Special post – 21 July 2022 I was struck speechless and motionless when I saw the picture in the New York Times Newsletter of July 16. Goose bumps ran from the back of my neck all the way down my left leg. The awful Battle of Iwo Jima* in February 1945 killed or wounded over… [read more]
Hartmann Agrees
Not long ago I posted a love note to Millennials and Gen-Zs. It was something of an apology for what we Boomers have done that threatens them and for the huge pile of political poo we’re piling at their feet. It isn’t pretty and it won’t be easy. But it’s critical that they grab hold… [read more]
MAGA Time and Time For A Moon Shot
I was thinking about what the term “MAGA” means. I don’t mean the words; rather, the reference point. If the goal is to make America great again, the construct requires an antecedent when America was deemed to be great, a glory from which we’ve foolishly slipped. That’s what the MAGA folks want to restore, it… [read more]
Are You Seeing The Pattern Yet?
The people at the not-for-profit Citizens United were on a mission. They hated Hillary Clinton. A lot. They filmed what they called a documentary, Hillary: The Movie, and planned to release it in 2008 in an effort to submarine her candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for the presidency. They wanted to air their hit… [read more]
Highland Park Strong
Ed note: The last section of this post – The Community – was added after the video recording was completed. Scroll down and check it out. It was a most moving ceremony. Last Wednesday evening, the 6th of July, I attended a vigil. It was just 2 days after the Highland Park massacre. Sitting next… [read more]
This Is OUR Country
In the aftermath of the shooting at the 4th of July parade in Highland Park, IL the reports are that 7 people are dead and 47 have serious injuries. Please explain to me what an un-serious gunshot injury is. If the hole is in you, believe me, you’ll be certain that it’s serious. There were… [read more]
A Love Letter To Millennials and Gen-Zs
Ed. notes: In these dispiriting times it can be easy to let our sense of love and awe for this country be dampened. But this Fourth of July weekend is exactly the right time to face that challenge, to find our inner red, white and blue and to cheer for the country we’ll make. Set… [read more]
For Six Justices: Imagine That
If you see your picture to the right, this is for you. . Did you ever have little kids? Were you yourself ever a little kid? I want you to think back to when you were 9 years old, sitting in your third grade classroom. See it in your mind’s eye. You’re at your desk… [read more]
A Different Take
The Atlantic’s Jonathan V. Last Thinks Mike Pence Is an American Hero . You read that right. Pence was on the wrong side of nearly every issue, like reproductive rights, gay rights, failing to prevent an Indiana HIV outbreak from becoming far worse and more. His public religiosity didn’t extend to caring about those who… [read more]
Emergency: The Assault on Stare Decisis
You already know about the Supreme Court decision striking down Roe and it’s important to put that decision into context. Be clear that this decision will result in Daisy, raped at age 13 by her father, having to take that incest-caused pregnancy to term. It means that Maryanne, raped in a laundromat by an unknown… [read more]
