2016 Could Be a Very Bad Year
People act according to what they expect. And that, my friends, could be very bad news for the economy in 2016.
2015
How Missourians can access military bases after January 10
Need to visit a federal building or military base after January 10? Your Missouri DL won’t work by itself.
Here's Why New York Drops the Ball at Midnight
Once upon a time, in the days of sundials and pendulum clocks, people needed a way to agree on the time.
One thing the military teaches that business school doesn't
“What was the biggest adjustment for you going from the military to the business world?
Why Did the Pritzkers Donate to Greitens?
A couple weeks ago, the blog Progressives Today ran an attack piece on Eric Greitens for two of his donors (link).
It Can Happen AgainâThe Big Short Movie
âYou know how when you walk into a post office you realize there is such a difference between a government employee and other people,â said Vinny.
Top 10 Posts of 2015
With 2015 winding down, here are the most read posts on Hennessy’s View in the last year.
Party Like It's 1992
Five for five. The first five people who told me they supported Trump in 2015 also supported Ross Perot in 1992.
Missouri's 2016 Electorate Very Different from 2012
When it comes to the number of potential voters, 2016 is shaping up to be a watershed year in Missouri politics.
It's Time to Choose
I am a mess. I am a terrible father, a crappy husband (ask my ex-wives), and a difficult employee.
The GOP Establishment Is a Cancer on America
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, appearing Thursday on ABCâs âGood Morning America,â said that âof courseâ he would back Trump, should he emerge triumphant at next yearâs GOP convention in Cleveland.
The Big Short
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Guest Post: My Night With the Klan, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This article from 1992 tells a remarkable story of one man’s brave visit to a KKK rally.
Dr. Strangedebate (or how I learned to stop worrying and love the GOP)
âIâll build a wall . . . and Iâll make Donald Trump pay for it.
Guest Post: My Night With the Klan, Part 2
Editor’s Note: This article from 1992 tells a remarkable story of one man’s brave visit to a KKK rally.
Guest Post: My Night With the Klan, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This article from 1992 tells a remarkable story of one man’s brave visit to a KKK rally.
The UN Game
The UN is a game with many players. The UN makes money by convincing member nations that the costs of funding the UN are less than the costs of not funding it.
Is the Cardinalsâ Reign Over?
Imagine a world in which the Cardinals are not perennial champions. Major league baseball could be working on that scenario right now.
America is for Americans
Dave: You hear from your folks, Mooch? Moocher: Yeah, my dad called.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being There
Eve: May I ask your name? Chance: Chance. Eve: Chance? Chance: Chance, the gardener.
Loretta Lynch Mob **UPDATE**
âI think itâs important that as we again talk about the importance of free speech we make it clear that actions predicated on violent talk are not America," said Lynch.
Police LT Mike Madden Paints Picture of Jihadi Death
https://youtu.be/siLsflWdhz8 Remarkable account of massacre by a police lieutenant who arrived first on the scene in San Bernardino.
Up From Political Correctness
I wonât blame the neighbors, but the neighbors knew. Syed Farook and four or five others worked long hours in Farookâs San Bernardino garage for months leading up to a deadly Islamic terror attack last week.
The Conversion Odyssey
John Dos Passos has a mesmerizing name. The “John” doesn’t fit the “Dos Passos,” does it?
I know it was you, Fredo
Fredo Corleone: I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was stepped over!
The Real Story of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving celebrates the Pilgrims' break from socialism. Schools and textbooks avoid the topic, but it’s worth remembering.
John âThe Weaselâ Brunner
RADAR: Did you lose something, sir? HAWKEYE: Hi, Stinky. RADAR: Uh, sir, that’s the sort of name that kind of sticks with a fella.
Slay Poverty
Paul Berry III made me laugh out loud. âFrancis Slay hung out the vacancy sign but heâs running the Bates Motel.
Our military leaders are no Pattons
Yesterday, Lee Presser made a great point in this guest post, The Only Rule of Engagement Will Be Victory.
Mizzou Protests Were About Abortion All Along
I hate to say “I told you so.” But the St. Louis Post Dispatch has found that I may have been right on November 8.
The Only Rule of Engagement Will Be Victory
Guest Post by Lee Presser When FDR sent the troops to fight World War 2, he sent them to win.
The torch has been passed
I feel old. Itâs not my knees or my eyes. Nothing physical. Itâs bigger than that.
Itâs time for Democrats to abandon Obama
In the war on terror, youâre on our side or theirs. Barack Obama announced that he will veto any attempt by Congress to require background checks of Syrian refugees in an attempt to weed out ISIS terrorists.
The Week: November 15, 2015
Viva la France # This week, let’s say a special prayer for the people of France.
Paris Attacks Expose The Narcissists of Mizzou
People tell us who they are, but we ignore it. Because we want them to be what we want them to be.
What we need in America is more Irish
Disclosure: I am Irish. I know the politically correct way to say it is Irish-American.
Hysterical Yale student embarrasses herself on video
Nicholas Christakis is a giant in social psychology. And social psychology is only part of his resume.
The Week
Ben Carson # The press can’t find people who will corroborate Ben Carson’s low opinion of himself as a young man.
Are abortionists manipulating Mizzou's black athletes?
A few Mizzou football players announced they’re boycotting all sports activities until University of Missouri system president Tim Wolfe quits or is fired.
The Debate for Bad Journalists
When Jim Cramer asks a question, you know everything’s all boogered up.
Conservatism Is The New Black
What has 50 years of loyalty to Democrats won for African-Americans? If you answered “civil rights legislation,” you better look at who voted for the laws and who opposed.
This Is What Democracy Looks Like
The headline is a play on the oft-chanted slogan from OWS protests. Please, no “it’s not a democracy” emails.
Whip It. Whip It Good.
Maybe Ann Wagner’s the problem. Rep. Ann Wagner (HA-64) is the House Majority Whip.
Send Dan Hyatt to Jefferson City
**On Tuesday, September 29th at 7:00 p.m., please join Dan Hyatt as he formally announces his candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives, 72nd District at the Maryland Heights Community Center, 2344 McKelvey Rd.
The MTC's Newest Fight Is For Its Life
Uber X St. Louis rolled into existence on Friday. No, Uber did not win the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission’s permission to operate.
Why can't presidential candidates talk like this?
Called upon to undertake the duties of the first executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow-citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me,** to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious and awful presentiments which the greatness of the charge and the weakness of my powers so justly inspire**.
I hate writing this post
I like to say I hate electoral politics. Maybe I just want people to think I’m the kind of person who hates electoral politics.
I am honored to question the GOP candidates for you and Heritage
This is pretty cool and a little unnerving. Heritage Action has extended the honor to be one of three Heritage Action Sentinels to question Republican Presidential candidates on Friday, September 17 in Greenville, South Carolina.
There Is No Liberty Without Pursuit of Happiness
What did Jefferson mean by âpursuit of happinessâ as an unalienable right?
Get to Westport Plaza on September 26 at 11:00 a.m.
If you read this blog, you have a mile-wide curiosity streak. Many of you want to know more about Eric Greitens.
Trump: The final nail in the conservative coffin?
So many battles are fought in war and in civilian life, and nothing is gained by their victory.
Why Welfare Reform Must Continue
I can’t believe I missed this. It’s the story of Marienthal Austria.
Why poverty is a conservative issue
Oh but now old friends they’re acting strange, They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed Well something’s lost, but something’s gained In living every day.
Same-Sex Marriage Is a Tax Problem
Why is government involved in marriage at all? Taxes. Brian Bollmann makes an excellent point about same-sex marriage.
Find Out What I've Been Up To
Sorry for the dearth of posts. You know I have a day job.
Republicans Worst-Case Scenario?
Things are getting bad for Hillary. I hear she’s losing a lot of support from Democrat Party insiders, at least in private.
Correction
Something weird happened in the stock market today. Yesterday I blogged about the stock markets.
Trump: Good, Bad, and Ugly
There seems to be a certain air of inevitability that Trump will win the GOP nomination for President.
Quick Note on Market
I was up early this morning sifting through the market stories. ** Asia: crash ** Middle East: crash ** Europe: crash ** USA: set to open
Results of the Cabinet Matching Game
A couple weeks ago, I published a simple game for political nerds. Assuming the next president must build a cabinet from current candidates for the Republican nomination for president, how would you assign candidates to cabinet positions.
Trump's Immigration Fans Need to Read Wong Kim Ark
It’s sad that Donald Trump has inspired so many good conservatives to promote fantasies about the 14th Amendment.
Fascinating Results from Leaders Eat Last Poll
This is the story of hard choices and how people resist making them.
Who's Really Left in the GOP Field?
If you lack a unique, differentiating value, your only play is price.
One Question for Carly Fiorina
The next US President must be a great communicator. Distilling complex and controversial problems into mental models accessible to large numbers of people is not deception–it’s brilliance.
What Is The Difference Between Leadership and Service?
Marine Corps officers eat last. That simple insight inspired the title of Simon Sinek’s latest book, “Leaders Eat Last.
You Have a New Son, America
My son Patrick (closest to the camera at a civilianâs idea of parade rest) listens to the instructions of the enlisting officer among 9 young men and women preparing to swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States.
What Is Leadership?
Many of you loved Simon Sinekâs Start With Why TEDx talk. I love the way Simon Sinek thinks.
We Were Once the Party of Ideas and Optimism
On my desk is a book titled “Grinning With the Gipper.” It’s 117 pages of Ronald Reagan’s humor.
Why Smart Phones Are More Popular Than the Tea Party
Does it bother you that people would give up essential freedoms before theyâd give up their iPhone?
The Compassionate Alternative to Raising the Minimum Wage
The headline is depressing, but I’m going to write it anyway: America’s Slums Are Exploding
How to Sell Conservative Principles
If you’re still asking “why bother?” read this. If you still believe conservatism is an economic theory, read this.
Request for Interview: Police Foot Patrol
If you have walked a neighborhood foot beat as a police officer, I’d like to talk to you.
America Has a Job To Do
We believe that meaningful work dignifies and enriches human lives. [olympus_highlight color=“yellow”]Every person who wants to work should find a choice of occupations to pursue.
A Day of Hope, Prayer, and Clean-up in Ferguson
Dellena Jonesâs 911 Hair Salon was attacked at about 11:15 PM by a small band of young men.
911 Beauty Salon Targeted by Looters. Please Help
Our adopted Ferguson business, the 911 Beauty Salon, appears to have been a target of looters tonight according to KTVI 2.
Do You Really Want Your Principles to Win?
in a democratic system, the minority is by definition the opposition. Their de facto position is fighting against the ideas of the other side.
Overnight in Ferguson: "A remarkable amount of gunfire out there"
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters “there was a remarkable amount of gunfire out there,” describing the scene on W.
Incredible video of shooting in Ferguson
Watch. You can see the shooter in a white t-shirt. https://youtu.be/fZmpmVdIfJU We can make a difference.
Why Bother?
Note: This was written in August, 2015, during the Obama administration. Lamentations about the current state of affairs pertain to an era now past.
Fill the Cabinet
My friend Scott Oppelt mentioned his complaint that the GOP has so many great candidates all at once.
What Good Issued From the Candidate Debate?
Did you hear about the ratings? Over 24 million people watched the first Republican debate Thursday.
We Deserve Better
I should have gone to bed. I wanted to finish a great book called The Conservative Heart by Arthur C.
Enjoy Your Weekend More
Conservatism blesses the world. Our principles dignify people with work that** produces value**.
Readers Overwhelmingly Believe in a Service Ethic
Readers of this blog believe a stronger service ethic would make America a stronger country, but no one wants the federal government involved.
Iâm Pissed That Iâm Pissed
Are you tired of being angry? Did you know that a lot of other people are tired of your anger?
Poll: Which Candidate Qualities Matter Most?
Powered by Typeform Voting ends Saturday at midnight.
Tea Partiers in St. Louis See Things a Bit Differently
Thereâs a huge, important fiinding in a new pollâone I believe will affect a lot of elections nationally and in Missouri in 2016.
I was an immigrant
Maybe Iâm remembering this wrong. Maybe not. I met my best high school friends at the lunch table.
How to kill a movement
Did you ever see a movement grow? Did you see the way it starts?
Keep Missouri Money in Missouri with TEA
The Transportation Empowerment Act gives states control and funding for their roads. It is a far superior to the Highway Trust Fund, which is slush fund for pork projects.
Analysis of Donald Trump Poll
Last week’s poll asked for your degree of support for Donald Trump’s candidacy.
Poll: What Do You Think About Service?
Last week, we posted a 5-part series on national service. This week, we’d like to see what you think.
Free eBook of National Service Posts
My series on National Service is important. Maybe not urgent, but important. (See Eisenhower Square.
A Conservative Missouri Service Program--Part 5
We’ve reached the end. On Monday, we corrected disinformation about The Franklin Project.
Why Conservatives Should Get InvolvedâPart 4
In part 1 of this series, we clarified some misconceptions and falsehoods about the Franklin Project.
Whatâs Wrong With The Franklin Project? â Part 3
This is part three of a five-part series on national service. Part 1 introduced the controversy and corrected a major misconception.
Buckley vs. Friedman on Service-Part 2
This is part 2 of a series on national service and the Franklin Project.
Fact and Fiction of the Franklin Project--Part 1
You know how to tell when a political camp has nothing on an opponent?
Analysis of 2016 GOP Governor Poll
Last week, I launched anonline poll of declared and likely candidates for governor.
Donald Trump Poll
Donald Trump is back in the news. This time for attacking John McCain’s service record.
Transportation in the 21st Century Event
You can’t get there from here. The way people get from here to there–and how they pay for the privilege–is about to change.
Can John Brunner's Consultant Do His Duty?
Republican consultant David Barklage is in a weird place. Barklage grew up in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, along with Peter Kinder.
The Entire World Is a Sick Joke
Greece’s parliament just signed its surrender to Germany. The country signed over virtually all of its national assets and all its future income for 30 years.
Not Just Wrong--Evil
Today was a particularly busy day for me. I had a series of meetings.
Eric Greitensâ Shocking Revelation Could Shatter Peopleâs Faith
Were you shocked when you learned that Navy SEAL, author, humanitarian, and charity founder, Eric Greitens, was born and raised and voted Democrat?
Chili Palmer
The greatest mob movie of all time was Get Shorty. (Please, donât argue.
Republican Governor Poll
Read my analysis of the poll here. [yop_poll id=“2”] You may vote only once.
Jeffersonâs Greatest Idea
Down in my former state of South Carolina, the legislature hastily voted to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol building.
RANT: Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Is Killing Capitalism
So how to reenergize the innovation diffusion machine? This is key: âA level playing field that does not favour incumbents over entrants.
China Is Crashing and Greece Is Spinning Out of Control
The world is even more fragile than it was in 2007. The big banks are bigger.
A Dangerous Misunderstanding of Debt
Debt is not a guarantee of future payments in full. Rather, it is a risk that creditors take, in hopes of maybe being paid tomorrow.
Greece Rejects Central Banksters
Greece has voted to reject the âtroika’sâ bailout terms. The people of Greece said ânoâ to the central banksters who encourage sovereigns to enslave themselves under mountains of debt.
St. Louis Uber Nada
About this time, a variety of railroads began trying to build their own networks to the West, but the St.
The Corner Prosperity Is Just Around Is Miles From Where Weâre Standing
William Hennessy: Psychopomps are carriers of the dead, but they carry them to their afterlife.
You Are In Control
This post is about the control you have. And the control you donât have.
Charleston, South Carolina
Limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the other tea party principles are not ends.
Who's Rambling Now?
Someone who met Bill Clinton told me, “I rambled. He probably thought I was an idiot.
Take a Walk on the Hedonic Treadmill
Here’s what happens when you raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, according to scientists:
Hypocrisy of the Left on Self-Identification
I’ll make this brief. If we must respect (revere?) the erstwhile Bruce Jenner for self-identifying as a woman, we have to respect Rachel Dolezal for self-identifying as black.
Activist Ron Calzone Sues Missouri Over Omnibus Bill
Without comment . . . Jefferson City, MO, May 29, 2015 - A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 672, passed by the Missouri General Assembly in 2014, was filed in Cole County circuit court on May 29th.
Breaking: White House Shuffles Export Import Management (parody)
Washington (APP) âIn a Rose Garden press conference today, President Barack Obama introduced Art Vandelay as his choice to head the troubled Export Import Bank for a five-year term, pending approval by the Senate.
Come to Export Import Speaking and Gathering This Saturday at Paddy O's
With Opportunity for All;Â With Favoritism Toward None # Join Us Paddy O’s–618 S.
I finally finished reading Resilience by Eric Greitens
I usually breeze through books. I read Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman in four days.
Why the Export Import Bank Matters Now
Start small–end big. Raise your hand if you know someone who woke one morning and ran a marathon having never so much as walked around the block.
Going Home
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But if that step is in the wrong direction, you might end up 2,000 miles from your goal.
The Lazy Person's Cure for Herpes Ex-Im
Every six months. Just when you can you least afford it. It happens.
There's One Person to Blame if Blues Disappointed You
Harsh, I know. The St. Louis Blues disappeared from the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in a 4-2, first-round collapse for the third consecutive season.
Approaching Excellence
Could it be? Am I reading this right? Has anyone ever surprised you with a wish?
It's a Beautiful Spring Day, And Dellena Struggles to Stay In Business
We metDellena Jones during our first Ferguson BUYcott in August. Since then, St.
We All Need a Drink
Ever come across a text you know, but forgot? I did recently. This gem of a paragraph leapt off the page and into my mind:
How to Know You're Doing the Right Thing
“What if everything goes wrong?” I remember asking myself that on the morning of Friday, February 27, 2009.
What's In Your Medicine Cabinet?
Missouri is the only state that doesn’t track your medical prescriptions. People say it like it’s a bad thing.
Low Interest Rates Hid True Cost of Increasing Debt
House mortgage-type instrument suggested as means to pay off national debt Guest Post By Lee A.
The SEAL, the Race, and the CEO
In its entire history, who was the safest CEO for Apple? In other words, if you were a corporate recruiter hired by Apple’s board to find a chief executive, whom would hire?
The Greater of Two Goods
You know the feeling. You support someone for office. Call this person Candidate A.
Mastering One's Domain
I own a ton of domain names. Most of them I’ll never use.
This Guy Puts People to Work
Brett wanted to know more about Eric Greitens. Ben deferred to me to tell the Greitens story.
I Am a Coward (but I'm trying to get better)
A critic is someone who enters the battlefield after the war is over and shoots the wounded.
Mike Flynn for Congress
I was hungover. I sat in a booth at the Holiday Inn in Quincy, Illinois, with my wife and two friends from St.
Schools Don't Need More Technology--They Need Less
I was on my high school’s board of education for a year. It was quite an honor, honestly, but I screwed it up.
You Are Entitled to Nothing
I know “House of Cards” character Frank Underwood is fictitious, malicious, and evil.
The GOP's Sad New Whisper Campaign **UPDATE**
Note: Updated to remove reference to Jeff Roe Poor Catherine Hanaway. Her shadowy operatives worked so hard to defeat Tom Schweich, but a new threat to Hanaway’s coronation emerged: Eric Greitens.
Will the Left Fund a Campaign to "Fix" Missouri? **UPDATE**
Updated with new information Leftist donors flooded Texas with money for two years.
How to Recruit Better Political Candidates
Let’s accept that people are lazy. I noticed no one rose to argue, so universal laziness is a given.
The Ridiculous Thing I Gave Up for Lent
“What did you give up for Lent?” Ever get that one? Like it’s something you’re supposed to post on your Facebook page.
3 Questions. And I want some damn answers
What would happen if we if worked on: stuff we could actually fix stuff no one could complain about fixing stuff we didn’t care who got credit for fixing?
Which Two Industries Suck Most at Customer Service?
Want to know why Net Neutrality is dangerous? Forget the Constitutional stuff. That’s important, but most people don’t care.
Why It's Good To Be Wrong
Well, a redneck nerd in a bowling shirt was a-guzzlin' lone star beer Talking religion and-uh politics for all the world to hear.
How Emphasis on Race Hurts Efforts to Reform Municipal Courts
My story on the Justice Department’s Ferguson report addressed race early. .
What To Do With the DOJ Report on Ferguson
The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting.
Why Hope Beats Anger
The human brain is three times as sensitive to pain as it is to gain.
Providence and Hope in Missouri
Fate moves in mysterious ways. Just days before State Auditor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Schweich died, Eric Greitens announced an exploratory committee.
Missouri Deserves Better
Hancock, who is a political consultant, said he held meetings last fall with prospective donors for a project to register Catholic voters.
Allman in the Mourning
I hear that Jamie Allman ripped into Senator John Danforth yesterday. Allman called Danforth a failure and a thug.
Doing
Ben Evans worked hard to host a joint event with St. Louis Tea Party Coalition and Heritage Foundation a couple years ago.
What Is Success?
Could I ask you to answer a couple of questions. You can do this offline or in the comments of this post.
Some Thoughts on Tom Schweich
Excerpts from past posts on Hennessy’s View about Tom Schweich “Integrity” is the first word I think of when trying to describe Tom Schweich.
Tom Schweich, RIP
News of Auditor Tom Schweich’s death hit me hard. If you haven’t heard, St.
What the hell got me involved in politics to begin with?
Paul Hamby asked a question last month. I was only one of the many he asked, and, being the rude bastard I am sometimes, I took a month to reply.
This Seems Like a Really Big Win
I am so embarrassed. I didn’t even know that Fred Sauer, Gretchen Logue, and Anne Gassel were suing Missouri over Common Core.
The New Russian Empire
The last two years of Barack Obama’s presidency will see the rise of a new Russian empire.
The tangled web of net neutrality
A friend asked my thoughts on net neutrality. I hemmed and hawed and told her a story she probably didn’t want to hear.
I Might Abandon the GOP in 2016
Why have conservatives and right-leaning libertarians made so little progress since 2009?
34 to 0: Good Ideas Are Hard to Fight
I was scared. Not afraid to say it. And some friends turned hostile.
Maybe Police Officers Would Rather Be Tax Collectors
Do people become cops just so they can write speeding tickets? According to the National Sheriffsâ Association, writing speeding tickets is a police officerâs noblest calling.
Do the Speed-Trap Mayors Want You To Drive Dangerously?
I had the rare honor of testifying before the Missouri Senate committee on Economic Development.
How to Define Tom Schweich With One Word
Work screwed up my plans. Our annual St. Louis Tea Party / Heritage Action Christmas Party started at 6:00 in the evening on December 17.
Boehner's Purge
You might have noticed that my report on the Speaker election process lacked enthusiasm.
Here's How a Mere Mortal Becomes Speaker of the House
The geniuses at Heritage Action put together a fantastic brief explaining everything you need to know about the Speaker election process.