Recent Commentaries

Featured image for “How Many Others?”
How Many Others?
Elaine Harmon was a WASP, one of the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots, a distinguished group of women who, while not technically considered part of the military, nevertheless served in variety of vital roles during World War II. In a story from The New York Times (Feb. 28), “Like those active-duty military members, the WASPs wore uniforms, carried weapons, had...
Read More
February 29, 2016
Featured image for “The Truthies Are Still Out There”
The Truthies Are Still Out There
“Scully?” “Mulder?” “Where are you, Scully?” “I’m at the lab finishing tests, Mulder. Where are you?” “I’m in his room. This is strange, Scully.” “What’s strange, Mulder?” “His clothes are all hanging neatly in the closet; stack of books by his bedside. I can’t find anything…” “Mulder, you better get over here. I found something.” [Insert commercial break] [Back in...
Read More
February 26, 2016
Featured image for “Privacy v. Security: What’s next?”
Privacy v. Security: What’s next?
The battle between Apple and the F.B.I. is beginning to carry some of the same drama as the final season of the PBS series, Downton Abbey. After discussing alternatives with Apple and other Silicon Valley tech companies for the past year, F.B.I. Director James Comey has turned to the federal courts to compel cooperation from Apple CEO Tim Cook in...
Read More
February 24, 2016
Featured image for “Privacy v. Security: The Debate”
Privacy v. Security: The Debate
Late Friday, CNN Tech reported (Feb. 19) that The House Energy and Commerce Committee has invited Apple CEO Tim Cook and F.B.I. Director James Comey “to explain to Congress and the American people the issues at play and how they plan to move forward.” This came about after Apple refused the F.B.I.’s request to create a program to unlock a...
Read More
February 22, 2016
Featured image for “Privacy v. Security”
Privacy v. Security
When terrorists Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik were killed by police after they attacked and killed 14 co-workers in San Bernardino, California, the FBI immediately began examining their cell phones to determine if the husband and wife had any connections to ISIS or other terrorists. Certainly, not unreasonable. Authorities frequently search personal belongings – computers, laptops, phones, etc. – of...
Read More
February 19, 2016
Featured image for “Lincoln and Compassion”
Lincoln and Compassion
While Thomas Jefferson has been revered as perhaps the greatest literary force of all American presidents, by virtue of  having written the Declaration of Independence, I connect more closely with the words and thoughts of Abraham Lincoln owing to his singular range: his address at Cooper Union, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, as well as his second inaugural address. Lincoln’s clarity...
Read More
February 17, 2016
Featured image for “I’m Abraham Lincoln and I Approved This Message”
I’m Abraham Lincoln and I Approved This Message
Okay, I missed Lincoln’s birthday on Friday, but this is good. In light of the fiery attacks GOP candidates have thrown at each other, it’s interesting to consider a question presented by FlackCheck.org, the political literacy site: Could Lincoln be elected today if his opponents used today’s political tactics? The concept was developed into a 2012 social studies lesson plan...
Read More
February 15, 2016
Featured image for “Dear Cam, What Happened on Sunday?”
Dear Cam, What Happened on Sunday?
What does it take to get to the Super Bowl, Cam? A lot of hard work, time, sacrifice and… something else. However, during the post-game media interview following last Sunday’s Super Bowl, you were beyond stoic. You sat, for all of 7 minutes, with a hoodie pulled tight around your head, no eye contact, head down at times, barely answering...
Read More
February 10, 2016
Featured image for “The Ethical Take”
The Ethical Take
The Take had quite a range of recent stories to choose from. The Weasel – Martin Shkreli, the former hedge fund manager and head of Turing Pharmaceuticals, smiled and smirked his way through his testimony before Congress last week regarding questions related to securities fraud. To watch Shkreli’s testimony is to watch a ludicrous stream of redundant answers to questions...
Read More
February 8, 2016
Featured image for “Shameful: An Update”
Shameful: An Update
In Monday’s commentary (Shameful), I wrote that, according to a report in Newsweek magazine, approximately 174,000 vets who contracted Hepatitis C through tainted blood while serving in Viet Nam have been struggling to get treatments from the Veterans Administration. Due to the extreme cost of the drug, Sofosbuvir, only about 15 percent have been treated thus far. In an update...
Read More
February 5, 2016