"This is not normal," James B. Comey said last week after President Trump threatened him with jail. If I had a nickel for every time somebody said that, I could repay the national debt. There is so much abnormality from this president that we're numb. I'd like to pause, therefore, to reflect on just one thing the president did this week that, amid Russian hookers and his … [Read more...] about Trump is a breed apart
What Greek tragedy illuminates about James Comey
What Greek tragedy illuminates about James Comey James Comey in 2017. AP Photo/Cliff Owen Victoria Pagán, University of Florida Once upon a time, there was a prominent, powerful man in government who cared deeply about integrity and following the rules. He said, “You cannot know a man completely, his character, his … [Read more...] about What Greek tragedy illuminates about James Comey
Great Music Chapter 15
This week and for the next several weeks I am returning to the world of Classical Music. I will highlight a number of obscure and almost forgotten pieces which not only are beautiful music but deserve a place in the musical world as absolute gems. The first is a piece in a set of four that Franz Schubert wrote in 1827 when he was just 30 years old and he died a year later. … [Read more...] about Great Music Chapter 15
Wishy-Washy White House
By Blair Bess From the moment he took office, President Trump has repeatedly experienced buyer's remorse. In the last week, the president has undermined a key member of his administration and reversed course on his own foreign and economic policies. This should come as no surprise. It's standard operating procedure for the Trump White House. President Trump promised to … [Read more...] about Wishy-Washy White House
Democratic Party’s pluralism is both a strength and weakness
Democratic Party's pluralism is both a strength and weakness Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., accompanied by Democratic members of the House and Senate in late 2017. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana Raymond La Raja, University of Massachusetts Amherst “Democrats never agree on anything, that’s why they’re Democrats. If they agreed … [Read more...] about Democratic Party’s pluralism is both a strength and weakness
Cartoon: Facebook and You
What’s With the Rising Cost of Health Insurance in California?
In recent years, a strange phenomenon has emerged in the California health care scene. Hospitals across the state are merging under the umbrellas of several major companies, a move that is having a staggering effect on the price of health insurance. With continually fewer choices, hospitals and other health care providers are hiking prices accordingly, finding themselves with a … [Read more...] about What’s With the Rising Cost of Health Insurance in California?
Snakes on a Sniper’s Rifle
Ophidiophobia or ophiophobia –- (abnormal) fear of snakes -- is one of the most common phobias people have. A March 2008 article in Live Science suggests several theories as to why humans “have evolved an innate tendency to sense snakes…and to learn to fear them.” Of course, the need to be able to sense and fear snakes in the wild throughout evolutionary history in order … [Read more...] about Snakes on a Sniper’s Rifle
The Week That The Russia Scandal River Overflowed Its Banks & Became A Flood
Several things are glaringly obvious as the river of Russia scandal developments overflows its banks and becomes a flood of historic proportions: Donald Trump is a seriously evil person who happens to be president because of Vladimir Putin and James Comey. He has surrounded himself with an extraordinary rogue's gallery of bottom feeders. His increasingly delusional rages … [Read more...] about The Week That The Russia Scandal River Overflowed Its Banks & Became A Flood
What’s unconscious bias training, and does it work?
Embed from Getty Images What's unconscious bias training, and does it work? Calvin K. Lai, Washington University in St Louis A Starbucks manager in Philadelphia called the police on two black men on April 12, leading to their arrest. The two men, who had been waiting for a friend at the store, were released without being charged. Starbucks has since apologized … [Read more...] about What’s unconscious bias training, and does it work?
Under the Bus (Cartoon, Column and Video)
There’s talk in the media that Donald Trump needs to worry about his attorney/fixer Michael Cohen flipping on him. A former attorney of Trump’s told the Wall Street Journal that it’s basically guaranteed. Trump talked to a lawyer who went straight to the press to blab about it. So much for attorney/client privilege. To remind us how much of a buffoon he is, Trump called … [Read more...] about Under the Bus (Cartoon, Column and Video)
What’s the Matter with Kansas Needs a Sequel (Book Review)
By Thomas Hoffman In What's the Matter with Kansas, Thomas Frank examines exactly that. The book actually is about "What's the Matter with America." The book revolves around the idea of false ideology. Politicians use topics like gay marriage, abortion, flag burning and school prayer to distract the public from issues like the National Debt. What's the Matter with Kansas … [Read more...] about What’s the Matter with Kansas Needs a Sequel (Book Review)
Cartoon: Senator McConnell Sees No Need To Protect Mueller
An Inherent Need for Caution and Balance in Foreign Affairs
by Dale Schlundt In the context of such political contention in the United States and around the world, it is reassuring that a point which can be agreed upon is that the use of chemical weapons is simply unacceptable. One must applaud the condemnation of them and our resolve in halting their use. However, the U.S., British, and French response to Syria’s use of such … [Read more...] about An Inherent Need for Caution and Balance in Foreign Affairs
Don’t Dream It’s Over
There has been a dangerous assumption, or perhaps just an epidemic of wishful thinking, against those opposed to President Trump since he took office that it was inevitable that he would leave office before the end of his term. Vice President Pence has been referred to, only half-jokingly, in White House circles as “46”, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said as early as … [Read more...] about Don’t Dream It’s Over
Cartoon: Trump and Cohen
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 Cohen
The Pardoner’s Tale
Riding Scooter Scooter Libby, an adviser to former Co-President Dick Cheney, can rest easy now that Donald Trump has lifted his cloak of infamy. Libby is no longer a felon, convicted of lying to federal investigators about his outing of Valerie Plame, a CIA operative. President George Bush II commuted the sentence but refused to pardon him. I disagreed with many of Bush's … [Read more...] about The Pardoner’s Tale
One ‘Cool’ Pilot (Updates: …and a Hero)
UPDATE II: News sources have reported that the First Officer of Southwest Flight 1380 is also a veteran, a former U.S. Air Force pilot. Yesterday, Southwest Airlines released a statement on behalf of Capt. Tammie Jo Shults and First Officer Darren Ellisor: As Captain and First Officer of the crew of five who worked to serve our Customers aboard Flight 1380 … [Read more...] about One ‘Cool’ Pilot (Updates: …and a Hero)
What’s so bad about sipping your drink through a straw?
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the deal with some restaurants no longer offering straws to their customers? What’s so bad about sipping your drink through a straw anyway? — Jeffrey Edwards, Seattle, WA Americans use 500 million plastic straws—or 1.6 per person on average—every day. Based on this, a typical American will use more than 38,000 plastic straws over the course … [Read more...] about What’s so bad about sipping your drink through a straw?
Nikki Haley’s SOS to the nation
WASHINGTON -- "With all due respect, I don't get confused." These eight words from Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will go down as among the most powerful indictments of the rancid governing culture President Trump has fostered. They may also shed light on one of the great mysteries of the moment: Why is it that Trump regularly backs off when it comes … [Read more...] about Nikki Haley’s SOS to the nation