Our Tweet of the Day is a series of Tweets by longtime political strategist Steve Schmidt who worked on Republican political campaigns, including those of President George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Arizona Senator John McCain. The cynicism of this moment is profound. Do not underestimate the ability of Trump, @LeaderMcConnell @GOPLeader to … [Read more...] about Tweet of the Day: Longtime GOP strategist Schmidt on Republicans’ nixing debt limit ceiling increase
Poll: Biden approval rating at 43% new low as he loses independent voters
President Joe Biden's approval rating has hit a new low of 43% and a majority disapprove of his performance, according to a new Gallup poll: Eight months after President Joe Biden's inauguration, his job approval rating has fallen six percentage points to 43%, the lowest of his presidency. For the first time, a majority, 53%, now disapproves of Biden's … [Read more...] about Poll: Biden approval rating at 43% new low as he loses independent voters
Why America has a debt ceiling: 5 questions answered
The sky’s not always the limit. AP Photo/Susan Walsh Steven Pressman, Monmouth University Republicans and Democrats are again waging a battle of wills over the U.S. debt ceiling, which is a statutory limit on how much the government can borrow to pay its bills. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says no member of his party will support a bill … [Read more...] about Why America has a debt ceiling: 5 questions answered
TELEPHONE SCAMS (Cartoon)
Republicans see opportunity in U.S. debt-ceiling standoff
Published by ReutersBy David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a high-stakes standoff over the U.S. debt ceiling, congressional Republicans believe they see a chance to scale back President Joe Biden's sweeping domestic agenda while boosting their odds of retaking Congress in 2022. The Republican gambit passed an initial political test on Tuesday, when the House of … [Read more...] about Republicans see opportunity in U.S. debt-ceiling standoff
Biden talks up UN and allies but trust is scarce
Embed from Getty Images Joe Biden, the US President with the longest continuous experience of foreign relations, made an earnest pitch at the United Nations for working “together like never before”. But he may already have lost too much trust among the 193 member governments to inspire such intense cooperation. His reassuring speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on … [Read more...] about Biden talks up UN and allies but trust is scarce
Donald Trump’s 747 (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s 747 (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
The former grifter-in-chief continues to milk the public teat
There is a growing divide in the GOP. Last week, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), who voted to impeach Donald Trump, announced he will not run for re-election. One GOP lawmaker in a safe red seat spoke candidly on condition of anonymity about the conundrum facing the party… “The majority of the Republican base feels that Jan. 6 was justified… Every day, I hear the word ‘Civil … [Read more...] about The former grifter-in-chief continues to milk the public teat
Satire: Hey Senator Manchin
By Laurie Baron To the tune of Officer Krupke: Dear stubborn Joseph Manchin You gotta understand. Can you make an exception? Pass the bills Biden has planned. The GOP’s are flunkies. They’re pawns of Donald Trump. Mitch McConnell thinks you are a chump. Gee, Senator Manchin, we’re very upset. Please change the … [Read more...] about Satire: Hey Senator Manchin
Facebook: a jaw-dropping five-part series from the WSJ
Last week, The Wall Street Journal published a jaw-dropping five-part investigation showing how Facebook ignores or deflects reports relating to flaws in its platform “that cause harm.” The series is largely based on internal documents and shows that the company often discounts problems that its own employees discover. Facebook employees had previously flagged comments … [Read more...] about Facebook: a jaw-dropping five-part series from the WSJ
The Supreme Court has overturned precedent dozens of times in the past 60 years, including when it struck down legal segregation
How much importance does the Supreme Court place on prior decisions? Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images David Schultz, Hamline University It is a central principle of law: Courts are supposed to follow earlier decisions – precedent – to resolve current disputes. But it’s inevitable that sometimes, the precedent has to go, and a court has to overrule another … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court has overturned precedent dozens of times in the past 60 years, including when it struck down legal segregation
Barbara Payton: A Life in Pictures — the rise and fall of a Hollywood star
The late actress Barbara Payton was beautiful, and she possessed screen presence. Her most notable film is "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," with James Cagney. Both Universal and particularly Warner Bros., prepped her with the anticipation for stardom. Ultimately, her story was tragic. She died mostly forgotten in the late 1960s, depressed; her body broken by alcoholism, and other … [Read more...] about Barbara Payton: A Life in Pictures — the rise and fall of a Hollywood star
Trump lawyer pushed Pence to overturn presidential election with 6-point memo: Bob Woodward book
Published by New York Daily NewsA far-right-wing lawyer for former President Donald Trump reportedly sought to convince then-Vice President Mike Pence to join the effort to overturn the 2020 election using a six-point legal memo. The outlandish memo urged Pence to use his supposed power while presiding over Congress to toss out the electoral votes from seven swing states that … [Read more...] about Trump lawyer pushed Pence to overturn presidential election with 6-point memo: Bob Woodward book
Russia was behind Litvinenko assassination, European court finds
Published by ReutersBy Guy Faulconbridge and Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) -The European Court of Human Rights found on Tuesday that Russia was responsible for the assassination of ex-KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who died an agonising death in 2006 after being poisoned in London with a rare radioactive substance. Litvinenko, a defector who had become a vocal critic of … [Read more...] about Russia was behind Litvinenko assassination, European court finds
Setting Limits on Treatment for Covid 19
Vaccinations have been a major medical advance, preventing many deaths and disabilities in various illnesses in the last two centuries. In today’s world, it defies belief that so many people refuse to accept scientific data and get vaccinated against Covid 19, particularly when they have already received so many other vaccines.. The conflict over Covid 19 vaccine mandates … [Read more...] about Setting Limits on Treatment for Covid 19
Domestic bushmeat consumption an “urgent” threat to migratory mammals, U.N. says
Published by MongabayEvery October, at least 10 million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) arrive in Kasanka National Park in Zambia from the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Besides its spectacular 2,000-kilometer (1,200-mile) migration, the species has the dubious honor of being Africa’s most hunted bat. Hundreds of thousands are taken every year for … [Read more...] about Domestic bushmeat consumption an “urgent” threat to migratory mammals, U.N. says
BALLGATE: NICKI MINAJ’S COUSIN’S FRIEND’S SWOLLEN TESTICLES (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
I have a cartooning colleague who has some views on the coronavirus you should not trust. It’s not what you think. He’s pro-vaccine and maybe pro-face mask. But now he’s telling people that hand sanitizer doesn’t work against the coronavirus. He claims he caught COVID about three months before anyone else in this country caught it. And after being fully vaxxed, he slithered … [Read more...] about BALLGATE: NICKI MINAJ’S COUSIN’S FRIEND’S SWOLLEN TESTICLES (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
A giant space rock demolished an ancient Middle Eastern city and everyone in it – possibly inspiring the Biblical story of Sodom
Artist’s evidence-based depiction of the blast, which had the power of 1,000 Hiroshimas. Allen West and Jennifer Rice, CC BY-ND Christopher R. Moore, University of South Carolina As the inhabitants of an ancient Middle Eastern city now called Tall el-Hammam went about their daily business one day about 3,600 years ago, they had no idea an unseen icy … [Read more...] about A giant space rock demolished an ancient Middle Eastern city and everyone in it – possibly inspiring the Biblical story of Sodom
Editorial: A Missouri GOP official effectively admits that widespread vote fraud is a GOP myth
Published by St. Louis Post-DispatchMissouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft effectively admitted last week that his party has concocted from whole cloth the assertion that election fraud was rampant in the 2020 election and therefore justifies the draconian new voting restrictions that Republicans have been jamming through state legislatures around the country. There was … [Read more...] about Editorial: A Missouri GOP official effectively admits that widespread vote fraud is a GOP myth
Crunch time for Congress with Biden’s agenda, and debt limit, on the line
Published by ReutersBy Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress returns to session on Monday facing a massive agenda and a tight time crunch, with President Joe Biden's Democrats hoping to pass sweeping domestic programs, fund the government, approve an infrastructure bill and raise the debt ceiling in a matter of weeks. They face several deadlines, including a … [Read more...] about Crunch time for Congress with Biden’s agenda, and debt limit, on the line