Many Syrians are celebrating their sudden freedom from tyrant Bashar al-Assad while Israeli troops are quickly occupying his military installations overlooking the Golan Heights, but the jubilation may be short-lived. Barely 48 hours since the dominant opposition force Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus, Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, warned, “Syria is … [Read more...] about UN negotiator warns of grave risks in Syria and calls for end to Israeli incursions
TRUMP VISITS A CATHEDRAL (CARTOON)
Trump’s plans for tougher border enforcement won’t necessarily stop migrants from coming to US — but their journeys could become more costly and dangerous
A section of the US-Mexico border fence is seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Oct. 21, 2024. Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images Katrina Burgess, Tufts University The screen fills with images of migrants dodging highway traffic. “They keep coming,” says a narrator. “The federal government won’t stop them yet requires us to pay billions to … [Read more...] about Trump’s plans for tougher border enforcement won’t necessarily stop migrants from coming to US — but their journeys could become more costly and dangerous
Criminals in cribs: The crazy attempt to ban birthright citizenship
There have been some interesting discussions about birthright citizenship, intensified by Donald Trump’s election a few weeks ago. A number of people who are angry at the chaos at the border have jumped right over the normal processes and procedures which would guarantee illegal border crossings are limited, and hit right at one of the core principles of our nation, one … [Read more...] about Criminals in cribs: The crazy attempt to ban birthright citizenship
TRUMP CABINET PICKS (CARTOON)
Assad leaves behind a fragmented nation – stabilizing it will be a major challenge for fractured opposition and external backers
Sefa Secen, Nazareth University The brutal 54-year reign of the Assad family in Syria looks to be over. In a matter of days, opposition forces took the major city of Aleppo before advancing southward into other government-controlled areas of Hama, Homs and finally, on Dec 7, 2024, the capital, Damascus. The offensive was all the more astonishing given that the … [Read more...] about Assad leaves behind a fragmented nation – stabilizing it will be a major challenge for fractured opposition and external backers
Christmas Songs Born of Battle and Mettle, Hope and Love
As we once again approach that “most wonderful time of the year,” all of us hope to be home for Christmas. For some this will only be possible in their thoughts, in their dreams. But even for those of us who will be home for Christmas, our eyes moisten when we listen to the timeless, immortal, heart-wrenching “I'll Be Home for Christmas," initially recorded by Bing Crosby … [Read more...] about Christmas Songs Born of Battle and Mettle, Hope and Love
Bluesky isn’t the ‘new Twitter,’ but its resemblance to the old one is drawing millions of new users
Bluesky is having a moment as millions of people have joined in the wake of the 2024 election. Anna Barclay/Getty Images Casey Fiesler, University of Colorado Boulder What would you say at Twitter’s funeral? That’s the question my collaborators and I asked over 1,000 people on social media as part of a broader research project on Twitter … [Read more...] about Bluesky isn’t the ‘new Twitter,’ but its resemblance to the old one is drawing millions of new users
Republicans have a shrinking mandate
by Elwood Watson President-elect Donald Trump is about to resume a second term as president with such a slim GOP majority in the House of Representatives that it offers the party little if any room for error. Republicans deliriously reveling about their supposed “huge election mandate” may want to keep a lid on such unabashed glee. As final results are being tabulated … [Read more...] about Republicans have a shrinking mandate
INSURANCE SHOOTING (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Was an insurance CEO assassinated over denied claims? Good afternoon from Reykjavik. Today’s blog is late because I wanted to see some of Iceland while the sun was still out. There are only five hours of sunlight at this time of year in Reykjavik. I don’t cheer over someone’s death, though there are times when I don’t mourn. This isn’t one of them. I feel bad for … [Read more...] about INSURANCE SHOOTING (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Appeals court upholds TikTok ban: 5 essential reads on the case and its consequences
TikTok takes on the U.S. government. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Eric Smalley, The Conversation and Matt Williams, The Conversation A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Dec. 6, 2024, upheld a law requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the video app by Jan. … [Read more...] about Appeals court upholds TikTok ban: 5 essential reads on the case and its consequences
Social Media Plays World’s Smallest Violin For Murder Victim
"Social Media Plays World's Smallest Violin For Murder Victim" That is a fitting alternate title to an article published by Rolling Stones. This is how journalist Miles Klee starts his news article titled Social Media Has Little Sympathy For Murdered Health Insurance Exec: "The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel on … [Read more...] about Social Media Plays World’s Smallest Violin For Murder Victim
What South Korea’s short-lived martial law says about nation’s democracy and the autocratic tendencies of President Yoon
A man holds the South Korean flag outside the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 4, 2024, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law. Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images Myunghee Lee, Michigan State University During a whirlwind few hours in South Korean politics, President Yoon Suk Yeol placed the country under martial law on … [Read more...] about What South Korea’s short-lived martial law says about nation’s democracy and the autocratic tendencies of President Yoon
HEGSETH IN CONGRESS (MIKE PETERS GUEST CARTOON)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about HEGSETH IN CONGRESS (MIKE PETERS GUEST CARTOON)
How right-wing media is like improv theater
Podcaster Theo Von, left, President-elect Donald Trump and podcaster Joe Rogan, right, are improv players in right-wing media. AP Photo Danielle Lee Tomson, University of Washington and Kate Starbird, University of Washington If you’ve ever wondered how the right-wing media ecosystem operates and why it’s effective, try viewing it as a form … [Read more...] about How right-wing media is like improv theater
Pete Hegseth’s Nomination: Does Respect for Women Mean Anything to the Incoming Administration? (Updated)
UPDATE: On Wednesday, Hegseth met with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, the first woman combat veteran in the Senate, in what could perhaps be described as a come- to-Jesus meeting. In addition to being a great example of what female servicemembers can accomplish in the military, Lt. Col. Ernst “has made combating sexual assault in the military a key bipartisan focus of her time … [Read more...] about Pete Hegseth’s Nomination: Does Respect for Women Mean Anything to the Incoming Administration? (Updated)
Holiday Humor 2024
What holiday songs do you enjoy or hate? If you have ever worked in retail during the holiday season, then you might hate all of them. After all, if you are forced to hear the same holiday songs over and over for an entire work shift, then you might not be so jolly. This blogger knows from experience. I avoid hearing holiday songs when I can. They make want to put my hands … [Read more...] about Holiday Humor 2024
Destroying America’s Scientific Ascendency
President Trump doesn’t like facts, doesn’t like science, and doesn’t like experts. He trusts his “gut” to tell what to do when faced with difficult decisions. That includes picking people to run the agencies of the government, including those that deal with the health of American citizens and various scientific disciplines. He doesn’t seem to understand that the strength of … [Read more...] about Destroying America’s Scientific Ascendency
After 20 years, I’m done writing about politics
I’ve been writing political opinion nonstop for 20 years. As of today I’m done. Life was different when the Philadelphia Inquirer gifted me a column in January 2004. Both major parties believed in the rule of law, the peaceful transfer of power, and traditional democratic values. It was beyond unthinkable that either side would condone a plotted coup and morph into a … [Read more...] about After 20 years, I’m done writing about politics
HOW TO SURVIVE AS A COWARD.
HOW TO SURVIVE AS A COWARD. It’s really very simple. Become someone you’re not. And never will be. Think about it. There are cowards all over the place. They fill needs. Needs for themselves. Exaggeration helps. You build from there. Now you’re probably saying “So what. We’re all guilty of a little make believe, once in a while. It’s part of selling.” Can’t quarrel … [Read more...] about HOW TO SURVIVE AS A COWARD.