In 1961, President John F. Kennedy told a special session of Congress that America should go to the moon. More than a year later, on 12 September 1962, Kennedy spoke to about 50,000 students, faculty and guests at Rice University in Houston, Texas. About 200,000 people lined the sidewalks and streets as he traveled from the airport to the stadium. His message was for the … [Read more...] about Kennedy calls for putting men on the Moon, 60 years ago today
The Authoritarian Personality and Rise of Right-Wing Extremism
By Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — If nothing else, the Republican Party has steadily removed any doubt that it has embraced an extremism that threatens the future of American Democracy. We can clearly perceive the imminent danger that the Party poses in several crucial ways, perhaps the most salient being the refusal of candidates to concede when they lose an election. (As we might … [Read more...] about The Authoritarian Personality and Rise of Right-Wing Extremism
9/11: Never Forget September 11, 2001
Photo 227966798 © Yevhenii Strebkov | Dreamstime.com … [Read more...] about 9/11: Never Forget September 11, 2001
Meditation holds the potential to help treat children suffering from traumas, difficult diagnoses or other stressors – a behavioral neuroscientist explains
Meditation and mindfulness techiques are becoming increasingly common in school settings. Alexander Egizarov/EyeEm Hilary A. Marusak, Wayne State University The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Children actively meditating experience lower activity in parts of the brain involved in rumination, … [Read more...] about Meditation holds the potential to help treat children suffering from traumas, difficult diagnoses or other stressors – a behavioral neuroscientist explains
BANNON PERP WALK (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
A Grifter’s gotta grift, and this grifter may possibly be grifting his way into a state prison. Steve Bannon, former chairman of neo-Nazi publication Breitbart and former chief racist advisor for neo-Nazi president (sic) Donald Trump, has been indicted for the second time on a scheme to defraud stupid MAGAts to make donations to “build the wall.” Did I say second time? … [Read more...] about BANNON PERP WALK (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T SUPPORT ME?
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORTSOMEONE WHO DOESN’TSUPPORT ME? A LETTER TO JIM HIMES by Don Hermann Jim Himes, you are my Congressman. Perhaps you suffer from a bad case of Democratitis. It’s contagious. I’ve taken to doing this because of your lack of response to my continual efforts to contact you. As a Congressman, I believe you are responsible for the people who work for … [Read more...] about WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T SUPPORT ME?
This is CNN. The Cowardly News Network.
Those of us who have long tuned to CNN can’t say we weren’t warned. Incoming CEO Chris Licht decreed on Aug. 19 that “this is a time for significant change” at the news network, “and you might not understand it or like it.” Thus began his reign as a Trump Lichtspittle. I don’t pretend to know exactly what’s going on at CNN; nor do its freaked out employees, one of whom … [Read more...] about This is CNN. The Cowardly News Network.
Queen Elizabeth II: a moderniser who steered the British monarchy into the 21st century
Sean Lang, Anglia Ruskin University When the late historian Sir Ben Pimlott embarked on his 1996 biography, his colleagues expressed surprise that he should consider Queen Elizabeth II worthy of serious study at all. Yet Pimlott’s judgement proved sound and, if few academics have followed his lead, the political role of the monarchy has received thoughtful treatment in the … [Read more...] about Queen Elizabeth II: a moderniser who steered the British monarchy into the 21st century
Have We Entered the ‘News Fatigue’ Zone?
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)