Recent Government Commentaries

Featured image for “This Fever of Fear”
This Fever of Fear
During the Trump presidency, 35 to 40 percent of Americans have been consumed by a fever of fear: fear of immigrants; fear of black and brown Americans; fear of election security. (The only thing Trump has told supporters not to fear is the coronavirus.) However, Trump’s greatest abuse is sowing doubt and distrust; doubt climate science; distrust our intelligence communities...
Read More
October 26, 2020
Featured image for “This is Not Normal”
This is Not Normal
In 1976, the Senate named an office building for Michigan Senator Philip Hart. Above the entrance to that building are words written by his colleagues who praised Hart for being… “A man of incorruptible integrity and personal courage strengthened by inner grace and outer gentleness. …He advanced the cause of human justice, promoted the welfare of the common man and...
Read More
October 13, 2020
Featured image for “A Plea for Courage and Commitment”
A Plea for Courage and Commitment
Sadly, every day brings a new low from the man who sits in the White House. Sadder still are republican Senators who lack the courage to publicly hold him accountable. After Trump’s mockery of a debate – his lies, his indecency in attacking his opponent’s dead son and allegedly World War II soldiers buried in France – he consistently demonstrates...
Read More
October 2, 2020
Apocalypse Now
We are, all of us, standing at a crossroads. How we respond will determine whether we continue with a constitutional form of government with three co-equal branches, or a neo-fascist regime administered by an authoritarian, aided by a rogue attorney general, a self-assured Senate majority leader, a majority of silent Republicans, and a transparently dishonest cable opinion network that acts...
Read More
September 28, 2020
Featured image for “Lindsey Graham’s “Defining Moment””
Lindsey Graham’s “Defining Moment”
“… And you could use my words against me and you’d be absolutely right.” – Sen. Lindsey Graham, in remarks to Senate colleagues shortly after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Here’s what the “principled” Senator repeated to The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, at the magazine’s sponsored conference just two years ago: “If an opening comes in the last year...
Read More
September 23, 2020
Featured image for “Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Lesson for Our Times”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Lesson for Our Times
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice who was a fierce advocate for gender equality, died last Friday. In a statement released by the nation’s highest court, read, “Our nation has lost a justice of historic stature,” Chief Justice John Roberts said. “We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations...
Read More
September 21, 2020
Featured image for “Meanwhile Back at Conspiracy Central”
Meanwhile Back at Conspiracy Central
Apologies to readers. Due to the many conspiracy theories and scandals reported on an hourly basis it’s hard to keep up! Let’s begin with the “latest.” While Oregon continues to suffer under unprecedented wildfires that are consuming neighborhoods at a record pace, another firestorm is moving at light speed. Some Oregon Facebook members are posting messages like this: “Has anyone...
Read More
September 18, 2020
Featured image for “Our Last Hope”
Our Last Hope
Sitting before the Senate Watergate hearings on June 25, 1973, former counsel to Richard Nixon, John Dean, described a meeting with the president. “I began by telling the president that there was a cancer growing on the presidency and that if the cancer was not removed the president himself would be killed by it.” In our current context, the president...
Read More
September 10, 2020
Featured image for “In This Moment”
In This Moment
With the country facing multiple crises and Washington churning with dysfunction, is it any wonder Congress sits at a dismal 77 percent disapproval rating? However, there is one thing Republicans and Democrats can do to rescue their reputations and reclaim their commitment to duty well before the election. At a joint press conference, the leadership of both Houses could stand...
Read More
September 8, 2020
Featured image for “In Times Past”
In Times Past
During times of crisis, U.S. presidents have always offered words of inspiration, and fortitude ensuring that “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty,” President John F. Kennedy declared at his inauguration. Here are some lesser known but powerful words, nonetheless. “We always...
Read More
July 24, 2020

Read Some of the Most Recent Articles
The Latest... And Often Greatest