There are certain situations in which the military should not fall in line. Bo Zaunders/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images Charli Carpenter, UMass Amherst and Geraldine Santoso, UMass Amherst As the Trump administration carries out what many observers say are illegal military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean allegedly smuggling … [Read more...] about Just follow orders or obey the law? What US troops told us about refusing illegal commands
QUIET PIGGY (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
I initially did not want to draw Donald Trump as a pig. I thought that was too easy and was the type of thing that would be every other political cartoonist' first idea. One of the first rules of cartooning is that you don't go with your first idea. Of course, drawing Donald Trump as a pig is very irresistible. While this was not my first idea, I could not resist drawing Donald … [Read more...] about QUIET PIGGY (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Trump’s aggression in the Caribbean could violate a Victorian-era court ruling on cannibalism at sea
Martin Danahay, Brock University The Donald Trump administration in the United States has authorized killing people in boats on the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, claiming they’re transporting illegal drugs. Maritime and international law experts have raised concerns about the legality of the attacks. And based on a maritime court case from 1884, this use of … [Read more...] about Trump’s aggression in the Caribbean could violate a Victorian-era court ruling on cannibalism at sea
The Coast Guard flip-flop this week: swastikas and nooses
Mid-week, The Washington Post reported that as of December 15, the Coast Guard would no longer consider the swastika and the noose as hate symbols. Instead, per a November 13 directive, they would be considered only “potentially divisive” speech. The guidance also raised the threshold for disciplinary action by specifying that public displays of extremist symbols would … [Read more...] about The Coast Guard flip-flop this week: swastikas and nooses
Taking A Stand For Democracy
Editor's note: This post by Jane Knox was inadvertently not run. Congress shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ~ First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution When I first heard there was going to be a No Kings Rally held on … [Read more...] about Taking A Stand For Democracy
Senators Launch Inquiry After a White House Official Intervened on Behalf of Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Senators Launch Inquiry After a White House Official Intervened on Behalf of Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation Two key Senate Democrats have launched an inquiry after a ProPublica investigation revealed this week that a White House official had intervened on behalf of his former legal clients — pro-Trump influencer Andrew Tate and his brother — during a federal … [Read more...] about Senators Launch Inquiry After a White House Official Intervened on Behalf of Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Trump’s “peace” plan for Ukraine criticized here and abroad for kowtowing to Russia
"The way out of the conflict is for Russia to leave Ukraine," former Finish Prime Minister Sanna Marin wrote on Twitter/X in response to President Trump's 28 point "peace" plan. Her response mirrors the position of most of Europe and reflects Europe's vulnerability to an emboldened Russia. https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1992176694690566471 It's not like we weren't … [Read more...] about Trump’s “peace” plan for Ukraine criticized here and abroad for kowtowing to Russia
College journalists know better than grown-up journalists
College journalists know better than grown-up journalists, or so says Will Bunch, The Philadelphia Enquirer's national opinion columnist. In his 18 November 2025 column College journalism exposes the rot of ‘grown-ups’, Will Bunch proclaims, "Fearless college kids are saving journalism. Grown-ups? Not so much." In his "college-students vs. grown-ups" comparison, Bunch … [Read more...] about College journalists know better than grown-up journalists
Utah non-profit newspaper to remove paywall in 2026
The Salt Lake Tribune will remove its paywall in the first quarter 2026, according to CEO Lauren Gustus. A year ago, she pledged to do so if the paper raised $1,000,000. “The Tribune cannot afford to continue to limit who has access to independent and trusted news,” Gustus said. “Making the news is only the first step — we must also ensure people can find it." The paper … [Read more...] about Utah non-profit newspaper to remove paywall in 2026
UN flags another pandemic — violence against women.
The UN health chief has flagged another global pandemic. This time it is violence against women, including women being beaten or killed in their homes through domestic violence even in countries like the United States, Switzerland and Sweden. Pointing to the worst trends, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that "violence against women is one of … [Read more...] about UN flags another pandemic — violence against women.
Be thankful for The Moderate Voice
If you need something to be thankful for, then be thankful for Joe Gandelman and his blog The Moderate Voice. No, Joe did not pay me to write that, but I would not object to him doing so. Anyway, you should be thankful for this blog if you are getting something positive out of it. You should be thankful even if you read something here that you disagree with. Why? … [Read more...] about Be thankful for The Moderate Voice
“It harms others, not me. So, keep it going.”
"It harms others, not me. So, keep it going." That is the unspoken motto of the Americans who were opposed to the U.S. government re-opening when it did in November of 2025. I have read plenty of comments by Americans who are angry because eight Democratic-siding U.S. Senators voted to re-open the U.S. government. Democratic U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer was NOT one of those … [Read more...] about “It harms others, not me. So, keep it going.”
‘Jeffrey Epstein is not unique’: What his case reveals about the realities of child sex trafficking
Jeffrey Epstein abuse survivor Lisa Phillips speaks during the press conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 18, 2025. Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images Kate Price, Wellesley College Congress on Nov. 18, 2025, passed legislation that calls on the Justice Department to release records related to … [Read more...] about ‘Jeffrey Epstein is not unique’: What his case reveals about the realities of child sex trafficking
Why won’t mainstream media outlets call on Trump to quit?
It’s time for the president to resign! In the words of one newspaper editorial board, the guy “should resign because his repeated, reckless deceits have dishonored his presidency beyond repair…He should resign because that is his best hope to preserve shards of sympathy and respect from the verdict of history, to which he has devoted so much self-absorbed worry. He should … [Read more...] about Why won’t mainstream media outlets call on Trump to quit?
DOJ admits that the Comey grand jury did not see the indictment she gave the judge
A veto-proof vote on Epstein files: 427-1
Update: Senate passed the House bill by unanimous consent, sending it the President for his signature. On a veto-proof vote Tuesday (427-1), the House ordered the release of Justice Department files on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The lone opponent: Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA). Even House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) voted in favor of "The Epstein Files Transparency Act" … [Read more...] about A veto-proof vote on Epstein files: 427-1
White nationalism presents substantial danger to U.S. political stability
Law enforcement set up in Green Isle, Minn., on June 15, 2025, as they search for a suspect in the killing of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Political violence among rival partisans has been a deadly and destabilizing force throughout history and across the globe. It has claimed countless lives, deepened … [Read more...] about White nationalism presents substantial danger to U.S. political stability
A Nation of Growing Ignorance
The Department of Education is soon to be history, eliminated by the stable genius who is our president. Donald Trump does not believe that our educational system needs improvement as he thinks it is already doing well. Perhaps he is unfamiliar with the international tests that present a true picture of how our students at all levels are doing in comparison to the rest of the … [Read more...] about A Nation of Growing Ignorance
Judges block Texas from using gerrymandered Congressional map
In what can only be thought of as poetic justice, a panel of federal judges has blocked (2-1) Texas from using its new Congressional map deliberately designed to disenfranchise Democratic voters. "The ruling comes 10 days into the monthlong period when candidates can sign up for the March primary." Why poetic justice? Because the arbitrary action of the Texas legislature and … [Read more...] about Judges block Texas from using gerrymandered Congressional map
Trump Administration announces $2,000 bribe after mid-2026 (updated)
"We're going to be issuing dividends later on, somewhere prior to, you know, probably the middle of next year, a little bit later than that. Thousands of dollars for individuals of moderate income, middle income," President Trump told reporters Monday in the Oval Office. The estimated cost? $450,000,000,000, "more than a year's worth of tariff income." The tariff program is … [Read more...] about Trump Administration announces $2,000 bribe after mid-2026 (updated)