In the 1939 Frank Capra film, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” letters from citizens to Congress play a pivotal role in the story — they symbolize the voices of young people crying out for honest representation and government for the greater good. The letters arrive in stark contrast to a media campaign manufactured by a … Continue reading Writing letters to Congress: If you want to get their attention, go old school.
Two essays: Dreading the juveniles in Trump’s government, saluting an actual adult who stood up for decency
Essays in contrast: One dreads the juvenility of the Trump regime, the other salutes a true adult who took a stand for decency.
A crime statistic worthy of its own headline
The fact that Baltimore's chronic problem with violent crime is finally being abated by smart law enforcement strategies and social science gets the big year-end headline: Homicides at historic lows. Here's my take on that very positive development, published on Substack, and, for more background, here's my recent interview and data dive with Ivan Bates, … Continue reading A crime statistic worthy of its own headline
Love America Rallies: No Kings Day, October 2025
The MAGA Republican response to the second No Kings protest has been a combination of laughably extreme invective and childish hissy fit. Republican after Republican issued over-the-top criticism of the organized demonstrations against the Trump regime, calling them Soros-sponsored antifa gatherings. House Speaker Mike Johnson called them “hate America” rallies. White House press secretary Karoline … Continue reading Love America Rallies: No Kings Day, October 2025
On days like this, the reality of Trump seems especially stark
“It goes without saying.” . . . People use that phrase when they’re about to state something everyone within earshot knows. Or they might start a sentence with, “Needless to say,” which bears the same meaning. Usually, one word will do: “Clearly,” for instance, is a common starter. “Obviously” is the most direct way of … Continue reading On days like this, the reality of Trump seems especially stark
“You know better, Marco Rubio”
In preparing today’s Substack column on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, I got to thinking about a phrase all of use at one time or another, in one form or another: “You know better. . . . He knows better. . . . She knows better. . . . You should know better.” It might … Continue reading “You know better, Marco Rubio”
Noted passing: A Baltimore native who wrote the book, now banned by Trump, on white nationalists
More than 30 years ago, when the Skinheads were a thing and one of them established headquarters at a house in Baltimore, Leonard Zeskind was the expert we turned to for the full story. Who were these guys handing out leaflets in Hampden? What was their movement all about? Where did such openly racist young … Continue reading Noted passing: A Baltimore native who wrote the book, now banned by Trump, on white nationalists
Trumpy Harris confident ‘we will win the trade war’ and defeat the ‘globalists.’
It will come as no surprise to anyone in Maryland that Rep. Andy Harris, the 1st District Republican and Total Trumpy, defends Trump’s tariffs and says, “We will win the trade war, there’s no question about that.” Economists might believe Trump’s tariffs will lead to inflation and crater the U.S. economy. The Economist might characterize … Continue reading Trumpy Harris confident ‘we will win the trade war’ and defeat the ‘globalists.’
Looking to help Ukraine? Here’s what’s happening, groups you can support.
I first spoke with Peter Charchalis shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and found him knowledgeable of Ukraine’s history and its modern political and cultural life. Peter was born in Baltimore to parents who had fled Ukraine at the end of World War II, when it was part of the Soviet Union. He lived … Continue reading Looking to help Ukraine? Here’s what’s happening, groups you can support.
A constituent appeals to Republicans: Do you really agree with everything Trump has done?
Arnold "Skip" Isaacs, veteran journalist formerly of The Baltimore Sun, watched the Trump-Musk sabotage of government unfold in Washington, then decided to write to Republicans to ask if they agreed with Trump's draconian executive orders and Musk's unprecedented access to government data. I post this here today because I admired Skip's approach -- indeed, his … Continue reading A constituent appeals to Republicans: Do you really agree with everything Trump has done?
Dan Rodricks 