Smoke rises over Tehran, Iran, following an Israeli strike on June 13, 2025. SAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Javed Ali, University of Michigan Israel’s strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities has pushed the Middle East one step closer to a far wider, more dangerous regional war. It also has implications for recent U.S. … [Read more...] about What does Israel’s strike mean for US policy on Iran and prospects for a nuclear deal?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: CHARLIE SYKES ON WHO WILL SAVE DEMOCRACY
Our Quote of the Day comes from Charlie Sykes on who will save democracy: No one is coming to save us. Not the courts. Not Congress. Not the media. Keep that in mind as protesters gather tomorrow across the country. It’s not hyperbole to say that the public is the last guardrail standing. And, while the rallies are officially called “No Kings,’” this is rather unfair … [Read more...] about QUOTE OF THE DAY: CHARLIE SYKES ON WHO WILL SAVE DEMOCRACY
ICE AGENTS INDISCRIMINATE SEIZURES
JOURNALISTS IN CROSSHAIRS
Press freedom is an issue close to my heart. Here in America, Journalists have never had to worry so much for their physical safety....There are other places outside the United States where being a journalist can be very dangerous. Mexico can be a very bad place for journalists, not so much from the government but from drug cartels. Murderers of journalists in Haiti are … [Read more...] about JOURNALISTS IN CROSSHAIRS
From Kent State to Los Angeles, using armed forces to police civilians is a high-risk strategy
Smoke and tear gas surround a protester in Los Angeles on June 7, 2025, amid confrontations between immigration rights advocates and law enforcement personnel. Taurat Hossain/Anadolu via Getty Images Brian VanDeMark, United States Naval Academy Responding to street protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration enforcement raids, … [Read more...] about From Kent State to Los Angeles, using armed forces to police civilians is a high-risk strategy
Washington’s Mafia Don
There have been frequent instances of financial and political corruption in our federal, state and municipal governments since the birth of our nation. But President Trump makes past corrupt activities by officials appear minor by comparison. It seems as if every day, Trump and his family devise some new ways to extract money from their wealthy friends and the public. If their … [Read more...] about Washington’s Mafia Don
Trump orders Marines to Los Angeles as protests escalate over immigration raids, demonstrating the president’s power to deploy troops on US soil
National Guard members watch protests in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images William C. Banks, Syracuse University President Donald Trump ordered a contingent of about 700 Marines to Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, in response to what Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described as “increased threats to … [Read more...] about Trump orders Marines to Los Angeles as protests escalate over immigration raids, demonstrating the president’s power to deploy troops on US soil
Is Donald Trump’s Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles a “Dress Rehearsal” for What’s to Come?
Was Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles to quell demonstrations a dress rehearsal for what's to come in other states or nationally? The Atlantic's David Frum thinks it is. And he's not alone in this fear. If so it'd be another longtime-prediction by those accused of having Trump Derangement Syndrome having come true. There are increasing … [Read more...] about Is Donald Trump’s Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles a “Dress Rehearsal” for What’s to Come?
What a Difference Four Years Make
The caption of the image above on a social media site reads: Look at what’s happening in LA! Someone, call the National Guard! Oh, wait...that’s Jan 6...my bad. I will just add: It is chilling, disturbing, that President Trump has called up 2,000 National Guard troops to quell protests on the streets of an American city, while he refused to do the same when … [Read more...] about What a Difference Four Years Make
Trump-Musk Bitter Breakup Isn’t Over Yet: Bigger Fireworks in the Offing?
The fiery, long-predicted breakup of the Donald Trump Elon Musk bromance has been pitchforked into the headlines, and there is no détente in sight. The breakup between the most powerful man in the world and the richest man in the world quickly has morphed into an online feud that continues to rage and escalate. The latest: President Donald Trump suggested that he might take … [Read more...] about Trump-Musk Bitter Breakup Isn’t Over Yet: Bigger Fireworks in the Offing?
D-Day Girls Revisited
Today is the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy -- a Day of honor, gallantry and heroism that eventually led to the defeat of the Nazi aggressors. But also, a Day that saw 4,414 Allied troops make the ultimate sacrifice. Research shows that no women are included in that grim toll on that Day. However, two British nurses on a hospital ship … [Read more...] about D-Day Girls Revisited
“The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention
“The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Preventionby Hannah AllamProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.When Thomas Fugate graduated from college last year with a degree in politics, he celebrated in a social media post about the … [Read more...] about “The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention
MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN
HOW TO TALK TO WHITE MEN (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Democratic donors are about to spend $20 million on a “strategic plan” called “Speaking with American Men” to figure out their problem with men, and mostly White men. The plan includes “study(ing) the syntax, language, and content that gains attention and virality” in male “spaces.” I’m non-partisan, but I will offer to help the Democrats figure out their White dude problem … [Read more...] about HOW TO TALK TO WHITE MEN (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Autocrats don’t act like Hitler or Stalin anymore – instead of governing with violence, they use manipulation
Autocrats today tend to govern by manipulation of the public, among other tactics, rather than solely using violence. Nanzeeba Ibnat/iStock/Getty Images Plus Daniel Treisman, University of California, Los Angeles President Donald Trump’s critics often accuse him of harboring authoritarian ambitions. Journalists and scholars have drawn … [Read more...] about Autocrats don’t act like Hitler or Stalin anymore – instead of governing with violence, they use manipulation
ICE ONLY COVERS ITS FACES BECAUSE
Bagels Gave Me My Hollywood Ending
by Jason Maury Kaplan In our village (we call it the East Village), bagels are a food of the people. Rich or poor, you can afford one. Years ago, working late nights as a sound editor, I got into the habit of stopping at a bagel shop on my way home, buying one onion bagel with an unprofitable amount of cream cheese and one pumpernickel with nothing on it. After I climbed … [Read more...] about Bagels Gave Me My Hollywood Ending
The totalitarian toddler’s wet dream
Until August of 1934, German judges swore an oath that reflected the spirit of the democratic Weimar republic: “I swear loyalty to the Constitution, obedience to the law, and conscientious fulfillment of the duties of my office, so help me God.” But that fateful summer, the judicial oath was tweaked just a wee bit: “I swear loyalty to the Fuhrer of the German Reich and … [Read more...] about The totalitarian toddler’s wet dream
Dealing With the Debt
The national debt is increased each fiscal year when the annual deficit of government spending over government revenue is added onto the existing debt. The deficit in 2024 was $1.8 trillion. In addition to the budget deficit raising the debt, the interest rate on the debt may also be partially added, depending on the rate. Currently, the national debt stands at $36.7 trillion. … [Read more...] about Dealing With the Debt
My Brother’s Light
Many of you know I often participate in writing and storytelling workshops. Some people like horseback riding, others enjoy sewing. I enjoy writing. I am particularly interested in writing that will be passed down as family history. Recently, I took a course with Kelly DuMar on writing monologues for the stage. We were a small group of writers, some of us writing … [Read more...] about My Brother’s Light