“Gary Has Issues” is moving into a new direction. When I come across an editorial that I think is important I am offering my site as a platform. I have a fairly wide base that includes many conservatives and I welcome a healthy and respectful debate. I met Stacey Walker last Spring as he was working on…
Weiners with Boehners
Why is it even news when a public figure lies? We are lied to when verbs are manipulated to minimize the meaning of an indiscretion. We are lied to by politicians who flip-flop positions in order to score higher with populism’s moving target. We share trust issues with wives of candidates, who were lied to about previous lies. So why are…
I call this meeting to order!
It’s not uncommon to get a response from one of my posts that starts out benign to lull me in: “Gary, I agree with a lot of what you say…” My guard goes down as I enjoy being agreed with, but then they will edge toward a counterpoint: “…but, Gary…” I lean in (even when I’m reading) to…
The Nature of Debate
I am conflicted. Last night I became aware of something that I hadn’t really thought of before. There are people who don’t participate in my political posts but still read them. That may seem obvious, but as I write something, post it, and a debate, which sometimes becomes heated, ensues, I am only thinking about the…
50% of Americans think 50% of Americans are wrong
I had no intention of embarrassing or insulting anyone, but I wanted to make a point. I asked people who the 15th president was. The few who answered said, “Lincoln.” “No biggie” I replied, “but he was the 16th President. James Buchanan was the 15th.” I asked them about the ramifications of the Dred Scot decision. Only 2 of 5 had…
Was the church on the corner too far?
Politics are where we can make a difference in our lives; it’s where we effect change to improve our schools, our roads, our safety and our economy. Everyone has a position on taxes, commerce, defense, and on a local level, the school board, zoning ordinances and whether the streetlights are working. We want the potholes to be filled and…
Do You Want to Know a Secret…?
Mitt Romney is in Iowa today stumping for Republican candidate Joni Ernst who is running for Tom Harken’s senate seat. Do you remember Mitt Romney? He’s the white guy who ran for president two years ago and got white guys to vote for him. In fact…no one but white guys voted for him. I want to let…
The Tortoise and the Best Hair
This morning I heard 3 different Republicans say a variation of the same thing: “We will protect your freedoms by reversing the encroachment of growing government.” Great line. This has been the talking point that all Republicans across the country have hammered since Sputnik first circled the Earth. And why not? It resonates and there…
I’m With Stupid
My ex-wife thinks I’m stupid. Okay, that, in and of itself, is not unusual; lots of people think I’m stupid. And when we’re talking about the perceptions of ex-spouses, I’m sure the incidence of perceived stupidity is high, but my problem is that my ex is pretty smart and so when she calls me “stupid”…
The End Of The World As We Know It!
You know those apocalyptic movies where the world is near extinction because we are being overrun by Zombies? They became Zombi-fied from a virus that is circumnavigating the world at an exponential rate. The movie will go back in time, briefly, to show us the unnoticed, seemingly insignificant, event that first sent the virus airborne into a lethal chain reaction. It’s usually something…