I’m not a football fan. Never have been. Like boxing, I just saw too much brutality in it, and the more brutal it got, the more fans seemed to cheer. However, I never understood the ultimate consequence of all that head-bashing until I saw the 2015 film, Concussion. In possibly the most compelling performance of his career, Will Smith plays...

“If Jussie Smollett lied, look at the harm he caused Chicago — and America” – Chicago Tribune editorial headline, February 21, 2019 On January 29, 2019, actor Jussie Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was assaulted by two men in ski masks. Smollett told ABC Good Morning, America host Robin Roberts that “…he went across the street to a...

Donald Trump’s new rally slogan has just one problem: it’s false. With chants coming from his supporters at a recent El Paso, Texas rally, “Build that Wall,” President Donald Trump corrected them. “…you really mean, ‘Finish that wall,’ ” Trump said, “because we’ve built a lot of it.” In earlier rallies, Trump has said, “We’ve already started (the border wall)....

And what better way for President Trump to celebrate a national emergency than unwinding for a three-day weekend at Mar-a-Lago playing golf! How does President Trump rank among his predecessors? Okay, we all know he wouldn’t make the top ten… twenty… or even thirty, but where does he align? Wikipedia compiled several lists from historians to public opinion polls. “The...

In Washington these days, crises happen at the speed of Trump — sometimes, faster. Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that President Trump “…has indicated he is prepared to sign the [spending] bill [that would avoid another government shutdown]. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time. I’ve indicated to him that I’m going...

How does that ancient Chinese curse go, “May you live in interesting times”? Actually, that quote comes not from the Chinese at all. The closest Chinese expression is, “Better to be a dog in a peaceful time, than to be a human in a chaotic period.” (We clearly seem to be living in the latter.) While John Dingell was the...

For years a parade of celebrities, politicians, CEOs and others have attempted to end The National Enquirer’s sleazy and wildly inaccurate “news” reporting with little success. Now this mainstay of Yellow Journalism has crossed swords with the world’s richest man, and The Enquirer’s parent company, American Media Inc., along with its CEO David Pecker may be a little more troubled...

“Together, we can break decades of political stalemate, we can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future.” – President Trump, State of the Union speech, Feb. 5, 2019 Despite all his bluster, I thought President Trump’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday left open the possibility...

With the potential for yet another government shutdown, Washington Republicans and Democrats talking past each other, what we need most are stories that remind us who we are and what we really stand for. Iraq and Afghanistan vet Anthony Maggert was driving to an appointment at Walter Reed Medical Center last Wednesday when he spotted someone on the side of...

Late Friday, I received a phone call from President Trump. “Hey Jim, it’s President Trump.” “Yes, Mr. President, what can I do for you?” I say, waiting for the punch line from some friend. “I’ve been meaning to call you for some time.” “Uh-huh.” “No, really,” he says. “I’ve read some of your stuff about me and I’m impressed.” Now...