Category Archives: Politics

LOOSE LIPS?

Posted on April 4, 2020 by Jim Wheeler

I have been following with much interest the story about the COVID-19 outbreak on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and the unceremonious canning of its CO, Captain Crozier. Acting SECNAV Modly says he fired him not because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, military, Politics, USN | 8 Comments

Past As Prologue

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Jim Wheeler

I recently came upon a 1949 review of George Orwell’s then-new dystopian novel, 1984 and was struck anew by its insight into human addiction to power. Power is intrinsic to the motivations of oligarchs, dictators and, I dare say, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics / Morality, Federal Government, Politics, War | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

VIOLENCE!

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Jim Wheeler

What does science have to say about man’s tendency to violence? That is the subject of the latest episode of PBS’s NOVA program. Surprisingly, someone has found a way to quantify episodes of violence throughout history by statistical analysis of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics / Morality, Politics | 5 Comments

ODD THOUGHTS

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Jim Wheeler

Odd thoughts go through my head: Woodrow Wilson’s enemy was the Kaiser Herbert Hoover’s enemy was economics FDR’s enemies were the axis powers HST’s enemy was communism Ike’s enemy was the USSR LBJ’s enemy was arrogance Nixon’s enemy was himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Democrats

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Jim Wheeler

After stewing all week over the scene in Washington I decided to write an op-ed letter to send to our local newspaper, the Joplin Globe.  I don’t know if they will have room for it this Sunday, but anyhow, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 4 Comments

Hysteria

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Jim Wheeler

I sent this letter to the editor of the Joplin Globe the other day in reaction to a column by a local conservative columnist who thinks concern over the Russian affair is overblown. As I understand from his column (Globe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Interview List

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Jim Wheeler

Just after a recent White House press briefing, a note in bold felt pen was found left behind: Things to ask job applicant 1. Could you ever bring yourself to investigate me? 2. Who do you think is the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

How’s Your Mood Today, Mr. President?

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Jim Wheeler

  Every year, at least one intercontinental ballistic missile is launched thousands of miles from a United States submarine to an instrumented area in the ocean. The purpose of this is to test the reliability of the complete system, including … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics / Morality, Politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Make America What Again?

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Jim Wheeler

Prime among the apparent reasons for the political ascent of the phenomenon of Donald Trump is his theme of “Make America Great Again.” This has captured a populist revulsion for the ethnic and cultural changes that have been trending for … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

What Will The GOP Become?

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Jim Wheeler

  The winds of political change are blowing strongly and the rise of Trump is characteristic.  He is said, by virtue of being publicly outrageous, to be the beneficiary of about $2 billion in free publicity!  This is unprecedented.  What … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments