I just finished reading the critical biography of Nixon and Kissinger during their political power years, by Robert Dallek. I found it most disturbing. Both men are characterized as vain, and extremely insecure. Hundreds of examples are given demonstrating that every decision they both made was not based on morality, but based on what… Continue Reading
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States of America on June 16, 1915, riding down a golden escalator at the Trump tower, as if a God descending from Heaven to take command of his people. He soon attracted an intensely loyal following of Christian Nationalists and White Supremacists,… Continue Reading
BASHAR AL-ASSAD
Syria was occupied by France until 1946. After the departure of French troops, several political parties vied for control in that country, none of them dominant. In a series of coups, beginning in 1963, ending in 1970, the Shia Alawite faction of the Ba’ath Party succeeded in ousting their competitors, and seized firm control… Continue Reading
THE OBAMA PRESIDENCY
After being elected president of the United States of America in 1908, the first words that Barack Obama uttered, as he stepped to the podium to address the crowd of adoring followers below, many with tears in their eyes, were, “The American dream is still alive.” That utterance prompted an uproar of approval from… Continue Reading
MUSLIM TERRORISM
Muslim terrorist fatalities reached a peak of 33, 348 in 2014, declining to 13,826 in 2019. From 9/11/2001 – 4/21/2019, there were 146,811 documented deaths from Muslim terrorist acts. That’s an average of over 8000 humans losing there their lives every year because of this misguided mythology. At least three times that number were… Continue Reading
CHRISTIAN CRUELTY
The Christian religion had a somewhat slow start during the first few centuries of the Christian era. No one knew exactly what this new religion believed. Some of its followers believed that Jesus was a divinity on earth. Others held that he was a great prophet who taught high morals. Some worshiped Mother Mary.… Continue Reading
ANTISEMITISM
The Hebrew tribe and religion of ancient times was embroiled in a running series of conflicts with their Arab neighbors, over multiple centuries. There was frequent killing of citizens when a town or settlement was taken. Multiple atrocities were committed by tribe against tribe, and many of them are documented in the Bible. That… Continue Reading
RACISM IN AMERICA
In 2023, in the United States of America, there is no doubt that it is more difficult for a person of color to obtain a good job, a good education, a car loan, a reasonable house mortgage, live in a nice neighborhood, live a long, enjoyable life, get smiles from strangers, receive excellent medical… Continue Reading
PERSONAL FAILURES
Last month’s essay was a biography of my education and work history, leading me to the beliefs that I now possess. Have I been ethical throughout that long history of interaction with other humans? Not by a long shot. I have committed so many grievous errors, year by year, that they pile up and… Continue Reading
BIOGRAPHY
I was born on April 12, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. The hospital where I was born was subsequently torn down. Most of my childhood was spent in Independence, Missouri. Harry Truman’s house was just across the street from our back alley. As a teen, we moved south of Independence, into the Raytown school district. … Continue Reading