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KAHNTENTIONS

KAHNTENTIONS is a blog post written by Gilbert N. Kahn, Professor of Political Science at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Beginning in 2011 KAHNTENTIONS was hosted by the New Jersey Jewish News which recently ceased written publication. KAHNTENTIONS presents an open and intellectually honest analysis of issues facing the United States, Israel, as well as Jews world-wide.

BY GILBERT N. KAHN

"These are the times that try men's souls."

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Certainly Not Democracy’s Finest Hour


Regardless of what the outcome will be and when it will occur, the political charade which has transpired on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives over the past few days has been a disgrace. Whatever criticism that may be said about the old days when deals were cut in “smoke-filed rooms”, they never embarrassed the Republic as badly as have the shenanigans of the Republican caucus in the House.


The Republican jockeying for the speakership of the U.S. House of Representatives has represented one of the most embarrassing and pitiful political spectacles ever performed on the public stage in American history. The American people are witnessing how a political party cannot gets its act together, has no real leader, and no genuine effective political manager(s), only a bunch of egomaniacs. Even the demise over the past 35 years of House Speakers Jim Wright (for corruption and ethics violations), Dennis Hastert (for criminal behavior), and John Boehner (for emotional weakness) does not compare politically to the travesty transpiring on the Floor of the House.


Watching the pathetic behavior of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is a sad statement on how irrelevant governing the country is to the newly elected Republican Members who are only concerned about political power and their own egos. Votes taken for House Speaker so far—and on-going--demonstrate once again the extent to which Members are consumed by their yearning for power not for really “making America Great”.


Underlying this speaker vote is perhaps the more sober realization that even when these deliberations are eventually resolved, there will be a group of right-wing GOP lawmakers who will make it impossible for the House of Representatives to do legislative business. This core of Republicans undoubtedly will be intransigent when bills will be considered, or votes are taken where they disagree with the leadership. In addition, the rule changes which appear to have been accepted by Leader Kevin McCarthy underscore the stranglehold that the extreme right has on the GOP.


Assuming that a compromise candidate—perhaps Steve Scalise or Tom Cole--does not emerge, the Republican extremists will continue to prevent the House from doing business. Resignations, vacancies, or elections could eventually fill the seats with more compliant Members. Alternatively, the Republican Party core may decide to try to govern with the help of Democratic Members. How such a “classic” bi-partisan operation would work in an era of vicious partisanship is unclear, but it might be the only way the peoples’ business will get done in the House.

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Another American Institution Seriously Challenged


Football may not be politics, but it too is in need of repair. Millions of people throughout the country watched in real time the life-threatening hit that Damar Hamlin experienced on Monday Night Football. This modern-day form of gladiator contests is as much a part of American life as the real combat was in ancient Rome.


Admittedly, NFL players and athletes around the world understand that contact sports have an inherent danger built into the sport, but it does not over-ride the sense that the American people’s thirst for football contests exceeds what should be their rational response to the dangers inherent in the game. They care for the injured player very deeply, but careers, businesses, greed, and gambling are even more important. Hockey games—a sport that operates at an even more high-speed pace—may have begun with a moment of prayer for Damar Hamlin but how many players, owners, fans, and gamblers paused for more than a second to question what is wrong with a society where combative athletic contests have little or only transitory regard for the human beings involved. Perhaps it is finally time to ask whether the games “really” need to go on.


Lest one forget, the Roman gladiators even had their own political proclamatiom: Ave Caesar morturi te salutant (Hail, Emperor, those who are about to die salute you!).



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