Seat Santos and Send Him Packing

Seat Santos & Send Him Packing
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
December 29, 2022

The use of the words discrepancies, fabrications, misspoke, mistakes, or verbally fumbled are strictly prohibited in the rendering of this column. U.S. Representative-elect George Santos (R-NY) simply lied. He lied to the entire world and he did so with ease, in a manner befitting a sociopath.

The litany of lies are so far and wide there aren’t enough Pinocchios in The Washington Post to measure the degree of Santos’ dishonesty. Throughout his campaign, in his literature, and on his resume, Santos lied about attending the Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City - he did not. Santos lied about attending New York University - he did not. In fact there is no record of Santos having attended any institution of higher education. 

Santos lied about working for Citigroup - he did not. Santos lied about working for Goldman Sachs - he did not. Santos said his association with Citigroup and Goldman Sachs was in more of a consulting capacity - “deal building and specialty consulting for high net worth individuals.”

But perhaps the most insulting and incredulous of the Santos lies, was claiming his mother was Jewish and that his maternal grandparents managed to flee Nazi-occupied Europe, escaping the Holocaust of World War II. Yet, Santos told the New York Post that he is “clearly Catholic.” Other reports have Santos identifying himself as half-Jewish, a Latino Jew, and “a proud American Jew,” as reported by Forward, a Jewish news site. Upon discovery of the Santos faith-based lies, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) immediately condemned him, vowing Santos would never be welcome at another RJC event.

Santos, 34, is slated to take the oath of office on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, as a member of the freshman class of the 118th Congress. Santos won the Congressional race against Robert Zimmerman, defeating the Democrat 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent. Retiring incumbent Tom Suozzi (D-NY) opted not to seek reelection this year. Suozzi pasted Santos in the 2020 general election 55.9 percent to 43.5 percent.

That Santos had run previously begs the question, where was the vetting by the Republican Party? For that matter, where was the opposition research by the Democrat Party? How did so many egregious lies go undetected? With today’s 24 hour news networks and news cycles and today’s technology, the Santos lies should have been unearthed within minutes. But instead, it took The New York Times to open this can of worms because the Gray Lady believed there to be “inconsistencies” to just about everything Santos said.

Demonstrating the depth of his sociopathy, Santos appeared on the Fox News program Tucker Carlson Tonight on Tuesday December 27 and attempted to explain away his lies by insulting his own constituents to be. Mastering hubris to an art form, Santos had the unmitigated gall to tell Carlson’s guest host former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, “I think humans are flawed and we all make mistakes, Tulsi. I think we can all look at ourselves in the mirror and admit that once in our life we made a mistake. I’m having to admit that to national television, to the whole country, and I have the courage to do so because I believe that in order to move past this and move forward and be an effective member of Congress, I have to face my mistakes. But I’m facing them.” Gabbard listened to that verbal diarrhea with a look of stunned, utter disbelief across her face. During that interview Gabbard asked Santos rhetorically, “Have you no shame?”

A mistake is forgetting to put the milk back in the refrigerator. Announcing you attended Baruch College when you did not, is not a mistake. It is a lie.

Fox News reported on December 29 that the Republican District Attorney of Nassau County, NY is investigating Santos. “The numerous fabrications and inconsistencies associated with Congressman-elect Santos are nothing short of stunning… No one is above the law and if a crime was committed in this county we will prosecute it,” said Nassau County D.A. Anne Donnelly.

While lying is not against the law, for if it were, the halls of Congress could be emptied alphabetically, Santos could face legal consequences if his federal elections documents are misleading or false. FEC filings are nothing about which to joke.

Make no mistake, Senator Elizabeth “Fauxcahontas” Warren (D-MA) lying about being a member of the Cherokee Nation and Senator Richard “Stolen Valor” Blumenthal (D-CT) lying about military service during Vietnam should never be excused. That said, the GOP must rise to higher ground and not lower themselves to the level of the Democrats.

Politico reported that although Santos told GOP leadership he would not seek reelection in 2024, he has every intention of being sworn in and seated on January 3rd. Not that Santos should be believed. Once seated, Santos could possibly face expulsion from the House. It would take a  two-thirds vote of the House, but perhaps this is one time where a bipartisan effort could be undertaken. Alternatively, Santos could face a recall from his constituents at home.

New York’s Third Congressional District encompasses Northeastern Queens and parts of the North Shore of Long Island in Nassau County. The district includes Bethpage, Great Neck, Little Neck, Manhasset, Massapequa Park, among others. New York 3 is the wealthiest congressional district in the state, checking in with a median household income of $123,412. Affluent and educated, 54 percent of the district hold college degrees. 

A protest gathering on Long Island showed demonstrators chanting for Santos to resign and carrying signs expressing their displeasure with the fraud, the conman, the man who would be congressman. One particular sign of interest and amusement said “Fake Jew, Real Gonif.” (Gonif is a Yiddish word for a dishonest, disreputable individual.)

“You lied about your personal work and educational experiences for your own gain. You lied about your wealth and finances for your own personal gain. And perhaps most vile of all, you lied about the Holocaust and a mass shooting for your own personal gain,” said youth activist Greg Long, speaking at the protest.

Seating Santos then having him expelled by his peers in a bipartisan manner sounds rather satisfying; saves the effort and cost of a recall. Santos should be ousted in shame and denied Congressional pension and benefits. Santos should be purged from the House with all due haste and a special election held to provide the citizenry of New York’s Third Congressional District a representative of whom they can be proud. As a conservative, it is vital the Republicans must take the lead on this expulsion. Don’t be hypocrites, do what is right, and don’t defend the indefensible. Seat Santos, castigate him, vilify him, then send him packing. Restore the faith of the American people, even if for just the blink of an eye, and do not permit the dastardly deeds and behavior of George Santos to be rewarded.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Send Army to the Lending Tree Bowl

Send Army to the Lending Tree Bowl
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
December 12, 2022

In the past couple decades the NCAA has taken a page out of the Oprah Winfrey playbook: You get a bowl game. You get a bowl game. You get a bowl game, etc. Not counting the championship game, 84 college football teams will suit up between Friday December 16 and Monday January 2 to play a record 42 bowl games. Unfortunately, the Army Black Knights will not be among them.

On Saturday December 10, Army, with its 20-17 victory over Navy in double overtime, improved its record to 6-6, becoming bowl eligible. Yet, a 5-7 Rice Owls team will play on Saturday December 17 in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Alabama against Southern Mississippi, with its own 6-6 record.

The bowl announcements for the 2022 postseason became public on Sunday December 4. Army, with its then 5-6 record and its annual matchup with Navy six days hence, did not receive an invitation to a bowl game. Even had they lost to Navy, Army, at 5-7 would have the same record as Rice. If a team with a losing record had to be selected, it should have been Army - it has a national following and that slot could have remained vacant for an additional six days. Since 2001, more than 10 teams with losing records have been “rewarded” with bowl game invitations.

In fact, there had already been precedence for some last minute juggling of teams for bowl games during the 2020 postseason following the Covid-shortened regular season. Initially, 41 bowl games plus the national championship were slated for postseason 2020. Ultimately 16 games needed to be canceled due directly to Covid or Covid-related reasons. Coincidentally, it was a 9-2 Army team that replaced Tennessee in the Liberty Bowl that year. Six teams with losing records played in bowl games. Two additional bowl games could have been canceled eliminating the six sub-.500 teams, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham versus the University of Iowa could have replaced two of the losing teams. Those two schools did not play in bowl games. They were canceled as their two opponents had Covid-related concerns

The number of bowls grew and the paychecks grew as well. In 1930, the lone major bowl game - the Rose Bowl - featured Southern California defeating Pittsburgh 47-14. In 1935 the Orange, Sugar, and Sun bowls joined the Rose Bowl, and the Cotton Bowl began play in 1937. By 1950 there were eight bowl games and in 1970, 11 bowl games. The 1980s began with 15 bowl games and that number grew to 19 by 1990. The turn of the current century welcomed 25 bowl games and there were 35 by 2010, and 41 bowl games including the national championship in 2015.

With the advent of more and more bowl games, it seemed inevitable the talent pool would wane. As of 2022, there are 131 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college teams. With 84 “qualifying” for a bowl there are bound to be teams with meager records participating in the postseason. This year there are 18 teams with even six win, six loss records, plus Rice. Dump the nine newest or the nine lowest grossing bowl games, and eliminate the aforementioned 18 teams. Any team that could end their season with a losing record should not qualify for the postseason. Back in the 1980s when the regular season schedule was 11 games, a six win season was a winning record. When the regular season became 12 games, the bowl eligibility requirement should have risen as well. Based on that scenario, Army would not even be a discussion. But because reality dictates that six wins makes a team bowl eligible, drop Rice and give Army its due. They have earned it.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN. His alma mater, the 7-5 University of Maryland will take on North Carolina State in Duke’s Mayo Bowl on December 30.

Maintain Mega MAGA Momentum - Minus Trump

Maintain Mega MAGA Momentum - Minus Trump
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
November 10, 2022

I voted for, and supported Donald Trump for President, twice. I think he did an excellent job and if he is the Republican nominee in 2024 I will do so again. However, I would prefer Donald Trump remain on the sidelines in 2024. Graciously play kingmaker, or stay silent. Abide by Ronald Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment: “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.”

I believe there was chicanery and shenanigans at play in 2020 in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin costing Trump reelection. But, the time has come to put that behind us, work to create a better electoral system and process preventing that from happening again. The United States must come up with a better way to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. If the United States continues electronic balloting, there must be a paper printout receipt of how each citizen cast his or her ballot. Returning to the days of paper ballots is not a bad idea either. In both cases, ramped up security protecting the integrity of all our votes is vital. 

The process should be streamlined. Early voting should be restricted to two weeks prior to Election Day and after the first debate. I wonder how many people in Pennsylvania who voted for John Fetterman for the US Senate before the debate, might not have, following his disastrous debate performance. Only American citizens with appropriate identification should be permitted to vote. Signatures must match and deadlines enforced for absentee ballots to be validated. Ballots must be received no later than Election Day, unless postmarked from an overseas military base. Waiting days or even weeks for election results in the United States is amateurish and smacks of a banana republic.

The American electorate must be able to go to sleep at night with the confidence that their votes will count. With that confidence, hopefully there will be fewer accusations of election tampering, fewer lawsuits, and less election denial.

Look to the future, whoever that may be. Stop harping on a “stolen election” the way Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has continued doing since 2016, and the way Stacey Abrams (D-GA) has done since 2018. Abrams lost by a larger margin, again, to Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) on Tuesday than in 2018. At least this year Abrams had the decency and common sense to admit defeat and concede appropriately upon seeing the results of November 8. And, yes, as Trump himself has been doing since November 2020.

As good a job as Trump did, he can be unnecessarily petty, salty, and bombastic. There are those who call him narcissistic, but isn’t that true of anyone who thinks they could or should be president of the United States? (I think I would be a good president, but have never woken up on any given day thinking there’s a snowball’s chance in Guam that I should be president.)

Reinstate Trump policies - especially regarding energy independence and the wall on the southwestern border - but under someone’s leadership less toxic, less arrogant, and less dramatic. For all his millions of supporters - still two years after his questionable defeat - Trump can still fill arenas with thousands of cheering throngs. Biden can’t get enough people at his events to fill out a baseball lineup card.

At their relatively similar ages, Trump’s mental acuity at three and a half years younger than Biden, is far superior, and this is painfully obvious. This is not to mock Biden - it’s tragic for him and his family, but more importantly for the nation, and based upon the role the United States plays on the global stage, for the world as well. It’s not necessarily an age issue, but Brit Hume of Fox News is just seven months younger than Biden, yet his reports and analysis are crisp, on point, and he easily reacts and responds to comments and questions from his colleagues adroitly. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, at 99 years of age, has a new book out (Leadership: Six Studies in World Strategy) and his counsel is still sought out in the political world. Kissinger has had recent editorials in The Wall Street Journal that are relevant and sharp.

Forget the so-called mainstream media - they will vilify any and all Republicans - even ones they seem to root for - at first. They did it to the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) in 2008 and 2012 respectively. What the United States needs is a free and open press - not calls for censorship from the progressive woke because someone doesn’t like someone else's opinions or stances on various issues. At present I’d be hard pressed to say that we have that. From Thomas Jefferson in 1787 came the following: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”  It’s perfectly permissible to criticize and complain about the Democrats and their policies - that’s why there is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. But be prepared to offer solutions.

The GOP has a deep bench heading toward 2024 and there is reason to have positive feelings for the future of the United States. Whether Ron De Santis (R-FL), who after his reelection rout on November 8 to remain Florida governor, or anyone else - look forward. I would like to see a ticket of Nikki Haley (R-SC) and Mike Pompeo (R-KS) take the reins and lead this nation into the next decade. Should De Santis be the GOP standard bearer, I would not hesitate to cast my vote for his ticket.

Other potential GOP hopefuls could include current or former governors Bill Lee (TN), Kristi Noem (SD), Mike Pence (IN), Kim Reynolds (IA), Chris Sununu (NH), and Glenn Youngkin (VA). Senators with potential White House aspirations include Tom Cotton (AR), Ted Cruz (TX), Josh Hawley (MO), Mike Lee (UT), Rand Paul (KY), Marco Rubio (FL), Tim Scott (SC), and Tom Scott (FL). I would include US Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) in the mix. For potential vice presidential candidates, in addition to the above, US Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) is part of the GOP House leadership, and a longshot darkhorse - former US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI) who not just left the Democrat Party, but took to the campaign trail for several conservative Republican Senate candidates including Blake Masters (AZ) and Don Bolduc (NH).

I love the United States of America, warts and all, which is why we strive for a “more perfect union.” I want the United States to succeed and thrive all the time, regardless of who is in the White House. (I would prefer a Constitutional Conservative.) It is in all our best interests. When America prospers, so too does the world. A nation whose people believe in the republic, who believe in representative democracy, who support the Constitution, who understand the importance of a free market economy and the evils of socialism and communism also want the United States to succeed and thrive. Free nations create, invent, build, invest, worship, and yes, openly debate, all without fear of retribution. These should have been more emphasized during the midterm campaigns. That the GOP learns from their mistakes and rights the ship of state in the 2024 elections is my hope and prayer.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Hysteria Is On the Ballot

Hysteria Is On the Ballot
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
November 6, 2022

Chicken Little need not apply for this brand of hysteria. The current president, a former president, and myriad of minions shilling for the Democrat Party masquerading as members of the Fourth Estate are offering more than enough bellowing across the country that democracy is on the ballot this Tuesday. That should the Republicans win majorities in both houses of Congress, the sky will fall, hordes of locusts will rain down upon the nation, the earth will stop spinning, children will be slaughtered, and democracy will cease to exist.

Well, for starters, the United States of America is a republic. As Benjamin Franklin so adroitly put it when queried exiting the Constitutional Convention in 1787, what kind of government would the United States have, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

The United States of America is also a representative democracy - every two years we the people vote on 435 members of the House of Representatives and either 33 or 34 members of the Senate, who in turn serve six year terms. Should the Republican Party gain these majorities it will, in fact, support, not end, the notion that our democracy will be preserved. Free and open elections are the bellwether of this nation - so long as those participants are legal American citizens with appropriate identification. 

Barack Obama opined in an accusatory manner that not voting for the Democrat’s status quo would cause the downfall of this nation. “When true democracy goes away, people get hurt - it has real consequences. This is not an abstraction. Governments start telling you what books you can read and which ones you can’t. Dissidents start getting locked up. Reporters get locked up because they’re not toeing the party line. Corruption reigns because there’s no accountability. People get hurt. There are consequences,” said Obama while stumping for John Fetterman in Pennsylvania. That theme was the oft repeated mantra in numerous other places by both Obama and Biden during the closing week of the midterm campaign.

Looking at Obama’s words, it is the Democrats and the Biden administration that is already guilty of what he predicts will befall the GOP. It’s the Critical Race Theory crowd attempting to cram deviant subject matter down the throats of students as early as kindergarten. It was Democrat gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe in Virginia who told the citizens of the Commonwealth that parents should have no say in what is taught in their childrens’ schools. That alone cost him a return to the governor’s mansion in 2021 and propelled Glenn Youngkin to Richmond. The Justice Department, under Merrick Garland’s authority, investigated numerous parents simply for attending and speaking out at school board meetings, actually labeling them domestic terrorists. Meanwhile with roughly five million illegals crossing the southern border since Biden took office, real, bona fide terrorists have infiltrated the United States.

“Dissidents start getting locked up.” Start? There are still countless protesters against Biden’s election in jails with no timetable for a hearing, or bail, or visitation from family. Political prisoner Jon Mellis spoke frankly with Dennis Prager on Prager’s podcast about those very conditions and more. In fact, Mellis spoke more about other January 6 political prisoners than he did about himself, some of whom are experiencing health problems that are going untreated.

“Reporters get locked up because they’re not toeing the party line.” While Dasha Burns of NBC News did not get locked up, she did suffer strong rebukes at the hands of her fellow so-called mainstream media colleagues. All Burns did was truthfully report about Fetterman’s stunted and suffering mental acuity during the interview she conducted with him. In other words, she did her job, for which she has been castigated for weeks.

“Corruption reigns because there’s no accountability.” There’s no accountability because there is one party rule covering the entirety of the Legislative and Executive branches of the government. Corruption runs as deep as the Pacific Ocean in both the Biden administration and the Biden family; anyone not familiar with the Biden corruptions has been living on another planet.

But what Obama barely gave any attention to, the people’s ability to pay their bills, or buy groceries, or fill their gas tank, he dismissed as insignificant. Not to be outdone, US Rep. Sean Maloney (D-NY) and chairman of the DCCC, suggested in these difficult economic times, people should simply eat Chef Boyardee, as if that is the solution - a la Marie Antoinette’s “let them eat cake.” Maloney is facing strong opposition in Mike Lawler (R-NY) and should he win, it would mark the first time in 40 years that the chairman of the DCCC is defeated seeking reelection. The tone deafness of the Biden administration is further demonstrated by both Biden himself and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Both men have myopically suggested purchasing electric vehicles to combat the high price of gas. If people can’t afford gas, who the hell can afford a $60,000 electric vehicle. And good luck finding charging stations or having the time to waste charging the thing while on a long trip.

“Democracy is on the ballot,” shrieked fearfully as many people in the so-called mainstream media, apparently all getting their marching orders out of the Democrat’s playbook.

Ron Klain, White House Chief of Staff, looked and spoke sternly, like a parent admonishing a recalcitrant child, literally warning the American people of the adverse effects a GOP majority would create.

While the Democrats accuse the Republicans of using scare tactics without offering solutions, the Democrats themselves are using scare tactics on steroids as they have nothing on which to run this midterm election cycle.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) went so far as to invoke Hitler while suggesting the GOP would turn the United States into Germany in the 1930s. Clyburn also called Germany the greatest democracy in the world at that time.

Tearing a page out of the Hillary Clinton “deplorables” playbook, Sunny Hostin, a co-host of The View, said that white suburban women voting Republican is akin to roaches voting for Raid. That insect reference is reminiscent of Louis Farrakhan calling the Jewish people “termites” in 2018.

But the coup de grace has to be the statement made by Michael Beschloss, a well known historian and author. Last Wednesday, as a guest on the MSNBC program “All In,” Beschloss said, what is at stake is “whether we will be a democracy in the future. Whether our children will be arrested and conceivably killed. We’re on the edge of a brutal authoritarian system - and it could be a week away.” No, Mr. Beschloss, you’re on the edge of hysteria. 

By voting in free and open elections we the people are preserving our republic; our representative democracy. Opposition does not equate to disinformation or misinformation; it is simply another viewpoint, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. That there are people opposed to free speech in the United States - that’s what’s truly frightening.

The Democrats are attempting to pull off a classic magician’s ruse of sleight of hand. Accuse the GOP on one hand of using scare tactics, inventing problems the Democrats claim don’t exist, while on the other hand, panic Americans with this false claim of democracy being on the ballot, and campaigning on abortion and January 6 because they don’t have a positive record on which to stand.

Republicans nationwide have been campaigning on myriad issues - issues important to every man, woman, and child regardless of race, gender, or any other box Democrats are so fond of sequestering people. For starters, maintaining free speech, keeping schools open - sans indoctrination, keeping houses of worship open, keeping restaurants and other businesses open. Republicans will not revert back to mask and vaccine mandates that, thanks to the Democrats, destroyed more businesses and livelihoods than can be counted.

The Republicans can end the border crisis by building the wall they began during the Trump administration. Then there is the issue of the roughly five million illegals that swarmed across the southern border during the first 21 months of the Biden administration. They simply must not be rewarded for their illegal behavior with any allowances to remain in the United States. For the future, illegal immigration must be disincentivized by giving illegals nothing when they sneak into the country. They have broken the law of the land and do not deserve any reward for doing so. Amend the 14th Amendment of the Constitution to end the anchor baby crisis.

Solving the border crisis and building the wall will put more Americans back to work, thus improving the economy. The economy can also improve by the government stopping out of control deficit spending. No sane economist will ever suggest increased spending will lower inflation or be the cause of lower interest rates. As the interest rates continue soaring under Biden, mortgage rates are also on the rise, diminishing the need for more houses to be built, thus hurting the construction industry. The inflation has also caused Americans’ paychecks to purchase less as pay raises are not keeping up with inflation, so even with a raise, Americans are losing money.

The Republicans will solve the energy crisis by returning to the days of energy independence as was enjoyed during the Trump administration. On day one of the Biden administration, he ceased the Keystone Pipeline as well as curtailing the work in ANWR and had as his goal, announced during his campaign, to end fossil fuels in the United States. Not only has Biden doubled down on that promise, he just promised this past week to shut down coal mines and plants. The cost to fill gas tanks and heat homes has risen so exponentially, people are weighing whether to eat or heat, whether to purchase a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk. The GOP will reopen the closed pipelines, reenergize drilling, and return to energy independence, ending the days of an American president going to OPEC nations on bended knee, hat in hand putting money in the pockets of countries not terribly friendly toward the United States.

If the United States becomes an energy exporter, and gets European countries on board, they could put pressure on Russia to end the war they started against Ukraine.

While resolving the crime overseas, the Republicans can solve the crime problem at home by ending cashless bail; by not allowing bail for repeat miscreant offenders, and by firing, recalling, or impeaching the various “George Soros district attorneys” who are as much to blame for the crimewave as the criminals themselves. Perception is reality; the fear is genuine and stark.

There’s no doubt the Republicans will have rather tall in-boxes with which to contend come January when their majorities get sworn in. The voters will have the GOP on a short leash and can pull the plug on them just as easily as they will have done to the Democrats. We send them to Washington, we can boot them out of Washington. We the people will keep our republic just as soon as those we send to Washington remember they work for us and not the other way around. May G-d continue to bless the United States of America.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Bringing Equity to Baseball - I Call Foul

Bringing Equity to Baseball - I Call Foul
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
September 13, 2022

In the interest of speeding up the pace of professional baseball games, new rules have been thrust upon the players, the teams, and the fans, actually starting prior to Covid-19, with three new rule changes effective the 2023 baseball season. 

As a baseball purist, I object to just about every rule change since, and including, the imposition of the Designated Hitter in the American League in 1973. Sadly, the National League caved and adopted the DH full time this season after using it during the 60-game Covid-shortened 2020 season for the first time - with the exception of interleague play, something I also abhor. 

That said, there is one of the three new rule amendments I actually support - the introduction of the pitch clock, mostly. It will be imposed with nonsensical riders, as is said of extra, useless legislation added to an original bill being debated in Congress. Currently employed in the minor leagues, the pitch clock is proving successful in its quest to move the game of baseball along. For the first two weeks of the minor league season, nine inning games clocked in at two hours 59 minutes, sans pitch clock. From April 15 through the first week of September, minor league games, now with the pitch clock, crossed the finish line in two hours 35 minutes - 24 minutes shaved off the time of game. Nine inning Major League games are lasting an average of three hours and five minutes this season. If for nothing else, by the time minor league pitchers reach the Majors, they will be fully ensconced in the world of the pitch clock.

Once the pitch clock hits MLB, there will be 30 seconds between batters. Between pitches, there will be a 15 second clock when the bases are empty, and 20 seconds with runners on base. With runners on the basepaths, should the pitcher attempt to pick off a runner, the pitch clock resets. Should the pitcher fail to begin his motion before the clock expires, an automatic ball will be called against him. Should the batter not be in the batter’s “box and alert to the pitcher by the eight-second mark,” an automatic strike will be called against him. Since there is no point to having rules without penalty, it would be hard to support the pitch clock, but not the penalty.

Here’s where the pitch clock rule gets bogged down with unnecessary minutiae. Pitchers are to be limited to two, what are being called “disengagements,” be they pickoff attempts or simply stepping off the pitching rubber per plate appearance by a batter. Should any runner advance, the two disengagements are reset. If a pitcher offers a third attempt at a pickoff and is unsuccessful in picking off the runner, he is automatically awarded the next base. This is ridiculous. Once a pitcher has made two pickoff attempts, the baserunners know they have carte blanche to widen their lead or simply steal a base. This part of the pitch clock rule handcuffs the defense, giving an edge to the offense, something the powers that be in MLB, wanting more action and more runs, support.

Another rule change that could have merit, if employed properly, is the growth in size of the bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. The purpose here is to give runners and defenders a bit more room to avoid collisions, players getting stepped on or inadvertently spiked. It could also reduce the amount of oversliding of bases - a player oversliding a base and losing contact with that base, if tagged, is out.

Herein lies the problem. With larger bases, the distance between the bases will shrink by four and one half inches. This will make stealing bases easier. This will make beating out close plays for infield hits easier as well. That actually IS a problem, as for more than a century and a half, the distance between the bases has been an even 90 feet. Not 89 feet seven and one half inches. Records will be artificially rewritten - the same way when the regular season expanded from 154 games to 162 games.

For the only time in Major League history, expansion in terms of teams and games played were out of balance in 1961. In that year, the American League expanded from eight teams to 10, and from a 154 game season to 162. The National League followed suit in 1962. Perhaps the biggest debate to emerge from the expanding schedule, was the legitimacy of Roger Maris’ record breaking season home run record when he hit 61 homers in 1961 to best the record held by Babe Ruth who hit 60 in 1927 in a 154 game schedule. Maris hit home run number 61 in the last game of the season - game number 162. For years, two records stood - Ruth’s in a 154 game season, and Maris’ in 162 and the use of an asterisk (*).

The only way for the bases expansion to keep records honest, would be to move the bases ensuring the 90 foot distance between them is maintained.

The one rule change that has absolutely no merit of the three passed by the Competition Committee, and truly smacks of imposing equity, is banning the shift. For the uninitiated, the shift is a defensive strategy employed in the infield oftentimes positioning three infielders either to the left or to the right of second base. Sometimes an infielder will move behind the infield to the short outfield. This strategy is a maneuver clearly designed to prevent the batter from successfully reaching base as he is prone to hitting the ball typically to the side of the infield where the greater number of players are positioned. Obviously this strategy has negatively impacted hitters’ batting averages, and with fewer hits, fewer baserunners, and less action on the field. It also inevitably means fewer runs being scored. By banning the shift, the four infielders must be evenly distributed on either side of second base - two to the left, two to the right, and be fully ensconced on the dirt of the infield - standing on nary a blade of outfield grass.

Here’s where the equity nonsense emerges. Because the defense has the advantage, this rule is designed to handcuff the team in the field because the batters’ averages are dropping. So instead of encouraging the batters to work harder at hitting the other way, or dropping down a bunt, a lost art in and of itself, the league has to create a rule change to make it easier for the batters. I oppose this handcuffing of the defense. It’s good managing to be able to position the players where the manager thinks it best to prevent the other team from getting on base and scoring. The solution is simple - hit better! Or bunt. Drop a bunt down the lesser defended side of the infield and a batter can run all day. A few of those and the defense will think twice about the shift - problem solved - on its own, without a mandate from on high.

The imposition of these rules come via the Joint Competition Committee which consists of four active MLB players, six members of management appointed by MLB itself, and one umpire. Base enlargement received unanimous support by the committee. The pitch clock and banning of the shift passed, but with split votes - the players voting against both in defeat.

However, there should be a ray of hope and sanity with the addition of the pitch clock. As it is designed to increase the pace of play, there are recent rule changes that must be ended and reversed. End the no-pitch intentional walk. End the mandatory three batter or end of the inning rule for relief pitchers - yet another rule handcuffing the defense. End the automatic runner on second base starting all extra innings - that was imposed during Covid to prevent games from going deep into multiple extra innings.

No true baseball fan likes, appreciates, or wants to see rule changes past, present, or future that will radically alter the game, our national pastime, that has brought joy, and yes, anguish, to millions of, not just Americans, but fans around the world. Baseball is huge in Japan, South Korea, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, elsewhere throughout Latin America, and growing in popularity in Australia, and even in Israel. In an effort to draw new, younger fans to the great game of baseball, the powers that be, including the incompetent Commissioner Rob Manfred, are in jeopardy of losing many of the long standing fans who simply wish the game be played as it has for more than a century and a half. The pitch clock should have its desired effect - both on the field and off. Reverse or end the other superfluous rule changes and all will be right with the baseball world. Play ball!

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN. He has been a New York Mets fan for 50 years and counting.

9/11 Terror Attacks Reach Legal Drinking Age

9/11 Terror Attacks Reach Legal Drinking Age
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
September 7, 2020

On Sunday we mark the 21st year memorializing the slaughter of 2,977 innocent souls, the victims of 19 Muslim extremist terrorists who skyjacked four American airplanes with the intent purpose of inflicting as much damage as possible against people, property, and the body politic. With ruins in its wake, the American people coalesced - even if for a short time - to remind the world that the United States may bend, but it will never break. Even President George W. Bush received a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium during the World Series.

Yet in the interim, during the past two decades, the United States and a certain segment of the American people have tried their level best to prove prophetic Abraham Lincoln. On January 27, 1838 during an address in Springfield, IL, Lincoln opined "At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."

Instead of shoring up the military might and strength of the American armed forces, the so-called military leaders are relieving good men and women of their duty because they chose bodily autonomy where the Covid vaccination is concerned. Recruitment is down and has not met its obligations under the Biden administration. Far too many of these so-called military leaders are more concerned with pronouns, white rage, equity, and checking boxes.

While this administration is allowing every Tammy, Ricardo, and Mohammad to invade our supposedly sovereign nation via the southern border, unvetted, sans Covid testing, and collect as many freebies as possible, our brave and honorable military veterans are being treated shabbily by the very nation they served. There are nearly 38,000 homeless veterans scattered about the fruited plain, and still thousands more veterans and September 11 first responders not receiving the services they so desperately need and have most certainly earned - be they medical, psychological, or financial.

The politicians on both sides of the aisle have allowed the Chinese Communist Party to steal American intellectual property right before our very eyes. Additionally, the CCP is buying American farmland - to the tune of 352,140 acres in 2020 up from 13,720 acres in 2010, according to the Department of Agriculture. This includes lands dangerously close to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

This is not to politicize the tragedies of September 11, 2001, but present facts and a cogent argument supporting the point of the downward spiral of the United States over the past 21 years. There are myriad other reasons the United States is in decline - from the embarrassing, severe, indoctrination in the K-12 schools as well as on college campuses, an epidemic rise in crime rates, an almost non-existent value placed on human life, and a loss of faith, as evidenced by the shrinking rates of attendance in our houses of worship.

For the 21st year we will pay homage and respect to the fallen who were murdered by Muslim extremist terrorists on that clear, crisp, Tuesday morning when the screaming airplanes permeated the sunshine, penetrated their steel and glass targets, plunging the world into darkness and chaos.

A brief timeline of the harrowing and disturbing events of September 11, 2001:

            Between 7:59 AM and 8:42 AM four flights depart Boston’s Logan, Washington’s Dulles, and Newark airports, headed for Los Angeles except the Newark flight, headed to San Francisco.

            8:46 AM: American Airlines flight #11 is flown into #1 World Trade Center - the North Tower - by five Muslim extremist hijackers murdering the 11 crew, 76 passengers and hundreds inside the tower instantly. 

            9:03 AM: United Airlines flight #175 is flown into #2 World Trade Center - the South Tower - by five Muslim extremist hijackers murdering the nine crew, 51 passengers, and hundreds inside the tower instantly. 

           9:05 AM: President George W. Bush is alerted to what is now believed to be terrorist attacks. “Terrorism against our nation will not stand,” said Bush.

          9:37 AM: American Airlines flight #77 is flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA by five Muslim extremist hijackers murdering the six crew, 53 passengers, as well as 125 military and civilian personnel on the ground.

           9:59 AM: The South Tower collapses in 10 seconds after burning for 56 minutes. More than 800 civilians and first responders are murdered. 

          10:03 AM: United Airlines flight #93 crashes into a field in Shanksville, PA when passengers and crew storm the cockpit. There are no survivors of the seven crew and 33 passengers due to the murderous plot by the four Muslim extremist hijackers. Flight #93 was 20 minutes from Washington, DC where the White House or the Capitol Building were the presumed targets. 

         10:15 AM: The damaged section of the Pentagon E-Ring collapses.

        10:28 AM: The North Tower collapses after burning for 102 minutes. More than 1,600 civilians and first responders are murdered. 

        8:30 PM: President George W. Bush addresses the nation.

May the memories of the 2,977 murdered on September 11, 2001 always be for a blessing. This must never be forgotten.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN. He grew up in northern New Jersey in the shadow of the Twin Towers. On September 11, 2001, he was writing for a newspaper in northern Virginia, 10 minutes from the Pentagon.

School Debt Cancelation Earns Biden an F

School Debt Cancelation Earns Biden an F
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
August 31, 2022

Imagine you’re standing outside the best and most expensive restaurant in town. You don’t have a reservation, but no matter, you cannot afford the bill of fare at this fine establishment. Yet, the manager exits the restaurant, confronts you, demanding you pay the freight for a tableful of diners. Sounds unfair doesn’t it? 

Now multiply those restaurant charges by millions and millions of dollars, and therein lies the insanity and even the unconstitutionality of Joe Biden’s vote buying scheme called the cancelation of student debt to the tune of at least $329 billion. According to the Penn Wharton Business Model, the price tag may actually reach $1 trillion. And consider the restaurant diner who is earning five or six times what his server is earning. A server now charged with additional debt while the diner is literally getting fat and happy on the server’s largess. 

We, the taxpayers of the United States, are being told, by the power hungry Executive branch, that whether we attended college or not, whether we completed college or not, whether or not we paid our own way or paid back our loans, we are now on the hook for the debts accumulated and not paid back by self-absorbed, entitled Critical Race and Ethnic Studies or Sustainability degree holders. Those are two actual  majors at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Biden indicated one-third of the debtholders have no degree.

For those who argue there are doctors and lawyers also benefiting from the taxpayers’ generosity, shame on them. The income potential for those borrowers is vastly higher than those with bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or no college degree at all.

It’s a simple matter of a business transaction. These people wanted to get an education at one of America’s alleged institutions of higher learning. Not having the finances to fund this experience, either personally, or via ones’ parents, the student signs a legal document called a contract. The in-need student borrows a known amount of money from a lender with the understanding that said loan would be repaid within a set period of time. The vitally important aspect of these contracts that must, must, be amended is the borderline usurious rates of compounding interest. Those rates ought to be capped at two percent.

The Biden Borrowing Boondoggle only includes those responsible for paying federal loans, thus all other borrowers must continue repaying their loans, along with those the Biden plan is canceling. But in reality, nothing is actually canceled. The lenders have every right to be repaid - after all, the money was available when the students needed it. The schools already have their money. And the borrowers - sitting on the fence of childhood and adulthood, can continue their extended adolescence.

The Biden plan calls for “loan forgiveness” up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for non-Pell recipients. Those earning less than $125,000 annually are eligible for this taxpayer funded bailout. This plan will cost every American taxpayer $2085.59 according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. This plan would benefit roughly 43 million debtholders, about 20 million of whom could see their entire debt eliminated.

Consider a research scientist earning $42,000 in Tennessee with roughly $25,000 in loans to repay. Because this individual’s loans are not federal, he or she is still responsible for the entirety of the loan. But an architect earning $100,000 in Massachusetts with $25,000 in federal loans to repay, would qualify for the taxpayer funded bailout - paid for in part by the aforementioned research scientist with a much lower salary and the same debt, now to be increased.

According to the Penn Wharton Business Model, 70 percent of the debt to be potentially forgiven would assist households in the top 60 percent of earners - thus redistribution upward. Additionally, 56 percent of student debt is held by those with graduate degrees - with even greater earnings potential. And according to the left-leaning Brookings Institute, one-third of all student debt is held by the wealthiest 20 percent of households. This unconstitutional plan would increase the deficit, already inflated under Biden, as well as raise inflation yet higher still. Ostensibly, this will punish and penalize those who paid their own way or fully repaid their loans.

The punish and penalize is aptly played out by a father confronting Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in Grimes, Iowa on January 20, 2020 as this plan had already been bandied about by Democrats during the presidential primary season.

        Dad: I just want to ask one question. My daughter is getting out of school. I’ve saved all                     my money. She doesn’t have any student loan debt.

Sen. Warren: G-d bless you.

Dad: Am I going to get my money back?

Sen. Warren: Of course not.

Warren could not have been more callous and insensitive toward the father who asked a serious question. Why should he be saddled with additional debt after doing the right thing for his own daughter? Why is he now responsible for paying for someone else’s daughter?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has certainly changed her tune. On August 24 of this year, Pelosi said, “By delivering historic targeted student debt relief to millions of borrowers, more working families will be able to meet their kitchen table needs as they continue to recover from the challenges of the pandemic.”

Yet a year prior, on July 28, 2021, Pelosi had misgivings about this taxpayer funded bailout. “Suppose your child at this time did not want to go to college, but you’re paying taxes to forgive somebody else’s obligations. You may not be happy about that.” 

Pelosi also said, on the same date in 2021, “People think the president of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not. That would have to be an act of Congress.” 

Even Biden has flip-flopped on this issue. When asked on February 16, 2021 Biden said, “I don’t think I have the authority to do it by signing.” Yet now Biden is invoking the Heroes Act or Covid as giving him the authority to sign an executive order unilaterally employing the debt cancellations under “emergency circumstances.”

This is an illegal act, a violation of the separation of powers, and a circumvention of Congress. This is “extremely dubious,” said George Washington University constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley, who nobody would accuse of being a conservative. No doubt this ends up in court before a single debt is eliminated. 

“It sends the wrong message,” said US Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), who nonetheless votes with Biden/Pelosi 100 percent of the time.

“This is no way to make policy and sidestep Congress,” said US Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH).

This is about personal responsibility and accountability. If the debt is too much, perhaps Tom, Ricardo, and Sabrina should have opted for state schools instead of private institutions with price tags the size of Montana. Nobody forced anyone to attend a particular school, sign a contract, or major in unmarketable subject matter. But if personal responsibility is going to be shirked and propagated by the government, why not debt forgiveness on people’s home mortgages or automobile loans or small business loans - invoke Covid here too.

This system is broken. Between 1980 and 2020 tuition has increased 180 percent for full time students. In 1980 tuition costs averaged $10,231; but by 2020 those costs had risen to $28,775, with no ceiling in sight. The cancellation of student loan debt will simply signal to colleges and universities that they have carte blanche to raise tuition prices even higher. Tuition will rise the same way the price of electric vehicles has risen by the concomitant value of the government subsidies on those electric vehicles.

Former Education Secretary William “Bill” Bennett predicted in 1987 that more aid will cause tuition prices to become inflated. “Increases in financial aid in recent years have enabled colleges and universities, likely to raise their tuition - confident that federal loan subsidies would help cushion the increase,” Bennett wrote in a New York Times Op-Ed. Bennett, of course, was sadly accurate with his words from 35 years ago, while serving in President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet.

This proposal “doesn’t address the root problems that make college unaffordable,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

Yes, the system is most certainly broken. But it can be fixed; or replaced. Instead of canceling student loan debt, cancel the entire federal loan program. This is not an endorsement of absolving all student loans - those absolutely should be paid back by the debtholders. Instead, all future education loans should originate with the colleges and universities themselves. These so-called institutions of higher learning should finally have some skin in the game. Some degrees are simply worth more than others; some degrees have more risk than others on a potential rate of return to the school/lender. That’s not to say someone can’t major in Community Leadership at THE Ohio State University, but perhaps a loan has a higher rate of interest than a loan to an engineering student - greater risk on the former rather than the latter. Furthermore, should a graduate of a particular school not be able to secure a job in his or her degree area within a year of graduation, the school should be required to begin paying back the loan. This will encourage college advisors to actually give worthwhile advice; otherwise, those jobs could be eliminated and save the schools some money. 

How will these graduates make this country better? For all the malcontents bitching and moaning about this country, more concerned about their pronouns and tearing down statues of people they know nothing about because they never truly learned American history, what are they doing to make America great again? How is their philosophy degree or Exercise Science degree from Rutgers going to improve the economy? How will their Game Development and Design degree from Purdue help solve the problem of food deserts in this country? How will their Global Jazz Studies degree or Scandinavian degree from UCLA help cure Alzheimers? I enjoy jazz, but what employment doors would it open for me upon graduation?

US Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) foolishly accuses those not on board with this taxpayer funded bailout of being selfish. In reality, those supporting this boondoggle are the truly selfish ones expecting others to pay their debts. Nobody is forced to attend Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and pay $80,100 (kenyon.edu) - that’s per year, when they can attend THE Ohio State University for $26,451 (in-state). Yes, there is an infinitely different environment on a large campus versus a small campus, but a happy medium can be found. As of the 2019-20 academic year, there are 3,982 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the United States. (National Center for Education Statistics) Choose responsibly. Make responsible decisions. Be responsible as a taxpaying American adult and pay your debts. The ironic hypocrisy is liberals demanding people/corporations pay their fair share, but want others to pay more than their fair share to give bailouts to the privileged and entitled.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Go to school, pay your tuition. Go to school, pay your loans back. To demand someone else do so is lazy and entitled, a terrible precedent for future generations. Kind of explains the abysmal work ethic that has unfolded in recent years - government handouts replacing a paycheck. Except those are not really government handouts; that money is coming out of the pockets of those taxpayers who already paid back their loans, did not need loans, or simply did not attend college.

Want to study the aforementioned subjects or any other fun, less marketable subjects, go right ahead, but don’t complain when you can’t find a job. Better yet, minor in those subjects, but major in a marketable subject allowing you to pay your debts and help make your country a better place. End the federal loan program, make the colleges shoulder the loan/debt repayment process to keep the American taxpayer out of this growing shell game.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Sinking Roe Raises Democracy

 “I do not view abortion as a choice or a right - it’s always a tragedy. And I think that it should be rare and safe. And I think we should be focusing on how to limit the number of abortions.” – Senator Joe Biden (2006)

Sinking Roe Raises Democracy
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
July 8, 2022

When the histrionic caterwauling has subsided, and people actually read the Supreme Court decision authored by Justice Samuel Alito, for the 6-3 majority in Dobbs v. Jackson (MS) Women’s Health Organization, they will comprehend the correctness of that decision. Essentially, Dobbs overturns both Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA v. Casey [Gov. Bob] (1992).

Overturning Roe did not overturn or end legalized abortion in the United States. It is imperative to understand that the United States Constitution does not now, nor has it at any time since its inception in 1789, conferred to the people a right to an abortion. Dobbs simply rights an egregious wrong made by the Supreme Court in 1973. This has long been a 10th Amendment issue, and now that it will revert back to the states, where it belongs, a greater number of Americans will have a voice in this issue - not 535 members of the two houses of Congress, not 50 state legislatures, not nine Supreme Court justices, and certainly not one president.

It is incumbent upon the 50 state legislatures to empower the voting citizens by placing the question of abortion on the ballot. This relinquishes power from the Supreme Court, and places it back into the hands of the American people. This preserves democracy, not stripping it away as so many are claiming in a panic.

"The authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives," said Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the majority opinion in Dobbs.

The outpouring of emotions on both sides had been expected. The pro-life community - growing stronger every day - was overjoyed. After all, 49 years of the March for Life in frigid January in our nation’s capital to commemorate the anniversary of Roe, to reach this conclusion, made them ecstatic with joy and glee. While celebrating their court ruling, the pro-life folks also recognized they have their work cut out for them - fighting the legality of abortion in each of the 50 states of the Union.

The pro-choice and pro-abortion crowd continued their threats against the justices and the building in which they work. This, weeks after an attempted assassination against Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Attempts to intimidate, via fear and violence failed to impact the justices.

The kneejerk reaction was that abortion is now illegal. Not only has abortion been ended, but somehow those same people began claiming that the Dobbs decision will eventually attempt to end legally obtainable contraceptives,  reverse same sex marriage as well as inter-racial marriage. The pro-choice/pro-abortion side decided that Justice Clarence Thomas is responsible for these future decisions. Has anyone ever met Ginni Thomas - the white wife of Justice Thomas? These unnecessary hysterics only stoke the flames of violent, illegal behavior. Joe Biden didn’t help matters as he wrongly suggested contraception and marriage rights are in jeopardy during a national speech.

“To hell with the Supreme Court! We will defy them,” said Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), never at a loss to incite.

Jane’s Revenge, a pro-abortion organization affiliated with Antifa, hellbent on disruption of lives and destruction of property, exacerbated matters, vowing nights of rage and physical behavior, continued attacks on crisis pregnancy centers, pro-life centers, and churches. They have already waged attacks on more than 40 properties with signs and graffiti. “To our oppressors, if abortions aren’t safe, you’re not either,” is the common mantra of Jane’s Revenge, both written and orally. Peaceful protests are protected speech, but violence and vandalism most assuredly are not.

Both Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) condemned the High Court’s ruling by saying they took away a Constitutional right, which is patently false. Additionally, the White House refused to condemn not only the violence and illegal protesting at the homes of several of the justices, the White House press secretary actively encouraged those illegal acts - federal crimes, violating federal law. Once again, violence is not protected speech. Notice how far Biden has fallen since his 2006 comment above, now a tool of the pro-abortion crowd

To set the record straight, from the majority opinion penned by Justice Alito: “...we have stated unequivocally that ‘[n]othing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion…’ We have also explained why that is so: rights regarding contraception and same-sex relationships are inherently different from the right to abortion because the latter (as we have stressed) uniquely involves what Roe and Casey termed ‘potential life…’ It’s hard to see how we could be clearer.”

For those believing Roe was settled law has not studied their history. Since when can’t cases be reversed or overturned? Should we revert back to Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)? For if we do, there’s no Brown v. Board of Education [Topeka] (1954) - perhaps the most glaring example of a case needing to be overturned, aside from Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857). 

In Dred Scott, Scott sued for his freedom, noting he had been transported to Wisconsin, which was free territory. In losing, the ruling from Chief Justice Roger Taney said that slaves were not citizens and thus could not expect any protection from the federal government. That decision could not have been more odious in the history of the Supreme Court. It took passage of the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1865 and 1868 respectively to effectively overturn Dred Scott. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the 14th declared all persons born in the United States to be citizens of the United States.

While there has been a long standing precedent to adhere to precedent, it is not sacrosanct, as evidenced above. There is the issue of STARE DECISIS - the “doctrine that courts will adhere to precedent in making their decisions. …It means to stand by things decided in Latin.” (law.cornell.edu) Supreme Court nominees are regularly asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee whether or not they would abide by Stare Decisis.

Roe was poorly reasoned as it federalized what should have remained a state issue - there are no provisions in the Constitution regarding abortion, thus the Supreme Court in Dobbs could not adhere to Stare Decisis because Roe violated the Constitution.

Let’s move on, past Dobbs, and onto the several states - all 50 will have to make their own decisions - time for citizens to step up on both sides of this issue and make their voices heard. Let there be a cacophony from both sides demonstrating their involvement in the process. 

Some states already provide legal protection for abortion - Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, DC allow late term abortion. Abortion is legal until viability in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Rhode Island, and Washington. (politico.com)

On the opposite end, abortion will be illegal in Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming - period, no exceptions noted. In Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Texas, abortion will be illegal with the exception of the life of the mother. In Idaho abortion will be illegal with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. (politico.com)

For those two sides, it is reasonably clear where those states stand on abortion. From there, it gets murky with multiple shades of gray. The remaining states have various levels of legality based upon the number of weeks the woman is pregnant - yes, woman, not birthing person/parent - such an offense to women. Some states have the potentiality to declare abortion illegal. (politico.com)

With appropriate petitioning citizens in the several states could push to have the issue of abortion placed on statewide ballots.

Protecting a woman’s right to choose are myriad corporations who have been announcing their decisions to reimburse employees for travel and travel related costs should they opt to cross state lines for an abortion. A partial list of such companies includes, but is not limited to Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Amalgamated Bank, Apple, Bumble, Chobani, CitiGroup, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Disney, Door Dash, Gucci, Hims & Hers, Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, Master Card, Microsoft, Netflix, Paramount, Power Home Remodeling, Salesforce, Starbucks, Tesla, Uber, United Talent Agency, Yelp, and Zillow. Make no mistake, consumers of the above mentioned companies’ products will undoubtedly pay the freight for these abortion related costs.

Life wins. The reversal of Roe is a victory for life; a victory for the unborn. When pro-choice/pro-abortion supporters chant “my body, my choice,” they seem to be forgetting there is a growing body inside her body. This is life - follow the science, as the pro-vaccine clamor to control everybody’s bodies demanding the vaccine be mandatory. Pro-lifers believe every life is sacred and worthy of entering the world. Perhaps instead of abortion, the mother to be considers putting the baby up for adoption. There are so many Americans wishing to adopt American babies. Perhaps the increasing restrictions on abortion will give people cause to pause before engaging in potentially risky behavior - don’t want to get pregnant, don’t be in the position to get pregnant.

And here we come to the conflict in our little drama. I must be true to myself, as I am always honest with my readers. Overturning Roe from a legal and Constitutional perspective was absolutely the correct thing for the Supreme Court to do. My wife is stridently, unapologetically pro-life - no abortions, no exceptions - period. I am also pro-life. I believe an abortion kills an innocent life. I don’t approve of abortion. However, I, me, personally, cannot look a pregnant rape victim in the eyes and tell her she must carry to term - I just can’t. I don’t want her to have an abortion. I don’t approve of her having an abortion. But she most certainly did not choose to get raped. And while opting for abortion because of rape constitutes less than one percent of the abortions performed, I can’t be Wyoming but I won’t be New Jersey. I think that’s where we are as a nation.

As a postscript, on July 8, Joe Biden spoke from the White House before signing an Executive Order designed to prevent states from prohibiting women from crossing state lines for legal medical treatments, including abortion. This so-called grand gesture is nothing more than a big façade. Not only did Dobbs not make such a prohibition, but interstate travel is protected by the Constitution.

In Justice Kavanaugh’s Concurrence to Dobbs, he wrote that “...a state cannot bar a resident of another state from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion? In my view, the answer is no based on the Constitutional right to interstate travel…”

Biden also mentioned the potential for the right to use contraception, even among married couples, to be reversed according to Dobbs. That is an outright lie from Biden as Dobbs does not jeopardize the right to use contraception. That is simply a political ploy to gin up support for his fledgling Democrat Party which is facing a Red Wave of rebuke in this November’s midterm elections. Biden spoke politically from the White House, which is not exactly kosher, calling for the election of two additional Democrat senators and keeping the House of Representatives in an effort to codify Roe - passing a national law protecting abortion, which Biden said he would sign as soon as it reaches his desk. Biden said this would “protect reproductive rights.”

Reproductive rights are not about abortion. Abortion doesn’t reproduce anything - it ends innocent life. True reproduction furthers life; creates life.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Out of the Mouths of American Babes

Out of the Mouths of American Babes
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
May 20, 2022

Seeing is believing; so on Tuesday, I saw, and I believe. Visiting a CVS, a Kroger, a Target, and a Wal Mart here in Westfield, IN, with pictures as supporting evidence, the cupboards are bare and the shelves bereft of precious baby formula.

As is typical, when government touches it, bad things happen. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a government kickback-monopoly that has not only deleteriously impacted WIC recipients, but full-price paying parents. Abbott Nutrition Company, the producer of Pedialyte, PediaSure, and Similac, is at the crux of the baby formula crisis. Abbott closed its Sturgis, MI plant due to contamination. WIC beneficiaries receive vouchers for the procurement of baby formula from one specific company - a contract awarded by the government, ostensibly to the highest bidder, or in this case, the company offering the largest rebates.

One company, Abbott, accounts for 42 percent of the baby formula in the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal. Most states have their WIC contracts with that company. WIC recipients represent 57 to 68 percent of formula sales, according to the Department of Agriculture. When that one company incurs the problems it is suffering, those problems have far reaching tentacles, as witnessed by the empty shelves around the country.

Now, after the horse has escaped the barn, the Biden administration has decided it’s time to act. Is this what is meant by leading from behind? On Wednesday, May 18, Biden invoked the 1950 Defense Production Act (DPA) which allows the president to mandate “companies to enter into contracts to produce materials considered necessary for national defense,” according to Forbes.com. While clearly not war materials, the lives of our infants are in jeopardy, and that is a priority. The DPA also prohibits hoarding of, and profiteering from such materials. But what can this act encourage that is not already being done? Does the administration think Abbott is intentionally depleting the market?

“Our number one priority is getting infants and families the high quality formulas they need, and this is a major step toward reopening our Sturgis facility so we can ease the nationwide formula shortage,” according to an Abbott statement.

This is the United States of America. No one should ever go hungry in this country, especially our children and most vulnerable unable to provide for themselves. Such monopolies should not exist, for, as has occurred, when one company suffers, all consumers suffer in a quest to find the food needed as more people have fewer options from which to choose.

Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now confiscating imported baby formula because there are non-English labels and an issue with the dosing cup. FIX IT! That the United States, the United States, has to import baby formula is both embarrassing and shameful.

Compounding matters, while the shelves in our stores look like vacant lots, at the southern border palettes a-plenty stock-piled with baby formula is at the ready for, wait for it - illegal aliens who have invaded the United States. This heretofore unknown information has been unearthed thanks to the intrepid investigatory work by Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL). Cammack has been a hero and leading from the front, and not just on this particular issue. I would be proud to call her my Congresswoman. 

Any American not outraged by this chicanery, should not call him or herself a real American. This administration, this government, this so-called leader should be ashamed, first for allowing even one illegal to invade the United States, as all predecessors should, then for putting them ahead of even one American in line for such precious resources. Resources, when part of the WIC program, are earmarked for Americans in need - paid for by other Americans - some of means, many not so much. Taking food out of the mouths of American infants is deplorable - in the truest sense of that word. 

This is yet another example of putting America and Americans last - and without proper nourishment, dead last. As is usually the case, the government creates the problem, then takes credit for the solution. Smaller government is better. Less government is also better. The government kickback-monopoly failure regarding baby formula has proven that spectacularly. 

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Override Veto Allowing Bio-Males in Women's Sports

Override Veto Allowing Bio-Males in Women’s Sports
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
May 18, 2022

In the May 14-15, 2022 WSJ, Tunku Varadarajan wrote “Trans Sports Give Utah Republicans a Ticket to Override.” The Hoosier State faces a similar fate on May 24 and should be given some attention as well.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb should be ashamed of himself for his veto of House Enrollment Act 1041 - a bill designed to protect women’s sports as well as the integrity of Title IX, celebrating 50 years of serving women - biological women’s - safe participation in K-12 sports.

HEA 1041 states that biological males will be ineligible to participate in high school girls sports - public, private, and charter schools. This piece of legislation is absolutely fair in the interest of protecting girls pursuit of athletic excellence and future scholarship opportunities at the collegiate level.

Although the bill, penned by House member Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland), passed both Indiana houses, Holcomb vetoed it on March 21. The House and Senate will vote on May 24 to override Holcomb’s veto. A Constitutional majority of 51 votes in the House and 26 in the Senate are required to override the veto.

That this is even an issue, is shocking, considering the biological disadvantages faced by women in terms of bone density, lung capacity, heart capacity, and general speed. If the science isn’t enough, consider the news being made in Connecticut regarding high school track, and in swimming on the NCAA level, where biological males have shattered records biological females could not approach. Wrong on every level.

The Current in Westfield reported on April 5 that “Holcomb said there has not been a single case of a male wanting to compete on a female team that has completed a process to do so established by the IHSAA.” (Indiana High School Athletic Association) Irrelevant, and a poor excuse by a short-sighted governor.

To read the text of the bill: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1041#digest-heading. To make your voices heard, call House members at 317-232-9600, and Senators at 317-232-9400 prior to the May 24 vote.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

The Leak is the Crime; Reversing Roe - Perfectly Legal

The Leak is the Crime; Reversing Roe - Perfectly Legal

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

May 5, 2022

The last bastion of integrity in the American government, for the most part, has been the Supreme Court. The American people certainly have not agreed on the outcome of myriad cases heard by the High Court since 1790, but the work of the Supreme Court has ostensibly been scandal free. The integrity of this institution has been shattered by a poltroon devoid of a conscience in the hopes of creating a maelstrom the likes of which will divert attention from the absolute failings of the Biden administration.

At issue is the unprecedented leak of the draft majority opinion penned by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito regarding the Mississippi abortion case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. That this is an abortion case, the opposing sides are apoplectic that the ultimate decision, to be rendered by the end of June, could overturn Roe v. Wade (1973). Such a leak has heretofore been unheard of, attested Supreme Court historians and former Supreme Court law clerks.

As polarizing a lightning rod as Roe is, the greater concern is, and should be, the penetration of the sanctity of the Supreme Court, and what happens in the Supreme Court stays in the Supreme Court, until the justices themselves say otherwise and reveal their verdicts in June on the cases they agreed to adjudicate prior to the opening of the session - the first Monday in October.

It is painfully obvious the leaker is unsatisfied with the potential outcome of Dobbs and hopes the court of public opinion will weigh heavily enough on the minds of the majority for one of them to alter his or her vote, which if at five to four in favor, will flip the script to a five to four verdict in the other direction. Should this occur, the damage to the Supreme Court would be in perpetuity. Leaks of draft opinions would become commonplace knowing that the weak link will kowtow to the pressure of mob justice. This would completely politicize the Supreme Court in ways heretofore unfathomable.

Not only should none of the justices fall victim to such tactics, the Court as a whole must not be intimidated by such unsavory and illegal tactics. While Chief Justice John Roberts has enlisted the Supreme Court’s marshal to conduct an investigation, the tentacles of such search must reach infinitely higher. 

According to Chris Swecker, a former FBI Assistant Director, both the FBI and the Justice Department have jurisdiction in such instances. This culprit must be diligently sought out, fired, charged, and disbarred, preventing him or her from practicing law anywhere in the United States, its territories or commonwealths. As harsh a message as possible must be sent to deter future leaks, and after the cost of a law school education is flushed away, that message should be loud and clear.

Swecker specified two US Codes that have been violated by the leaker. The first, 18 USC 1905, prohibits the disclosure of confidential information. The draft opinion is confidential to the Supreme Court - this is not the final version ready for public consumption. Additionally, 18 USC 641 pertains to theft of government property - including records and/or documents.

That the Biden administration has yet to condemn this egregious act, quite frankly, is not surprising. In fact, White House press secretary Jen Psaki won’t even call for punishment for this dastardly deed, having said that the real story is about abortion, and not the leak. “Our focus is on the content of the leak,” said Psaki, clearly more concerned about preserving the odious act of slaughtering an innocent life, than preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court, its people, and its work.

Already, threats to burn down the Supreme Court, threats of violence toward what progressive woke liberals are calling extremist justices are being heard coast to coast. A pro-abortion organization called Ruth Sent Us, named for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has not only planned protests at the homes of the six justices they deem extremist, they have made those addresses public. This does not sound like something the late justice would support. Members of Congress are calling the court illegitimate, simply because they do not agree with a potential decision that has yet to be made official. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called the justices liars and is attempting to exert political pressure upon them to reverse the potential outcome of Dobbs. Senators Bernie Sanders (S-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have already called for four liberal justices to be added to the Supreme Court.

From the White House, Joe Biden also called the five or six justices in the majority extremists, yet in 2006 said he would not fund paying for abortions as a member of the Senate. Kamala Harris ranted and raved about abortion being the right of women, yet supported a recent successful Supreme Court appointee who could not define what a woman is when asked under oath during her Senate confirmation hearing.

Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization, reported, “Biden slipped up today, acknowledging that abortion kills children - ‘choose to abort a child.’ How tragic to see a man, who for decades in the Senate stood against tax funding for abortion, so completely sell out to Big Abortion.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) made it perfectly clear that should Roe v. Wade be reversed, such a decision would not legally end the practice of abortion in the United States, it would merely return to the separate states the power to decide. “It’s Federalism 101,” said Blackburn.

Roe v. Wade was poorly decided in 1973, This case should have never been brought to the Supreme Court in the first place. Abortion is not mentioned in the Constitution and thus should have remained within the purview of the states to determine, as per the Tenth Amendment. The pro-choice and pro-abortion crowds are bemoaning the potential loss of their precious abortions, calling this the end of democracy. The leftist woke progressives are demonstrating their ignorance of how government works, or is supposed to work. Returning the issue of abortion to the states is the constitutionally correct thing to do, and, in the interest of democracy, the most democratic action. Each state can, and should, put the issue of abortion on the ballot for the voters to decide - not the 535 members of the houses of Congress, not the 50 state legislatures, but the millions of eligible voters. That is, in fact, a more pure form of democracy. 

This is what Justice Alito has called for within the 98 page draft opinion. He narrowed his focus specifically to that issue, and only that issue. The overblown hysteria of the far left media, far left politicians, and far left supporters of abortion on demand are spreading rumors that once Dobbs is decided and Roe reversed, the “extremist” court will attempt to rescind gay marriage, interracial marriage (have they met Mrs. Clarence Thomas?), and even reverse Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS (1954), according to leftwing talk show host Joy Behar. None of those claims are remotely true. Apparently the new office of misinformation has not opened its doors yet (read: government censorship). Perhaps if those people read the leaked document, which the Supreme Court confirmed is legitimate, their hysteria would be assuaged.

For those who think supporting life is extreme, consider how extreme murdering that same life is.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.

Praying History Does Not Repeat Itself

Praying History Does Not Repeat Itself
Commentary by Sanford D. Horn
April 12, 2022

As Christians the world over observe Holy Week, and the first Seder of Passover is celebrated by the Jewish community Friday night, also Shabbat, there is a juxtaposition of war and peace, politics and religion, and the quintessential David and Goliath story. 

In simple terms, little David, the Israelite boy not yet old enough to serve in the army, armed with but a slingshot, went up against the giant Philistine Goliath. But David found himself armed with more than just a mere slingshot - his faith in G-d cloaked him like a suit of armor. And as told in 1 Samuel “G-d who saved me from the claws of the lion and the claws of the bear, He will save me from the hands of the Philistine.” (17:37)

Not unlike the great underdog story of Indiana basketball lore in the Gene Hackman classic 1986 film, Hoosiers, (spoiler alert) the minute David slew Goliath, felling him with a rock to the middle of his forehead, collapsing the giant to the ground. The world is witnessing the potentiality of a modern version of the Biblical David and Goliath. President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Ukrainian people are holding their ground and remaining competitive against the much larger, greater weaponized Russian army and its despotic dictator Vladimir Putin. And literally akin to the Biblical David, Zelensky is also Jewish, young, and courageous beyond the expectations of his people.

If Zelensky has been described as (Winston) “Churchill in a t-shirt,” Putin can be compared to Hitler, and sadly, Joe Biden to former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. It is typically ill-advised to compare anyone to Hitler as accusations of exaggeration or hyperbole will be levied. In the case of Putin, such comparison is warranted. 

After attacking Crimea during the Obama administration, Putin invaded Ukraine, its neighbor to the west, unprovoked, about 50 days ago. In 1938 Hitler annexed the Sudetenland from what was then known as Czechoslovakia. Less than a year later in September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland to the east, also unprovoked. War crimes and the slaughter of civilians ruled the day both then and now. Both Hitler and Putin were largely insulated from the general populace and detached from reality. Two megalomaniacs, paranoid, lacking reason, utterly delusional, and surrounded by brutal, barbaric yes-men.

Additionally, Putin unrealistically predicted and expected to capture Ukraine’s capital Kyiv in mere days. This is reminiscent of Hitler’s expectation to liquidate the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943 just as quickly. In September 1939, following the Nazi invasion of Poland, more than 400,000 Jews of Warsaw became prisoners confined to a one square mile area of the Polish capital city. In November 1940 laborers sealed the ghetto with brick walls and barbed wire.

With limited food, medical supplies, and other resources, disease and starvation killed thousands of the Jewish prisoners each month, while Nazi guards murdered thousands more at will. In September 1942 Heinrich Himmler ordered the “resettlement” of Jews, to work camps. In reality, those were extermination camps - including Treblinka, where 265,000 Jews were dispatched from the Warsaw Ghetto. (Another 20,000 were sent elsewhere or killed en route.)

Between 55,000 and 60,000 Jews remained in the Warsaw Ghetto. Small groups of partisans and self-defense teams began smuggling in precious few munitions and arms. This was enough to temporarily hold off the Nazis for a few days beginning January 18, 1943 as they retreated from an attempted transfer of Jews to concentration camps.

The historic uprising began in earnest on April 19, 1943 as Himmler sent what should have been an overpowering force to liquidate the Warsaw Ghetto in perpetuity. His goal was to complete the task in three days. Outmanned and outgunned, the Jewish resistance fighters held off the Nazis until May 16, by which time the Nazis had gone block by block, building by building killing or capturing just about every Warsaw Ghetto resident they encountered.

Seven thousand Jews were killed in the uprising and another 42,000 deported to concentration camps where they were ultimately murdered. Roughly 700 Jews actually fought the Nazis while thousands others simply did not report for the deportation trains. It is accepted that several hundred Nazi soldiers were killed during the uprising, which ended on May 16, 1943 - 28 days after it began, as the Warsaw Ghetto was ultimately razed, a far cry from the expected and predicted three days. On that same day, May 16, to punctuate the liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Nazis completely destroyed that city’s Great Synagogue. 

Perhaps the miracle of the Jewish partisans ability to stall the Nazis for as long as they did under such overwhelming odds could be attributed to the miracles of Passover. April 19, 1943 also ushered in the first Seder night of Passover - an eight night, eight day observance of the Israelites’ escape to freedom from Egypt after more than 400 years of slavery. 

While celebrating either Passover or Easter this weekend, let’s keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers. Pray for peace, and a more successful outcome to the current war started by Putin than the ultimate fate of the Jewish prisoners in the Warsaw Ghetto at the hands of the Nazis.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.