I’m going to keep posting this now and then, just as a reminder. This is not about Trump-fever in particular—it’s about what’s led to it, and where such feelings can lead in the very worst-case scenario. Trump, Sanders, or a … Continue reading →
[NOTE: This is a repeat of a previous post that first appeared in March of 2013, repeated now for no particular reason except that I like it.] My mother’s very first memory was of being frightened by booming noises—guns? cannon? … Continue reading →
I think there’s something to this theory about Hitler, as described in an interview with Timothy Snyder, author of a recent book on Hitler, the Holocaust, and WWII (I haven’t read the book, by the way). I don’t completely buy … Continue reading →
There’s been a discussion in the comments section about the attitude of the Founders towards Islam, and how it relates to freedom of religion, and I thought I’d add some background. At the outset, when the principles of freedom of … Continue reading →
I’ve noticed the word “kapo” cropping up now and then in the comments section of this blog, to refer to someone Jewish who is seen as an underhanded betrayer of the Jewish people or Israel. Here’s a typical example, which … Continue reading →
In ancient history and the sack of Rome, lessons for today: Writing from the vantage point of the eighteenth century, Gibbon did not go into extensive detail of the Vandal assault, except to note that the Romans willingly opened their … Continue reading →
I watched some of Clinton’s testimony yesterday, but at a fairly early point I decided to stop. The reason? My gut feeling was that nothing would come of it. Note I don’t write that “there was nothing worthwhile that was … Continue reading →
The issue was raised in a comment by “Phil D,” here. The answer is contained in this 2005 article from the Weekly Standard. Pay particular attention to page three. It is very detailed and cannot really be summarized here. However, … Continue reading →
Here’s a review of the movie “Truth,” which is about to officially open in a few days. The film, which stars Robert Redford, is an attempt to whitewash the Rathergate fiasco and is based on the memoir of one of … Continue reading →
I’m not all that fond of precious jewels. That’s very fortunate, because I don’t own many. Richard Burton would have gotten off easy with me. When I got married, I wore a plain gold wedding ring, one that had been … Continue reading →
…is what Obama meant by a red line in Syria: Russia’s launch of air strikes against rebel targets in Syria will not alter the strategy of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, American officials have said. “The US-led coalition … Continue reading →
Commenter “Phil D” has some questions and observations [I’ve corrected one typo in the following]: When exactly did we lose the “courage to see things as they are”? When FDR recognized the USSR in 1933, just after that regime murdered … Continue reading →