by Robert Coutinho To show the “equivalency” of vitriol, I have listed some talking points in this satire column below and will continue the column on other dates if it is well-received. The claims may be false, mostly false, based in fact, or (for a few) even true. However, they will be written as if I were a talk-show radio host (a left-wing one). ***1. Believe it or … [Read more...] about The Equivalency or If Left-Wing Pundits Were the Same as Right-Wing Pundits
Cartoon: Trump or Treat
Extreme political polarization weakens democracy – can the US avoid that fate?
A protester is arrested by Capitol Hill Police during the Kavanaugh nomination. AP/Alex Brandon Jennifer Lynn McCoy, Georgia State University The midterm elections are approaching during one of the most polarized moments in recent American politics. A collaborative research project I led on polarized democracies around the world examines the … [Read more...] about Extreme political polarization weakens democracy – can the US avoid that fate?
Trump Sows the Wind, Reaps the Whirlwind
Shortly after the arrest of the DNA-linked domestic bomber - turns out, big shock, that he's a "Make America Great Again" fan who took Trump's incendiary words as permission to terrorize - an amazing moment transpired at the White House. Trump called for unity and declared: "We will never allow political violence to take root in our country." Have the words of any other … [Read more...] about Trump Sows the Wind, Reaps the Whirlwind
UN makes it harder to cover up Khashoggi murder
The cover up of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s premeditated murder became harder today after the United Nations human rights chief offered her agency’s assistance in an “independent and impartial” inquiry into his death. Michelle Bachelet said the “shockingly brazen crime” must be investigated “to ensure a full examination of, and accountability for, the human … [Read more...] about UN makes it harder to cover up Khashoggi murder
CNN’s Don Lemon: Trump will never be a leader on this (VIDEO)
CNN's Don Lemon on Donald Trump and the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre: … [Read more...] about CNN’s Don Lemon: Trump will never be a leader on this (VIDEO)
Is Sustainable Meat Production Possible?
If you're reading this now, you probably enjoy easy access to cheap and easy calories. It's not difficult to turn a blind eye to the dozens of steps required to put that steak or those chicken tenders on your plate, or the energy and land we used producing them. Here's some perspective: Americans eat 270 pounds of meat per person per year. The French eat just 35 pounds of … [Read more...] about Is Sustainable Meat Production Possible?
(UPDATE) ‘First They Came’…for ‘Birthright Citizens’
[Scroll down for update] The United States Holocaust Museum displays a version of a poem written by German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller. “It is about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power and subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group…It deals with themes of persecution, guilt and responsibility.” The version … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) ‘First They Came’…for ‘Birthright Citizens’
Republicans are either historically ignorant or moral cowards
by Richard Cohen Washington Post Writers Group Columnist While visiting Poland in 1976, I heard about a book. It was called "Anti-Semitism Without Jews: Communist Eastern Europe," and it was mentioned to me because the Jews of Poland, once numerous, had almost entirely been murdered -- yet the hatred of them persisted. The title of that book popped into my head over the … [Read more...] about Republicans are either historically ignorant or moral cowards
The Old Man & the Gun (2018)
The Old Man & the Gun is a slow burn. It's a quiet film with no outbursts or expressions of anger or excitement. The words spoken are plain and to the point. And the cinematography is simple with not much flair. Together, these simple elements of The Old Man & the Gun come together to create a sentimental end to Robert Redford's acting career. If it's actually the end, of … [Read more...] about The Old Man & the Gun (2018)
Terrorist Rhetoric (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’m not saying that if you’re a conservative who is in favor of strong and strict immigration policies, then you’re on the same side as a terrorist or the equivalent. But, if you’re using the issue of immigration to malign people and you use the same talking points and lies that inspired a terrorist to kill eleven people, then you’re speaking the same language. You’re talking … [Read more...] about Terrorist Rhetoric (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Korean Dog Meat and the Moral Zeitgeist
While the eyes of the world were fixed on the Winter Olympics earlier this year we missed a smaller series of events in Seoul where every day a group of protesters were loudly objecting to the consumption of dog meat in Korea. Dog meat has been eaten for hundreds of years in Korea, China and Vietnam, particularly as a summer food. Happily, especially for dogs, the tide is … [Read more...] about Korean Dog Meat and the Moral Zeitgeist
Great Music – Chapter 36
Some really great music has been created for Broadway shows, with composers like Steven Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber etc. The last couple days have been difficult for me with the pipe bomb mailings and the massacre in Pittsburg. So often when confronted by sad things out of my control, I turn to music as a healing prescription. So it was I turned to the music of one of my … [Read more...] about Great Music – Chapter 36
Cartoons: Thoughts and Prayers
Don’t tell me that ‘both sides’ need to do better
WASHINGTON -- "Both sides" are not responsible for the horrific political terrorism we have seen this past week. Only the right is to blame -- starting with President Trump and his complicit enablers in the Republican Party. They have been playing with fire. It was inevitable that people would get burned. Am I not supposed to blame Trump? Well, he blames me. After at … [Read more...] about Don’t tell me that ‘both sides’ need to do better
How America Made Me White
It took me a couple of seconds to get Stephen Colbert’s joke line, “I don’t see race” when I first heard it. In the USA, the joke works because no one can seriously imagine everyone’s not seeing race. But when I first heard it, I had to work that out, because I was born and raised in the UK … and I never saw race. That’s not because I am more evolved than any … [Read more...] about How America Made Me White
Trump’s America is not a safe place for Jews
WASHINGTON -- George Washington, in his 1790 letter to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, told Jews they would be safe in the new nation. "The government of the United States … gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance," he wrote. "May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the … [Read more...] about Trump’s America is not a safe place for Jews
Stronger Than Hate (UPDATE)
[Scroll to bottom for update] In the aftermath of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre and after learning of the tragedy, Pittsburgh resident Tom Hindes, 40, sat down at his computer and created an image that has now gone viral. Hindes’ image is based on the old U.S. Steel logo, “now popularized by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ helmets,” and includes The Star of David and the … [Read more...] about Stronger Than Hate (UPDATE)
Who Will Be the Mitt Romney of 2018?
By Thomas Hoffman After breezing through the primary, a Mitt Romney victory in the Utah Senate race appears inevitable. When Romney ran for President in 2012, Bill Maher was so desperate to thwart him; he donated a million dollars to President Obama's re-election campaign. After President Trump's election, Maher lamented that he would gladly serve up that million dollars … [Read more...] about Who Will Be the Mitt Romney of 2018?
Cartoon: Trump and his Base
Mike Slosberg is a cartoonist and novelist. He lives with his wife and hundreds of drawing pens on the Upper Westside of Manhattan, New York. You can see more of his cartoons and learn about his books by going to: mikeslosbergbooks.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Trump and his Base