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
LGBTQ+ Christians are real.
LGBTQ+ Christians are real despite contradicting claims coming from certain corners of Christendom. Keep in mind that Christendom is NOT the same thing as faith in Messiah Jesus. Christendom is the accumulation of ideas and traditions developed by people after the Apostolic Era ended. Before one objects to this commentary's title and first sentence, we need to get something … [Read more...] about LGBTQ+ Christians are real.
Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy
The front entrance of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House, the workplace of Judge James Boasberg, along with other federal and appeals court judges, is seen in Washington, D.C. Philip Yabut/Getty Images Michael Gregory, Clemson University Federal judges and at times Supreme Court justices have repeatedly challenged – and … [Read more...] about Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy
ALL THOSE ANTI FASCIST MOVIES TAUGHT YOU NOTHING
(SHOCKING) QUOTE OF THE DAY: JONI ERNEST ON MEDICAID AND SNAP CUTS
Our Quote of the Day comes from Iowa's Republican Senator Joni Ernest who at a town hall gavev a quote that will be gold for Democrats all over the country and the DNC to use in their local and national political ads. Audience members shouted ot that cuts from Medicaid and SNAP would cause people to die. Her response? “Well, we’re all going to die.” This is the … [Read more...] about (SHOCKING) QUOTE OF THE DAY: JONI ERNEST ON MEDICAID AND SNAP CUTS
Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimes
Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimesby Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica; Perla Trevizo, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune; Melissa Sanchez and Gabriel Sandoval, ProPublica; Ronna Rísquez, Alianza Rebelde Investiga; and Adrián González, Cazadores de Fake NewsProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Knew Vast Majority of Venezuelans Sent to Salvadoran Prison Had Not Been Convicted of U.S. Crimes
The sad defenders of Old Joe’s delusional hubris
I just finished reading Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s “Original Sin,” and at the risk of pissing off the multitude of knee-jerk Tapper-haters, their deep reporting laid out in excruciating detail what we’ve needed to hear: That a seriously addled Joe Biden, fed by his own delusions and cocooned by his inner circle of wagon-circling sycophants, screwed us by refusing until … [Read more...] about The sad defenders of Old Joe’s delusional hubris
ELON MUSK IS GETTING OUT OF DOGE
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is getting out of DOGE. He formally announced that he's leaving the Trump administration - and he'll be forever seen as not just a billionaire who spent a staggering amount of money to elect Donald Trump and Republicans and a mega MAGA federal government slasher, but as an example of someone who obliterated his personal and business … [Read more...] about ELON MUSK IS GETTING OUT OF DOGE
The “Invasion” Invention: The Far Right’s Long Legal Battle to Make Immigrants the Enemy
The “Invasion” Invention: The Far Right’s Long Legal Battle to Make Immigrants the Enemyby Molly ReddenProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.When top Trump adviser Stephen Miller threatened on May 9 that the administration is “actively looking at” suspending habeas … [Read more...] about The “Invasion” Invention: The Far Right’s Long Legal Battle to Make Immigrants the Enemy