Last week, we opined that a win by Democrats on the infrastructure bill would eventually translate into Democratic wins in the 2022 and 2024 elections. The vote in the Senate…
One Source of Our Social Media Problem: 47 U.S.C. §230
In 1996, Congress adopted what looks like today as a starry-eyed approach to social media. Take a look at a few of the preamble clauses found in subsection (a) of…
The 2022 Midterm Elections in One Word
Anyone watching political news these days can be forgiven for a sense of utter confusion. On any given evening we can expect to be treated to at least one story…
Have Republicans Abandoned Democracy?
Several polls have been released over the past few weeks, all showing that Donald Trump maintains a substantial approval rating among Republicans. One of these polls from Iowa indicated that…
Homeless and Helpless
For those of you who may not have seen a homeless camp, allow the Spirited Reasoner to paint the following picture, albeit from a distance: You’re driving along an interstate…
Losing Patience with Democracy?
For the past twenty years or so, Americans have been treated to Congress’s favorite game: debt ceiling brinksmanship. The game requires two teams: one Republican, one Democrat. The rules of…
The Audit That Wasn’t
In one of my past lives as a university president (I served at two), I recall attending a basketball game. At most home games at this university, there was a…
Right vs. Left (Me vs. We?)
I was treated to an interesting cartoon this past week. It showed a city street filled with demonstrators. On the right side of the street, everyone was holding a sign…
Remembering 9/11: But Why? And How?
A father has brought his small child to a playground. Seeing a poster commemorating the events of 9/11, the child asks why the poster is there. “We must always remember…
The Texas Abortion Law: What the GOP Forgot
The new Texas law banning abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat raises too many questions to address in single blog. But let’s take a look at a few…