Category Archives: Commentary

Shot in the arm

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Jim

I’m registered to receive the Covid-19 vaccine and hope to get my first shot in the next few weeks. The sooner the better. At my advanced age, I can’t imagine NOT getting vaccinated against a disease that is 220 times … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on Shot in the arm

Pro-union or pro-worker?

Posted on October 22, 2020 by Jim

It’s been interesting to watch the presidential stump speeches to blue-collar audiences. President Trump is bragging about jobs. Former Vice President Biden is promising to create union jobs. It’s an important distinction because in 2016 about half of private-sector union … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on Pro-union or pro-worker?

The Apocalypse may be coming but it’s politics as usual in New Mexico

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Jim

The coming election is the most important in our lifetime, we are told. Both parties are telling us that if the other party wins it will be the Apocalypse. Depending on which cable channel you watch, America will become either … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Life in New Mexico | Comments Off on The Apocalypse may be coming but it’s politics as usual in New Mexico

The American Street

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Jim

When angry mobs of protesters stormed the Wisconsin state capitol in 2011, their rallying cry was: “This is what democracy looks like.” That’s ridiculous, I thought. Democracy is delivered at the ballot box, not in the streets. I was wrong. … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on The American Street

Experiment in integration

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Jim

My hometown of Oak Park, IL., is all in for Black Lives Matter and I’m not at all surprised. Because the nearly all-white suburb where I went to high school became a rarity in America: a racially integrated community. Oak … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Oak Park | Comments Off on Experiment in integration

Time for more statues

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Jim

Mobs have declared open season on every aspect of American’s history.  Confederates and abolitionists, Christopher Columbus, Founding Fathers, and the occasional saint are being erased from memory. What an opportunity!  This is the perfect time to deepen our understanding of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on Time for more statues

The pandemic and institutional co-morbidities

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Jim

It’s probably a healthy sign that people are beginning to talk about what will change once the coronavirus has run its course. There’s a lot of speculation about how things will work now that people are concerned about social distancing … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on The pandemic and institutional co-morbidities

A threat to our democracy

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Jim

In the Senate impeachment trial, the Democrats have been saying repeatedly that President Trump is a threat to our democracy and must be removed from office before he steals the 2020 election. My senators and Congressional representative, Democrats all, have … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on A threat to our democracy

Observations on immigration

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Jim

Immigration ought to be a no-brainer. Control the border with Mexico. Decide who gets in and make it easier for them to do so legally. Deport the criminals. Grant legal status to my cleaning lady.  But nobody’s thinking along those … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on Observations on immigration

Censorship, privacy and monopoly

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Jim

One of the many political controversies swirling around is the role of social media such as Facebook and Twitter in poisoning public discourse and fanning the partisan flames. Censorship of political opinion is a growing concern, along with the influence … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Comments Off on Censorship, privacy and monopoly