Kim Jong-un thinks he can play U.S.; time for Trump to turn the tables
The North Korean leader says he wants to talk with Trump about turning in his nukes for some late-model plowshares. Published March 7, 2018
Ralph Z. Hallow
Articles by Ralph Z. Hallow
Guns, Churchill and electoral politics
President Trump, who could go down as one of our best presidents ever but has to work a bit harder at it, picked a 2020 campaign manager on Tuesday. In virtually the next breath he holds a White House gun-violence session with lawmakers and manages to make eyes cross and eyebrows arch among tens of millions of staunch supporters. Published March 2, 2018
For MAGA's sake, lock Libby up now - worry about Hillary later
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, whose city is across the bay from San Francisco, has publicly warned illegal immigrants in the area of scheduled sweeps by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Published February 26, 2018
Trump's makeover of America -- the good, the bad and the TBD
President Trump has changed the image and basic goals not just of the conservative movement in America but of America itself. Published February 22, 2018
Conservatives convene mega-meet in red-swathed America
The greatest conservative show on earth is coming to town. Published February 20, 2018
The Flying Tomato has us joyfully sobbing with him
Shaun White, your breathtaking final half-pipe snowboard run Tuesday had us weeping for joy with you. Published February 15, 2018
Pence silently passes Trump's two-word message to Kim
God bless Vice President Mike Pence for politely but firmly giving Kim Jong-un the silent equivalent of a two-word greeting. Published February 12, 2018
Mr. Trump wants us to march to fife, drum and sousaphone
For the U.S. to start annual major July 4 military parades in Washington just doesn't seem to capture what America is all about. The shining city on the hill is not a militaristic image. But on the other hand, what's another $12 million out of a federal budget that's already so busted it's not funny? Published February 10, 2018
How Pennsylvania GOP might lose if pro-Trump Republican wins
So far it's clear only that Scott Wagner wants to be a Donald Trump, not that he is one. Published February 8, 2018
Yale lecturer says Trump wrong to claim FBI workers 'great' but not its execs
There are times when even the brightest-looking leaves on the Ivy League's vines say the damnedest things. Take Yale University alumna, Asha Rangappa. Published February 4, 2018
RNC official burnishes Xi's image, tangles with Chairman McDaniel
Unbeknown to President Trump, two of the RNC's top officials are throwing each other under the rickshaw over a trip one of them took to Beijing. Published February 1, 2018
How Kim Jong-un got his ruse to bloom and Seoul's knees to buckle
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has already won gold in next month's Olympics. Published January 24, 2018
Trump's NFL SOBs may be no-shows at Super Bowl 52
NBC has mustered the courage to show national anthem kneelers, if there are any, at the Feb. 4 Super Bowl in Minneapolis. Published January 17, 2018
Trump's point is well-taken; the rest is Durbin noise
Most people aren't race-baiters, haters or supremacists, including those nodding their heads in agreement with what President Trump said in a private meeting to Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Published January 16, 2018
Some anchors intent on ruining rotten image of news media
Just caught Fox News' Harris Faulkner on her "Outnumbered Overtime" show. I've decided she really does pose a threat to the disrepute in which so many Americans hold much of the news media. Published January 12, 2018
When actors acting dumb aren't acting
Why do undisputed titans of stage and screen -- think Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep -- turn into mental midgets when they talk about President Trump? Published January 11, 2018
Trump's new TV show -- genius at work
A Trump charm and, yes, intelligence lit up television screens all over America on Tuesday afternoon. Freed from the restraints and cautions of Bannonism, the president suddenly seems to soar like an eagle. Published January 9, 2018
Who's the genius now?
The new boss set out to drain the swamp of its stinky people. Published January 9, 2018
Trump, meet your 2020 Democratic opponent -- Oprah!
Praising the same press that President Trump deplores, Oprah Winfrey, the darling of much of America, looked and sounded Sunday night like President Trump's Democratic opponent in the 2020 general election. Published January 8, 2018
Do we really need more Intel agencies than Saudi royals have wives?
There were 17 separate agencies and bureaus doing intelligence gathering, analysis, field ops of one kind or another, civilian and military at the time. There still are. To the inexpert mind, half that number might seem excessive. Published January 7, 2018
