by John L. Micek Democrats on Capitol Hill may not be directly taking their cues from the legendary Carthaginian military leader Hannibal, but as moderates and progressives fell on each other last week over President Joe Biden’s watered-down domestic spending plan, it sure felt that way. A bit of history: On a fine August day in 216 B.C., hours after he’d completely … [Read more...] about ON BIDEN’S AGENDA, DEMOCRATS HAVE A WARNING FROM HISTORY
The Truth About Afghanistan: No One Knows The Truth
While watching the disaster of the Afghanistan pullout unfold, and witnessing images like the person falling from a plane taking off, one may wonder how is FOX news covering this? One may guess the FOX headlines would read “BREAKING NEWS: IT’S LITERALLY THE END OF THE WORLD AND IT’S ALL BIDEN’S FAULT.” Of course, that's what the FOX headlines usually are, but this time there … [Read more...] about The Truth About Afghanistan: No One Knows The Truth
New research suggests cat and dog ‘moms’ and ‘dads’ really are parenting their pets – here’s the evolutionary explanation why
Pet parenting can provide love and companionship to both human and animal. Willie B. Thomas/DigitalVision via Getty Images Shelly Volsche, Boise State University A pup out for a stroll, without paws touching the ground. Shelly Volsche, CC BY-ND Have you noticed … [Read more...] about New research suggests cat and dog ‘moms’ and ‘dads’ really are parenting their pets – here’s the evolutionary explanation why
Virginia governor’s race could show the way for Republican congressional campaigns
Published by ReutersBy Jason Lange WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Glenn Youngkin is within striking distance of Democrat Terry McAuliffe in a Virginia governor's election that will test a strategy of trying to woo suburban moderates without alienating the hard-liners who backed Donald Trump. If the former private equity executive wins on Tuesday, his approach of rallying … [Read more...] about Virginia governor’s race could show the way for Republican congressional campaigns
Could you succeed as a blogger?
Could you succeed as a blogger if you are not one already? I ask because November is National Blog Posting Month in the USA. What? You didn't know that the USA had a Blog Posting Month? Well neither did I until Year 2021CE. Granted, blogging isn't for cowards. I liken the blogosphere to the trenches that Allied soldiers fought in during World War I. All too often, … [Read more...] about Could you succeed as a blogger?
Poor people are back of the line at UN’s COP26
The disastrous aspects of climate change have been talked up to fever pitch as President Joe Biden and other world leaders gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for the United Nations COP26, the 26th world summit and conference to slow down climate change. There is a lot of skepticism about the conference’s ability to deliver useful outcomes but one thing is already clear. The … [Read more...] about Poor people are back of the line at UN’s COP26
Capitalism and Climate Change
Capitalism in general and energy companies in particular are seen as villains in the climate change debate. The capitalistic drive to make profit regardless of environmental cost is perceived as responsible for global warming. This perception is backwards. Capitalist organizations only survive and prosper if they supply the needs and wants of consumers. As our needs and wants … [Read more...] about Capitalism and Climate Change
Biden’s job approval rating continues south: latest poll 42% approval rating
President Joe Biden's approval rating continues to resemble retirees in New York in the wintertime: it's steadily going south. The latest NBC News poll has it at 42 percent with erosion particulary in his marks for competence and achievining unity. A majority of Americans now disapprove of President Joe Biden's job performance, while half give him low marks for … [Read more...] about Biden’s job approval rating continues south: latest poll 42% approval rating
Coronavirus vaccination reduces job losses, UN labor agency reports.
At a time when many Americans are voluntarily quitting their jobs, the world is struggling to put people back to work and overcome economic disparities worsened by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The International Labour Organization (ILO) says in a new report that the coronavirus pandemic has taken a heavy toll in working hours lost in 2021 but the roll out of vaccines has … [Read more...] about Coronavirus vaccination reduces job losses, UN labor agency reports.
LURKIN’ FOR YOUNGKIN (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
I suspect Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin’s internal polling isn’t as exciting as he’s making it out to be. I get that impression from him encouraging his goons to stalk votings precincts and harass the volunteers who work the polls. Do you know how much corruption, chicanery, and irregularities were in Virginia’s 2020 presidential election? Zero. … [Read more...] about LURKIN’ FOR YOUNGKIN (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Trump’s real-estate empire pays the price for poisonous politics
Published by ReutersBy Joseph Tanfani (Reuters) - Former U.S. president Donald Trump’s slashing rhetorical style and divisive politics allowed him to essentially take over the Republican Party. His supporters are so devoted that most believe his false claim that he lost the 2020 election because of voter fraud. But the same tactics that have inspired fierce political loyalty … [Read more...] about Trump’s real-estate empire pays the price for poisonous politics
How Does NASA Test Rockets for Safe Space Travel?
NASA has been launching spacecraft into the final frontier for over 60 years, but getting rockets ready for lift-off is no easy feat. Rockets can take anywhere from 18 months to over five years, in the case of the now-retired space shuttle, to be constructed and cleared for lift-off. The process of making sure a spacecraft is safe for crew and payload alike is lengthy, precise, … [Read more...] about How Does NASA Test Rockets for Safe Space Travel?
Biden has many hills to climb at G-20 and COP26
Almost the entire world, especially Europeans, showered Joe Biden with hope and goodwill because his election promised an end to Donald Trump’s abrasive swagger across international affairs. But disappointments of allies and friends with his foreign policies have gnawed at the goodwill. Biden’s actions continue to fuel a perception that he is too preoccupied with domestic … [Read more...] about Biden has many hills to climb at G-20 and COP26
A Common Military Blouse and a Typical Military Aircraft Make History
It was just a common military OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern) blouse hanging in a typical Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. But on that day, August 15, 2021, both would make history. The Globemaster would take off from Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, as part of the sometimes chaotic, but always dangerous and brave Operation Allies Refuge. … [Read more...] about A Common Military Blouse and a Typical Military Aircraft Make History
REPUBLICANS GERRYMANDER WHILE DEMOCRATS LEGISLATE (Cartoon)
Sudan’s generals have torn up the transition playbook. But don’t count out the masses
Crowds gather to protest the coup in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED ABU OBAID David E Kiwuwa, University of Nottingham This week the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah El Burhan, declared the dissolution of the transitional council, which has been in place since the overthrow of former president Omar el-Bashir in … [Read more...] about Sudan’s generals have torn up the transition playbook. But don’t count out the masses
Biden rallies for struggling Democrat McAuliffe in closely-watched Virginia governor’s race
Published by AFPArlington (United States) (AFP) - US President Joe Biden on Tuesday threw his weight behind the struggling Democratic candidate in Virginia's closely watched election for governor, urging a crowd to defeat Republican "extremism." Standing by Terry McAuliffe, whose slide in the polls has put Democrats on red alert for a wider Republican comeback in next year's … [Read more...] about Biden rallies for struggling Democrat McAuliffe in closely-watched Virginia governor’s race
COP26: Failure to fight climate change will cause terrible human suffering, UN chief warns.
While President Joe Biden struggles to get past haggling in Congress to advance his climate change agenda, the world is moving several steps closer to climate catastrophe. The United Nations environment program reports that a global temperature rise of 2.7 degrees Celsius is very likely during this century if governments fail to agree on urgently implementing concrete … [Read more...] about COP26: Failure to fight climate change will cause terrible human suffering, UN chief warns.
Are the Democrats poised to lose the Virginia Governor’s race?
Are the Democrats poised to lose the Virginia Governor's race? I detest the "could, might, should, are likely" articles and posts that dominate political media. But this race is a biggie. It could be pivotal to the (still) struggling Biden presidency in the way in which it'll be perceived and reporter. When the votes are counted on Nov. 3 will it be said Biden has Big … [Read more...] about Are the Democrats poised to lose the Virginia Governor’s race?
Hollywood’s love of guns increases the risk of shootings – both on and off the set
Actor Alec Baldwin was involved in a tragic on-set accident. Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for National Geographic Brad Bushman, The Ohio State University and Dan Romer, University of Pennsylvania In what appears to be a tragic accident, actor Alec Baldwin shot dead a cinematographer on Oct 21, 2021, while discharging a prop gun on set in New … [Read more...] about Hollywood’s love of guns increases the risk of shootings – both on and off the set