WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — October 22, 2019 — One casualty of the erosion of the language of politics are the fulsome attacks on Sen. Elizabeth Warren as a “socialist.” It first came from Wall Street billionaires and their minions predicting “President Warren declares ‘socialism now, socialism tomorrow, socialism forever.’” A Republican Congressman calls her a “national socialist,” hinting at a …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
Impeachment’s Political Questions Aren’t Easy To Answer
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — October 17, 2019 — The legal track on impeachment is colliding with the political track. The legal track is relatively straightforward. An investigation is underway to determine facts. The White House may or may not cooperate but there are witnesses being heard and documents being reviewed. At the same time a discussion is underway as to …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
Trump a Threat to Preservation of American Democracy
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — October 7, 2019 — “Shoot them in the legs.” “Spy.” “Treason.” “Enemy.” “Chosen One.” “Civil War.” The litany of bizarre and inflammatory statements from President Donald Trump gets worse and worse. Whether they are intentional tactics, or emotional outbursts, they are profoundly troubling. Are they impeachable? Are they high crimes and misdemeanors? Here’s where lawyers reach …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
In Impeachment Inquiry A Fair And Open Process Is Key
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — October 2, 2019 — Two initial and saddening observations emerge from the frenzy surrounding the whistleblower revelations. Many of the people calling for President Donald Trump’s removal want him out of office for reasons having nothing to do with the gravity of the specific allegations. Many of the people dismissing the complaint and the impeachment inquiry …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
It’s Cuomo vs. the Senecas, with the Thruway as Hostage
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — September 3, 2019 — No governor of recent vintage has been successful in navigating the law and politics of Native American nations. That’s less a criticism than an acknowledgement of reality. The combination of competitive sovereignty, federal law and big money have left us with serial crises and bad policies. For example, New York’s rush to build …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
On Giving Offense — And Tolerating Mistakes
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — August 26, 2019 — We all spent some time considering the circumstances of Chris Cuomo’s recent confrontation with a right-wing troll. Long story short, the troll snuck up on Cuomo, insulted him and then videoed the hoped-for explosion. Such is what passes for political discourse these days. In the inevitable next step, it was Cuomo who …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
Politics Alone Can’t Re-establish Stability In Today’s World
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — August 19, 2019 — It is highly unlikely that the August doldrums of 2019 are markedly different than those of past years. We expect some kind of summer break from the tension and conflict that are now our regular portion. And memories of past summers seem to focus on iced tea and midday naps. But things …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
In Queens DA Contest, A Strong Signal for Democrats
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — August 13, 2019 — The easy part is the election result. Establishment Queens Borough President Melinda Katz eked out a victory over insurgent Tiffany Caban in the Democratic primary and will be the next district attorney of Queens. The hard part is figuring out what it means. Something profound is in the wind. It is ideological. …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
In Montana, A Lesson for Democratic Presidential Hopefuls
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — August 5, 2019 — Summering in Montana has intrinsic worth: Scenery, family, climate and a break from the routine we create for ourselves. It is also an opportunity to see the world through a different set of eyes. Those eyes in Montana are cast firmly on the 2020 presidential election, to precisely the same extent as …
By RICHARD BRODSKY
A Thousand Small Steps Toward A More Perfect Union
By RICHARD BRODSKY
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — July 29, 2019 — It’s difficult to measure legislative success. And what exactly do the 213 men and women elected to the Legislature do with their time? We read about the daily political conflicts, the big issues, and the peccadilloes, They actually obscure the daily reality of serving in the Senate and Assembly. Legislators spend most …
By RICHARD BRODSKY