Category Archives: Commentary

Breaking the partisan package deal

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Jim

I’ve found it increasingly hard to identify with either political party because the basic principles that used to define Democrats and Republicans have evolved as both parties purged their moderates. Party members now must support an increasingly cumbersome package of … Continue reading →

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Whose boots on the ground?

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Jim

After a weekend of round-the-clock news coverage of the terrorist attacks in Paris, I am appalled by the depravity of the terrorists and dismayed by the reaction of politicians and pundits. We’re seeing some stark contrasts. At the same time … Continue reading →

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Two cheers for Columbus

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Jim

Today is Columbus Day in the United States. But in Albuquerque it’s been re-named Indigenous Peoples Day to commemorate the struggles of Native Americans against genocidal invaders like good old Chris. What makes this a little odd is that about … Continue reading →

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Court did not go far enough

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Jim

As a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage, I was glad to see the Supreme Court rule in favor of nationwide marriage equality. But the decision missed an opportunity to resolve the issue once and for all. The court’s decision won’t … Continue reading →

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Bring back the draft?

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Jim

The idea of reinstating the military draft keeps popping up. Sometimes it’s anti-war reverse psychology: Politicians won’t start wars if their kids have to fight them. Others think it’s unfair that fewer than one percent of us actually fight America’s … Continue reading →

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Tough love for unions

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Jim

Unions are commemorating the 104th anniversary of a tragic factory fire that triggered an historic campaign for workplace safety. It’s a reminder that organized labor deserves credit for much of the workplace progress of the 20th century – and how … Continue reading →

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Where’s Adlai when we need him?

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Jim

I turned off the TV after the fourth negative political ad in two minutes and thought of Adlai Stevenson. Not many people still remember him: He died in 1965 after serving as governor of Illinois, running for president unsuccessfully in … Continue reading →

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When cops are Rambo and soldiers are Barney Fife

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Jim

One positive outcome of the race riots in Ferguson, MO, may be a fresh look at the over-militarization of law enforcement. It’s about time. Deployment of SWAT teams by local police departments has been increasing for decades, often unnecessarily and … Continue reading →

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The VA crisis: one veteran’s perspective

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Jim

I was dismayed to hear about widespread problems at Veterans Administration hospitals of veterans being denied medical care because of bureaucratic malfeasance. And I was a little surprised because my experience as a VA patient has been overwhelmingly positive. When … Continue reading →

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Climate change and hot air

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Jim

It’s official: Climate change has left the realm of science and is now a full-blown political ideology. That’s unfortunate because climate change is real, and there are some commonsense solutions that are likely to get lost in the political hysteria. … Continue reading →

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