United Nations chief Antonio Guterres is struggling to restore common sense as the world sinks further into a long-term quicksand of wars, hunger, disease and turmoil. But his is a frustrating uphill struggle. UN appeals for reform and peace are not getting enough support from the five nuclear powers, the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. Each seems … [Read more...] about UN chief’s solitary voice of common sense in a fragmented violent world.
In Texas’ Third-Largest County, the Far Right’s Vision for Local Governing Has Come to Life
In Texas’ Third-Largest County, the Far Right’s Vision for Local Governing Has Come to Lifeby Robert Downen, The Texas Tribune, and Jeremy Schwartz, ProPublica and The Texas TribuneProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.Reporting HighlightsNo Compromise: Tim O’Hare’s … [Read more...] about In Texas’ Third-Largest County, the Far Right’s Vision for Local Governing Has Come to Life
Swing-state GOP leaders amplified election denial in 2020 – and may do so again
Will local Republican Parties again serve as megaphones for election disinformation, as they did in 2020? AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File Sadie Dempsey, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Benny Witkovsky, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jianing Li, Rutgers University; Michael W. Wagner, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Yiming Wang, University of … [Read more...] about Swing-state GOP leaders amplified election denial in 2020 – and may do so again
ELON AND DONALD (MIKE PETERS GUEST CARTOON)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about ELON AND DONALD (MIKE PETERS GUEST CARTOON)
TWO POLITICAL: PENNSYLVANIAS
By Lou Martin My wife and I live in a rural farming area in Western Pennsylvania. We moved here five years ago because we’re country people, and it’s only 20 minutes from where I grew up and where my mother still lives . Here we have chickens, a big garden, and a wood-burning stove but no broadband internet, which sometimes makes it hard on my wife, who works from home. … [Read more...] about TWO POLITICAL: PENNSYLVANIAS
So you don’t like Trump or Harris – here’s why it’s still best to vote for one of them
In a close election, every vote really does matter. Nadzeya Haroshka/iStock / Getty Images Plus Daniel F. Stone, Bowdoin College Many Americans are not thrilled with either of the two major-party candidates for president. As of Oct. 4, 2024, polls showed that 46.5% had an unfavorable opinion of Kamala Harris and 52.6% felt unfavorably toward … [Read more...] about So you don’t like Trump or Harris – here’s why it’s still best to vote for one of them
Election Day 2024
The odds are strong that Election Day next month will not provide an answer for us about who has been elected president. Days or even weeks will be necessary to learn the final tally of the votes and who was the winner. With so many districts in so many states tied or within the margin of error in the preelection polls, it is likely that these states and districts will be … [Read more...] about Election Day 2024
Florida Military Installations Prepare for Hurricane Milton
As category 5 Hurricane Milton churns towards Florida, several military installations are in or close to the direct path of the destructive hurricane. The Defense Department’s foremost concern is, of course, the safety of its personnel and their families. To this end the military has taken action to protect them from any possible harm by closing installations across Florida … [Read more...] about Florida Military Installations Prepare for Hurricane Milton
Trump White House Limited ‘Sham’ FBI Kavanaugh Probe, Senate Report Confirms
"The Trump White House exercised total control over the scope of the investigation, preventing the FBI from interviewing relevant witnesses and following up on tips," reads a new report. by Julia Conley "Our suspicions are confirmed," said one veteran women's rights advocate on Tuesday after a U.S. Senate report was released on former Republican President Donald Trump's … [Read more...] about Trump White House Limited ‘Sham’ FBI Kavanaugh Probe, Senate Report Confirms
WOODWARD: TRUMP SPOKE TO PUTIN AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE LEAVING OFFICE
Formal President Donald Trump has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin at least 7 times, Bob Woodward has revealed in his upcoming book "War." And so Trump breaks another norm: Presidents don't talk to declared enemies of the United States after U.S. presidents leave office. In addition, Woodward reports that at a time when many Americans could not get Covid tests, … [Read more...] about WOODWARD: TRUMP SPOKE TO PUTIN AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE LEAVING OFFICE
Response to Hurricane Helene: Lies and Facts
While Trump and his minions continue to deliberately and blatantly lie, obfuscate and deceive about the federal response to Hurricane Helene for political purposes and continue to spread false rumors about how disaster funds have been used "on people that should not be in our country," the Biden administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. … [Read more...] about Response to Hurricane Helene: Lies and Facts
Election Skeptics Are Running Some County Election Boards in Georgia. A New Rule Could Allow Them to Exclude Decisive Votes.
Election Skeptics Are Running Some County Election Boards in Georgia. A New Rule Could Allow Them to Exclude Decisive Votes.by Doug Bock Clark and Heather VogellProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.An examination of a new election rule in Georgia passed by the state’s … [Read more...] about Election Skeptics Are Running Some County Election Boards in Georgia. A New Rule Could Allow Them to Exclude Decisive Votes.
TRUMP AND HIS INCOHERENT WEAVES (CARTOON)
Do you need something to laugh at? Of course you do!
Do you need something to laugh at? Of course you do, considering what is happening during the current U.S. presidential campaign. Like every other U.S. voter, this blogger also wishes that the 2024 U.S. presidential election were already over. We keep wanting the sweet meteor of death to strike planet Earth in order to end our misery, but it never arrives. Even if you … [Read more...] about Do you need something to laugh at? Of course you do!
Some online conspiracy-spreaders don’t even believe the lies they’re spewing
When people spread lies online, they may know they’re sharing falsehoods. Timucin Taka/500 px via Getty Images H. Colleen Sinclair, Louisiana State University There has been a lot of research on the types of people who believe conspiracy theories, and their reasons for doing so. But there’s a wrinkle: My colleagues and I have found that … [Read more...] about Some online conspiracy-spreaders don’t even believe the lies they’re spewing
Report: Analysis of Trump’s speeches show serious cognitive deterioration and they’re sometimes “factually fantastical”
Amid widespread criticism from Democrats that the media haven't applied the same standards to Trump's as they did to President Joe Biden - there's a growing recognition that Trump is suffering from serious cognitive deterioration. Euphemisms aren't being used. The latest report comes in a heavily documented New York Times deep-dive. Some excerpts: Former President Donald … [Read more...] about Report: Analysis of Trump’s speeches show serious cognitive deterioration and they’re sometimes “factually fantastical”
Republicans in FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, VA and WV voted against funding FEMA last month
The day before Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida, the House and Senate agreed to keep the federal government operating past September 30. The temporary budget expires December 20 and included no supplemental funds for FEMA disasters. [A]s the House and Senate’s top four leaders met last weekend to negotiate a deal to keep the government funded, they were forced to … [Read more...] about Republicans in FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, VA and WV voted against funding FEMA last month
Trump lies: the Biden Administration did not divert FEMA money to immigration. But Trump did.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is suffering a budget shortfall, because the House of Representatives did not fund FEMA disaster relief in its "stopgap" bill; yet hurricane season runs through November. FEMA has not diverted any money -- much less a billion dollars -- to immigration programs, as Donald Trump has falsely claimed. Trump has repeatedly lied about … [Read more...] about Trump lies: the Biden Administration did not divert FEMA money to immigration. But Trump did.
Helene damage could negatively impact computer chip production
The town of Spruce Pine, NC (population 2,194), is home to two of the most important mines in the world that produce "high-purity quartz used for making semiconductors, solar panels and fiber-optic cables." Production at the mines stopped September 26, 2024, before Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida. Helene's devastating winds and rains pummeled western North … [Read more...] about Helene damage could negatively impact computer chip production
Tackling Vance’s lies: abortion, climate change, health care, immigration
Despite a television performance peppered with lies from start to finish, political pundits named JD Vance "the winner" because he was polished, professional, cordial (here, here, here, here, not exhaustive). That, my friends, is BS. It looks like independent and "other party" voters agreed: Here's historian Heather Cox Richardson on the lies and Donald Trump's … [Read more...] about Tackling Vance’s lies: abortion, climate change, health care, immigration