The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the primary amendment addressing freedom, guaranteeing freedoms of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition. It prohibits Congress from establishing a religion or hindering its free exercise, and it also protects the right to express oneself, including through the press, and to assemble peacefully. Additionally, the First Amendment ensures the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. But: we need some order The concept of ordered liberty describes a balance . . .
Category: Politics
Corruption in Plain Sight
Job Description: US President Article II of the United States Constitution establishes the executive branch of the federal government and defines the role of the President The president shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and . . .
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization housed in The Hague, Netherlands. It is a permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for genocide, acts of aggression, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC is not affiliated with The International Court of Justice, an organ of the United Nations, that mediates disputes between member states.
What Next?
Kings, Dictators and Oligarchs
Money and Influence
Double Haters?
Looking at consensus presidential polling from FiveThirtyEight , Trump has a one percent lead over Biden, 41.5% vs 40.5%. In other words, the people responding to the polls are not excited about either 2024 presidential candidate. These polls seem to indicate that there is a significant bloc of voters, approaching 20%, who dislike both candidates. The 2024 election somewhat resembles the 2016 contest (when exit polls showed 18% disliked both candidates) more than the 2020 contest. Biden has lost favor . . .
Can Politicians Be Leaders?
We are living in an era when many politicians are entertainers rather than leaders. Getting the important things done has become secondary to being bellicose with personal attacks on opponents – flinging talking points without substance. Peter Drucker: “Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things.” Our elected representatives need to recognize what is important and focus on fixing the problems. We have concerns that need their attention: immigration, climate change, war lords, gun control and poverty . . .
History Gaps?
George Santos (R- New York) has created a fabulous personal history out of thin air. His history, as an elite athlete and volleyball star, savvy business tycoon, friend of dogs, grandson of holocaust survivors got him elected. So it worked? When we read history, we tend to accept it as being truthful. It’s written down by maybe a professor from Harvard and contains many facts, most probably true. But, it can’t contain all the facts. What about those missing . . .
Accomplishing Something
Why can’t we get things done collectively? There are many reasons why our personal plans fall short. One common reason is that our plan is not well thought out. A cure for this is to collaborate with someone. “Two heads are better than one”, attributed to John Heywood in his Dialogue of proverbs (1546), is solid folk wisdom. For the bigger challenges of our time such as gun violence, ruining the planet, and chaotic and massive human migration, we need . . .