Essence of Evil

Charlie Kirk came to campus for an open exchange of ideas, which should be what the college experience is about, not to scold or mock or curse or shout down people who perceive the world differently. He did not silence his critics but brought them to the front of the line so that they could speak. Kirk did not reproach them but greeted them with the love and light of Jesus Christ. The murderer did not want that persuasive conversation to take place, so he did what those devoid of both decency and a compelling argument do and lashed out in the worst way possible, and slaughtered a devoted husband and father and the greatest patriot of his generation. 

Laden With Tragedy

A day of darkness, September 11, has turned into a day of light with service done in the name of those lost.  This continues even after yesterday's horrific and senseless act of murder in Utah, inflicted on a man of peace and goodwill. I believe that Charlie Kirk too would want us all to use his loss and the legacy of logic, reason, and common sense always so well-stated for good. He did not come on campus to intimidate but to inform, and he did that with greater eloquence than anyone ever. Charlie Kirk will surely be missed, but for the good of America and the world, we must advance his ideas. 

An Irreplaceable Voice

The three conservative stalwarts I am aware of were William Buckley, Rush Limbaugh, and Charlie Kirk. Buckley was the initiator of the modern conservative movement, with his seminal National Review. Limbaugh was the voice in the wilderness, when there were no major conservative outlets before FOX News ever existed. Kirk strode into the lion's den of intolerant, empty-headed Leftism that our colleges have largely become to redeem the ignorant with forthright, courageous, well-articulated, logical speech. You see we have ideas, compelling ones that change minds and convince those who are not so brainwashed that they are no longer persuadable. God bless Charlie Kirk. His life blessed America.

Qatar No Sanctuary

Israel eliminated some bloody-handed terrorist masterminds, who incorrectly believed the Jewish State would not dare strike them in a country that houses American military bases. Qataris have long been playing a double game, pretending they are allies to the United States and the West, while cuddling up to the mad mullahs that enslave Iran. The Trump administration distanced itself from the actions of the IDF, but Netanyahu must do what he has to to finish Hamas off, wherever they hide. Israel is not an appendage of the United States and has to place the survival of Israelis first, because nations do not have friends, only interests. 

Evil by Design

Some folks still believe Israel has a "partner for peace" in the Palestinian Authority (PA), but the PA engages in a "pay to slay" policy wherein those who murder Jews or their survivors are rewarded by the Palestinian Authority. There can never be peace with an entity that pays for the slaughter of women and children. Hamas is obviously beyond redemption but so is the PA. 

Crux of Dilemma

Jews do not have it good at the moment. We are receiving the message "you don't belong here" no matter where we happen to be. From Bondi Beach to Brooklyn, we are being physically attacked. In Israel, we are simply murdered. I think we shall try to remain wherever we want, because "go back to Poland" is not an option for Nashville Jews whose forebearers arrived here in 1850, and "why don't you go to Israel" does not fly either as simply boarding a bus there will get you killed. No, we will be at whatever place Hashem calls us, because when you wear a target everywhere on earth, there is no running away. 

An Instant Classic

The Buffalo Bills stunned the Baltimore Ravens in the best first week game in NFL history. The Ravens seemed to have it won, but Buffalo never gave up. What a spectacular contest! 

Wrong About Commodores

I will be the first to admit on the rare occasion that I do not make the right call. I earnestly thought that Virginia Tech playing at home would be too much for my hometown Vanderbilt football squad, but in the event, after a shaky fist half, Vandy looked like world beaters, dominating VPI in the second half. At least I did not have any money riding on the outcome. 

Every Building Leveled

Those big bad Israelis seem to be demolishing all the structures in Gaza City. The IDF is NOT doing this out of pure viciousness but because each of the places the forces attempt to enter is booby-trapped. 

Revenge for Tech

Vanderbilt stunned the Hokies last season when they visited Nashville. I do not think Vandy will be able to repeat the feat this year in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech looks considerably better (on paper at least). I will be impressed if Vanderbilt is able to duplicate what they did in 2024. 

A Weird Game

Before the competition started in earnest, one of the better Philadelphia defensive players manged to get himself ejected. The contest was interrupted by a long weather delay in the third quarter. I believed and wrote Philadelphia would win, but in the event, they won less convincingly than I expected. A win is a win though, and Dallas remains the Eagles' doormat.

Pro Football Starts

The regular season of the National Football League kicks off tonight. My first fearless prediction is that the Eagles will smash the Cowboys in game one. My second call for the entire season is that my hometown Tennessee Titans will earn themselves another number one draft pick by being the doormat of the League. I am not rooting for either of those outcomes. I am just a realist. 

President's Failing Health?

Gee whiz, Trump makes himself scarce a couple of days and media gadflies and never-Trumpers speculate he is not long for the Presidency and maybe not for this world. Many of these same folks never brought up that Biden was obviously fading mentally and physically for his four years in office, and some even outrageously claimed shortly before Biden withdrew from his reelection campaign that this was "the best Joe Biden ever".  A President recently was flagging alright but not the one currently in the White House. 

A Giant Flop

I watched Bill Belichick's dreadful college head coaching debut, what I could endure of it, and have reached the conclusion that maybe his unparalleled success in the professional ranks really was all Tom Brady. The Carolina boys looked like they couldn't beat the Sisters of the Poor last night, which was disappointing after all the "greatest coach" hype. 

Lost Labor's Love

In the age of sweatshops and Samuel Gompers, there was a compelling need for unions. They are an anachronism today in America, as laws have now long been on the books protecting the rights of the worker and preventing abuses. Was organized labor necessary? Yes, but that was a century ago. I wonder if the robots replacing the workers will ever call a strike?