Ten years after Samuel Morse uttered "what hath God wrought?", the United States boasted more than 20,000 miles of telegraph cable. But communication with Europe remained slow, taking as much as two weeks by ship. In 1854, Cyrus West Field "secured a charter" to lay a trans-Atlantic cable. The New York, Newfoundland & London Telegraph Company held "a 99-year right to … [Read more...] about OTD: the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable
BIG FAT LIAR
If you’re a gaslighting conspiracy theorist with a national platform spreading b.s. that defames, libels, and tears apart democracy, you better have good lawyers. Alex Jones, fortunately for the rest of us who hate lies, conspiracy theories, and b.s., does not have good lawyers. Alex Jones is a conspiracy theorist as it’s his business. He knows the b.s. he’s spreading is … [Read more...] about BIG FAT LIAR
So, you want something. . .
Positive or negative, our thoughts and words are powerful. What we say to ourselves, and others is potent. For instance, my mother faced difficult problems pertaining to the health challenges of two of her children. When she talked about the many crises that had to be dealt with, she didn’t complain. She would say, “I’m thinking positive.” Thinking and speaking positively about … [Read more...] about So, you want something. . .
KANSAS VOTES TO KEEP THEIR ABORTION RIGHTS (Cartoon)
A ‘Fill-in-the-Blanks’ Story, Along with Some Wishful Thinking
Three weeks ago, I read an essay by Geoffrey Wheatcroft, “The Odious, Graceless, Self-Serving Exit of an Odious, Graceless, Self-Serving Man.” Of course, the article is about the British Prime Minister’s sudden resignation a little more than three weeks ago. I read it again this morning and was amazed at how a good part of Wheatcroft’s piece could perfectly apply to … [Read more...] about A ‘Fill-in-the-Blanks’ Story, Along with Some Wishful Thinking
The story behind ‘Star Trek’ actress Nichelle Nichols’ iconic interracial kiss
The kiss aired one year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned laws banning interracial marriage. CBS via Getty Images Matthew Delmont, Dartmouth College On a 1968 episode of “Star Trek,” Nichelle Nichols, playing Lt. Uhura, locked lips with William Shatner’s Capt. Kirk in what’s widely thought to be first kiss between a Black woman and white man on … [Read more...] about The story behind ‘Star Trek’ actress Nichelle Nichols’ iconic interracial kiss
Who was Ayman al-Zawahri? Where does his death leave al-Qaida and what does it say about US counterterrorism?
Who will replace the man who replaced bin Laden? Visual News/Getty Images Haroro J. Ingram, George Washington University; Andrew Mines, George Washington University, and Daniel Milton, United States Military Academy West Point Ayman al-Zawahri, leader of al-Qaida and a plotter of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, has been killed in a drone strike in the … [Read more...] about Who was Ayman al-Zawahri? Where does his death leave al-Qaida and what does it say about US counterterrorism?
Who is lying about the PACT bill?
The version of the bill that the House sent the Senate in July matched what the Senate sent the House in June. Updated: Senate Republicans reversed themselves on 02 August 2022 (86-11) and passed the bill. As a sweeping generalization, I am more likely to believe Jon Stewart on veteran's health issues than just about anyone else. His arguments rest on our promises … [Read more...] about Who is lying about the PACT bill?
Being Pontifex Maximus is not always fun and games.
Being Pontifex Maximus is not always fun and games. Indeed, one Pontifex Maximus was actually assassinated. More on that assassinated person later, but first . . . The tile Pontifex literally translates as bridge builder. At one point in time, the men holding that title were literal bridge builders. That is because they were responsible for repairing the Pons Sublicius, … [Read more...] about Being Pontifex Maximus is not always fun and games.
Confidence in the Supreme Court is declining – but there is no easy way to oversee justices and their politics
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sits with his wife, conservative activist Virginia Thomas, in October 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Eve Ringsmuth, Oklahoma State University Recent evidence showing that Virginia Thomas, wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, sent at least 29 text messages to former White House Chief of Staff Mark … [Read more...] about Confidence in the Supreme Court is declining – but there is no easy way to oversee justices and their politics
The Not-So United States
By Ira Sharkansk It’s been a while since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade, and a bit less time since the same Court invalidated New York’s law against concealed weapons. But enough time for states’ actions to take their own course. A number of states — mostly in the South but also an outlier in the otherwise liberal state of Wisconsin — have laws that … [Read more...] about The Not-So United States
HERE’S HOW BROKEN WASHINGTON REALLY IS
by John L. Micek In an ideal world, the landmark compromise on climate change, Medicare, and energy spending that Senate Democrats announced at the end of last week would barely require a second glance. That’s not to diminish the magnitude of the agreement that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer struck with the chamber’s Dr. No, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin. The … [Read more...] about HERE’S HOW BROKEN WASHINGTON REALLY IS
WHOSE AMERICA IS THIS?
by Don Hermann I’m 88 and there’s a lot of water under my bridge. I’m not a great swimmer, but I try. Now when I get in the water, everything seems upstream. I’m a veteran and put in my two years in the U.S. Army. In Fort Knox and then in Germany for the balance of my commitment. It was in the mid-1950’s when the draft was mandatory. Opportunity to do and say your … [Read more...] about WHOSE AMERICA IS THIS?
HOW NOT TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS – UPDATES
UPDATE II: For those veterans who may have been exposed to toxic fumes, gases, chemicals or substances during their service, here is VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough's Statement on the Passage of the PACT Act: Veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes while fighting for our country are American heroes, and they deserve world-class care and benefits for their … [Read more...] about HOW NOT TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS – UPDATES
‘The road down authoritarianism’: What Ken Burns’ Holocaust documentary can teach Americans in 2022
Published by AlterNetBy Alex Henderson Ken Burns’ new three-part documentary, “The U.S. and the Holocaust,” which will air on PBS September 18-20, comes at a time when a variety of political figures — from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a self-described “democratic socialist,” and leftist author Noam Chomsky to arch-conservative Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and former Nancy … [Read more...] about ‘The road down authoritarianism’: What Ken Burns’ Holocaust documentary can teach Americans in 2022
RUPERT MURDOCH IS SCRAPING YOU-KNOW-WHO OFF THE SOLE OF HIS SHOE
The grinding sound you’re hearing is the Rupert Murdoch propaganda machine chewing up Donald Trump and spitting him out. That’s the good news. We’ll get to the bad news shortly. What a miraculous coincidence it was last Friday when Murdoch’s New York Post editorial page and Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal editorial page eviscerated Trump for abetting deadly violence on Jan. … [Read more...] about RUPERT MURDOCH IS SCRAPING YOU-KNOW-WHO OFF THE SOLE OF HIS SHOE
Samuel Alito mocks reactions to abortion ruling at religious summit
Published by AlterNetBy Alex Henderson The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has not only drawn vehement criticism from Democratic Party members and abortion rights activists in the United States — it has also been condemned by leaders of other major democracies, from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to … [Read more...] about Samuel Alito mocks reactions to abortion ruling at religious summit
Is McDonald’s About to Bury The McPlant?
Published by The StreetBy Veronika Bondarenko The alternative meat burger has been in a protracted test period since 2021. The short answer is "no one knows." The veggie-based burger, which has been available at global franchises for years but would be a first for McDonald's (MCD) - Get McDonald's Corporation Report in the U.S., has been riddled with questions ever since the … [Read more...] about Is McDonald’s About to Bury The McPlant?
Martin Schram: Veterans become political pawns
Published by Tribune News ServiceIt was four in the afternoon on March 10, 1991, when the first planned explosion of Saddam Hussein’s chemical weapons went off at the U.S. weapons depot in Khamisiyah, Iraq, and the first gray-white smoke cloud that would come to be called The Plume wafted skyward and drifted over the troops. There would be many blasts that day. Bill Florey, a … [Read more...] about Martin Schram: Veterans become political pawns
SPORTSWASHING 9/11
We’ve always known Donald Trump puts himself before anyone or anything else. Presidential oath be damned. Donald Trump only cares about Donald Trump. Donald Trump will sell out everyone he knows. He will sell out his country. Sometimes he does it for power. Sometimes he does it for his ego. And sometimes, he does it for cash. Trump tried to steal an election for power. … [Read more...] about SPORTSWASHING 9/11