Academic Rants

Another Historical Conversation Can We Really Talk About The Statues? The creation of the Confederate States of America is one of the unique chapters in the history of the United States. Formed in 1861 and concluded in 1865, this entity operated as a separate nation with its own governmental structure during the entirety of the Civil War. What is so important about the CSA is that it was a reflection of what Southerners believed failed in the United States. In essence it was the creation of a “more perfect” union that endorsed slavery and racial inequality.             Once the war efforts started to decline and it was apparent that the CSA was not going to succeed, divisions of the Confederate Army surrendered and Union troops hunted down and captured members of the CSA government including its president and vice president.   By December 1865, all vestiges of the CSA were defeated.             A defeated but not destroyed mindset permeated the South.   The “Lost Cause” be

Keeping Score Following his surprising victory, it was assumed that President-elect Trump would spend the transition period developing an agenda for the forthcoming administration.   However,  between November and January, Team Trump remained in campaign mode and never transitioned to a governing mode.   That, singular action provided the first spark in what is now a growing inferno. Instantly, the press announced Team Trump did not follow protocol and do what most other candidates turned elected officials have done.  Details began dripping out about a disinterested president-elect that did not want read his daily briefings, and that the material was simplified and filled with praise to hold the president-elect's attention.  Subsequently, the press revealed that administration responses to questions about trade and treaties, health care reform, tax reform, educational reform, the Middle East and terrorism, and North Korea were sketchy at best.   Nominations were not made f

Republicanism Rebooted: The Beginnings of a Conversation The enlightenment of the citizenry is critical to a more democratic state.   Democracy requires conversation, a healthy debate of ideas and thoughts. Mediums of information must be the essential source for the foundations of this conversation. Newspapers and broadcast television news historically served this task. Increasingly, the Internet and cable news are replacing traditional print newspapers and broadcast news.   Their evolution has proved problematic. Although the Internet makes it possible to read traditional newspapers from across the nation, there is a rise of start-up journalism with journalists that are often like muckrakers. Their coverage of events often highlights limited informational content. And, cable news networks are increasingly slanted towards a particular political perspective. Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram and other mediums are also adding to our sources of inform

What Virginia Tells Us             The tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia reveals that America is in the midst of a racial, class and cultural war.   It also highlights that Donald Trump’s presidency is in deep trouble.    That more than any other person in the United States, President Trump lacks the courage, moral fiber and intellect to face the nation and provide the language to start a path to healing. Foremost, Charlottesville reveals that the nation is still dealing with the unresolved issues of the Civil War.   That many, regardless of political affiliation, cannot see that the preservation of a lost cause and its transformation through monuments, flags, and statues promotes a culture that worships racial superiority.   That such an allegiance is truly heinous and psychologically damaging.   That America, for over 150 years, has honored people who were considered traitors of the nation.   There are more statues honoring slavery, Confederate soldiers, a