Columnists

The passage of the American Rescue Plan --the coronavirus relief bill -- comes less than two months after Joe Biden's inauguration. How does this period compare to the similar period in Barack Obama's first term? -more-

In the aftermath of the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, drone warfare is being touted as the latest breakthrough in military technology, a “magic bullet” that makes armored vehicles obsolete, defeats sophisticated anti-aircraft systems, and rout entrenched infantry.

While there is some truth in the hype, one needs to be especially wary of military “game changers,” since there is always a seller at the end of the pitch. In his examination of the two major books on drones--Christian Brose’s “The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare,” and Michael Boyle’s “The Drone Age”--military analyst Andrew Cockburn points out that the victims of drones are mostly civilians, not soldiers. While drones can take out military targets, they are more commonly used to assassinate people one doesn’t approve of.A case in point was former President Trump’s drone strike that killed Qasem Solemani, a top Iranian general, a country we are not at war with. -more-

As of February 25, 2021, 43 Republican-controlled states have together introduced over 250 bills to restrict voting access after the 2020 election. On March 5, 2021, the Democrat-controlled House responded by passing House Resolution 1 (H.R.1), the For the People Act of 2021. -more-

Most of us who experience a severe psychotic disorder must be medicated--this is non-negotiable. However, medication isn't always enough. Despite being well medicated, some level of delusions may persist in our minds. To help deal with this, albeit imperfectly, there are cognitive methods that can be used. By the same token, cognitive methods, by themselves, are not enough to do away with a severe psychotic disorder. Regardless of how skilled you are in correcting delusions through a cognitive technique, medication is the foundation on which you're building. -more-

At Your Service: It's No Secret

Every president since Woodrow Wilson has been given a Secret Service code name. The best part of this practice is that the code names never remain secret. First ladies also get a Secret Identity. Here's a short list: JFK (Lancer), Jackie (Lace). LBJ (Volunteer), Lady Bird (Velvet). Nixon (Searchlight), Pat (Starlight). Ford (Passkey), Betty (Pinafore). Carter (Lockmaster or Deacon), Rosalynn (Lotus Petal or Dancer). Reagan (Rawhide), Nancy (Rainbow). GHWB (Timberwolf), Barbara (Snowbank). Clinton (Eagle), Hillary (Evergreen). GWB (Tumbler), Laura (Tempo). Obama (Renegade), Michelle (Renaissance). Trump (Mogul), Melania (Muse). Biden (Celtic), Jill (Capri).

Does it look like Trump may have insisted on choosing his own codeword? Had I been in charge of the Secret Service's secrets, I would have dubbed him "Agent Orange."

Does an Ex-Prince Still Earn Royalties?

Wondering about the status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry and Megan are now residents of the US but, despite their breach with Britain's Royal Family, Harry is still referred to as "Prince Harry." (Protocol only requires that he forfeit being addressed as "Your Royal Highness.")

Harry's full name is His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex. Technically, he doesn't have an actual surname and "Harry" is a nickname. His given name is "Henry." During his childhood and his service in the British Army, he was known as "Harry Wales" (after his father, Charles, the Prince of Wales). He also could have used the names "Harry Montbatten-Windsor" or "Harry Sussex." Adding to the confusion, the couple's firstborn is named "Archie Harrison" (as in "Harry's son").

And here's another puzzle. When a prince becomes king, his wife becomes queen. But when Princess Elizabeth became Queen, her husband remained a Prince. Where's the equity? -more-