Title suggested by Jeffrey Bennett
Between 1852 and 1853, Charles Dickens published an episodic novel titled “Bleak House,” about a family waiting in vain to inherit money in a disputed settlement from an extremely long-running lawsuit. It’s about the undeserved suffering the High Court of Chancery in England created, mainly by venal, self-serving lawyers.
Dickens’ ultimate attack is not on the court, as he makes perfectly clear the workings (or misworkings) of the court that constitute the major evil. He savagely condemns that particular institution and the prominent issue involved: The system itself – the whole system of law.
Although the book ends on a happier note, the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce in ‘Bleak House‘ ends as expected; lawyers consume the ENTIRE estate.
It was true in the 19th century; it reverberates through the 21st. Our justice system is based on centuries of tradition and legal wrangling mired in the self-serving and self-perpetuating practice of law.
Consider that last sentence… It’s the crux of this column. Continue reading
From 1860 to 2000, in the largest legal migration in human history, 
Every year of Joe Biden’s administration, more than 100,000 Americans have died from drug overdoses. That’s nearly 300 Americans dying every day. Much of this tragedy can be traced back to the deadly Chinese fentanyl that is coming across the southern border. 
If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’ 
Fairly straightforward right? When there is no vision the people perish. We usually see and hear this in the context of leadership development, team building, and plan-making. Perfectly fine. Perfectly true. But there are worse things than having a bad idea that succeeds or a poor plan that fails.
Tired of stepping over needles and human waste, and navigating around half-conscious addicts and homeless encampments? You’re not alone. Most decent, hardworking people want clean sidewalks for getting to work and walking their kids to school.
Which problem is so dire?
It has been reported that China Joe Biden is in the process of penning a new book on the history of stolen elections – a subject he may be eminently qualified to address given his background in that area. Of course if such a book is ever written, it will have to be done by a ghost writer who signs China Joe’s name to it as he has yet to find his way off the stage from the last two-minute speech he gave. Besides, he is so busy deep-sixing any hopes that American citizens have for a decent future, which is his main project, that he will probably have to let any literary efforts slide for now–at least until he and his cohorts have managed to abscond with the 2024 election. After that it probably won’t make any difference. 
The Founding Fathers made the Constitution palatable by including a Bill of Rights. Without the First 10 Amendments, the Constitution is just what its early critics, including Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, said it was; a dangerous consolidation of power far less representative of liberty than the Articles of Confederation.
Formed just before Christmas last month, Operation Prosperity Guardian was developed as a multinational maritime task force led by the United States to respond to Houthi-led attacks against ships in the Red Sea. A Pentagon spokesman described the goal of the partnership as a step towards “furthering our shared goals of security and stability throughout the Middle East.”
What do you think is the biggest problem this country faces now; the one thing those seeking your vote in the upcoming Presidential Election should focus their attention upon? Is it the conflict in Israel? Is it the threat of another pandemic? Is it the high cost of groceries? Is it safety in our public schools? What do you believe the next President should make his top priority?
Folks, it’s time to break the cycle of abuses – cruel, brutal, immoral, unconstitutional and unacceptable – that have been heaped upon us by the government for way too long.
I always like watching all the old ‘Scrooge’ movies on TV at this time of year. I prefer the black and white ones. I picture London being black and white in 1843, when Charles Dickens penned the tale – and in fact, Benjamin Franklin described old London as being a smokey, dark place in the mid 1700s. One of the best film versions is the 1935 one starring Seymour Hicks. When he contritely visits his nephew and his nephew’s new wife at the end, he takes a moment to look at their Christmas tree. He sheds a tear because it’s so beautiful.
Most Americans know the plot well. The despondent Charlie Brown who just can’t work up his Christmas cheer amidst crass commercialism. The confident and obnoxious Lucy, who finds the allegedly perfect solution to Charlie Brown’s gloom. The ill-fated Christmas pageant, which confirms Charlie Brown’s status as a loser. And finally, the rebirth of Christmas cheer that comes through Linus’ recitation of the original Christmas story.