Democrats Supreme Court Blueprint – Avoid Nuclear War

The Democrats Supreme Court blueprint for the Neil Gorsuch fight is evolving.  And it must. Democrats must cool off from the first weeks of the Trump presidency or they risk stumbling into a disaster.  They must focus dispassionately on their long-game.  And there’s a very important long-game to be played, with very serious consequences to the Democrats and their agenda if they play it wrong.

The Republicans Will Not Allow the Court’s Ideological Balance to Shift

The Court’s composition with Justice Scalia was reasonably divided.  Four progressives, four “conservatives,” and one swing vote.  His death opened a seat on the conservatives side.  His replacement with another conservative justice does not alter the Court’s balance.  The Republicans will not tolerate a shift. Continue reading “Democrats Supreme Court Blueprint – Avoid Nuclear War”

Sally Yates Violated Her Duties – A Poor Reflection on the Justice Department

The hubbub about former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates’ heroic or un-heroic stand ignores the central issues raised by her conduct.  Let’s be unpolitical and as impartial as possible, and take a hard look at what happened here.  Let’s ignore that she is a Democrat and that the President is a Republican.  None of that matters.   The conduct of the Attorney General of the United States, whether acting or otherwise, must be beyond all reproach.  In our view, what occurred here is one of the lowest moments in the history of the Department of Justice of the United States.  Sally Yates violated her duties.  We explain. Continue reading “Sally Yates Violated Her Duties – A Poor Reflection on the Justice Department”

More Political Hypocrisy – The Sad Tale of Senator Jeff Merkley

Our campaign against political hypocrisy continues.  This has become a full-time avocation.  The latest sad entry comes from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, one of the key architects of the November, 2013 change to the Senate filibuster rules.  It seems that Senator Merkley, a strong proponent of eliminating the filibuster, has become the filibuster’s greatest champion.  It took less than four years, and a change in the party of the presidency, for this remarkable turnaround.  It’s another example of why faith in our political leaders is at an all-time low.  When will anyone – anyone – stand up on consistent principles?  It’s more political hypocrisy.

The principled Senator Merkley has a deep and enduring respect for his Constitutional responsibilities.  So, according to Senator Merkley, should the filibuster be available to the minority side in the Senate?  Well of course not – except when “we” are the minority.  All of which somehow allows him to claim the moral high ground when it comes to U.S. Supreme Court nominations.  Is there more political hypocrisy here?  You be the judge. Continue reading “More Political Hypocrisy – The Sad Tale of Senator Jeff Merkley”

The Constitutionality of Trump’s Immigration Ban: Is it Permissable? – A Debate

This debate involves the constitutionality of Trump’s Executive Order “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States” (the “Order”).  The debate also offers statutory analysis for and against the legality of the temporary ban.  Readers may weigh-in with their view.

Before jumping into the debate, there are several key elements, among others, to consider. Continue reading “The Constitutionality of Trump’s Immigration Ban: Is it Permissable? – A Debate”

French Outsider Presidential Candidates Get Boost From Scandal – Risks to EU Grow

A scandal in the French presidential election campaign involving the integrity of the leading candidate is feeding directly into the growing popular distrust of the political class.  The new developments, centered on Republican party front-runner Francois Fillon, cast an ominous cloud over the hopes for a win by the mainstream candidate.  It has ratcheted-up the unpredictability of the election outcome.  It increases the possibility of a win by the outsider presidential candidates, far-right Front National candidate Marine Le Pen and newcomer Emmanuel Macron.  Continue reading “French Outsider Presidential Candidates Get Boost From Scandal – Risks to EU Grow”

The Decline of Ethics in Journalism – The Huffington Post and Trump’s Immigration Order

Will the sad decline of ethics in journalism ever end?  There’s no mystery why the public doesn’t trust the media.  It didn’t used to be this way. Journalists focus less on reporting facts and more on drawing attention. They frequently distort or omit relevant information.   Sometimes, they use more indirect means to mislead, such as applying inaccurate labels to facts, or using inappropriate words to create false inferences or connotations.  Truth and accuracy are sacrificed to sensationalism.  They are victims of the competitive push for eyeballs and profits.

The Decline of Ethics in Journalism – The Trump Order on Immigration

Which brings us to the Huffington Post.  On January 25, 2017 they published an article entitled “Read Draft Text Of Trump’s Executive Order Limiting Muslim Entry to The U.S. (EXCLUSIVE).”  Now, that headline really got our attention.  For one, it sure sounds like President Trump actually went ahead and limited Muslim entry into the U.S.  We’ve got to read about that!  The headline also emphasizes the word “exclusive” in bold print.  The article must contain unique information that we really need to read because we won’t find it elsewhere. Continue reading “The Decline of Ethics in Journalism – The Huffington Post and Trump’s Immigration Order”

Trump’s Supreme Court Strategy – The Game is On

President Trump has apparently whittled his Supreme Court nominee down to three.  Thomas Hardiman, William Pryor, and Thomas Hardiman are each Federal appellate court judges who are well regarded in conservative circles. But what will be Trump’s Supreme Court strategy? Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer has laid down the gauntlet to President Trump: “If the nominee is not bipartisan and mainstream, we will absolutely keep the seat open.”  Further, “we are not going to make it easy for them to pick a Supreme Court justice” he said previously.  “It’s hard for me to imagine” Democrats supporting any nomination submitted by President Trump.  With the filibuster rule in place, at least for now, how will President Trump elect to play this nomination game? Continue reading “Trump’s Supreme Court Strategy – The Game is On”

Does Populism Lead to Hitler – Pope Francis Thinks it Might

Pope Francis believes that growing populism threatens global stability.   His fear, which seems to be widely echoed, is that populism will lead to irrationality. In turn, irrationality will lead to the election of another Hitler.  Is he right? Should we fear populism?  Did it previously lead to the election of Adolf Hitler? In today’s world does populism lead to Hitler? Continue reading “Does Populism Lead to Hitler – Pope Francis Thinks it Might”

How Did WikiLeaks Get the DNC Emails? President Obama Extends the Mystery

So how did WikiLeaks get the DNC emails?  The DNC-Russian hacking analysis remains incomplete.  One thing is certain. The United States intelligence community does not know how WikiLeaks received the Democratic National Committee emails.  Former President Obama confessed as much in his last press conference:

The conclusions of the intelligence community with respect to the Russian hacking were not conclusive as to whether WikiLeaks was witting or not in being the conduit through which we heard about the DNC e-mails that were leaked.

How Did WikiLeaks Get the DNC Emails?- Electronic Transmission

If the Russians electronically transmitted emails to WikiLeaks, it is reasonable to conclude that the National Security Agency (NSA) knows it.  It may even be likely that the NSA knows it.  Here’s the analysis. Continue reading “How Did WikiLeaks Get the DNC Emails? President Obama Extends the Mystery”

Shift in U.S. Policy towards Iran – What Direction Will Trump Take?

It is time for a shift in U.S. policy towards Iran.  We are not referring simply to the Iranian nuclear agreement, the subject of controversy and continuing debate.  More importantly, America’s strategic Iranian policy requires a reorientation in order to reassert and defend American (and allied) interests in the Middle East.

U.S. Policy Towards Iran – President Obama’s Strategic Approach

Before addressing a new American policy, President Obama’s approach must be understood.  There were two key components of President Obama’s Iranian strategy.   We take a brief look at both. Continue reading “Shift in U.S. Policy towards Iran – What Direction Will Trump Take?”

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