Recent Reed Galen Commentaries

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The Lincoln Project
It’s not much of a stretch to say that honest Abe would be outraged at the lies, bombast and buffoonery coming from our current president. Even more outrageous are the Republicans that either support or remain silent at his behavior. There are, however, many more Republicans who believe Trump to be such an existential threat to democracy that they’ve decided...
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October 15, 2020
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What Real Leadership Looks Like
I happened across Frances Perkins while searching files at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. She was the first woman in U.S. history to serve...
Welcome to Caesar’s Palace East
In addition to dismantling federal agencies and undercutting states’ rights, Donald Trump has launched a systematic assault on the foundations of American democracy. He’s attacked...
Searching for Our Better Angels
I’ve read and re-read Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address many times. Today, its words and meaning echo more loudly than ever. “Both parties deprecated war; but...
Integrity and George W. Norris
In every generation, there are a few public servants who stand as reminders of what political courage truly means. George W. Norris, the five-term Republican...
A Call for Civic Courage
When I first read Common Sense in college—admittedly, more out of assignment than interest—I understood its place in history but not its wisdom. I recognized...
Integrity and George Washington
How do we reconcile the integrity of a leader to whom service to the country was exemplary, but held slaves in service to him? Washington...