Tag: Politics

2017, Dennis Richardon, September 2017Leave a comment

When Words Really Mattered – Dennis Richardson

Words Matter

09.2017 MIDDLEBURG, VA — August was a rough month here in Virginia following the racial violence in normally peaceful Charlottesville.Home of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is a model college town. From Monticello up on the mountain, you can look down upon the college and the town, and see its sprawl and amazing progress of Mr. Jefferson’s “Academical Village.” You can see the famous White Dome at the College, that Jefferson himself designed, and the outlines of the lawns that surround it. The drive from here in Northern Virginia to Charlottesville takes about 90 minutes. Having been there many times, it is always … Continue reading When Words Really Mattered – Dennis Richardson

2017, July 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Profile in Courage Needed – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

07.2017 WASHINGTON, DC — John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, Profiles in Courage, is a 1957 volume of short stories that describes acts of bravery and integrity by eight United States senators from America’s past. The book, co-written by Ted Sorenson, profiles senators who defied the opinions of their party and constituents to make what they felt were the right decisions. Each of the eight senators suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity because of their actions. Kennedy’s book hails the courage of each of these men, as they made their decisions despite the unpopularity in their home states at that time. The book follows the … Continue reading Profile in Courage Needed – Randy Coppersmith

2017, June 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Connecting the (Russian) Dots – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

25.06.2017  WASHINGTON — Things in the Middle East are escalating at a rather alarming rate, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Russians are in the middle of much of it. As we wrote in April (Connecting the Dots), one misstep and things could spin out of control.   The Pentagon is reported to be considering more aggressive rules of engagement in Afghanistan, such as allowing Americans to join Afghan forces on the battlefield and to call in offensive air strikes, as they have done recently in Iraq and Syria.   This would be a genuine change from the policy … Continue reading Connecting the (Russian) Dots – Randy Coppersmith

Mike VargaLeave a comment

So You Want My Vote – Mike Varga

Words Matter

05.06.2017 So, you want my voteI’m a citizen, tell me something of note If you have the gall to ask for my vote Don’t tell me the others are not safe Don’t tell me of news that’s really fake Let’s hear the vision you have for us Or don’t bother to lecture us We are not fools that believe just anything We are life busy, so be clear and say something Why can’t there be a true debate Instead of all this yelling and hate? Why don’t we respect each other And not hide truth from one-another? And when you … Continue reading So You Want My Vote – Mike Varga

2017, May 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Firing Comey: A Part of Trump’s Agenda – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

15.05.2017 WASHINGTON, DC — A lot of folks here are not fans of former FBI Director James Comey, who was summarily fired by President Trump. So, despite the political theater, politicians from both side of the aisle are not unhappy that Comey is gone. Apparently Comey learned about the firing from TV reports while visiting the FBI field office in Los Angeles, which is unfortunate. At least some style and grace could have been used to inform the long-suffering Comey of his fate. Or, as one wag put it, people got the axe on “The Apprentice,” Trump’s NBC reality-based TV show, … Continue reading Firing Comey: A Part of Trump’s Agenda – Randy Coppersmith

2017, May 2017, Sarah SpicehandlerLeave a comment

After the Election: What Happens When Friends Disagree Politically – Can You Still be Friends? – Sarah Spicehandler

Words Matter

05.05.2017 NEW YORK — I was never a political person in my younger years, mainly because I never cared all that much about politics — it seemed that whoever was our president at the time, my day-to-day life didn’t change. I had my job, my friends, my family and my life. What did I know about the corporate tax rate, or the current rate of unemployment? The Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which officially outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin — was well in place. Society went on as usual. The color of one’s skin … Continue reading After the Election: What Happens When Friends Disagree Politically – Can You Still be Friends? – Sarah Spicehandler

2017, April 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

The Speechwriter’s Pulitzer – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

17.04.2017  WASHINGTON, DC — In my 40-plus-year career, I’ve written or given about 700 speeches, maybe more.United Way dinner speeches, eulogies, wedding toasts, corporate board meetings, sales kickoffs, new-product announcements, retirement dinners, contract awards, trade show events, acquisitions of companies, divestitures of companies, closings of companies, launches of new companies — I’ve pretty much written speeches for all of them.Each and every time I had to write or give a speech, I worked hard on it. Because, as the name of our website suggests, Words Matter. I wanted to get it right. I wanted it to be good. And, I wanted it … Continue reading The Speechwriter’s Pulitzer – Randy Coppersmith

2017, March 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Hayseeds Rule – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

15.03.2016 Middleburg, VA — In his most famous and celebrated painting, View of the World from 9th Avenue, artist Saul Steinberg captured, as one wag said, a New Yorker’s provincialism. Published on the cover of its March 29, 1976 issue of The New Yorker magazine, Steinberg’s art caught the fancy and imagination of people around the world. Over the years, the magazine published more than 1,200 drawings and paintings by Steinberg, many with variations on his 1976 classic “View of the World.” That original cover art suggested that Manhattanites see the rest of America only in vague outlines, and see … Continue reading Hayseeds Rule – Randy Coppersmith

2017, March 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Connecting the Dots – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

05.03.2017 WASHINGTON — Raising the debt ceiling and approving yet another Continuing Budget Resolution seems inevitable according to multiple sources in the press and on Capitol Hill. The dull reality of legislative bickering continues to cause expensive programs throughout the Federal Government to go unfunded — and this malaise is costing us billions.   Despite promises to “drain the swamp” and overwhelming Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, it seems Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell can’t get their act together to put a budget together   And the White House, which is badly understaffed, isn’t helping much.   … Continue reading Connecting the Dots – Randy Coppersmith

2017, February 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Save the Blunnies – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

23.02.2017 WASHINGTON — Everybody has a favorite pair of shoes. Broken in just right. With the correct amount of wear and tear that makes them comfy, stylish but also reliable. No matter what the occasion, dress clothes or jeans, you can always grab a pair, put them on, and off you go. No muss, no fuss. Like an old friend, they’re always there for you. For me, my Blunnies fit the bill. Don’t know what they are? They are simply sublime. Blundstones, made in Hobart, Tazmania, in Australia have taken on something of a cult status with many folks around … Continue reading Save the Blunnies – Randy Coppersmith

2017, February 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Are They Socialists – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

03.02.2017 TAMPA — Hard right conservatives have been delighted that we have now replaced that “Socialist” President Obama” with our new “Capitalist” President Trump. Now, Speaker Paul Ryan, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Trump are talking about cutting back healthcare benefits, and increasing defense spending. Repeal and Replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and increase the Pentagon budget. That’s the latest mantra. More for guns, less for butter. Republicans won the 2016 election. They’re now in charge. So, what’s their plan to contain spiraling medical entitlement costs? Will the Trumpers get the doctors and drug companies to reduce their hyper-inflationary … Continue reading Are They Socialists – Randy Coppersmith

2017, February 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Can We Still Afford to “Pay Any Price?” – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

01.02.2017 Since the new administration is in the process of rethinking America’s Foreign Policy, here’s an idea that would roll back not one, but the two previous administration’s expensive undertakings — bring the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The argument in Washington since 9/11 is that by taking the war to the bad guys, on their own turf, we have deflected Islamic Terrorism from coming to our shores. Whether you agree or disagree with the premise, we all can agree that it has been very expensive. Mr. Trump has been vocal on the “costly, costly wars” and his views … Continue reading Can We Still Afford to “Pay Any Price?” – Randy Coppersmith

Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Barnum Redux – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

29.01.2017 WASHINGTON, DC — There were two seemingly unrelated events last that were both were newsworthy. Both were about famous Washington, DC institutions. And in a way, these two separate announcements were very much linked together. The first announcement was that Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, a 97-year-old American icon, originated in 1919, proclaimed it was going to close forever. The advent of several mergers, including the legendary showman Phineas T. Barnum’s own Circus and Sideshow, Ringling Brothers came to personify the very word Circus. It’s amazing acrobats, wondrous lion tamer, the amazing freaks, including the Bearded Lady and … Continue reading Barnum Redux – Randy Coppersmith

2017, January 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

Just the Facts Ma’am – Randy Copppersmith

Words Matter

25.01.2017 WASHINGTON, DC — Sgt. Joe Friday, the acclaimed “straight cop” that Jack Webb made famous in his radio and later TV series “Dragnet,” would tell witnesses and victims alike, “just the facts Ma’am.” This level of no-spin, just the factual information necessary to present a story, was something that was ingrained in every student when I went to journalism school. News was supposed to be presented in a factual, un-opinionated way. “And that’s the way it is,” Walter Cronkite would intone each night on CBS. No slant, no rant. Only cold, hard, sustainable, verifiable, multi-sourced facts. When I took … Continue reading Just the Facts Ma’am – Randy Copppersmith

2017, January 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

The Lexington Marchers – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

18.01.2017 LEXINGTON, VA — Change is sometimes very hard. In this college town located about 250 miles south of Washington, D.C., the spirit of the Old South and Dixie is still smoldering, still rattling around despite pleas from some residents to give racial equality a chance. And yet, in Lexington there is also civility, hope, and a model for us to consider. Lexington is home to Washington and Lee University. It’s also home to the Virginia Military Institute or VMI. There couldn’t be two very different college campuses located less than a mile apart. Washington and Lee is a private, … Continue reading The Lexington Marchers – Randy Coppersmith

2017, January 2017, Randy CoppersmithLeave a comment

And Now For The Good News – Randy Coppersmith

Words Matter

01.01.2017 Some people think that 2016 was one of the worst years on record. In fact, one of my favorite people said to me at a holiday party, “To hell with 2016. And she doesn’t live in the murder capital of America, Chicago, either. Indeed, if you were to judge by the negative amount of news on various media outlets, you’d probably agree with her sentiment. It seems the “negativity index” in electronic media in particular is at an all-time high. The constant drumbeat of negativity is how products are often sold; it’s how markets are moved, and how elections … Continue reading And Now For The Good News – Randy Coppersmith