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This week in 1789, Benjamin Franklin observes that “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” This age’s certainty

America’s two political parties drifting further apart
0%
A changing climate creating more extreme weather
0%
Entitlements steadily devouring the federal government
0%
The US on a warpath towards a belligerent foreign power
0%
The Internet proving to be as destructive as it beneficial
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

As Americans prepare to go to the polls, the most likely outcome will be

Blue Wave – Democrats regain both chambers of Congress, and gain gubernatorial seats
0%
Red Tide – Republicans retain House, gain three-plus Senate seats, and lose few gubernatorial seats
0%
Dual Tidal Action – Democrats win House; Republicans retain Senate
0%
Still Waters – Congress remains Republican, Trump backlash doesn’t materialize
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

This Halloween, the least convincing 'costume' would be

Vladimir Putin embracing peace treaties
0%
Nancy Pelosi espousing bipartisanship
0%
President Trump preaching civility
0%
Bulls convinced Wall Street’s sell-off is over
0%
NBC standing by its hiring of Megyn Kelly
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

This week in 1836, Sam Houston was inaugurated as the first elected president of the Republic of Texas – nine years before its annexation by the United States. The next change to the USA will be

“Calexit” – California leaving the union
0%
“Texit” – Texas leaving the union
0%
“Cal3” – California becoming three smaller states
0%
DC51 – Washington DC earning statehood
0%
PR51 – Puerto Rico earning statehood
0%
The 50-star flag not changing anytime soon
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

Is there any value in creating a formal “Space Force”?

A space force is the future of warfare, and will transcend the army, navy, and air force.
24%
A space force should be a coequal partner with the other branches of the military.
24%
A formal space force can slowly become a subsidiary branch of the existing air force.
28%
The future is too uncertain and we should wait and see how new weapons and strategies emerge.
4%
The idea is utter nonsense and be should be dropped.
20%
Total votes: 25
Off

Which “October Surprise” do you expect to emerge before the November election?

Mueller investigation leads to indictments (see Lawrence Walsh/Iran-Contra, October 1992)
0%
Wall Street suffers historically awful downturn (see Black Monday, October 1987/Black Tuesday, October 1929)
0%
Foreign policy drama overshadows all other news (see Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962)
0%
Unpopular/un-populist idea emerges from Congress (See National Prohibition Act, October 1919)
0%
Early stages of a particularly harsh flu season (See influenza pandemic, October 1918)
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

This week in 1975, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton secretly remarried – only 16 months after divorcing. The shakiest relationship at present

Democratic and Republican senators post-Kavanaugh
0%
President Trump and the FBI’s senior leadership
0%
US and Chinese trade officials/naval forces
0%
Northern Ireland and a post-Brexit Great Britain
0%
Pope Francis and American Catholics
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

This week in 1786, New York City experienced its earliest recorded freezing temperature. The current climate trend that most concerns you

Atlantic Ocean hurricanes battering America’s southeastern shores
0%
An El Niño episode emerging across the Pacific Ocean this winter
0%
Warmer temperatures and droughts spawning horrific wildfires
0%
Major cities (London, Houston) threatened by rising sea levels
0%
Changing temperatures triggering health woes (asthma, allergies)
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

In watching the Kavanaugh hearings and the ensuing arguments pro and con, which past Supreme Court nomination comes to mind?

Ginsburg – a nominee purposely avoiding “hints,” “forecasts,” or “previews”
0%
Thomas – a “she says/he says” allegation that sends Washington into a tizzy
0%
Bork – one side’s strategy of making the nominee as dislikable as possible
0%
Gorsuch – barring the unforeseen, the nominee advancing along partisan lines
0%
Total votes: 0
Off

As the nation commemorates the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the most notable difference between then and now

No attack of similar dimension occurred in the years since
0%
A shift to lone wolf attacks by U.S. citizens and legal residents
0%
The regional civil war in the Middle East between Sunni and Shia
0%
A tidal wave of Muslim immigration into European countries
0%
America’s “war on terror” no longer a novelty/daily news item
0%
Total votes: 0
Off
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