As befits the season, here are some little gifts, selected headlines I'd like to see next year. I have little expectation they will top newspapers or tease newscasts. Still, a gal can dream. Please add your own in the comments section below. President Trump, recognizing nation's division, names Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. President Trump reforms Affordable Care …
Elizabeth Warren right to apologize
Shortly before Elizabeth Warren announced her Senate candidacy, my husband asked her what past senators were her consumer protection role models and where on the spectrum between William Proxmire and Phil Hart she'd place herself. Proxmire was a maverick legislator, renowned for creating the Golden Fleece Award, sarcastically given to public officials who wasted taxpayer money, and for being unwilling to play …
Donald Trump: the gift that keeps on giving
The world was simpler when Donald Trump was merely spouting off slogans or saying offensive things at rallies. But every day brings worse news. The three a.m. tweets, which once showcased his ignorance and lack of discipline, now have real-life consequences, and they're not for the faint of heart. Trump's leadership picks are grotesque, a story of crony capitalism. It …
Continue reading Donald Trump: the gift that keeps on giving
I want Trump to succeed, but
What does that mean? I want Donald Trump to succeed for the good of the country. I want the great national divisions to heal and intentional conflicts to abate. I want the economy to do well, and its benefits shared by all. I want to have hope in the future. But what will be the …
Vote recount buzz a distraction
So, Jill Stein, whose morally smug supporters modestly helped to sink the Clinton campaign, now wants to do recounts in precisely those states where her votes exceeded Trump's margin over Clinton. For what? To hope she gets fewer votes and is less tarred with Ralph Nader infamy? Or is it just to put more money …
Recovery is slow, Rx uncertain
Critics of my blogs may be delighted to know that my operating system was corrupted, and I have been without a computer for two weeks. It was a most peculiar time to be silenced. Hallelujah, the tech crisis is over. But the inability to post provided an interesting time for reflection. I have never seen a reaction …
Charlie Baker wins while losing
Governor Charlie Baker took a hit on election day, but those who smell blood in the water are seriously mistaken. Baker supported expanding charter schools, Question Two on the ballot. He was right on the issue, but the expansion referendum went down in flames. He opposed legalizing marijuana. That, too, made sense. But despite his efforts and …
The biggest Trump shocker of all
Waking up today, we wondered if it was all a nightmare. But, no. It was real. We moved with lead feet, speaking little, in shock. It was still early when the doorbell rang. Two young women, Jehovah's Witnesses. Given the recent event, they said, they wanted me to know how the Bible could get me through the …
Warning: watching polls may be hazardous to your health
Last Sunday, when the Cubs were down 3-1 to Cleveland, celebrated prognosticator Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight proclaimed that the Cubs had a smaller chance of winning the World Series than Trump did winning the presidency. More recently, he’s been soberly covering his bases, indicating why more reassuring predictions of a definite Clinton victory could be wrong. The …
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Slouching to November 8th
I voted early yesterday. Ten minutes before the City Hall polling place was to open a line was forming. Quickly 50 or 60 people joined the line. The stream was constant. To the extent that there was conversation, it was in dribs and drabs about this exciting new opportunity to cast ballots before election day. …
Marjorie Arons-Barron 