A Promised Land

America as a Developing Country

Remember Those “Sh*thole Countries”?

A better term has applied here at home.

A certain republic for the past four years

The Short List

In a Zoom chat today, friends and I briefly discussed Donald Trump’s infamously and callously dismissing El Salvador, Haiti and African nations as “sh*thole countries” two years ago.

That is not a term ordinarily employed in international development discourse.  

As Trump’s presidency finally circles the drain and we consider his legacy, though, I’d suggest that “sh*thole government,” rather than “sh*thole country,” can apply to certain places. Here are some features of such a government’s leadership:

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An Indian TV (and Benicia, CA) View of the Insurrection

The video is from January 6. How the world has changed, even since then.

As part of my occasional commentary on U.S. and international affairs for a major Indian broadcaster, WION (World is One News), the channel interviewed me on January 6 as part of its report on that day’s D.C. insurrection. To my mind, it did a fine job (linked below) in its coverage of the exploding events.

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A Case for Impeachment

And a counter to some counter-arguments.

As the world turns

That Was the Week That Was

Quite a week, eh? It’s hard to believe that just last Sunday so much talk was about Trump’s taped talk with Georgia’s secretary of state, while many of us eagerly awaited that state’s Senate elections.

That all seems like ancient history today, as Democrats are circulating a draft resolution to impeach Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection.” Insurrection is “an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government.” Unless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reverses course or something equally unexpected happens, the House of Representatives will impeach Trump this week.

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American Carnage

Remove Trump from office now. He’s dangerous.

Make America Great Again

Some thoughts on what’s going on right now in DC.

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My Chat With a Conspiracist

And why he’s better than his would-be betters in the Senate's "Sedition Caucus."

Reliable Sources

Out in the Street

As I strolled down the main commercial drag of my new hometown of Benicia, California yesterday, a fellow offered me a small slip of paper and asked, “Do you know how the Chinese Communist Party stole the election? Check out the video from this paper.” The slip recommended a “Who’s Stealing America” documentary on the front and supposedly reliable news sources on the back.

The guy had a mask on, kept his social distance and seemed nice enough, so I engaged. Our chat went something like this:

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