WASHINGTON — As we begin a new year, it is worth reflecting on the paradoxical and frustrating nature of progress. Progress is often disappointing, because even when it indisputably occurs (as it often does), it spawns new problems or reveals that old problems were underestimated in their complexity or inertia. Gains are forgotten and taken […]
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Suggestions on how to counter Trumpisms
Cleaning up the cultural and civic debris left by Donald Trump and his right-wing helpers will require concerted effort. The “resistance” is determined to do that, but to succeed, its members must develop some effective strategies and drop counterproductive ones. Here are seven suggestions: One. Stop retweeting him. Trump’s inflammatory tweets are designed to bait […]
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Iran’s regime confronts new revolt
The anti-regime protests now jolting Iran send the world two core messages — one dismal and sobering, the other an explosive cocktail of the deadly and the hopeful. Both core messages provide guidance for open-minded American and free world policy makers. It takes a narrow-minded Obama administration apologist to miss the dismal and sobering message: […]
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For 2018 — more hugs and a little tenderness
DUBLIN, Ireland — “Try a Little Tenderness” is a song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods. According to Wikipedia, it was first recorded on Dec. 8, 1932, by the Ray Noble Orchestra (with vocals by Val Rosing). Probably these names are as unfamiliar to us today as the demonstration of tenderness […]
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2017 — the year of political coarseness
It really wasn’t all that bad. That, at least, was the consensus response from a dozen historians to whom Politico posed a question in the waning hours of the old year: “Was 2017 the Craziest Year in U.S. Political History?” Only one answered in the affirmative. The rest deferred to years they consider crazier, including […]
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Movie dramatizes World War II hero
This year’s best movie about a spirited band of resisters fighting an empire of evil isn’t the latest entry in the “Star Wars” franchise, but “Darkest Hour,” an extraordinarily deft and moving depiction of the outset of Winston Churchill’s prime ministership during World War II. Cabinet meetings and political intrigue aren’t the most natural cinematic […]
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Same as it ever was . . .
You’re going to see lots of coverage of the “top stories” of 2017, mostly about what has changed this year. But, rather than simply chronicle major events, let’s look at things that didn’t change, for better and for worse, despite, in some cases, a great deal of brouhaha surrounding them. The very word “Islam” still […]
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Is the current special counsel investigation comparable to Watergate?
While the Brian Ross’ of the news media are breathlessly issuing “bombshell” announcements devoid of truth regarding the Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation momentary findings, there is a steady undercurrent attempting to compare the Watergate era to this Trump obsessed investigation. The mindset seems to be Watergate brought down Nixon, we can do Trump in […]
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NRA counts on Gorsuch on gun rights
To anyone familiar with the National Rifle Association’s madcap culture-war offerings — videos, for example, in which a rage-sputtering NRA spokeswoman channels Daffy Duck — the organization’s 2017 Year in Review provides a sober counterpoint. Published last week, the review is neither paranoid nor unhinged. Mostly. Instead it’s generally coherent and informed. Being a product of […]
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Monopolies: Worse for workers or consumers?
Monopoly power is a hot topic of economic debate. Economists are starting to ask whether increasing industrial concentration is choking off productivity growth, reducing capital investment, throttling or deterring would-be entrepreneur, raising consumer prices and reducing the share of national income flowing to workers. This is a good and important effort. But it’s also possible […]