A couple of decades ago I wrote a column that at the time seemed reasonable. Today it sounds utterly insane. Texas had an oddity on its ballots for generations – a “straight ticket” option. One vote, no thought. It was abolished in 2020 after a court battle where plaintiffs said “straight ticket” helped move voters…
DetailsWhat was Wilber Rafael Garces Perez delivering that day? Panda Express? Papacitos? Something from Tamale House? Whatever the case, he apparently needed killing for it. But the Austin DoorDash driver didn’t die. Demerits are certain to ensue for the ICE agent who couldn’t bag his buck. If you can’t deport ‘em, kill ‘em. Right, guys?…
DetailsFour years ago, as he sent troops and tanks swarming into Ukraine, Vladimir Putin laid down the law about what the media couldn’t say about it. “War” would be forbidden, for instance. “Invasion” — another hard “nyet.” The state-approved euphemism would be “special military operation.” Violators would face up to 15 years in prison for…
DetailsAmid the ample evidence by which prosecutors sought to lock away the inciter of the Jan. 6 riot, way too much attention went to three words: “Fight like hell.” Too little went to the most calculated crime: manufactured, completely bogus numbers that convinced his out-for-blood legions the election was “stolen.” Sixty-thousand votes in Georgia cast…
DetailsIn the movie “Liar, Liar,” Jim Carrey’s character owes great success to the ability to conflate truth at every turn. That sounds familiar. At some point, the movie character’s son wishes that his father behaved differently, and he gets his wish. Nothing but truth – for 24 hours. I wonder if Barron Trump ever wished…
Details“I like people who weren’t captured,” he said about his dislike for war-scarred former POW John McCain. Well, look at who’s imprisoned now. The most famous draft dodger of all time, that’s who. It’s been half a calendar sweep since he went to war against Iran. He implied its subjugation would be over in a…
DetailsWho killed Alex Pretti? Who killed Renee Good? It’s no grassy-knoll mystery. Developer fluid didn’t yield an old man’s home movies for us to know. Moments after either incident, evidence circled the globe in a gasp. How did their trials go? Any arraignment? Anything at all? Nothing. In the land of the free and home…
DetailsIn neural terms, it is well-established now, even among those who believe, that from this president a lie emanates every time his mind messages his lips. In mathematical terms, when he says something, as determined by people who know of what they speak, the odds of truth range loosely between “none” and “nil.” So when…
DetailsMy son was on the phone from a suburb of Denver, driving to an appointment, frantic suddenly for directions. I know that area well. My answer was calm, knowing where he was: “Turn to the mountains.” “I can’t.” “Can’t what?” “Can’t see the mountains.” For those who’ve not been in eyeshot of the Rocky Mountains,…
DetailsEvery World Cup watcher knows of our president’s self-serving stunt –pressuring FIFA president Gianni Infantino to reinstate a red-carded U.S. player. To the rest of the field, it was a scandal. For Americans who respect the rules and the game, it was an embarrassment. It was also par for the course. What fans don’t know…
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