Tag Archives: Gerald Ford

Lies and Other Trumpisms

Posted on June 28, 2025 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, June 28, 2025 There’s an important part of Trump’s repertoire, whose central theme is creating chaos and then swooping onto the scene like a vulture, claiming to be a hero because he cleaned up the mess he created, … Continue reading →

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A Profound Lack of Humility

Posted on April 20, 2025 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, April 20, 2025 Have you ever heard an American president say, “I was wrong?” Kennedy never said it after badly mishandling our relationship with Cuba and committing troops on the ground in Vietnam. Johnson came close, acknowledging that … Continue reading →

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Ode to Joy

Posted on August 19, 2024 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, August 19, 2024 Today might have been very different if President Joe Biden hadn’t had the class and dignity to step aside. Four weeks ago, the 2024 election was shaping up to look like the 1980 election. Back … Continue reading →

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When Americans Lose Confidence in Government

Posted on August 14, 2023 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, August 14, 2023 As we enter the most important and potentially catastrophic election season in my lifetime (which is likely considerably longer than yours) two questions stand out. Amid all the hype fostered by both broadcast and social … Continue reading →

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The Final Shoe to Drop May Be the Most Impactful

Posted on August 4, 2023 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, August 4, 2023 The latest litmus test in the closely watched race for the 2024 Republican nomination for president is whether a candidate would pardon Donald Trump if he is convicted of federal crimes. Vivek Ramaswamy (whoever he … Continue reading →

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Two Small Steps in the Right Direction

Posted on March 31, 2023 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, March 31, 2023 During a week in which I focused on getting home from a winter in Florida, I still checked the news (as opposed to rabid political rhetoric) every day. It made me feel like the fabric … Continue reading →

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Crime and Punishment

Posted on September 5, 2022 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, September 5, 2022 Some people think Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1866 novel delving into the psyche of a criminal isn’t relevant today, but I’m not one of them. When I read it sixty years ago, it had a profound effect … Continue reading →

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Presidential Christmas Messages

Posted on December 25, 2020 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, December 25, 2020 It wasn’t too long ago that the worst thing we had to bear on Christmas was a presidential address filled with empty platitudes. One of the more heartfelt was Harry Truman’s first such address in … Continue reading →

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We’d Seen This Movie Before – Until Biden Changed It

Posted on August 8, 2019 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, August 8, 2019 On Monday, we heard our president mouth the empty platitudes and lies we expected from him. What does it say about a leader that he can’t utter comforting words or state truthful intentions without reading … Continue reading →

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Then (1974) vs Now (2017)

Posted on August 18, 2017 by alanpzendell

Alan Zendell, August 18, 2017 My generation remembers the anxiety of the last months of the Nixon administration. Years of disillusionment over Vietnam, Nixon’s attempt to subvert the 1972 election process, the painful progression of Watergate, and the week by … Continue reading →

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