January 10, 2019

How ironic is it that a self-proclaimed, world class developer and builder has painted himself into a corner? Any good painter or negotiator knows to leave himself a way out. How could someone who supposedly wrote “The Art of the Deal” not know this? I am not a professional negotiator and I have not read the book, but some things to me seem to be common sense. If you expect the other side to bargain in good faith, you can’t renege on a deal that you have already agreed to. If you want to make a deal, you have to have a fallback position that you will be happy with. If you want to make a deal, you need to understand what the other party wants, and the leverage they have. If you want to make a deal, you need to be clear about what it is you are asking for. If you want to make a deal, you can’t make it personal. If you want to make a deal, you need to have solid support. If you want to make a deal, you can’t hold hostages because you cannot negotiate with hostage takers.

I am sure my friends on the Right are saying many of these very same things about Pelosi and Schumer. However, the Democrats have made an offer that buys time for the President, who is famous for kicking things down the road. Why can’t he just say, as he always does, “We’ll just see what happens?” Mene, Mene, tekel, upharsin, Mr. Trump. The writing is on your wall. Make a deal, and live to fight another day.

January 8, 2018

Last Thursday, newly elected Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan and a Muslim, spoke at a party celebrating the progressive women who make the 2019 congressional class so distinctive. Michelle Goldberg has an extensive Op-Ed piece in today’s New York Times. At that event, she dropped an MF bomb that I suspect has gone viral. As a 68 year old white male with non-virgin ears from another generation, I do have a problem with such public language. It is all too prevalent in politics, music, and entertainment. So, the question becomes, should she apologize? I think she should under the following conditions.

She should apologize as soon as Donald Trump apologizes to the gold star parents, Khizr and Gharzala Khan, who criticized Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention. They were the parents of a slain Muslim soldier.

She should apologize as soon as Donald Trump apologizes for attempting to ban all Muslims from entry into the United States. The courts ruled against this initiative, but the point was understood.

She should apologize as soon as Donald Trump apologizes for moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a slap in the face to Muslims in the region.

She should apologize as soon as Donald Trump apologizes for not confronting the Saudis on the murder of a Muslim reporter from the Washington Post.

When Donald Trump apologizes for these acts, which he never will, then Rashida Tlaib should apologize for her intemperate language.

January 7, 2019

Shoot first and ask questions later is protected by the Second Amendment.

December 31, 2018

“When the going gets tough, men still don’t ask for directions.” HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December 27, 2018

Where do drugs come from, and would a wall help? This seems to be a legitimate question on which most everyone has made up their mind. With the government shut down over this very question, it’s worth discussing. Trump wants a wall. Democrats want more money for more sophisticated tools. As it turns, protecting our borders is more complicated than you think.

Smugglers and drug cartels use a variety of means to get drugs into the country. The drugs of choice are cocaine and marijuana. The majority of drugs enter the U.S. in an assortment of vehicles with drugs hidden in secret compartments e.g. door panels, gas tanks, etc. Smugglers also dig cross-border tunnels, which often have lighting, tracks and ventilation systems. Cargo trains, tractor-trailers, and passenger buses have been used. Speedboats are used as well as container ships, pleasure boats, sail boats, and fishing boats. Drug traffickers have also taken to the air. Even catapults and air compression guns have been used.

Fentanyl is a narcotic, which has a high risk of addiction and dependence. Most illegal fentanyl comes from China, and gets here from both Mexico and Canada.

While virtually everyone is on favor of greater border security, a wall is not going to stop illicit drugs coming into our country. It is a great talking point for Trump, but that is all it is. Migrants from Mexico are not the ones bringing drugs. Building a wall will do almost nothing to stop the flow of drugs. A wall will give us a false sense of security. Trump will claim victory, and “mission accomplished.”