I’ve always believed that words have meaning. That may seem obvious, but I think it is important to have solid definitions to terminology that way language can be less manipulated by politicians and ideologues. In the last few years, people have begun co-opting old terms and branding themselves with new ones in an attempt to […]
Devon Minnema: The ongoing impact of the Jones Act
There are many obscure laws out there that affect our communities, however there are few as impactful on West Coast communities than the Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. First, a quick definition of a somewhat rare term. “Cabotage” is the shipping of goods by water to and from ports […]
Devon Minnema: Dixon vice mayor’s controversial comments not reflective of today’s generation
Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the unfortunate role of needing to defend my hometown and constituents. First defending them from our own Vice Mayor Ted Hickman for a column he wrote in the Dixon Independent Voice calling for a “Straight Pride American Month,” and then from the dozens of emails echoing him that […]
Devon Minnema: United States and international relations surrounding the South China Sea
Despite all the partisanship and sales-pitching that was at the national conventions of the two major political parties, neither party seems to want to address the wholesale issues with America’s current diplomatic quandaries. While Donald Trump talks, however spasmodically, of restoring respect for American military might overseas, he often neglects to talk about why so […]
Devon Minnema: The differences in breaking the law
I have written before about the rule of law. I’ve talked a lot about how it seems to be crumbling in the face of corruption at the government’s highest levels. I’m sure at some point I even claimed that there were two different sets of rules in the country. I now believe that is wrong. […]
Devon Minnema: The perversion of liberal and conservative ideologies
It seems that terms and ideologies have been completely scrambled, not just in this election cycle, but in the course of American history. For instance, the argument of “conservative” versus “liberal” today would utterly confuse the Founding Fathers, who actually felt that the roots of words imbued significance through cultural history not just the social […]
Devon Minnema: The void left by Bernie Sanders
Now that the primary here in California is over and we have a fairly concrete idea of who the two nominees will be, it’s time that we dispel some false ideas before we etch this primary into history. One that I have heard a few too many times is essentially that Bernie Sanders’ popularity among […]