Tag Archives: George W. Bush

Can I See Some ID?

5/17/2012 – 1:26 pm

I was in Washington a few weeks ago and attended an event at a bar.  I showed up with my colleague Charlie; we’re both in our 50s, our hair is gray or thinning or both, our faces seamed by decades of care.  No one could mistake us for teens, but we pulled out our photo [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

(Un)Free for All

1/19/2012 – 3:56 pm

I’m on Rick Santorum’s side – in a narrow, limited sense.  The former senator from Pennsylvania is not my kind of politician.  There may be a few issues on which we agree, but I’m not inclined to seek them out.
That said, Mr. Santorum meets the qualifications to run for president of the United States.  He’s [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Electoral Politics | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

To Appease the Gods

12/29/2011 – 11:25 am

So the last Americans pulled out of Iraq, eight and a half years later, leaving an uncertain nation with an even more uncertain future.
As I watched the video of the last trucks crossing the Kuwait border, all I could see were the black hulls of the Greek ships sailing away, gray smoke still hanging in [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Iraq Invasion | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Thousands and Ten Thousands

5/5/2011 – 2:08 pm

I have a friend who came back from serving in Vietnam 40 years ago. Shortly thereafter, his father, who owned a liquor store, was shot and killed during a robbery. The killer was African American. My friend’s family is white.
“I used that for a long time,” he told me. “I’d say, [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Price of Free Speech

3/3/2011 – 3:12 pm

Here I am, agreeing with the Roberts Court twice in one week.
Tuesday’s ruling was fun. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that ATT cannot claim its communication with various government agencies are exempt from Freedom of Information laws based on a clause protecting “personal privacy.”
Although the court has ruled – unfortunately – that corporations are [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Joe Biden Date Night

6/25/2009 – 9:31 am

Barack Obama is causing me trouble. Me, personally.
The president and first lady are making a habit – a very public habit – of reserving one night a week for a date. Marriage maintenance is important for couples who’ve been together a while, especially if they have kids and the day job [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Act Accordingly

6/18/2009 – 11:16 am

There are two ways of relating to government: 1) I think my government is acting in my best interest – and act accordingly or 2) I think my government is not acting in my best interest – and act accordingly.
Most of us fall between 1) and 2). I was closer to 2) for eight [...]

By floegel | Posted in Civil Liberty, Commentary, Electoral Politics | Also tagged , , , | Comments (0)