Where Is Margaret Chase Smith When We Need Her?

In some ways, in the decade from 1947 to 1957 the political situation in America was similar to that of the current Trump and post-Trump era. 

Every Four Years I Get A New President For My Birthday

I’ve noticed something interesting lately.  A lot of people are paying extraordinary attention to a particular date next month.

Before Trumpism Locked Millions of Gullible Minds in a State of Denial.

It’s hard to believe that after 9 months of pandemic conditions there are still people who refuse to believe that COVID-19 is not a hoax.

A Song From the Pandemic-Chlorine from ‘Cocaine’

I sometimes discuss things I’m writing with friends and acquaintances; it’s usually a good idea to get some feedback on work in progress, lest things get too one-sided. 

Polling Favors Biden, But History Doesn’t

On the topic of Biden’s running mate I came upon the following: “Are you forsaking the fact that after eight years many VP’s go on to be president?”

Pandemic Songs for Quarantine

In my college days, I was a regular in the Midwest SF convention circuit.  In the 1970s, these were nothing like the commercialized present-day ComicCons.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Orwell—Welcome to the Age of Trumpism

Today is the 117th anniversary of the birth of the man from whom I stole my pen name, Eric Arthur Blair, author, essayist, language critic, and etc.

Epilogue: The Amendments—Where We Are Now

From 1804 to 1971, the passage of eleven of twenty-seven amendments to the US Constitution dealt with voting either directly or indirectly.

Amendment XXVI—Voting Age Lowered to Eighteen—Ratified On 23 March 1971

Most people probably think of this amendment as being a product of the 1960’s, but the first proposal to lower the voting age to eighteen was made in 1941.

Amendment XXV—Presidential Succession & Disability—Ratified 10 February 1967

The first vacancy of the presidency occurred on 4 April 1841 when William Henry Harrison died after serving only one month.

Voting Rights Act – Passed 6 August 1965

Although not a constitutional amendment, the Voting Rights Act proved to be the biggest single step forward in fulfilling the promise of the Amendments. 

Act Five: Amendment XXIII—District of Columbia Voting Rights—Ratified On 29 March 1961

Since its inception, the District of Columbia had an uncertain status.  Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states that Congress has the right…

Interlude Three:  Amendment XXII—Presidential Term Limits—Ratified On 27 February 1951

The Twenty-second Amendment was clearly a reaction to President Franklin Roosevelt’s unprecedented third and fourth terms.

Interlude Two: Amendment XX—Inauguration Day and Lack of a President Elect— Ratified On 23 January 1933

The Twentieth Amendment changed the inauguration day from 4 March to 20 January*, the date for the opening of Congress to 3 January and clarified what happens if, on inauguration day, there is no president-elect.