Everyone has an opinion on how serious is the WHO-identified pandemic coronavirus. Many share guidance on how to deal with it. Far fewer share evidence-based science. Disturbing though it may be, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at how much our assessments divide on partisan lines. According to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll: unease is strongly …
Continue reading Beware coronavirus misinformation, well-intentioned or not
The Freedom of Information Act has never been celebrated by those in power. After Congress passed it in 1966, LBJ signed it quietly at his Texas ranch. Even under President Obama, the federal government was loath to facilitate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. They spent millions defending their reluctance in court. But Donald Trump …
Continue reading Sunshine Week: government transparency needed now more than ever
It's time to play my role in Super Tuesday. I've joked that in November I'd vote for a ham sandwich over Donald Trump. Any of the remaining candidates could do a better job than the incumbent. Nevertheless, I have twisted and turned. I used to scoff at voters who were still undecided days before an …
Continue reading Super Tuesday: resolving the struggle between head and heart
Last week's WGBH debate between Senator Ed Markey and challenger Congressman Joe Kennedy took me back to August, 1979. Joe Kennedy's uncle Ted was about to challenge fellow Democrat and incumbent Jimmy Carter for the Presidency. Seasoned CBS News correspondent Roger Mudd went to Hyannisport to interview Kennedy. The network set aside a full hour …
For all of his hundreds of millions spent in promoting his candidacy in polished and effective ads, billionaire philanthropist and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg bombed in his first appearance on the Democratic presidential debate stage. He would have been well served had he hired Boston-based consultant and political advisor Michael Goldman. Goldman shared …
Will Rogers famously said, "I'm not a member of any organized political party; I'm a Democrat." That boisterous, fractious, messy, irritating group was on full display in last night's debate. Despite reminders that "there's more that unites us than divides us," all six candidates at some point attacked and drew blood in a way most …
Continue reading Shrieks, howls, fur flying, blood drawn: meet the Democrats
With all eyes on the Presidential contest, it’s still important to keep focus on down-ballot races. With Cong. Joe Kennedy challenging U.S. Senate stalwart and climate change expert Ed Markey, more than seven candidates are vying to fill Kennedy’s fourth congressional district seat. The leaders (at least in fundraising) are City Year founder Alan Khazei, …
Continue reading Jake Auchincloss: a top-tier player in race to fill Kennedy’s seat
If you believe in the U. S. Constitution, the dignity of the Presidency, the value of science, the importance of truth, civility and commitment to oaths to which one has sworn, this week has been a nightmare for you. and for me. Donald J. Trump has been acquitted in his impeachment trial, the State of …
If the latest Iowa polls are to be believed, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are the front-runners. Since the peculiarities of caucus system turnout favor Bernie, he is poised to win in Iowa. The Vermont senator also appears to be well ahead in New Hampshire, and he could upset expectations in Nevada. It is …
Continue reading Too much down-side risk with Bernie Sanders
Watching the impeachment trial, waiting for the Senate decision on relevant witnesses versus brazen cover-up, I keep thinking about three ridiculous arguments made by President Trump’s defenders and echoed incessantly on Fox and its spillover social media and blogosphere. I have received considerable input on these legal considerations from my husband, Jim Barron, an attorney …
Continue reading Impeachment: these truths should be self-evident
Marjorie Arons-Barron 