Signalling alarm within the upper echelons of the government, all ten living Secretary of Defense figures penned an Op-ed in the Washington Post with a clear message, the military will remain outside the ongoing political disputes that are threatening the peaceful transition of power. 

At a time when Trump is contesting the results and calling for his supporters to protest on January 6, 2021 the makings of politically motivated violence looms heavy on the nation.  Busy lives notwithstanding, every citizen can sense the potential for domestic conflict as the divides within the country find fuel on social media and through alternative programming websites. 

In the Op-ed there was no revelation of a specific request for any branch of the military to assist the Trump Administration.  However, the piece itself telegraphs a level of apprehension to which the very premise of American democracy must be protected.  With a unified voice the ten SecDefs walled-off...

VOTES? VOTES? Anybody selling votes?

Even though the calendar has turned and it is now 2021, here in the United States there remains a crisis of the democratic and political systems. And it looks that a dozen or more Republican Senators are willing to contribute to the ruination of the 2020 election by rejecting the state certified results. This refusal has been qualified as a form of Constitutional loyalty, but it is nothing more than political avarice. That Senators would degrade the upper house is further evidence of the waywardness in the Republican Party during the Trump years.

Donald Trump has exploited each and every vulnerability within the political system while he continues to obliviate norms for decency, morality, and standards. During his time as president the country has become numb to childish name-calling, insults, and mafia style strong arming; all in the context of "alternative facts”. (We have Kellyanne Conway for that inventive phrase.)

The weekend call with...

At a time when cases continue to rise, it is imperative for the Federal level of government to fully get behind the effort to contain the spread of the virus.  While the Trump administration initially took a libertarian approach, allowing all citizens to choose whether or not to wear the mask followed by an uncoordinated state-to-state approach for policy, it is clear that the threat of COVID requires a consolidated set of policies, for the good of the nation.

It is not abuse of government to protect the welfare of citizens. It is in fact, the responsibility of government. Just as in the deployment of soldiers to protect the nation, the federal government has an imperative to deploy resources, training, money, education, and expertise to the states, for the good of the nation.

The specious claims of conspiracy as well as charges that COVID is not a dangerous virus remain a challenge to national domestic security.  When the Biden administration takes hold of the vaccine...

As the people in Belarus continue to pour out into the streets to protest for the results of the election to be honored they are putting their lives in danger as the tension ratchets up.

President Lukashenko is fighting to retain control of the government which has afforded him autonomy with regard to the finances, the security systems, and the economic levers that constrain all parameters of life.  For him to acknowledge his challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya had won the majority of votes would mean that all of the corrupt operational controls would be exposed to both the domestic and international media. And quite possibly place him at risk for prosecution. 

Lukashenko's desperation is on display as he dispatches the military.  Soldiers have imprisoned housewives, young men & women, and even grandmothers.  Every Belarusian is considered a threat to the the man who is often referred to as "Europe's last dictator".

The support of Putin is multifaceted and...

While their families will be relieved to have them home, the unfortunate reality is, these girls are political props. At a time when President Buhari is battling an undisclosed illness, some reports stating that he works only an hour or two each day, this highly publicized release of 82 Chibok girls serves as a patina over a fragile presidency. Surely, money was used to entice the terrorist group Boku Haram as the primary method for negotiations.  Yet, the government will tamp down on any such assertions. These girls will arrive home with conflicted emotions as many have adjusted to their 'husbands'.  The conditions as a Boku Haram wife are harsh.  But Stockholm syndrome is a predictable response after three years of captivity.  One wonders if there are trained experts who are familiar enough with the Nigerian culture to be of help for these young women.  The transition back to their families and to society will not be easy. The 82 lives who are serving as...

There are so many reasons why Donald Trump is dominating the news cycle during the summer of 2015.  But one day, it will be a summer to forget.  Why?  Because America is getting “Trumped”. The theatrics, the bombastic speech, the insults…. all quintessential Trump.  His New York “tough-guy” background honed in the rough and tumble real estate jungle of “the city that never sleeps” is on display as if running for president were a reality TV show.  And in many ways, that is exactly what this is for THE DONALD.  This is the ultimate reality TV show. He is an aging personality with fewer and fewer conquests to present to the world as proof of his superior, well,…..his superior…..his superior…. according to Donald, his superior EVERY THING.  And with dwindling avenues to show his family and the world how superior he his, why not run for President of the United States? Trump Penthouse

But...