A deck of bad cards

<p>If you get a bad hand and have no choice but to play, you do the best with what you've got.  In the case of Afghanistan, Biden may have gotten a raw deal, but this doesn't mean that folding is an option.  Nor does it mean that we have the time to place blame on previous presidents like Trump, Obama, or even Bush when it comes to the current state of play in Kabul.  With explosions near Kabul airport causing casualties that include U.S. service members, focusing decisively on the now is the only path ahead. </p><p><strong>A political pandemic:</strong>  The politicization of COVID isn't new.  However, the pandemic being used for political gain continues to shape our national identity. </p><p><strong>Cuom'ote of the day: "</strong>We are where we are as a function of our own bad intention." </p>