What If… Gary Johnson Had Won in 2016?

Yesterday evening, scrolling through Facebook, I saw a former colleague of mine from EB Games, M, post the following meme image, without any commentary: I posted a quick reply: “Honestly, what do you think would have been different with Johnson?” I didn’t expect a reply, but one was soon forthcoming. In case that’s not entirelyContinue reading “What If… Gary Johnson Had Won in 2016?”

Scenes from the Women’s March in Baltimore

Today I attended the Women’s March sister march in Baltimore. There isn’t much of a narrative here, and I’d struggle to stitch one together. I’ll give some brief background, an account of what I did and witnessed, pictures of what I saw, and some final remarks. This is going behind a link, as there areContinue reading “Scenes from the Women’s March in Baltimore”

Thoughts on the Inauguration

A week ago I’d planned on going to Washington for Hillary Clinton’s inauguration in January. “It will be historic, and it will be fun!” I thought. I’m not going to the inauguration now, and not just because Clinton won’t be the forty-fifth president. The more I’ve thought about January’s inauguration, the more I see theContinue reading “Thoughts on the Inauguration”

The Electoral College Won’t Prevent President Trump

The Electoral College is not going to stand in Donald Trump’s way. I’ve seen chatter the last few days, both on political blogs and Facebook, that the voters of the Electoral College can, or even should, vote for Hillary Clinton instead of Donald Trump. (For example, here.) It’s a nice idea — it’s the wayContinue reading “The Electoral College Won’t Prevent President Trump”

Evan McMullin’s Plan to Win the Presidency

As quixotic as it is, I have to admire Evan McMullin’s plan to win the presidency. The primary reason I find it admirable is that, unlike the other non-major party candidates, McMullin has a strategy. He quite openly states that his plan is to throw the election to the House of Representatives and he’s hoping,Continue reading “Evan McMullin’s Plan to Win the Presidency”

Skittles, Syrians, and Accidental Genius

Last night on Twitter I saw Donald Trump, Jr.’s tweet about Syrian refugees and Skittles. This image says it all. Let's end the politically correct agenda that doesn't put America first. #trump2016 pic.twitter.com/9fHwog7ssN — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 19, 2016 It struck me as a stupid and crass thing to say, and I watchedContinue reading “Skittles, Syrians, and Accidental Genius”

Ted Cruz and the Kick-Off of the 2020 Campaign

Let me ramble on for a few minutes about Ted Cruz’s speech last night at the Republican National Convention. For those coming in late, last night Ted Cruz delivered a speech — that was known in advance not to be an endorsement of Donald Trump — that was, surprisingly to pretty much everyone, an anti-TrumpContinue reading “Ted Cruz and the Kick-Off of the 2020 Campaign”

The Republican Convention and the Potential for Future Violence

Last night, on the second night (of four) of the Republican National Convention, the Republican Party nominated Donald J. Trump as its standard bearer for this year’s presidential campaign. Presidential conventions in the last thirty years, since I was old enough to pay attention, are stage-managed, scripted pep rallies. Nothing unexpected happens. Nothing controversial happens.Continue reading “The Republican Convention and the Potential for Future Violence”

Bernie Sanders in Twilight

Bernie Sanders is pushing back against media reports that Hillary Clinton will claim victory as the presumptive nominee in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, after the New Jersey primary and before the polls close in California. “There will be a contested convention,” says Sanders. Neither candidate will have an outright majority of all delegates, bothContinue reading “Bernie Sanders in Twilight”

Bill Kristol Has His Man

Bill Kristol has actually found someone to run as a third-party conservative this election. I didn’t think it would happen; beyond the practical realities against it, Kristol’s track record with the truth has been poor since about 1990, and if he told me that the sky is blue due to refracting sunlight I’d be skepticalContinue reading “Bill Kristol Has His Man”