… [Read more...] about ELON TAKES CHAINSAW TO SOCIAL SECURITY (CARTOON)
Trump 2.0: A First-Class Shock-and-Awe Experience
Embed from Getty Images It is remarkable that a single figure could become responsible for potentially the greatest bankruptcy of all—the ending of the American Century (as we once knew it) and even, after a fashion, humanity’s centuries on Planet Earth. by Tom Engelhardt Common Dreams Yes, “shock and awe” is back in the second age of Donald Trump. His border czar, … [Read more...] about Trump 2.0: A First-Class Shock-and-Awe Experience
Donald Trump’s nonstop news-making can be exhausting, making it harder for people to scrutinize his presidential actions
President Donald Trump calls on reporters during a news conference at the White House on Jan. 30, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Jennifer Mercieca, Texas A&M University Like many other news organizations, The Associated Press maintains a “live updates” page, which posts the latest from the Trump administration in a ticker tape-like … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s nonstop news-making can be exhausting, making it harder for people to scrutinize his presidential actions
MUSK AND EMPATHY (CARTOON)
Emails Reveal Top IRS Lawyer Warned Trump Firings Were a “Fraud” on the Courts
Emails Reveal Top IRS Lawyer Warned Trump Firings Were a “Fraud” on the Courtsby Andy KrollProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.On Feb. 20, nearly 7,000 probationary employees at the Internal Revenue Service began receiving an unsigned letter telling them that they had … [Read more...] about Emails Reveal Top IRS Lawyer Warned Trump Firings Were a “Fraud” on the Courts
Trump is using the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants — but the 18th-century law has been invoked only during times of war
Prison guards transfer alleged Venezuelan gang members to a detention center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 16, 2025. El Salvador presidential press office via AP Daniel Tichenor, University of Oregon As President Donald Trump often promised during his 2024 presidential campaign, on March 15, 2025, he invoked an obscure 18th-century law … [Read more...] about Trump is using the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants — but the 18th-century law has been invoked only during times of war
SCHUMER LEADS A CHANT (CARTOON)
Beatings, overcrowding and food deprivation: US deportees face distressing human rights conditions in El Salvador’s mega-prison
Shackled and bent over – some of the 250-plus deportees arriving in El Salvador. El Salvador Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Mneesha Gellman, Emerson College and Sarah C. Bishop, Baruch College, CUNY El Salvador President Nayib Bukele framed his offer to house “dangerous American criminals” and “criminals from any country” as a … [Read more...] about Beatings, overcrowding and food deprivation: US deportees face distressing human rights conditions in El Salvador’s mega-prison
What Democrats Need is More Republicans like Adam Kinzinger
Democrats have been increasingly dissatisfied and frustrated with how their leaders are failing to stand up to the destructive, undemocratic policies of President Trump. The criticism and unpopularity of Democratic leaders rose to another high after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted with Republicans in the Senate to advance the GOP-authored short term spending bill … [Read more...] about What Democrats Need is More Republicans like Adam Kinzinger
Satire: Our Enemy Canada
Before launching a trade war with Canada, Donald Trump drafted a speech justifying it. After my spies in the Oval Office were fired by DOGE, they leaked his statement to me: Canada sided with England during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Since I aspire to be a king, I admire Canada for preferring King George III over George Washington. Did I mention that I … [Read more...] about Satire: Our Enemy Canada
The growing gift card racket
by Peter Funt My wife Amy purchased a gift card for our daughter at Sephora, the large retailer of beauty products, but all she got was disappointment. When Stephanie tried to use it the clerk informed her the card had a $0 balance. No money. It seems gift cards — growing rapidly in popularity — are increasingly subject to scams. Consumers lost over $250 million in gift … [Read more...] about The growing gift card racket
Democrats at a Standstill (Cartoon)
What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins — and where it could be heading next
Global order? Put a pin in it. Getty Images Andrew Latham, Macalester College The phrase “international rules-based order” has long been a fixture in global politics. Western leaders often use it to describe a framework of rules, norms and institutions designed to guide state behavior. Advocates argue that this framework has provided the … [Read more...] about What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins — and where it could be heading next
Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre’s Presentation of Waitress
I was first introduced to the Broadway musical Waitress while watching the television airing of the Tony Awards. I had turned on the show to see how well Hamilton was doing when I stumbled upon a musical medley that transitioned to Sara Bareilles at a grand piano singing the opening to an achingly sorrowful song I had never heard. Mid-song, the camera shifted to Jessie Mueller … [Read more...] about Review of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre’s Presentation of Waitress
Would a shutdown of the U.S. government help the USA?
Would a shutdown of the U.S. government help the USA? Apparently, plenty of people on the political Left believe that it would. At least that is what this blogger has witnessed on the Internet. On 14 March 2025, "Nine Democrats and one independent, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., voted in favor of cloture" for a Continuing Resolution to keep the U.S. … [Read more...] about Would a shutdown of the U.S. government help the USA?
Celebrity Climate Scientist Receives Judicial Sanction
"It bears repeating that Dr. Mann and his counsel should not have engaged in falsehoods and misrepresentations to the jury and the Court in the first place." Those are the words of D.C. Superior Court Judge Alfred S. Irving, Jr. in a ruling that he issued on 12 March 2025. In the ruling, the Judge is responding to the behavior of celebrity climate scientist Dr. Michael … [Read more...] about Celebrity Climate Scientist Receives Judicial Sanction
Addressing Cognitive Impairment in Federal Officials
White House photo[/caption]The cognitive status of federal officials needs to be addressed. Too many of them manifest some degree of impairment and are not fit to serve in government. There is little question that our last president, Joe Biden, was intellectually diminished, and may have been suffering from a neurologic disorder. His speech was hesitant and slow when he wasn’t … [Read more...] about Addressing Cognitive Impairment in Federal Officials
“The President Wanted It and I Did It”: Recording Reveals Head of Social Security’s Thoughts on DOGE and Trump
“The President Wanted It and I Did It”: Recording Reveals Head of Social Security’s Thoughts on DOGE and Trumpby Eli HagerProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Since the arrival of a team from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Social Security is in a far … [Read more...] about “The President Wanted It and I Did It”: Recording Reveals Head of Social Security’s Thoughts on DOGE and Trump
WALL STREET DROPPING UNDER TRUMP POLICIES (CARTOON)
What Do Anthony Van Jones And Seth MacFarlane Have In Common?
Here is the thing about the recent rise of antisemitism. It has nothing to do with antisemitism. What do CNN's Anthony Van Jones and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane have in common? They have theories about the source behind antisemitism. On the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, CNN’s Anthony Van Jones featured a commentary about the dangers of hate. Van … [Read more...] about What Do Anthony Van Jones And Seth MacFarlane Have In Common?