Editor’s note: After this column was written, historian Heather Cox Richardson reported that some of her daily posts on American history and life have mysteriously disappeared from Facebook. About a month ago, Presbyterian Outlook, the magazine of the Presbyterian Church…
The dirty chess game that motivates Trump’s yo-yo tariffs
On Sep. 27, 2024, at a rally in Michigan, Donald Trump said: “In the 1890s, our country was probably the wealthiest it ever was because it was a system of tariffs. We had a president, you know, McKinley.” Although his…
Project 2025, Elon Musk and the American coup d’état
Lately, many Americans are expressing frustration, wondering why federal judges appear incapable of stopping DOGE as Congress seems to just sit back quietly. Although the answer is somewhat complex, it can be broken down in relatively simple terms. You might…
Simmer down? Hell, I’m just getting warmed up
Recently someone suggested I should “lighten up” on my criticism of Donald Trump and his regime. That’s not going to happen. To be silent is to be complicit. Throughout my career I’ve been threatened, trolled, falsely accused, defamed, shamed and…
A ‘Hallmark Holiday’ might be exactly what we need
I haven’t sent a greeting card in at least a decade. A couple of weeks ago, however, a friend from back home contacted me to ask if I would be willing to help out her neighbor’s child with a class…
Make a resolution to embrace your true self and the rest will fall into place
We live in a hyper-competitive society. Many of us tirelessly strive to keep up with the Joneses. As one year draws to a close and a new one begins, what do we have to show for it? Copious amounts of…
Lack of sympathy for slain insurance CEO suggests ‘no one mourns the wicked.’
Two kindergarten students remain in extremely critical condition after a school shooting in Northern California last Wednesday. The incident barely made the headlines. In Connecticut, New York and Missouri, Blue Cross Blue Shield declared it no longer will pay for…
The true reason for the first Thanksgiving is just as relevant today
Growing up, many of us were taught the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, by a group of Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe. Some of us even held classroom reenactments of the event, donning funny…
‘The Ellinwood Caper’ and the spirit of nostalgic hometown Halloweens
Not too long ago, while perusing a local bookstore, I noticed a collection of macabre literature brought out just in time for All Hallows Eve. I stumbled upon a book titled Haunted Heartland. Perhaps you can imagine my surprise when…
A politician’s worst enemy and a leader’s greatest ally
A well-informed electorate is a politician’s worst enemy and a leader’s greatest ally. This proves consistent in every race from a city council to the presidency. Politicians thrive in areas where constituents take them solely at their word. But as…
‘Unarmed truth and unconditional love’ will prevail over pharisaical fallacy
During my brief time in office, a fringe group of radical Islamic extremists pushed for various state legislatures to enact bills that would enforce Sharia Law. I signed a petition against it. Today, a fringe group of radical Christian extremists…
Toxic crusaders: The rise of the ultracrepidarian-turned-influencer
George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” Ultracrepidarians are individuals who fancy themselves as experts in subjects which they know little to nothing about. While they may come across as confident, their…