Have the benefits of medicine been overhyped in the West? Kilito Chan/Moment via Getty Images Pierce Salguero, Penn State Mindfulness is seemingly everywhere these days. A Google search I conducted in January 2022 for the term “mindfulness” resulted in almost 3 billion hits. The practice is now routinely offered in workplaces, schools, psychologists’ … [Read more...] about There is much more to mindfulness than the popular media hype
Some Republicans warn Trump’s latest Jan. 6 speech shows he would ‘do it all again’
Published by ReutersBy David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A handful of Republicans pushed back against former President Donald Trump's weekend offer to consider pardoning people convicted of joining the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, saying it showed he would "do it all again" if he regains the White House in 2024. "Trump uses language he knows caused the … [Read more...] about Some Republicans warn Trump’s latest Jan. 6 speech shows he would ‘do it all again’
A New Year Fairy Tale – Part 1
NOTE: Part of this post's beginning was inadvertantly cut off when originally published. We've fixed the original and totally republished it here. TMV regrets the error. Once upon a time, several days before the brand-new year, a woman began a journey of several thousand miles across the country. Her destination was to experience a special New Year’s retreat. She was on a … [Read more...] about A New Year Fairy Tale – Part 1
Scandal: Blame Goldstein and Hadjadj, not the Jews or Chabad
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – So there is another shanda, disgrace, emanating from former Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein’s complicated scheme to steal money from taxpayers and generous employers. Caught up in it is another Chabad Rabbi, Yehuda Hadjadj of Chabad of UC San Diego, who pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 26, to conspiring with Goldstein to illegally … [Read more...] about Scandal: Blame Goldstein and Hadjadj, not the Jews or Chabad
Russia could unleash disruptive cyberattacks against the US – but efforts to sow confusion and division are more likely
The Department of Justice indicted six officers of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service in October 2020 on charges of hacking and deploying malware. Andrew Harnik - Pool/Getty Images Justin Pelletier, Rochester Institute of Technology As tensions mount between Russia and the West over Ukraine, the threat of Russian cyberattacks against the U.S. … [Read more...] about Russia could unleash disruptive cyberattacks against the US – but efforts to sow confusion and division are more likely
Top senators say close to ‘crushing’ sanctions bill on Russia
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Top US Senate leaders said Sunday they are close to reaching bipartisan agreement on a sanctions bill that would "crush" Russia's economy if it sends troops into Ukraine. Senator Bob Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said it was crucial that the United States send a clear message to Russian President … [Read more...] about Top senators say close to ‘crushing’ sanctions bill on Russia
Willow, Our Newest First Cat
For most of my life I have had dogs, cats or both. The last few years I have only had the pleasure of cat-sitting for our son’s and daughter’s cats. Soon, I’ll be cat-sitting for our grandson’s cat. So, I speak from experience when I say that cats rule the house. Jim Davis, the creator of the loveable comic strip Garfield, takes it one step further and claims that … [Read more...] about Willow, Our Newest First Cat
Bridge collapses in Pittsburgh just before Biden speech
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - A bridge collapse Friday in Pittsburgh provided a symbolic backdrop for President Joe Biden's trip to the city to tout his $1 trillion infrastructure plan -- and try rebuilding his own crumbling approval ratings. Pittsburgh's public safety authorities tweeted that three people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after the road … [Read more...] about Bridge collapses in Pittsburgh just before Biden speech
Everything You Need to Know About Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality
In 2015, the United Nations created the Paris Agreement. Almost 200 countries signed the Agreement to minimize atmospheric degradation and preserve the global environment. Environmentalists understand the importance of eliminating emissions to protect biodiversity and human health. Ecological engineers and scientists are developing pollution reduction technologies to improve … [Read more...] about Everything You Need to Know About Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality
A New Year Fairytale – Part One
Once upon a time, several days before the brand-new year, a woman began a journey of several thousand miles across the country. Her destination was to experience a special New Year’s retreat. She was on a quest to create a vision for how to live her most powerful year yet. And to her surprise and delight, she was immediately invited by the hostess to move to a first-class seat. … [Read more...] about A New Year Fairytale – Part One
Three Little Words to Hang Your Sfera Combat Helmet On? (UPDATED)
UPDATE: The piece below allegorically refers to Russia’s military build-up along its border with Ukraine as “100,000 guns (and worse) [held] to Ukraine’s head…” In fact, Russia has amassed approximately 130,000 troops on the Ukraine border, along with “troops, tanks and heavy artillery” and “had drawn up plans for a military operation involving up to 175,000 troops.” … [Read more...] about Three Little Words to Hang Your Sfera Combat Helmet On? (UPDATED)
SUPREME COURT CONSERVATIVES (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 SUPREME COURT CONSERVATIVES (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
The moderate, pragmatic legacy of Stephen Breyer
Stephe A justice representing a kinder political age? AP Photo/Steven Senne Paul M. Collins, Jr., UMass Amherst and Artemus Ward, Northern Illinois University Stephen Breyer will leave a legacy that reflects the Supreme Court he joined nearly three decades ago – less fractious and less partisan than the bench he is … [Read more...] about The moderate, pragmatic legacy of Stephen Breyer
LIFE BECOMES ‘CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM’
Seventy years ago, in response to a fantastical-but-true event on the ball field, sportswriter Red Smith wrote: “The art of fiction is dead. Reality has strangled invention.” Indeed there are times, as we all know, when life imitates art imitates life. But this week nothing can top the twisty absurdism of the true tale that bonds Larry David with his ex-TV wife and Robert F. … [Read more...] about LIFE BECOMES ‘CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM’
Fiscal stimulus fuels U.S. economy in 2021 to its best performance since 1984
Published by ReutersBy Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy notched its strongest growth in nearly four decades in 2021 after the government injected trillions of dollars in COVID-19 relief, and is seen soldiering on this year despite headwinds from the pandemic, strained supply chains as well as high inflation. The Commerce Department's report on Thursday … [Read more...] about Fiscal stimulus fuels U.S. economy in 2021 to its best performance since 1984
Stephen Breyer is set to retire – should his replacement on the Supreme Court have a term limit?
Will Stephen Breyer’s replacement on the Supreme Court serve for so long? AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta Paul M. Collins, Jr., UMass Amherst and Artemus Ward, Northern Illinois University A vacancy sign hangs above the Supreme Court bench following reports on Jan. 26, 2022, that long-serving liberal justice Stephen Breyer is set to retire. Names are … [Read more...] about Stephen Breyer is set to retire – should his replacement on the Supreme Court have a term limit?
STEPHEN BREYER RETIRES
Retiring Justice Breyer fortified abortion rights, doubted death penalty
Published by ReutersBy Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has authored pivotal rulings bolstering abortion rights and safeguarding a landmark healthcare law while questioning the death penalty during 27 years as a liberal on a bench often dominated by conservatives. Breyer, who U.S. media reports on Wednesday said would retire … [Read more...] about Retiring Justice Breyer fortified abortion rights, doubted death penalty
Liberal Supreme Court Justice Breyer to retire, media reports say
Published by ReutersBy Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung (Reuters) -Liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, at 83 the oldest member of the U.S. Supreme Court, will retire at the end of the court's current term that runs through the end of June, NBC News and CNN reported on Wednesday, giving President Joe Biden the opportunity to appoint a successor who could serve for decades. Breyer … [Read more...] about Liberal Supreme Court Justice Breyer to retire, media reports say
The US military presence in Europe has been declining for 30 years – the current crisis in Ukraine may reverse that trend
Over there, over there (again). Omar Marques/Getty Images Michael A. Allen, Boise State University; Carla Martinez Machain, Kansas State University, and Michael E. Flynn, Kansas State University Up to 8,500 U.S. troops could soon be heading to Eastern Europe – bolstering an American military presence in the continent that has been in decline since the … [Read more...] about The US military presence in Europe has been declining for 30 years – the current crisis in Ukraine may reverse that trend