Of the 17 veterans casting a vote in the Senate confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, 10 voted to confirm. They were each a Republican. Yes Hegseth is a former member of the National Guard, but his behavior would be better reflected in a court martial than this elevation beyond his experience or character. The man boasts a Jerusalem Cross on his … [Read more...] about 10 veterans confirm Hegseth as Defense Secretary
Trump threatens Denmark on “horrendous” telephone call
Donald Trump engaged Denmark premier Mette Frederiksen in a "horrendous" phone call about Greenland "last week" according to The Financial Times. Five current and former senior European officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly. They added that Trump had been aggressive and confrontational following the Danish prime minister’s comments that … [Read more...] about Trump threatens Denmark on “horrendous” telephone call
Trump’s War on Science and Scientific Expertise
The first Trump administration, from January 2017 to January 2021, was characterized by disregard of science and denigration of scientific expertise, discordant with past American policies. There was a significant departure from evidence-based policymaking, an inclination towards deregulation, and a strong alignment with industry interests. We can expect similar actions in his … [Read more...] about Trump’s War on Science and Scientific Expertise
Trump’s executive orders can make change – but are limited and can be undone by the courts
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrives for inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, January 20, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Sharece Thrower, Vanderbilt University Before his inauguration, Donald Trump promised to issue a total of 100 or so executive orders once he regained the presidency. These orders are … [Read more...] about Trump’s executive orders can make change – but are limited and can be undone by the courts
OLIGARCHY IN AMERICA (CARTOON)
Trump promises to end birthright citizenship and shut down the border – a legal scholar explains the challenges these actions could face
Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump and their families attend the inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images Jean Lantz Reisz, University of Southern California During his first day in office on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders on immigration that … [Read more...] about Trump promises to end birthright citizenship and shut down the border – a legal scholar explains the challenges these actions could face
NEW AIR FORCE ONE (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 NEW AIR FORCE ONE (MIKE PETERS GUEST CARTOON)
Trump’s Jan. 6 clemency ‘flies in the face of the facts’ of violent insurrection, retired federal judge explains
Rioters scale a wall of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana John E. Jones III, Dickinson College In the first hours of his second term, President Donald Trump pardoned nearly everyone convicted of crimes associated with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol – including former Proud Boys leader … [Read more...] about Trump’s Jan. 6 clemency ‘flies in the face of the facts’ of violent insurrection, retired federal judge explains
ALLEGIANCE TO PLUTOCRACY
Canada’s ‘red state tariff plan’ should be the model for the rest of the world
What do orange juice from Florida; bourbon from Kentucky; potatoes from Idaho; Coca-Cola from Georgia; and automobiles from Alabama and South Carolina have in common? These red state goods may be on a potential list of imports slated for tariffs in Canada. Incoming President Donald Trump has threatened Canada with a 25% tariff on items it exports to the United States. … [Read more...] about Canada’s ‘red state tariff plan’ should be the model for the rest of the world
TRUMP WHO PUSHED TIKTOK BAN IS NOW POISED TO SAVE IT: IT’S COMING BACK ONLINE
TikTok went dark in the United States. It's Chinese owner ByteDance had suspended service for TikTok and the editing tool CapCut. Trump vehemently opposed TikTok but is now embracing it. And in its message to users on going dark, TikTok included a paragraph that said it was "fortunate" that Trump was looking for a way to save it. Trump said he'll sign an executive order that … [Read more...] about TRUMP WHO PUSHED TIKTOK BAN IS NOW POISED TO SAVE IT: IT’S COMING BACK ONLINE
President Biden’s Farewell Address to the Nation: One Person’s View
Millions of Americans listened to President Biden’s farewell speech to the nation last night. Each of those Americans will have a unique opinion, a different reaction, depending on a myriad of factors and shaped by his or her background and social and political views. These are some of my views: I loved the President’s allegorical references to the Statue of Liberty. … [Read more...] about President Biden’s Farewell Address to the Nation: One Person’s View
BIDEN ANNOUNCES ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE: TRUMP IMMEDIATELY CLAIMS CREDIT FOR DEAL
President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal which includes a hostage release. President-elect Donald Trump immediately claimed credit. On social media MAGA partisans began echoing Trump, calling the cease-fire a "humiliation" for Biden, who had outlined this kind of settlement months ago. The argument from Trump world was that it was … [Read more...] about BIDEN ANNOUNCES ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE: TRUMP IMMEDIATELY CLAIMS CREDIT FOR DEAL
U.S. Military Fighting the Fires in California
“More than just a fighting force, the Defense Department delivers health care, disaster relief and other support to people around the world in humanitarian missions every day.” The U.S. military has a storied background in participating in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, whether the disaster is caused by floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, … [Read more...] about U.S. Military Fighting the Fires in California
Tarnishing the Presidency and the Nation
So we have a felon as president. In addition to the New York charges, part of the special counsel Jack Smith’s report was just released, showing that Trump was definitely responsible for the riots and attacks on the capitol on January 6. Trump did everything he could to overturn the valid results of the 2020 election and remain in the White House. He did not want to be labeled … [Read more...] about Tarnishing the Presidency and the Nation
Columnist Jennifer Rubin latest evacuee as Washington Post’s numbers rapidly sink
The only thing missing is hearing Washington Post Jeff Bezos owner declare: "I'm the King of the World!" The Washington Post's circulation is rapidly sinking and some of it's highest profile top talent have been abandoning ship. The latest evacuee is columnist Jennifer Rubin, who took some potshots at her longtime newspaper amid an announcement she and Norm Eisen were … [Read more...] about Columnist Jennifer Rubin latest evacuee as Washington Post’s numbers rapidly sink
Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires – why using saltwater is typically a last resort
A firefighting plane dumps water on one of the fires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025. Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Patrick Megonigal, Smithsonian Institution Firefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of … [Read more...] about Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires – why using saltwater is typically a last resort
President Biden Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to His Holiness Pope Francis
Today, President Joe Biden, who cancelled his trip to the Vatican in order to oversee the U.S. government's response to the California wildfires spoke to His Holiness Pope Francis and named him a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, "the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the … [Read more...] about President Biden Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to His Holiness Pope Francis
Past time to regulate Big Pharma; Novo Nordisk profits in 2024 are obscene
When one year's sales matches a full three decade research budget, price gouging is clearly afoot. And that's the case for Novo Nordisk A/S, maker of sister GLP-1 drugs Ozempic (type 2 diabetes, T2D) and Wegovy (obesity). In September, Bloomberg estimated that the two drugs would bring in $65 billion in sales by the end of 2024. The entire research budget for the past … [Read more...] about Past time to regulate Big Pharma; Novo Nordisk profits in 2024 are obscene
Does Character Still Matter? A Presidential Eulogy Says ‘Yes,’ Eleven Times
On the eve of the 2024 presidential election, I pondered, “Does character still matter?” and suggested, “We will know very soon.” When the results of the elections became clear to me the early morning of January 6, I commiserated: Words fail me to express my sadness and disappointment at the results of yesterday’s presidential election, except to say that now we know … [Read more...] about Does Character Still Matter? A Presidential Eulogy Says ‘Yes,’ Eleven Times