Category Archives: Mere Opinion

Thoughts, often reaction, off-the-cuff and perhaps short on research

I Don’t See It (But I’d Like To)

by James J Heaney Posted on 26 September 2019

I’d love to see President Trump leave office. He’s not a good person. We’ve known that at least since his sexual assault confessions leaked. Of course, bad people can still be decent presidents, as Bill Clinton supporters spent the ’90s loudly … Continue reading →

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Quick Check-In on Trump’s Approval Rating

by James J Heaney Posted on 19 August 2019

Trump’s current approval rating is pretty similar to the approval rating for both Obama and Reagan at this point in their respective presidencies. (Trump 43%, Obama 45%, Reagan 43%.) Reagan’s recovered sharply over the course of the election year, and … Continue reading →

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2020 Presidential Candidates, RANKED by How COOL/CHIC/FETCH You are for Having a BUMPER STICKER Supporting That Candidate in Saint Paul, MN

by James J Heaney Posted on 9 July 2019

This is the 2020 sequel to Unflattering Assessments of 2016 Presidential Candidates. I realized today that I need to get these in before candidates start dropping out like flies. I admit I am not as mean this year, but only because I … Continue reading →

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Millennials: You’ll Need $4.5 Million to Retire

by James J Heaney Posted on 5 May 2019

Today, I read an alarming report that said (among other things) that Americans are guessing at how much money they need to retire… and they are guessing wildly wrong. For example, the median Millennial “guesstimated” that he would need a $500,000 nest … Continue reading →

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2018 West Saint Paul Municipal Voters’ Guide

by James J Heaney Posted on 4 November 2018

Fellow residents of West Saint Paul: Tomorrow, we vote. I have done a little research on the races in our city, and I have some gentle recommendations.

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Trump Is No Longer Historically Unpopular

by James J Heaney Posted on 20 August 2018

Everybody knows that President Trump started out with historically awful approval ratings. New presidents typically get a “honeymoon” period where the American people give them a chance to succeed. This approval bump may be diminished by circumstances. President Dubya came in … Continue reading →

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The Death of Alfie Evans: Winners and Losers

by James J Heaney Posted on 25 April 2018

You’re following the Alfie Evans case, right? They’re killing that boy. Don’t try to Philippa Foot me about the difference between “killing” and “letting die.” The U.K. didn’t let Alfie die. They usurped the right of medical decisionmaking from Alfie’s … Continue reading →

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Stop Being An Idiot: You Can (and Should) Survive a Nuclear Attack

by James J Heaney Posted on 25 April 2018

“When a man is convinced he’s going to die tomorrow, he’ll probably find a way to make it happen.” –Guinan In 2018, we once again live under a daily, credible threat of nuclear war. The threat has been growing for a … Continue reading →

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Re-Up: Just War Theory Tested in Syria

by James J Heaney Posted on 6 April 2017

Four years ago, I wrote a piece for this blog analyzing proposed military strikes against Syria. Back in 2013, ISIS didn’t really exist in Syria yet; the major rebel group was the al-Nusra Front, affiliated with al-Qaeda. The President was still … Continue reading →

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