Wesley Pruden
Articles by Wesley Pruden
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, her squad have taken over the House, are a sign of the Apocalypse
Any man who makes it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a smart guy, by definition. Climbing a greasy pole is impossible, as anyone who has tried it will tell you, and the presidency is the greasiest pole anywhere. Published July 15, 2019
Elizabeth Warren adrift in the world of politics
There's all kind of reasons why Elizabeth Warren probably won't be president, and Claire McCaskill, her former colleague in the U.S. Senate, thinks she knows the reason why. Mrs. Warren, says Mrs. McCaskill, struggles with being "in command of policy" and still being "relatable." Published July 12, 2019
Democrats go after Joe Biden for segregationist comments, harm only chance to defeat Trump in 2020
Joe Biden got it right, it's just that he said it in the wrong country. In Joe's country, getting it right is wrong, and the unwary pay for it. In Joe's country, a sucker never gets an even break, and everybody's a sucker. Published July 8, 2019
7th Circuit Court of Appeals protected Fifth Amendment with Purdue University assault decision
One swallow does not a summer make, Aristotle reminded us, but he might have added that with an arrogant crow, a robin or two, a mockingbird and a flock of sparrows, pretty soon you have the makings of a chorus. Published July 4, 2019
Donald Trump forges useful acquaintance of convenience with Kim Jong-un
Flattery, so the saying goes, will get you everywhere. This is wisdom usually employed by lovers, but Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are trying to see whether it will work in statecraft. The stakes, like the risks, are large. Published July 1, 2019
Democratic debates for 2020 campaign did not accomplish much
The Democratic debates, so called, didn't accomplish much, but they might have struck a blow for valium. Valium is the calm-down pill that we should put in the water. Published June 27, 2019
Upcoming Democratic debates will be filled with boring anti-Trump moments
The legion of Democrats who think they can take the measure of Donald Trump will go at it beginning Wednesday night, each trying to figure out a way to stand out in a crowd of mediocrities. Published June 24, 2019
Newspapers need to restore trust with public, stop whining
Newspapers are feeling under the gun. People don't want to pay for what they're selling. The sweet aroma of paper and ink, the bang and clatter of hundreds of typewriters that evaporated in the clouds of tobacco smoke that once made newsrooms dark and mysterious cave-like places, the thunder of rows of printing presses, must give way to timid tapping on plastic keyboards. The newspaper game is up. Published June 20, 2019
Democratic primary debates will be a dull affair
The Democrats are finally tuning up for the party's first presidential primary debates next week, and so far the only topics they can be expected to "debate" is who hates Donald Trump the most and who loves socialism the most. Nothing much to debate there. Published June 17, 2019
Bernie Sanders policy proposals are impossible dreams
There's no fool like an old fool, but Bernie Sanders deserves credit for not backing away from his foolishness. In for a penny, in for a pound. Published June 13, 2019
Why the Trump deal with Mexico is good
It's not easy being a Democrat, and it's even more difficult to be a leader in the party, a speaker of the House or the leader of the minority in the Senate. It's true that hard times can make a monkey eat red pepper, as the ancient wisdom goes, but Democratic hard times are encouraging a rare run on red pepper. Published June 10, 2019
Pomp, fakery, shock, rage, and crisis averted
Another crisis lies behind us. The New York Times had reported that Donald Trump was, all by himself, plotting to destroy the Special Relationship with Britain, and The Washington Post reported unidentified troop movements near Yorktown, believed to be remnants of the British army surrendered by Gen. Cornwallis, marching on the capital to avenge Mr. Trump's various insults in London. Published June 6, 2019
Who will answer when a nation calls for greatness
Nations are raised to greatness through the virtues of great men, as Edmund Burke observed, and Britain could once call on the likes of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher when the hour of greatest peril arrived. Published June 3, 2019
Robert Mueller just wants to feel the love again
Robert Mueller just wants to feel the love again. His press clippings have faded and life hasn't been the same for the man choking on rectitude and righteousness, not since he turned in his account of the vain pursuit of Donald Trump and the Russians. After more than two years trying to find the president in bed with Vladimir Putin, he didn't even find the bed. Published May 30, 2019
Julian Assange, another colluder with Russia, is called to account
Julian Assange continues to be a pain in sensitive places, from the neck to the unmentionable nether regions. Mr. Assange is clearly in serious legal trouble. The charges against him, contained in a 17-count indictment that says he "received and published" classified intelligence, are "jail-y," and probably for a long time. Published May 27, 2019
Theresa May won’t leave, but can’t stay
The lady is clearly in distress, and no one's there to help her. Only a churl would say, even if true, Theresa May brought it on herself. Published May 23, 2019
Joe Biden uses empty rhetoric in 2020 presidential campaign
Pity good ol' Joe Biden. He's eager at last to master the hounds, to impose order in the kennel. He wants to encourage the amiable golden retrievers, collies and cocker spaniels in his care, and he has to throw a little raw meat to the rabid pit bulls. How can he do that and escape with his life, too? Published May 20, 2019
‘Christchurch Call’ an affront to freedom of speech
The First Amendment to the Constitution, the most important 44 words in that priceless and precious promise of liberty and freedom, does not guarantee civil, wise or even responsible speech. It guarantees free speech, however goofy, dumb or even irresponsible. Published May 16, 2019
Brexit clock running out
It's foolish to compare the politics of Britain to the politics in America, kissin' cousins though we may be. The music is similar, but not the words. Published May 13, 2019
Hillary Clinton haunts 2020 election as an angry ghost
The Democrats have given up electing a president next year. What else could explain the party's obsession with the election of four years ago? Hillary Clinton lost, and they can't let it go. Published May 9, 2019