There is a lonely purple marker that stands, riddled with bullet holes, near Money, Miss. The placard marks the spot where 14-year old Emmett Till, black and doomed, was brutishly dragged, hung, shot, mutilated and then thrown into the nearby Tallahatchie River by rabid white vigilantes. For years now, the site has been fired at intermittently–there was once an outburst of one … [Read more...] about It seems some Southerners want to kill 14-year old Emmett Till again
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
At a time when Hollywood still struggles with minority representation in film and media, Crazy Rich Asians is the perfect answer. Embracing an all Asian cast, this movie is funny, heartfelt and entirely self-aware. Crazy Rich Asians is a story about love, family, and tradition. Chinese-American Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is accompanying her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry … [Read more...] about Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
The Darkest Minds (2018)
The theatrical trailer for The Darkest Minds didn't inspire confidence. Instead, it left the viewer struggling to figure out the story. Remaining true to this, the film turned out to be a messy disappointment, not worth anybody's time or money. The Darkest Minds is a story of teenage rebellion against an authoritative government, much like Divergent and The Maze Runner. Ruby … [Read more...] about The Darkest Minds (2018)
A Nation of Immigrants, Once More
About a year ago, in the series “Reflections of a ‘Nation of Immigrants,’” we told the stories of several TMV authors and readers who themselves or whose ancestors immigrated to America and helped make this country great. Last night, CNN’s Chris Cuomo told the heartfelt immigration story of his family, one that could have been the story of Susan Rappaport, J. D. Ledell, … [Read more...] about A Nation of Immigrants, Once More
Listening to history’s echoes
WASHINGTON -- How do democratic countries get to the point where they give up on self-rule? Under what circumstances do demagogues capture large audiences through irrational, emotional appeals unmoored from fact, logic or morality? When do politicians responsible for maintaining a democratic system surrender to dictators? These questions are more pertinent to us in the early … [Read more...] about Listening to history’s echoes
Manafort is on trial. So is Trump’s judgment.
WASHINGTON -- Robert S. Mueller III's prosecutors have taken pains not to make Paul Manafort's trial about President Trump. When prosecutor Greg Andres on Tuesday asked Rick Gates, his star witness and Manafort's former business partner, where Manafort stayed in New York, Gates said "he had an apartment on Fifth Avenue." Neither mentioned that it was in Trump Tower. When … [Read more...] about Manafort is on trial. So is Trump’s judgment.
An Updated Russia Scandal Q&A: Can Trump & The Forces Of Evil Stop Maximum Bob?
(PORTIONS OF THIS POST WERE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN MAY 2018) It has been 15 months since Robert Mueller was named special counsel and took over the Russia election interference investigation begun by ousted FBI Director James Comey. What does Mueller have to show for his labors? Will the powerful Forces of Evil lined up behind Donald Trump be able to derail him and save … [Read more...] about An Updated Russia Scandal Q&A: Can Trump & The Forces Of Evil Stop Maximum Bob?
Cartoon: The Art of the Deal
Republicans may be panicking over Ohio’s special election result
Republicans may be panicking over Ohio's special election results Ohio Democratic candidate Danny O'Connor, left, and Republican candidate Troy Balderson. AP Photo/John Minchillo (left)/Jay LaPrete (right) Nathaniel Swigger, The Ohio State University Ohio’s special election to fill the seat of retiring Republican … [Read more...] about Republicans may be panicking over Ohio’s special election result
(UPDATED) Generation Z, Ready To Change the World
UPDATE: As it is for millions of high school students across the country, it is also “back to school” time for the Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School. But it is “hardly a back to normal” school return. While high school students were enjoying a respite from homework and studies, many MSD High School students – survivors of one of the deadliest school … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Generation Z, Ready To Change the World
(UPDATE II) Why The Trump-Mueller Interview Standoff Will Lead To A Big Kaboom
A speeding drunk driver plows into a crowded school bus, but the drunk's lawyers tell investigators he won't agree to an interview if it includes questions about the accident. That incredibly -- if not surprisingly -- is where we find ourselves nearly a year after Donald Trump launched a vicious circle of denunciations of Robert Mueller laced with expressions of willingness to … [Read more...] about (UPDATE II) Why The Trump-Mueller Interview Standoff Will Lead To A Big Kaboom
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
It is the movie we all need, but certainly, don't deserve. Bringing together the original 2008 cast of Mamma Mia!, this sequel is a fun, reminiscent new chapter to the story audiences have loved for nearly two decades on stage and on film. At times solemn, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is more serious and consequential. It still finds a way, however, to be fun, upbeat, and to … [Read more...] about Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
MUST WATCH VIDEO: Don Lemon Responds to Trump’s Attacks on Him and LeBron James
CNN's Don Lemon forcefully responded to Donald't Trump's attacks on him and NBA megastar LeBron James -- noting that "referring to African-Americans as dumb is one of the oldest canards of racism in this country." MUST WATCH (and if you like it, social media it!) Follow Joe Gandelman on Twitter at @JoeGandelman … [Read more...] about MUST WATCH VIDEO: Don Lemon Responds to Trump’s Attacks on Him and LeBron James
Cartoon: Enemy of the People
As Russians hack the US grid, a look at what’s needed to protect it
The high-voltage lines carrying electricity across the U.S. aren’t the only potential targets. Rolypolyman Manimaran Govindarasu, Iowa State University and Adam Hahn, Washington State University The U.S. electricity grid is hard to defend because of its enormous size and heavy dependency on digital communication and computerized control software. The … [Read more...] about As Russians hack the US grid, a look at what’s needed to protect it
Incels- A New Face of Misogyny
Incels- A New Face of Misogyny A new gender-based terrorist movement directed against women has come to public attention recently consisting of involuntarily celibate men known as ‘incels’ who are aggressively misogynistic and aggrieved at women. It appears these feelings developed because lonely men were rejected by or unable to approach women whom they wanted as sexual … [Read more...] about Incels- A New Face of Misogyny
Mike Pence’s Inspiring Words To Live (and Govern) By
Mike Pence: "…the President is 'just like the rest of us', he is the most powerful man in the world. If you and I fall into bad moral habits, we can harm our families, our employers and our friends. The President of the United States can incinerate the planet. Seriously, the very idea that we ought to have at or less than the same moral demands placed on the Chief Executive … [Read more...] about Mike Pence’s Inspiring Words To Live (and Govern) By
Republicans Aren’t All Bad Either
Democrats need to think twice before condemning all Republicans because Republicans aren't all bad. Keep in mind that the Republican Party came into existence for the purpose of combating a great evil that the Democratic Party was protecting and promoting. Indeed, Democrats started a war in response to a Republican being elected President. That is why authentic … [Read more...] about Republicans Aren’t All Bad Either
Two Months in the Facebook Hellhole
WARNING: Philip K. Dick spoilers. If you don't want to read them, you probably ought to stop reading here. You may have noticed that I have not been present much of late on Facebook. Facebook Enforcing Our Community Standards — We believe in giving people a voice, but we also want everyone using Facebook to feel safe. It's why we have Community Standards and remove … [Read more...] about Two Months in the Facebook Hellhole
LeBron Meets LeCon (Cartoon and Column)
If you donate to LeBron James’ charity, The LeBron James Family Foundation, you will help educate a child and provide university scholarships. If you donate to the Trump Foundation, you will help Donald Trump purchase a portrait of himself, or maybe some sports memorabilia, or perhaps pay off fines for his businesses and pay off politicians. James just donated $50 million to … [Read more...] about LeBron Meets LeCon (Cartoon and Column)