By Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz What influenced John Walker Lindh, a young American who grew up in affluent northern California Marin County, to join and fight for the Taliban until he was captured in 2001 by U.S. forces in Afghanistan? What persuaded Mohamed Atta, an architecture student and son of a lawyer, to join Al Qaeda and follow the instructions of terrorist Osama … [Read more...] about How Terrorist Cults Recruit and Operate
ANOTHER ‘PERFECT’ PHONE CALL, THIS TIME IN MICHIGAN
Just to remind ourselves of the existential stakes at play in 2024, let’s ring out the old year by wringing one more authoritarian mess from the MAGA playbook. By now you’ve perhaps heard about the phone recording unearthed by the Detroit News, featuring the 2020 election loser on the horn with two Michigan election officials, pleading with them not to sign the certification … [Read more...] about ANOTHER ‘PERFECT’ PHONE CALL, THIS TIME IN MICHIGAN
As states dump Trump from primary ballots — can he run in 2024?
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - With multiple US states hearing challenges to Donald Trump's right to run in the 2024 election, his supporters claim his enemies are tearing up democracy to prevent his return to the White House. Rulings in Colorado and Maine banning the ex-president from their primary nominating contests under the Constitution's "insurrection clause" set off … [Read more...] about As states dump Trump from primary ballots — can he run in 2024?
WILL HALEY DECLINING TO SAY CIVIL WAR CAUSE CRIPPLE HER CAMPAIGN? (WITH REACTION ROUNDUP)
During World War II there was a saying used on government advertising: Loose lips may sink ships. In a Presidential campaign, saying too much or the patently wrong thing when answering an easy-to-answer question can help sink a campaign. When former UN ambassador Nikki Haley declined to say the everyone-knows-it cause of the Civil War gave a she made an unforced error that … [Read more...] about WILL HALEY DECLINING TO SAY CIVIL WAR CAUSE CRIPPLE HER CAMPAIGN? (WITH REACTION ROUNDUP)
HISTORY WITH NIKKI (CARTOON)
Visit Clay Jones' website and email him at [email protected]. … [Read more...] about HISTORY WITH NIKKI (CARTOON)
White House hopeful Haley rebuked over Civil War comments
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - US presidential hopeful Nikki Haley faced a firestorm of criticism Thursday after failing to mention slavery as a cause of the American Civil War when asked what led to the conflict at a campaign event. Less than three weeks before voting begins in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, it was the first major stumble for a … [Read more...] about White House hopeful Haley rebuked over Civil War comments
Satire: Infusing Trump’s Christmas Message With Holiday Spirit
By Laurie Baron While most Christians were wishing everyone goodwill and peace, Donald Trump posted the following message on Truth Social (which really should be renamed Truth Antisocial): “Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith, the out-of-control Lunatic who just hired outside attorneys, fresh from the SWAMP … [Read more...] about Satire: Infusing Trump’s Christmas Message With Holiday Spirit
50 years later, ‘The Exorcist’ continues to possess Hollywood’s imagination, reflecting our obsession with evil
The film went on to gross nearly $450 million worldwide. Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images Regina Hansen, Boston University When the “The Exorcist” premiered 50 years ago, in December 1973, some theatergoers fainted or broke down in tears. A few even vomited. The film, which cast a young Linda Blair as a girl claiming to be possessed by the … [Read more...] about 50 years later, ‘The Exorcist’ continues to possess Hollywood’s imagination, reflecting our obsession with evil
Danger to Democracy (Cartoon)
COLORADO’S TOP COURT READ WHAT THE CONSTITUTION CLEARLY SAYS
Shortly after the Colorado Supreme Court declared in an explosive ruling that Donald Trump can’t appear on the state’s 2024 ballot because he’s an insurrectionist, one of the former president’s flacks fumed in predictable fashion about “George Soros” and “Crooked Joe Biden” and a judicial plot that’s “un-American.” But the Trump campaign’s statement failed to mention the most … [Read more...] about COLORADO’S TOP COURT READ WHAT THE CONSTITUTION CLEARLY SAYS
Why do some men commit domestic violence? Trauma and social isolation may play a role
Domestic violence is experienced unevenly across the U.S. kieferpix/iStock via Getty Images Plus Laura Voith, Case Western Reserve University Support for survivors of domestic violence is important, but to end domestic violence once and for all, society needs to understand the people who perpetrate it and how to successfully intervene. Domestic … [Read more...] about Why do some men commit domestic violence? Trauma and social isolation may play a role
CHANNELING THE CHANCELLOR (CARTOONS)
Biden takes off gloves in Trump election battle
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Joe Biden has taken off the gloves in his 2024 election fight, directly confronting likely opponent Donald Trump as a threat to democracy after months of shadow boxing. The 81-year-old US president said Wednesday that Trump had "certainly supported an insurrection" after Colorado's top court knocked his rival off the state's primary ballot, in … [Read more...] about Biden takes off gloves in Trump election battle
Worst Houseguests Ever: The Palestinians
By: David Anderson, J.D. Columnist "Why don't the other Arabs take them in?" - ask many in the West about the Palestinians. After all, even the poorer Arab countries aren't stingy accepting refugees. Egypt hosts millions, mainly from Sudan and Lebanon's entire population currently comprises 20% Syrian refugees. So why won't any of the Arab states give shelter to … [Read more...] about Worst Houseguests Ever: The Palestinians
With ‘White Christmas,’ Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby helped make Christmas a holiday that all Americans could celebrate
After Irving Berlin, left, penned ‘White Christmas,’ he pegged Bing Crosby as the ideal singer for what would become a holiday classic. Irving Haberman/IH Images via Getty Images Ray Rast, Gonzaga University Irving Berlin was a Jewish immigrant who loved America. As his 1938 song “God Bless America” suggests, he believed deeply in the nation’s … [Read more...] about With ‘White Christmas,’ Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby helped make Christmas a holiday that all Americans could celebrate
DICTATOR TRUMP (CARTOON)
Sandra Day O’Connor: A Trailblazing Life and a Mixed Legacy
by Emmet Pierce Guest Commentator In the rush to honor national leaders following their deaths, people often overlook their mistakes. News reports of the recent death of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor focused on her status as the first woman to join the high court. She was described as a pioneer who shattered the high court’s glass ceiling and opened … [Read more...] about Sandra Day O’Connor: A Trailblazing Life and a Mixed Legacy
When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — I was as shocked!…shocked! as actor Claude Rains’ French police chief when he learned that gambling was going on at Rick’s Café in “Casablanca.” Antisemitism struck within walking distance of home in Philadelphia’s Somerton section on Wednesday morning. City police responded to reports of swastikas in white spray paint plastered on walls of … [Read more...] about When Antisemitism Finally Hits Home
HOW WE INVITE TYRANNY (CARTOON)
Why 14th Amendment bars Trump from office: A constitutional law scholar explains principle behind Colorado Supreme Court ruling
On Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Donald Trump exhorted followers to object to the results of the 2020 presidential election. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Mark A. Graber, University of Maryland In 2024, former President Donald Trump will face some of his greatest challenges: criminal court cases, primary opponents and constitutional challenges to his eligibility … [Read more...] about Why 14th Amendment bars Trump from office: A constitutional law scholar explains principle behind Colorado Supreme Court ruling