In his column of Jan. 23 (“Why America often comes up short on presidential greatness“), Douglas Rooks cited the work of English aristocrat James Bryce to explain why “great men” are not chosen to be president. I can’t be the only one who then thought of H.L. Mencken, an American journalist and satirist. In 1920, […]

Between 10,000 and 15,000 Afghans, who helped and supported America in our fight against the Taliban, were fully vetted and approved for resettlement in the U.S. and were only awaiting a flight. Many of them have been in hiding from the Taliban since the war ended, fearing for their lives. Now Donald Trump, with a […]

When I go outdoors, on a beautiful day (today is an example — white snow glistening in the sun and the perfect blue sky, birds sharing their melodies to improve our moods), I forget how I take these earthly treasures for granted. I am a boomer and boomers sometimes get a bad rap for not […]

During the Jan. 21 National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Budde called on President Trump to demonstrate compassion and mercy toward marginalized groups. In response, President Trump, adhering to his usual tactics, dismissed, demeaned and insulted her, labeling her sermon as “nasty” and directing his supporters’ attention toward her. The reactions […]

I’ve noticed that recently, at the supermarket I frequent, many of the items regularly on my shopping list are no longer available in the amounts I am accustomed to buying them. Beans, once available in 16- or 29-ounce cans, are now only available in a 15.5-ounce quantity. I used to be able to get olive […]

We are being immersed deeper each day into inhumane White House directives. The only way such actions can be mitigated is if Sen. Collins and just a few of her colleagues, in both chambers, show courage and grit to continue to stand up for what we all know is right and decent. Regarding pardons to […]

News flash: Donald Trump is a despicable human being. But we already knew this. His actions in his first week of Trump 2.0 should not be surprising. It is the lack of shock and outrage from his Republican cronies, regarding such actions as his willingness to pardon those convicted of the Jan. 6, 2021, storming […]