An existential risk, in general, is one that could cause the collapse of human civilization, such as nuclear war. An existential risk to democracy is one that could bring about the collapse of individual liberty, such as fascism. This is the theme of The New Republic magazine cover that morphs Donald Trump’s face into Hitler’s. It is, also, the theme of numerous politicians and cable news commentators who have called Trump an existential threat to our American democracy and called for him to be stopped at all costs. Twenty-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks gave up his own life to try. In like manner, many politicians and cable news commentators have asserted Joe Biden is corrupt in his … [Read More...] about Existential Threats
Gavel Gamut
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Recent Articles
Independence Day Jeopardy
John Adams, our second president, and Thomas Jefferson, our third president, were great friends who became estranged for years but reconciled before they both died on July 4, 1826. Each was an attorney who championed individual liberty and civil rights. Adams believed the date of America’s birth was July 2, 1776, the date the Continental Congress voted for independence. Jefferson thought our birthday was July 4, 1776, the date the Declaration of Independence was signed. Both Founding Fathers declared we should celebrate our founding with special activities. Jefferson was the first president to host a July 4 commemoration at the White House. Jefferson wrote about Independence Day, “For … [Read More...] about Independence Day Jeopardy
The Debate
Last Thursday the world had the opportunity to catch a 90-minute glimpse of our nation’s two likely presidential candidates. As 51 million others, I thought it my citizen’s duty to tune in, although Peg and I considered getting a couple of chores done around JPeg Osage Ranch instead. We should have done the chores. When it comes to politics I tend to concentrate on my own personal experiences and pay less attention to the behavior of other candidates. For example, my first political campaign involvement was on behalf of my boss who was the Vanderburgh County, Indiana Prosecuting Attorney. The year was 1972 and I was an appointed, part-time deputy prosecuting attorney. I was married, had a … [Read More...] about The Debate
Whose Birthday Is It?
As I write this column the Weather App on my cell phone says the actual temperature is 98 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index making it feel like 108 degrees. There is no breeze but that’s okay. If there were, it would simply baste our skin as though we were a slow crusting brisket. I ask you, Gentle Reader, “Why July Fourth?” Does not each of the twelve months have a Fourth? For example, the merry month of May or the crisp, invigorating month of October each has a perfectly good Fourth. And neither has a heat index of 108 degrees! Were our Founding Fathers so fond of their wool frock coats they were impervious to July’s guarantee of a reprise of Joan of Arc’s demise? What was Thomas … [Read More...] about Whose Birthday Is It?
Founding Documents
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 71 into law Wednesday, 17 June 2024. Governor Landry stated, “If you want to respect the rule of law you gotta start from the original law giver which was Moses, … he got his commandments from God.” Louisiana HB 71 decrees that every public school in Louisiana and every non-public school that receives state funds shall display the Ten Commandments in every building and every classroom it uses. HB 71 sets forth its version of the Ten Commandments that must be displayed as follows: “The Ten Commandments I AM the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven images. Thou shall not take the … [Read More...] about Founding Documents
Get Out of the Gutter
Lauren Windsor is a conservative Christian who is anti-abortion. That is what she told Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito on June 03, 2024 in statements she made to him at a private gathering of the Supreme Court Historical Society. We know she stands for these principles because she recorded herself saying so then released an edited version of her recording to the Rolling Stone magazine. Of course, she is an admitted, known liar, so who knows what she believes. Windsor was attempting to sleazily trap Justice Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts during private conversations. Windsor did not inform the justices she was recording them nor did she disclose her true purpose which was … [Read More...] about Get Out of the Gutter
Avoid Congress, Diogenes
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to a Joint Session of Congress. However, one honest member of Congress, Senator Bernie Sanders Independent of Vermont, stated on MSNBC news on June 05, 2024: “You do not honor a foreign leader by addressing a Joint Session of Congress who is currently engaged in creating the worst humanitarian disaster in the modern history of this country. Obviously as we all know, Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism and the terrible attack of October 7th. But what it is doing now is going to war against the entire Palestinian people and what … [Read More...] about Avoid Congress, Diogenes
Always Memorial Day
Memorial Day honors the memory of all who have made America. It is appropriate that we do so, for in remembering our ancestors we perpetuate their countless blessings to us. Of course, Memorial Day pays special homage to all of our departed veterans who sacrificed so much, some even their lives, so that we can live ours in peace and plenty. Our best-known Memorial Address was delivered before America had declared a special day to honor our departed. President Abraham Lincoln spoke for about eleven minutes on November 19, 1863 at the battlefield in Gettysburg where he honored all who had served on July 1, 1863. Lincoln did not honor just Union soldiers but included the Confederate … [Read More...] about Always Memorial Day
Cultural Myopia
It is no one’s fault. It is a universal curse. We often can recognize virtues in our friends, but may misinterpret the motives of strangers. What someone from another culture means to be irony, sarcasm, humor, even friendly banter or simply an off-the-cuff comment we may take with umbrage. If a university student calls out “From the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea”, that student may mean two countries that include Palestine and Israel. Whereas, another student may conclude it is a call to eliminate either Palestine or Israel. The cultural history of both students can lead to ascribing ill will when none is intended. The odds of misinterpretation are greatly increased when people from … [Read More...] about Cultural Myopia
Get Out Now!
If one credits the Jewish Torah, the Christian Bible and the Islamic Quran, the Hebrews and Arabs are descended from Abraham who was born in Ur, modern day Iraq. Abraham’s sons, Ishmael and Isaac, were also born in Ur. They are the progenitors of today’s Arabs and Jews, according to the folklore of both groups. Therefore, Arabs and Jews are one people. When Abraham led his family and flock out of Ur, they went to Canaan which was already inhabited by several peoples who were probably the ancestors of modern-day Iranians (ancient Babylonians/Persians). If there was an actual Abraham, scholars estimate he arrived in Canaan sometime between 2,000 and 1,700 B.C. And that would have been about … [Read More...] about Get Out Now!
No More Encores, Please
Those of us who live near Barnsdall, Oklahoma attended, not voluntarily, Mother Nature’s opening performance of a “small” tornado on April 01, 2024. There was some damage such as felled trees and a slight power outage. But, in general, it was heavy rain and strong winds. Peg and I escaped most of the storm’s effects except the clean up of downed trees and rearranged lawn furniture. Although we did hear the proverbial freight train pass just above our cabin. It took us about two days to get back to normal. It took Public Service of Oklahoma about one day to restore power. I guess our narrow escape upset the weather gods because just about one month later, May 6, 2024 at about 10:00 pm … [Read More...] about No More Encores, Please
Books
Unanimous for Murder
Live on Amazon.com and Kindle eBooks!
Unanimous for Murder picks up where JUDGE LYNCH! left off. A gripping story of small town murder and judicial shenanigans on the western frontier when the western frontier was east of the Mississippi.
Echoes of Our Ancestors: The Secret Game
Jim’s new novel tells the exciting story of a long hidden but important football game that occurred between representatives of Haskell Indian Institute (now the Haskell Indian Nations University) and professionals from the then Kansas City Cowboys in 1924 at a secret location on the Osage Indian Nation near Pawhuska, Oklahoma - where Jim was born.
JUDGE LYNCH!
“Judge Lynch Holds Court!” That was the banner headline in a Posey County, Indiana newspaper after seven African American men were murdered by a white mob during October, 1878.
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Gavel Gamut Greetings from JPeg Ranch
“Gavel Gamut Greetings" is an anthology of topical and historical selections mainly about regional events and personalities that have appeared in my weekly newspaper column, Gavel Gamut.
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