The sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty, July 1, 2018. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File Jennifer Weeks, The Conversation Oppressive heat across much of North America since the end of June has buckled roads and driven Major League Baseball players off the field. July is the warmest time of year for much of the nation, so more heat waves could develop in … [Read more...] about Coping with heat waves: 5 essential reads
Try as he might, Trump can’t Make America White Again
WASHINGTON -- Racism is a feature of the Trump administration, not a bug. Like demagogues before him, President Trump and his aides consistently single out one group for scapegoating and persecution: non-white Hispanic immigrants. Trump doesn't much seem to like non-white newcomers from anywhere, in truth -- remember how he once expressed a fond wish for more immigrants from … [Read more...] about Try as he might, Trump can’t Make America White Again
Pruitt Gets Bounced (Column and Cartoon)
One of the arguments in favor of the richest cabinet in American history is; they’re already rich, so we don’t have to worry about them fleecing us. That’s a horrible argument. Are they telling us that if they weren’t wealthy then they’d be dishonest, untrustworthy, and a gang of thieves? As it turns out, that’s what they are anyway. Maybe it’s how they got rich in the first … [Read more...] about Pruitt Gets Bounced (Column and Cartoon)
New data shows US hate crimes continued to rise in 2017
Hate crimes increased in many major cities in 2016 and 2017. Christopher Penler/shutterstock Brian Levin, California State University San Bernardino; James J. Nolan, West Virginia University, and John David Reitzel, California State University San Bernardino Published FBI data currently covers hate crimes only up to 2016, when totals increased across … [Read more...] about New data shows US hate crimes continued to rise in 2017
Feliz dia de Independencia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I find today very ironic and hypocritical. We celebrate a holiday that commemorates our freedom and Independence while our nation separates families, throws children in detention centers, and holds them hostage for the parents to choose between their legal rights to seek asylum or being reunited. I’m a glass-is-a-little-less-than-half-empty kind of person. It’s really hard … [Read more...] about Feliz dia de Independencia (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Defining Democracy
If one is going to promote and defend Democracy, then it helps for one to define Democracy. The Collins English Dictionary defines Democracy as "a system of government in which people choose their rulers by voting for them in elections." Here is how Democracy is defined by Merriam-Webster: "1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority; b : a … [Read more...] about Defining Democracy
Cartoon: Spirit of 2018
Men suffer about 70 percent of fireworks injuries – and other 4th of July facts
Men suffer about 70 percent of fireworks injuries – and other 4th of July facts John Adams believed the fourth of July should be filled with ‘illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.’ AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez Jay L. Zagorsky, The Ohio State University In the eyes of many Americans, the Fourth of July … [Read more...] about Men suffer about 70 percent of fireworks injuries – and other 4th of July facts
Hey, Democrats: It’s The Supreme Court Stupid
My advice to Democrats - which I've offered for free since the dawn of this century - is that they pound this mantra into their thick skulls: "It's the Supreme Court, stupid." But it's probably too late for Democrats to acknowledge the obvious. One titanic reason why Trump-allied Republicans are now on the cusp of crafting a right-wing court for the next 40 years is because … [Read more...] about Hey, Democrats: It’s The Supreme Court Stupid
Democrats Should Sue Themselves
Democrats should sue themselves if they really believe that climate change is 100% man-made. That is because Democrats are direct beneficiaries of human activities that allegedly produce 100% man-made climate change. Instead of suing "Big Oil", Democrats could simply put "Big Oil" out of business by shutting down all gasoline and diesel-fuel pumps and by refusing to purchase … [Read more...] about Democrats Should Sue Themselves
Great Music Chapter 22: Metallica
I hope your head is not spinning with my bouncing around with different genres of music in this series. For those of you of a certain age, this week’s selection will bring back memories of your own youth. The song I have chosen is “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. I know some of you will be wondering have I gone off the rails picking a song by a Heavy Metal band? The … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 22: Metallica
The only way to win the Supreme Court fight
BOSTON -- When Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., quickly tweeted: "This is the fight of our lives." She's right. But how will the fight be defined and how it can be won? With Republicans in control of the Senate, the odds favor anyone President Trump picks to fill Kennedy's seat. But as the mass mobilization to … [Read more...] about The only way to win the Supreme Court fight
Virginia GOP In Turmoil
"Abraham Lincoln would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that’s what the Republican Party has come to." That is the statement of Richard Fox, who recently resigned as a regional chair of the Albemarle County (VA) GOP committee. Fox made that statement in response to Corey Stewart being Virginia's GOP U.S. senatorial nominee this year. A Washington Post headline … [Read more...] about Virginia GOP In Turmoil
Tobacco Use Is Still an Economic and Moral Crisis
Anti-smoking laws started cropping up as early as the 1880s, which means smoking has been recognized as a public health epidemic among concerned citizens and medical practitioners for almost a century and a half. In 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General made it official by declaring: “Cigarette smoking is a health hazard of sufficient importance in the United States to warrant … [Read more...] about Tobacco Use Is Still an Economic and Moral Crisis
‘Magic’ Mushrooms’ Psilocybin: Towards a Sane Legal Treatment
Two groups sponsoring upcoming ballot initiatives in Denver, CO, and Oregon aim to eliminate penalties for “magic” mushrooms which contain the psychedelic psilocybin this year. If approved the Denver version on this year’s ballot seeks to decriminalize mushrooms, whereas in Oregon’s initiative (in 2020) a more “medical” approach with doctors and therapists is sought. Neither … [Read more...] about ‘Magic’ Mushrooms’ Psilocybin: Towards a Sane Legal Treatment
Leftist Populist Wins Presidency in Mexico in a Landslide
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a leftist who has been also labeled a populist, has been elected President of Mexico in a landslide. This will change the dynamics in Mexico and mean Donald Trump will face an even tougher time imposing his will on Mexico. The New York Times: Riding a wave of populist anger fueled by rampant corruption and violence, the leftist Andrés Manuel … [Read more...] about Leftist Populist Wins Presidency in Mexico in a Landslide
Cartoon: Stable Geniuses in Helsinki
Misinformation and biases infect social media, both intentionally and accidentally
People who share potential misinformation on Twitter (in purple) rarely get to see corrections or fact-checking (in orange). Shao et al., CC BY-ND Giovanni Luca Ciampaglia, Indiana University and Filippo Menczer, Indiana University Social media are among the primary sources of news in the U.S. and across the world. Yet users are exposed to content of … [Read more...] about Misinformation and biases infect social media, both intentionally and accidentally
The GOP ignores the will of the people
Eight years ago, when Congress was about to pass Obamacare, John A. Boehner, leader of a powerless Republican congressional minority, gave a passionate, prescient speech on the House floor. "This is the People's House, and the moment a majority forgets this, it starts writing itself a ticket to minority status," he said. "If we pass this bill, there will be no turning back. … [Read more...] about The GOP ignores the will of the people
(UPDATE) 2018: Year of the ‘Badass Women’
UPDATE: Had last Tuesday’s stunning and decisive primary win by New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ occurred just a couple of weeks earlier, I am sure she would have been included in InStyle’s list of “The Badass 50” women (below). But in the short five days since her victory, Ocasio-Cortez has made many other lists and her influence has already been felt in many, … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) 2018: Year of the ‘Badass Women’