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Ditching tariffs too quickly

I hope Trump pushes forward on tariffs. Hear me out. He has already backtracked faster than a hiker who spies a rattlesnake. Trump spent the first weeks of his second term spitting out tariff rates in a twitchy staccato. On Feb. 1, he announced 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada (along with a 10% tax on goods from China) supposedly due to fentanyl trafficking and illegal border crossings, and then reversed himself. On Feb. 3, he decided upon a 30-day pause on Canada/Mexico tariffs (which in any case violated the USMCA, the trade agreement Trump negotiated in his first ...

Introducing the ‘Trump doctrine’

President Donald Trump gave an important speech in Riyadh that may come as close to outlining a “Trump doctrine” as we’ll probably see. It was a direct counterpoint to George W. Bush’s second inaugural address. The simplistic way to put it is that what liberty was for Bush, money is to Donald Trump. That’s not quite right, though. The speech had values, they just weren’t typical values — accountable government, human dignity — but simply prosperity and peace. If Bush wanted to spread freedom, Trump wants to spread gleaming high-rise buildings. He hailed the rise ...

Wednesday Book Talks to begin

The Book Talk on “Fannie’s Crazy Quilt” next Wednesday at 7 p.m. will be the beginning of a series of book discussions in the learning lab at Kump Education Center. One ongoing theme in the book is the nature of an effective family nurturing network that can support both children and adults. My reason for looking at primary sources like family letters is because they give each family member a chance to have some say, and families do not always agree. The reader has first person reports on the life and times of people who were growing up a century ago. They had horses and ...

Hitting a new low

Rhetoric and argument have hit a new low in American politics. Evidence and facts, not to mention accountability, seemingly disappeared, particularly in the era of Donald Trump. His approach is “never complain and never explain.” Blaming others is his game and disassembling is a way of life. It also may prove to be his Achilles heel. Take his positions on trade; they change constantly. Prior to negotiations with China, he cuts his declared rate from 145% to 80%, giving no explanations. Then he leaves it up to his Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, to set the price. Even his ...

Grads face an uncertain future, but it will all work out

One thing I love about my job is getting to meet with so many different leaders. I always ask: “How did you get your start?” I am blown away by the stories I hear. Very rarely does a person have a clear and obvious path. Most times it’s more a zigzag through a foggy landscape than a straight, well-lighted road. That describes my own path.  What does this mean for Class of 2025 graduates staring down an uncertain job market, a tricky economy, and a hurricane of swirling change? My message is, “Don’t sweat it too much. Do as much right as you can, and it will all work out in ...

Festivals, skating in Barbour

Hello from Barbour County! Parts of the county saw a hail storm a couple weeks ago. I hope you don’t have much damage, but it was cool to see. The Haven of Hope Worship Center is sponsoring a free End of the School Year skating event on May 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Skatezone in Belington.   Bring a friend and enjoy the evening of fun.  Battlers Knob presents Mythic Realms May 23-25, a festival with fantastic gaming and science. Stop by for food, music, art, games and more! Congratulations to the Philip Barbour graduating class of 2025. Graduation will take place at ...