by Mark Franke One needs a sense of irony to read the news headlines these days. Or maybe a suspension of disbelief. I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to follow the debate over voting issues in the upcoming election. Here’s my take: The Democrats are convinced Donald Trump will order the Post Office to slow down delivery of mailed-in ballots, but apparently only in Democrat strongholds and thereby stealing the election. The Republicans are equally convinced the Democrats…

by LEO MORRIS Growing up, I had two things that shaped not only my childhood but much of my adult life as well: asthma and a protective mother. I almost wrote “overprotective,” because that’s the attitude a restrained child adopts. But that would have been unfair to my mother and counter to the way the world works. It is the job of the parents to set limits and of the child to test them. So…

The ‘Militarization of Mayberry’ by Eric Schansberg Radley Balko’s “Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces” is must reading for those interested in police reform. Balko is careful to say that his book is not anti-cop — but rather, anti-policy and anti-politician. When politicians pass policies that create strong incentives, you can blame individuals, but you should start with the system.  Balko discusses “no-knock” warrants — like the one used in…

“‘I think this (rioting) is a blind spot for Democrats. I think Democrats are ignoring this problem or hoping that it will go away, and it’s not going to go away,’ he added before arguing the violence needs to be addressed by Biden before the election.” — CNN anchor Don Lemon quoted by The Hill, Aug. 26, 2020  THE RECENT VIDEOS of restaurant customers being surrounded and threatened by protesters appear to be sticking in the collective…

by Mark Franke I gave up watching political conventions decades ago. The never-ending primary season ruined for me the suspense and excitement of the convention floor voting. “The proud state of Ruritania casts 12 votes for her favorite son . . .” Once all the states got through the first ballot, the smoke-filled back rooms kicked into gear and trades were made. In those days delegates were bound for the first ballot only and then could work the best…

by Leo Morris I love my car. Not driving it. I am one of life’s designated passengers. Driving is somewhere between tedious and terrifying on the annoyance scale. It is impossible to stop fixating on the destination and simply enjoy the journey. There are too many details to attend to, and I can never forget that there are other drivers out there trying to kill me. But I love being in my car, once it…

by Mark Franke I am sick and tired of all the negativity, the vitriol, the hatred, the divisiveness, the assault on everything I believe in. Having said that, I now feel much better. And I will make my small contribution to helping others like me feel positive, encouraged, optimistic and thankful to be Americans. Sure, no matter what I write here will do nothing to cancel the Cancel Culture movement or find a cure for COVID-19. But…

“No, that’s not a line from Kamala Harris’ DNC acceptance speech. It’s Indiana’s Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.” — The Point with Chris Cilizza on CNN, Aug. 20, 2020 WITH ERIC HOLCOMB assured reelection, Indiana Republicans might spend some time thinking about what the heck they are doing. Why are they spending so much energy and money pushing to the fore a political anachronism? Holcomb’s address this week on “equality and equity,” applauded wildly by everyone from CNN to the…

by Leo Morris Here’s a thought for the day: The planet is a hot mess right now because of the indefensible stupidity of the politicians and professors, journalists and generals and preachers, administrators and artists, in fact the entire leadership class to whom we have entrusted our fragile civilization. So, let’s give the philosophers a chance. What have we got to lose? That line of thought got started a few days ago when I tried…