By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Long the familiar face of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has held on as prime minister for more than a decade, clinging to power through a criminal indictment and four elections in the past two years alone. Now, the question is whether the 71-year-old Netanyahu, dubbed "the magician" by his admirers, has any cards left up his sleeve. After … [Read more...] about Israel’s ‘magician’ Netanyahu faces final curtain after record run
Happy Memorial Day
WEISSELBERG AND THE BIG WEASEL
After two years of being investigated by the state of New York and the Manhattan District Attorney, who decided to combine their forces to become an anti-Trump version of Super Friends, we have gotten to the point of a grand jury. I don’t think there’s much question if Donald Trump will be indicted or not. There’s an old saying a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich is … [Read more...] about WEISSELBERG AND THE BIG WEASEL
Joseph Smith for President book details Mormonism founder’s frustration with states rights
CROSS-POSTED FROM THE CULTURE OF MORMONISN BLOG. Review by Doug Gibson The ill-fated decision by LDS Church prophet and founder Joseph Smith, Jr., to seek the U.S. presidency in 1844 is mostly regarded as a footnote in U.S. history. Smith was martyred in late June of the presidential season, before he was formally nominated by supporters. Nevertheless, it retains … [Read more...] about Joseph Smith for President book details Mormonism founder’s frustration with states rights
Netanyahu’s ‘kingmaker’ rival Bennett agrees to join coalition to unseat him
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Far-right party leader Naftali Bennett threw his crucial support on Sunday behind a "government of change" in Israel to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in what would be the end of a political era. Bennett's decision, which he announced in a televised address, could enable opposition chief Yair Lapid to put together a coalition of right-wing, … [Read more...] about Netanyahu’s ‘kingmaker’ rival Bennett agrees to join coalition to unseat him
Local newspapers can help reduce polarization with opinion pages that focus on local issues
Opinion journalism can rile people up – or it can bring them together. momentimages/Getty Images Johanna Dunaway, Texas A&M University; Joshua P. Darr, Louisiana State University , and Matthew P. Hitt, Colorado State University If you’re confused about opinion journalism and what it is, you’re not alone. Many Americans are. But even so, the … [Read more...] about Local newspapers can help reduce polarization with opinion pages that focus on local issues
Russia to support Belarus with 500 million dollars in credit
Russia is to support Belarus with 500 million dollars in credit over the coming weeks, the leaders of the two countries have agreed. During a meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed the sum would be paid out by the end of June, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday, according to news agency Interfax. This is … [Read more...] about Russia to support Belarus with 500 million dollars in credit
Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro’s COVID response
RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now." Bolsonaro's popularity has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 460,000 Brazilians as the … [Read more...] about Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro’s COVID response
Memorial Day 2021
Every Memorial Day, many eloquent and touching words are said and written remembering those who served and died for our country. I came across a video and haunting song by Radney Foster, named “Angel Flight” (below), that in my opinion beautifully captures the essence and solemnity of Memorial Day. Wishing our readers a nice yet “rememberful” Memorial Day … [Read more...] about Memorial Day 2021
Avlon: Now that GOP has killed 1/6 commission, Democrats must play hardball
If the vote on establishing a bipartisan commission to investigate the July 6 insurrection was the Republican Party's moment of truth, then the Trump-dominated party nixed the idea and embraced pepertuation of The Big Lie that Joe Biden didn't really win the 2020 Presidential election. So what do the Democrats do now? CNN's Senior Political Analyst and anchor John Avlon … [Read more...] about Avlon: Now that GOP has killed 1/6 commission, Democrats must play hardball
GOP BLOCKS CAPITOL RIOT COMMISSION (Cartoon)
Republicans use filibuster to kill independent probe of January 6 coup attempt
The Republican Party jumped the shark long ago. Now it has jumped the whale. Using filibuster, the current Trump-dominated Republican Party killed a clearly biparitsan attempt to create an independent commission to probe the January 6 insurrection which featured violence, forced entry into the U.S. capitol, several deaths, brutal attacks on capitol police, and images of … [Read more...] about Republicans use filibuster to kill independent probe of January 6 coup attempt
When is a sausage just a sausage? Controversial ads fuel S.Korea’s sexism debate
SEOUL (Reuters) -This month three South Korean companies and the Seoul police have had to pull ads and other content after men's rights groups claimed that "small penis" symbols were used, insulting men. The offending images? Hands with the thumbs and the index fingers pinching towards each other illustrating the reaching out for an object. But the gesture is also often used to … [Read more...] about When is a sausage just a sausage? Controversial ads fuel S.Korea’s sexism debate
RIP JOHN WARNER, A REPUBLICAN WHO WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE. IMAGINE THAT.
John Warner, a Republican who served in the U.S. Senate for 30 years and died Wednesday at 94 in his home state of Virginia, said this about his Democratic colleagues: “We had political disagreements and fought on the Senate floor. But at day’s end we shared a drink, talked as friends, and we found common cause, solving problems and serving the American public.” Jeez. Now … [Read more...] about RIP JOHN WARNER, A REPUBLICAN WHO WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE. IMAGINE THAT.
Russian SolarWinds hackers renew cyberattacks: Microsoft
Washington (AFP) - The state-backed Russian group behind a massive hacking campaign revealed last year has re-emerged with a series of attacks on government agencies, think tanks, consultants and other organizations, Microsoft security researchers said. A security update from Microsoft late Thursday said the group known as Nobelium has stepped up attacks, notably targeting … [Read more...] about Russian SolarWinds hackers renew cyberattacks: Microsoft
Environmentalists condemn Biden’s backing of Alaska oil drilling project
By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - Environmental groups have condemned the Biden administration's defense of a proposed ConocoPhillips oil development in Alaska, a drilling project approved under former President Donald Trump. Climate activists had previously said they were encouraged that upon taking office in January, President Joe Biden signed an order to rejoin the Paris Accord … [Read more...] about Environmentalists condemn Biden’s backing of Alaska oil drilling project
REPUBLICANS HEART TERRORISTS (Cartoon and Column)
Republicans do not want to investigate the January 6 terrorist attack on the Capitol. Why? Because it’ll anger Donald Trump. They serve Trump, not you, silly Billy. The attack was by white nationalists. That’s the GOP base. They tried to overturn an election. If this crowd was black or antifa, the GOP would be all about a commission to investigate the attack. House … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS HEART TERRORISTS (Cartoon and Column)
‘No shame’: Biden knocks Republicans touting COVID relief law they voted against
CLEVELAND (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Thursday chided Republican lawmakers who voted against his $1.9 trillion economic stimulus and COVID-19 relief bill before lauding its benefits in their political districts. Speaking at an event in Ohio, Biden drew laughter from the crowd when he held up a list with names of Republican lawmakers who he said had touted the law, called … [Read more...] about ‘No shame’: Biden knocks Republicans touting COVID relief law they voted against
Bill Cosby denied parole after failing to complete ‘sex offender’ therapy program
By Nancy Dillon, New York Daily News (TNS) Bill Cosby was denied parole in his sex assault case this month in part because of his failure to complete a prison program for sex offenders, the Pennsylvania Parole Board said. The comedian isn’t eligible for release until Sept. 25 at the earliest, but the board starts interviewing candidates three to five months in advance and spoke … [Read more...] about Bill Cosby denied parole after failing to complete ‘sex offender’ therapy program
Biden’s budget: Why investing in innovation is crucial to reach US climate goals
Electric vehicles and renewable energy will only get the country so far. AP Photos/Evan Vucci David M. Hart, George Mason University President Joe Biden’s first detailed federal budget is slated to be released on May 28, and it will include substantial increases in spending to fight climate change. An overview sent to Congress included US$10 … [Read more...] about Biden’s budget: Why investing in innovation is crucial to reach US climate goals