We’re On A Road To Nowhere

Chris Hedges is such a Pollyanna: Systems of governance that are seized by a tiny cabal become mafia states. The early years—Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton in the United States—are marked by promises that the pillage will benefit everyone. The later years—George W. Bush and …

Create Your Own Adventure

The Covid-19 pandemic’s been going on for 2 years. Most of us have more than a little fatigue…we’re tired of restrictions, tired of doomsayers. We want “normal”, whatever that means. Indications are that the dominant variants are less virulent. Treatments must be improving, given that …

Welcome, My Friends, To the Grift That Never Ends

Three e-mails from Donald Trump, this morning: Ostensibly from Jim Jordan, subject: “I need help”. Much more self-aware than I realized. I hope he can get it while incarcerated. One from 45, himself, all about how he’s fighting Big Tech (fear, fear, fear!), and how …

The Secrets To His Success

Plenty’s been said about President Trump’s methods of messaging, much by Trump, himself: “Good publicity is preferable to bad, but from a bottom-line perspective, bad publicity is sometimes better than no publicity at all. Controversy, in short, sells.” “My leverage came from confirming an impression …

So Long, And Thanks For All the Pessimism

As I’m looking at what’s happening that’s noteworthy for voters, I’m increasingly pessimistic. Here’s what we’re seeing: Politics as rancorous tribalismGrowing up in Sacramento, I was a fan of the Oakland Raiders…from the Ken Stabler days through the Lester Hayes/stick’m days, and thereafter. When Bill …

Government Inefficiency May Be A Feature

This tweet got me thinking… Operating a for-profit business makes it more likely that your business will make decisions to profit-maximize. As a result: You may not be operating equitably—you will offer priority service or allegiance to those who will maximize your profit You may …