POLITICS & THE ECONOMY
THE CAT LADY AMENDMENT
As a parent of three sons, I’m licking my chops at the possibility that I may have more power to sway future presidential elections. In 2021, JD Vance, now the Republican candidate for vice president, declared that the United States was run by miserable “childless cat ladies.” As a prime example, he cited Vice President…
Read MoreTRANSFERRING POWER
The Hebrew Bible can teach Americans a lot about our transfer of presidential power. We’re witnessing an historical event. President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, withdrew his candidacy. No presumptive nominee had ever done that. Biden endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris. In 48 hours, Harris won the support of the Democratic leadership, brought the…
Read MoreWHEN IS IT TIME TO STEP ASIDE?
Getting old poses challenges. One: defining old. A second: knowing when to step aside. This quandary is evident in the historical play The Lehman Trilogy, closing in San Francisco this Sunday. Written by the Italian playwright Stefano Massini and translated into English by Mirella Cheeseman, The Lehman Trilogy, directed by Sam Mendes, opened in 2018 at London’s National Theatre.…
Read MoreJUSTICE FOILS THE DEEP STATE
Last Tuesday, a jury found Hunter Biden guilty of three felonies involving filling out a gun permit. Many Americans will take away a reassuring lesson. Others won’t. I was neutral about Hunter Biden’s trial. I also didn’t have a dog in the fight regarding Donald Trump’s recent New York conviction on 34 felony counts. A…
Read MoreTHE CON KING LAYS IT OUT—A FABLE(?)
The former King of the Realm, a convicted felon, held a press conference at his private castle. The Capitol Clarion covered it. “I came down the marble stairway—they couldn’t lower me in the basket—with one word about my trial. Rigged! A jury of my peers? Not one has as many sacks of gold. Sick people.…
Read MoreHAVE WE ALREADY FORGOTTEN?
Last Monday, Americans observed Memorial Day. Or did we? Some people flew flags (Carolyn and I did not) or went to special sites such as veterans cemeteries and memorials (we did in neighboring Presidio National Park). I suspect such observances were more common in the Heartland. I also suspect that to the majority of Americans,…
Read MoreDO I LIVE IN AMERICA?
A recent Los Angeles Times survey reported that many people outside California believe the Golden State “is not really America.” My experience tells me the opposite. I can’t echo Johnny Cash’s song title, “I’ve Been Everywhere.” But despite a cloistered upbringing in “not-America” New York City, I’ve seen a good deal of our geographic and cultural diversity.…
Read MoreTRUMP’S 10 COMMANDMENTS
Once, presidents of the United States wrote books after they left the White House. Donald Trump hustles a book he didn’t write. Trump is flogging his “God Bless the USA Bible” for $60 a pop. It comes complete with the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance and lyrics to Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless…
Read MoreMILLIONS OF MOVING PARTS
I’ve written that the only logical conclusion to the Israel-Hamas war is moving towards a two-state solution. Now, let me clarify that. “Moving towards” does not mean Israel acknowledging Palestinian statehood now. Canada considered recognizing a Palestinian state but decided against. Reality intruded. The subject also has been broached by several European leaders. But Gaza is run…
Read MoreNAVALNY—AMERICA BEWARE
Alexei Navalny, arch political foe of Vladimir Putin, “died” in a prison camp above the Arctic Circle. Come November, Americans should remember and pay heed. The day before Navalny died, he appeared on a video looking healthy and smiling. Russian sources claimed “Sudden Death Syndrome.” Translation: assassination. Only three days ago was Navalny’s mother allowed…
Read MoreCAN AMERICA WALK AND CHEW GUM?
Moms know something about multi-tasking that escapes Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Republicans. It’s possible to walk and chew gum at the same time. Ukraine is about to enter its third year defending itself against Russia. The Senate passed a bipartisan bill providing additional aid to Ukraine, and also to Israel and Taiwan.…
Read MoreA LIBRARIAN’S LOWDOWN
Libraries and book publishing find themselves in cultural and political firestorms. Opinion pieces in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal offer interesting takes. Neither was written by a librarian, so for added context, I called my friend Les Kozerowitz, who retired 15 years ago as director of the Norwalk, Connecticut public library. First, the Times piece, “Red…
Read MoreA WALK IN THE PARK
I never get writers’ block, but this week I came close. I start thinking about the next post six or seven days ahead of the Friday on which it appears. Sometimes, I develop more than one idea. Last Tuesday, I was still drawing a blank. One of the best techniques I know for freeing the…
Read MoreTHE BIG LIE REDUX
The internet brings to mind Pinocchio when it comes to online stories about Israel. A recent Washington Post article by Elizabeth Dwoskin reveals the viciousness of lies the internet often spreads. Its title summarizes the story: “How the Internet is erasing the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre.” However you feel about Israel’s response in Gaza, facts are facts. Until they’re…
Read MoreDOES JESUS HATE DEMOCRACY?
For many Donald Trump supporters, Monday’s Republican primary win was all about Jesus. Before the caucuses, CNN interviewed a Trump supporter—a white, middle-aged woman and evangelical Christian. “God puts leaders over us,” she said. The reporter failed to seek clarification: “Did God put Joe Biden over us?” The woman might have mustered one of several…
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