A few years ago, on a flight back from South America in the middle of the summer, a container with frozen shrimp accidentally continued to California instead of being offloaded along with my other luggage at my destination in Texas. Two days later, I received a call from the airline advising me that the container had been returned to my home airport and urging me to please … [Read more...] about They Lose Luggage, Don’t They?
NATO: Trump and supporters head for sharp disillusion
NATO and Britain’s reactions to President Donald Trump’s visits signal that his relentless self-destructive steps are setting him and his core supporters up for the sharpest disillusionment of their political lives. He and his supporters seem convinced that American military, economic and diplomatic powers are so overwhelming that Europeans have little choice but to … [Read more...] about NATO: Trump and supporters head for sharp disillusion
Trumpalloon
Copyright 2018 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Trumpalloon
Living With Nonstop Pain
Imagine that you have to live with nonstop pain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. How would you cope with such a condition? How would it change you? Would you try to numb your pain with alcohol or illegal drugs? Would you withdraw from society? What if your condition disabled you to the point that you could no longer be employed outside your home? Could you handle your income … [Read more...] about Living With Nonstop Pain
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
In Marvel's latest addition to its cinematic universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp improves upon the original story that debuted Paul Rudd's portrayal of Ant-Man in 2015. This sequel is funnier, the story is better, and, by the end of it all, it cleverly weaves itself into the recent events of Avengers: Infinity War. Much like the first Ant-Man, this film's underlying message is … [Read more...] about Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
I Yearn for a Society in Which Civility Rules, But These Are Not Civil Times
I yearn for a society in which civility rules, but these are not civil times. by Michael Winship A number of years ago, at the height of the whole Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky insanity, a certain someone figuring prominently in the right’s exploitation of the scandal occasionally lunched with friends of theirs at a restaurant where I hung out on a near daily basis. To … [Read more...] about I Yearn for a Society in Which Civility Rules, But These Are Not Civil Times
Of Russians & Refugees: Donald Trump’s ‘Emperor Has No Clothes’ Moment Of Truth
As revealing moments go, Donald Trump's comments about Vladimir Putin and Russian interference in elections past and future at the ass end of the NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday was not surprising if nevertheless surreal. And a reminder -- as if we need one -- of how utterly screwed America and our once sacred values are if we don't fight back. Hard. Asked how he … [Read more...] about Of Russians & Refugees: Donald Trump’s ‘Emperor Has No Clothes’ Moment Of Truth
Hypocrites for Kavanaugh
WASHINGTON -- Be prepared for a festival of hypocrisy, evasion and misdirection from supporters of the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Begin with the idea that because Kavanaugh is qualified, well-educated, intelligent and likable, senators should fall in line behind him. Sorry, but Senate Republicans have already demonstrated that none of … [Read more...] about Hypocrites for Kavanaugh
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and NATO
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Things will not be okay --Ronald’s out. Donald’s in. --‘Very stable’ Trump? European leaders beg to differ --Pentagon goes into 'damage control' mode to reassure NATO allies --Pentagon goes into 'damage control' mode to reassure NATO allies Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Trump and NATO
As the World Cup winds down and the summit nears, Trump is playing Putin’s game
Russian-government backed show Comedy Club’s Trump and Putin impersonators. RUTube Cynthia Hooper, College of the Holy Cross It seems incredible that White House aides would schedule the first U.S.-Russia summit of the Donald Trump Presidency for the day after the World Cup final soccer match in Moscow, given the assiduous attention to detail that … [Read more...] about As the World Cup winds down and the summit nears, Trump is playing Putin’s game
Trump Buys Survival Insurance From Brett Kavanaugh
Feel free to tell yourself that Donald Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court because the guy went to Yale (Trump reportedly loves Ivy League creds), or because the guy has been thoroughly vetted by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society (the right-wing groups that have long been funneling conservative judges to the bench). But if you really want to … [Read more...] about Trump Buys Survival Insurance From Brett Kavanaugh
The Benefits of NATO
By Graham F. West In 1949, President Harry Truman led the way in forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, known today as NATO. For more than 60 years, this alliance, founded on the idea that "an attack on one is an attack on all," has stood as a cornerstone of the interconnected world that Truman worked to build - one of allies who share common interests and common … [Read more...] about The Benefits of NATO
Rock ‘n’ roll is noise pollution – with ecological implications that can spread through a food web
Not interested in your new favorite band. TJ Gehling, CC BY-NC-ND Brandon Barton, Mississippi State University Despite being one of the best-selling albums of all time, ideology from AC/DC’s “Back in Black” album has gone unchallenged for nearly 40 years. The album’s closing track posited a testable hypothesis, asserting with rock-star confidence that … [Read more...] about Rock ‘n’ roll is noise pollution – with ecological implications that can spread through a food web
Trump and Putin- Why Alone?
Presidents Trump and Putin will be meeting in Helsinki, Finland on July 16 after Trump attends the NATO summit and visits England. This would normally be news, but the real news is the extraordinary aspect of this meeting as Trump will be meeting Putin alone. There will be a Russian interpreter, but no other Americans present. To say these unprecedented arrangements are … [Read more...] about Trump and Putin- Why Alone?
Donald Trump and Incivility
Donald Trump has earned the grade of "F" in the area of civility. Trump calling Maxine Waters "low IQ" was uncalled for, and he certainly should apologize to her for doing so. That said, the Democratic Party is no paragon when it comes to civility. From ABC News: [Maxine] Waters drew criticism from both sides of the aisle after she encouraged protesters to … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and Incivility
Manliness
by D. Eckberg As the number of men revealed to be sexual predators over the past year via Me Too and Time's Up has continued to grow, at first I was shocked at the mushrooming list of familiar names. And then ashamed realizing I shouldn't have been, thinking back to the very real fear I read in the eyes of female friends in college as they confided to me concerns about … [Read more...] about Manliness
Trump Spelunking (Column and Cartoon)
The world was uplifted by the news that all 12 of the Thai soccer players trapped for nearly three weeks inside a cave were finally rescued. It was a challenging rescue for even the most experienced divers, as the tunnels leading the boys were narrow and flooded during Thailand’s rainy season. During the rescue, each boy was underwater for two to six hours. One Thai diver … [Read more...] about Trump Spelunking (Column and Cartoon)
Trump isn’t the first leader to rattle the world order
Kelly McFarland, Georgetown University Donald Trump’s recent trip to the G-7 summit smashed expectations of how world leaders should behave. Trump’s actions in Canada included exacerbating the growing trade war and accusing Canadian President Justin Trudeau of lying. Summit participants described the President as “angry, mocking, wandering and rude.” Trump left the G-7 … [Read more...] about Trump isn’t the first leader to rattle the world order
Yes, abortion is on Kavanaugh’s docket. But here’s what’s first.
WASHINGTON -- Hours before President Trump revealed his Supreme Court nominee Monday night, the White House made a curious announcement. A Trump spokesman said that the "Sherpa" charged with leading Trump's nominee to confirmation in the Senate would be former Republican senator Jon Kyl, a big-time lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals industry. Why would the White House put … [Read more...] about Yes, abortion is on Kavanaugh’s docket. But here’s what’s first.
The Monstrous Backstory That Trump Is Desperate To Keep Secret As He Meets Putin
When Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Helsinki on July 16 for their first summit meeting, the American president will have much to hide and the Russian autocrat much to gain. Because as is glaringly obvious, Putin has the goods on Trump, has been using him to Russia's advantage for many years and is now playing the U.S. for a global chump despite a president who likes … [Read more...] about The Monstrous Backstory That Trump Is Desperate To Keep Secret As He Meets Putin