of 80. All African strongmen agreed to step down before they reach the age of 90. All African strongmen agreed to step down before they reach the age of 80. All […]
Lafayette Returns to the United States
On July 13, 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette left France for the United States. He did so at the invitation of President James Monroe. Lafayette was the last living general from the American Revolution. His invitation came as veterans of the American Revolution were dying off just as we recently saw with veterans from the […]