USA Today is eager to point out that Illinois is not the state with the highest number of elected officials convicted of corruption per capita. That dubious honor goes to North Dakota, with Alaska and Louisiana not far behind. Of … Continue reading →
At this point we can safely say that Governor Blagojevich of Illinois is outrageously corrupt in an almost-comic book—or textbook, if you prefer—sort of way. The proof is in the wire. It’s not a case of “he said, she said.” … Continue reading →
After 2000, there were many calls for voting reform. Same in 2004, and now again. Voting fraud—or even the perception of it—can’t help but undermine trust in the legitimacy of the government, and that’s not good. So one would think … Continue reading →
So far Obama’s choices for Cabinet and other advisers seem to be shaping up as Clinton redux. This is somewhat ironic, considering that Obama ran on a “change” platform and his closest rival was Hillary (Clinton, in case there’s anyone … Continue reading →
One of the main reasons I voted for President Bush in 2004 was that I wanted to give Iraq the chance that Vietnam never had (see this and this for details of the endgame in Vietnam and the role our … Continue reading →
Now that Obama has been safely elected on a campaign of false and/or misguided promises, the truth can start to be allowed to seep out. Surprise, surprise—raising taxes on the wealthy is not a good idea in a recession or … Continue reading →
…on the immortal words of LBJ, Councilman Steve Lipski was in the tent pissing in, since it’s logical to assume that the DC club crowd that was the object of Lipski’s uh, favors, was heavily Democratic in composition. And speaking … Continue reading →
A few minutes into the second Presidential debate, I realized McCain was almost certain to lose this election. I had been thinking that a McCain defeat was the likely outcome ever since the financial crisis began. But that debate was … Continue reading →
When I was a child my grade school would close on Election Day because it was used as a polling place. A day or two earlier, the booths would arrive and were set up in the gym, so we got … Continue reading →
Back in 2004, Iraq was not only an issue in the Presidential campaign, it was the issue. Now, four years later and in the closing days of another race for an office that has as one of its most essential … Continue reading →
The mind reels. I’m beginning to wonder if there is any effort to find truth any more. I’m beginning to wonder if there are any standards involved in being on the editorial board of a major newspaper any more. I’m … Continue reading →
Rudyard Kipling is one of those poets known by people who don’t ordinarily read poetry. But what he’s known for differs from person to person. Some are only familiar with his tribute to cool heads under fire, “If.” Others see … Continue reading →