Dan Lipka Web Log

Every 10 years, the Oscars should have a separate event to honor the best films of the decade; the best of the best movies, performances, etc. This would be just be fun and less controversial, since everyone is already a winner. They should also give awards to the most deserving people/films who didn't win is the year their movie came out (one winner per category per decade). History often gives perspective on these movies and provides value in its context. Great movies/performances should be recognized, even if it is a little late.  that's it, shortest entry ever.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged on two counts of first-degree solicitation after getting caught paying for a happy ending at the massage parlor. This should be his response (to save his reputation, and do the right thing). "First, I want to say that I will plead guilty to all the charges, I will not fight them and admit to my mistakes. The mistake was engaging in a sexual act with the employee of the spa. It was unbecoming and morally wrong. However, I want to assure my family and the world, that I had no idea how these women were being treated, that they were forced to be there, and were victims of human trafficking. I was sincerely naive and thought that each woman was just an employee and decided on this profession of her own free will. That she went home at the end of her night, like anyone else. Upon reading about the true nature of this establishment, I was abhorred and disgusted at this situation and the plight of these women. I am so sorry for playing any sm

It is so odd that the Democrats choose this time in history to move strongly to the left. For decades the Democrats have very slowly embraced more liberal ideas, and though it took patience, it also seemed to slide into the mainstream without disrupting the whole system. However, now the Democrats (on a national basis) are moving very quickly away from the center. This is happening at the exact same time when the Republicans are moving quickly to the right. Idealistically, this makes sense, if the candidates really believe in what they are saying, but in reality, many people are still moderates. Over 40% of voters consider themselves independents. For example, 13% of Trump voters had voted for Obama in 2012. That is a lot of people who voted for radically different ideologies. According to all political theories, in a two-party race, to ensure the best chance of winning, you want to position yourself to the immediate right or left of your opponent, to ensure that your base won't

Does Trump really want the wall to be built? If it does actually get built, than he won't have that issue to campaign on. If it is built, and doesn't reduce crime or drug use, than what will he say. What is more likely, it that he wants to do everything possible to push for the wall, without it ever being built.  Or, if he could get it started in the months leading us to the election, he can campaign on his success and if he doesn't win, that the wall will be removed (it will be interesting if money is spent to start the wall, if Democratic candidates will propose spending more money to have it removed). This is similar to Brexit, when the conservatives made up wild promises about the benefits of Brexit, which were really popular until they actually won and had to deal with reality. The realities of both building a wall, and declaring a national emergency, are almost as complex and make the plan almost impossible, which is what Trump might have wanted all along. Of course,