If my memory serves me right, several years ago, lengthy discussions between authors and readers and among readers here at the Moderate Voice (TMV) were very common. The topics could be as unpretentious as “some weekend photography” or as momentous as Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Generally, interesting discussions followed, with sometimes more than 50 comments from … [Read more...] about Have We Entered the ‘News Fatigue’ Zone?
Society and the Police
First the obvious: societies cannot exist without the police. Given this, why do some communities want to disband their police departments? Several misperceptions are responsible for this befuddling conclusion. Misperception number 1: Either criminals do not exist, or, if they do exist they can be easily transformed into law-abiding citizens. There is a kernel of truth to … [Read more...] about Society and the Police
Liz Truss: who is the UK’s new prime minister and why has she replaced Boris Johnson?
https://theconversation.com/liz-truss-who-is-the-uks-new-prime-minister-and-why-has-she-replaced-boris-johnson-189713# Clicksbox / Shutterstock Nicholas Allen, Royal Holloway University of London The United Kingdom’s next prime minister will be Liz Truss. After a two-month contest, Conservative Party members have chosen her as their new … [Read more...] about Liz Truss: who is the UK’s new prime minister and why has she replaced Boris Johnson?
Despite overwhelming evidence of crimes, Trump-appointed judge rules in his favor
This is a breaking story. Posted 2:25 pm Pacific, 05 September 2022 Updated 10.41 pm Pacific On 11 November 2020, after Donald Trump lost his bid for re-election as president, 12 Democratic Senators voted to confirm Aileen Cannon (56-21) to the 11th Circuit in Florida. The Federalist Society member granted Trump's request for a "special master" in his ongoing … [Read more...] about Despite overwhelming evidence of crimes, Trump-appointed judge rules in his favor
‘Labor Day’ is 140 years old today
Once upon a time, Labor Day represented something other than a three-day weekend that signaled the end of summer. In the late 19th century, working class Americans - often immigrant families - had no "weekend" because they worked six or seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day. No paid vacations. No sick leave. Very few breaks each day. On Monday 04 September 1882, The New … [Read more...] about ‘Labor Day’ is 140 years old today
Future Stooge Joe DeRita in Wedlock Deadlock, a Columbia comedy short from 1947
Review by Doug Gibson There's a scene in the Columbia comedy short, "Wedlock Deadlock," that contains the kind of studio in-humor that makes me love these semi-vintage comedies. Star Joe DeRita, frustrated beyond sensible patience by obnoxious, cloddish in laws who won't leave, is holding a book titled "Nearly Perfect Murders." The author's name is Elwood Ullman. The … [Read more...] about Future Stooge Joe DeRita in Wedlock Deadlock, a Columbia comedy short from 1947
‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ – Silent cinema’s finest fright film
By Steve D. Stones This landmark 1919 German expressionistic film may be difficult for contemporary audiences to view because of the heavy handed digital effects of today’s movies, but it is well worth the effort. The film relies heavily on psychological horror effects, gestural movement of actors and flatly painted, angular sets that give the film an unrealistic and surreal … [Read more...] about ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ – Silent cinema’s finest fright film
FASCIST PARDON (CARTOON)
Visit Clay Jones' website and email him at [email protected]. … [Read more...] about FASCIST PARDON (CARTOON)
Why is ‘Blonde’ – Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe biopic – rated NC-17 instead of TV-MA?
The film reportedly includes a graphic rape scene. Netflix Kevin Sandler, Arizona State University The NC-17 rating has historically been a film certification that’s bad for business due to its adults-only label and pornographic stigma. Yet Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe biopic, “Blonde,” will carry the rating – a first for the company. On Sept. 28, … [Read more...] about Why is ‘Blonde’ – Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe biopic – rated NC-17 instead of TV-MA?
CIVILITY WAR (CARTOON)
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY. THIS ONE WRITES ITSELF.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is worth a stint in jail. Trump’s sweat-soaked defenders are freaking out about a FBI photo of classified documents from Mar-a-Lago and fumbling for fresh rationalizations – they say it’s “staged” and “dishonest.” Meanwhile, the thief-in-chief is veritably chewing his grandiose carpet about the way “his” top-secret … [Read more...] about EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY. THIS ONE WRITES ITSELF.
CHECK FOR COPS (CARTOON, COLUMN, AND VIDEO)
Columbus, Ohio cops shot and killed twenty-year-old Donovan Lewis, an unarmed Black man, this week during a nighttime raid while he was in bed. The police burst into Lewis’ apartment with dogs to serve Lewis with arrest warrants on charges of domestic violence, assault, and improper handling of a firearm. In body-camera footage of Tuesday’s shooting released by … [Read more...] about CHECK FOR COPS (CARTOON, COLUMN, AND VIDEO)
Americans think they know a lot about politics – and it’s bad for democracy that they’re so often wrong in their confidence
Overconfidence about their political knowledge is common among Americans. FXQuadro/iStock/Getty Images Plus Ian Anson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County As statewide primaries continue through the summer, many Americans are beginning to think about which candidates they will support in the 2022 general election. This decision-making … [Read more...] about Americans think they know a lot about politics – and it’s bad for democracy that they’re so often wrong in their confidence
FULL VIDEO of Biden speech on Trump-GOP “extremist threat” to democracy (with full text)
Here's a video of President Joe Biden's full speech on the threat to democracy and equality. Biden bluntly threw down the gauntlet to Donald Trump--he called out Trump by name--and Trump-supporting Republicans. Here's the full text. … [Read more...] about FULL VIDEO of Biden speech on Trump-GOP “extremist threat” to democracy (with full text)
Have Humans averted another ice age?
Have Humans averted another ice age? Scientific data suggests that Human activity may have prevented the start of another ice age. From Phys.org, 28 October 2021: "Scientists know the Earth has long alternated between ice ages and periods of warming — about one ice age every 100,000 years over the past million years." From Live Science: "This is how the 100,000-year cycle … [Read more...] about Have Humans averted another ice age?
China may have committed crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, UN says
In an extraordinary indictment of President Xi Jinping’s policies in Xinjiang, the UN human rights body said serious human rights violations have been committed in enforcement of China’s counterterrorism and counter-“extremism” strategies. After dithering for more than a year over publishing its report on Xinjiang, the office of the UN human rights Commissioner said the … [Read more...] about China may have committed crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, UN says
First Native Alaskan heads to the House of Representatives
Alaskans made history today. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, is headed to Washington, DC, as the first Alaska Native in Congress. She is also the first Democrat to head to Washington from Alaska in a half century. It was also their first ranked choice ballot. Peltola led Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin after ballots were tallied and votes for third-place GOP candidate … [Read more...] about First Native Alaskan heads to the House of Representatives
SENATOR GRAHAM GADSDEN FLAG (CARTOON)
Mikhail Gorbachev: The contradictory legacy of Soviet leader who attempted ‘revolution from above’
Liberator, failed reformer or architect of Soviet demise? Bryn Colton/Getty Images Ronald Suny, University of Michigan Mikhail Gorbachev was a contradictory figure; his legacy complex. Hailed in the West as a democrat and liberator of his people – which he genuinely was – he increasingly became despised by many within Russia for destroying the Soviet … [Read more...] about Mikhail Gorbachev: The contradictory legacy of Soviet leader who attempted ‘revolution from above’
UPDATE: DOJ filing on Trump’s request for a special master
Former President Trump's lawyers have filed a response to the DOJ filing. He admits to having Presidential records in his possession. He is not legally entitled to have them. They were not secured. No mention of having declassified any document. https://twitter.com/neal_katyal/status/1565044403114315778 6:44 pm Pacific ~~ Original post below ~~ As … [Read more...] about UPDATE: DOJ filing on Trump’s request for a special master