William S. Becker, opinion contributor  

With weather catastrophes becoming more common in the United States these days, communities have counted on two facts.  First, the federal government has their backs. When state and local resources are insufficient for disaster response and recovery, the Federal Emergency […]

The Supreme Court will soon determine whether history judges it as a friend or foe of America’s constitutional Republic. Its decisions in the weeks and months ahead will also determine whether it is remembered as the Roberts court or the

Say what you will about incoming President Trump, but some bothersome facts are self-evident. He is an old man stuck in old thinking at a time when the world is changing with unprecedented speed. Many changes won’t wait another four

President-elect Donald Trump is set to launch an all-out attack on federal regulations, including those that protect public health and safety, environmental quality and climate stability.  So, in a repeat of 2016, America will depend on states, cities, businesses, corporations

One remarkable thing about Donald Trump’s acquisition of power is that he doesn’t hide his plans to misuse it. He openly intends to turn justice on its head, abuse the power of the presidency, and subvert the values of a

Donald Trump will not be the first elected leader who wants to fix inefficiencies and waste in government. But will he do it to benefit the American people or the authors of Project 2025? The two motives would produce vastly

It boggles the mind to know we humans are literally made of stardust. Nearly all the elements in our bodies come from the stuff produced as stars exploded over the last 13 billion years.  It boggles the mind in a

From time to time in the national conversation, we hear references to “cognitive dissonance.” It’s the discomfort we feel when our actions and beliefs conflict with reality. The results include anxiety, guilt and efforts to downplay the conflict.  The consequences

Three weeks after Joe Biden won the 2020 election, stories emerged about Americans who decided to fly the Stars and Stripes again. Some had kept their flags folded and stored away during Donald Trump’s presidency, a silent protest against the