Candidate signs during the first day of early primary voting on July 7, 2022, in Silver Spring, Md. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Thom Reilly, Arizona State University As the U.S. moves closer to the 2022 midterm elections, a sizable number of Americans express a lack of confidence in the accuracy of the vote count. That distrust is built largely … [Read more...] about Good faith and the honor of partisan election officials used to be enough to ensure trust in voting results – but not anymore
HERSCHEL WALKER AND REPUBLICAN HYPOCRISY
by Elwood Watson In past political climates, such an October surprise would be grounds for a serious acknowledgment or resignation by a politician from a race for public office. Unfortunately, we are in the post-Trump era of politics, where a Twilight Zone political theater of the deviant and bizarre has become the norm. Over the past few days, a continual drip of … [Read more...] about HERSCHEL WALKER AND REPUBLICAN HYPOCRISY
PUTIN IS A TERRORIST (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Vladimir Putin claims that Ukraine striking a bridge is an act of terrorism, so he responded by firing missiles from drones into playgrounds. After weeks of military setbacks for Russia with Ukraine retaking over 1,200 square miles since late September, the destruction of a bridge from Crimea into Russia came off as an exclamation point. The war hasn’t gone well for Russia … [Read more...] about PUTIN IS A TERRORIST (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Did Elon Musk Speak to Putin Before Tweeting Ukraine Peace Plan?
Did the world's richest man Elon Musk speak to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin before Musk tweeted a highly controversial peace plan? Was he essentially a mouthpiece for Putin? According to a report, yes. According to Musk, no. VICE: Elon Musk spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin before tweeting a proposal to end the war in Ukraine that would have seen … [Read more...] about Did Elon Musk Speak to Putin Before Tweeting Ukraine Peace Plan?
India’s big push for 100 smart cities
As India moves closer to the United States by working together for economic growth and defense, it is opening up a new set of longer term opportunities for American exporters through a high-tech program that has received less notice so far. These opportunities come amid a wide consensus among international experts that the Indian economy will continue to grow at 6% to 8% … [Read more...] about India’s big push for 100 smart cities
SEND ME MONEY
by Don Hermann “The world will end if you don’t send me money in the next five minutes. I’m only asking for $1.00. That can make the difference in my winning the election.” That’s pretty laughable, isn’t it? I’m on a Democratic mailing list and am the recipient of dozens of emails every day that look and sound like that. In a way I’m sympathetic with the sender or … [Read more...] about SEND ME MONEY
Who invented music? The search for stone flutes, clay whistles and the dawn of song
Something people today have in common with civilizations past: a love of music. peepo/E+ via Getty Images Laura Dallman, University of Florida Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to … [Read more...] about Who invented music? The search for stone flutes, clay whistles and the dawn of song
He’s not even running — but US midterms could make or break Trump
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - After losing the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump could have worked on his golf swing or produced another book by the pool at his south Florida beach club. Instead he threw himself into the midterm election campaign with unprecedented gusto, staking his kingmaker reputation on a slew of controversial candidates in key primary races. … [Read more...] about He’s not even running — but US midterms could make or break Trump
Midterms: Four pivotal Senate battlegrounds
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The US midterm elections were once seen as a likely landslide victory for Republicans, as President Joe Biden's approval ratings slumped amid spiraling inflation, record migrant arrivals and rising violent crime. With a month to go, Democrats are banking on a much closer contest amid a series of legislative wins, improving gas prices and the … [Read more...] about Midterms: Four pivotal Senate battlegrounds
SHOCKED REPUBLICANS ARE STILL BACKING HERSCHEL WALKER? YOU SHOULDN’T BE.
With Georgia Republicans rallying around Herschel Walker – with evangelical Christians flocking to his “prayer luncheon” this week, with ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich on TV hailing the Senate hopeful’s purported “deep commitment to Christ” – it’s clear the guy could abort a fetus in the middle of Fifth Avenue and never lose a right-wing vote. That might seem astounding, … [Read more...] about SHOCKED REPUBLICANS ARE STILL BACKING HERSCHEL WALKER? YOU SHOULDN’T BE.
Affirmative action bans make selective colleges less diverse – a national ban will do the same
Graduation is less likely for students at less selective schools. Andy Sacks via Getty Images Natasha Warikoo, Tufts University The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in two lawsuits on Oct. 31, 2022, brought by a group that opposes affirmative action in college admissions. Here, Natasha Warikoo, a sociology professor at Tufts University and … [Read more...] about Affirmative action bans make selective colleges less diverse – a national ban will do the same
Politics: Look in the Mirror
by Don Hermann Do you like what you see? Do you know your country is falling apart? Do you feel any responsibility? Who do you think is responsible? Is it fixable? If you were in charge, what would you do? What’s going to happen to you and your family? Do you believe your politicians are looking out for you? If things continue on the current path, how are you going … [Read more...] about Politics: Look in the Mirror
Russia has mobilized for war many times before – sometimes it unified the nation, other times it ended in disaster
A Russian citizen being called up for duty. Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Eric Lohr, American University Vladimir Putin’s mobilization of 300,000 additional Russian soldiers to fight in Ukraine has gotten off to a rocky start. Nominally aimed at calling up reserve forces with prior combat experience, early reports suggest a broader … [Read more...] about Russia has mobilized for war many times before – sometimes it unified the nation, other times it ended in disaster
The Line Between Nationalism and Fascism
Right-wing nationalism and tribalism is a growing threat to democracies globally, with the boundary between nationalism and fascism often unclear. A number of supposed democracies are nationalist states verging on fascism. In many of these nations, nationalists were elected by popular vote and the nationalist leaders subsequently transformed the governments into fascistic … [Read more...] about The Line Between Nationalism and Fascism
Herschel Walker and Family Values
Is GOPer Herschel Walker’s Georgia Senate Campaign Quickly Imploding?
The Georgia U.S. Senate campaign of former NFL football player Herschel Walker, a candidate endorsed and some say picked by Donald Trump, looks like it's rapidly imploding. He is locked in a race with Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock, who's campaigning for a full Senate term after he won a 2021 runoff that helped give Senate control to the Democrats. And, like in another … [Read more...] about Is GOPer Herschel Walker’s Georgia Senate Campaign Quickly Imploding?
Is Vladimir Putin’s Grip On Power Starting To Fray?
Published by BOOM LiveBy The Conversation Vladimir Putin's bizarre ceremonies formalising Russia's annexation of some 15% of Ukraine once again revealed the yawning chasm between Kremlin triumphalism and reality. Never mind Russian forces didn't even fully control the territories Putin brought under the Russian flag. Never mind Russia's "referendums" were a blatant fabrication … [Read more...] about Is Vladimir Putin’s Grip On Power Starting To Fray?
UN chief roundly condemns Russian annexation. It may be the start of Putin’s undoing.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is digging a deeper hole that might swallow him because of his unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions through military conquest. All the more since his conquest is so fragile that the Ukrainian military snatched back a strategic town within hours of his declaration. Earlier, it recaptured within a week territory that took his … [Read more...] about UN chief roundly condemns Russian annexation. It may be the start of Putin’s undoing.
Why do some people enjoy being scared?
Why do some people enjoy being scared? Why would anyone want to watch a movie that is designed to frighten people? For people who enjoy being scared, October is the best month of the year because that is when television networks bombard their viewers with horror movies and monster movies. One might even be able to watch a horror movie in a theater during October. If fear … [Read more...] about Why do some people enjoy being scared?
Russia plans to annex parts of Eastern Ukraine – an Eastern European expert explains 3 key things to know about the regions at stake
A woman votes in the controversial referendum in Donetsk, Ukraine on Sept. 27, 2022. Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Tatsiana Kulakevich, University of South Florida Russia is set to formally annex four occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, claiming the region as its own more than six months after it first invaded its neighboring country. … [Read more...] about Russia plans to annex parts of Eastern Ukraine – an Eastern European expert explains 3 key things to know about the regions at stake