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Setting the record straight

As an Alpena County Commissioner, today I participated in a regularly scheduled bi-monthly board meeting to conduct county business. On every meeting’s agenda are the public comment periods. I am not sure how many Alpena County citizens are aware, but there is a very controversial issue currently being debated regarding the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Meetings the last few months have been inundated with large numbers of citizens wanting to voice their objections to the proposed plans, which they have every right to do. I can feel the emotion behind all the noise and insults, but am ...

250 years

This summer, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. In 1776, few people believed this new version of self-government would last. After the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of government the Founding Fathers had created. "A republic," he replied, ...

Trump and Thune: Just you wait

Here in Washington, D.C., we endure slights of the president's barking, his constant use of capital letters and his ever-present red ties. These are forms of shouting, weapons of psychological warfare that he wields as the master of repetition. Then there's the 250-foot Arch he plans to build, ...

Hey, America: Stop complaining

Whatever the outcome of the "deal, or no deal" scenario with Iran, the public attitude toward the war has been disturbing. Despite President Trump's constant admonition that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon, a majority of those polled oppose the intervention. A side effect of the war has ...

Children are now running our big cities

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani earned national attention in a not-good way when he recorded himself in front of Ken Griffin's Manhattan home revealing the billionaire's address. He tapped the lens in a threatening manner and said guys like Griffin are going to pay more taxes. Griffin is ...

King Trump and the looming MAGA challenge

Donald Trump is the undisputed king of the Republican Party. Earlier this month, Trump exacted revenge on Indiana state senators who had opposed his call to redistrict the Hoosier State; his endorsees won a majority of races against incumbents. Last weekend, Trump successfully nuked Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) from political life, relegating the incumbent to a shocking third place in his statewide primary. And this past Tuesday, Trump-endorsed candidates across the nation won every primary race -- 37 victories and zero defeats. Overall, Trump's approval rating among members of his own ...