Barry Brownstein

Nov 18, 2024 | intellectualtakeout.org | Barry Brownstein

Political divisions are ugly, and those divisions have spilled over onto the Thanksgiving table. One study found that “partisan differences cost American families 62 million person-hours of Thanksgiving time.” Presumably those same differences are impacting the quality of family time throughout the year. Time to count our blessings has become another opportunity to count our grievances. Here are five suggestions to help bring harmony to your Thanksgiving table. 1.

Oct 15, 2024 | intellectualtakeout.org | Barry Brownstein

R.C. Sherriff, the late English writer, had a talent for depicting the mundane in a way that celebrated life. His writing, characterized by an understated style, provides a deep understanding of human nature. In his 1931 novel, The Fortnight In September, he tells the story of a lower-middle-class family taking their annual holiday at a rundown guest house in an English seaside village. He delves into the inner thoughts of his main characters.

Sep 27, 2024 | intellectualtakeout.org | Barry Brownstein

Only four percent  “of US adults say the political system is working extremely or very well.” Sixty-five percent say we “always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics.” Yet, we keep doubling down, thinking that more attention on politics will somehow fix what ails society. In 2020, candidates spent over $14 billion seeking the presidency. This was double the amount spent in 2016. The 2024 presidential campaign is far from over.

Sep 25, 2024 | aier.org | Barry Brownstein

Only four percent  “of US adults say the political system is working extremely or very well.” Sixty-five percent say we “always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics.” Yet, we keep doubling down, thinking that more attention on politics will somehow fix what ails society. In 2020, candidates spent over $14 billion seeking the presidency. This was double the amount spent in 2016. The 2024 presidential campaign is far from over.

Sep 18, 2024 | aier.org | Barry Brownstein

A reader recently reminded me that North Korea’s official name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. North Korea’s bitterly ironic naming convention has been used by other totalitarian states. The German Democratic Republic was the official name for East Germany. The genocidal government of Pol Pot in Cambodia was known as Democratic Kampuchea. South Yemen’s breakaway communist regime was known as the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen.