Published by Reuters(Adding dropped word in first paragraph) By Idrees Ali and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For the first time since 2001 there are no American troops in Afghanistan after the United States completed the evacuation of most of its citizens and thousands of at-risk Afghans. More than 114,000 people have been airlifted from Kabul airport in the past two … [Read more...] about Explainer: What happens now that U.S. troops have left Afghanistan?
Afghanistan: Military Mission Completed, Diplomatic Mission Continues
The last U.S. military aircraft has left Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport according to Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of U.S. Central Command, in a video conference that just concluded, marking the end of America’s longest war, a war that sadly took the lives of nearly 2,500 U.S. troops. It closes a chapter in U.S. military history "likely … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Military Mission Completed, Diplomatic Mission Continues
Anti-vaccination anti-mask political activist leaders and talk show hosts dropping like flies due to Covid
There's a parade of stories about anti-vax activist leaders and right-wing talk show hosts dropping like flies due to Covid. These are the folks who've led rallies or, in the case of the talk show hosts, pooh-poohed or even opposed vaccinations and mask wearing. You can't exactly call them "the best and the brightest." Each story is sad and alarming: how many of their … [Read more...] about Anti-vaccination anti-mask political activist leaders and talk show hosts dropping like flies due to Covid
As recall looms, California governor aims to galvanize Democrats
Published by ReutersBy Sharon Bernstein SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom and his supporters are stepping up their fight against a Republican-backed recall with a barrage of door knocks, text messages and outreach to communities of color as opinion polls show the Democrat in danger of losing. The group Voto Latino exclusively told Reuters it plans … [Read more...] about As recall looms, California governor aims to galvanize Democrats
‘Didn’t need to happen’: Pentagon seeks answers for deadly attack
Published by ReutersBy Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - By Wednesday night, U.S. intelligence agencies were near certain that an attack was imminent outside Kabul airport, triggering a State Department warning to American citizens to leave the area immediately. Just over 12 hours later, a suicide bomber walked through the large crowds to a gate manned by U.S. troops and … [Read more...] about ‘Didn’t need to happen’: Pentagon seeks answers for deadly attack
US strikes IS target in Afghanistan, pushes airlift into final stage
Published by AFPKabul (AFP) - The United States conducted a drone strike against an Islamic State target in Afghanistan on Saturday, as the airlift of those desperate to flee moved into its fraught final stages with fresh terror attack warnings and encroaching Taliban forces primed to take over Kabul airport. US forces overseeing the evacuation have been forced into closer … [Read more...] about US strikes IS target in Afghanistan, pushes airlift into final stage
Herschel Walker will be a disastrous GOP candidate
Former University of Georgia and Dallas Cowboys football player Herschel Walker has announced he is running for the Georgia Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022. The winner of that nomination will face Democrat Raphael Warnock, who will be running for re-election. … [Read more...] about Herschel Walker will be a disastrous GOP candidate
Our Most Recent Heroes: How We Should Remember Them (Update)
[See update at end] As we watch in horror the scenes of death and carnage that took place at the entrance to the Kabul airport 24 hours ago, this author feels somewhat regretful for having written an uplifting essay about “positive stories” coming out of Afghanistan only 24 hours before this tragedy – regardless of the “caveat” that “the stories and images out of that … [Read more...] about Our Most Recent Heroes: How We Should Remember Them (Update)
Commentary: News of explosions near Kabul airport brings thoughts of unlearned lessons from previous evacuations
Published by Chicago TribuneIn 1940, a ragtag flotilla of tug boats, fishing vessels, barges, lifeboats and pleasure craft responded to an urgent call to save a British Army trapped by Nazi forces on the beaches of France. Those 700 “Little Ships,” as they were dubbed, helped the British Navy evacuate more than 380,000 soldiers in 10 days from the port of Dunkirk. I’m … [Read more...] about Commentary: News of explosions near Kabul airport brings thoughts of unlearned lessons from previous evacuations
Biden’s hugely risky pas de deux with the Taliban
“We will not forgive, we will not forget, we will hunt you down and make you pay”, swore President Joe Biden in an emotional reaction to the expected but still deeply shocking suicide bombings outside Kabul airport that killed 13 American troops and at least 60 Afghans. These are fighting words but he is making no change to his planned withdrawal, lock stock and barrel, of … [Read more...] about Biden’s hugely risky pas de deux with the Taliban
The Liberty Ruse
Let’s begin by quoting a source I rarely quote, and rarely agree with, Antonin Scalia. In D. C. v. Heller he established the individual right to own firearms under the Second Amendment of the U. S. Constitution. Late in his majority opinion, at the first sentence of Section III, he made a point of reminding us of one of the basic principles of all liberty … [Read more...] about The Liberty Ruse
Cover your piehole
All rights reserved. CopyrightDonar, Political Graffiti https://toons.to/go/daviddonar … [Read more...] about Cover your piehole
It’s Time to End the Social Media Experiment
Social media is a social experiment, and, as with any experiment there are underlying questions to be answered. What has this amazing communication tool done to the quality of human discourse? Has its use improved human communication skills? Has it made people more cooperative, more empathetic, more enlightened? Perhaps these possible positive outcomes were ideals for some … [Read more...] about It’s Time to End the Social Media Experiment
Afghans told to leave Kabul airport over ‘very credible’ Islamic State threat
Published by Reuters(Reuters) -The United States and allies urged Afghans to leave Kabul airport on Thursday, citing the threat of an attack by Islamic State (IS) militants, as Western troops hurry to evacuate as many people as possible before an Aug. 31 deadline. Pressure to complete the evacuations https://www.reuters.com/world/evacuations-afghanistan-by-country-2021-08-26 of … [Read more...] about Afghans told to leave Kabul airport over ‘very credible’ Islamic State threat
WHO raises alarm over hypertension risks around the world.
An unprecedented study covering 104 million people aged 30–79 years in 184 countries has found that the number of people living with hypertension has doubled to 1.28 billion since 1990 but more than 700 million people are not receiving treatment. The study led by the World Health Organization (WHO) covered the period 1990–2019 and was conducted by a global network of … [Read more...] about WHO raises alarm over hypertension risks around the world.
Dracula Never Dies a passionate, eloquent read, provides assessments of Bela Lugosi, Hollywood
Review by Doug Gibson Picture this passage from author Christopher R. Gauthier's new novel, Dracula Never Dies: The Revenge of Bela Vorlock," (Arcane Shadows Press, 2021): Our protagonist, Vorlock, one-time horror film star, reduced to poverty row through two decades of abuse and betrayal by fellow actors, family members and media hacks -- who rival Ayn Rand's "Ellsworth … [Read more...] about Dracula Never Dies a passionate, eloquent read, provides assessments of Bela Lugosi, Hollywood
Afghanistan: Some (More) Positive Stories — UPDATED
UPDATE: The parents of the baby girl born aboard the C-17 as it made its final approach into Ramstein Air Base, Germany, have named her “Reach” after the aircraft’s call sign, “Reach 828.” Gen, Todd Wolters, the head of U.S. European Command, told reporters: And as you can well imagine, being an Air Force fighter pilot, it’s my dream to watch that young child called … [Read more...] about Afghanistan: Some (More) Positive Stories — UPDATED
Bugs Bunny Sends a More Powerful Message Than Matt Damon
Spoiler Alerts: For Space Jam 2, Stillwater, and Free Guy Of the three movies I’ve seen this summer, Space Jam 2, Stillwater, and Free Guy, I got the most emotionally invested in the characters in Space Jam 2. And I’m talking about the Looney Tunes not LeBron James. This New York Magazine review labels Space Jam 2 as a “mere reminder” from WB that they own the franchise. In … [Read more...] about Bugs Bunny Sends a More Powerful Message Than Matt Damon
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
President Biden has been taking a ton of flack recently for the way the evacuation from Afghanistan has been going. While the planning for the removal of all American personnel and Afghanis who aided the American military, NGOs and press appears to have been problematic, it should be remembered that the Trump administration boxed in Biden with it’s initial agreement to have all … [Read more...] about Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Biden’s nearly $5 trillion spending plans win key House vote
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - US President Joe Biden's plans to spend nearly $5 trillion to change the world's largest economy advanced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, after Democratic leaders reached an agreement with centrist lawmakers to end a dispute threatening the bills. Biden and his Democratic allies controlling the chamber are pushing for passage of … [Read more...] about Biden’s nearly $5 trillion spending plans win key House vote