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Latest Observations on New Trump-Russia Story

by John July 11, 2017

(This has been updated at 1:56 PM Eastern) As usual, CNN and MSNBC are featuring the story  while FOXNews is featuring Donald Trump Junior’s denials. But the latest revelation about the emails Donald Jr. received seem far more explosive.  But, as horrible as this looks, we need to hold judgement.  We may all be getting […]

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What If Britain Sided with the Confederacy? Maybe A New TV Episode

by John July 10, 2017

In Destined for War, Graham Allison mentions an historic anecdote that never happened. But what if it did? In the 1860s, Britain considered intervening in the United States Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. Granted, the home of the Magna Carta siding with slave owners?  But with some geopolitical foresight, Great Britain could […]

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Consider The Source: How Media Bias Charges Make Media Bigger

by John July 8, 2017

Many of you offer some great insight on my pages, which I thank you.  But I also see comments like this. “Consider the source.” It is usually a reference to a New York Times or a Fox News story from someone who is partisan one way or the other. They’re quietly shouting, “Media bias” or […]

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Staying Ahead of Vlad-Trump Meeting

by John July 7, 2017

Some thoughts and suggestions as Putin and Trump meet at the G-20 Summit. Here are two books worth reading. The first is The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen. It was written five years ago but it is still relevant today. Gessen profiles Putin’s career as a thug […]

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Rolling Book Review: Destined For War. Find out what Trump White House is reading

by John July 5, 2017

This is a rolling book review of Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides Trap? By Graham Allison. Talk about timely. I’m half through the book.  It is worth your time.  Here’s why. This book is being read by the upper White House staff. Sure, you might not be a Trump fan, but […]

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CNN, All Media: The New Russia?

by John June 28, 2017

Glenn Greenwald wrote a great piece in reaction to the CNN retraction story. He cites many media recklessness and mistakes trying to uncover the Russia-Trump campaign connection.  He writes: In sum, anything is fair game when it comes to circulating accusations about official U.S. adversaries, no matter how baseless, and Russia currently occupies that role.  […]

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Trump Biggest Failure To Amerians: Perpetuating Wound Collecting As Our New National Pastime

by John June 22, 2017

Donald Trump is Wound Collector in Chief. This might be his biggest fault. Sure, his lack of understanding of foreign-policy and the world economy are pretty scary.  But I admit I favor his China and North Korea policy, so far.  It’s a bit bumbling but it is the only alternative to no real options with […]

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Rolling Book Review: Churchill & Orwell; Rambling Thoughts on Today and 1930s

by John June 20, 2017

(Rolling book reviews are thoughts and ideas while in the midst of reading a great book.  It gives me a chance to throw out some ideas that are percolating. But hopefully you will pick up the book and join the rolling review.) Churchill & Orwell: The Fight for Freedom by Thomas E. Ricks is fabulous. […]

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Don’t Be A Blockhead About Blockchain! Here’s a book to get you going

by John June 17, 2017

It’s time to wake up and see what is coming.  The future is intriguing, brilliant, somewhat scary, and it is coming at breakneck speed that most of our lawmakers don’t see or get. The revolution is the blockchain.  You know it as cryptocurrency.  Many of you have heard of Bitcoin.  But that is merely the […]

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Why People Vote Against Their Own Interests or How The Left and Right Are On Different Planets

by John June 13, 2017

(This is a book review of Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild.  Like all reviews here, I try to be short so you will go read the book.  I only review books worth your time.) This is a powerful book. If you are someone who […]

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