Author: Sam

I am a retired high school history teacher privileged to have worked with incredible students over forty years in many places near and far. I currently live in Southern California. I hope to use this site as a forum to engage constructive conversations about important social and political matters with all who are willing.

Brittney Griner is a Victim of Christian Nationalism

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As the embodiment of what the Christian Right fears and despises, Brittney Griner has become a useful part of Vladimir Putin’s strategy to return the Party of Trump to power.  Griner is thus another casualty of Putin’s global aspirations; a martyr who stands on a pedestal with the growing number of political prisoners in Russia … Continue reading Brittney Griner is a Victim of Christian Nationalism →

Putin Is on The November Ballot

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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy recently signaled to his far right base that the Republican Party will abandon Ukraine as soon as Republicans take control of Congress. This move will once again align his party with the subservient position that Trump maintained with the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin. A Republican victory will fully surrender U.S. … Continue reading Putin Is on The November Ballot →

Endorsements for the November 8 General Election

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Upon the request of a friend, I have decided to present how I voted in a different format than was presented in the June primaries.  First, a “cribbed” version of my endorsements will be presented.  Then I will explain a little bit about my methods and the choices I made. The Cribbed Ballot Governor:  Gavin … Continue reading Endorsements for the November 8 General Election →

Jay Chen for Congress

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            Over the next few weeks, voters in the newly redrawn 45th Congressional district will have the opportunity to send Jay Chen, a uniquely gifted lawmaker, to Washington.  His resume is beyond impressive.  Details of his various policy positions can be found on his website, http://www.ChenForCongress.com.             On Sunday, September 25, I experienced the joy … Continue reading Jay Chen for Congress →

Ten Political Questions the Answers to Which MUST Be an Unequivocal “Yes!”

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As the midterms approach, it is important to remember that we are still in the midst of an ongoing effort by the vast majority in the Republican Party to overturn the results of the last election.  It is the party whose foundational tenet remains the Big Lie of election fraud.  It is also the party, … Continue reading Ten Political Questions the Answers to Which MUST Be an Unequivocal “Yes!” →

Asif Mahmood

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The NYT Editorial Board has rebuked various Democratic Party institutions for actively supporting election-denying and otherwise extremist Republicans to the detriment of allegedly more moderate voices within the Republican Party.  The problem, however, is that the Republican Party has utterly failed to address the attempt of Donald Trump to destroy the republic on January 6.  … Continue reading Asif Mahmood →

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Why Ukraine Matters: A Response to Andrew Bacevich

Introduction For decades Andrew Bacevich, Professor Emeritus of History and International Studies at Boston University, has written compelling warnings about the militarization of US foreign policy.  In books and articles that persistently echo Dwight D. Eisenhower’s cautions against the military-industrial complex (MIC), Bacevich has shone a revealing light on how the corrupting militarization of politics … Continue reading Why Ukraine Matters: A Response to Andrew Bacevich →

Evil is Always a Choice, Never a Necessity

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The general context of this post relates to a brief response I gave to John Nichols’ excellent defense of Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes’ speech addressing problems in US history that placed a particular burden on Blacks and Native Americans from the very inception of the Republic.  The article and the commentary it elicited can … Continue reading Evil is Always a Choice, Never a Necessity →