Monday night’s Clinton/Trump debate won't be Lincoln/Douglas. No Demosthenes or Cicero here. Even if the candidates were inclined to that level of discourse, the American public would probably not be prepared to give it the time or its undivided attention. It won't be a classical debate, scored by nonpartisan judges on technical aspects of the …
Tag: Donald Trump
Hillary chooses morning over mourning in America
Last night’s historic moment almost seemed anti-climactic. I had shed my tears at the historic milestone when Hillary Clinton had clinched the Democratic nomination. I held my breath for weeks thereafter until Bernie Sanders had endorsed her, making it clear just how high the stakes are in this election. Last night was all about reinforcing that …
Continue reading Hillary chooses morning over mourning in America
Donald Trump a clear and present danger*
Donald Trump's kids shone at the Republican national convention. Poised, articulate, attractive, they'd make any parent proud and certainly reflect well on their parents. Ivanka Trump's call for pay equity and child care support were a welcome contrast to the GOP platform. So, too, was PayPal CEO Peter Thiel's assertion that the party shouldn't let "fake …
Republican convention: Red meat turns rancid, mean, and poisonous
Two down, two to go. Days, that is, of the Republican National Convention. I'm not watching gavel to gavel. I have a life. But, as a political junkie, I'm drawn to watch the evening activities, as deplorable as they are. From an organizational perspective, especially for an alleged master of the spectacle, Day One was …
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg fumbles
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was way out of line in her scathing criticism of Donald Trump. Three times in the last week, she let it be known she can't imagine this country under a president Trump, She called him "a faker," said he "has no consistency about him," and added that he says whatever comes into …
Hillary: a moving milestone
It took more than two centuries for the United States to have its first woman representing a major party as its presumptive presidential nominee. Last night, when it happened, when history was made, it was deeply affecting. To Hillary Clinton's many detractors, I concede her flaws, but I will not let you spoil the significance of …
Sanders risks undoing his contribution
Bernie Sanders deserves credit for putting issues of economic inequities, Wall Street greed, Citizens United distortions, and the self-serving Washington establishment on the front burner. His cranky old man persona was even mildly endearing when he was railing against the rigged system, helping give voice to the unbridled aspirations of young people and the frustrations of the struggling middle …
Some advice for Clintonites: lay off Sanders
If I feel sick to my stomach at the thought that Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee of the Grand Old Party, I can't fathom how I will feel on the morning of November 9 if he is the President-elect of the United States. This just can't be. How can so many millions of people …
Continue reading Some advice for Clintonites: lay off Sanders
Brussels attack plays into Trump
Secure the checkpoints. Close the borders. Keep all Muslims out. Is anyone surprised to hear such calls from Donald Trump? The unspeakable horrors of the terrorist bombings today in Brussels strikes fear in all our hearts. We're coming up on the third anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. In Greater Boston, we know the chaos and …
GOP candidates make U.S. a laughingstock
"Listen to this guy. He has one idea and repeats it over and over again." "No, you're the one who repeats himself. You have nothing to say." "You can't be trusted. You lie." "You're the liar." "So's your mother." Why don't you take it outside, fellas. If you watched the last GOP "debate" before …
Marjorie Arons-Barron 