Media does for Bernie Sanders what it never did for Dennis Kucinich

The first question that Anderson Cooper asked Bernie Sanders was, “A Gallup poll says half the country would not put a socialist in the White House. You call yourself a democratic socialist. How can any kind of socialist win a general election in the United States?” Sanders responded in part by saying, “Democrats at the … Read moreMedia does for Bernie Sanders what it never did for Dennis Kucinich

Are Republican and Democratic brains like Yin and Yang?

Some people posit that the Republican brain and the Democratic brain complement one another, somewhat like yin and yang. The theory would be that liberal people bring to a society a full measure of empathy, reason, and fairness. Conservatives bring order, structure, and rules. Together there is a harmonious and smooth functioning society. I’m a … Read moreAre Republican and Democratic brains like Yin and Yang?

The sports-stadium blackmail game, and how to stop it

A great tradition of American business is to create demand when consumers are really not asking for anything. Nowhere is this more evident than in the way professional sports franchises work to expand their profits. The National Hockey League is probably less guilty of excess than the National Football League, Major League Baseball or the … Read moreThe sports-stadium blackmail game, and how to stop it

What Republicans could learn from a dead baseball player

Republicans could learn a lot from  just-deceased baseball legend Yogi Berra, like “when you come to a fork in the road, take it.” They seem to find most forks in the road befuddling and reason for impasse, rather than making clear decisions. But a few weeks prior to the demise of Berra, another quotable ballplayer–former … Read moreWhat Republicans could learn from a dead baseball player

Joe Biden talks about courage and empathy: a unique combination

Many people think that the Stephen Colbert interview with Vice-President Joe Biden on Thursday, September 10 was seminal TV. Both had suffered tragic losses in their families and have done a remarkable job of picking up the pieces and moving on, while not forgetting how important the relatives whom they lost were to them. In … Read moreJoe Biden talks about courage and empathy: a unique combination

Americans are too charitable

You can tell a lot about a society by what its citizens compliment themselves about. You might also learn a great deal about a society’s insecurities by what citizens say to make themselves feel good. The United States is perhaps the most charitable nation in the world. According to the 2014 World Giving Index, the … Read moreAmericans are too charitable

Obama’s presidential library: Excessively expensive

We have learned a great deal about our former presidents from what they have done upon retirement. Democrats Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have committed themselves to addressing global issues and have used their presidential libraries as a valuable resource for the valuable work of their foundations. The libraries offer excellent learning experiences for the … Read moreObama’s presidential library: Excessively expensive

Abortion: Focusing on the real issues, not the distractions

Abortion opponents often like to dwell on minutia, such as whether or not Planned Parenthood profits from making embryonic organs available for life-saving research. If not that, then they like to have absolute answers to esoteric questions like what is the meaning of life. What most opponents of abortion do not do very well is … Read moreAbortion: Focusing on the real issues, not the distractions

St. Louis’ absurd political football scenario, and how to solve it, absurdly

It seems that everyone I know in St. Louis is opposed to a new football stadium that just might keep the Rams in St. Louis. This is particularly so among political progressives who are rightly offended by the blackmail that Rams owner Stan Kroenke and the entire National Football League are placing on a mid-market … Read moreSt. Louis’ absurd political football scenario, and how to solve it, absurdly

The “President Trump,” Seven-Days-in-May scenario

If you were a child of the ‘60s, one of the most gripping novels and then movies was Seven Days in May (video link below). The compact plot summary from IMDB is, “United States military leaders plot to overthrow the President because he supports a nuclear disarmament treaty and they fear a Soviet sneak attack.” … Read moreThe “President Trump,” Seven-Days-in-May scenario