Last year, seven of Indiana’s GOP state senators refused Donald Trump’s demand that they re-do state voting districts to help their party. This week, five of them paid the price: Losing to Trump-backed opponents in closely watched primary races. (One…
The spirit of revenge
The crusade to Make America Great Again is now dominated by the spirit of revenge. Longtime journalist Jonathan Karl has released his fourth book on Donald Trump: Retribution. Nobody needs to read the book to witness Trump’s public campaign of retaliation. Trump…
On the indictment of James Comey
Donald Trump always has been brutally honest about his intentions to get even with his enemies. In a speech to business leaders, Trump said: “You know in all fairness to Wharton, I love ’em, but they teach you some stuff…
Trump vs. Harvard, round 2: The Constitution fights back
In a nation that reveres liberty, intellect and rule of law, the latest clash between Donald J. Trump and Harvard University is not just a headline, it’s a high-stakes constitutional confrontation. And in this second round, the gloves are off….
A catalogue of Trump’s 100 days of terrible horrible, no good actions
Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in office have been a blitzkrieg — an intense political campaign intended to bring about a swift victory. He has managed to produce his own Jacksonian “Trail of Tears” by firing thousands of federal…
Trump supporters’ silence about his threat for vengeance
In the 1990s, my friends on the far left were upset that I favored impeaching and convicting President Bill Clinton for lying under oath. When Democrats on social media were lauding Garth Brooks’ singing of “Amazing Grace” at President Joe…
Robert Reich was right in 1994, and we must pay attention now
Thirty years ago, Secretary of Labor Robert Reich saw something on the horizon most of us missed. He spoke to the 1994 Democratic Leadership Council: My friends, we are on the way to becoming a two-tiered society composed of a…
The desire for retaliation is a fool’s errand
Ever since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists, followed by the horrific obliteration bombing of Gaza in response, there is a passage from the Hebrew Bible that has echoed in my mind. It’s what I consider one…
A few good men?: Promising Young Woman and the culture of abuse
When Judge Aaron Persky reduced Stanford rapist Brock Turner’s sentence from six years in state prison to six months in county jail, he did so on the basis that Turner was “a promising young man.” Writer/director Emerald Fennell’s stark thriller/fairytale…
‘The Revenant’ asks which is more powerful: love or revenge?
By Russ Dean What is the most powerful force within the human psyche? The Apostle Paul says there is only one force in the world for which people will move heaven and earth, a force which people will ultimately, and…
Loving neighbors and reading the Bible: Some reflections upon the death of Phelps
The world recently learned of the death of Fred Phelps, Sr., founder and “pastor” of Westboro “Baptist” “Church,” the group who has become known for their protests of military funerals and signs that say “God hates ____.” They have traveled…