On Politics: Democrat Cynicism vs. Republican Ineptitude

 by Ray Keating

The Keating Files – April 3, 2021

 

When it comes to advancing one’s agenda via cynical political manipulation, Democrats take a back seat to no one. Certainly not to Republicans – a political party that seems bent on perfecting the self-inflicted wound.

Consider what’s going on with Georgia’s new voting law. Democrats and the Left have presented it as a Republican effort to suppress the black vote. But as a variety of sober assessments have made clear, this is largely a measure that expands early voting, and cleans up the process so that local election officials are better able to manage the process. (For example, see Henry Olsen’s Washington Post piece, and a rundown on the law by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB).) 

 

One can, and of course, should, debate the measure, but classifying this as some kind of Jim Crow law is simply dead wrong. President Biden actually asserted, “It’s sick … deciding that you’re going to end voting at five o’clock when working people are just getting off work.” It’s not clear who would benefit from having polls closing at 5 p.m., but I guess Biden has some ideas? However, it doesn’t matter anyway because that’s not what the law says. In fact,  it’s quite the opposite, as noted by GPB: “One of the biggest changes in the bill would expand early voting access for most counties, adding an additional mandatory Saturday and formally codifying Sunday voting hours as optional. Counties can have early voting open as long as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at minimum.” (Emphasis added.) Hey, Joe, the polls don’t close at five, instead, they have to stay open until at least five.

 

Well, why then the widespread backlash against this law, including, for example, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announcing that the All-Star Game would be moved out of Georgia?

 

Most obvious, people don’t do their own research on issues; they take their cues from certain groups or voices; and then they assert their own expertise and make decisions accordingly. That is, they serve as fertile ground for political manipulation. This is increasingly the case across the political party spectrum and our nation.

 

Second, the Left and the Democrats have seized on an issue to work to their own advantage, from ginning up their base to pressuring individuals, groups and organizations to get in line. 

 

Meanwhile, Republicans made it easier for Democrats to do so. How? With so many Republican politicians, officials and rank-and-file members backing Donald Trump’s lunacy and lies about a stolen election, it’s pretty easy for Democrats to raise all kinds of questions about Republican intentions when it comes to voting laws.

 

Never mind that Republican leaders in the state of Georgia followed state law, as opposed to what Trump pressured them to do, during this past presidential election. Democrats have decided, for their own political advantage, to paint with a broad brush, hurling baseless accusations and trying to cover all Republicans in Georgia with the taint of Trump. Republicans simply made it far easier to do so because they refuse to wash off the Trump grime and muck.

 

Republicans will catch on. Well, not really. They’ll probably double-down for Trump, thereby, making it even easier for Democrats to launch both legitimate and baseless attacks. And America’s divide of distrust will persist.

 

Republican political dimness is not a new problem, but the party seems to have sunk deeper into political ignorance. Thinking that a cranky, narrow, victim-centric, anger-driven, fear-embracing populism was, and still is, a foundation upon which to sustain a political party rates as a model of political ineptitude.

 

I recall a moment in time when Republicans were pretty smart, that is, when they got on board with an optimistic, freedom-loving, free-enterprise-embracing, confident conservative named Ronald Reagan, and followed him to victory and influence beyond his years. But that is not today’s GOP, and I certainly have no idea what tomorrow’s GOP will look like, or if it will even exist. Indeed, the most that the Republican Party has going for it now is that a significant chunk of Americans reject the Democrats’ ongoing journey leftward, and some are still able to spot and oppose the Left’s cynicism.

 

_________

 

Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur.  Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

One of the best ways to enjoy Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries is to join the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship! For the BEST VALUE, consider the Book of the Month Club.  Check it all out at https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship

 

Also, tune in to Ray Keating’s podcasts – the PRESS CLUB C Podcast  and the Free Enterprise in Three Minutes Podcast  

 

Check out Ray Keating’s Disney news and entertainment site at www.DisneyBizJournal.com.

Rebuilding Conservatism #4: Lessons in Economics, Part II – Understanding the Economics of Monopoly and Antitrust

 by Ray Keating

The Keating Files – January 10, 2021

 

(Editor’s Note: Much damage has been inflicted on conservatism, conservative thought, and the conservative movement in recent years. The effort to heal and rebuild conservatism promises to be a difficult, but necessary undertaking. The Keating Files will regularly weigh in to help that process. This is our fourth “Rebuilding Conservatism” column.)

 

Politics drives grandiose claims about monopoly, and calls for government antitrust crackdowns. Little of this, to be generous, has anything to do with actual economics.

In the aftermath of insurrection and invasion on Capitol Hill, and grossly irresponsible assertions and outright lies by assorted politicians, there predictably has been a backlash – much of it justified and some not so much. One consequence that actually made me chuckle was Simon & Schuster deciding not to publish a book from U.S. Senator Josh Hawley reportedly titled “The Tyranny of Big Tech.” Knowing Hawley’s populism, cynicism and opportunism, along with this hyperbolic title, I’m pretty sure this isn’t a tome offering sound economic reasoning. 

 

But both left-wing and populist politics have long abused the idea of monopoly and calls for government to intrude in the marketplace. Indeed, it’s been going on since the end of the nineteenth century. While ignoring or denying economic reality, antitrust action ultimately is about politics overruling decisions made by consumers.

 

The following episodes of the “Free Enterprise in Three Minutes Podcast” offer assistance in clarifying matters regarding monopoly and antitrust. I hope you’ll tune in for some sound economics on these crucial matters.

 

1. Free Enterprise in Three Minutes with Ray Keating – Episode #12: No, Apple and the NFL Not Monopolies – Politicians, the media and more than a few economists rather haphazardly toss around the word “monopoly.” Ray Keating sets the record straight on what a monopoly actually is, and no, Apple, the NFL and Major League Baseball are not monopolies.

http://www.buzzsprout.com/155969/707801-episode-12-no-apple-and-the-nfl-are-not-monopolies

 

2. Free Enterprise in Three Minutes with Ray Keating – Episode #73: Antitrust is About Politics, Not Economics, Part I – Ray Keating illustrates that antitrust regulation is all about politics and has nothing to do with sound economics. https://www.buzzsprout.com/155969/4764017-episode-73-antitrust-is-about-politics-not-economics-part-i

 

3. Free Enterprise in Three Minutes with Ray Keating – Episode #74: Antitrust is About Politics, Not Economics, Part II – Ray Keating explains that antitrust regulation is not about protecting consumers, and that it ignores the dynamism of the marketplace.  

https://www.buzzsprout.com/155969/4845794-episode-74-antitrust-is-about-politics-not-economics-part-ii

 

_________

 

Other articles in the Rebuilding Conservatism Series…

 

“Rebuilding Conservatism #3: Lessons in Economics, Part I – Thinking about Trade”

 

“Rebuilding Conservatism #2: Free Trade Rocks and Protectionism Sucks”

 

“Rebuilding Conservatism #1: What is Conservatism?”

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur.  His new book Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

One of the best ways to enjoy Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries is to join the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship! For the BEST VALUE, consider the Book of the Month Club.  Check it all out at https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship

 

Also, tune in to Ray Keating’s podcasts – the PRESS CLUB C Podcast  and the Free Enterprise in Three Minutes Podcast  

 

Check out Ray Keating’s Disney news and entertainment site at www.DisneyBizJournal.com.

Should We Take Our Ball and Go Home When Pro Athletes Disagree with Us?

by Ray Keating

The Keating Files – September 5, 2020

I swear – there was a time, not that long ago, when political reflection and commentary actually was independent. That’s right. Conservative and liberal observers and commentators used to – now, get this – inform and instruct Republicans and Democrats, respectively. Not the other way around, as seems to be the rule today.

Indeed, we exist in an era when many political commentators seem to do little more than recite talking points emailed to them by the RNC or DNC. These “thinkers” often pander to a variety of audiences, for political and funding purposes. Intellectual inquiry, depth and independence have become quite rare.

So, if we can’t take assorted people in the political commentary business all that serious, why should we take seriously the views spouted off by sports, music and Hollywood stars – whether they happen to agree with us or not?

Pick your favorite or least favorite professional athlete or actor who likes to chatter about politics, and consider that most (with occasional exceptions over the years – the most notable being Ronald Reagan) have little to no idea what they’re talking about, that is, beyond how they “feel” about this issue or that. The recognition they receive when speaking out is not due to their understanding rooted in serious study, but instead from their fame and feelings. 

Why then do people get so upset when a sports, music or Hollywood star takes a position with which they disagree? After all, again, this is a pretty clueless bunch. But I get the knee-jerk reaction. Not that long ago, I found myself getting upset about the same thing. But then I asked myself: Why do I care? Or better yet, why should I care whether someone in the entertainment business happens to agree with me or not?

When you stop and think, it’s all pretty silly. Why get so upset when a pitcher, point guard or punter says something about social issues, foreign policy, or taxes? Who cares?

Yet, once disagreement is discovered, I can’t tell you how many conservative friends I see on my Facebook feed declaring that they’re never going to watch a game ever again? Really? Are you not watching then most movies and television series, including an assortment of classic movies and shows because many of those old-time stars you love so much disagreed with you on a host of issues? Oh yeah, and what about all of the people in the sport who agree with you?

What’s the alternative? One option would be to appreciate (to the degree warranted) what people excel at, such as singing, acting, or playing sports. Their political views don’t cancel out that excellence. As for when these same people spout off on assorted issues, sure, make clear your disagreement and why you disagree, but in the end, just ignore their ignorance. 

Or even better, how about engaging with people constructively by trying to engage, teach and persuade, rather than just having a hissy fit, taking your ball, and going home? I know that doesn’t exactly fit with the times, but what the heck, give it a try.

__________

See recent...

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“Never Waste an Emergency to Expand the Size of Government?”

“New Name for Redskins is Obvious: Washington Americans”

__________

Ray Keating is a columnist, novelist, economist, podcaster and entrepreneur.  You can order his new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

Keating’s latest novel is  The Traitor: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, which is the 12thbook in the series. The best way to fully enjoy Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries is to join the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship! For the BEST VALUE, consider the Book of the Month Club.  Check it all out at

 https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship

Also, tune in to Ray Keating’s podcasts – the PRESS CLUB C Podcast  and the Free Enterprise in Three Minutes Podcast  

Check out Ray Keating’s Disney news and entertainment site at www.DisneyBizJournal.com.

What’s Inside Ray Keating’s BEHIND ENEMY LINES?

What exactly is inside Ray Keating’s new book BEHIND ENEMY LINES: CONSERVATIVE COMMUNIQUES FROM LEFT-WING NEW YORK? The book offers a wide-ranging collection of columns and essays from Ray Keating covering politics, economics, faith, history, trade, New York, foreign affairs, immigration, pop culture, business, sports, books, and more. 

There’s a great deal to enjoy, learn from, agree with, get annoyed by, appreciate, reflect on, roll your eyes over, and argue with in this book that offers perspectives on where we are today, where we’ve been, and where we might be headed.

Following is the complete Table of Contents. 

I. What is Conservatism?                         

II. Politics: Unsavory and Not-So-Unsavory                                        

Introduction                                          

The Impact of President Reagan – 

Personally, Locally and Globally

Recalling William F. Buckley’s        

Charm and Generosity

Margaret Thatcher – Then and for the Future

Doubts About the U.S. Still Being 

a Right-of-Center Country

George W. Bush: The Right Speech            

at the Right Time

George W. Bush: Assessing 

the MBA President

Presidential Elections Mean Denial           

on Wall Street

President Obama was the Anti-Reagan

The Clintons – Yesterday and Tomorrow

A Day for the U.S. Constitution      

State of the Democrats at the                      

Dawn of a New Century: 

The Ethical Decline of a Once-Great Party

State of the Democrats in 2020:                  

The Journey Left Accelerates

State of the Republicans 

at the Dawn of the 21^stCentury: 

A Party in Near-Perpetual Confusion

State of the Republicans in 2020: 

Deep Confusion

State of Conservatism            

at the Dawn of the 21^stCentury: 

Influencing or Being Influenced?

State of Conservatism 2020:            

Seduced by Populists

State of Liberalism at the 

Dawn of the 21^stCentury: 

Intellectually Bankrupt, But Politically Potent

State of Liberalism 2020: 

Still Advancing, Still Incoherent

The Character Question Isn’t New: 

When Giuliani Sought the Presidency

The 7 “C’s” of Voting as a 

Conservative Republican

Cracking the Republican 

Establishment Conspiracy

Any Pro-Life Room in 

Democrats’ Big Tent?

Embryos and Cloning:           

Life and Death in Politics

The Supreme Court Goes in 

Different Directions on Stealing

III. Economics Isn’t Dismal ... Unless Left to 

Politicians, the Media and Professors                                                               

Introduction

Conservatives and Free Enterprise:

Friends or Foes?

In the Age of Trump, Is Free Market         

Ideology a Bad Word?

The Morality of Free Enterprise

Whatever Happened to          

Economic Freedom?

A Walk on the Supply-Side

Less Romance, More Economics in Politics

The Founders and I Hate April 15, Tax Day        

Steps Toward a Rational, 

More Pro-Growth Tax System

Milton Friedman – An Economist 

Changed the World

All Uncertainty from Washington 

Is Not Created Equal

Entrepreneurs, Economists, Educators 

and Politicians, Oh My!

Can Professional Sports Help Us 

to Understand Economics?

Political Spin on the Obama Economy       

The Income Tax at 100 Years          

A Truly Pro-Growth Tax Package Includes 

Big Tax Cuts for the Rich

More on Taxes and the Rich

Kill the Death Tax, Kill the Muni Deduction       

Dying, Death Taxes, and the Economy

Obama-nomics: Incoherent Change

Does the Federal Reserve Really Matter?

Currency Weakness Harms the Economy, 

Manufacturers Too

10 Ways School Choice Would         

Boost the Economy

The Misguided Push for 

National Education Standards

Donating Big Bucks to           

Big Government Schools: 

Wasting Hundreds of Millions of Dollars

Infrastructure: If Concrete Pouring 

Were a Stimulant, the U.S.S.R. 

Would Be Booming

Welcome to Health Care Economics 101

Government Failed Fixes for 

Inequality vs. Private Charity 

Addressing Poverty

All Budget Deficits Are Not Created Equal

Abolition of the Senate's Byrd Rule 

Is Long Overdue

CAFE Mandates, Consumers           

and Auto Manufacturers

An Uncomfortable Shave 

from Antitrust Zealots

Government Takes on the 

Beer Monopoly – Really?

Why Does Government Impose 

Big Regulatory Burdens?

Five Ways to Fix Government’s 

Regulatory Mess

What Should Government Be          

Doing in Space?

The Unemployment Rate Is the 

Most Useless Measure of All

Greater Manufacturing Production 

and Fewer Manufacturing Jobs

Economic Doctors Have 

Misdiagnosed the Economy

Coronavirus Economy I: 

Is the U.S. in a Recession Right Now?

Coronavirus Economy II: 

The Realities of the Coronavirus Economy

Coronavirus Economy III:

The Economic Realities of the Coronavirus

Coronavirus Economy IV:

This Economist’s Top 4 Concerns

Labor Day I: What’s the Real Deal 

with Labor Day?

Labor Day II: Celebrate the Decline 

of Labor Unions

IV. Lessons from the 2008 Mess and Its Aftermath              

Introduction

Obama, Trump and 2% Growth

Heading Into the Mess: Why is this 

Optimist Down on the Economy?

The Mess Hits: Is More Government 

Really the Answer to Wall Street’s Woes?

Government Sucking Up Resources 

Makes No Sense

Stimulus from Government?

The Sad Economic Story: Now and 

for the Foreseeable Future

The Economics of 

President-elect Barack Obama: 

Repeal the Laws of Economics?

In the Economy, Failure Must Be An Option

Grading George W. Bush on the Economy

The Era of Silly Economics

V. Faith Matters                                                                                                                                                     

Introduction      

John Paul II: A Pope Who Reached 

Beyond His Flock

The Papal Office – Still a Subject of Division?

Billy Graham: History, Life and Death 

in Flushing Meadows

How Do the Major Faiths 

Respond to Disasters?

More to St. Patrick’s Day Than Beer,        

Parades and Corned Beef

Beyond Narnia to C.S. Lewis 

and Today’s Christianity

After Gibson’s “Passion,” Lent         

May Never Be the Same

What Holy Week and Easter 

Say About Christianity

Conventional Wisdom and Those 

Twelve Days of Christmas

A Season for Journeying Into 

Music and Faith

The Reason for Christmas 

Remains Central

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Catholic Church Scandal: 

Abuse of Children, Abuse of the Church, 

Abuse of the Faithful

The Big Issue Underlying the 

Methodist Divorce

Clergy Controversy Shows the Obligations 

of the Christian Life

Lutherans Escaping Scripture and Reality

One Church’s Effort to Keep the Faith      

The Fall Into Liberal Protestantism

God and Gambling

The Church Has a Limited But 

Critical Role in Politics

The Christian’s Responsibility in 

Time of War and Terror

Holy Week and Easter Comfort in 

Time of War and Death

Judge Roberts, and Faith at Work

History and a TV Star Show You 

Can Be Both Feminist and Pro-Life

First Motion Picture on 

Partial-Birth Abortion

From Catholic to Charter Education

The Pope Needs Lessons in Economics

A Liberal Definition of Fundamentalism

Two Popes on Relativism, Secularism       

and Islamic Fascism

Is Driving an SUV a Sin?

VI. Why Does Anyone Live in New York?                                                         

Introduction      

Leaving New York: No Mystery as to Why 

People Flee the Once-Empire State

A Golf Course Case Makes Clear 

Long Island’s Costly Dysfunction

Trump, Clinton and Sanders:          

Welcome to New York, America

New York Once Had a Principled, 

Conservative Senator

Governor Cuomo Bans Increased 

Economic and Employment Growth

The Numbers Tell New York’s 

Big-Spending Story

Cuomo and Obama Pander on the 

Minimum Wage

New York’s “Bread and Circuses” 

Corruption Bad for Business

Can this Conservative Columnist 

Be Nice to Governor Pataki?

Long Island Land Policies: The Economist 

vs. the Homeowner?

The Beauty and Politics of Jones Beach

Teddy Roosevelt’s Dark Shadow 

Across Long Island

It’s Agreed That New York City’s 

Public Schools Have Failed – Now What?

Can Government Patch Up a Leaky Pool?

New York Politics Adrift on a Sea of Confusion

The New York City Guide to 

Destroying an Economy

In the Green Room with Senator Pothole

Lessons for Long Island from U.S. Presidents

Why Not Truly Free SUNY and CUNY?

A Columnist Says Thanks for the Memories

Golden Retriever Optimism Needed 

for Long Island

VII. The Not-So-Ugly American                                                                                     

Introduction

Terrorist Fallout: War, Politics, the Economy

Yes, the World’s Policeman, 

But Are We Ready?

Shakespeare’s Henry V, President Bush 

and the Justness of War

Life at Home While the Military 

Risk Their Lives

9-11 Anniversary: Where Were You?          

VIII. Trying to Learn from History                                                                                

Introduction

Supply-Side Economics from 

the Civil War to Coolidge

Making Strides in Setting the         

Record Straight on Calvin Coolidge 

The Real Great Depression

The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Great

Depression and the New Deal

Prohibition’s Lessons for Today’s 

Economics and Politics

President Jackson and the 2008 

Presidential Election

IX. Business Isn’t Evil                                                                                                                                           

Introduction

Trust and Entrepreneurship

A Moral Business Serves the 

Common Good of the Community

Work Matters  

Capturing the Capitalist Spirit      

Profits Aren’t Evil

More on Prices in the Economy       

Marx Was Wrong: Owners 

and Labor Work Together

Amazon.com and Corporate Welfare

Equating Disney to Thanos ... Seriously?

Hollywood's Views of Capitalism

Disney Expanding, Not Limiting, 

Epic Competition and Choices

Big Business the Disney Way

Experiences with Anti-Disney 

Customer Service

Disney and the Changing Movie Business

Dumb Ideas from Business Executives

Disney Says, “Take Back Your Subsidy”

A Silly War on Plastics         

11 Point Guide to Working at Home

X. Trade: Opportunity and Stupidity                                                                            

Introduction

Trump: Could-Be-Worse Trade Policy?

Yes, Free Trade is a Moral Good

Could Only Donald Trump Cut a 

Free Trade Deal with China?

U.S. Trade Leadership Has Been 

Absent Over a Decade

NAFTA at 20: Well Worth Celebrating

On Trade: Too Many Barack Obamas        

XI. Immigration: Hope and Opportunity                                                          

Introduction

Three of the Many Big Reasons to 

Love Immigrants

Don't Fear Immigration, 

It's Good For the Economy

Immigration, Faith and Economics

On Being a Welcoming Society        

Obama International: 

Opportunity on Immigration

Republicans, Immigration 

and Political Suicide

From Economic and Moral Perspectives,

We Should Embrace Immigrants

Immigrants Fighting and Dying 

for Their Adopted Country

Getting the Economics of 

Immigration Straight

Immigrants Embraced and Opposed 

Even Post September 11^th, Immigration

Still Has Strong Support

Brad Paisley: Country Music Star 

and Economist on Trade and Immigration

XII. Pop Culture Ponderings                                                                                                       

Introduction

Bing Crosby: Entertainer of the 20^th Century      

The Faith of Father O’Malley

Bob Hope’s Road to Becoming          

America’s Comedian

Huey Lewis and the News Storms 

Back with “Weather”

The Beach Boys: Fifty Years on the 

Beach and in the Music Business

The Return of WCBS-FM and Embracing 

Music Variety

Growing Older and the Allure of an 

Endless Summer

Bond, James Bond, on Long Island

James Bond in Ian Fleming’s Novels

Star Wars: 6 Big Reasons to Love 

“The Mandalorian”

Does Disney Have a Marvel Comic 

Books Problem?

Why Conservatives Should Love Chuck

Hollywood's Inconsistent Take on Cloning

Defending the Video Game Industry Against 

Bipartisan Political Attacks

Star Trek and Moral Clarity

An Exchange with Jonah Goldberg at       

National Review Online Regarding 

“Star Trek and Moral Clarity”

Human Nature in Outer Space: 

Star Trek vs. Star Wars

Faith, or Lack Thereof, in Star Trek

Jeffersonians in Space: Serenity Comes

from Individual Freedom

Jack Bauer and Just War

Can the Western Make a Comeback?

Classic Christmas Films As Meant To Be

Summer, Shakespeare and 

Marriage in the Park

Shakespeare Politics Yesterday and 

Today at Hofstra University

Controlling Arts Dollars – 

Consumers or Politicians?

Movies and Politics in the Park

XIII. Sports: The Great Diversion ... Mostly                                        

Introduction

Sports Beats Politics Every Time

A Baseball Pilgrimage

Was George Steinbrenner a Capitalist?

Would Letting Pete Rose Back into 

Baseball Be Just?

Cooperstown: What About Joe?

Hope Springs Eternal in Spring Training, 

Especially for the Reds 2020

The Super Bowl and the NFL’s

History Problem

Super Bowl: Big Game, But Not 

So Big for Economy

When Billionaires Build Stadiums, 

Taxpayers Get Whacked

Yo, Brooklyn! Get Real About 

Politics and Sports

Both Fans and Politicians Need to 

Keep Sports in Perspective

The NFL Oilers: A Case Study in 

Corporate Welfare

The Masters and Why Tradition Matters

Does the U.S. Open Boost Local Business?

An Appreciation of Private Golf Clubs      

U.S. Open Makes Clear That Is 

Golf Anything But Boring

U.S. Open Fans: Some Honored and 

Others Dissed the Game

The Long Island Classic – Bogey or 

Birdie for Nassau Taxpayers?

The Government’s Assault on Golf

Hosting the Olympics: A Dangerous 

Economic Event

New York Beware: Olympics Offer 

Short-Term Highs and Costly Lows

The Road Ahead for NASCAR         

Four Business Lessons at the          

Belmont Stakes

Is Soccer Un-American?

Sports and Religion at the Movies

XIV. Thoughts on Assorted Books                                                                                              

Introduction

Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton: 

Have New York Politicians 

Changed Since the Birth of Our Nation?

1776: War and History on Long Island

Two Good Books About Presidents, 

Two Lousy Covers

A Definitive Case for 

Supply-Side Economics

Lessons for Trump from Supply-Sider JFK

Getting Freaky About Summer

Economics Reading

Appreciating The Cloister Walk

Substantive Spirituality: 

The Spirituality of the Cross

About That Hollywood Blacklist

Is James Bond a Good Guy?

Christian Fiction: Some Offer Thrills, 

But Dubious Theology

Wild Fire and the Response to 

Nuclear Terror

Want to Understand the Crusades? 

Read The New Concise History of the Crusades

Christianity Going South

Finding Happiness with Adam Smith

The Life of Adam Smith by

Ian Simpson Ross Leaves the 

Reader Wanting Even More

Appreciating Paul Johnson’s 

The Birth Of The Modern: 

World Society 1815·1830

CelebratingThe Creators: 

A History of Heroes of the 

Imagination by Daniel J. Boorstin

Pre-order the Kindle edition of BEHIND ENEMY LINES at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084ZF7THQ

Sale on pre-ordered signed copies of BEHIND ENEMY LINES at https://raykeatingonline.com/products/behindenemylines