Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - In the run-up to the high-stakes midterm elections next week, President Joe Biden is out on the stump in many states. But his one-time boss, former president Barack Obama, is also campaigning hard to rescue a faltering Democratic Party. On Friday, the two men spoke at the same time, in two different corners of the United States: Biden in … [Read more...] about Obama tries to rescue Democrats from US midterm losses
Hypocrisy is beneath them – political figures in the Trump era don’t bother concealing their misdeeds
Infowars founder Alex Jones in court during his Sandy Hook defamation damages trial in Waterbury, Conn., Sept. 22, 2022. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool, File Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University - Newark There seems to be no sense of shame or its cousin, guilt, in our time. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tormented the parents of … [Read more...] about Hypocrisy is beneath them – political figures in the Trump era don’t bother concealing their misdeeds
American voters are angry – that is a good thing for voter turnout, bad thing for democracy
Thousands of demonstrators gather in Washington, D.C., to support women’s rights on Oct. 8, 2022. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images Steven Webster, Indiana University Regardless of whether they live in a red state or a blue state, identify as Democrats or Republicans, or claim to be ideologically liberal or conservative, Americans have one thing … [Read more...] about American voters are angry – that is a good thing for voter turnout, bad thing for democracy
DESANTIS WHO?
NYT “GOP is poised to win” narrative unsupported by their own data
In an "analysis" that opens with unmitigated opinion, on Thursday the New York Times claimed: A new series of House polls by The New York Times and Siena College across four archetypal swing districts offers fresh evidence that Republicans are poised to retake Congress this fall as the party dominated among voters who care most about the economy. The polling data the … [Read more...] about NYT “GOP is poised to win” narrative unsupported by their own data
VOTER INTIMIDATION, 2022 (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Nice democracy you have there. It’d be a real shame if anything were to happen to it. That seems to be what the MAGA goons stalking ballot drop boxes seem to be saying to voters. Despite lying about voter fraud, using those lies to change laws making it more difficult for minorities to vote, and claiming they’re going to have a red wave on November 8 and retake the House, … [Read more...] about VOTER INTIMIDATION, 2022 (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
The creepy clown emerged from the crass and bawdy circuses of the 19th century
Clowns in American circuses were once considered a form of adult entertainment. ArtMarie/E+ via Getty Images Madeline Steiner, University of South Carolina The scary clown has become a horror staple. Featuring Art the Clown as the main villain, Damien Leone’s new film “Terrifier 2” is so gruesome that there are reports of viewers vomiting and … [Read more...] about The creepy clown emerged from the crass and bawdy circuses of the 19th century
Right-wing election ‘army’ sparks fear for US midterms
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Influential right-wing campaigners who endorse Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud are mobilizing a vigilante-style "army" of poll watchers for the US midterms, a move analysts say threatens chaos, intimidation and violence. The campaigners, including some who tried to overturn Trump's defeat in the 2020 election such as his former … [Read more...] about Right-wing election ‘army’ sparks fear for US midterms
Young voters are more likely to skip midterm elections than presidential races
How many people vote matters, but so does their age. Scott Eisen/Getty Images Jan Leighley, American University School of Public Affairs Midterm elections typically have lower voter turnout than presidential elections, but there is another crucial difference beyond just how many people vote: how old they are. If past turnout patterns hold in … [Read more...] about Young voters are more likely to skip midterm elections than presidential races
FETTERMAN-OZ DEBATE (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Did you watch the debate between Pennsylvania Senate candidates Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Mehmet Crudites Oz? Did you at least watch the highlights? If so, did you mute or turn away out of the sheer awkwardness of it all? I watched the highlights and I wanted to turn away. It was painful and uncomfortable for me. Let’s face facts, my liberal friends. Fetterman … [Read more...] about FETTERMAN-OZ DEBATE (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
RISHI SUNAK AND BIRTHER IN THE UK (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Rishi Sunak is the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. While many are celebrating tha he's the first nonwhite person to lead the four nations, he’s still a Tory with the same Tory policies that put the UK into a greater recession than the U.S. is experiencing, torpedoed the London stock exchange, and limited the last PM to 45 days. Sunak is promising his focus will be … [Read more...] about RISHI SUNAK AND BIRTHER IN THE UK (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Antisemitism
By Mark D. Zimmerman Donald Trump has come under criticism for recent comments he made about the Jewish community that some viewed as antisemitic. He noted on his social media platform Truth Social that “U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel – Before it is too late!” He added, “No President has done more for Israel than I have. … [Read more...] about Jewish Trivia Quiz: Antisemitism
The Blessing Of Having Old School Political Insiders In Charge
by Thomas Hoffmann If there is one thing Presidents Trump and Obama have in common, they both ran on a platform of being “outsiders.” In 2008 then Governor Romney spoke about an obstacle McCain and Clinton both faced. Romney stated that the American people did not believe an “insider” could bring true change to Washington. Romney was right, the public did believe this. … [Read more...] about The Blessing Of Having Old School Political Insiders In Charge
Community Safety and Mental Health
The primary responsibility of any government is to provide safety for its citizens from external and internal threats. This obligation came to mind recently with an article in the New York Times Metropolitan Section. A forty year old white woman was walking her dog in Prospect Park in Brooklyn around six in the morning when she was attacked by a Black man with dreadlocks who … [Read more...] about Community Safety and Mental Health
Sunak is on thin ice but early reactions to Britain’s new Prime Minister are hopeful
Rishi Sunak, a Briton of Indian origin, has become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. At 42, he is the youngest prime minister in 200 years and the first of non-white origin. Also, he may be the richest prime minister with a worth of $830 million according to a Sunday Times list, which is more than the late Queen Elizabeth’s documented wealth. There is some irony in … [Read more...] about Sunak is on thin ice but early reactions to Britain’s new Prime Minister are hopeful
WHERE ARE YOU MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., WHEN WE NEED YOU?
by Don Hermann We need you desperately. America needs you. The world needs you. When you died, so many things died with you. You wouldn’t have watched the deterioration of people’s rights. You would have taken some action. You would have mobilized people. All colors. And all races. You would have been relentless. You would have had rallies at State Legislatures. You … [Read more...] about WHERE ARE YOU MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., WHEN WE NEED YOU?
Pit bulls went from America’s best friend to public enemy – now they’re slowly coming full circle
A pit bull is not an official breed – it’s an umbrella term for a type of dog. Barbara Rich via Getty Images Colin Dayan, Vanderbilt University As recently as 50 years ago, the pit bull was America’s favorite dog. Pit bulls were everywhere. They were popular in advertising and used to promote the joys of pet-and-human friendship. Nipper on the RCA … [Read more...] about Pit bulls went from America’s best friend to public enemy – now they’re slowly coming full circle
Steve Schmidt on Kevin McCarthy
Except for what I read, hear and see, I know little about Kevin McCarthy. However, what I read, hear and see about the Republican Speaker-of-the-House-wannabe is not pretty. Since this is The Moderate Voice, it is only fair to look at what his friends are saying about him. It so happens that a (former Republican) friend of McCarthy just penned a piece about the … [Read more...] about Steve Schmidt on Kevin McCarthy
SOFT ON CRIME IS A CRIME
by Don Hermann The Republicans got it right. They should know as well as anybody. If there’s anything the Republicans are good at is saying NO to issues that could be helpful and then campaign that the particular problem is the fault of the Democrats. The Democrats main issue is their marketing. They don’t establish PRIORITIES. They don’t respond quickly enough to obvious … [Read more...] about SOFT ON CRIME IS A CRIME
LIZ V. LETTUCE (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
I didn’t know what I was going to draw this morning and sat at my drawing table with my iPad open while I considered my options. I had already created and dated the canvas I was going to draw on in Procreate, but I just didn’t have the idea yet. I considered using an idea I wrote last week for CNN, which I really like, but thought maybe a few other issues should take … [Read more...] about LIZ V. LETTUCE (CARTOON AND COLUMN)