Suspect from the beginning, U.S. secretary of state ousted after finishing business with Kremlin During the 2016 election, the Russian president made it very clear he was interested in an outcome that would spell the end of Obama-era sanctions. From the Republican side, he received assurances, perhaps even before the election night results were in. […]
North Korea’s “supreme leader” toys with international dysfunction Kim Jong-un launches missiles like a mischievous toddler throws his sippy cup to the kitchen floor. It’s bad behavior and they know it, but they also know it’s effective behavior in getting what they seek: attention. Kim faces increased scorn from within and without the impoverished nation. […]
The relationship between the Oval Office and the press grows more strained Like most of you, I heard the news this week that the White House Press Secretary is on his way out. Frankly, I’ve wondered how he could possibly take that tremendous stress for as long as he has. Journalists—trained interrogators searching for the […]
Russian influence in U.S. elections: from today’s headlines to 1962’s “Manchurian Candidate” ORLANDO, FL—4:47 a.m., March 30th, 2017 We’re having to think about the government way too much recently. Every day there’s some new development out of Washington that’s supposed to portend big changes. I’ll give them that for this past Monday, though. With a […]
In order to court favor, a campaign by some to make truth subjective Let’s talk sustainability. Not of the type I usually write about here, but of that special type of language called propaganda. Consider this one-two punch of a formula: 1) Lie to make yourself look better among your constituents, 2) Label anyone who […]
ULTIMATE ERROR novelist reviews Doomsday Clock’s recent jump forward ORLANDO, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA—4:52 a.m. It may be a few minutes before 5:00 a.m. here in Florida, U.S.A., but it’s two and a half minutes to midnight on the Doomsday Clock. On Thursday, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of their symbolic clock […]
Today’s early morning musings from the author ORLANDO, ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA— 4:45 am Early January: This time of year put Florida on the map as a worldwide destination. I’m fortunate to have made my home in this area many years ago. I’ve just stepped back in from the portico where I felt the brisk, 50-degree […]
Celebrations regarding the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision not to issue a permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) had hardly waned when another North Dakota pipe segment burst, spilling over four thousand barrels (1,764 gallons) of crude. More than three-fourths of the oil entered a creek that feeds a tributary of the Missouri River, […]
We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a […]
Our American forefathers warned us about divisiveness in our country. “One nation, indivisible…” was included in the original Pledge of Allegiance. “Allegiance”—never a more fascinating concept than today. Merriam-Webster defines it as “loyalty or commitment of an individual to a group or cause.” Our group? ALL Americans. Our cause? For that, let’s turn to a […]