The long, winding road of conservatism

WARREN, New Hampshire – It’s been four years, an eternity in American political history, since I last drove along a backwoods byway from here to Lebanon, New Hampshire, and contemplated what that route told me about the destination of American conservatism.

‘Big blatant lie’ and bad policy

Donald Trump has repeatedly argued – without evidence of any kind – that the 2020 election was rigged against him. Now he’s trying to rig the 2026 election in his favor.He’s not on the ballot in November, of course.

Specific dates easily remembered

It’s likely inherent in my DNA or simply intrinsic of being a male, but remembering specific dates is not exactly my strong suit.I mention DNA because my father was the world’s worst at remembering birthdays.

The spiritual journey of Dolly Parton

When Robert Lee Parton died in 2000, the illiterate former sharecropper asked his large musical family to sing “If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven),” his favorite countrygospel song.

Ward representation model works

Or at least it should. The Clinton City Council’s structure of having four different individuals being representatives for their respective wards is a good system when it performs as expected.

Trump may overplay his hand with threats

Three moves in the last week have exposed the limits of Donald Trump’s economic bullying. The U.S. slapped 50% tariffs on another $20bn of Canadian goods – then threatened the same rate on the cars, trucks, parts and steel that America Inc depends on.

Homer, Nolan, the Seven Deadly Sins

After watching Christopher Nolan’s take on “The Odyssey,” Father Dwight Longenecker remembered a comment Steven Spielberg made in a movie commentary while discussing how viewers react to symbolism in cinema.

Fueling a push for separatism

CALGARY – A wildfire is sweeping the western Canadian province of Alberta. It’s not the one you are thinking of.And a Canadian province is considering leaving the country. It also isn’t the one you are thinking of.

Small reprieve on the election front

Election Tuesday (this round) has come and gone and there was much rejoicing throughout the land. That’s because of the mistrust and disgust that has been ushered in over the years in regard to the political process.

Democratic voters reject resistance stars

There has been a lot of commentary on the differences between Resistance 1.0, the effort by anti-Trump activists to bring down President Donald Trump in his first term, and Resistance 2.0, the effort by anti-Trump activists to bring down Trump in his second term.