Published Opinion Pieces

The neat rows of simple white crosses stretch much too far in American military cemeteries across Europe — marking the graves of young and brave American soldiers.  There are few who can walk among those graves without tears flowing freely.  They gave their lives for our country and died much

“Defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger”. – JFK I was 12 when I watched JFK’s inaugural address and tonight watched it again on YouTube as a 76 year-old. In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in

As used by the Republican Party, the words “job creators” are jarring and hypocritical. The quality of life of millions of Americans has been deeply damaged by the implementation of policies driven by those words. That was the entire premise behind the 2017 corporate tax cuts: More jobs. Did they

In reaction to Donald Trump’s post-election behavior leading up to January 6, 2021, there was an intense flurry of speeches and angry statements by Republicans.   One of the most dramatic Republican actions was Brian Fitzpatrick’s proposed censure of Trump.  In submitting this censure document, he was joined by six other

Republicans Denouncing Socialism – Linking it to Mass Murders The Republican party took control of the US House of Representatives in January. Instead of actually governing, the party seems determined to play meaningless, revenge politics that accomplishes nothing, other than serving red meat to their base. Brian Fitzpatrick played a

What a confession!  Brian Fitzpatrick, a self-proclaimed Republican moderate, voted for an unqualified, unknown, extremist, inexperienced, 2020 election denier for Speaker of the House simply because “We can’t have the lights off in the House of Representatives.”  After three failed attempts, the chaotic, dysfunctional (their own words!) Republican party gave

What a confession. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a self-proclaimed Republican moderate, voted for an unqualified, unknown, extremist, inexperienced, 2020 election denier for Speaker of the House and second in the line to the presidency, simply because “We can’t have the lights off in the House of Representatives” (Oct. 26). A truly

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has broken his long habit of silence related to anything to do with Donald Trump and has issued a statement about the former president’s 37 felony-count indictment. Fitzpatrick’s statement has an aura of thoughtful moderation, but, when subjected to even basic analysis, it just does not fly.

Southern state Republicans are on the verge of accomplishing legislatively what the Confederate generals could not achieve on the battlefield over 160 years ago — winning the Civil War. Or at least accomplishing all of the goals that motivated the South to secede in the first place. The forces for

Stephen Ayres, who has plead guilty to illegally entering the Capitol Building on January 6th and who testified at a January 6th Committee hearing, provides a powerful lesson for Republican party leaders and the obvious start to solving our country’s painful division: Tell the truth.   Stephen Ayres has to

I grew up in a family that honored the law and revered the Supreme Court. Perhaps that is not surprising because my father was a lawyer and county commissioner, my grandfather was a lawyer and a mayor, and his father — William Howard Taft — was a Chief Justice of

I come from a longtime political family. My great-grandfather was President William H. Taft, and his son was Mr. Republican, Sen. Robert A. Taft. My father, Seth Taft, was the most honest, sincere, caring person I have ever known. He served as a commissioner for Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland.

Enough.  I have had enough of treating the current leaders of the extreme wing of the Republican partyas worthy political opponents. That wing is in control of the party and trying to be in control of our lives, our nation and our Democracy.  They are wrong AND dangerous, and they

I have eight grandchildren, three daughters-in-law, a son-in-law, and my four children. What country, what legal system, what form of government, what environment will I leave them? It is what motivates me every day.  Nothing else really matters.   Every time I look in the mirror, I find myself asking,

The neat rows of simple white crosses stretch much too far in American military cemeteries across Europe — marking the graves of young and brave American soldiers. There are few who can walk among those graves without tears flowing freely. They gave their lives for our country and died much

The Latin word for left is Sinister.  The Latin word for right is Dexter (Dexterous).   I am left-handed.  None of my three siblings are left-handed.  I did not choose to be left-handed. I just AM totally and completely left-handed.  In our world, there are a number of significant drawbacks to

Southern state Republicans are on the verge of accomplishing legislatively what the Confederate generals could not achieve on the battlefield over 160 years ago – winning the Civil War.  Or at least accomplishing all of the goals that motivated the South to secede in the first place. The forces for

The three topics in the title above have a consistent theme.  Fear of Change.  Let’s look at the first two as a possible guide to the eventual outcome of the third.   Some time ago I ordered a full-size printed copy of the front page of the New York Times on

Bob Dylan wrote Forever Young in 1973, over 50 years ago, as a way to describe his hopes for his son.  The lyrics capture the essence of what every parent would wish for their children.  From the second verse of the song: May you grow up to be righteous May

The “No Kings” rally on June 14 has to be a powerful precursor to the essential mass demonstrations that will rid this nation of the authoritarian wave that has swept away both law-abiding Republicans and law-abiding Democrats. Americans have always been able to count on the stability of this nation

The leaked draft of the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, when combined with the replacement theory pushed relentlessly by Tucker Carlson, Elise Stefanik and others, has created a deadly, evil and inexcusable hypocrisy within the Republican Party leadership that shocks the mind. On one hand, in the world of

Americans really care about fairness.  This is perhaps most easily and most dramatically apparent in NFL football games.  We all can remember the disastrous season with the replacement referees.  Fans felt that the outcome of some games was determined due to bad calls by well-meaning, but ill-prepared referees. And to

The concept of the “Tragedy of the Commons” explains a lot of human behavior.  The fish in the sea are a “common” resource, and our individual tendency is to take a little more than our share, which collectively means that, without regulation, fishing areas are almost always depleted. Most often,

In this day and age of people complaining about the federal government, it is worth the time to reflect on all the important rights and policies provided by our government that we count on and take for granted. Despite the noise, the federal government, at least in the past, has