Donald Trump wields the
power of the mirror
Many years ago in this column I advocated for mirror image in all things affecting America be it foreign or domestic. Obviously President Trump is well versed in action and reaction to mirror image. So far several nations are rethinking their resistance to TrumpÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s power on the world stage. Closest to home, Trump says Canada is charging too much for our oil imports to the USA so Trump will raise taxes on other Canadian imports and start using our own oil wells. This will also reopen thousands of American jobs that Joe Biden destroyed through his renewable energy programs. There is one more ripple effect on your life, so get ready for higher prices at the pump!
Dorsey ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDanÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Boyd
Chesapeake, Ohio
Tyranny, hypocrisy rule the day
Ah, another red-letter day in the fading USA. First our self-absorbed king takes advantage of an airline tragedy to make sure everyone knows it was the failure of minorities and Democrats and not his glorious reign.
But, hey, I donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t know about you, but my neighborhood has certainly improved since they shipped those immigrants outta here. Crime is way down, my kidsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ grades have improved, and the air is cleaner. Course a lot of those immigrants did the low-wage crap jobs Americans are too lazy to do, especially for the pay immigrants are willing to take.
Are you enjoying all the extra money coming your way, Trumpies? Well, it will come. Of course, you wonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t see it. Just Big Fats and the boys in his outlaw gang. Have you noticed all the conservatives have, as Thoreau observed, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œvast abdomensÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥? As the late, great George Carlin warned: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey want it all, and they will get it too.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Next up, Social Security. Stay tuned.
R.W. Russell
Ceredo
Mob rule is well-planned
Aristotle recognizes different forms of democracy and what happens when democracy disregards ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œthe rule of law.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ It devolves into mob rule. Mob rule always well planned to succeed typically represents a transition period to different type of political rule.
Recent activities of Elon Musk taking economic guillotine to federal government reminds me of French Revolution. French Revolution lasts 10 years and leaves havoc in its wake. Notable example of Antoine Lavoisier comes to mind.
Antoine Lavoisier proves central to 18th-century scientific revolution, influencing development of both chemistry and biology. AntoineÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s accomplishments in chemistry change scienceÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s focus and capability from qualitative to quantitative. He uncovers role of oxygen in combustion while recognizing hydrogen as an element. He debunks phlogiston theory.
Lavoisier also becomes powerful administrator and member of numerous aristocratic councils as well as humanitarian working to help his people. His political and economic activities fund scientific research. At height of French Revolution, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s charged with tax fraud and selling adulterated tobacco.
According to legend, judge cuts short appeal to spare LavoisierÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s life so that he might continue scientific investigations. Supposedly Judge Coffinhal asserts: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe Republic needs neither scholars nor chemists; the course of justice cannot be delayed.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Factually despite any appeals, Lavoisier at age 50 is guillotined with 27 codefendants. Also in less than three months, Judge himself is executed in wake of Thermidorian reaction. Ironically, 18 months later, French government exonerates Lavoisier.
Urban legend of blinking experiment from 1990s Discovery Channel documentary about guillotines exists. It proclaims Lavoisier told fellow scientist Joseph-Louis Lagrange to observe his head after execution. He would blink his eyes as many times as he could after severing of his head. As story goes Lagrange observed him blinking several times after execution. Story emphasizes this as mark of a true scientist until very end.
Factually Lagrange laments LavoisierÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s beheading, noting AntoineÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s importance to science. Lagrange proclaims, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt took them only an instant to cut off this head, and one hundred years might not suffice to reproduce its like.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Take lesson from LavoisierÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s case in French Revolution when streamlining federal government. Success demands assessing societal importance and relevance of federal government before guillotining large swaths of it.
Roger Combs
Ona
