Time to Think

Aging                                                          #347 By Hank Silverberg  Commentary I'm 70 years old. Every now and then I have trouble coming up with the right word, or I forget the name of something. It's called a "senior moment," and everyone will have a few eventually. Most of us get nervous that it might be the beginning of something else, like dementia, but most of the time it's not. I joke often with young people that "I have forgotten more than you know." Yesterday I forgot the name of the company we use to protect our property from termites every summer.  But I am not the president of the United States or a United States senator. When one of them freezes up or forgets something basic, it can become an        embarrassment or an international incident. You may remember Senator Mitch McConnell...

The Complex  Middle East                                                            #346 By Hank Silverberg   Commentary  Israel Helps The Druze Israel has been vilified in parts of the media and in parts of Europe for the continued war in Gaza, which remains a disaster for those who live in that enclave. It is still controlled by Hamas, a political and military group that continues to hold Israelis hostage and has never really cared for its own people and has in fact killed many of them. But Israel has been a force for stability in that region for decades and has continued to seek peace with its neighbors. That has been met with hostility both political and violent.   In the Middle East, right and wrong are not simple.  This week for example, came another twist in the region's complex reality.    ...

  Freedom of the Press                                                                                     #345 By Hank Silverberg  Commentary   They show up on the street, faces covered, wearing bullet proof vests, uniforms that say "police," but have no visible badges. Who are they?  Chances are, it's an attempt by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal immigrants. As a reporter or a bystander,  you may hear about it and go investigate. But don't expect to get much cooperation. In fact, they will tell you to go away and threaten you with arrest if you don't comply. That's not the way it's supposed to w ork.  The Press is the public's watch dog. We are there to witness and report what our leaders and their minions are doing ...

Surprised?                                              #344 By Hank Silverberg  Commentary  The One Big Beautiful Bill is now the law--all 1,116 page of it. I doubt any congress member or senator has actually read it, and I am certain Donald Trump has not, because everyone knows he never reads anything.  Some people across the country who liked this bill are going to be surprised. And I suspect some member of Congress are going to be surprised as well when they see how it plays out in their district.  Many people were thrilled to hear that there will be no more taxes on tips or overtime, though there is a $25,000 cap. If they read the fine print they will see that part of the bill is good for only three years, sunsetting after the 2026 mid-term elections. Some seniors may be pleased they will be getting a bit more in their Social Security checks, until ...