BILLBOARD News Now
Hitler’s Edifice Complex
(Editor’s note: The Atlantic magazine spans more than 165 years and reflects major shifts in American culture, politics and media. In the 19th century The Atlantic evolved to emphasize thoughtful, in-depth writing. Today it published a piece by author Timothy W. Ryback, who wrote about Hitler obsessing with adding a new wing to the Reich Chancellery. Atlantic says the story is worth your time.)
He wanted it big. He wanted lots of gold, lots of marble. He wanted visitors awestruck by his architectural expansion of the country’s symbolic seat of power. “They should sense the strength and grandeur of the German Reich as they walk from the entrance to the reception hall,” Adolf Hitler told his chief architect, Albert Speer, outlining his plans for an extension to the old Reich chancellery, at Wilhelmstrasse 77 in Berlin.
The new annex, connected to the chancellery by a marble corridor hung with crystal chandeliers, was part of Hitler’s ambitious plans to align the Berlin cityscape with his vision for the future of the country. Hitler wanted a Triumphbogen, a triumphal arch, twice the size of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. He wanted an “Avenue of Splendor” for military parades. “The Champs-Élysées is a hundred meters wide,” Hitler told Speer. “We will make our avenue twenty meters wider.” A planned Volkshalle was to accommodate 180,000. The Eiffel Tower could fit beneath its cupola. This “Hall of the People” was to be topped by the largest swastika on Earth. Berlin itself was to be rechristened as Weltstadt Germania, “Capital of the World.”
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Chance for Peace
After listening to President Trump this evening, it brought to mind a “Chance for Peace” speech by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower a retired U. S. Army General. On April 16, 1953, he spoke before the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington, D. C. it...
Your Vote In Jeopardy
(Editor’s note: Senator Mark Warner from Virginia wrote a Guest Essay which appeared in today’s New York Times. He discussed how our election’s greatest threat comes from within. He is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligences Committee.) In the decade since...
On The Road Again
Millions of Americans are doing just that today “on the road” taking part in the third “No Kings” protest. If you’re paying attention, it’s easy to understand what is driving this exploding protest. They are taking over the country to say “No Kings”. The public is...
On The Road Again
Millions of Americans are doing just that today “on the road” taking part in the third “No Kings” protest. If you’re paying attention, it’s easy to understand what is driving this exploding protest. They are taking over the country to say “No Kings”. The public is...
Tipping Point
(Editor’s Note: Earlier today I was working on a commentary asking, “is our political structure broken?” My focus was to be on the President’s push to nationalize our elections, the political parties and Congress. We have seen how Mr. Trump single handedly manages...
Political Tidbits
(Editor’s note: For our new readers Political Tidbits is done periodically. Occasionally there maybe one with a link for more detail. BTW, any tips appreciated. Send to [email protected].) These are scary times…and it’s the 13th on a Friday…readers still...
Power Play
(Editor’s note: This morning Axios AM published the piece below. They offer an interesting summary of Trump 2.0. More importantly they “Go deeper: with “The most unprecedented presidency in 250 years.” Take time and click to read the deeper piece.) President Trump...
Trump’s War
This is Trump’s War. Unlike other recent Presidents Trump did not prepare the country for what was to come. There was no oval office address, on or off the record interviews with the White House press corps or urgently called meetings with his National Security...
Was the Republic Saved?
(Editor’s note: David French an American political commentator wrote in today’s New York Times about the recent Supreme Court tariff decision. He asks “Is This the Most Important Supreme Court Case of the Century?) The Supreme Court may have just helped save the...
Signal to Congress
The Supreme Court, in its tariff decision may have telegraphed to Congress they need to take more seriously its constitutionally assigned responsibilities. Specifically, as related to the tariff ruling, the Court made clear the power to impose taxes and tariffs...
National Security
National security is normally thought of as our nation’s ability to protect its people, territory, economy and institutions from threats – both foreign and domestic. Until President Trump signed an Executive Order (March 25, 2025) one never thought of including...
Pact with the Devil
(Editor’s note: Dr. Jorea Marple, a nationally recognized educator and author based in West Virginia offers her view of what is occurring in Congress and the country. This guest commentary deserves serious thought.) Has Congress just become a collection of Faust like...
BILLBOARD Archives
Expressing Sorrow
(Editor’s note: Peggy Noon an opinion columnist at the Wall Street Journal wrote this morning about the action to diminish The Washington Post. I thought it should be shared. Ms. Noonan was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2017.) The diminishment of the...
Rural Voters Count
As political parties and candidates prepare for the 2026 & 2028 elections rural voters are the center of attention. They play an outsize role in who will control the next Congress and who is elected the 48th President…let alone keep our system of government. In...
Plain Truth
(Editor’s note. Those observing the World Economic Forum in Davos may have witnessed a reordering of world relationships. David French, an Opinion columnist says Mark Carney the Prime Minister of Canada in his Davos address “Spoke the Plain Truth”. French writes...
Yesterday America…today the World
A year ago, Americans watched and wondered what chaos Trump would bring. Today, the world is on edge as President Trump heads to Davos for the World Economic Forum, which attracts global leaders, business figures and thinkers to discuss world issues. After 365 days...
Political Tidbits
We’re back…hope your holidays were fun! Our first item is hardly a Political Tidbits…but is thought provoking. Today January 6th…is a sad day…the very darkest episode in American history. Triston Snell said it best in her Substack today. She wrote “It is the darkest...
Trying Times
“These are the times that try men’s souls” Thomas Paine in 1776. Some 249 years later this statement could well describe what is taking place in America today. Events are moving fast as Trump and his Republican Party (MAGA) confront the 2026 election. An event...
Political Tidbits
(Editors’ Note: For our new readers Political Tidbits are done periodically. BTW, any tips appreciated. Send to [email protected].) When Americans are paying 20% more for a cup of Joe (coffee)…how will they be convinced…Trump’s economic strategy is...
Dominated
At 12:01AM Pacific Standard Time the election of 2026 got underway. California voters approved a new congressional map that could help Democrats flip up to five U. S. House seats. California success may counter Republican redistricting efforts in other states. ...
Danger
This is the scariest time of the year…but not nearly as frightening as a powerful President Trump…that takes away our freedom of speech, puts troops on our streets, places federal observers at voting precincts and lets his unqualified followers run our federal...
Who’s on First?
Trying to figure out what’s going on in Washington gets more important and difficult particularly with the government shutdown. Makes one wonder “Who’s on First”. House Speaker Mark Johnson (R-LA) has been left out of the game…just listen to his daily press...
Tomorrow
Few had heard of The Tea Party in 2009, but it fully emerged on April 15, 2010, at rallies across the country. The Tea Party showed power and influence by an extraordinary turnout at over 750 rallies. It was thought the elites in Washington were manipulating the...
Hang In There
Democracy dominated the rhetoric throughout the 2024 presidential election. However today Democracy is hardly mentioned by President Donald J. Trump. He is making authoritarian moves that destroy our Constitution, freedom of speech & press and he shows no remorse...