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The presidency and perpetual war

One of the defining failures of modern American government has been the steady erosion of Congress's constitutional authority over war. The Constitution grants Congress — not the president — the power to declare war. Congress decides to go to war. The president wages it. Over the past several decades, presidents of both major parties have increasingly treated military intervention as an executive prerogative rather than a congressional requirement. The last six presidents have not reflected distinct foreign policy doctrines but a uniparty continuum of executive overreach. While ...

Is the Smithsonian racist? MAGA makes that case

If you haven't heard that the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is a hotbed of "anti-white activism," "illegal alien activism," and "transgender activism," the Trump administration and its MAGA allies in Congress have some news for you. You can read all about it in what news accounts have called a "scathing" 162-page report released July 4 by the White House. It accuses the museum and its leaders of presenting a "radical view" of American history. Such was the language used by Rep. Tim Burchett, the Tennessee Republican who chairs the House Subcommittee on Delivering ...

Encouraging children to read is crucial

As we approach the forthcoming college fall semester, much discussion has centered on the difficulties a lot of Gen Z students are having with reading and critical thinking. One Chronicle of Higher Education article that many of my colleagues at Ohio State University’s Lima campus recently read delves into students’ struggles with literacy. This review essay, simply titled “My Students Can’t Read,” was written by Tyler Jagt, an adjunct professor of liberal studies at Mercer University. Jagt discusses what I now like to call the “usual tech suspects” when it comes to ...

Ohio State Fair just the ticket for late-summer fun

Buckeye State families looking to squeeze in one more family outing before the start of school should consider a trip to Columbus for the Ohio State Fair. The annual tradition began July 29 and ends Aug. 9. In between, there is plenty of food and fun in an event that has been growing since 1950. There are, of course, the traditional competitions in categories ranging from beef or goats to the creative arts or horticulture/floriculture. There are rides, entertainment — if hypnotists and magicians aren’t your thing, perhaps you’ll want to stay for Nelly, Sammy Kershaw or “Weird ...

Dr. Fauci diary reveals just how highly he feels about himself

We are born with an ego — from a baby’s first cry to our death. Most can control their ego, protecting themselves and others from harm. Some give it free reign, causing the fallout to be substantial. History is full of people who let their ego get the best of them. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who ...

Parents in need of back-to-school discounts can receive a break

Need a budget break on back-to-school shopping? Ohio’s Department of Taxation has one built in Aug. 7-9, with a sales tax holiday that should help. Though there is no expanded holiday this year, for those three days, clothing priced $75 or less, school supplies priced $20 or less and school instructional materials priced $20 or less will be exempt from sales tax. While most of us are capable of using common sense to sort it out, the department does note the sales tax holiday does NOT apply to “food in restaurants, boats/watercrafts, titled outboard motors, motor vehicles, ...