Is Donald Trump a racist? Is the country as fractured as it was in the lead up to the Civil War? These questions and more are discussed when joining Halli at her table on The Halli Casser-Jayne Show are New York Times bestselling author, longtime Fox News political analyst, Ralph Peters, and veteran White House corespondent and Halli’s partner in all things politics, Matthew Cooper.

If you haven’t read one of New York Times bestselling author, retired U.S. army officer, political talking head Ralph Peters Civil War novels, you don’t know what you are missing. There is a reason Ralph Peters has been called “the finest Civil War novelist writing today.” Now the author of  33 books that include award winning bestselling fiction, military strategy, memoir and over 1,000 published articles and essays, an expert on Russia, is out with a gripping new Civil War novel, DARKNESS AT CHANCELLORSVILLE, his latest historical fiction nominally the story of the last great Confederate triumph in the Civil War, more importantly, a story of the social and economic challenges that were not resolved by the wartime deaths of 750,000 Americans, challenges that continue to face our nation today.

From there Halli and Matt move on to review the week in politics beginning with the question of the week: Is President Donald Trump a racist? Or is he a demagogue? The President told four Democratic Congresswomen of color to go back to the countries where they came from. Was Congress right to condemn Trump for his incendiary tweet, that many say was racist? And what of the “Squad” the four freshman Congresswomen continually stirring the pot? Are they racists, too? What’s happening to Bernie Sanders? Is Kamala Harris Trump’s new target? And we’re just beginning. What a show! See you there!

Is Trump a racist? Is the country as fractured as it was in the lead up to the Civil War? Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, which is the Democrat best hope to defeat Donald Trump? All this and more on The Halli Casser-Jayne Show always available at Halli Casser-Jayne dot com, and on all your favorite apps.

Good morning, everyone!

Have a great weekend? I hope so.

I finally saw Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln”. It’s a movie everyone should see. I think it is one of the most successful films about American history ever produced. It manages to do something that historical films often fail to do: Let the historical figures prove their own heroism vs. building their grandeur into a script, which often leads to caricature. Daniel Day Lewis, Sally Fields and Tommy Lee Jones’ performances will knock your socks off. There wasn’t one bit player in the film, each performance Oscar worthy. John William’s score is riveting and sometimes even fun. The lighting and set designs are superior, as are the costumes and makeup. Yes, as you can tell, I loved the movie, and hope that you will all see it. Even in the awful days of our fight over slavery, our Congress managed to reach consensus and do what was right for the country. It makes one wonder why the clowns in office today who are fighting over something as ridiculous as a budget, even deserve to be there. Think about how trivial our nation’s arguments are in comparison to what they were in the days of the Civil War. If that doesn’t put things in perspective, I don’t know what will.

Some of you may not know of my interest in the Civil War. Have a look at my book “STILL LIFE images of Antietam.”  There are copies still available. Contact our offices and we’ll arrange to get you a copy. It’s a great gift for Valentine’s Day.

It’s a busy day for me as I prepare for Wednesday’s show, which we’ll announce later today. I think you’ll like this one.

Here are some stories for morning thoughts.

THE POPE

WHY GAS PRICES ARE RISING AGAIN

THE NUCLEAR OPTION: HAGEL

BEST GRAMMY AWARD MOMENTS

DOWNTON ABBEY: IN DEFENSE OF LADY EDITH

Have a great day.

Halli