Author Archena Posted on January 4, 2024January 8, 2024Categories Current, WednesdayTags

New Year Scattershot

So, I’m back. Happy New Year. I’m old. My friends older than me insist that I’m not old but no one objectively accuses me of being young. The thing about being old is years all start looking suspiciously like each other. Decades look a bit different but years look like carbon copies. The other problem is you are the only one that remembers what a carbon copy is. I’d recommend against getting old except for the fact that it beats … Continue reading “New Year Scattershot”

Author Archena Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags , ,

Division, Derision and Devolution: Middle East Version

Growing pains only with guns and insanely over complex cultures. The next fifty years are gonna be way more interesting than anyone in the Middle East is gonna like. America makes it look easy from the outside. We blend cultures, ideas and peoples like a tapestry. What the rest of the world doesn’t see are all the knots in the back. They don’t notice the times we rip out the messed up sections to weave in new ones. On top … Continue reading “Division, Derision and Devolution: Middle East Version”

Author Archena Posted on November 15, 2023November 15, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags , , , ,

Democratic Republicanism

No, it doesn’t mean being a Democrat Republican. We’ll get back to the Democrat part. Let’s start with republican government. Given the current state of the Republican Party I’m not sure they are republican at all so no, that’s not what I mean. You want a definition, huh? Okey doke! Republican: a system of government in which representatives rule. Note that it just says ‘representatives’. Technically, the senators of Rome were representatives but they represented the Roman citizens which were … Continue reading “Democratic Republicanism”

Author Archena Posted on November 1, 2023November 2, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags , , , , , ,

Democracy Doesn’t Exist Without Freedom of Speech

Was that clear enough for you? Of course not. What is with you and wanting details? I don’t care if your teacher thought you should ask more questions. No, I don’t mind you asking questions. I mind you asking for details. Fine, whatever. Let’s get this over with. I’m a cranky old lady in a barbecue apron with stiff wings! What did you expect?! No, expressing crankiness is not the reason we have freedom of speech. It is an added … Continue reading “Democracy Doesn’t Exist Without Freedom of Speech”

Author Archena Posted on October 25, 2023October 25, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags ,

Political Noise: Navigating a Clickbait World

Political noise is nothing new. As soon as the first caveman figured out that talking about nothing worked almost as well as actually doing something, political hot air was born. All that has changed is the access to the vast volumes of double speak, not its nature. Internet, phone, cable, streaming, TV, newspapers (they do still exist), online news, blogs, social media posts and any new way some genius comes up with to separate you from your peace and quiet … Continue reading “Political Noise: Navigating a Clickbait World”

Author Archena Posted on October 11, 2023October 11, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags , , , ,

Flooding Impoverished Areas with Criminals

Now, call me old fashioned, but this seems like a very bad idea. Evidently, it’s all the rage in progressive circles. The idea goes something like ‘law enforcement disproportionately affects minorities therefore it is racist so we should end this racism by defunding and blaming the police.’ I’m not even trying to be funny; this really is pretty much the way it is described. Needless to say, this hasn’t done any favors to the communities that have tried it. Police … Continue reading “Flooding Impoverished Areas with Criminals”

Author Archena Posted on September 27, 2023September 29, 2023Categories WednesdayTags , , , ,

Fixing America

If you want to make the world a better place, start with the funny face in the mirror. It’s no different for nation states. If you want a better world, start with the stupid country you’re living in. It’s great to shoot for the stars – but pick the low hanging fruit on the way up! Yes, I mix metaphors for a living. Okay, so let’s get the easy stuff out of the way. There is no energy crisis. There … Continue reading “Fixing America”

Author Archena Posted on September 20, 2023September 20, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags ,

Is America Important to the World?

Yes. Oh, details again? So, what do you think would happen if the US disappeared tomorrow? Forget the cataclysmic stuff from a suddenly missing continent – if the US could safely just move to Mars what would happen? Okay, okay, after the shock wore off. The four contenders for ‘next super power’ are: the EU, India, China and Russia. No, you missed the ride so you can’t move to the US. Who do you want for your next world dominating … Continue reading “Is America Important to the World?”

Author Archena Posted on September 13, 2023September 13, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags , , , ,

Will Trump Destroy Ukraine?

Nope. See y’all next… You guys are really into details aren’t you? Okay, from the top. Trump is a businessman and a deal maker. He might not like a given policy but he’s not going to sacrifice all the assets just to dump the policy. If he were going to do stupid stuff like that he’d have pulled out of Afghanistan as disastrously as Biden did. Trump isn’t going to miss a good opportunity for a deal. So yes, he’s … Continue reading “Will Trump Destroy Ukraine?”

Author Archena Posted on August 31, 2023August 31, 2023Categories Current, WednesdayTags , , , ,

Democrat Election Interference is Happening and the Democrats are Still Losing

Isn’t it amazing that all the prosecutors in the various Trump indictments need to set trial dates right in the middle of the critical part of the primaries? It’s not like Trump needs to campaign or anything. I will grant that his current massive lead against DeSantis may indicate less urgency for getting the Republican nomination. Thing is, the primaries do more than merely determine the nominees. The primary campaigns are also important for the general election. Isn’t it mighty … Continue reading “Democrat Election Interference is Happening and the Democrats are Still Losing”