Al Sikes

2 weeks ago | talbotspy.org | Al Sikes

The national news was on edge; unfortunately, but predictably. The President had moved in. California’s Governor was not happy. Cars were burning; it was not a good look, it pointed at mistrust. In the meantime ,I am sitting at my first voter forum in Oxford, Maryland. It appeared that I was sitting with half the town. The Oxford Community Center was filled. The Community Center is, as one candidate noted, at the center of the community. The beating heart center.

3 weeks ago | talbotspy.org | Al Sikes

The moment was vivid. I have written about it before, so apologies if this is your second time through. The year, 1986. The President: Ronald Reagan. On the other side of the table, Secretary of Commerce, MalcomBaldrige. Me, well I was talking to the Secretary about coming to work for him heading the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (they didn’t get advice from a naming consultant). The first question from Secretary Baldrige: “Al, Washington is a god-damn tough town.

3 weeks ago | talbotspy.org | Al Sikes

America still has the single most valuable 21st-century ally in the world—Ukraine. Ukraine has had to be both stalwart and entrepreneurial in combating Russian aggression. If, in the aftermath of the attack by Ukraine on Russian military assets, the Trump Administration does not revitalize American support for Ukraine, it will be an irreducible stain. Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of courage and adaptive learning.

1 month ago | talbotspy.org | Al Sikes

Who knew that the 21st Century would offer ambitious politicians a dull and inattentive version of the governed? Yes, you and me. Or, perhaps we are simply a more forgiving generation—not confused or inattentive, just generous. Or forgetful. Or maybe simply comfortable with outsourcing what the law says is our responsibility. The political party of Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) and Bill Clinton allowed a small coterie of politicians to maintain a fiction: Joe Biden was equal to a second term.

1 month ago | talbotspy.org | Al Sikes

It is hard to know where to start, so let me do so with a warning. My thoughts include a promotion. A promotion to look beyond the obvious. My part-time work in high school included a gig helping a Disc Jockey at the local radio station—specifically KSIM at 1400 on the AM dial in Sikeston, Missouri. My last two jobs were navigating the analog/digital divide in government and business. My high school job was to retrieve records during a call-in record show.