Category Archives: News commentary

Thanksgiving in a time of crisis

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Stephen W. Browne

Thanksgiving is upon us again, this year in somewhat strained circumstances. Some state governors have issued edicts defining exactly how many people you can have for dinner, and even what degrees relationship are permissible. Reactions range from loud defiance to … Continue reading →

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Riot season

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Stephen W. Browne

I’ve got the feeling I should say something pithy and profound about the riots gripping our major cities. I’d really like to wait until I hear back from friends I trust who are actually going to have a look, but … Continue reading →

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When ideology trumps ethics

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Stephen W. Browne

In September Abel Cedeno, will be sentenced for the killing of one Matthew McCree, 15, and wounding of Arane Leboy, then 16, in 2017, at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx. Cedeno, then 17, claimed self-defense … Continue reading →

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The Electoral College

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Stephen W. Browne

We have again calls to abolish the Electoral College, that method by which the president is elected with the odd feature that the candidate with fewer individual votes can become president. The call came most recently from Senator Elizabeth Warren … Continue reading →

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The college admissions scandal

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Stephen W. Browne

I am shocked, shocked I tell you! Shocked to find the children of wealth and privilege are getting into universities that cater to the wealthy and privileged by means other than sheer merit. I’m shocked that this is somehow a … Continue reading →

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A bad day for news

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Stephen W. Browne

For the fourth time in my life I am enjoying the smug satisfaction of having seen through a fake news story before it exploded in everyone’s face. Sorry, I lied. I’m not enjoying it at all. I’m scared to death. … Continue reading →

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Nobody wins this fight

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Stephen W. Browne

The hearings over the Kavanaugh nomination to the Supreme Court are beginning to remind me of Rashomon. The Japanese movie, which was remade as a Western with Paul Newman, concerns several people telling their stories of a rape and murder. … Continue reading →

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Gun ban – why it’s not going to happen

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Stephen W. Browne

Tens of thousands march for “sensible gun control”! Ain’t gonna happen, and here’s why. But first of all let me tell you where I’m coming from. Like Kris Kristofferson’s Pilgrim, I’m a walking contradiction. I’m a strong Second Amendment supporter … Continue reading →

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The Trump Economy

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Stephen W. Browne

The numbers don’t lie, the Trump economy is the best in years. At the end of Trump’s first year in office the economy has seen three percent growth for three successive quarters, which we haven’t seen for 13 years. The … Continue reading →

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Why Weinstein matters

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Stephen W. Browne

Unless you have just returned from a vacation in Antarctica you have heard of the fall of film maker Harvey Weinstein. Joss Whedon must be breathing a sigh of relief. Whedon not long ago was accused of being a flagrant … Continue reading →

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