ChrisWeigant.com » Guest Authors

Guest Author -- Dosing Tricky Dick

Chris Weigant — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 23:03:17 +0000

Because it is a slow political news week (and for the salacious nature of it all), the mainstream media is currently digging into every aspect of the "Cocaine Found At White House" story. News articles are being written summarizing all possible past rumors or actual instances of drug use at the White House. My favorite came at the end of a Washington Post article on this theme, under the heading: "Rocker Grace Slick." But I found their rundown of what happened awfully sparse, so as a public service today I am going to run an extended excerpt from Grace Slick's autobiography Somebody To Love, of which (of course) I have my own copy (signed and personalized, even...).

Republicans Trash Trump On CBS

Chris Weigant — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 23:42:09 +0000

Since it is a holiday (Happy Juneteenth!), I considered taking the day off. But rather than totally punt today, I thought I'd just run large excerpts from the official CBS transcript of this week's Face The Nation, since it was a rather extraordinary show.

I'm not usually a big fan of Face The Nation, in terms of the Sunday morning political chatfest lineup, but occasionally they manage to do a good job. This week we had Robert Costa guest-hosting, but it wasn't his presence so much as the guest list itself that made the program notable. The first two segments might have been subtitled: "Republicans Explaining Why Trump Is So Screwed" (if you'll forgive the language).

My 2022 "McLaughlin Awards" [Part 1]

Chris Weigant — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 01:45:20 +0000

Welcome to the first installment of our year-end awards!

As always, we must begin with a stern warning: this is an incredibly long article. So long you likely won't make it to the end, at least not in one sitting. It is, as it always is, a marathon not a sprint.

Friday Talking Points -- Dark Brandon Rips Into MAGA Republicans

Chris Weigant — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 22:43:03 +0000

The White House seems to be having just a wee bit too much fun with the whole "Dark Brandon" meme. Because they actually set the stage for it last night, in Philadelphia.

Friday Talking Points -- 50 Years From Watergate

Chris Weigant — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 22:55:45 +0000

We do realize that last week we semi-committed to publishing regular Friday Talking Points columns if there weren't any previous primetime Thursday-night hearings to cover from the House Select Committee on January 6th. However, there was one thing that came out of yesterday's hearing that is not getting nearly enough media or public attention, and we feel obligated to try to change this -- mostly because it is so important.

A Righteously Indignant Straight, White, Christian, Married Suburban Mom

Chris Weigant — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 22:52:46 +0000

So who am I? I am a straight, White, Christian, married suburban mom. Who knows that the very notion that learning about slavery or redlining or systemic racism somehow means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are White is absolute nonsense.

Liz Cheney Goes Down Swinging Hard

Chris Weigant — Wed, 12 May 2021 22:26:53 +0000

In more ways than one, Liz Cheney is her father's daughter. Coming from a liberal, however, that's not exactly a compliment. Both Cheneys are unapologetic warmongers, and both are extremely cunning denizens of Washington. Both stand for principles I personally abhor, and I doubt there's a single political issue or stance on which I would ever agree with either one of them. Having said all of that, though, Cheney is to be praised for going down swinging. She refuses to back down, she refuses to stay quiet, and she will tell anyone who will listen that what Donald Trump and his spineless enablers are doing is nothing short of an attack on both American democracy itself and the United States Constitution.

Joe Biden's Pittsburgh Speech

Chris Weigant — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 23:41:43 +0000

Today, I am going to let Joe Biden speak for himself. In past election cycles, I have printed transcripts of speeches from Democratic candidates, but I don't believe I've ever done so during the general election.

I felt it was worth it today, because I just read the speech Joe Biden just gave in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is the kickoff to the traditional general election season, and Biden makes his case in such strong and forceful language that, rather than just running excerpts and commenting on them, I felt the entire speech deserved to be presented. It really is that good.

The Federalist Papers (Number 65)

Chris Weigant — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:32:15 +0000

I'll be spending today and tomorrow in preparation for our year-end awards columns, so I thought I'd run a special historical look back for my readers by reprinting the two Federalist Papers written by Alexander Hamilton on the subject of impeachment. Obviously, this is relevant to current events in Washington.

Both of these (today's and tomorrow's) were published in the New York Packet newspaper in March of 1788. As with all the Federalist Papers, they were published anonymously under the signature "PUBLIUS." The Federalist Papers were a series of arguments in favor of adopting the newly-written Constitution, and were countered by the lesser-known Anti-Federalist Papers, a series of arguments against adopting the new form of government being considered.

From The Archives -- For Us, The Living

Chris Weigant — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 01:17:18 +0000

Today's holiday originally celebrated the end of "the war to end all wars," when the 1918 armistice took place on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. No World War I veterans still remain alive, and the holiday has grown to honor all America's veterans of more-recent wars -- so much so that many forget the origins of the holiday itself (which used to be "Armistice Day").

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

Chris Weigant — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 01:28:41 +0000

December 10, 1964, Oslo, Norway

I accept the Nobel Prize for Peace at a moment when twenty-two million Negroes of the United States of America are engaged in a creative battle to end the long night of racial injustice. I accept this award in behalf of a civil rights movement which is moving with determination and a majestic scorn for risk and danger to establish a reign of freedom and a rule of justice.

[From The Archives] Craig Ferguson's Excellent Rant -- "If You Don't Vote, You're A Moron."

Chris Weigant — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 22:04:09 +0000

So rather than sit down today and write out a "Get out there and VOTE!" column, I thought I'd re-run a column I wrote ten years ago. This was the first time I ever saw Ferguson, and when I did my jaw hit the floor. People (at least, back then) just didn't say stuff like this on television, no matter how late the hour. I was so enthralled by Craig's rant that I sat down and transcribed it the next day. It remains the best "get out and vote" rant I've ever seen, so while the political references are dated (this was during the McCain/Obama race), the sentiments are not.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

Chris Weigant — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 01:26:12 +0000

Guest Author -- Protesting The Inauguration: An Honest Reflection

Chris Weigant — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 02:56:09 +0000

Momentarily, the Internet is inherently screaming. A whirlwind of events has occurred within the last couple of weeks throughout the U.S. such as the Inauguration of Donald Trump, the Women's March, as well as other protests towards other governmental actions that are currently being put in place. Before I reflect on the Inauguration protest, in which I witnessed both violent and nonviolent action, I want to make it clear that I am a white woman and I am aware of my privilege. With that being said, I also think that as a young adult, and as a woman, it is my duty to participate in the loud, unapologetic statement that millions of Americans are making. Throughout this rollercoaster of events, it made me realize that it's important to be vocal and to stop stooping my views to those that don't necessarily agree with me just to create a rose-colored-glasses kind of unity. There is still so much wrong with the way society views marginalized groups and contentious issues, and along with many, I have chosen not to pretend that it's not a problem. Always fight for what you believe in. So many people contemplate the idea that "protesting does nothing," but I'm here to rebut that and say: "Yes, protesting does do something."

Guest Author -- Business Cycle Blues

Chris Weigant — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 01:12:49 +0000

Recently, Salon (not a right wing outlet, let's say) published a series of charts that show how much better the economy does under Democratic versus Republican administrations. This is a popular meme that appears regularly in the news feeds of the left-inclined, such as myself.

Even Donald Trump chimed in on this (although I think he has probably changed his tune since). In an interview with Wolf Blitzer in 2004 he commented that: "I've been around for a long time and it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans."

Friday Talking Points [402] -- A Warning For Complacent Democrats

Chris Weigant — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 22:28:23 +0000

We've spent the past two weeks travelling to and from the Democratic National Convention, but due to the three-week period we've got to cover, we're not even going to attempt to adequately revisit everything that's happened in the political world since our last column.

In fact, we're not even going to write our talking points this week, and we're only briefly going to touch on what's going on and quickly hand out the awards, before we get to a rather extraordinary (and extensive) essay at the end, by guest author Eric Varela.

Guest Author -- Mrs. Chris Weigant's Democratic Convention Thoughts For An Irish Audience

Chris Weigant — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 07:18:34 +0000

I am an Irish and American woman reporting from the 2016 Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. I say I am Irish and American because I am an Irish citizen who is now an American citizen too. I have noticed a theme in recent blogs posted to the Irish Times' Generation Emigration blog. Many fellow expats are wondering if they are still really Irish, given they have lived outside of Ireland for many years and in some cases longer than they lived in Ireland. I too have been thinking that I am losing my connection to my native land. The recent Irish elections that did not have a clear majority, and then the Brexit results, have opened up even more questions than the votes sought to resolve. I am now trying not to get too excited about the possibility of seeing a united Ireland in my lifetime.

Guest Author -- Donald Trump, The Apprentice Demagogue

Chris Weigant — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 02:46:04 +0000

Donald Trump is clearly no Adolf Hitler. Trump does not preach Hitler's most hateful domestic policies, and Trump's foreign policy is not imperialist but isolationist. Trump's slogan, "American First," resembles "Deutschland über alles" ("Germany above all else") more in chauvinistic simplicity than evil intent. But it does underscore that Trump is, as Hitler was, a demagogue, appealing to voters' emotions and prejudices in order to win election.

Guest Author -- 'Today's Anecdote' By Paula (Part 2)

Chris Weigant — Wed, 18 May 2016 23:36:32 +0000

Today I am once again turning my column space over to a regular commenter at my website, who wishes only to be identified by her login name "Paula."

Guest Author -- 'Today's Anecdote' By Paula

Chris Weigant — Tue, 17 May 2016 22:02:09 +0000

On Friday, March 11th, 2016, I was responding to one of Chris's posts and wrote the following: "Anecdotally: we walk our dog around the neighborhood every day, criss-crossing several blocks in different patterns. The other day I stopped to talk to a lady out raking her yard (a middle-aged black woman -- a stranger) and asked her if she was leaning Hillary or Bernie, anyone else, or no one. She said Hillary, because she thinks Hillary is experienced, going back to having been married to a president, and will know how to handle the job. She said she likes Bernie but he's old and she's not sure he'll make it through the campaign season, but Hillary seems so energetic."

Guest Author -- Brandon Grant On Political Corruption

Chris Weigant — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 00:22:00 +0000

People are suffering and need your help! You're a United States legislator and you have just been presented with an up-and-coming bill. If this bill passes, people will receive aid and live better lives. However, special interests (that contribute handsomely to your re-election) don't approve of the bill. So who will you listen to? The people or the special interest groups? Why, the special interest groups, of course! After all, how does helping the people benefit you? That, right there, is an example of political corruption. More and more in modern society those elected to office to serve the interests of the people are being bought off by special interests to make sure any new legislation put into place benefits their businesses and their ideals; thus silencing any who might go against them.

Friday Talking Points [364] -- New Speaker's Speaking Problem

Chris Weigant — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 00:43:53 +0000

Kevin McCarthy is not worthy. Of using the English language correctly, among other things. Amusingly, though, this will likely not stop him from becoming the next speaker of the House. And if his past is any prologue, hearing the speaker speak should provide all sorts of amusement for the rest of us. It may not be the return of the garbled George W. Bush era of mangled English, but it could be close.

Candidate Speech Series: Bernie Sanders

Chris Weigant — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 22:39:57 +0000

Today, we stand here and say loudly and clearly that: "Enough is enough. This great nation and its government belong to all of the people, and not to a handful of billionaires, their Super-PACs and their lobbyists."

Candidate Speech Series: Lincoln Chafee

Chris Weigant — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:00:04 +0000

We must deliberately and carefully extricate ourselves from expensive wars. Just think about how better this money could be spent.

Candidate Speech Series: Martin O'Malley

Chris Weigant — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 20:27:14 +0000

I want to talk with you today about The American Dream we share -- its powerful history, its current condition, and most importantly, its urgent need for rebuilding.

Candidate Speech Series: Jim Webb

Chris Weigant — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 22:07:41 +0000

It's been a while since I've spoken to your group but I think I can safely say that I am still the only person ever elected to statewide office in Virginia with a union card, two Purple Hearts, and three tattoos.

Friday Talking Points [344] -- Run, Bernie, Run!

Chris Weigant — Fri, 01 May 2015 23:34:11 +0000

We've got everything from hippies to Satanists to cover this week, so let's just dive right in, shall we? The Supreme Court heard a monumental case on marriage equality, which could indeed be their last case ever on the subject (if Justice Kennedy votes the way many expect him to, resulting in gay marriage in all [...]

From The Archives -- A Hillary Clinton 2007 Campaign Speech

Chris Weigant — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 00:26:00 +0000

A few words of introduction are necessary today. I spent most of the day dealing with email (cleaning out my mailbox and fishing for quotes for tomorrow's article), so instead of a fresh column today, I'm re-running a speech from Hillary Clinton from November of 2007.

Guest Author -- Ten Tax Cuts And Who They Benefit

Chris Weigant — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 23:20:25 +0000

It's tax season once again and I'd like to address a question that I rarely see addressed: Who do tax cuts benefit?

Guest Author -- A Polish Song For Ukraine's Revolution

Chris Weigant — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:07:10 +0000

Take three minutes and listen to it yourself -- it's almost impossible not to be moved by the experience (the video clips are expertly edited, as well).

Guest Author: A Martian Views Our Debt Ceiling Crisis

Chris Weigant — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 23:44:22 +0000

Welcome to our planet. Sorry that your saucer landed in the U.S. during our messy debt ceiling crisis. I'm happy to answer the questions it prompted you to ask. First: "Is America exceptional among Earth countries in how it funds government?" Yes, the United States operates very differently from most countries that we call democracies. Except for little Denmark, no other democracy has a "debt ceiling." Indeed, no other industrialized country on Earth limits how much the government can borrow and owe.

Friday Talking Points [263] -- Professional Edition

Chris Weigant — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 00:09:56 +0000

Well, we've been away for two weeks, and those two weeks were just chock-full of political news, so we've got a lot to cover. The reason for the interruption in columns was, of course, our attending Netroots Nation, the yearly conclave of bloggers, Progressives, and all and sundry who like hanging out with them. Which brings us to this week's unusual title -- today's Friday Talking Points, for the first time ever, are going to be professionally-produced and focus-group-tested. More on this later.

Inside The Mind Of Malcom -- Closing Thoughts On The Democratic National Convention

Chris Weigant — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 23:37:19 +0000

That being said, the pride I feel having been in attendance of the spectacle that was the Democratic National Convention is truly ineffable. I have never been more inspired to be a liberal than after the first night of the convention. Politics was put into perspective for me. Before, government was more theoretical and I could speak in an idealist liberal voice without considering the actual implication of the next president. Up until now an election has never directly impacted my life, just my parents' lives (which subsequently affected me). The decisions Americans make in 2012 will affect my ability to get a job and afford college. So everything materialized for me, and as Sandra Fluke illustrated, two distinctly different futures are in front of us. One future in which millionaires and billionaires will get tax cuts and women don't have the right to control their bodies and their health care, or a future in which jobs continue to be created and women can earn just as much as men for doing the same amount of work.

Inside The Mind Of Malcom -- Democratic Convention's Final Night

Chris Weigant — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:32:27 +0000

I must come out forthright and say I will be bitter about tonight regardless of the quality of the speeches. The DNC's decision to shift the venue from the stadium that could seat 70,000 to the convention center which seats about 22,000 has prevented me from attending the last night of the convention. I will still give my thoughts on the night but be aware I was not present for the speeches or events that took place.

Inside The Mind Of Malcom -- Convention Night Two

Chris Weigant — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:06:59 +0000

Unfortunately, the Democrats couldn't restrain themselves from going after Romney with three people, all of whom worked at an ex-company that had once been owned by Bain Capital. Each gave a relatively similar story in which their company was ruined by Romney while he profited off their failure. He cost Americans jobs, broke Tiny Tim's leg, and probably even talked about Fight Club. I have no love for Romney, but such a exaggeration of negativity demoralizes the entire base and moves the focus from Obama's outstanding accomplishments to Romney's shortcomings.

Guest Author -- An Irishwoman's Outlook On The Democratic Convention

Chris Weigant — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:11:00 +0000

The election of President Barack Obama made me realize that I could no longer be an observer on the sideline. I had to be a participant, so I became an American citizen. I knew I had made the right decision when my husband Chris and I attended Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2009. It was a day I will never forget. [Editor's note: see photo, above] There we were, two amongst thousands, on the Mall in Washington D.C. in the freezing cold waiting to see the swearing in on the giant TV screen. Before the event started, Bono warmed us up. It was worth it though to experience that "being a part of something great" feeling.

Inside The Mind Of Malcom -- Democratic Convention First Night Review

Chris Weigant — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 06:37:08 +0000

The first night had two large overarching themes: Women's rights, and President Obama's accomplishments. A multitude of women spoke not only about abortion and being pro-choice, but about equal pay for equal labor. However, the dominating pattern was the constant praise of President Obama, and the effectiveness of his policies. Obama's ability to save the auto industry and create jobs for twenty-nine consecutive months was a focal point in why he deserved to be re-elected. In addition, Obamacare and benefits for veterans were mentioned repeatedly by speakers. Last but not least diversity was constantly stressed. I lost count of the number of times I heard the line, "you should be able to defend the country you love, regardless of who you love." Overall, a very strong performance by the Democrats -- they were consistent in their backing of Obama, and unlike the Republicans they gave examples of concrete policies that have actually made a difference.

Guest Convention Correspondent -- My Road To The Convention

Chris Weigant — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 19:00:52 +0000

I was five when President George Bush "beat" candidate Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. At the time I had no clue about politics or party philosophy. However, I did know Al Gore received more overall votes in the election than George Bush, then the members of Supreme Court voted on who would become the next president, and they elected Bush. The election was the first political event that I can remember clearly in my life, and although I was always bound to be a liberal (given the household I grew up in), that lost election established my anti-conservative opinion. I followed the Kerry/Bush election in 2004 with determination (or at least all the determination a nine-year-old can muster), thinking I could somehow impact the results of the election. Of course I was wrong.

Guest Author -- Trickle Down, Trickle Out, And Trickle Up

Chris Weigant — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:46:34 +0000

Anyway, we got the following column submission from "michty6" a while back, but didn't even have time to do the formatting required until now. Sorry for the delay! When submitted, the article was preceded by a cartoon which I couldn't use for copyright reasons -- but, thankfully, we had the perfect C.W. Cunningham cartoon to use instead.

Guest Author -- The Middle East And The Upcoming U.S. Election

Chris Weigant — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Today we present an article written by one of ChrisWeigant.com's most prolific commenters, "Michale." When I called for article submissions for this month, I said I would not limit the point of view presented, so (to put it mildly) this is not exactly an article I would have written myself. But it is indeed the type of article I'd write (from a very different viewpoint, of course) -- an analysis of the upcoming election and how outside events might change it, for better or worse. So, without further ado, I will turn the CW.com soapbox over to Michale for today.

Guest Column -- Lessons For Mr. Romney From The U.K. And Europe

Chris Weigant — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:52:58 +0000

Day One of Mitt Romney's foreign trip did not go particularly well. He learned first-hand that no country likes an arrogant American coming in to tell them how bad a job they're doing, regardless of how special the "special relationship" is.

Guest Column: Let's Talk About Guns

Chris Weigant — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:24:10 +0000

Another madman, another massacre, this time in Aurora, Colorado. When will it end? The Supreme Court has guaranteed an individual's right to bear arms -- how does that end? Do we wind up with private armies, owned by rich individuals and corporations? Is that where it ends?

Some Humor, And A Challenge

Chris Weigant — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:25:45 +0000

President Romney today announced that Sri Lanka has won the bid to represent the American people in Congress, having narrowly edged out both India and China with a spate of well placed bribes in the final hours of the race.

Guest Column (And Cartoon!): Teach Your Children? Well...

Chris Weigant — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:00:11 +0000

At times it feels to rank-and-file teachers like the wealth and power of the entire nation is aligned against them. For me personally, May 7, 2012 was one of those times.

King's "Drum Major Instinct" Speech

Chris Weigant — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:07:35 +0000

[Program Note: I am taking the day off today. But I did want to post this link to a transcript of Martin Luther King Junior's "Drum Major Instinct" speech. This is the speech that was misquoted on his new memorial in Washington D.C., and you really have to read the speech itself to [...]

Teddy Roosevelt's "The New Nationalism" Speech

Chris Weigant — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:53:40 +0000

President Barack Obama gave a speech today in a small town in Kansas. The reason he chose this venue for this speech was to draw historical comparisons with a speech given there by Teddy Roosevelt, over one hundred years ago. While you may see some clips of Obama's speech in the news, few will bother to look up the original speech. Which is a shame, and which is why we present it today. We leave comparisons with Obama's speech to others, for now, mostly because the speech itself is a long one. But it is worth reading to the end, to see where the real (capital-P) Progressives stand in American history.

Guest Column: Occupy Wall Street is Not the Tea Party of the Left

Chris Weigant — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:35:28 +0000

Every so often, I am so impressed by a comment to one of my columns that I offer to just turn my column over to the author, and let them have my soapbox. This doesn't happen often, usually around once per year. I've written a few columns so far about the Occupy Wall Street protest, [...]

Friday Talking Points [187] -- GOP's 22-Week Work Year

Chris Weigant — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:13:09 +0000

We'd like to begin today with an issue that we regularly get incensed about here, mostly because it flies under the radar of just about everyone -- including the entire media universe. Because for once, Democrats are making the attempt to use the issue to make some political hay (even though, in this regard, they're admittedly almost as bad as the Republicans).

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Vietnam Speech

Chris Weigant — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:02:34 +0000

Perhaps the more tragic recognition of reality took place when it became clear to me that the war was doing far more than devastating the hopes of the poor at home. It was sending their sons and their brothers and their husbands to fight and to die in extraordinarily high proportions relative to the rest of the population. We were taking the young black men who had been crippled by our society and sending them 8,000 miles away to guarantee liberties in Southeast Asia which they had not found in Southwest Georgia and East Harlem. So we have been repeatedly faced with the cruel irony of watching Negro and white boys on TV screens as they kill and die together for a nation that has been unable to seat them together in the same schools. So we watch them in brutal solidarity burning the huts of a poor village, but we realize that they would never live on the same block in Detroit. I could not be silent in the face of such cruel manipulation of the poor.

Guest Column: Obama on Education -- A-Plus Values, F-Minus Policies

Chris Weigant — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:22:04 +0000

Roughly once a year or so, I turn this column space over to a guest author. This usually happens when a point of view is presented to me either in public comments or private emails which has impressed me. I haven't always completely agreed with these points of view, but have thought that they deserved a wider audience because the writing was so thoughtful and the reasoning so impressive. Other times, I do heartily agree with the guest author. But sometimes the author writes on subjects which I don't feel qualified myself to tackle. Today, I am once again turning my column over to a group of three authors who have a point to make -- a point that lies mostly outside my experience, which is why I don't comment on it very often: the state of education in America, and how politics relates to it.

Guest Column: Celebrating My First Year As An American

Chris Weigant — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:45:19 +0000

One year ago I wrote about my experience becoming an American citizen. Yesterday, I celebrated my first anniversary as an American. When I became a citizen, I felt that I now "belonged." I felt that I had made a commitment to this country. I felt that I had a responsibility to be a participant in the political process and an active member of my community.

Guest Authors: Two Young Americans On What Obama's Inauguration Meant To Them

Chris Weigant — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:15:38 +0000

Today marks the one-year anniversary of President Barack Hussein Obama's term in office. I thought long and hard about how to mark this event, especially since I had travelled to Washington, D.C. myself last year, in order to attend Obama's Inauguration. Now, I know that there are other subjects (cough, cough... Massachusetts... cough) I should be writing about today. But the calendar is the calendar, and we'll certainly have enough time in the future to discuss the coming year and what it all means. For today, though, I'd like to take a look back. And a look forward, in two very different ways.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

Chris Weigant — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:46:43 +0000

I think Alfred Nobel would know what I mean when I say that I accept this award in the spirit of a curator of some precious heirloom which he holds in trust for its true owners -- all those to whom beauty is truth and truth beauty -- and in whose eyes the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.

Guest Author: Why I Decided To Become An American

Chris Weigant — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:02:01 +0000

I am an American citizen. Now, I truly belong.

Guest Column: Why Obama's Election Should Be Considered Historic

Chris Weigant — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:00:23 +0000

Obama has said that he will be the President of ALL Americans. As such, he will certainly disappoint. But that's all right. I didn't just award him my vote, I awarded him my trust. My hope is that he is wiser than I, more knowledgeable than I. And I trust him to make the decisions I hope that I would make, if I were wiser and more knowledgeable. I hope Obama's presidency will be as all presidencies should be: constitutional, ethical, transparent, broadly representative and reality-based. Even though each of us are "special interests," he doesn't have to pander to me, he doesn't have to be "black," he just has to represent me. I don't demand a bigger piece of the pie. I may not even GET a piece of the pie. All I ask is that I have a seat at the table.

Guest Column: Why Obama's Election Should Be Considered Historic

Chris Weigant — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:39:14 +0000

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Speech

Chris Weigant — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:18:15 +0000

[I am taking another day of rest today (normal columns will resume tomorrow). Instead of an article, I present here today as a public service the full text of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final speech, which was given the night before he was assassinated (April 3, 1968). King was in Memphis in support of striking sanitation workers. If you don't have time to read the full speech, which is rather long, please at least scroll down to the end and read the last few paragraphs. Video of the speech is available from www.mlkonline.net.]

Guest Column: How Hillary Could Win Fair (And Lock Up The General Election Too!)

Chris Weigant — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:35:22 +0000

Riding to my rescue was one of Huffington Post's own commenters, who not only suggested I write a pro-Hillary article, but also outlined what I should say in it. I thought the idea had merit, but instead of just swiping his idea and writing my own words around it, I offered him the opportunity to write it himself.

Candidate Speech Series: Mike Gravel

Chris Weigant — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:00:57 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Mike Gravel

http://www.gravel2008.us/index.php

Stepping Back From Imperialism: Redirecting American Foreign Policy

St. Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire
11/1/06

Candidate Speech Series: Dennis Kucinich

Chris Weigant — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:00:37 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Dennis Kucinich

http://www.dennis4president.com/home/

[Note: The Kucinich campaign was unable to provide a speech transcript from Congressman Kucinich for this series. A campaign official told me that Kucinich always speaks "extemporaneously" without notes, therefore they had no speeches available. I decided to relax the rules to allow their campaign to present me with something from Kucinich, so I am reprinting a position paper from the Kucinich website here instead of a speech. If you follow the link above and click on "Audio/Video" there are Kucinich speeches available for viewing or listening to on their campaign website.]

Strength Through Peace

Candidate Speech Series: Hillary Clinton

Chris Weigant — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:00:53 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Hillary Clinton

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/

Remarks at the Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

Des Moines, Iowa
11/10/07

Candidate Speech Series: Bill Richardson

Chris Weigant — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:00:55 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Bill Richardson

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/home

Hard Choices:
The Responsible Way Forward for Iraq and our Military

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
10/4/07

Candidate Speech Series: Barack Obama

Chris Weigant — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 13:00:50 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Barack Obama

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

A Change We Can Believe In

Spartanburg, South Carolina
11/3/07

Candidate Speech Series: John Edwards

Chris Weigant — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:00:06 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

John Edwards

http://johnedwards.com/

The Moral Test of Our Generation

Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire
10/29/07

Candidate Speech Series: Joe Biden

Chris Weigant — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:00:26 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Joe Biden

http://www.joebiden.com/home

National Security and Civil Rights

Drake University School of Law, Des Moines, Iowa
4/3/07

Candidate Speech Series: Chris Dodd

Chris Weigant — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:00:17 +0000

[This is one of a continuing series of candidate speech transcripts from all the Democratic presidential campaigns. Please see the introduction to this series for more information.]

Chris Dodd

http://chrisdodd.com/home

Rekindling the Flame -- A Call for A New American Patriotism

Nashua City Hall Plaza, Nashua, New Hampshire
6/23/07

A Truly Original Foreign Policy Idea: Public Talks

Chris Weigant — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:52:17 +0000

I admit that this is a radical idea, and an honestly singular new way of thinking. Connolly knows this as well, and has prepared for skepticism. The Institute's site has a list of common objections to the Public Talks concept, complete with plausible answers for each. He makes a convincing case that he's not just tilting at windmills, but that his idea could actually and effectively work. The biggest argument he's got going for him is that the whole idea wouldn't even begin until after normal diplomatic negotiations had collapsed. At that point, what is there really left to lose for either side?

John Connolly is putting this idea into the vaunted "marketplace of ideas" for consideration by one and all. While this marketplace can be brutal to those espousing abhorrent ideas (like President Ahmadinejad of Iran recently), it should also remain open to creative original thinking when it (so rarely) happens.

The public -- the "shoppers" in the marketplace -- are the ones who ultimately will decide the merits of the idea. But they can't decide if they don't even hear it in the first place. Which is why I present it here, to give it the wider audience I think it deserves.

9/15 Anti-War Rally Photos

Chris Weigant — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:14:00 +0000

I'd like to thank B. Driscoll for publicly making these photos available, and allowing me to post them here. I am always open to consideration for photos of other events which the mainstream media largely ignores as well.

The first photo is of the "die-in" where most of the arrests were made. The black and white photo of a speaker is Eton Thomas from the Washington Wizards basketball team.

Enjoy!

Guest Column: Rules Democrats Should Use To Take Back Congress

Chris Weigant — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 03:01:40 +0000

Since I was on vacation last week, I am happy to turn over this week's column to a Madison Avenue ad-man who must remain unidentified. He has chosen to remain anonymous (due to his Republican clientele), but he has written a powerful political blueprint that I believe deserves a wider audience.