The O'Finky Factor

Let’s admit it. The current reiteration of all-out war between various Palestinian terrorists and Israel was, of course, totally predictable. Yes, it was something of a surprise that the usually dependable Israeli intelligence did not pick up on an imminent attack by Hamas sooner, but it was an attack for which Israel’s current coalition of inept and largely “pre-hysterical” troglodytes had been laying the track for some time... (Published Nov 6, 2023)

Last night I had a vision, at least I thought I did. I saw what we, in the Judaeo-Christian-Muslim cultures, call “the host of heaven” in a huge uproar over the identification of the worst of all faults... (Published Aug 11, 2023)

Now, I suppose it’s natural for many individuals raised in any given “faith” to feel that it is the “best” religious belief system. This we might call a form of natural “chauvinism” comparable to similar feelings about one's country. In ancient times, while a degree of religious chauvinism could be found in most cultures, there was still, undoubtedly, a grudging respect for other religions... (Published 8/3/2023)

Back in 2017, I wrote an article “Abandoned and Deserted, a Cry from the Center.” In it I discussed the plight of “centrists,” most of them hoping for some sort of dialogue to somehow “break out” between the country’s various warring factions. I also could not understand why the majority of influential Democrats had ignored Joe Biden as their preferred presidential candidate... (Published June 23, 2022)

In the past, I have sarcastically referred to the Democratic party as "The Democratic Party of Stupid” and Republicans as “The Republican Party of Evil.” I went on to discuss some serious concerns which I felt had never been adequately addressed. The more obvious, those having to do with both parties becoming more and more extreme while at the same time becoming less and less credible, are, for the most part, healthy subjects for ongoing debate... (Published May 30, 2022)

We have not had any accountability from either military or civilian authorities since the Vietnam War, certainly not since “W’s” senseless attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq, attacks on two “tribal conglomerations,” neither of which had any real involvement in “9/11.” Neither have we had even an ounce of credibility from the FBI or the so-called “Justice” Department... (Published Sept 20, 2021)

To my mind, the most troubling and at the same time the most intriguing story in the New Testament is that of Barabbas, the “brigand” supposedly freed by Pontius Pilate at the behest of the so-called “Jewish mob.” This story, more than any other, seems to reveal the true nature and bitterness of the conflict between pagan followers of Paul and the earliest Christian followers of Jesus, ie. those involved in the development of the movement as Jesus had originally intended it to be. Moreover, with all of its dripping irony, the story is representative of the very same conflict, I believe, that would eventually lead to the origin of “fake news,” to the earliest form of “Q-Anon,” and worst of all, to the perversion and corruption of the wonderful teaching of the person so many consider the best individual ever to walk the earth... (Published Oct 13, 2021)

The talks between President Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (as opposed to upcoming talks with Vladimir Putin) seem to involve something we did not see for the last few years, two leaders with, not all, but many common goals, yet with different ideas on how to attain those goals... (Published June 12, 2021)

It is time to stop complaining about the violation of well established civilized norms and to begin discussions about whether to overturn some of the not quite so civilized norms that may actually need to be overturned, ironically, to save our democratic republic... (Published Jan 11, 2021)

The silence is deafening. Where are they? I’m talking about the people who can add and subtract without using their fingers and toes. Let’s see, Mr. Trump sent his closest henchmen to meet with Russian agents during his presidential campaign intending to subvert official U.S. policy in exchange for the Russians’ help in the campaign... (Published Dec 22, 2020)

I know, nobody, especially Democrats, wants to talk about it. A number of ignorant extremist “pseudo Christians,” sharing a fleeting friendship with a number of equally ignorant extremist orthodox Jews, insist they have a right to turn worship services into super spreader pandemic events... (Published Nov 29, 2020)

One of my favorite pastimes is the criticism of the otherwise eminent Professor Stanley Fish’s vacuous article “Is Voting Speech,” printed in the New York Times back in 2011. In his attempt to somehow prove that a citizen’s vote in a public election is not protected speech or even an opinion, Professor Fish refers to the Supreme Court case of Nevada Ethics Commission v. Carrigan to prove his point... (Published Nov 12, 2020)

These are examples of only a few of the contradictions and compromises to be found in the “Bible.” I bring this up reluctantly because try as I may, I cannot find a single U.S. Constitutional “originalist” who is not also some sort of religious originalist, that is also refusing to see the contradictions and human frailties inherent in any document composed by human beings, even human beings who are “divinely” inspired... (Published October 29, 2020)

Visualizing “the glass half full,” I can see a vaccine for COVID-19 in the next 1-2 years, possibly, and eventually beneficial changes to our lifestyles and economic health. What I cannot see is finding a cure for the never ending brain eroding effects of the H. stupidus virus. As for the intellectual and moral “deplorables” attending the Trump viral incubation rally in Oklakoma, if they have to thoughtlessly infect someone else, would anyone be asking for it more than Bloviator in Chief Trump?  (Published June 20, 2020)

The case of Captain Brett E. Crozier’s dismissal as skipper of the nuclear aircraft carrier Theodore Roosvelt by acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modley adds a new twist to the machinations of the president and the toadies with which he surrounds himself... (Published April 26, 2020)

An adolescent president with a massive and fatal inferiority complex, already mentally and emotionally inadequate to lead, is faced with the worst natural disaster since the 1918 flu epidemic... (Published April 5, 2020)

The greatest strength of the Democratic Party may well be its greatest weakness. Virtually everyone seems to know this, of course, but the party leaders in recent years have not been able to process the idea. It is one thing to brag about protecting candidates’ diverse ideologies no matter how unresearched or extreme they may be. It is quite another to forbid party leaders and “elders” to sit them down and explain how much damage can be done by their lack of discipline and their needless squandering of precious political capital... (Published Oct 17, 2019)

As a lifelong Democrat with progressive values, I sit here bewildered by the lack of common sense so predominant in my political party... (Published May 2, 2019)

When I say over and over and over that they are “extremist” issues, “Progressives” immediately assume that I am against gay marriage and the right of a woman to have an abortion. The truth is that I personally do not care if two human beings want to marry or if a woman chooses to have an abortion for any significant reason. No, what makes them so  “extreme” is the huge political capital wasted on these issues and the truly ugly consequences of a legitimate political ideology with no discipline... (Publlished Dec 23, 2018)

I have written before that Donald Trump is not a successful “businessman,” but rather a successful “criminal’ who has made a fortune out of bogus business deals, laundered money, defrauding tenants and college students and a stint as a television personality. He obviously knows nothing about legitimate business. I have warned my readers that the emotional and ignorant “ideas” flatulated in his tweets, if implemented, would eventually destroy the stock market and our economy... (Published Dec 21, 2018)

The current brouhaha over Elizabeth Warren's recent DNA test seems to represent yet another case of illiteracy so prevalent in Washington D.C. (Published October 17, 2018)

This is a very troubling article because it deals with what is probably the most unpopular subject in polite society, the negotiability of morality in almost all religions, the two most guilty offenders, of course, being orthodox Christianity and radical Islam... (Published July 9, 2018)

Diary Excerpts: Incontinent Thoughts of a Rogue Thinker... (Published Jan 16, 2018)

I have long been an advocate of lowering corporate taxes.  They represent a somewhat necessary but largely regressive tax, simply generating only a fraction of the intended income for government coffers when compared to the money lost to the GNP... (Published June 22, 2018)

As a country’s wealth continues to far exceed its distribution, a feudal system develops.  Even though, in some ways, it seems unfair to substantially tax inheritance, without the tax, we will simply develop into the non working “landed gentry” system of the middle ages.  This  path will eventually lead us to the death of capitalism... (Published Jan 11, 2018)

Of all the countries of the free world, the United States has consistently shown the least respect and appreciation for voting.  In a banner year, little more than half of the eligible voters might make their way to the polls.  In off year elections, as few as 20% of eligible voters may form the “majority” that determines the fate of an entire state or ultimately of the entire nation... (Published Dec. 20, 2017, re-edited Jan 4, 2018) 

Nowhere is the “curse” of Christianity more evident than in the struggle of Republican lawmakers in their shallow attempt to reconcile their callous disrespect for the common man with the gentle teachings of their savior... (Published December 13, 2017)

We have parasites eating away at our national parks and monuments, further insulting  already mortally injured Native American tribes, an escalating food fight between two enfants terrible over their nuclear toys, and a pseudo American political party dedicated to using phony “tax reform” in a determined effort to restore their beloved feudal system to their favorite donor oligarchs... (Published Dec 8, 2017)

So far, Secretary of State Tillerson has erroneously referred to his boss, Donald Trump as a “moron’” while National Security Advisor McMaster apparently felt that the term “idiot” was the more accurate designation... (Published 11/20/2017; Edited 12/7/2017)

The “Democrat (ic) Socialist Party” vs. the “Banana Republic (an) Party”... If the title of this article seems to you to be a little exaggerated, think again.  It’s hard to find more than a handful of Republicans these days who don’t consider the Democrats’ true agenda an ultimate pathway to socialism and anarchy. (Published Nov 17, 2017)

Since I was a boy, I have always considered Judaism, Christianity and islam to be essentially  the same religion... (Published October 12, 2017)

The crisis in Puerto Rico, far worse than that of Katrina in Louisiana, with a Trump White House response even more incompetent than that of the Bush White house response, reveals an entire Republican party without a soul... (Published September 30, 2017)

As important as issues such as health care and Russian interference in our elections may be, they pale in comparison to the single most important threat to our whole way of life.  That threat is to the right to vote and to the protection of that right under the First Amendment... (Published July 9, 2017)

Hello- My name is Judge Moishe Pipick.  I have a tough decision to make and I need some help in the matter.  The decision I must make is: “Who, exactly has the right to express his or her opinion in the voter’s booth?” (Published May 15, 2017)

Last Saturday, I read an article in the Opinion Page of the Tampa Bay Times entitled WITH FOES LIKE THESE... by moderate conservative Peggy Noonan that echoed many of my concerns as a frustrated liberal... (Published May 1, 2017) 

Being philosophical, being right, is simply not enough!  Without being practical, the road to ruin is paved with good intentions and strewn with “bodies” of far too many of our best men and women figuratively and literally sacrificed for a “good cause.”... (Published April 8, 2017)

If it sounds to you like a whiney child is complaining about being mistreated, then this article may never resonate with you.  If you are proud that you consider yourself an extreme progressive, with nothing but contempt for extremists on the right or if you are extremely conservative with nothing but contempt for progressives on the left, then take a breath, cool off a little... (Published April 1, 2017)

Too many creatures and too many questions... (Published March 30, 2017)

As I watch Republicans scramble in a vain attempt to repair a terminally ill healthcare plan, indeed, severely defective from its inception, I must ask the authors the true 64,000 dollar question: “Where the heck is Tom Coburn?” (Published Mar 24, 2017)

How did we ever get to where we are?  Political views aside, one thing seems certain.  We have a political neophyte in the White House who has surrounded himself with billionaire cabinet members, some brilliant business minds, but not one adept at or even experienced in the art of governing... (Published Mar 15, 2017)

Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and the President unveiled the first phase of their proposed health insurance plan to eventually replace “Obamacare.”  Ironically, In his New York Times editorial, Paul Krugman recently complained that for the past several years, Republicans have been substituting slogans and hollow one liners for concrete solutions to our national problems... (Published Mar 8, 2017)

During the recent contest for DNC chairman, I found myself hoping that Tom Perez would come out the winner.  I find Keith Ellison to be one of the most likable and energetic congressmen to come on the scene in many years.  I find Perez equally sincere and engaging.  Both seem to have boundless energy and both seem to attribute poor Democratic presidential and congressional showings to lack of sufficient “boots on the ground” and not enough “footprints” in the right places... (Published March 2, 2017)

There are few things in life more dependable and, at the same time, less respected than basic arithmetic... (Published Feb 28, 2017) 

Once upon a time, a group of oppressed, mostly European settlers managed to cross a vast ocean in wooden sailing vessels, emigrating to a strange and exciting new continent... (Published Feb 24, 2017) 

It was truly a relief to find out that Vice President Pace did not actually lie about General Flynn’s discussions with the Russian ambassador regarding U.S. sanctions against the Russians. It means that the vice president did not lie, that actually it was the president who withheld the truth from Pence, thereby throwing his own vice president “under the bus.” (Published Feb 15, 2017)

As more and more information becomes available about when and what exactly the Trump White House knew about General Mike Flynn’s premature discussions with Russian Ambassador, Sergei Kislyak, it is assumed that more and more Republicans will be forced to call for some sort of investigation... (Published Feb 14, 2017) 

Congratulations: as of today, it’s almost official, Jeff Sessions is to be reunited with his competent, even more amoral buddy, Chuck Cooper, newly elevated to the position of U.S.Solicitor General.  Up to now President S.Trumpet has been dismissing qualified attorneys for telling him their honest legal opinions, planning to replace them with a battalion of the “walking dead.” (Published Feb 8, 2017)

For many years “Fake News” has been the province of the right wing.  Yes, left wing extremists used it briefly in the form of communist propaganda, but the alt-right has cultivated it as their favorite form of information... (Written Dec 7, 2016; Published Dec 13, 2016)

With the recent election of Donald Trump and especially considering his lukewarm relationship with Paul Ryan, the media has largely ignored what could be the greatest threat, not only to Medicare, but to all government agencies... (Written Nov 26, 2016, Published Dec 1, 2016)

For some thirty five years, practicing general medicine in a rather small town in Florida, I have gotten to know my patients’ views pretty well.  In fact, I could usually tell who was going to win presidential elections and senatorial elections by the tenor of my patients’ degree of interest and their approval of the candidates... (Written Nov 25, 2016, Published Nov 30, 2016)

Many years from now, I hope that students of history will not look back at the 2016 presidential race in complete confusion.  If they do, it will mean that we have solved none of the massive political and social problems that we face... (Published Nov 27, 2016)

This article was originally written in February of this year and held back from publication.  However it seems to be more relevant now than it was then. [Originally Published Feb 7, 2016; Republished April 15, 2016]

Parody of Dec 15, 2015 GOP Debate, written by Guest Writer (Eric Smith) on Dec 16, 2015

With the unexpected passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, both the judicial and the political landscapes have been thrust into turmoil the likes of which have not been seen since the Civil War.  A brilliant, but radical jurist, not only did Mr. Scalia  change the face of the Supreme Court, he changed and revised the Constitution... (Published Mar 2, 2016, originally written Feb 14, 2016)

Folks, Bernie Sanders lost by a large margin last night in the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary.  Sanders’ “concession” speech will likely be followed by many more.  However, I trust that his message is something he will not concede until he has lost his final contest, hopefully many years from now when he ends up in a far better place than Washington D.C... (Published Feb 29, 2016)

In some ways, I feel a bit like your husband must have felt while sitting on his hospital bed talking on the phone to a rather confused John Kerry who insisted they talk about the issues of Constitutional amendments for abortion and gay marriage at the same time that the economy was in freefall and millions of people were losing jobs at such an alarming rate... (Published Feb 19, 2016) 

As Bernie Sanders often says, “let’s be perfectly clear:”  The Affordable Care Act is an inadvertent attempt to delay the demise of the private health insurance industry.  It is nothing but a fool’s errand if it is meant to be a solution to the problem of national healthcare.  Wake up America! (Published Feb 12, 2016)

Something Bernie Sanders said the other day keeps reverberating in my brain.  His contention that he has better judgement than Hillary Clinton, especially in the area of foreign policy, at first struck me as a bit presumptuous... (Published Feb 7, 2016) 

I, like many concerned Americans appreciate your very real concern for the actual problems confronting the majority of Americans.  I agree in theory with the concept and dire necessity for a single payer healthcare system.  For Medicare to cover everyone and not bankrupt this country, however, the enormous amount of graft involved in the program must be eliminated...  (Published Feb 5, 2016)

To my surprise and satisfaction, last night’s Republican Presidential candidates debate on the Fox Business Channel seemed to be by far the most professional of all the party’s contests... (Published Nov. 11, 2015)

Ever since the first Republican debate of 2015, I could not help but notice that of all the candidates, the only ones who sounded like mature adults seemed to be John Kasich, Marco Rubio and probably Jeb Bush.  ... (Published August 10, 2015/ Revised October 13, 2015)

The Court of Public Opinion: Guilty Until Proven Otherwise

(Published January 9, 2015)

What’s the matter fellow Democrats?  Do we have to write speeches for our own president?  I’m surely glad to hear that Mr. Obama has suddenly decided to “fight hard for what he believes.”  It’s only taken him six years... (Published Dec. 22, 2014)

The irony was thick and palpable last night as the Ferguson County Prosecutor, Bob McCullough began his long winded excuse for why he had intentionally misled the grand jury, at least the white majority, into their decision not to indict a brother “law enforcement” officer... (Published Nov 26, 2014)

After witnessing the predictable debacle on November 4th of this year,  I can only offer the following observations, along with condolences, to my fellow progressives.  For many years, I have watched self righteous liberal candidates whose views I wholeheartedly support, foolishly do everything in their power to obstruct their own “ends” with incompetent “means.”... (Published November 12, 2014)

Without Sanctions Against Banks There Will Never Be An End To Global Warfare

(Published Aug 2, 2014)

As the United states and the other governments of the Free World dutifully water and fertilize the banks, even as we foolishly “forgive their trespasses” against all of humanity, so do we reap the horror of the terrorism and conflicts that they support and finance... (Published August 28, 2014)

The Evolving Business of Education: Perfecting Failure

(Originally Published March 22, 2014, Edited April 16, 2014)

American Politics for Dummies- A Guide to Pre-hysterical Legislation in the U.S.

(Published March 21, 2014)

Harry Reid’s Encounter With Emile Zola... (Published March 14, 2014)

As I listen to rebroadcast after rebroadcast of Ted Cruz’s bellicose rantings, I cannot help but reflect on his apparent vision of America.  As champion of the far, far right, he seems to echo the feudal ideal so characteristics of true tyrants from time immemorial... (Published March 10, 2014)

Abner and Clem, two rather intelligent conservatives, continue their daily conversation over breakfast as they have almost every day for the past 30 years.  Let’s eavesdrop on the two of them as they share a rare moment of agreement. (Published March 4, 2014)

Abner and Clem- An Intellectual Discourse on the “Stand Your Ground Law” (Published Feb 26, 2014)

The O’finky Factor is back in stride after a semi hiatus spent completing my novel, The President’s Ledger by my nom de plum, O’finky.  The book is available on Amazon in soft cover now and should be available on Kindle, as well, in a few days.  I like to say that it is a cross between a liberal’s wish list and a lesson in anger management. (Published Jan 11, 2014)

Listening to the obnoxious and clearly demented Antonin Scalia completely tanking the Voter Rights Act by referring to it as “a perpetuation of racial entitlement,” aroused some of my most obnoxious thought processes as well... (Published February 28, 2013)

The Republican Assault on Our Postal Service

(Published February 7, 2013)

I agree with Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo.  We should have offsets to finance the cleanup and rescue efforts for super hurricane Sandy!... (Published January 9, 2013)

Each evening, after a day of hard work, involving the treatment of patients’ legitimate physical and psychosocial problems, I turn on the television, hoping to hear some sort of good news regarding our “financial cliff.”... (Published December 14, 2012)

Republican Targets of Destruction: Voter Rights Act First, Civil Rights Act Next...

Heed this warning, please, all of you naive proponents of the Voter Rights Act!  The conservatives on the Supreme Court will not hesitate to repeal as much of the act as possible!... (Published Oct 6, 2012)

Tonight, President Obama may have finally found for himself that the same “nice guy” attitude that had won him the presidency almost four years ago, that had failed him so miserably in dealing with the opposition party, had failed him once again in tonight’s debate... (Published Oct 3, 2012)

Ayn Rand and Ron Paul: Will the Real Libertarian Please Stand Up?

Watching and listening to the admittedly intelligent, supposedly Libertarian Ron Paul and to the rantings of his less educated son gave me pause... (Published Sept 17, 2012)

A Republican Manifesto: Beware the Suntanned Socialist

According to Rush Limbaugh, Donald Trump, Michele Bachmann, Jim DeMint and many other prominent political “experts,” Barack Hussein Obama, leader of the “Democrat” party, not only fails to qualify as an American citizen, but he is also a card carrying Socialist... (Published July 26, 2012)

Recently, disturbing new findings have emerged from studies at NIH (National Institute of Humor) regarding the evolution of the insidious virus called Herpeticus stupidus... (Uploaded July 26, 2012)

Despite the hypocrisy of Republican apostates in blaming Uncle Eric Holder for the “Fast and Furious” debacle, the effete attorney general and his naive boss, President Obama seem to have brought this travesty on themselves... (Published June 20, 2012)

Where is Eric Holder?  Selling weapons to Mexican drug cartels to exonerate munitions companies who are not foolish enough to sell directly to the cartels, defending police and prosecutors who framed innocent defendants for murder, covering up prosecutorial misconduct by his concubines in the Justice Department and defending drug companies for selling excessive amounts of narcotics to pill mills must be keeping him very busy...(Published June 5, 2012)

How Much Is Fair To Ask of Mediocre Lawmakers?... (Written March 27, 2012; Published May 11, 2012)

The “Pretty” Butterfly Ballot, “Pretty” Again (Written April 20, 2012, Published May 4, 2012)

...or Justice, Really Expensive Free Speech and the Deadly Battle Against the League of Evil Women Voters (Written April 19, 2012, Published May 4, 2012)

...or The Republican Vision: The United States of America Incorporated (Written April 18, 2012, Published May 4, 2012)

Whether Democrat or Republican, I believe most U.S. citizens feel that members of our Supreme Court habitually use obviously bad precedents to make brand new bad decisions. (Published April 13, 2012)

There are so many obvious facts to ignore, so many obvious “truths” to hide that one simply cannot tell where to start... (Published December 29, 2011)

It is time for Herman Cain to step down as a candidate for president and vie for a more suitable position befitting his social and moral values.  In the not too distant future, a Supreme Court position will be open.  What could be more appropriate for Mr. Cain than to join his political and ethically challenged colleague Clarence Thomas on the High Court... (Published November 7, 2011)

It is not only Republicans that can feel the pain involved in watching the party’s presidential debates.  While it may be amusing to many Democrats and independent voters to watch so many wannabes pontificating on issues they know so little about, it is also painful to think that one of them may end up as president or vice president in 2012... (Published October 30, 2011)

After observing eight years of the Bush 43 administration trampling over the Constitution and middle class and poorer Americans, after witnessing their failure to protect our soldiers in the Republicans’ own useless attempt to win glory and oil in a far away country, I believe their party has earned the designation “party of abject evil.”... (Published October 30, 2011)

As ignorant and confused as average voters are, we have many questions, but are reluctant to ask them because our leaders keep telling us that the answers to these questions are too complicated for us to understand... (Published October 14, 2011)

Where is the ACLU, once great champion of the First Amendment? The venerable, once proud organization, afflicted with Alzheimer's Dementia in its 91st year, carelessly championed bribes to politicians as freedom of speech... (Published October 6, 2011)

A question that has haunted many of us since neo-psychotics such as the young Dick Cheney and sidekick Donald Rumsfeld subtly took over for the ailing President Reagan is whether or not the honorable Republican party is terminally ill?... (Published October 4, 2011)

I keep reading about absurd figures regarding how deep our country is in debt.  Right wing pundits whose most advanced mathematics class was the one they failed in third grade, will claim that entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security are technically in debt to the tune of more than one hundred trillion (with a “t”) dollars!  Is this possible?... (Published August 15, 2011)

In light of the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating by Standard and Poor, we must be careful, as John McCain has said on Meet the Press today, not to kill the messenger, no matter how much the bumbling, dishonest fools may deserve it... (Published August 8, 2011)

O.K., it’s time for us to pay some attention to that old nemesis, perspective.  Perhaps we are, however late in the day, on the verge of a deal between two criminal factions that will free up the U.S. debt ceiling... (Published Aug 1, 2011)

As a practicing physician over the past thirty years or so, I have made a profound and undeniable observation regarding our two major political parties.  Republicans create laws and rules encouraging rich people to commit obscene abuses of our institutions while Democrats encourage the less affluent to abuse our systems to equally obscene degrees... (Published July 20, 2011)

December 17, 2010 was the day that the President actually proved his ignorance in all things economic, in deficit spending and his blind fear of Republicans... (Written June 27, 2011)

As private homeowners insurance is, once again, about to be bailed out of extinction, as the banking industry and Wall Street repeat all of the vile, clandestine practices that won them their bailouts, Republicans scream for “smaller government.”... (Published June 15, 2011)

For Jonathan Turley, Law Professor to ask selected U.S. Supreme Court Justices and the ACLU... (Published June 14, 2011)

Did you ever wonder how an industry which is repeatedly bailed out by the government holds the right to monopolize homeowners insurance?... (Published June 9, 2011)

By catching and executing Osama bin Laden, President Obama has proven that through commitment and careful analysis of the facts, he can make informed decisions... (Published May 3, 2011)

Sitting back and watching Donald Trump was amusing at first.  Seeing the long time Democrat, the same man who had donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic causes and candidates masquerade as a “neo” Republican presidential pretender was at once shocking and perplexing... (Published April 29, 2011)

What we have in this country is the ultimate battle. After years of petty arguments and vague differences, crystal clear battle lines have been drawn: the party of abject evil, the Republicans, has declared war on the party of abject stupidity, the Democrats... (Published April 10, 2011)

President Obama needs to act like the person he is instead of the person his advisors have told him he should be.  Trying to be a classic politician is not his strong suit... (Published April 6, 2011)

Why does our government seem to have so much disdain for our senior citizens?  Some seventy five years ago a completely different U. S. government proposed and implemented an investment program which it called the Social Security System... (Published Feb 22, 2011, Updated March 7, 2011)

Please don’t tell me you want mandatory health insurance because you don’t want to pay five or ten times as much for ER care as you would for a regular doctor.  Don’t tell me that you’re making health insurance mandatory so that every poor schlub is covered because it is the right of all citizens to have first class healthcare... (Published February 3, 2011)

After writing scores of articles and letters, after many heated discussions and arguments with progressives, I have found one thing to be painfully clear.  Impatient ultra liberals, in their excitement and eagerness to pass healthcare reform did almost no homework on the subject! (Published February 1, 2011)

Ignoring problems does not make them go away.  By the same token, solutions to major problems cannot be found until the problems can be identified.  Ironically, the average citizen, if pressed, will usually identify lawyers as the major problem in our society... (Published January 25, 2011)

I could scarcely believe my ears- Rudy Giuliani recommending and even chastising our society for not committing people like Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Karl Rove to “involuntary appraisal.”  I actually agree wholeheartedly with the Mayor!... (Published January 17, 2011)

Unfortunately, after observing President Obama’s latest political “victories” in the now famous lame duck session, I realize how useless it really is to argue with leaders of either major party.  Arguing about policy in a country which has lost all respect for history is merely a painful waste of time... (Published January 5, 2011)

I cannot begin to tell you how frustrated I am over the multiple issues I feel that we progressives have mishandled.  In these confusing times, I guess that I would be called an “atypical” progressive... (Published November 2, 2010)

Let’s face it, the main problem with the Democratic Party is the unmitigated foolishness of our leaders.  That their hearts are essentially in the right place is hard to deny, but constantly putting the cart before the horse has led to the party’s repeated downfall... (Published October 25, 2010)

There seems to be a rapidly advancing problem in our country, one that has been ignored for far too long... (Published October 23, 2010)

Whatever disagreements I may have with the way in which the Obama Administration and various “fools” in Congress have failed to repair the vast damage to this country committed by the Junior Bush Administration, I realize that the damage was done by that administration... (Published September 24, 2010)

Sadly, you represent the people who killed Jesus.  If Jesus were to return today, obviously he would be a socialist. After all, that is what he preached... (Published September 24, 2010)

My father, a truly beautiful soul, passed away a few months ago.  A wise and patient man, just a few days before his passing, he admitted to me that he doubted that there was a heaven or that he would ever see my mother, his beloved “Ruth,” again.  One thing he was sure of and never failed to remind me: “Moderation, son, everything in moderation.” ... (Published September 22, 2010)

If you are really serious about universal health care, then go after it one step at a time.  If you are serious about equal rights for gay citizens, go after them one step at a time.  If you want to feel good about those goals-to feel an emotional high- then go after those goals the way the ultra-progressives have done.  Rant, rave, and ask for everything at once, like a child... (Published September 2, 2010)

I can remember about a dozen years ago; a president lied to a federal(special) prosecutor about a civil “faux pas” concerning “sort of sex” between consenting adults.  All hell broke loose, as I recall and millions of taxpayer dollars were utterly wasted... (Published August 17, 2010)

Am I one of the only people capable of rational discussion of same sex marriage without becoming hopelessly biased by either religious/social sensibilities or blind principles?  Making fun of President Obama or John McCain because they believe in civil unions, but not “gay marriage,” is pointless... (Published August 6, 2010)

A few words, please, about gay marriage and abject, chronic stupidity.  While I am sympathetic to the idea of same sex marriage, I would not consider myself an aggressive advocate.  Thus I am offering these comments mostly about one of my favorite subjects: “stupidity,” rather than my opinion on gay rights... (Published August 4, 2010)

One of the undeserved consequences of political correctness is the virtual demise of the word "retarded."  Democrats and Republicans alike are forbidden by a clearly retarded public to use appropriate descriptions of their parties' actions... (Published July 9, 2010)

Clearly, the most corrupt and incompetent political administration in our history is being followed by a slightly less corrupt administration.  Whether the current administration is more competent, remains to be seen... (Published May 31, 2010)

Democrats vs Republicans represents 150 years of constant turmoil, a civil war killing hundreds of thousands of their own countrymen... (Published May 14, 2010)

Imagine if there really is a heaven?  God sits with his "main men," souls like Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddah, Confucius, Hillel, Mother Theresa, Eleanor Roosevelt and maybe Patrick Moynihan.  What politician would have a better chance than he?... (Published May 14, 2010)

Recently, President Obama signed into law, a massive bill extending health care to millions of American citizens who would otherwise be unable to obtain insurance coverage.  The authors tried, valiantly, to include even more citizens in the coming years... (Published March 25, 2010)

Speaker: This session is officially called to order.  The Chair recognizes Congressman Scheisskopf.... (Published March 17, 2010)

Much has been made, recently, over the failure of the Obama administration to correct various inequities of the previous administration.  These "inequities" range from very serious political persecutions, involving imprisonment of innocent Democratic campaign donors through the possible murder of Karl Rove computer guru, Mike Connell... (Published March 5, 2010)

The current Supreme Court, composed of five Republicans and four Democrats is, of course, an "oxymoronic" group... (Originally written Feb 18, 2010, but published to website Feb 25, 2010, since previous articles had already addressed Supreme Court issue.)

Realistically speaking, the Republicans have, as usual, ignored the consequences of their actions.  Sadly, it is what they do.  It is the way Republicans have always done business, and it will have to be accepted... (Published February 23, 2010)

With the recent Supreme Court decision to allow corporations to donate unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns as an expression of "Freedom of Speech," there emerges a concept long overlooked by the average legal scholar... (Published February 9, 2010)

As we start a new year, let us see exactly where we stand.  Total financial ruin was apparently avoided by the TARP and bailouts of various companies.  However questionable these tactics may have been, they were better than the alternative, the collapse of Wall Street and eventually the entire national economy... (Published February 7, 2010)

The savage battle for healthcare reform, waged so valiantly in the "bloody" halls of the Congress, but carefully crafted in the cowardly confines of the lobbies, is about to hit a watershed moment.  Something must be done... (Published January 27, 2010)

Sometimes  it is a good idea to take a few minutes, even half an hour, to pause and "think."  Sadly, it is something in which, our august political leaders and many law professors do not often seem to indulge... (Published January 25, 2010)

Now that the Supreme Soviet Court has disposed of the Constitution, before we ask why five judges ruled to turn a democratic republic into a Corporate empire, we need to ask why five citizens of this most wonderful country would wish to destroy it... (Published January 21, 2010)

Please forgive me, loyal followers of my blog.  I have spent the last month or so, trying to write a novel.  What motivated me to do this was the lackluster response to articles in my blog... (Published January 5, 2010)

The following letter was sent to George Washington University Constitutional Law Professor Jonathan Turley in late November... (Uploaded January 7, 2010)

The following letter was sent to both Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Anthony Weiner in late November 2009... (Uploaded January 7, 2010)

Recent polls indicate that 65% of John Q. Public feels that the war in Afghanistan may need to be escalated to destroy terrorism there.  Up to 80% of John Q. Public would favor going to war in Iran, informal polls suggest.  Needless to say, both polling results are based on abject ignorance, not as many would lament, abject stupidity... (Published November 18, 2009)

Wake up America, rub the sleep out of your eyes.  The FBI, the CIA, and military “intelligence” have never been “great shakes” at doing their jobs.  They are all still neophyte agencies in the eyes and minds of the rest of the world, and in truth, they have never matured into really competent, effective entities... (Published November 11, 2009)

General Casey, on Meet the Press, exemplified the “honorable,” but psychologically unbalanced, attitude of military leadership in this country.  He repeatedly denied that the “Army” missed anything in not identifying Major Hasan’s serious mental issues leading to his attack on so many innocent victims at Ft. Hood... (Published November 8, 2009)

Republican Congress people, led by Michelle Bachman and other unstable personalities, today, led an emotional protest, despite some paid participants, against President Obama and his proposed healthcare initiatives... (Published November 5, 2009)

Not to rain on our party, baseball fans, but after watching Cole Hamels last year, throwing “strikes” four or five inches off the plate, I realized two things... (Published November 4, 2009)

Apparently, in 1945, Congress extended a degree of antitrust exemption to the Insurance Industry.  The excuse they used was that this would, somehow, not only translate into huge campaign graft, but also lower insurance rates... (Published October 17, 2009)

Listening to Ariana Huffington this morning, I could hear my own thoughts echoing across the air waves. Ms. Huffington, while not as verbally abusive as myself, managed to state, very simply, the challenges that face Mr. Obama... (Published Oct 11, 2009)

(The Nasty Part) Will some twenty six years of distinguished service in the US Office of Special Counsel go for naught if Mr. Reukauf succumbs to the “brothel” of retarded Christian law?... (Published Oct 8, 2009)

(The Polite Part) The Junior Bush era, with political prosecutions of people like Don Siegelman, Paul Minor and Alex Latifi was officially blessed by recently appointed Associate Counsel William Reukauf... (Published Oct 8, 2009)

Recently, I read a story published in the ABA Journal: “The Curious Case of Alex Latifi.” Latifi, the owner of Axion Corporation, a relatively small defense contractor with a knack for providing lower cost, higher quality products for the U.S. Government, suddenly found himself under siege by “Witch hunter” Alice Martin.... (Published September 28, 2009)

I have advanced the notion, which I feel is ironclad, that it is, by default, unconstitutional to have nine lawyers, at once, on the U.S. Supreme Court... (Published September 25, 2009)

Dear Rays Diary... (Published September 10, 2009)

It is very difficult amid the warring factions and emotional debates regarding national health care, to see and preserve those liberal and conservative principles that our country stands for... (Published September 9, 2009)

"PG-13 Version" of previous article, for more sensitive folks!

We would like to thank President Bush, Herrs Cheney and Rumsfeld, friends Wolfowicz, Franks, the Republican National Committee, the AMA, AOA, various medical associations, Blackwater International and Halliburton for their kind assistance in protecting us from Saddam Hussein and his “Merry Men,” and from thousands of Afghan drug addicts... (Published August 20, 2009)

At the risk of being accused of beating a dead horse, I must again give advice to President Obama about healthcare. It is, ironically, the same advice I have suggested to my medical association for exactly eighteen years.... (Published August 19, 2009)

Recently, there has been much talk of the 80 billion dollar deal cut by the Obama administration with the pharmaceutical companies. The deal, undoubtedly, includes rebates and reduction of costs for Medicare patients who have reached the infamous “doughnut hole.”...(Published August 17, 2009)

Criticizing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for implying that the United States has a problem with its election system is absurd. Poor Pat Buchanan, whining every time somebody admits a weakness in our government is absurd... (Published August 13, 2009)

With simple competitive bidding in Part D, Medicare recipients will receive twice as much in drug benefits for the exact same money paid out now. If anything, prices for drugs would be even less than those in Canada and currently in the VA program... (Published August 7, 2009)

Of course, Nancy Pelosi doesn’t want a “Truth Commission” which might expose hundreds of rotten criminals like Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Rove and scores of corrupt prosecutors and judges in the inherited Bush Injustice System... (Published August 2, 2009)

There are many forms of stupidity, of course, most of which are “simple.” These forms usually end up hurting an individual and his immediate family... (Published June 30, 2009)

Sooner or later, We, the American People, the President, patients, physicians, all health care providers, the heretofore useless and corrupt Injustice Department, and even the equally corrupt and incompetent US Congress will need to look at what this country and its citizens need instead of simply what lobbies want... (Published June 22, 2009)

[Sports Blog... Letter sent to Mr. Maddon, Rays Manager]

As a long suffering Rays fan, I have watched hitters like Carlos Pena and BJ Upton struggle at the plate... (Published June 19, 2009)

I’ve been publishing my Blog for the past few years because I could no longer tolerate the utter insanity around me. As I watched and read, I observed one mildly mentally ill politician after another, each parading across the news and air waves with virtually no link with reality... (Published June 2, 2009)

[Part IV of IV] The problem with not investigating and in some way setting punishment is grievous indeed! Historically, what is the fate of societies with two sets of laws, one for peons and one for the artistocrats?...(Published May 14, 2009)

[Part III of IV] I have written before that I have little moral disdain for the use of torture, but intense legal disdain for abuse of the practice... (Published May 14, 2009)

 [Part II of IV] Despite the fact that I respect the expertise of people like Tim Geithner and Eric Holder, I have little respect for their truly abysmal records... (Published May 14, 2009)

[Part I of IV] At the behest of my staff and other victims of my rants and raves, I’d like to get a few things off of my chest. Armed with little more than elementary logic and observations, I welcome any reasonable commentary and perspective on these issues... (Published May 14, 2009)

It is absolutely not President Obama’s choice as to whether there is an investigation into torture or the corruption and politicalization of the Justice Department under the Junior Bush administration. Any objection the President has and any objection by his attorney general is clearly obstruction of justice... (Published April 24, 2009)

It’s almost funny how every serious act of terror or piracy seems to lead, eventually, to the military industrial complex that so worried President Eisenhower. The neoconservative movement, basically an idealistic movement of nonfascist Jewish ex-Communists away from the violence and dictatorial control of Lenin and Stalin, has become, itself, the problem... (Published April 13, 2009)

My favorite pastime for the last few years is trying to put things into plain English. My guess is that hardly anyone really gives a damn about torturing sadistic terrorists or horrible criminals... (Published April 6, 2009)

For many years, I have agonized over the issues of “fairness” and “equity.” These concepts used to be included in the Constitution and in our Canon of Law. Over the years, my “agony,” like that of so many others, has morphed into anger, even rage, at a government that so brazenly breaks every trust it has ever had with the American people... (Published November 14, 2008)

I seem to suffer from a terrible malady. Periodic exacerbations leave me speechless, believe it or not. These attacks of logic do not always lead to perfect conclusions, but they are always stimulating and troubling at the same time... (Published March 31, 2009)

It’s time to put on my simpleton’s hat again and think out loud. Let me see: I make more money than most people, but I’m not about to use any extra cash to invest. I’ve lost half of my wealth already- I appreciate my “tax cuts,” but for every dollar that I “save,” the treasury has to print an extra “dollar” to make up for it... (Published February 25, 2009)

Recently, Tom Daschle removed himself as candidate for the post of Health and Human Resources Director. President Obama apologized for his “mistake,” apparently for incomplete vetting of his appointee. Mr. Obama- please “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Providence is speaking to you!... (Published February 4, 2009)

In 2006, after years of “ranting and raving” against such varied issues as politics, sports and medicine, I finally sat down and began writing my web log. The “straw that broke the camel’s back,” of course, was 9/11 and the subsequent anal response of our government, including the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq... (Published January 27, 2009)

Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing Pat Buchanan, one of my favorite news commentators, quote the most crucial theme of all my political articles, the idea that it is the job of politicians to concern themselves with what their constituents need as opposed to what they want... (Published January 6, 2009)

Ah! Perspective rears its ugly head again! Senator Select Burris- take your seat! Yes, there are times when things do become painfully “obvious” as opposed to “apparent,” and this is one of them... (Published January 6, 2009)

Haldol, not Alcohol:

Sometimes things are so strikingly similar that they cannot escape comparison. The idea that the world of sports is a microcosm of the world of politics cannot be ignored... (Published December 22, 2008)

Joe, Please read my article “Talk is Cheap.” As an apologist for George Bush, you forget that throughout his entire presidency, this presidential child has purposely chosen the most partisan and incompetent people that he could possibly find... (Published December 3, 2008)

The case of the Republican State of Alabama versus Don Siegelman, the rightful governor of that state, is the shining example of a subculture that lies above the law... (Published December 2, 2008)

Oddly enough, in a way, this article is about the death penalty and imprisonment in America. It is, as usual, a vain attempt at “perspective in America,” a country made more infamous in the past eight years than any nation since World War II Germany... (Published December 1, 2008)

THE CALM

As a lifelong Democrat, I cannot possibly express how disappointed I am in the utter lack of leadership in the House and Senate... (Published November 21, 2008)

THE BUILDING RAGE

As long as we are asking “simple minded” questions... (Published November 22, 2008)

Hannity- a cute, pleasant guy with a great head of hair, not a deep thinker. When engaged with his adversary, does not usually argue “ad hominem.” When he does, I just turn him off... (Published November 20, 2008)

Apparently, President Bush is not the only one in his administration who cannot read or spell. It’s the “Free Market System” you’re so desperately trying to save, not the “Free Money System.” M-A-R-K-E-T, George, not M-O-N-E-Y! ...(Published November 18, 2008)

A funny thing happened some years ago. President Bush, a young man by today’s standards, in his twenties or thirties, read a book. He did not, apparently, read the entire book.* I honestly do not know if he has ever read an entire book... (Published November 17, 2008)

A few days ago, I had the interesting pleasure of listening to Glen Beck’s radio program. As usual, Mr. Beck identified a real problem... (Published November 12, 2008)

A few things are becoming increasingly clear. First, the massive, countless abuses of the Junior Bush administration will, undoubtedly, continue in the next 60 plus days. Secondly, scores of Bush appointees will continue to faithfully abuse their positions up to the last possible moment... (Published November 14, 2008)

As I watched my favorite “pundit,” Chris Matthews finally express his anger at a Republican Strategist, it occurred to me (for the thousandth time):

“Now you get ‘mad’ Chris; what happened? Network free you guys to wake up- a stimulus package in your coffee?”... (Published November 11, 2008)

Today, I watched an ex-prosecutor and defense attorney discussing the plight of an eight year old child accused of first degree murder. Living in Florida, I, like the prosecutor, realize that in Florida the child’s chance of being tried as an adult is a virtual “slam dunk.”... (Published November 8, 2008)

The election of John McCain, ironically, would make me a better man. I'd go to synagogue every day and pray to God that nothing happens to endanger McCain's health!

Recently, John McCain suggested that the government directly subsidize loans in danger of foreclosure- this would cost some 300 billion dollars, he suggested. Democrats and Republicans both laughed at this “simple minded” solution. They argued that it would not be fair for those of us who are paying our mortgages faithfully to subsidize those who are not... (Published November 3, 2008)

This is an open letter that was sent to the Major League Baseball's World Umpire Association on October 28, 2008 in response to the 2008 World Series.

Mr. Greenspan’s pitiful testimony before Congress shows, to me, how far and how dangerously (Neo) Psychosis has spread. Alan Greenspan, sadly, a once “brilliant” economist, not only believes that his exaggerated “Free Market” theory is still generally correct, but that under it, the fall of the World Marketplace is a once in a century aberration!... (Published October 27, 2008)

President Bush’s prize project, “No Child Left Behind,” under-funded and mismanaged, has, of course, for all intents and purposes, been “left behind.” Money, however, may not be the ultimate problem... (Published October 20, 2008)

In honor of the Jewish New Year, I believe the following prayer, recited in most synagogues on every Sabbath and every holiday, expresses our forefathers’ concept of God and country... (Published October 13, 2008)

“I want this, I want that, I want this, I want that!”    “It doesn’t make any sense!”    “I said I want it!” “But!” “I want it! I want it! I want it!” “   OK, whatever you want…”  (Published October 1, 2008)

In Europe they call it Neoliberalism.  Here we call it Neoconservatism.  Practically speaking we have been more and more submerged in Neopsychosis since the 1970’s...(Published July 23, 2008)

Every “good man,” I think, goes to his grave with regrets about those things he did wrong. The rest of us go with a clean conscience either because we deny the validity of our “sins” or at one point we suddenly “believe!” Joe (Scarborough), you’re stuck. You will go with your sins on your sleeve... (Published July 16, 2008)

July 4^th, 2008, U.S. Independence Day. Last night we watched Charlie Wilson’s War. It is the remarkable account of how Congressman Charlie Wilson and a maverick CIA agent managed to secure arms for Afghan freedom fighters. It is the story of how they helped a rag-tag army of peasants destroy the mighty army of the Soviet Union and eventually the entire Soviet Empire... (Published July 5, 2008)

They say that “a coward dies a thousand deaths,” which may explain the fate of our “fourth estate,” the “Press Corpse.” They’ve done it again...(Published July 3, 2008)

July fourth- a good day for John McCain to be making his Vice Presidential choice. Right now McCain’s campaign is in total disarray- actually, I feel, through no fault of his own.. The man, John McCain, is, of course, in the wrong party... (Published July 4, 2008)

It is time! As the new Presidential election draws ever closer, most people, Republican and Democrat, take the mistaken view that George Bush is almost out of office, that mercifully he cannot cause more trouble. Beware! Nothing can be further from the truth!... (Published July 2, 2008)

Yes, I disagree with George Will. This is not the Classic American Presidential Election. With George W. Bush, the attempt at such extreme division of wealth and power, the creation of hugely divided classes of wealthy and powerful, makes this election different... (Published June 11, 2008)

I disagree with George Will when he says that the McCain-Obama election is a Classic American Election. He states this because, as he points out, the confrontation represents the “classic” Republican concept of privatization and free enterprise vs. the more socialistic Democratic idea of sharing or dividing the wealth. The concepts are classical, but the contest is not... (Published June 10, 2008)

Most of my recent writing started out as “silly me” allowing myself to think out loud. Things started to get more serious when I tried so hard to make sense of Mr. Bush and his Neopsychotic policies. To my amazement, I found fully half of Bush’s Neopsychotic accomplices were actually Jewish... (Published June 6, 2008)

It is sad and painfully ironic when we criticize Mr. McCain for saying how he truly feels: Mr. McCain does not ever want to send soldiers to the Middle East to defend our oil interest. The horrible irony is that even I, as a liberal democrat, and you people that are loyal Republicans, both wish in our hearts that the reason that we attacked Iraq were our lust for oil... (Published May 5, 2008)

If I were 12 years old, as President, would I decide to attack a country like Iraq? Would I ask about the consequences, whether they actually had WMD’s? Would I ask what it had to do with Saudi Arabians attacking our country? (Published May 5, 2008)

They eat their young. When nothing else is left, they will eat their young. When is enough enough?... (Published May 2, 2008)

I am certainly not a religious person, but I respect religion when it accomplishes its function in society: to make us better people and to help us to accept our role in the universe... (Published April 24, 2008)

Recently, Reverend Wright was rightfully criticized for comments labeled “over the top” by most media sources. These included various subjects, including accusations that the present administration conspired to bring on the 9/11 attack on our country... (Published March 28, 2008)

Hillary Clinton is not a particularly good speaker. So What! Adult voters wanting to hear about real issues: education, economics, foreign policy, individual, constitutional rights, don’t care as much about being entertained as they do about understanding what is said... (Published March 28, 2008)

Perspective is a guiding light, not a preordained magic bullet like “Capitalism,” “Socialism,” or even “Communism.” They all work, ironically, but only under the right circumstances and none of them on their own. They are all “concepts,” and like religious concepts, no one has the patent on the “ideal” economic system... (Published March 28, 2008)

Let’s do all of the Presidential Candidates, Democrat and Republican, and our own country a great favor... (Published January 30, 2008)

It is the measure of the religious person as to whether he uses his religion to better himself- to make him (or her) a better soul or does he let his religion use him? Does one vote his conscience or his religion?... (Published January 30, 2008)

One of the most curious phenomena, found primarily in Republicans, is the practice of severe self-mutilation. The practice started, of course in the Catholic Church, but recently was reinforced when Jesus appeared to Mitt Romney in the Mormon Tabernacle... (Published Jan. 4, 2008)

A new year is supposed to bring with it resolutions based on both mistakes and appreciation of things well done. Somehow, I cannot help but think of the seven new years preceding this one. They were “lean” and they were “fat” as the bible would say- the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer... (Published Jan. 1, 2008)

“Perspective”- You are a little pest. As our beloved President Reagan said: “There you go again!” ... (Published Dec. 24, 2007)

Many far right wing Christians act toward the “Islamic fascists” just as the crazed and unthinking left wing fanatics act toward right wing Christians... (Published Oct. 11, 2007)

[The following questions were submitted on 9/25 to Tim Russert (emcee) of MSNBC to be heard for the 9/26 Democratic Presidential Debates in New Hampshire]... (Published September 25, 2007)

If I were a Presidential candidate, say Joe Biden, I would say: I believe that General Petraeus is lying. I hope he is not... (Published Sept 17, 2007)

In the past 5 years, blindly following our leader has made traitors of us all. It has made both the Republicans and Democrats cowards as well... (Published September 11, 2007)

From the beginning, we needed a coalition to go into Iraq. We could not entice Arab countries into the coalition, even Turkey, because they knew it was wrong to go in. Period... (Published September 7. 2007)

In light of the ever-expanding role of illiteracy in this country, with an administration that rejects research like a black plague, the greatest and most tragic irony of this new millennium is the absurd “Faith Based Initiative.”... (Published August 27, 2007)

America is at a true crossroads. For the first time in over 200 years, our most prized national treasure, the Constitution, is under siege from all directions... (Published August 27, 2007)

...The military draft is justified only for defense of the country, not for overthrowing sovereign nations after a delusional President hears the voice of God... (Published August 16, 2007)

As I plod through “Cobra II” and Rumsfeld’s Folly, as I see the sick saga of Dick Cheney continue to unfold, I cannot help but note the most serious psychological factors at play... (Published August 14, 2007)

"In the oft quoted, but usually forgotten words of President Reagan: 'There you go again.' 'Business as usual.'... (Published July 3, 2007)

“These people” keep saying that the “enemy of the world” is the “Muslim Jihadist.” Let’s see. For 1500 years or so the enemy of the world was the “Christian Jihadist,” now it’s the “Muslim Jihadist.” Let’s take turns… “my dance…, your dance…”...( Published June 6, 2007)

When it comes to the U.S. Constitution, I feel like one of the last of a dying breed; the “strict constructionist.”... (Published May 15, 2007)

As I listen to George Tenet lie about his "doubts" regarding the war in Iraq (knowing "for sure" is not "doubt")... (Published May 2, 2007; Edited May 8, 2007)

Perspective- damn pesky thing- interferes with what you do, worse, with what you want to do... (Published April 26, 2007)

A Continuation of "Taking Refuge From Ignorance"... (Published April 25, 2007)

I am truly underwhelmed especially by two Democratic candidates for President... (Inadvertently left off blog... Originally Published March 12, 2007)

WASHINGTON: Jim Smith, owner of an assault rifle, was gunned down by Meyer Litsky, a 64-year old furniture maker, this past Monday. Litsky, apprehended by police immediately after the shooting, claimed he had just killed a terrorist... (Published April 19, 2007)

Where people are not naturally endowed with stupidity, how can it best be cultivated? This is the title and main concern of a paper that should have been written thousands of years ago...       (Published April 10, 2007)

In a more serious vein, I have to say that I’ve never really taken the idea of Good (i.e. “God”) vs. Evil (the power of evil: the Devil) seriously.  It makes you wonder, however, how “good people” like Misters Wolfowitz, Mehlman, Kristol, Fund, to name only a few, can be seduced into embracing Neofascism...    (Published April 10, 2007)

Mr. Fund- please drop the naïve act...   (Published March 12, 2007)

I agree- Scooter Libby should be pardoned...    (Published March 8, 2007)

War Crimes are... well... war crimes...    (Published March 8, 2007)

Part I of a Multi-Part Series     (Published Feb 8, 2007)

Ask not what your country can do for you, Ask what you can do for Mr. Bush!...    (Published Jan 11, 2007)

The other day, I tried to explain to my 9-year old grandson why we cannot win the “war” in Iraq...     (Published Jan. 9, 2007)

Yuletide Reflections: A Rare Visit To The Inner Man        (Published Dec. 23, 2006)

I am a small town family doctor. I find that physicians often need to “oversimplify” situations in order to treat and cure illness. Most physicians, it seems to me, make poor politicians for this reason. In politics, simple solutions may often lead to “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”...       (Published May 4, 2006)