NETANYAHU AND BOEHNER: THE UNCTUOUS MANIPULATOR AND THE USEFUL IDIOT

These two were made for each other. Yiddish describes them best. Netanyahu is a schnorrer, the perpetually uninvited guest that always wants more. Boehner is a schnook, the not-so-bright dupe. Skulking around in the shadows for six weeks, Boehner and Netanyahu hit upon a scheme to benefit each other individually and undermine American foreign policy.

BARACK OBAMA: NOT A NATURAL-BORN KILLER

There's no doubt about it, Barack Obama is a reluctant warrior. He's cautious about committing American forces to battle, and equally cautious about ordering military actions that are likely to result in substantial civilian casualties for the other side. In other words, he brings a pro-life point of view to the table when assessing the

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR IN 2016: MINNESOTA MELLOW IN THE AGE OF RAGE

Senator Amy Klobuchar grew up in Plymouth, MN, just down the road from Garrison Keillor's mythical lake Wobegon, where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average." Plymouth is the epicenter of the heartland … halfway between Portland, OR and Presque Isle, ME. Head west

CHUCK HAGEL DESERVES BETTER

Chuck Hagel is a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He's a former Republican two term Senator from Nebraska. He has close ties with President Obama and Vice President Biden. He's generally considered to be the President's first choice to be the next Secretary of Defense. Like many who have seen combat, he is reluctant to advocate

HOLIDAY CONFRONTATIONS: BE BRIEF; BE FACTUAL; AND BE GONE

It's close to a sure bet that a social gathering during the holiday season will result in a confrontation with a distant relative, in-law, or friend of a friend who feels compelled to share with any and all their worldview and why they know that the US is going to hell in a handbasket and

OFTEN IN ERROR, NEVER IN DOUBT

Today's Republican party values candidates with a strong jaw, well-kept hair, deferential wives, and an absence of curiosity about world affairs. Curiosity is dangerous. It leads to study, which reveals complications and nuance, all of which erode certainty. Today's Republicans don't mind if their leaders are wrong as long as they are certain, they lead,