The self-destruction of the Democratic Party is being accomplished so quickly and thoroughly that even Democrats are noticing it. Certainly, the increasing internecine bitterness of Democratic debates is evidence that something is deeply wrong. The problem isn’t just that socialism is growing like mold on the planks of the party platform. There’s an even deeper, longer-term rotting underneath that needs […]

An initiative featuring the writings of black Americans will counter and rebut a New York Times Magazine project that “reframes” all of  U.S. history around slavery and racism. The Woodson Center last week announced sponsorship of “1776,” a collection of essays and other material mostly written by black scholars and community and business leaders, among other backgrounds. Their goal is […]

Resolving conflicts, tackling gender equality, climate change and boosting commerce are high on 2020 agenda. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday took over the rotating African Union (AU) chair at the opening of the 33rd AU summit of heads of state and government at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. The 33rd AU summit is being held […]

There is nothing quite so depressing as politicians jerking nuns around. The Little Sisters of the Poor are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court for a third time. They’ve already twice defended their right not to comply with the Obamacare requirement that employers provide free contraceptive coverage in their health insurance. The Little Sisters are a Roman Catholic charitable order that […]

President of Nigeria eulogizes Brethren leader executed by Boko Haram, and criticizes terrorist efforts to divide Christians and Muslims in Africa’s most populous state. Nigerians everywhere, those of belief and those of none, are mourning the death of pastor Lawan Andimi, taken from us by Boko Haram for his refusal to denounce his Christian faith. I did not know Pastor […]

All depends on how you define socialism. There are several versions and the right wing has co-oped the term for anything they don’t like about the left wing. In the broadest (and least precise) sense socialism is anything that involves the Federal Government paying for, subsidizing, or otherwise having a managerial role in programs that are supposed to benefit the […]

It seems a bit strange that a well-worn former government employee and sometime philosopher like myself should be asked to address this assemblage on matters of ethics and honor, right and wrong, on the question, “Does Honor Have a Future?” But as Sir Thomas More said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the times.” And what do we make of […]

1. The Impeachment of Donald Trump The impeachment of Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, occurred on December 18, 2019, when the House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The president’s impeachment came after a formal House inquiry found that he had solicited foreign interference in the […]

The constant infiltration of illicit drugs from south of the border and the devastation it has wrought on American cities and sizable portions of the population do not seem to have been enough for the U.S. to move against the drug cartels. However, the shocking, brutal massacre by cartel thugs some days ago of the group of American Mormons—all of […]

Facebook said it removed three Russian-backed influence networks aimed at African countries. The activity by the networks suggested Russia’s approach was evolving. Russia has been testing new disinformation tactics in an enormous Facebook campaign in parts of Africa, as part of an evolution of its manipulation techniques ahead of the 2020 American presidential election. Facebook said on Wednesday that it […]