Tag: Opinion

Opinion

Loss of a Star

The death of Kobe Bryant strikes many of us hard because he was an example of a successful man growing as a person and father who left us too soon. Kobe was not perfect, but he did work hard to make himself better throughout his adult life, and it showed. The prodigal son is the story of a lost young man finding his way to the path of righteousness. A classic story of what it means to be human includes falling and getting back up while helping others do the same. Kobe did this and it makes the world a better place for him having been here. God bless Kobe’s family and all of the families who lost loved ones in the crash.

Self improvement

The case against Trump

The impeachment managers for the House of Representatives have presented a strong case that the current president deserves to be removed from office for his failure to carry out his duties, and undermining our republic. Trump has done everything he can to keep the truth from coming out, and then he states that the Democrats have no witnesses. Citizens will likely be the final deciders on Trump in the elections to come in 2020. The United States may have to survive the humiliation of a major political party (the Republicans) participating in a coverup by not calling any witnesses for Trump’s impeachment. I hope our country emerges stronger than ever and more committed to democracy after this nightmare is over.

Opinion, Self improvement, Words to ponder

King Holiday words to ponder

Dr. Martin Luther King said that “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” As I look at today’s challenges this quote resonates as loudly as it ever has. We poison our planet with carbon and plastic while a few thousand billionaires have more wealth than over four billion people. In the United States and other countries tribalism is on the rise and threatens to destroy any effort at global collaboration to save, or improve life on our planet. Many Americans say they would rather have a dictator who thinks like they do rather than have a constitutional republic. Fools and foolish thinking is at high tide right now, but we can change that in 2020… it may be our last chance in more ways than one.

Opinion, Words to ponder

Did he, or didn’t he

Lev Parnas has released documents and an interview that show The current president was soliciting assistance from a foreign government for the 2020 US presidential election. Clear criminal behavior on several levels that must be confronted by our leaders on multiple levels including legally. Should the senate fail to take the assault on our elections and Constitution seriously then the republic will be undermined. Send your senators a clear message that you demand a fair and impartial hearing of all the evidence available. There is an application called “5 Calls” that you can use to contact your representatives. Be a citizen and demand the US Constitution be defended and taken seriously by Mitch McConnell and every member of the US Senate.

Opinion

What next?

Senators and representatives are saying they did not hear about an imminent threat in the briefing they received on the killing of an Iranian general. Reports are saying that the president had no legal reason to order the killing. In the coming days the debate over impeachment will intensify and the reasons for impeaching the current president will continue to grow. Events add up and have not undermined the idea that the current president may be beholden to a foreign power.

Opinion

Impeachment and/or War?

Americans are living in a time of lies and delusion brought on by choices that have been made by angry and emotional people; both leaders and voters. The truth is out there but we are stuck with leaders who think everything is politics because they don’t respect the intelligence of the voters. When the truth is a commodity politicians will push the limits, and we are at a point where the price of lies will likely be disastrous. Multiple American institutions are under attack from the Constitution to the military. America’s enemies could not ask for more opportunities to diminish the country. American citizens have a lot at risk. The future possibilities for us are a hollow Constitution and chaotic government, another endless war, and leadership that is emboldened to degenerate criminality.

Opinion

Thoughts on the new year

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 2020 will be a pivotal year in world and US history. America will make a decision about it’s character, and future in a profound election between stark choices. Donald Trump cannot be confused for a statesman, decent person, or benevolent democratic leader. Everyone voting for him at some level realizes they have a target or two in mind for him to go after. The bad news is that by selling their liberty for perceived protection or benefits Trump voters risk losing them as Benjamin Franklin warned. The bad news gets worse when you consider The limitations of the current president. Four more years of not addressing the climate crisis and bowing to Putin could potentially weaken human rights and democracy around the world. The triumph of the oligarchs can be halted, but only if the truth is not smothered by lies and indifference.

Opinion

A Real Constitutional Trial?

Will the United States Senate stand up for the American people and demand a real trial to hold the president accountable? It remains to be seen what will happen with Trump and his impeachment. If there are enough senators who revere the constitution and our way of life more than they fear not being re-elected we may have a chance to see our leaders pursue truth rather than a cover up. I am hopeful that there are enough good people to maintain our republic rather than allow the oligarchs to take over the United States. The shining city on a hill may be tarnished due to Trump, but it has not been burned to the ground yet and it can still emerge more beautiful than ever. I love the United States of America and what it ideally stands for. Christianity Today’s opinion piece asking for Trump to be removed hit a nerve of hope for our country. The fight for America is not over yet. Long live the republic!

Opinion

Held Accountable?

Now that the House of Representatives has impeached the 45th President what will happen next? Will the president behave in a way that is more honorable? Will he cease attempts to bribe foreign leaders for help in the 2020 election and efforts to cover it up? From what can be observed in our partisan Congress so far the Republicans will not push to protect our elections or Constitution. Citizens of the United States should push hard for the protection of their votes in the coming election, and from foreign manipulation of voters coordinated or colluded with any candidate. Rudy Giuliani is reported to be in Ukraine working on an “investigation” and smearing former US ambassador Marie Yovanovitch via Twitter. The undisciplined presidency that we are experiencing shows no signs of being brought up to any standard that is acceptable for the leader of a republic. It will be ultimately up to the people to vote and make clear what their expectations for leadership are.

Opinion

Your 401K or your future

Many Americans repeatedly say their main reason for support of Trump is the economy. In the last week a United Nations conference in Madrid on climate change concluded in failure despite scientists alerting world leaders that we are heading for the worst case scenario. A major reason cited for the failure to act on climate change is the current United States leadership not believing in it, or acting to mitigate it. As Americans consider the cost of Trump on the moral plane, the national security front, the maintenance of the republic, and the respect for institutions; we need to see the speeding freight train of climate crisis coming. Facts and truth don’t apparently matter for a portion of Americans supporting Trump, but there will be no escaping a climate that does not support human civilization at the current scale. We can still escape the worst of a nightmare future, but scientist are alerting all of us that time is running out.