For some reason a sound truck drove up a silent and empty Eighth Ave the other morning below my window loudly blaring Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” which echoed up the windy canyons. I thought that was rather cool. There are a lot of little weird things like that here, mid-May in the year two thousand and stayed at home. Manhattan is deserted looking in large part … [Read more...] about Report From The Hot Zone: Manhattan
Fired watchdog was probing Mike Pompeo’s ’emergency’ arms sale to Saudi Arabia
Mike Pompeo may have had more than a dog-walking scandal on his mind when he got President Donald Trump to fire the State Department inspector general.Steve Linick, the ousted watchdog, had flagged Pompeo’s improper use of aides to do personal chores, like walking his pooch.But the former IG was also wrapping up a critical report on Pompeo’s controversial decision last year to … [Read more...] about Fired watchdog was probing Mike Pompeo’s ’emergency’ arms sale to Saudi Arabia
Retrospective: Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut
Donnie Darko, the affirmed classic with an immensely passionate fan-base and a cult following. It has been nearly twenty years since its release and it is just as beloved today as it was then. A few years following its theatrical release, the director's cut released to include deleted scenes, added visual effects, and a revamped soundtrack. But this version has received a lot … [Read more...] about Retrospective: Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut
Is Trump Succeeding in Destroying our Government, our Democracy? (UPDATED)
"When passing laws and changing regulations prove onerous, the Trump administration simply guts the government of expertise so that basic functions wither away, the well-connected feed on the remains, and the survivors keep their heads down , until the day comes when they face the same choice as McCabe and Yovanovitch: do Trump's dirty work or be destroyed" - George … [Read more...] about Is Trump Succeeding in Destroying our Government, our Democracy? (UPDATED)
How to Make COVID-19 Lemonade
You’ve heard the goody two-shoes saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” It was initially used by writer Elbert Hubbard in a 1915 obituary he wrote about actor Marshall Pinckney Wilder, when he said, “He picked up the lemons that Fate had sent him and started a lemonade-stand.” Many attribute Dale Carnegie in his 1948 book, “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” … [Read more...] about How to Make COVID-19 Lemonade
Israel Finally Has a Government
Will wonders never cease? Israel finally has composed a government with a coalition between Likud and the Blue and White party avoiding a 4th election. As with many things in Israel this agreement was cobbled together on kind of an ad hoc basis without paying much attention to its long term consequences. Bibi Netanyahu and the Likud will assume the initial leadership … [Read more...] about Israel Finally Has a Government
Mexicans dying from adulterated alcohol as beer runs dry
Puebla (Mexico) (AFP) - Scores of Mexicans are dying from drinking adulterated liquor, a consequence of the shortage of mainstream alcoholic beverages during the coronavirus pandemic, authorities say.The first of at least 121 deaths in recent weeks occurred at the end of April in the western state of Jalisco, almost exactly a month after the government declared a health … [Read more...] about Mexicans dying from adulterated alcohol as beer runs dry
REMOTE SCHOOL’S OUT (Cartoon)
You might have cabin fever if —
By Laurie Baron San Diego Jewish World SAN DIEGO--You pretend that you’re washing your hands for 20 seconds, but only do it for 15. You’re starting to have sexual fantasies about Angela Merkel. You actually enjoy binging on reality TV shows. You have forgotten how much a gallon of gas costs. You regard your trips to the grocery as tourism. You’re baking so … [Read more...] about You might have cabin fever if —
Trump vs Biden: first it was wild — then came COVID-19
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's reelection battle against Joe Biden was always going to be wild -- and then came the coronavirus, killing nearly 90,000 Americans, scuttling the economy and throwing the race into surreal confusion.Less than six months before election day, neither candidate can campaign normally, voters wonder whether they'll be safe, and Trump … [Read more...] about Trump vs Biden: first it was wild — then came COVID-19
Obama Says U.S. Lacks Leadership on Coronavirus in Two Commencement Speeches
Former President Barack Obama gave two virtual graduation speeches in which he criticized (without using his name) President Donald Trump's leadership during the current coronavirus pandemic. Highlights from the New York Times: Without the springtime rituals of traditional graduation ceremonies, former President Barack Obama delivered two virtual commencement addresses … [Read more...] about Obama Says U.S. Lacks Leadership on Coronavirus in Two Commencement Speeches
Lessons from the 1918 Pandemic
A virus is a submicroscopic agent that only replicates inside the cells of living organisms. Viruses are always attacking, always looking for a host to invade. They have caused numerous pandemics, including the 1918 influenza pandemic and the 2019 coronavirus pandemic. As we continue to combat the coronavirus, what can we learn from the American response a century ago to their … [Read more...] about Lessons from the 1918 Pandemic
Trump fires State Dept watchdog investigating Pompeo
Washington (AFP) - A government watchdog fired suddenly by Donald Trump was investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said a Democratic lawmaker who accused the president of committing a potentially illegal act of retribution. The State Department confirmed the late Friday dismissal of Inspector General Steve Linick without giving a reason for his departure.Eliot Engel, who … [Read more...] about Trump fires State Dept watchdog investigating Pompeo
Wonder Woman’s Real-Life Ancestors
Wonder Woman may be imaginary, but apparently her ancestors aren't. From Smithsonian magazine: "The Amazon warriors of ancient Greek lore were once considered mythical figures. But in recent years, archaeological work and genetic analysis have identified women buried with weapons, horseback riding equipment and other accoutrements traditionally associated with warriors." … [Read more...] about Wonder Woman’s Real-Life Ancestors
Awful data show US economy is in deep trouble
Washington (AFP) - Newly released economic data shows the US economy is in a terrible state and may not rebound quickly even when the devastating lockdowns imposed to stop the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.Data tracking industrial production and the vital retail sector released Friday showed record declines in April, the first full month of lockdowns to stop the spread of … [Read more...] about Awful data show US economy is in deep trouble
Lean Into COVID-19
If you believe Abraham Maslow, and I have no idea why you wouldn’t, then Robert Emmon’s quote of the well regarded humanistic psychologist may well resonate with you, “the most important learning lessons... were tragedies, deaths, and trauma... which forced change in the life-outlook of the person and consequently in everything that he did.” Yes, great minds like Maslow’s … [Read more...] about Lean Into COVID-19
I Don’t FB
By Steve Schneider I met some good people last spring when I attended an event at Hollywood Beach, in Florida. The meeting happened a year before Covid-19 forced many of us to stay home or wear a mask or stand or sit six feet apart from one another. The meeting, at night, was held by a local Democratic club so we could listen to people speak about Amendment 4, a … [Read more...] about I Don’t FB
BIGGEST CRIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Donald Trump has been on a Tweetstorm of late, even more so than usual. Even more deranged than usual. On at least one day this week, he tweeted or retweeted over 100 times. I’m a political cartoonist self-isolating with nothing to do but watch TV, draw cartoons, and eat, and eat, and eat, and eat…and even I couldn’t find the time to tweet 100 times day, not that I’d want to. … [Read more...] about BIGGEST CRIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY
For Europe’s strongmen, pandemic is opportunity and risk
Paris (AFP) - Europe's strongmen leaders want to use the coronavirus pandemic to tighten their grip while touting their prowess in overcoming crises, but their authority risks being badly undermined if the outbreak is mishandled.From Turkey to Russia and other ex-Soviet states such as Belarus, the coronavirus has proved an unexpected test for systems already facing economic … [Read more...] about For Europe’s strongmen, pandemic is opportunity and risk
THE FAKE ‘OBAMAGATE’ IS TRUMP’S NEW BIRTHER CON
Trump’s pathetic competitive obsession with his predecessor knows no bounds, and now that his deadly failures are being fully exposed, he actually thinks he can distract the public with yet another lie about the guy who easily tops him as a president and as a man. With 80,000 Americans dead and no plan to staunch the pandemic, America’s Mortician went wild on Mother’s Day … [Read more...] about THE FAKE ‘OBAMAGATE’ IS TRUMP’S NEW BIRTHER CON