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Pulling a plumb out of the pie

"The communists," the President blurted out, "already control the three major networks and forty major outlets of communication." But some of you believe Donald Trump said this, but actually, these words come from Lyndon Johnson's mouth in July 1965, reflecting his frustration with Vietnam. No doubt Trump has bandied around the Communist label when referring to the press and is equally frustrated by the fourth estate's coverage of Iran. Difference: LBJ said it in private, Trump tends to do it on Truth Social. Therein lies the rub. While visiting Xi Jinping, Trump has to be careful in ...

Pedaling towards nowhere

Donald Trump's second term has been marked by erratic and eccentric behavior. He no sooner took the oath of office than he proceeded with a campaign of revenge against his enemies. From shock and awe led by Elon Musk to his liberation day, introducing unpopular tariffs, Trump seemed more addicted to drama than governing. Add to that the suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state and Greenland be annexed, and he has succeeded in raising the national blood pressure by the second. Despite all this peripatetic action, Trump seemed furiously pedaling towards nowhere. Despite his ...

Pepperoni Roll Pop-up

We never really know what creative ideas may pop up to help make learning activities available to more local students at Kump Education Center. The “Pepperoni Roll Pop-up” this Saturday was Laura Santmyer’s idea to help local students who might not have funding to pay full tuition for Spanish Camp. Pepperoni rolls from Gino’s Pizza will be on sale, Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm in the old IGA parking lot. This parking lot now serves the Randolph County Commission Annex where early voting has been taking place. The pepperoni roll lunches will include two sides, a cookie, and a ...

How to Close the Game

Donald Trump declares that the United States "has all the cards" in its dispute with Iran. However, it begs the question of just how Trump is playing them. For a man who holds a superior hand, he seems ever so eager to announce his advantage. Despite nearly 10 weeks of his "quasi-war" with Iran, Trump is doing nothing to close the game. Richard Nixon offered insight into what negotiations should look like when he addressed Southern delegates at the Republican convention on Aug. 7, 1968. In some cases, particularly with the "madman theory" Trump shares with Nixon, a preference for ...

No more Mr. Nice Guy

“No more Mr. Nice Guy,” Donald Trump declared while trying to persuade Iran to agree to peace terms favorable to the United States. But this style of public diplomacy adds to the confusion about the state of American-Iranian negotiations. One minute, Iran agrees to “open” the Strait of Hormuz; the next, the United States tries its hand at blockading the Strait. This is a test of whether the United States desires peace. Certainly, it mirrors the negotiating style during the Vietnam War. Lyndon Johnson would float the idea of “unconditional discussions” while pursuing ...

Kind leaders bring comfort in a time of confusion.

When I read and listen to the news these days, I realize that we are living in a confusing time that is much like the period before the Great Depression. Economic, medical and political issues were as difficult to sort through then as they are now. The “lost generation” came home from World War I, there had been a pandemic, and energy, technology and transportation were changing the economy. As Volunteer Director of Kump Education Center, I have learned a good deal about ways President F.D. Roosevelt and Governor H.G. Kump dealt with the situation when they were inaugurated March ...