In a day of heightened political drama, scandal-tinged former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from being President-Elect Donald Trump's pick for Attorney General - which was quickly followed by the news that Trump is naming his former defense attorney, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Next to Gaetz, Bondi looks like Mother Teresa. The Bulwark offers these details on ow … [Read more...] about TRUMP AG DRAMA: GAETZ WITH DRAWS, PAM BONDI IS NAMED
Putting the Fox in the Henhouse
Donald Trump has made some bad choices for cabinet positions in his administration, placing America’s future in jeopardy with unqualified personnel to run government agencies. However, two of them stand out as particularly unfortunate- Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Robert Kennedy, Jr as head of health and human services. That means that Kennedy will control the Food and … [Read more...] about Putting the Fox in the Henhouse
What mandate? Trump has now received less than 50% of the votes cast
News media pundits are still crowing about Donald Trump's "decisive" victory based on a lot of states showing up as red in the Electoral College tally. Actual votes counted? A different picture, but don't expect to see it in traditional news. As of 6 pm Pacific on Monday, the University of Florida Election Lab reports 155,803,701 ballots cast. CNN reports Trump has … [Read more...] about What mandate? Trump has now received less than 50% of the votes cast
UN health body sounds alarm on burgeoning diabetes epidemic
Diabetes, a potentially debilitating, painful and fatal disease, is burgeoning worldwide affecting more than 800 million adults and has quadrupled in the past 30 years, reaching new heights as an epidemic. “We have seen an alarming rise in diabetes over the past three decades, which reflects the increase in obesity, compounded by the impacts of the marketing of unhealthy … [Read more...] about UN health body sounds alarm on burgeoning diabetes epidemic
Have ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski destroyed their credibility with Trump reset?
For more than five years years MSNBC's "Morning Joe" hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have been at the forefront of those who've warned about "normalizing" Donald Trump. They've made ringing statements condemning Trump comments that were divisive, racial, anti-democratic or misogynistic . They were media outrage machines on an often thoughtful show where they presented … [Read more...] about Have ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski destroyed their credibility with Trump reset?
A Fortnight after November 5
On the eve of the 2024 election, I asked the question, "Does character still matter?" Quite early into the evening of November 5, America would learn the answer: A resounding, ghastly “No!” The following day, lacking the words to express my own sadness and disappointment, I quoted the words of several Americans (and one Canadian) from their Letters to the Editor of the … [Read more...] about A Fortnight after November 5
MATT GAETZ AS ATTORNEY GENERAL (CARTOON)
A NATO Turning Point
The American Revolution would have failed without French help. Their assistance allowed us to form an independent country that would become the world’s first modern democracy. Since the 1770s the situation has reversed: The United States has helped preserve and spread freedom in Europe many times. One hundred and forty years later we enter WWI to save France from German … [Read more...] about A NATO Turning Point
My So-Called “Disorder”
What some call a disability may be your greatest asset by Dan Piraro “Danny has a problem paying attention and following instructions,” read the damning note scrawled across my report card. My parents lectured me, but…I wasn’t paying attention. Being different has always been stigmatized. Most of us outside the norm strive to “fit in.” But should we? When kids … [Read more...] about My So-Called “Disorder”
TRUMP ADVISORS (CARTOON)
One election victory does not make a new era in American politics: here’s what history shows
New York supporters of Kamala Harris look on as candidate Donald Trump surpassed the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the 2024 election. Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College According to The New York Times, “… a newly triumphant Republican president” is “once again in the headlines.” What will … [Read more...] about One election victory does not make a new era in American politics: here’s what history shows
MATT GAETZ AG PICK (CARTOON)
How the Taliban are seeking to reshape Afghanistan’s schools to push their ideology
Afghan students will get more lessons in religion and resistance under the Taliban’s proposed changes to their schools. Sanaullah Seiam Enayat Nasir, University at Albany, State University of New York The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 was a blow for education across the country – but especially for girls and women. Since then, the … [Read more...] about How the Taliban are seeking to reshape Afghanistan’s schools to push their ideology
TRUMP’S SELECTION OF MATT GAETZ FOR AG SPARKS BIPARTISAN CONSTERNATION
Bipartisan shock - and consternation - greeted President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that sex-scandal tainted, mega MAGA Trump supporter Rep. Matt Gaetz was his pick for Attorney General. The pick reportedly generated negative reaction on Wall Street, among a big chunk of Republicans, Democrats and former Trump cabinet members. Some Senate Republicans contend the … [Read more...] about TRUMP’S SELECTION OF MATT GAETZ FOR AG SPARKS BIPARTISAN CONSTERNATION
What mandate? Trump received only 2.2% more votes in 2024 than 2020
Mainstream media pundits have had a field day in the past week, but don't be fooled. Donald Trump did not obtain a giant leap in popular vote support. Those 75,575,000 votes are only 2.2% more than the 72,414,000 in 2020. It's barely more than 50% of the total. Trump did better with voters in 2020, when he received 4.6% more votes than he had in 2016. Voters treated this … [Read more...] about What mandate? Trump received only 2.2% more votes in 2024 than 2020
Please donate to The Moderate Voice
The election is now history. And now - more than ever - The Moderate Voice could use your donations. As of December TMV will be 21 years old and during this time many traditional blogs have vanished for many reasons (Google ranking which destroyed some blogs, most advertising disappearing from blogs, the growth of social media and Facebook). TMV is still here and to help it … [Read more...] about Please donate to The Moderate Voice
Cylinders of Elon
Elon's Department of Government Efficiency may get a bit sticky. President-Elect (gag) Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency. What’s that? It’s something they just made up but basically, it’s a body that’s to operate outside the government to find wasteful spending and then make recommendations to Trump … [Read more...] about Cylinders of Elon
Voters in Arab American strongholds likely tipped Michigan in Trump’s favor
More than 200,000 Arab Americans live in Michigan. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall Michael Traugott, University of Michigan President-elect Donald Trump won Michigan in the 2024 election, an important prize in his decisive victory. The state has earned its title as a swing state. After narrowly defeating Hillary Clinton in Michigan in 2016, … [Read more...] about Voters in Arab American strongholds likely tipped Michigan in Trump’s favor
IMPACT OF USA CLIMATE POLICIES (CARTOON)
Asking ChatGPT vs Googling: Can AI chatbots boost human creativity?
AI chatbots can give helpful suggestions. Carol Yepes/Moment via Getty Images Jaeyeon Chung, Rice University Think back to a time when you needed a quick answer, maybe for a recipe or a DIY project. A few years ago, most people’s first instinct was to “Google it.” Today, however, many people are more likely to reach for ChatGPT, OpenAI’s … [Read more...] about Asking ChatGPT vs Googling: Can AI chatbots boost human creativity?