President Obama delivered an address Tuesday night to mark the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq. While the speech featured no surprises, it is memorable both for its tone and for what was not said. The change of status in Iraq, however, may not be a harbinger for course correction in the United States.
Every elected President [...]
A glaring omission on Iraq
Employing a losing strategy
Despite some probable Republican gains this year, Democrats have a good chance of retaining control of Congress next year. Fortunately for Republicans, Democrats nationally have opted for a losing strategy; blaming George W. Bush. Then again, with a track record like that of this Congress, one cannot fault Democratic strategists for trying to distract the electorate this [...]
In Defense of Michael Steele
It has been said that there are two parties in the United States; a stupid party and an evil party. Perhaps better described as a naive party and an opportunist party, the idea behind this concept is that the the poor decisions of one party allow for enactment of the unfathomable agenda of the other. [...]
McDonald and Kagan
While the Senate Judiciary Committee asked questions this week of Solicitor General Elena Kagan, President Obama’s choice to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, the Supreme Court announced a ruling on an issue Democrats would prefer to avoid; the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. In McDonald v. Chicago, the Supreme Court of the United [...]
The Petraeus Dilemma.
The resignation of four-star General Stanley McChrystal from command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan came Wednesday after fallout from an interview appearing in Rolling Stone. McChrystal, whose involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan has earned him praise in the past, used the magazine interview as an avenue to offer criticisms of the Obama administration. The White House was quick [...]
On Paul and Blumenthal
Two senate races continue to dominate the headlines nationwide. Kentucky was one of the states in which a primary was held on Tuesday. Connecticut features a senate race once competitive until the decision of Chris Dodd to retire at the end of his present term. Both U.S. Senate contests, however continue to generate much intrigue.
Lessons from Arizona
Dominating the headlines for the past few weeks across the United States has been a news item out of Arizona. Recently, Arizona lawmakers passed a tough measure into law meant to tackle illegal immigration. The contents of this law, and reactions to it, offer valuable lessons moving forward to anyone concerned with American politics and public policy.
Some Insight on Ideology
Ideology seems to be a topic of renewed interest in the United States at present. While ideologues on all sides have long reveled in their exagerated banter, it seems that the media is now involved. Nonetheless, the press too fails to capture the essential realities of contemporary American political life.
On the left and the right today, there [...]
On Seeking Civility
Something which ought to be a given in contemporary American political discourse is that violence, or the threat of violence, against those with whom one disagrees is unacceptable. Just as the free market is essential to the improvement of goods and services in commerce, a free market of ideas is crucial to the shaping of [...]
The Passage of Obamacare is Nothing Short of Unfortunate
With the stroke of a pen late Tuesday morning came the latest challenge to the land of the free and home of the brave. There is nothing free about imposing on the American populace a mandate to purchase a particular product. Likewise, there is nothing brave about failing to stand up to an administration more invested [...]
