Category Archives: Government

In Israel, Rahm Emanuel Calls for End of Unconditional U.S. Support

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: The Emanuel family is quite amazing. All three sons–Rahm, Ezekiel and Ari–are highly accomplished. Their father a pediatrician, was born in Jerusalem. Intellectual debate was part of their dinner table conversation growing up. The former Chicago mayor, a … Continue reading →

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Life Support?

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks Pearle M It seems wrong to celebrate America when it’s on life support. – New Yorker

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“We hold these truths to be self evident”

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Note: Resident-Led: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in the OT Performance Hall at 2 PM today, July 4th Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson And on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring: … Continue reading →

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Rays of Hope in Dark Times

Posted on July 3, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Bret Stephens Opinion Columnist in the NYT In May 1944, Learned Hand delivered a brief but timeless address in New York on “the spirit of liberty.” Freedom, the great Second Circuit jurist warned, cannot be safeguarded by constitutions, laws or courts. Nor … Continue reading →

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Happy Canada Day! Bonne fête du Canada

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Eugene Carlson

Posted in Government, History, Holidays, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A New Democratic Voice

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson A wide range of Democratic voices are in the process of shaping new political language to move their party, and the country, forward. James Talarico is one of those new voices. On Friday, June 26, … Continue reading →

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The rest of the story

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Jim deMaine

From Mary Jane Francis Here’s the rest of the story about where this cartoon came from… from a college classmate who’s son is an old friend of Davey Hearn, the man detained [it’s too good not to pass along] – … Continue reading →

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If You Love America, Cringe for It

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Bret Stephens Opinion Columnist in the NYT My father was fond of the Spanish expression “en los pequeños detalles se ve la persona” — the person is revealed in the small details. Last week, at the summit of the Group of 7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Government, Justice, Kindness, language, Media, Politics | Leave a comment

Juneteenth National Independence Day

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Jim deMaine

from the National Park Service Booker T. Washington remembered his mother “was standing by my side, leaned over and kissed her children, while tears of joy ran down her cheeks. She explained to us what it all meant, that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Government, History, Holidays, Morality, Race | Leave a comment

Giant Rainbow Appears As Crowd Awaits Removal Of Trump’s Name From Kennedy Center

Posted on June 13, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pearl McElheran As crowds gathered to watch crews dismantle President Donald Trump’s name from the exterior of the Kennedy Center on Friday evening, a massive rainbow — the universal symbol of hope after turbulent times and LGBTQ+ Pride — appeared overhead. The … Continue reading →

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Tacky Birthday, Dear America! Tacky Birthday to You!

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Where is Will Campbell when we need him?by PARKER J. PALMER (thanks to Mary Montgomery) This is an artist’s rendition of the structure now nearing completion on the south lawn of the White House. It will serve as the stage … Continue reading →

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Other uses for that $70 billion

Posted on June 7, 2026 by Jim deMaine

from Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to Mary Jane Francis) Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) notes that the $70 billion in tax money Republicans just gave to ICE and Border Patrol could provide free childcare for 1.3 million children through September 2028, … Continue reading →

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The White House’s Latest Provocation Is ‘Grotesque and Terrifying and Juvenile’

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By M. Gessen in the NYT (thanks to Dan Smith) “They walk among us.” The glowing green letters emerge ominously against a dark backdrop. Above them hover the words “aliens” and “declassified,” suggesting the release — long awaited in some corners … Continue reading →

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How South Korea Cut Stroke Deaths by More Than 80%

Posted on May 24, 2026 by Jim deMaine

from The Formula by Tom Frieden — Thanks to Kate B. In 1990, stroke killed South Koreans at a rate of 248 per 100,000. By 2023, that rate had fallen to 32. That’s an 87 percent drop. A generation ago, only … Continue reading →

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Decoding the King: Brits Hear Subtle Rebuke to Trump that Americans Might Miss

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Decoding the King: Brits Hear Subtle Rebuke to Trump that Americans Might Miss (thanks to Ann M.) By Michael D. Shear in the NYT Michael D. Shear is the chief U.K. correspondent, and spent the last four days following King Charles … Continue reading →

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Who’s Really Running Iran?

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Jim deMaine

In today’s NYT podcast, The Daily, there’s a fascinating discussion about the power dynamics in Iran shifting from a theocracy to a military dictatorship. The incentives in negotiations are now more transactional about power and money in a more pragmatic … Continue reading →

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The Erratic President and FBI Director

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to Pam P.) Late Saturday evening, Josh Dawsey and Annie Linskey of the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was so unstable and angry after learning on April 3 that Iranians had shot down an American jet … Continue reading →

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This War Has Not Gone Putin’s Way

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Serge Schmemann Mr. Schmemann, an Opinion writer, is a former Moscow bureau chief of The Times.See more of our coverage in your search results. The Iran war has been an economic windfall for Russia, pushing oil prices sky-high and loosening … Continue reading →

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Report from Senator Jamie Pedensen

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane F. Dear friends and neighbors,One of my top priorities is to protect our state as the Trump administration assaults the rule of law, undermines science, and targets vulnerable communities in Washington. The Legislature took significant steps … Continue reading →

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A minute after posting the image of himself as Jesus, Trump posted an image of a Trump tower on the moon

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson By the end of 2024, inflation in the U.S., which had soared in the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdowns, was almost back to the Federal Reserve’s goal of 2%. Even so, during the 2024 presidential … Continue reading →

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Where Mail Voting Began, Worries Spread Over Trump’s Attacks

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Jim deMaine

In the Pacific Northwest, mail-in ballots have been the norm for decades, but President Trump’s war on such voting has turned a point of regional pride into another partisan battle line. By Anna Griffin in the NYTT The American system of … Continue reading →

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Commentary on the Ceasefire

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson The ceasefire President Donald J. Trump announced Tuesday night fell apart almost immediately. Israel complained that it hadn’t been consulted, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Israel did not accept an end to its bombardment of … Continue reading →