Recent Commentaries

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Politifact and the Debt Talks
Six weeks ago, a friendly conversation ended with a wager. “I’ll bet they settle the NFL strike before the debt-ceiling issue.” When it comes to wagering, my track record is far from sterling. This time, however, I came out a winner. Why? Simple, money… $9 billion, to be exact. No matter what details the players and owners were haggling over,...
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July 27, 2011
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The Other Jackie Robinson
“A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.” — Jackie Robinson For eleven years, Curtis Charles Flood was a standout center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. According to Wikipedia, Flood “led the National League in putouts four times and fielding percentage twice, winning Gold Glove Awards in his last seven full seasons from 1963-1969. He...
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July 25, 2011
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The Answer Man
Writer Arlen Faber is a god. After authoring the global phenomenon, Me and God, everyone and their grandmother wants answers to the great unanswered questions in life. The problem is world famous (J.K. Rowling famous) Arlen doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Well, that’s not entirely correct. Arlen is a perennial misanthrope… Okay, he’s an a#$&hole who only begins to think...
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July 22, 2011
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Follow the Money
That was the advice given to Bob Woodward by secret sourceDeep Throat regarding the journalist’s investigation into the Watergate scandal, a scandal that ended with the resignation of a president. That was also the underlying scrutiny in a series of questions asked by a member of England’s Parliamentary committee looking into a scandal that, not unlike Watergate, began with one incident...
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July 20, 2011
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Debt-Ceiling Talks: Impossible
Negotiations stalled? Partisan gridlock? Angry citizens? It’s time to call in the heavy artillery. Chef Robert Irvine, fresh from the battlefront of Food Network’s Restaurant:Impossible, knows deadlines like the back of his hand. In fact, he’s very accomplished in using the back of his hand in dealing with entrenched chefs, staff and owners. “Sometimes you gotta just take the bull by...
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July 18, 2011
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Optional Ethics
Last February marked the fifth year of silence from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas during oral arguments held before the court. While Thomas certainly has a right not to enter the Q & A with lawyers, it does raise a simple question, “Why?”  This is a question that many have raised in the last several years. The simple fact is...
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July 15, 2011
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Who’s on first?!
Costello: Well then who’s on first? Abbott: Yes. Costello: I mean the fellow’s name. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy on first. Abbott: Who. Costello: The first baseman. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy playing… Abbott: WHO is on first! Costello: I’m asking YOU who’s on first. Abbott: That’s the man’s name. Costello: That’s who’s name? Abbott: Yes! Given the variety of...
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July 13, 2011
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Episode II: Congress Strikes Back
It is a dark time for the Rocket. Although he thought his critics had been destroyed, Imperial Congressional troops have driven the Rocket’s forces from their hidden base and pursued them across the galaxy and into a federal court. The Rocket now faces a group of Truth Fighters, led by Andy Pettitte, who are destined to expose the secrets held...
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July 11, 2011
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The 13th Juror
Before the verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial was announced, HLN’s Nancy Grace, lawyer and host of her own show, has been banging the drums loudly for almost three years regarding the absolute, undeniable guilt of this woman. Before I go any further, let me say that this commentary is not about the guilt or innocence of Ms. Anthony. It’s...
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July 8, 2011
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Memo to Jim:
Scanning the papers, I’m passing along stories that could use your ethical input. Front page of the NY Times, Ex-Teammate to Confront Clemens at Trial has former NY Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite testifying against friend and former teammate Roger Clemens in a DC trial beginning today. Charges stem from Clemens alleged use of steroids and his subsequent testimony before Congress in March...
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July 7, 2011

Read Some of the Most Recent Articles
The Latest... And Often Greatest
It Was Important Then. It is Important Today
Freedom of speech in America is under attack, not only when people are denied the right to speak, but when lies, intimidation and the deliberate...
When Political Identity Replaces Ethical Judgment
The political and cultural landscape has become a minefield of conflicting beliefs, many now rooted less in public policy than in personal identity. One of...
Principles Matter.
A few nights ago, I was watching The Way We Were, a film I’ve seen more times than I can count. This time, a single...
All the President’s Men 2.0
“Politics had infiltrated every corner of government—a strong-arm takeover of the agencies by the Nixon White House.” —Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, All the President’s...
The Threat to November Is Already Here
“Cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.”—George Washington’s...
Jon Ossoff and the Conscience of Atticus Finch
I’ve written about Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff before, but after watching his questioning of Jay Clayton, President Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence (DNI),...