The 2016 presidential primaries have scorched innumerable campaign trails across the nation, like so many well-meaning, patriotic arsonists. Fellow Southeastern Connecticutians might be excused from fully appreciating the quality and quantity of fireworks currently being set off in other parts of New England, upon distant New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Here, along the placid…
Tag: Donald Trump
Moving Forward to South Carolina (The Safest Buffet Item Available, Please)
February 11, 2016 Tuesday I agree about the headlines you mentioned. They both exist without the context of a two-person vs. dozen-person field (important!). I would suggest keeping tabs by looking up the overall delegate (or the case of the Dems, the super-delegate) counts awarding from each state to really know who is winning over…
Who Does Donald Trump Compare To, Nate Silver?
March 1, 2016 Tuesday Dear Mr. Silver, I have a historical question that I hope might be raised during a podcast or chat. Rarely, if ever, do I hear Trump placed in historical context, and I’ve been trying to square Donald Trump with past outsider firebrands in American history. Who might everyone think Trump best…
The SeaChange: Sink or Swim
March 13, 2016 Sunday Like many, I’ve been trying to understand the current waves of discontent that play out almost daily in these early weeks of 2016. I wish I were more eloquent or insightful for moments like this, but perhaps if I attempt to put down a few thoughts they will be somewhat…
SeaChange: Sink or Swim Part II
March 13, 2016 Sunday Will, You are certainly more prolific with your words than I am. Even your email titles have a literary quality to them. Since I am far shorter with my words, this will not be as long as your email. From my viewpoint, those supporting Trump do make sense. I understand…
Hello, Cleveland!
March 14, 2016 Monday You add a necessary point, and one I meant to also include in my letter yesterday. The universal protections of political assembly you note should always be ensured. Trump’s complaint that his supporters were denied speech is valid; whether or not he is a consistent supporter of speech is another matter…
The Pain You’re Feeling In Your Side Is Democracy (I Think)
written June 1, 2016 Something fantastical and absurd occurred yesterday on the campaign trail. After checking the history books it can confirmed it had never happened before. It made people in Toledo queasy, and others in Albuquerque absolutely anxious. The fact the many Americans cheered this same moment caused those in Toledo to feel all…
The Old New Soapbox
TV news of all stripes regularly, breathlessly over-aim reality; it is par for the cable-course. So when an election of legitimately historic trajectory appears over the horizon, the bright lights and slickly produced segments’ bag of adjectives can be found wanting from past overuse. The single word, “unique,” will serve. It is not normal…
An Outlandish Note of How to Thumb the Eye of Times Like These
written May 3, 2016 “You might as well say, that’s a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion.” -Henry V Act 3 Scene 2 The lion has run amok of the zoo, and what tamers are left? The choice may be for the flattened flea circus to take their…