Captain Snerd and the Mystery of the Brethren’s Temple

Yesterday was Friday the 13th, or perhaps I should say, another occurrence of Friday the 13th, since they inevitably happen once or twice every year. The most common explanation for the day’s reputation as unlucky involves Philip IV of France and the Order of the Knights Templar. King Philip was an egotistical, bumbling incompetent ignoramus… Continue reading Captain Snerd and the Mystery of the Brethren’s Temple

A Modest Proposal

This morning, my ten o’clock consultation was with Morton Thiazide, Public Relations, Outreach and Communications Director at the Democratic National Committee. To say he presented a glum aspect upon ensconcing himself on the couch in front of the picture window overlooking the White House in my office would be a distinct understatement. “Tom,” he opened,… Continue reading A Modest Proposal

Take a Knee? Forget That – Take a Drink!

Between consultations this afternoon, Gretchen left her desk in the reception area and popped into my office for a moment. “Tom,” she quietly informed me as she closed a heavy oak door behind her, “there’s this… Ebonic gentleman who’s been calling since about nine this morning asking for a consultation. He says he’s a professional… Continue reading Take a Knee? Forget That – Take a Drink!

Dere Go De Judge!

On Saturday, February 13, 2016, while on a hunting trip at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia finally did what many people – mostly liberals, of course – had been wishing he would do for three solid decades. He laid down and died. I subsequently spent three hours of my… Continue reading Dere Go De Judge!

Send in the Congressmen… Don’t Bother, Steve Stockman’s Here

Around eight-thirty Friday night at the Round Robin Bar in the Willard Hotel, I chanced upon Jefferson Jackson Beauregard Clay III, a key member of Representative Steve Stockman’s staff.  He was enjoying a specialty of the house – the branch water mint julep, and the one he was drinking might not have been his first… Continue reading Send in the Congressmen… Don’t Bother, Steve Stockman’s Here