This is Aylan Kurdi, the Syrian toddler who drowned off the coast of Turkey last September. Some media sources chose not to publish the photo. I think everyone needs to see it. It’s emblematic of a world where things have gone badly wrong. Aylan likely had no idea why his family was leaving home on what […]
How much of what we hear is exaggerated, destructive or full of hate? Don Miguel Ruiz, author of “The Four Agreements,” would say many people fail to be impeccable with their words. Impeccable means not capable of sin and free from fault or blame. Think of what it means, then, to be impeccable with your
Be impeccable with your words Read Post »
When you vote this Tuesday, you will see three referendums, known as Issues 1, 2 and 3, which all seek to amend the Ohio Constitution. Here’s my view on all three. Vote yes on Issue 1 Issue 1 seeks to implement a non-partisan approach to drawing voting districts for Ohio state representatives and senators. As important
Ohio’s three referendums—yes, yes and no Read Post »
It wasn’t obvious at first, but then it dawned on me. Donald Trump and James A. Traficant, Jr., though they may be different in one sense, are very much alike. In case you don’t recall, Traficant was a Congressman from Youngstown, Ohio, who was expelled from the House in 2002. The differences between them may
Donald Trump and James A. Traficant, Jr.–Soulmates? Read Post »
Sometimes I receive suggested topics for my blog. A reader, who happens to be a client, suggested last week that I write about the fallout from Donald Trumps’s statements on immigration. “Jack, in your left leaning missives, how about considering this? “Political Correctness. Let’s all never say anything that could or would be potentially upsetting
Donald Trump: brash and wrong Read Post »
What’s the difference between athletes and politicians? When athletes lose a game, they generally don’t blame anyone besides themselves. When politicians lose, i.e., the Supreme Court doesn’t see things their way, they blame the court. In an article published last month in The National Review, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
Criticism of the Supreme Court is nothing new Read Post »
About two weeks ago, former Gov. Jeb Bush joined the ranks of those who argue about established science. Commenting on man’s impact on climate change, he had this to say: “I don’t think the science is clear of what percentage is man-made and what percentage is natural. It’s convoluted. For the people to say the
Jeb Bush on global warming–conservative thought or lack of thought? Read Post »
The 2016 presidential campaign is in its infancy, and already I’m fatigued by the crazy talk I hear. Case in point: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who spoke the week before last at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition summit in Iowa about the First Amendment and religious freedom. Here’s what Cruz had to say: “Today’s Democratic
Sen. Ted Cruz panders on religious freedom Read Post »
A month ago, I criticized Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act for permitting discrimination against gays. I saw the law as promoting intolerance. After much thought, I think my take on the issue was wrong. My analysis of the law and how it affects basic concepts like justice and fairness were influenced by my own
Religious freedom or intolerance? I got it wrong Read Post »
It’s stunning that the decision to resume diplomatic relations with Cuba has been such a controversial event. President Barack Obama is criticized for opening the door with Cuba because it is governed by a dictator and has a history of human rights abuses, but since when has the U.S. limited its relations to open, democratic
What makes Cuba so special? Read Post »
How can any of us determine if “enhanced interrogation techniques” (EITs)—the euphemism given to waterboarding, rectal hydration, sleep deprivation and other practices, applied to detainees—produced meaningful information? The rebuttals exchanged by politicians consist of generalizations that fall along political lines and tell us nothing. Investigating the issue is a daunting task, and the most meaningful
Let’s stand back and examine what we’ve done Read Post »
Columnist George Will believes that restoration of the Senate’s dignity rests on the reelection of Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, who Will views as “second only to Henry Clay as the state’s most consequential public servant.” Only through McConnell’s leadership, Will tells us, will the Senate “be restored as the creator of consensus.” If McConnell’s opponent, Alison
Mitch McConnell took the easy way out Read Post »