‘Don’t Look Up’: Hollywood’s primer on climate denial illustrates 5 myths that fuel rejection of science Gale Sinatra, University of Southern California and Barbara K. Hofer, Middlebury Every disaster movie seems to open with a scientist being ignored. “Don’t Look Up” is no exception – in fact, people ignoring or flat out denying scientific evidence is the … [Read more...] about ‘Don’t Look Up’: Hollywood’s primer on climate denial illustrates 5 myths that fuel rejection of science
New Year’s Wishes
By Laurie Baron For 2022 I wish: That polarization will be restricted to the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. That inflation will be restricted to grading and résumés. That someday the only occasions when masks will be worn are costume parties, Halloween, and operations. That a COVID variant develops that kills all other COVID variants. That climate change will … [Read more...] about New Year’s Wishes
January 6 assault on the US Capitol: a glossary
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Thousands of supporters of then-president Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in a bid to prevent the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. Was it an insurrection? An attempted coup? A riot? Trump has claimed it was a "completely unarmed protest" by American "patriots" against a "stolen" election? Here is a … [Read more...] about January 6 assault on the US Capitol: a glossary
Covid 19, Vaccines and Mitigation
With the Covid 19 pandemic remaining a major world problem, many people who accept misinformation and believe conspiracy theories refuse to be vaccinated or wear masks, though these measures have been shown to significantly reduce the spread and severity of the disease. The reasons they give for their lack of compliance with measures that have been scientifically proven are … [Read more...] about Covid 19, Vaccines and Mitigation
CAKES AND COUPS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
As we approach the first anniversary of the Trump insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021, let’s reflect on the wisdom of Courtney Love who wrote the lyrics, “I want to be the girl with the most cake.” Those words are in the song “Doll Parts” which is on the 1994 Hole album “Live Through This.” Someone who feels inadequate is a person who wants the largest slice of … [Read more...] about CAKES AND COUPS (CARTOON, COLUMN AND VIDEO)
Fox News host Hannity asked for information in Capitol riot probe
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Congressional investigators probing last year's deadly attack on the US legislature on Tuesday asked conservative television host Sean Hannity to provide information about his communications with Donald Trump. Legislators said in a letter that they have obtained "dozens of text messages" that Hannity, a star host at Fox News channel and a … [Read more...] about Fox News host Hannity asked for information in Capitol riot probe
MAGA SNOW (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
We got a little snow yesterday here in Northern Virginia. We got between 12 and 14 inches which shuts everything down in this state. Hell, half an inch closes schools, makes everyone run to the stores, and drive like idiots. It makes Virginians post photos of their lawn furniture covered in snow which makes multiple unoriginal Canadians say, “We call that a ‘light dusting’. Har … [Read more...] about MAGA SNOW (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sham!
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sham! Why? Because it does not include a star for iconic voice-actor Frank Welker. Yet, it has stars for fictional characters Snow White and Woody Woodpecker. That is insane! It is not as if the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce would never award a star to a voice actor. Mel Blanc received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 08 February … [Read more...] about Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sham!
Zoos and aquariums shift to a new standard of ‘animal welfare’ that depends on deeper understanding of animals’ lives
Climbers must climb, diggers must dig and runners must run. Doris Rudd Designs, Photography/Moment via Getty Images Michael J. Renner, Drake University In 1980 I visited the zoo in a major U.S. city and found row after row of bare concrete boxes with jailhouse-style bars occupied by animals from around the world. The animals appeared to be in good … [Read more...] about Zoos and aquariums shift to a new standard of ‘animal welfare’ that depends on deeper understanding of animals’ lives
‘HANG MIKE PENCE’ DAY CELEBRATIONS (Cartoon)
Guinea Pig Might Be Coming to a High-End Restaurant Near You
Published by InsideHookBy Tobias Carroll What are your thoughts on guinea pigs? No, not as pets — as food. While the concept might make plenty of readers do a double take, there are parts of the world where guinea pigs are seen as closer to something to be farmed than something to be kept in the house as an adorable furry companion. In parts of South America where guinea pigs … [Read more...] about Guinea Pig Might Be Coming to a High-End Restaurant Near You
Democracy under siege: An hour-by-hour look at the assault on the U.S. Capitol
Published by ReutersBy Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Almost a year has passed since supporters of Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn his election defeat, the worst assault on the seat of the federal government since the War of 1812. Four people died on the day of the riot. About 140 police were injured during the multi-hour onslaught by … [Read more...] about Democracy under siege: An hour-by-hour look at the assault on the U.S. Capitol
Snowstorm strands drivers for hours and hours on Interstate 95
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The snow storm is over but the travel misery is not: drivers on a major highway outside Washington reported Tuesday they have been stuck in their cars for almost a day. One of the frustrated travelers was a US senator from Virginia, Tim Kaine, who got stranded driving back to Washington as Interstate 95 clogged with snow and spun-out cars, and … [Read more...] about Snowstorm strands drivers for hours and hours on Interstate 95
Will Bunch: America gave up on truly educating all its kids. Then Jan. 6 happened. Coincidence?
Published by The Philadelphia InquirerYou would never expect a weekslong trial in Harrisburg about such an important yet super-complicated issue — whether wide disparities in school funding across rural, urban and suburban school districts in Pennsylvania violate the state constitution — to create a viral moment that would rock social media. Yet a brief exchange between a … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: America gave up on truly educating all its kids. Then Jan. 6 happened. Coincidence?
Medal of Honor Recipients Talk to Young Americans
Beginning with the despicable January 6 insurrection and continuing throughout 2021 with those who would defend, justify, even glorify what very well may have been "treason of the blackest dye" in our nation’s history, honor has been in short supply in some circles this year. The definitions of honor that one can “Google” do not adequately capture the essence of that … [Read more...] about Medal of Honor Recipients Talk to Young Americans
Newspapers Squandered Their Monopoly-Era Profits and Now Blame Google and Facebook
by Chris Jennewein Three decades ago, when America’s local newspapers were at their peak, I attended a dinner for publishers at a mid-sized chain. After dinner, the president rose to speak and asked everyone to clap for one publisher whose newspaper had exceeded a 50% profit margin in the previous month. At a 50% margin, half of every dollar from subscribers and … [Read more...] about Newspapers Squandered Their Monopoly-Era Profits and Now Blame Google and Facebook
American support for conspiracy theories and armed rebellion isn’t new – we just didn’t believe it before the Capitol insurrection
Rioters are tear-gassed as they storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Amanda J. Crawford, University of Connecticut Americans had to confront a new reality when an angry mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021: Some of their fellow citizens were in the grips of a false reality and had … [Read more...] about American support for conspiracy theories and armed rebellion isn’t new – we just didn’t believe it before the Capitol insurrection
Not all polarization is bad, but the US could be in trouble
For the first time, the United States has been classified as a “backsliding democracy” in a global assessment of democratic societies by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an intergovernmental research group. One key reason the report cites is the continuing popularity among Republicans of false allegations of widespread voter fraud in the … [Read more...] about Not all polarization is bad, but the US could be in trouble
Senate’s Schumer eyes change to filibuster to advance voting rights bill
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate will vote this month on whether to change its rules to make it easier to pass a bill protecting voting rights, top Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Monday, days before the anniversary of the deadly Jan. 6 attack the Capitol building. Schumer said the narrowly Democratic-controlled chamber needed to consider a change to its … [Read more...] about Senate’s Schumer eyes change to filibuster to advance voting rights bill
Andy Cohen Won’t Be Invited Back To CNN New Year’s Special Next Year
Published by Radar OnlineSenior CNN staffers are telling Radar that they are “embarrassed” to work for the news network following Andy Cohen’s drunken New Year’s special - and are happy that he won’t be invited back again next year. “We claim to be the most trusted network in news and yet CNN hires Andy Cohen to make a fool out of all of us New Year’s performance?" a top … [Read more...] about Andy Cohen Won’t Be Invited Back To CNN New Year’s Special Next Year