For Will Smith, likability led to bankability. So what happens now?
Published by NJArts.netWill Smith in “King Richard.” Hollywood has a funny memory. An actor’s appeal is transitory. You know the old joke: “Who is John Smith?” “Get me John Smith!” “Get me a John Smith type.” “Who is John Smith?” Fame is as fleeting as the bubbles in a glass of Golden Globes champagne. But an actor’s transgressions? Those aren’t as readily forgotten — or … [Read more...] about For Will Smith, likability led to bankability. So what happens now?
Zelensky as Churchill, Biden as FDR
History never repeats itself exactly. However, since human nature and motivations remail unchanged, cyclical historical patterns emerge repeatedly. We are living through one of those cyclical repetitions right now. This repetition can be broadly conceptualized as another episode of authoritarianism versus democracy. It can also be conceptualized as a comparison between two … [Read more...] about Zelensky as Churchill, Biden as FDR
How ‘The Equalizer’ killed off Chris Noth after sexual assault allegations
Published by New York Daily NewsAlmost four months after Chris Noth was fired from “The Equalizer” over multiple allegations of sexual assault, his character finally suffered an unsanctimonious goodbye. In Sunday night’s episode of the CBS procedural, Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) realizes that her mentor, William Bishop (Noth), has spent the last few months hunting for an … [Read more...] about How ‘The Equalizer’ killed off Chris Noth after sexual assault allegations
CASH AND COUPS
During most of the time Republicans were screaming about Hunter Biden’s laptop without any substance to speak of, Jared Kushner was sitting on top of $2 billion received from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Yes, that’s the same crown prince who ordered the execution of a Washington Post journalist. Also, while MAGAts were screaming about Hunter Biden, there was the existence … [Read more...] about CASH AND COUPS
First round of the French election: apparent stability, yet a profound reconfiguration
Mathias Bernard, Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA) With the majority of the ballots counted on Monday morning, the official results of the first round of the French presidential election appear to confirm the power dynamics at work from the previous election. Emmanuel Macron (La République en Marche, LREM) and Marine Le Pen (Rassemblement National, RN) have made it into … [Read more...] about First round of the French election: apparent stability, yet a profound reconfiguration
Ukrainian Refugees at the U.S.-Mexico Border
In his newest book, “Schlepping and Schmoozing along the Interstate 5,” Donald Harrison begins his journey along I-5 looking for Jewish histories in Tijuana, Mexico, at the U.S.– Mexico border. If he were to go back to the border today, Harrison would come across an additional story, both tragic and uplifting. As the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its … [Read more...] about Ukrainian Refugees at the U.S.-Mexico Border
The Democrats Need To Create Their Own Contract With America for 2022
By Thomas Hoffman It is common that the party that holds the White House loses seats in the first midterm election. Many polls currently are forecasting Democrat losses. However, political history isn’t guaranteed to repeat itself. President Clinton and Obama suffered heavy midterm losses because they were both too extreme and too inexperienced. President Biden is highly … [Read more...] about The Democrats Need To Create Their Own Contract With America for 2022
Battle looms in Ukraine’s east, Washington commits to weapons supply
Published by ReutersBy Elizabeth Piper and Zohra Bensemra KYIV/BUZOVA, Ukraine (Reuters) - Russian forces continued shelling targets in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, as Washington said it would meet Kyiv's request for more military aid by providing "the weapons it needs" to defend itself against Russia. Russia has failed to take any major cities since it launched its invasion on … [Read more...] about Battle looms in Ukraine’s east, Washington commits to weapons supply
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
It’s a great time to be a white nationalist terrorist in the United States. The greatest terrorism threat in this nation today comes from white nationalists…you know, racists. The fact Republicans argue about this and deny it’s true tells you a lot about Republicans. The results of the Michigan trial are also revealing. Despite being the greatest terror threat in this … [Read more...] about WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
Macron faces a tough fight as France votes on Sunday
Published by ReutersBy Ingrid Melander PARIS (Reuters) - France votes on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen posing an unexpected threat to President Emmanuel Macron's re-election hopes. Until just weeks ago, opinion polls pointed to an easy win for the pro-European Union, centrist Macron, who was boosted by his active … [Read more...] about Macron faces a tough fight as France votes on Sunday
Zelenskiy braces for ‘hard battle,’ UK’s Johnson visits with aid
Published by ReutersBy Elizabeth Piper KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine is ready for a tough battle with Russian forces amassing in the east of the country, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered fresh financial and military support during a surprise visit. At a meeting in Kyiv, Johnson told Zelenskiy that Britain would provide … [Read more...] about Zelenskiy braces for ‘hard battle,’ UK’s Johnson visits with aid
Trump Jr. texted Meadows after 2020 election to press Trump second term -CNN
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump Jr. texted then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows two days after the 2020 presidential election to outline ways to keep his father in office, CNN reported, citing a review of the message turned over to congressional investigators. The text from then-President Donald Trump's eldest son was sent Nov. 5, 2020, as votes … [Read more...] about Trump Jr. texted Meadows after 2020 election to press Trump second term -CNN
The Civil War ended 157 years ago. But the systemic racism it represented remains.
It would be useless and therefore cruel to provoke the further effusion of blood, and I have arranged to meet with General Grant with a view to surrender. Thus Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in the village of Appomattox Court House,Virginia on 09 April 1865, 157 years ago. On 12-13 April 1861, in Charleston Harbor, the attack … [Read more...] about The Civil War ended 157 years ago. But the systemic racism it represented remains.
Senate confirms Jackson as first Black woman on U.S. Supreme Court
Published by ReutersBy Lawrence Hurley, Andrew Chung and Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court in a milestone for the United States and a victory for President Joe Biden, who made good on a campaign promise as he seeks to infuse the federal judiciary with a broader … [Read more...] about Senate confirms Jackson as first Black woman on U.S. Supreme Court
NEVER AGAIN
Why the best way to stop strongmen like Putin is to prevent their rise in the first place
There are few ways for the West to deter the rise of another dictator like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images Joseph Wright, Penn State and Abel Escribà-Folch, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Russia’s invasion of Ukraine presents foreign policymakers with few good options to punish Russian President Vladimir … [Read more...] about Why the best way to stop strongmen like Putin is to prevent their rise in the first place
What Happened to the Brotherhood of Ukrainians and Russians?
We see the bestiality of Russian soldiers every day on television as they kill innocent civilians, destroy housing, torture people, loot and rape women. This is not all Putin but must be built into the Russian psyche. These are both conscripts and battle hardened soldiers who perceive the Ukrainians as their mortal enemies, deserving of Russian wrath. How can they so brutalize … [Read more...] about What Happened to the Brotherhood of Ukrainians and Russians?
‘Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5’ Tells Fascinating Jewish Stories at Every Exit
Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5 by Donald H. Harrison, with special architectural photography by Ben Dishman; San Diego, California: independently published (c) 2022; ISBN 9798441-789226; 308 pages; $19.95. According to Google Maps, the distance between San Ysidro, Calif., and Exit 18B off the Interstate 5 (the exit to reach the San Diego Sheriff’s Museum in … [Read more...] about ‘Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5’ Tells Fascinating Jewish Stories at Every Exit
In U.N. speech, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy accuses Russia of worst war crimes since WW2
Published by Reuters UKBy Michelle Nichols, Humeyra Pamuk and Doina Chiacu UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the United Nations Security Council that "accountability must be inevitable" for Russia as he accused invading Russian troops of committing "the most terrible war crimes" since World War Two. Zelenskiy showed a short video of burned, … [Read more...] about In U.N. speech, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy accuses Russia of worst war crimes since WW2