How many Democrats are running for U.S. President? Twenty, thirty, forty? Doesn’t matter. The sky’s the limit. The more the merrier. This is democracy. But one does stand out because of her campaign theme: stop the wars. Alone among the Presidential hopefuls, Tulsi Gabbard takes this stand. Could it be a winner? Continue reading “Anti-War Candidate, Tulsi Gabbard”
Month: January 2019
The Un-Founding Father
The U.S. Constitution is understandably revered, but there was difficulty getting it approved in a divided, fractious convention of states in 1787, and no one objected to it more than Maryland delegate Luther Martin, described by an admirer as “awkward, coarse, gross, crude and ungrammatical.” Yet his words, delivered at great length, carried weight, as they do today. The great dissenter is lost to memory, writes Bill Kauffman in his book “Forgotten Founder, Drunken Prophet,” and he shouldn’t be. Continue reading “The Un-Founding Father”
Canary’s Controversial Song
Amid the polarization of America today is a growing split in the Jewish community with many youngsters critical of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians while their elders say such protests are harmful to Israel. In response some have joined a “Canary Mission” that maintains profiles of especially troublesome critics and, like the bird song in the coal mine, warns of the danger ahead if present trends continue. A few have even donned a canary suit to make their point. Continue reading “Canary’s Controversial Song”
Muslim Slaves in America
Muslims are having some trouble entering the United States these days, but there was a time when tens of thousands were enthusiastically welcomed for a permanent stay, no visa needed. These were slaves from Africa who arrived under duress in the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s estimated they made up about 20 percent of all slaves and were often esteemed, even by their owners, for their scholarship and attainments. Continue reading “Muslim Slaves in America”
Refugees Then and Now
The some 1,500 migrants now seeking to cross the U.S. border are not particularly welcome, though they are fleeing the cartel violence financed by insatiable American drug consumers. Similarly, in World War II an equal number of Polish refugees trying to find safety in the U.S. were not welcome because they were thought to jeopardize the alliance with communist Russia against the Nazis. Immigration is seldom easy. Continue reading “Refugees Then and Now”