There is an old Afghan folk tale that portrays a foreigner balancing two connected trays attached to the handheld weighing device used in South Asian bazaars. The foreigner carefully loads one tray and then the other with frogs. Just as he puts the last few frogs on one tray and then the other, some frogs on the first tray hop off. As the foreigner returns those frogs to the … [Read more...] about Trump Is Only The Latest President To Guarantee American Failure In Afghanistan
The Tolerance Dilemma: How Do We Reach Those We Disagree With?
The tolerance dilemma is on our mind and the magnitude of the issue seems larger and more urgent than ever before. And this time it started with a statue. Robert E. Lee, the general who fought in the US Civil War 150 years ago, still stands in Charlottesville, Virginia on his horse. And like the continued use of the Confederate Flag, this poses a major problem. Why? They … [Read more...] about The Tolerance Dilemma: How Do We Reach Those We Disagree With?
(LATEST UPDATES) Another Navy Collision at Sea
Update, 8/24/2017 7:20:00 AM U.S. Navy: The remains found by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) are not those of a USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) Sailor. On Aug. 22, the RMN discovered the remains while searching the area where the guided-missile destroyer collided with a merchant vessel. The determination was made following medical examinations of the remains, which will … [Read more...] about (LATEST UPDATES) Another Navy Collision at Sea
Cartoon: Trump Troops to Afghanistan
How unhinged is Trump?
WASHINGTON -- How unstable and divorced from reality is President Trump? We've reached the point where the nation has the right and the need to know. We're not accustomed to asking such questions about our presidents. We don't know how to even begin inquiring into a president's mental health, so we rationalize aberrant behavior as being part of some subtle strategy. We say … [Read more...] about How unhinged is Trump?
Over the years, Americans have become increasingly exposed to extremism
By James E. Hawdon, Director, Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention, Virginia Tech. A man sporting a Nazi tattoo leaves Emancipation Park in Charlottesville, Virginia on Aug. 12, 2017. Steve Helber/AP Photo Extremism has always been with us, but the internet has allowed ideas that advocate hate and violence to reach more and more people.… … [Read more...] about Over the years, Americans have become increasingly exposed to extremism
Cartoon and column: Stop N Go
Trump and other Republicans are real quick to use the term “radical Islamic terrorists.” They were very critical of President Obama for not using the term and his refusal to accuse an entire religion of being terrorists. But, when terrorism is committed by white Christians, Donald Trump isn’t sure who to blame. After a white supremacist drove his car through a crowd of … [Read more...] about Cartoon and column: Stop N Go
Trump: US can’t afford quick Afghanistan withdrawal, must continue the fight
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump declared Monday night the United States must continue fighting in Afghanistan to avoid the "predictable and unacceptable" results of a rapid withdrawal from the country where the U.S. has been at war for 16 years. In a prime-time address to the nation, Trump said his "original instinct was to pull… … [Read more...] about Trump: US can’t afford quick Afghanistan withdrawal, must continue the fight
A Sunday Morning Lesson
I had a somewhat unusual but profound experience this morning. Even though I am Jewish I attended a service at the Methodist Church here in town. A little background on how this came to be is in order. On Thursday, my wife got a call from a former piano student of hers who is now organist/choir director at this church. He was in a panic because none of the usual organist … [Read more...] about A Sunday Morning Lesson
A Rich Man’s War. A Poor Man’s Fight.
Regarding the U.S. Civil War, the majority of Southerners were not slave owners. So, why did Southern men who didn't own slaves go to war against the U.S. government? The April 2011 issue of Smithsonian Magazine gives a clue: "While most Southerners did not own slaves, slave owners wielded power far beyond their numbers." Southerners who didn't own slaves didn't want … [Read more...] about A Rich Man’s War. A Poor Man’s Fight.
Why The Russia Scandal Is Our Only Hope Of Ridding America Of Donald Trump
It was the week that everything -- and nothing -- changed. It was the week that Donald Trump proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is profoundly unfit to be president. It was the week that he openly embraced neo-Nazis and white nationalists. It was the week that the top generals from all five military branches, as well as the leaders of Britain, Germany and other … [Read more...] about Why The Russia Scandal Is Our Only Hope Of Ridding America Of Donald Trump
The Trump administration’s three ‘court Jews’ disgrace themselves
WASHINGTON -- What Gary Cohn, Steven Mnuchin and Jared Kushner did last week -- or, rather, what they didn't do -- is a shanda. They'll know what that means, but, for the uninitiated, shanda is Yiddish for shame, disgrace. The three men, the most prominent Jews in President Trump's administration, could have spoken out, to say that those who march with neo-Nazis are not … [Read more...] about The Trump administration’s three ‘court Jews’ disgrace themselves
Cartoon: Eclipse
Jerry Lewis comedian, actor and director dies at 91
Jerry Lewis, the manic, rubber-faced comedian who burst onto the post-World War II show-business scene with partner Dean Martin to form the hottest comedy team of their era before launching his own highly successful solo career a decade later, died Sunday. He was 91. Lewis died of natural causes in Las Vegas with his family by… … [Read more...] about Jerry Lewis comedian, actor and director dies at 91
The ongoing self-defining of Donald Trump
Mo Udall once quipped, "Everything that needs to be said has been said - but not everyone's said it." The comments about President Trump's response to the crisis in Charlottesville have inspired reaction from everyone, and virtually none have been in the president's defense. There's a reason for that. His handling on multiple occasions during the past week have ranged from … [Read more...] about The ongoing self-defining of Donald Trump
‘Bannon and Bailey’ Is No More
You can bet your bottom dollar that today’s “Sunday shows” will be analyzing and dissecting ad nauseam the clownish and not-so-clownish acts that have been presented during the past week at what so many are now calling the “White House Circus.” With the unceremonious departure of the Ringmaster (sorry Mr. Trump) rumors are rampant that Mr. Bannon will start a second Big … [Read more...] about ‘Bannon and Bailey’ Is No More
Cartoon: Trump Tweet
What to Know About the Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse will march across the United States on Monday, casting a shadow from Oregon's Pacific Coast, across the U.S. heartland, all the way to South Carolina's Atlantic Coast. Why is this eclipse so anticipated? This will be the first time in 38 years that the mainland United States will experience a total eclipse,… … [Read more...] about What to Know About the Solar Eclipse
God and inclusiveness
God and inclusiveness The star studded skies, a prairie full of life, remind me of God and inclusiveness each time. As we embark on Hajj in submission to God, here are some lines from across several faiths in this light. Talbiyah (the prayer of Hajj, a once in a lifetime mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca for financially and physically able Muslims) Labbayka Allahumma … [Read more...] about God and inclusiveness
What makes one a hero?
What makes one a hero? I learned the answer to that question when the traveling version of the Vietnam War Memorial - the Wall - was displayed in my community. While visiting the Wall, I talked to a veteran of the Vietnam War, during which time he told me just who were the heroes of the Vietnam War. The heroes were the men whose names were written on the Wall. In … [Read more...] about What makes one a hero?