Note from Doug Parker. Ivan R. Dee was the founder of the distinguished publishing house that bore his name. When his firm published my biography… Read More »Guest Blog by Ivan R. Dee on The Alarming Rise of the “Cancel Culture”
As nearly everyone on the planet knows by now, when President Trump met with legislative leaders last Thursday to discuss immigration, he referred to immigrants… Read More »Blog No. 167. Donald Trump and The Silence of the Lambs
Donald Trump’s responses to the ugly events in Charlottesville demonstrated once again his glaring deficiencies in character, temperament and competence. As summarized in Lawfare: Commentators… Read More »Blog No. 152. Contortions: Charlottesville, Trump and the Republicans
In Part I, we considered some aspects of the recent wave of campus protests centered on perceptions of racism on campus, both individual and institutional. We continue that discussion here and begin with protesters’ attacks on individual college administrators.Read More »Blog No. 86, Part II. More on Racial Protests on Campus
A few weeks ago, we were trying to collect our thoughts with a view to writing something about race relations in the United States. Specifically, we were thinking of the ways in which blacks and whites view, and often misunderstand, each other and how that relates to issues of racial injustice involving, for example, discrimination in housing and employment and distortions of the criminal justice system. Then we were interrupted by the events at the University of Missouri and the ensuing wave of protests at campuses across the country. Perhaps in common with many readers of RINOcracy.com, we had trouble deciding what to make of it all. We are still not certain, but thought we would share a few tentative observations in hopes that they would be of interest and with the thought of returning in a later blog to perhaps more significant racial issues.
It has seemed to us that the campus protesters may have something in common with the supporters of Donald Trump, a comparison, we recognize, that will not please either group. In the case of each, however, we think that there are genuine reasons for their members to be upset, and even angry, but that their response has not been particularly constructive. We can understand Trump supporters who feel that the government has not functioned well, has not listened to their concerns, and has favored others at their expense. We think, however, that they err in channeling their anger and frustration into support of a candidate who, in our view, is manifestly unqualified, by experience or temperament, to be president. As for the campus protesters, we do not doubt that many have observed or been the recipient of some form of racial animus. Such experiences are at best regrettable and at worst deplorable. We do not believe, however, that the protesters serve their own cause, or the cause of the larger minority community, by noisy or even violent demonstrations in support of demands that often appear extravagant.Read More »Blog No. 86 Racial Protests On Campus: A Curious Phenomenon, Part I
The outrage in Charleston provoked a flood of commentary on two of the most difficult issues in American life: race and guns. If the brutal murder of nine people in a church resulted in some lasting progress on those issues, it would provide a memorial to the victims that could offer some comfort to their families and friends. Unfortunately, however, the likelihood of forward movement in either area is uncertain at best.Read More »Special Bulletin. Charleston, Race and Guns
The death of Freddie Gray and the ensuing riots became the perplexing kind of event for which the response to many, perhaps most, observations might be “Yes (or perhaps), but….” For example:
Did Gray’s death appear to indicate negligence or worse on the part of the police? Yes, but the exact cause of his fatal injury is still unclear and the explanation of the accused officers remains to be heard. Legal analysts disagree as to whether the case was “over-charged” by the prosecutor.Read More »Blog No. 68 Lessons from Baltimore: In the Eyes of the Beholders?
The Senate Republicans have once again contrived to tie themselves into knots from which there appears to be no graceful escape. The nomination of Loretta Lynch, has long been held up, and is now being further delayed while the Senate struggles to resolve a debate over an anti-abortion provision in an otherwise uncontroversial bill on human trafficking—a knot within a knot.
By Daryl Cagel
Read More »Special Bulletin. Capitol Contortions: Loretta Lynch, Immigration and Human Trafficking