As the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump gets underway this week, there has been much discussion about the rules of the trial, with Republicans calling the evidence produced in the House investigation “flimsy,” and Democrats calling Trump the “founders’ worst nightmare.” There has been extensive back-and-forth about the length of the trial; the number … Continue reading The Rules Rule
The Impeachment War
As Michelle Goldberg wrote recently in the New York Times, “The nightmare stage of Trump’s rule is here.” The decision to eliminate Maj. Gen. Qassim Soleimani, Iran’s most important military official, for which the President quickly took full responsibility, “has brought the United States to the brink of a devastating new conflict in the Middle … Continue reading The Impeachment War
Christmas and the Climate
We’re mired in impeachment. But it’s also Christmas. In keeping with the season, this post moves past the moment and is filled with hope for the future—as embodied in 16 year-old Greta Thunberg, named this week as Time magazine’s Person of the Year. For Christians, we are reminded of the enduring words of hope from … Continue reading Christmas and the Climate
Gentle Ghosts of Christmas Past
My wife Blythe and I are on our annual winter sojourn to Williamsburg, Virginia. It has become a tradition for us, allowing us to re-acquaint ourselves with history while escaping the merciless drumbeat of the present. But, this is the first time we are experiencing the holidays since the death of my mom in September, … Continue reading Gentle Ghosts of Christmas Past
Two Ukraine Stories
Decades ago, I was mesmerized by the Watergate hearings. As a recent graduate with a degree in political science and a McGovern delegate to the 1972 Democratic convention, I was obsessive about following events in the Watergate saga. Admittedly, my motives weren’t totally pure: to see the opponent of the candidate I supported get his … Continue reading Two Ukraine Stories