​Maintaining law and order is one of government’s primary responsibilities, but protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens is just as important.  With somewhere around 2.3 million incarcerated Americans, there is a need to run a just prison system that is capable of reforming inmates.  Regrettably, there are about 10.6 million prison admissions every year with the vast majority either waiting to be prosecuted or serving less than a one-year prison sentence.  More than half of the 626, 000 people who walk through prison gates will be rearrested within one year while over three-quarters will be rearrested within five years.  Suffice it to say, recidivism is very high within the US prison system.  Clearly, there is a need to address the high recidivism rate with programs that help prevent former inmates from regressing to the behaviors and lifestyles that resulted in their initial arrest.

​Memorial Day is a national holiday dedicated to those who died in battle.  While also the unofficial start to the summer season, it is a day America has designated for reflection on the commitment and sacrifices of US troops.  In the bygone era of the Second World War, American war heroes were admired and praised around the globe.  After the Vietnam War, however, a less flattering view of US troops began to emerge.  Many people around the world, and within the US, started to see America’s noble warriors as the expendable tools of a bloody imperialist agenda.  Today, most Americans still respect and honor their troops, but a growing number of people do not believe in the “nobility” of the causes US troops are sent to fight.  They see the sacrifices of US troops as wanton abuse of these individualists’ willingness to serve their country.

​Employees of the Federal government have become a target of President Donald Trump.  Via three executive orders, Trump has barred Federal employees from spending more than 25% of their time on the job carrying out union duties, started charging unions rent for space they use in Federal buildings, stopped paying employees for the cost of lobbying the Federal government, and ordered his subordinates to more aggressively negotiate union contracts.  Suffice it to say, there is criticism from the unions representing Federal employees.  Given Trump’s negotiating philosophy when it comes to business dealings and trade agreements, the President was more likely trying to pick a fight in order to disadvantage unions than renegotiate contracts.  Trump’s strategic visions notwithstanding, reality has a habit of delivering far more devastating collateral damage with far fewer gains than Mr. Trump perceives.

​Controversy has become the Trump Administration’s public image.  According to conventional wisdom, this should mean the President is far too distracted to actually accomplish anything significant.  Recognizing the sheer volume of news reports about Donald Trump’s constant stream of scandals, the efforts of his staff members to deflect criticism away from the President, and Trump’s obsession with anyone who criticizes him, there is little reason to doubt the conventional wisdom.  Coupled with Trump’s apparent capitulation on trade with China, the likely abandonment of highly trumpeted talks with North Korea, and the President’s political weakness at home, along with a whole host of other shortfalls on various issues, it would appear the Trump Administration has succumbed to the President’s self-destructive tendencies.  A bipartisan overhaul of the VA healthcare system and a quasi-bipartisan loosening of the Dodd-Frank Act begs to differ.

I went to pick up a pizza.  The cashier was a younger black woman, who I had dealt with several times before. She was speaking to an older, unkempt white man about his daughters and their love of dogs, which they apparently adopt any dog that strays into their neighborhood.  The man continued to speak with her, turning to speak to me as well, as I waited silently and politely.  I do not think she actually knew the man, but I believe he lived in the area.  After about five minutes, he started to leave with his pizza and 2-liter of pop.  As he opened the door, he felt compelled to rush back in and randomly say that he forgot to mention his bumper sticker was outdated: "My dog is smarter than my President," referring to Obama.  He then went on a mini, yet seemingly planned, rant filled with Right-wing propaganda about jobs before concluding with “it seems more people are working under Trump.”  She just politely smiled and nodded, which I did as well.