A Letter to my Congressman

This BBC headline speaks for itself: “US discussing options to acquire Greenland including using military, White House says.” I wrote a letter to my Congressman, Lloyd Smucker. I think it says everything that needs to be said. In 1916, in accordance with the Treaty of the Dutch West Indies, the United States purchased what isContinue reading “A Letter to my Congressman”

People Showing Who They Are

I want to give people the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes it’s very, vary hard. Several years ago a friend from high school posted an anti-Semitic meme on Facebook. I read it several times — maybe I was misreading it, maybe there was a charitable reading — but no, it was, no matter howContinue reading “People Showing Who They Are”

A Letter to My Congressman

Last night, much as Hitler had Joachim von Ribbentrop deliver an ultimatum to Poland before the September 1, 1939 invasion, Donald Trump delivered his own ultimatum to Venezuela. I was moved to write my Congressman, Lloyd Smucker. No state of war exists between the United States and Venezuela. There is no causus belli, no legalContinue reading “A Letter to My Congressman”

The Only Thing about the Government Shutdown You Need to Know

Republicans have the White House and majorities in the House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court. And they can’t keep the government open. John Thune could overrule the parliamentarian and move the CR in the Senate if he wanted to. Russ Vought is talking about how the shutdown lets him fire federal workers. This isContinue reading “The Only Thing about the Government Shutdown You Need to Know”

The Regime Restricts COVID Vaccines

Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration announced its new guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine. Per NPR: The agency is limiting the updated shots to people who are at risk for serious complications because they are 65 or older or have other health problems. Until now, COVID vaccines had been available to anyone 6 months andContinue reading “The Regime Restricts COVID Vaccines”

Some Thoughts on Politics

I don’t talk as much about politics as I used to on this here site, but today I must. The Republican “Big, Beautiful Bill” — aka, the budget reconciliation bill — amounts to civilizational suicide. I’ve been thinking in terms of Sid Meier’s Civilization games. The United States has basically been sitting a few turnsContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Politics”

The Madness of King Donald

America has no king.America needs no king. Seen on the official White House Twitter feed. Donald Trump, calling himself a king. A king. Donald Trump increasingly reminds me of Denethor. As he threatens our nearest neighbors, as he covets lands governed by our allies, as he spurns decades-long alliances and parcels up territory not hisContinue reading “The Madness of King Donald”