Category Archives: Commentary

Where are the responsible Muslims (and Christians)?

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Jim

When radical Muslims commit acts of terrorism or mayhem, we are assured that the Jihadists do not represent the billions of moderate, law-abiding Muslims around the world. I am sure these folks exist, but can’t help wondering why we hear … Continue reading →

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The next round of class warfare

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Jim

We’re hearing a lot of complaints from the punditry about class warfare in the current presidential campaign. Get used to it. We’ll be seeing a lot more class warfare in the next few years. John Edwards started it in 2004 … Continue reading →

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Health care reform 2.0

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Jim

Okay, the Supreme Court upheld ObamaCare, sort of, and health care reform is back on the political front burner. That’s a good thing. The first attempt at fixing the health care system was bound to turn out like the first … Continue reading →

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Political wisecracks I cannot resist

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jim

Why do the politicians who oppose government regulation of business want the government to regulate marriage and pregnancy? I never thought much of President George W. Bush. Didn’t vote for him. Now I’m starting to like the guy. I guess … Continue reading →

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Democracy in Wisconsin

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Jim

Reaction to the recall election in Wisconsin will be reverberating for a while. For the record, my roots are on both sides of the controversy. My father was a union organizer in the 1930s. I worked in corporate public relations … Continue reading →

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Whatever happened to journalism?

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Jim

It would be tempting to mourn the passing of the golden age of journalism. In the 1960s the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University initiated me into a quasi-priesthood of accuracy, fairness and balance. It was a reporters’ boot camp … Continue reading →

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My favorite spectator sport

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Jim

If politicians did not exist I probably would be a big fan of professional wrestling. But politicians are so much more colorful and comic. It’s probably my upbringing. I grew up in Chicago, was an avid reader of Mike Royko’s … Continue reading →

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Solar power

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Jim

I think solar power is a great idea. Free electricity: how cool is that? I’d love to use it at home because my house is an ideal solar site:, with a big flat roof under a New Mexico sun that … Continue reading →

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Anyone for a Mediterranean cruise?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Jim

I’ve been watching the unfolding story of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster and the growing list of ways in which the captain and others screwed up. I have a little experience in things nautical even though I spent more … Continue reading →

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Economic demagoguery

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Jim

Politics is my favorite spectator sport. It’s often amusing, a little like watching monkeys at the zoo. But when politicians tinker with the economy they’re downright scary. The continuing recession (or recovery, depending on which party is talking) means that … Continue reading →

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