“Every house divided against itself will not stand.” That goes for America, too.

In watching the brouhaha over alleged links between President Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, and allegations of who said what, when, to whom, and why, and what the words mean, I’m driven to a conclusion already reached by many. This nation is irreparably, irreconcilably divided against itself. That became clear during the Presidential elections last… Continue reading “Every house divided against itself will not stand.” That goes for America, too.

When art collides head-on with reality

Two ‘art’ controversies have made it to the front page in recent weeks, and both raise similar questions. First, a painting depicting police officers as pigs was removed from exhibition at the Capitol. This week, a judge refused to order its return. “There is little doubt that the removal of the painting was based on… Continue reading When art collides head-on with reality

“Punching Nazis isn’t as good an idea as one might think”

That’s the opinion of Chris Hernandez, who writes: Since I don’t care much for Nazis, it might seem surprising that I don’t think they should be punched. To be more precise, I don’t mind punching actual Nazis; the problem is, the people getting punched lately aren’t Nazis. Richard Spencer is in fact a white nationalist,… Continue reading “Punching Nazis isn’t as good an idea as one might think”

Wake up and smell reality

I’m worried that many people, on both the left and right wings of US politics and society, are sleep-walking through our present troubles, either ignoring or refusing to face up to the realities of our situation.  Things are ratcheting up, not down.  Those on the extremes – both extremes – are learning from past mistakes,… Continue reading Wake up and smell reality

Some interesting perspectives on the election

As the sturm und drang finally begins to die down over last week’s Presidential election, I’ve been reading some interesting reflections on it and what it’s revealed. The New York Times has two interesting articles.  The first is headlined, ‘The Two Americas of 2016‘.  It maps the ‘Republican sea’ and the ‘Democratic islands’ as different… Continue reading Some interesting perspectives on the election

Well, if being polite doesn’t work . . .

Some left-leaning readers have been taking me to task (in e-mails) about my article yesterday titled ‘To my left-wing friends‘.  Some have accused me of being ‘passive-aggressive’ in my attitudes towards people with such political opinions, or being ‘condescending’ towards them. Er . . . no. If you want a somewhat more condescending reaction to… Continue reading Well, if being polite doesn’t work . . .

This is my shocked face . . .

Zero Hedge did a useful analysis of Politifact – one of the so-called ‘fact checkers’ analyzing claims by candidates in the current election cycle – and how it rated people on the left and the right.  Turns out its ratings aren’t exactly honest, and use different ‘facts’ depending on whose claims it was analyzing.  The author… Continue reading This is my shocked face . . .

Political correctness, the ‘Alt-Right’, diversity, and racism

It seems that left-wing and progressive sources are trying to brand the so-called ‘Alt-Right‘ of politics as being inherently racist.  They’re also trying to tie it to Donald Trump’s election campaign, so that accusations against it also reflect on him, and vice versa.  For example, the Washington Post identifies what it claims are leading Alt-Right… Continue reading Political correctness, the ‘Alt-Right’, diversity, and racism

Newspeak is everywhere

Almost anywhere one looks today, it seems that Newspeak (the controlled language created by George Orwell in his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four) is busting out all over.  From politics, to culture, to society, to literary awards, and Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, we just can’t get away from it.  Everyone’s trying to pigeonhole everyone else,… Continue reading Newspeak is everywhere