At a recent UN conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, the 22-member Arab League, the entire European Union, and another 17-odd countries backed a declaration calling for Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in Gaza. On paper, that would be a miracle. In reality, there are higher odds that it is a mirage. Terrific: … Continue reading Miracle or Mirage?
We are lied to. Constantly. Relentlessly. In ways both brazen and subtle. By people we expect to lie and by institutions we once trusted. Lying has become the default setting of American life. It is no longer the exception, it is the rule. We have successfully normalized deceit. It is now pervasive and habitual. Because … Continue reading The Path We Are On
Absurdia Welcome to the State of Absurdia. We've each traveled our own bizarre paths, yet somehow, unbelievably, we've arrived at precisely the same madhouse. I'm not even referring to this year's Darwin Award winners or the surreal sermons recently delivered by Rabbi Christensen and Reverend Lipshitz (I made these up, but did not check to … Continue reading The State of Absurdia
Hoisted By One’s Own Petard So, we’re back to the question: why are the MAGA faithful upset with Pam Bondi over the Epstein files? Surely it’s not because Donald Trump is being publicly linked to Jeffrey Epstein. I mean, these are the same people who stuck with him through three marriages to immigrants (two of … Continue reading Hoisted By One’s Own Petard
I apologized today to a dear friend for, as he put it, “scratching an itch” when the topic of the Iran–Hamas war came up. I got more strident than I intended and talked more than I listened. To be fair, he asked the question—but I responded too loudly, too verbosely. I’ve made the same mistake … Continue reading Strident?…Working On It..
Quite a Couple of Weeks, Huh? Frankly, I don’t know whether to shit or go blind. First off—I’m damn impressed and grateful that Israel finally went after Iran’s nuclear facilities and military brass. After 26 years of the Islamic Republic’s official policy of threatening to wipe Israel off the face of the earth—and after years … Continue reading Quite a Couple of Weeks, Huh?
Anyone who has been surprised by the Trump/Musk messy divorce has not been paying attention. When it comes to egos and narcissism bigger than the Solar System, I remind you of the immortal words of Connor McLeod in “Highlander” – “there can only be one.” It is the clash of the titanic egos. It is … Continue reading ….and now the News From Washington
I know only a few things for sure these days. I know the current crop of Republicans in the House are amoral cowards, given their passing of the “big, beautiful” budget reconciliation bill. We shall see about the Republican Senators, but I do not hold out much hope for a different verdict. I know, hope … Continue reading What I Know For Sure
There is an unexpected consequence (at least to me) of the current divisiveness in the country. I find that people are meaner and more inconsiderate to an extent that is making me increasingly uncomfortable when out and around. Driving As I was driving down a side street going no more than 25 miles an hour, … Continue reading The Coarsening of America
The Trump Administration announced the beginning of a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, our #1 and #3 trading partners. The Premier of Ontario has announced retaliatory tariffs on exports of energy to the US. In 2023, Canada provided 58% of hydrocarbon volume imported by the US. In other words, Canada provided over … Continue reading Kooky Economic Decisions From Trump’s “Brain Trust”
Adult Language Is Possible 