September 11, 2021 marks the 18 month anniversary of the WHO declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. summerphotos/Stock via Getty Images Plus Katelyn Jetelina, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston A year and a half into what the World Health Organization officially declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, it’s an understatement to … [Read more...] about 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic – a retrospective in 7 charts
THE ‘RURAL PURGE’ OF 1971
Tyrades! by Danny Tyree In mid-1971, I experienced a most distressing visit to the dentist. A TV fan magazine in the waiting room divulged life-changing news. Irene Ryan (who portrayed Granny on “The Beverly Hillbillies”) told an interviewer she was madder than a wet hen – because CBS had canceled the beloved sitcom after nine seasons! TV historians regard this as part … [Read more...] about THE ‘RURAL PURGE’ OF 1971
PALOOKA TRUMP (Cartoon and Column)
I have already posted this cartoon on Facebook and immediately, I got the question, “Is this a thing?”. Unfortunately, or thank the gods, it is a thing. Donald Trump and his idiot underling namesake, Donald Trump Jr, will be doing ringside play-by-play commentary in Hollywood, Florida for a boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort. These two guys are way out … [Read more...] about PALOOKA TRUMP (Cartoon and Column)
Twenty Years After 9/11: Will We Ever Be ‘One’ Again?
This September 11, America will foremost mourn the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the twin towers, the Pentagon and on a now-sacred field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 20 years ago, along with honoring the thousands of "heroes who did ordinary things at extraordinary times so others may live.”* As there has been on every anniversary, there will also be — as … [Read more...] about Twenty Years After 9/11: Will We Ever Be ‘One’ Again?
U.S. sues to block Texas abortion ban, calls it ‘unconstitutional’
Published by ReutersBy Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday sued Texas, seeking to block enforcement of a new law almost entirely banning abortion in the state, as Democrats fear the right to abortion established almost 50 years ago may be at risk. The U.S. Supreme Court last week … [Read more...] about U.S. sues to block Texas abortion ban, calls it ‘unconstitutional’
Attacking anti-vaxxers, Biden mandates widespread COVID shots, tests
Published by ReutersBy Jeff Mason, David Shepardson and Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Thursday took aim at vaccine resistance in America, announcing policies requiring most federal employees to get COVID-19 vaccines and pushing large employers to have their workers vaccinated or tested weekly. The new measures … [Read more...] about Attacking anti-vaxxers, Biden mandates widespread COVID shots, tests
PAY OR PUNISH THE UN-VAXED?
by Peter Funt When society seeks to influence behavior, is it better to pay people to act a certain way, or to penalize them if they don’t? The pandemic and the urgent need for COVID-19 vaccinations brings the question into focus. American Airlines offers employees an extra day of paid vacation if they get the shots. Delta Airlines, on the other hand, warns employees they … [Read more...] about PAY OR PUNISH THE UN-VAXED?
Larry Elder has egg thrown at him at homeless encampment visit
Conservative talker Larry Elder has been egged on by ambition and egged off by a protester. Elder was out campaigning in his push to remove Governor Gavin Newsom in the California recall election at a homeless encampment in Venice when someone threw an egg at him. The group wasn't happy he was there. It wasn't woke. It was yolk. After that Elder's staff … [Read more...] about Larry Elder has egg thrown at him at homeless encampment visit
FUN WITH FAKE TUCKER (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Facts aren’t things used on Fox News, at least not during prime time. That is a fact. Another fact is that Tucker Carlson cannot decide what is and isn’t legal. Tucker Carlson can tell you what he thinks should be legal and not legal, like we all do. But, Tucker can’t tell you something is not a crime when it is. Producing, selling, or obtaining a fake vaccination card is a … [Read more...] about FUN WITH FAKE TUCKER (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
White House asks Trump military academy board appointees to resign
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday it asked 18 Trump administration appointees to resign from military academy boards, saying President Joe Biden would require such officials to be "aligned with the values of this administration." The 18 - six each on the Board of Visitors to the Air Force Academy, the Military Academy and the Naval … [Read more...] about White House asks Trump military academy board appointees to resign
Satire: Deep in the Hell of Texas
To the melody of “Deep in the Heart of Texas” By Laurie Baron My neighbor spies, he’ll moralize When I get my abortion. He’ll report me, so legally For a ten grand extortion. Those who abet will soon regret They helped me commit a crime. Six weeks just flew before I knew A fetus lived by that time. The embryos, fear not their foes Deep in the … [Read more...] about Satire: Deep in the Hell of Texas
Texas Talaban (Cartoon)
How someone becomes a torturer
At the Amna Suraka museum in Iraq, exhibits show the torture that was carried out in the cells. Hélène Veilleux/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA Christopher Justin Einolf, Northern Illinois University Every day, thousands of people are tortured in police stations, security offices and prisons around the world. Human rights organizations protest torture and … [Read more...] about How someone becomes a torturer
Mexico’s top court decriminalizes abortion in ‘watershed moment’
Published by ReutersBy Lizbeth Diaz and Laura Gottesdiener MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Tuesday that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional, a major victory for advocates of women's health and human rights, just as parts of the United States enact tougher laws against the practice. The decision in the world's second-biggest Roman Catholic … [Read more...] about Mexico’s top court decriminalizes abortion in ‘watershed moment’
Editorial: The whole truth: 9/11 victims’ families, and all of America, deserve to know much more about Saudi complicity in the attacks
Published by New York Daily NewsEight days before the 20th anniversary of the darkest day in New York City history, President Joe Biden honored a promise to the families of Sept. 11?s victims and initiated the impending release of classified documents related to the terrorist attacks. As it should be: Almost nothing we learn about the Saudis or our own government, no matter how … [Read more...] about Editorial: The whole truth: 9/11 victims’ families, and all of America, deserve to know much more about Saudi complicity in the attacks
TikTok overtakes YouTube for average watch time in US and UK
Published by BANG Showbiz EnglishTikTok has overtaken YouTube for average watch time in both the US and UK for Android users. According to a new report from data monitoring firm App Annie, the average time per user spent on the respective apps is higher for TIkTok, which suggests high levels of engagement The company said the video platform has "upended the streaming and social … [Read more...] about TikTok overtakes YouTube for average watch time in US and UK
Justice Dept. says will protect Texas abortion clinics that come under attack
Published by ReutersBy Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Monday said it would not tolerate attacks against people seeking or providing abortions in Texas, as the agency explores ways of challenging the state's recently enacted law (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-declines-block-texas-abortion-ban-2021-09-02) that imposed a … [Read more...] about Justice Dept. says will protect Texas abortion clinics that come under attack
‘The Wire’ actor Michael K. Williams found dead in apartment – NYPD
Published by ReutersBy Tim Reid (Reuters) - Michael K. Williams, who played the character Omar Little in the TV series "The Wire," was found dead in his New York apartment on Monday, the New York Police Department said. He was 54. Lieutenant John Grimpel, a NYPD spokesman, said Williams was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment after a 2 p.m. (1800 GMT)emergency phone call to … [Read more...] about ‘The Wire’ actor Michael K. Williams found dead in apartment – NYPD
‘Silent crisis’ looms as US to end Covid aid for millions of jobless
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Spending less on food. Drawing down on retirement savings. Dropping out of the workforce altogether. Last year, the United States massively expanded unemployment aid as Covid-19 broke out. But in the coming days those benefits will end, forcing millions of jobless Americans -- some of whom haven't worked for the entire pandemic -- to make hard … [Read more...] about ‘Silent crisis’ looms as US to end Covid aid for millions of jobless
Congressman Tries To Be A Hero, Ends Up A Zero
Step aside, Weird Al. Someone besides you is taking a turn at trying to be Rambo, and he isn't using UHF in order to do it. The plumber currently representing Oklahoma's Second Congressional District should be embarrassed after twice being caught trying enter Afghanistan in an attempt to play a movie character made famous by Sylvester Stallone. From NBC News, 03 … [Read more...] about Congressman Tries To Be A Hero, Ends Up A Zero