Martin Dyckman, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanJanuary 27, 2017

It was not long after the first telephone conversation in 1876 — Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant, “Mr. Watson. Come here. I want to see you” — that the White House opened a public comment line. OK, I exaggerate. Elasticity with the truth seems to be in fashion. But seriously, the comment line has […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 23, 2017

A letter to my Senators and Representative. Crib freely if you wish. Dear Senator Burr: It would seem that we are living in an alternative universe, one in which Nazis, Ku Kluxers and other traitors to our American way of life are euphemized as the “alternative right” and the propagandists for Donald Trump claim entitlement […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 21, 2017

HYDE PARK, N.Y. — Finding ourselves in the neighborhood, we made a point of visiting a most famous site Friday to pay our respects to a First Couple who truly did make America great again. No matter what anyone else pretends, the nation is still great. Whether we can remain so is in some doubt. […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 16, 2017

If it is to be believed, as Donald Trump evidently does, that government is just another business, then Rex Tillerson is a plausible nominee for secretary of state. Hasn’t he been running one of the most powerful and profitable businesses in this corner of the universe? But government is not a business. The duty of […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 8, 2017

When a family member or another loved one dies of natural causes, we understand that death is the price we pay for life. We must accept it and count on memories to console us. But how do you grieve for your nation? How do you move beyond the death of everything you held sacred about […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 26, 2016

There are some things that only lawyers can explain. This is one of them. But I defy them to make sense of it. Just in time for Christmas, the Florida Supreme Court in two cases last week gave new leases on life to 213 convicted killers but turned down about 173 more. The only difference […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 23, 2016

Thanks to Vladimir Putin‘s hackers and his outlets in the American press, we know that Hillary Clinton said different things in public and in private. Imagine that. But I suspect that you couldn’t find very many politicians (or other people, for that matter) who don’t speak differently depending on who’s listening. Money could safely be […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 19, 2016

There’s a scene in the musical “Chicago” that could be adopted virtually intact when they make the one I’d call “Trumpistan.” It’s the number in which a cunning criminal defense attorney, Billy Flynn, works the press as a chorus of puppets, dangling from strings, as they dance to his tune and parrot his words. That […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 15, 2016

Early in the Cold War, Hollywood was targeted by politicians and flag-waving pundits who accused Communists in the motion picture media of trying to subvert the United States with pro-Soviet propaganda. Hundreds of people were blacklisted and 10, including the Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, went to prison for refusing to testify before the House Un-American […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 9, 2016

Donald Trump, who stays up late watching himself being satirized on “Saturday Night Live” and snarling at his critics on Twitter, could make better use of his time by reading some American history—specifically, about Abraham Lincoln. Granted, “Trump” and “Lincoln” don’t seem to belong in the same sentence, but there are parallels, and a distinction, […]

Martin Dyckman
Gabrielle Russon

Time to call the White House, complain to the Madman in Residence

Dear Congress: On Jan. 21, the people roared – and they will vote

A visit to Franklin D. Roosevelt Hyde Park home gives insight, solace

Donald Trump, government is not a business. Reject Rex Tillerson.

Jan. 20, 2017: A day that will live in infamy

Retiring Justice gives final voice of reason on Florida’s death penalty

Politicians can learn lesson from LeRoy Collins balance of public, private speech

Martin Dyckman: In post-truth America, responsible news more important than ever

Martin Dyckman: The Red Menace redux

Of Donald Trump and Abe Lincoln