In the 1942 classic Casablanca, Rick Blane is a man who unapologetically schemes, lies, cheats and does whatever it takes to survive in Nazi-controlled French Morocco. Moments before he persuades Ilsa—the lost love of his life—to fly off with Nazi resistance fighter Victor Lazlo, he gives one of the most well-known lines in movie history. “Ilsa, I’m no good at...

Embed from Getty Images When Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refused to recuse himself from cases concerning the January 6 insurrection despite having far-right flags flying over two of his homes in support of the “Stop the Steal” campaign, he had a ready response to Congress. “I had nothing whatsoever to do with flying the flags. My wife is fond...

“The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about ‘President Trump is a convicted felon.’ Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. And he was murdered on a Roman cross.”—Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene Christians fanatical zeal for Donald Trump remains stunning to many millions, including myself, who just...

After the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, Franklin Roosevelt declared, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” Eighty years ago, hours before the D-Day invasion, Allied General Dwight D. Eisenhower issued his Order of the Day. “Soldiers, Sailors,...

She’s called the Statue of Freedom, not to be confused with the Statue of Liberty which rests on Liberty Island in New York’s Bay. She stands 19 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 15,000 pounds. She wears a helmet composed of an eagle’s head and feathers. Her right-hand rests on a sheathed sword as she holds a shield and laurel...

Mike, last month I lauded your courageous stand against your party’s extremists after six unproductive months to help Ukraine (Principle Before Party). Remember that? “When [Johnson] brought the Ukrainian aid package to the floor last week, his far-right colleagues—who firmly stood against any aid to Ukraine until the Biden administration addressed the border crisis—denounced him.” Remember Marjorie Taylor Greene’s response?...

Why do I like New York Times columnist David Brooks? Simple. Much of the time, I write about the tree. Brooks writes about the landscape. I tend to look at the brush fire that’s threatening the tree. He focuses on how America’s inherent strength can overcome the fires of our discord. One thing about commentaries in The Times is that...

She’s a maniac, maniac on the floor, And she’s dancing like she’s never danced before. —Michael Sembello, Flashdance I’ll give Marjorie Taylor Greene credit for two things: she knows exactly who she is and exactly what she’s doing. Of all the Trump wannabes, Greene sits at the top of the heap. She takes self-aggrandizement to a new level. No, arrogance....

While the Gettysburg Address is one of the most remembered and well-regarded, it was not Lincoln’s greatest speech. His second inaugural address was far superior and can be viewed as a prophecy for today’s divided nation: “On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought...

Fifty-two members of the US Congress are leaving: 44 members of the House and 8 members of the Senate. The New York Times interviewed 12 of them to answer some questions. It’s a sobering look at the state of the country’s legislature. However, one representative offers a chance of hope. Here are some of those conversations. “Is Congress corrupt?” Rep....