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Illusions reign supreme

Illusions reign supreme in this summer of moral rectitude. Both Donald Trump and his opponents celebrate the glories of American exceptionalism, although they greatly differ on what that means. Broadly, the idea of "exceptionalism" holds that the United States is so superior to other states and cultures that it has the right to lecture any nation on its behavior. To Trump, America is an example of a successful nation because it allows people to go as far as their talents or connections can take them. But both of these interpretations are somewhat limited. Many Democratic views rest on ...

Trump’s tough weekend

Fourth of July weekend was rough on Donald Trump. At Mount Rushmore, he fulminated against “Communists,” becoming again a “divider” rather than a “uniter.” Admittedly, that is his style, but the nation's birthday should rate a gentler presentation. Add to this the Great American State Fair, his arrest of an Olympic athlete for allegedly defiling the reflecting pool, which Trump’s no-bid contractor had already damaged. All in all, Trump had a bad week by any measure. And as with most of Trump’s second term, it was entirely unnecessary. The stock market went up, gas prices ...

Real hope for our WV public schools

At last we can begin to expect good news from local public schools because we are getting new local leadership and more effective state quality assessments. This week the Charleston Gazette-Mail and The Elkins Inter-Mountain both published articles reporting changes in county leadership and in private school assessment from state government. I sincerely believe that new county leaders will tell the truth, and that West Virginai Legislators will decide to establish meaningful assessment for institutions receiving tax dollars from the State of West Virginia. On Tuesday, our new ...

Remembering Madison at 250

As the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years of its Independence, it is proper to examine the career of James Madison, the fourth president of the Republic. More than any other, he shaped the Constitution in the 1780’s. Both as a politician and as president, he worried about the “fell spirit of factious opposition.” He borrowed copiously from the scholars of the Roman Republic. Cicero, Polybius, and other worthies were invoked to illustrate the fragility of representative government. Certainly, Madison had much to be concerned about. He witnessed in 1798 the efforts by ...

Words of American Leadership

When I listen to the current bluster and bullying that comes from our leaders now in this 250th anniversary year of our American experiment in democracy, I realize that trash talk may work in wrestling matches, but it has no place in negotiations on war when decency and diplomacy could save lives and allow people on earth to live in peace and harmony. With good rhetoric in mind, I have been looking in Jon Meacham’s book, American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: an Anthology. This Pulitzer Prize winning collection of speeches by great Americans ...

In a state of flux

You have to hand it to him, Donald Trump is a master at keeping matters in a state of flux. The short but sweet "agreement" amounted to an understanding to negotiate between the United States and Iran. Nothing was fully decided except perhaps the opening of the Straits of Hormuz. As with everything regarding Trump, it has to have an asterisk attached. Trump continues to fake and fire. Despite the understanding that this was an agreement that failed to address the original goals, which were regime change in Tehran, a definitive statement on nuclear arms and ballistic missiles being ...