I know, I know, we have enough of our own problems with our own politicians in Canada to question what’s going on in the U.S. — but honestly, I can’t believe Donald Trump is still in the White House and not behind bars.
David Leonhardt, a NY Times opinion columnist wrote yesterday that Trump’s recent conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukranian president, during which he admits to pressuring him to dig Continue reading
I went through a period when I was writing about US politics all the time, both here and on Huff Post. I finally ran out of steam, though, and tried to find more positive topics. Tempted as I was sometimes to revert back, in the end, I resisted. Too much negativity and toxicity and I think we were all feeling pretty much the same way. I have the feeling that most, if not all of you, were relieved I stopped.
Like so many, I watched Senator John McCain’s memorial service on TV last Saturday. If I was an American, I wouldn’t have ever voted for him, you’d find me on the other side of the aisle. But I have Continue reading
If I hear “I don’t recall” come out the mouth of one more Republican in Washington I am going to
scream.
Jeff Sessions, the nation’s top law enforcement official not only couldn’t remember important details about contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign, he also conveniently “forgot” his own meetings with Sergey Kislyak.
Jared Kushner had to submit four addenda detailing over 100 errors and Continue reading
Last Tuesday Kathy Griffin (an American comedian) posted a video of herself holding a fake, bloodied, 
decapitated Donald Trump head. But much as I detest him (and his cohorts) and everything they’ve said, done and stand for, I did not find it at all amusing.
Frankly, I’ve never been a fan of hers. I don’t find her particular brand of humour even remotely funny. Definitely not my cup of tea.
With this video, however, she outdid herself; Continue reading
Yes, yes, I know some of you may not feel the same way. More’s the pity. But before you start
haranguing me, let me be clear.
Today is not about what he did or did not do as President of the United States. That discussion (debate) will have to wait for another day. Today is about the man, his wife and their children; and why they’ll be missed.
It’s probably fair to say his 2008 win was not predicted, at least not when he first announced his candidacy. How could it have been? The young, relative newcomer was hardly a household name, even after he delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, although he did Continue reading
Last Friday, Esteban Santiago arrived at Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale
on a flight from Alaska. He went to baggage claim and picked up one piece of luggage. He then went to the men’s room, removed the handgun that was in a case inside the bag, loaded it and came out shooting.
Five people were killed, almost 40 were injured and hundreds were traumatized.
The gun was obtained legally and it was declared — which means that the proper procedures for Continue reading
After a long and torturous year and a half, today’s the day, folks. Americans are going to the polls. At least I hope 
they are, in droves too.
I’ve heard far too many people say they were planning to either sit this election out, vote for a third party candidate or write in another name on the ballot.
Dumb, dumb, dumb at any time, but this year, it’s criminal.
The thought of Donald Trump in the White House gives me a serious case of the heebie jeebies. We don’t need to go through the Continue reading
I read a fascinating article in last Sunday’s New York Times. It’s about how the election is sending America to the couch, 
a whopping 52% of Americans, to be precise. Both Republicans and Democrats, by the way.
Before we go any further, though, let me clarify. In my case, there is no therapy involved. I have nothing against therapy, far from it, but for me, a Canadian, to get so carried away over this presidential race that I’d need to talk to a professional about it would be quite Continue reading
Listening to all the speeches at both the Republican and Democratic conventions and then watching as
Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, it suddenly hit me: How, when it comes to family, I won the lottery.
My maternal grandmother was one of nine children, four boys and five girls. They were all open-minded, tolerant accepting and opinionated at a time when that was not so common. They came by it honestly enough, my great Continue reading
Is all the mean-spiritedness of this year’s presidential race (and the last eight years) starting to rub off 
on me? Am I missing something? Am I just an old stick-in-the-mud? Or is the carnival-like atmosphere of the GOP convention also making you wonder how the US ever became a super power?
I know the Democrats do it too, although from what I watched on TV last night it didn’t seem as bad. I know it’s the way it’s always been done. And while I admit it’s always given me pause, I’ve usually just shrugged my shoulders and moved on.
But this year, when so much is at stake, when the country has never been more divided, when nobody’s life seems to Continue reading
365 And Counting 