Category Archives: Mere Opinion

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

I Hate Banned Books Week

by James J Heaney Posted on 30 September 2013

Every year, the American Library Association, pious lover of books, freedom, and openness to sharing absolutely all ideas regardless of their content (unless you live in Cuba or your particular set of crazy ideas doesn’t follow rigid leftist doctrine), runs a weeklong event called “Banned … Continue reading →

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Why Republicans Will Always Lose, by Douglas Adams

by James J Heaney Posted on 19 March 2013

Reading the much-talked-about GOP “autopsy” today, trying to put together some impromptu thoughts about it for a Senate District meeting tonight, I find myself reminded of a passage from Douglas Adams’ novel Life, The Universe, and Everything.  Slartibartfast, a hapless … Continue reading →

Posted in Mere Opinion, Politics | 1,803 Comments

GUEST POST: A Good and Proper Trouncing of Pro-Amendment Heffalumps and Woozles, by David Allender

by James J Heaney Posted on 6 November 2012

This piece was published on Facebook on Sunday, November 4, 2012.  It is reposted with permission from the author.  My response is here. There is a particular kind of violence in this world that has always bothered me. It hides … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis, Mere Opinion | 1,257 Comments

The Great Democratic Turnout Miracle

by James J Heaney Posted on 27 October 2012

During this cycle, likely voter polls have consistently shown more Democrats showing up to vote than Republicans. Actually, that is a bit of an understatement.  It is perfectly normal for Democrats to outnumber Republicans, even at the polls, even in strong Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in Horse Race, Mere Opinion, Politics | 2,546 Comments

The Appropriateness of Constitutional Amendments

by James J Heaney Posted on 10 October 2012

In Minnesota’s ongoing debate over the constitutional questions before voters this fall, opponents have occasionally raised a question that has nothing to do with the wisdom of the policies themselves.  “Is it appropriate to enshrine this policy in the Minnesota … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Mere Opinion, Politics | 2,726 Comments