Are reactions to terrorism enough to deter acts?

The recent attacks in London should be a reminder to all freedomloving people that the Islamic State is still very active and making an impact.

Whether it’s with a bomb, gun or knife, they are determined to keep applying pressure to the Western world with every small and large scale incident.

It wasn’t lost on me that an attack occurred during an American performer’s concert filled with women and children.

My fear is that because the world has done very little reacting — which the Islamic State is trying to provoke — that this style of attack will continue until someone does.

To tweet or not to tweet?

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer specified this week that President Trump’s tweets on Twitter should be considered official statements, adding further validity to the president’s late night digital tirades.

I’m indifferent about this. I appreciate how raw and authentic a Twitter account can make a position like the presidency, but I’ve witnessed several times in which Trump’s tweets have not been thought through, nor have they been helpful.

If anything, I’d submit that his tweets create more questions and controversy than they do to support his platform or policies. If he were just a little more disciplined, his Twitter account could be a bully pulpit for the 21st century. Unfortunately, he floods his account with so many immature attacks on people he doesn’t like and the press, the effectiveness of his account is fading as most of it is becoming white noise.

Speaking of the press secretary

I don’t know about you, but the likability factor of Sean Spicer is low for me. He looks constantly irritated, uncomfortable in his own skin and upset that he has to do the job tasks required of his position.

On the other hand, Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the polar opposite. Plus, she is firm with the press without being condescending which will only play well for the White House.

Sanders has been filling in more often for Spicer lately and it seems that the press corps really enjoy her over her superior. With the rumored White House staff shakeup coming soon, maybe we will be seeing more of her?

Class warfare is good for business

According to the latest U.S. Senate financial-disclosure forms, Bernie Sanders made over $1 million in 2016.

The socialist-leaning senator who spent most of last year rallying low income Americans against the top one percent is now considered to be a part of the villainous class suppressing his base.

Sanders is said to have raked in the cash through book deals and speaking gigs, which will no doubt help him pay for the three homes he owns across the country.

Of course, his earnings don’t even hold a candle to the tens of millions former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues to make through the same channels.

Look, I celebrate anyone who strikes it rich. It’s a big part of the American dream and a testament to the ability the individual has to pull themselves from squalor and into success.

But when you’ve built your wealth on the backs of those you know have very little while you preach that such manipulation is part of the problem in our country, you’re no longer a success, you are a hypocrite.

The murder of Seth Rich

Conspiracy theorist I am not, but every once in a while I come across a story that just doesn’t make sense.

Twenty-seven-year-old Seth Rich was a voter expansion data director for the Democratic National Committee just before accepting a job with the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.

On the morning of July 10, 2016, D.C. Metropolitan Police claim they heard gunshots in a nearby neighborhood.

MPD found Rich, “conscious and breathing.” The narrative is that Rich was a victim of a botched robbery, having found his wallet, phone and cards on his body. Where it gets strange is just how tight-lipped MPD has been regarding any details of the case beyond that, even after the Rich family called on police to publicize the information after 10 months of dead-end investigations.

Not too long after news outlets and private investigators began digging for answers, the web of confusion and conspiracy deepened and the Rich family abruptly asked for all activity to cease around the case.

Now there’s a WhiteHouse.gov petition circulating to request that Congress appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the silenced case. The petition needs 100,000 signatures to go before government officials to act.

Washington D.C. attorney Jack Burkman, American businessman Martin Shkreli and the One America News Network also feel something is amiss and are all individually offering more than $100,000 in reward money for information that leads to an arrest of those responsible in Rich’s death.