December 2012

[With President Obama cutting his Christmas vacation short yesterday and rushing back to Washington last night, the Fiscal Cliff-predicated “Grand Bargain” follies have apparently resumed.  Although it looked for a moment like the Tea Party-Republicans had inadvertently managed to save the day, preventing this deplorable deal through sheer unreasonableness (ironic, I know), the president is once again demonstrating his commitment… Read More »Reich vs. Black: a smart, decent establishment liberal vs. a shrewd and principled progressive (sometimes the difference is appreciable)

Today I’m featuring a simple list of excerpted statements made (very recently, in most cases) by some of the hardworking, principled, and courageous individuals who consistently inspire me and give me hope.  Among them are Pulitzer Prize winners, decorated military officers, and the longest serving chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  These extraordinary individuals have helped me to understand… Read More »Quoting a few individuals who understand the challenges we face

I’ve been composing this difficult blog in the shadow of a national tragedy, as the country grieves for the 20 children and eight adults senselessly slaughtered at an elementary school in Connecticut last Friday.  Although it took a particularly horrific tragedy to jolt Americans into having an actual conversation on a taboo subject — the prevalence of gun violence and… Read More »Wake Up to the Founders’ Nightmare: Living In a World of Unstoppable Tyrants

[First, if you’re still basically confused about the whole “Fiscal Cliff” thing, I recommend former Labor Secretary Robert Reich’s 2.5 minute video primer on the subject.] A third of the way into December, the “Fiscal Cliff” negotiations have progressed to the point where both sides have made their opening offers, making it possible to get into specifics (where specificity exists,… Read More »“Fiscal Cliff” update, acknowledging incremental progress… with caveats