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Foreign policy

Donald Trump‘s foreign policy has been one of restraint and resolve. Although the bombing of the Iranian nuclear facilities has been depicted as an escalation, it actually is consistent with Trump‘s approach from the beginning. It demonstrates what the United States can do without being a bridge burner. In essence, it is enough without doing too much. Unlike George W Bush’s policy, it is limited—no boots on the ground and performative. As well, it is a mandate to de-escalate Israel’s assault on Iran. Trump clearly wants to limit the damage. He understandably does not want an ...

Legacy of leadership and learning

This week’s guest writer is Leon Kaye, who will improve City of Elkins online communications. Herman Guy Kump, the 19th Governor of West Virginia (1933–1937), was a pivotal leader during the Great Depression, championing public education, roads, and federal works projects to revitalize the state. A native of Hampshire County and longtime Elkins resident, Kump began his political career as prosecuting attorney, mayor of Elkins, and judge before serving as governor. Known for his integrity and dedication to his family and community, he retired to his Elkins home after his term, ...

Punching down at political minority

At what point does one quit trying to keep winning the last political party primary? At one point does one stop trying to play to the perceived whims of a base and simply just govern? Gov. Patrick Morrisey won the 2024 GOP primary with 33.3% of the vote in a six-person primary. Albeit Morrisey didn’t win a clear majority and his closest competitor — former House Judiciary Committee Chairman Moore Capito — was only about five points behind Morrisey, but he did win. Turning to the general election, Morrisey carried the state last November with nearly 62% of the vote — a more ...

Fast-changing events making, or remaking, history

Events are moving fast. Seven days ago, as I write, Israel had not yet launched its first attacks on targets in Iran. Seven days from now, things may well have changed — significantly. In such times, a historian’s perspective may be helpful. Fortunately, the two most eminent English-language historians (pace, Tucker Carlson) have weighed in with analysis. “There are some moments in history,” writes Andrew Roberts, author of deeply sourced and bestselling biographies of Winston Churchill, George III and Napoleon, in The Free Press, “when a sudden act of opportune ...

Our homegrown extremists

The suspect in the Minnesota murders, Vance Luther Boelter, has been charged, for now, with second-degree murder. He allegedly killed two people, Melissa and Mark Hortman, in cold blood, and shot and wounded two others. According to Minnesota police, he showed up at the homes of at least two other people who were on his 45-person hit list (they were away). What stands out about the descriptions of Boelter we’ve seen thus far is that everyone agreed he was “deeply religious.” In other words, he’s a religious extremist. He was also an ardent Trump fan. Those things are obviously ...

Getting clarity at a project’s start saves a lot of hassle later

Years ago, when I was working at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, Wisconsin, a request was made of me. I put other items to the side to make it happen. Later I found out the request was not urgent. I had let other items slide that were more important. How could I have prevented this from taking place? By asking the person making the request about its timeline and relative importance. It sounds simple and obvious, but many people forget to do it. I am one of them. After the learning experience at Mercy, I made sure to bake the “get clarity first” practice into other organizations I was ...