United Nations chief Antonio Guterres described the destruction of the Kakhovka dam’s water reservoir in Ukraine as “a monumental humanitarian, economic and ecological catastrophe”. Although the UN has no access to independent verification of how the catastrophe occurred, Guterres noted, “But one thing is clear: this is another devastating consequence of the Russian invasion … [Read more...] about UN struggles with catastrophic consequences of Ukrainian dam’s destruction
Suppression of Direct Democracy
Politicians don’t like being told what to do. This is particularly true if the direction comes from their constituents. They believe that once they are elected to office, they control the agenda of their constituents and are free to make the laws, even if they conflict with the wishes of the people. This is particularly true of the elected officials of gerrymandered state … [Read more...] about Suppression of Direct Democracy
WE SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT SANE ADULTS REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE
Put your hands together for sane mature bipartisan centrist adulthood. It’s a whole lot better than apocalyptic bluster. When something good happens in Washington, we should pause to savor it. Case in point is the debt ceiling deal, forged by political foes Joe Biden and Kevin McCarthy, to safeguard the American economy and the global market. Neither side got everything it … [Read more...] about WE SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT SANE ADULTS REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE
WELCOME TO MAGADONIA (CARTOON)
TRUMP INDICTMENT EXPECTED: TRUMP GOES BALLISTIC ON TRUTH SOCIAL
It truly sounds as if it's tik tok time for former President Donald Trump. And I don't mean the app that's highly popular with teenagers. News about the federal investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents continues to break: 1. Trump's lawyers met with Department of Justice officials for just under two hours today and asked that Trump not be charged. Some … [Read more...] about TRUMP INDICTMENT EXPECTED: TRUMP GOES BALLISTIC ON TRUTH SOCIAL
DESANTIS ARE YOU BLIND (CARTOON)
INTERVIEW WITH A VENTRILOQUIST (VIDEO)
Here's an interview with an ADMITTED dummy: … [Read more...] about INTERVIEW WITH A VENTRILOQUIST (VIDEO)
WOKE COWS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
So now I hear that the crowd always whining about “cancel culture” are locking their sights on Chick-fil-A? Wait a minute? Chick-fil-A? Are we talking about the same Chick-fil-A that’s given millions of dollars to anti-LGBTQ hate groups? Is this the same Chick-fil-A that conservatives circled the wagons around a few years ago after liberals criticized the owners for being … [Read more...] about WOKE COWS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
How AI could take over elections – and undermine democracy
An AI-driven political campaign could be all things to all people. Eric Smalley, TCUS; Biodiversity Heritage Library/Flickr; Taymaz Valley/Flickr, CC BY-ND Archon Fung, Harvard Kennedy School and Lawrence Lessig, Harvard University Could organizations use artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT to induce voters to behave in specific … [Read more...] about How AI could take over elections – and undermine democracy
Being born gay is not a sin.
Being born gay is not a sin. Yet, people born gay are scorned by others who believe that being gay is a choice. Seriously, who would choose a sexual orientation that historically has been condemned in modern Western societies? Gay people have had to hide their sexual orientation with the knowledge that they could suffer if their true selves were revealed. What sane people … [Read more...] about Being born gay is not a sin.
Attacks on the LGBTQ community disgust me.
Attacks on the LGBTQ community disgust me. I am especially disgusted by such attacks coming from alleged Christian pastors. They keep missing the forest for the trees without realizing it. First, I will share something that I say in my commentary Defending the LGBTQ community isn’t easy for a Christian. I have shared the above statement on Twitter. In response, some … [Read more...] about Attacks on the LGBTQ community disgust me.
How the sounds of ‘Succession’ shred the grandeur and respect the characters so desperately try to project
While the Roy siblings are shielded by their wealth, the show’s music chips away at their armor. Macall Polay/HBO Delia Casadei, University of California, Berkeley HBO’s “Succession” delivered its grand finale on May 28, 2023 – the climax of four award-packed seasons of searing put-downs, nihilistic humor and desperate power plays. The show tells … [Read more...] about How the sounds of ‘Succession’ shred the grandeur and respect the characters so desperately try to project
How Do Ponds Contribute to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity?
Humans often overlook ponds as a significant player in the grander ecosystem, but they have a lot to say despite being smaller bodies of water. Ponds assist habitats and ecosystem biodiversity so much you may be inspired to build your own. These important bodies of water are a dying breed and it’s up to everyone to bring them back into fashion. Knowing the primary benefits … [Read more...] about How Do Ponds Contribute to Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity?
REPUBLICANS AND SOCIAL SECURITY (CARTOON)
Visit Clay Jones' website and email him at [email protected]. … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS AND SOCIAL SECURITY (CARTOON)
From its birth 50 years ago, hip-hop has spread throughout Europe and challenged outdated ideals of racial and ethnic identity
Rapper Eko Fresh performs during a fundraising concert in Hamburg, Germany, on Dec. 6, 2022. Georg Wendt/Getty Images Armin Langer, University of Florida His name is Alpha Diallo, and in his 2016 song “I am at home,” the French rapper makes clear who and what he is. “I am Black,” he sings, “Proud to be French of Guinean origin.” Known as Black … [Read more...] about From its birth 50 years ago, hip-hop has spread throughout Europe and challenged outdated ideals of racial and ethnic identity
COVID-19 clawbacks, spending caps and a cut – what House Republicans got in return for pushing the US to the brink of default
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has billed the deal as a victory for his party. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Raymond Scheppach, University of Virginia House Republicans pushed the U.S. to the edge of a fiscal crisis because they wanted deep cuts in government spending. So, based on the tentative deal announced on May 27, 2023, how did they do? In … [Read more...] about COVID-19 clawbacks, spending caps and a cut – what House Republicans got in return for pushing the US to the brink of default
KEN PAXTON (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Since I wrote about Ken Paxton Friday, you’re not going to get a long blog from me today. But, I will post the 20 articles of impeachment against the Texas Attorney General. Here ya go: Paxton ignored his official duty to protect charities when he directed his office to interfere in the Mitte Foundation charity’s lawsuit against Nate Paul, a political donor to … [Read more...] about KEN PAXTON (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Will This New York City Law Tip The Scales in Ending the War On Obesity?
Obe by Thomas Hoffman New York City recently passed a law prohibiting discrimination based on weight. What would RealTime host Bill Maher say? Maher once featured a “New Rule” calling for an “atheist” holiday. Of course, this wouldn't be a holiday that is celebrated with feasts, right, Bill? Maher recently openly called for a return of fat-shaming, and has not relented. … [Read more...] about Will This New York City Law Tip The Scales in Ending the War On Obesity?
US-India security relations are at an inflection point.
Whatever President Joe Biden’s many critics allege, they should note that he is successfully standing firm against China, buttressing Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion, and drawing India to the US after decades of mutual suspicion. Winning Delhi’s trust is a feat in the current context of the intense US proxy war with Russia in Ukraine and steeply rising tensions with … [Read more...] about US-India security relations are at an inflection point.
THE PENDULUM HAS A MESSAGE
by Don Hermann Columnist Can you hear it? Tik Tok. Tik Tok. It’s chirping. “Where is Donald? Where is Donald?" Is he hiding? Is he hiding? Why? Why? It’s time. It’s time. Tik Tok. Tik Tok. The Pendulum is louder and louder. As it swings back and forth. Is it Russia? Maybe. Is it Saudi Arabia? Maybe. Ah. Ah. They may not want you now. Your time may have passed. … [Read more...] about THE PENDULUM HAS A MESSAGE