How do you feel about Facebook? Enes Evren/E+ via Getty Images Elizabeth Stoycheff, Wayne State University When Facebook was down for most of the day on Oct. 4, 2021, did you miss it, were you relieved or some of both? Social scientists have compiled an expansive body of research that shows how people have come to develop a love-hate relationship with … [Read more...] about Facebook’s scandals and outage test users’ frenemy relationship
Democrats search for Plan B as debt stalemate threatens US economy
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Senate Democrats are expected to be thwarted Wednesday in a vote to overcome a Republican roadblock on suspending the US debt limit -- with just 12 days to avoid a cataclysmic credit default. The vote, a procedural hurdle for moving forward on House-passed legislation to lift the debt ceiling, needs 60 to pass, but the 50 opposition … [Read more...] about Democrats search for Plan B as debt stalemate threatens US economy
REPUBLICANS ARE THE CLOWNS IN THE DEBT CEILING CIRCUS
by John L. Micek It’s way past political cliche, but that old “Popeye” comic strip where J. Wellington Wimpy promises to pay a short-order cook tomorrow for a hamburger he plans to eat today, is still the best way to describe Republican intransigence this week over a vote to extend the nation’s debt ceiling. In case you missed it, a week ago Monday Republicans in the … [Read more...] about REPUBLICANS ARE THE CLOWNS IN THE DEBT CEILING CIRCUS
Factbox: How could America’s debt ceiling showdown play out?
Published by ReutersBy Jason Lange WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress is locked in a standoff that risks triggering a financial and economic meltdown if lawmakers don't raise a limit on government borrowing before Oct. 18, the day the U.S. Treasury could run out of cash for paying government bills. The drama's central players are Senator Mitch McConnell, who leads the … [Read more...] about Factbox: How could America’s debt ceiling showdown play out?
Why Can’t the Democrats Get Anything Done?
America is in trouble in the aftermath of the Trump administration and the devastating effects of the Covid 19 epidemic. It is imperative that politicians in Washington recognize this and work to produce the required solutions. The Democrats control both Houses of Congress, admittedly by small margins, as well as the presidency. Yet on the President’s most important policy … [Read more...] about Why Can’t the Democrats Get Anything Done?
AS BAD AS TRUMP’S BEST (Column, Cartoon and Video)
I’m going to be honest with you. I got this idea from another political cartoonist. No, he didn’t say, “Here’s an idea, Clay. Take it.” And he didn’t draw this cartoon only for me to swoop in later and traced it. No, he did a cartoon on Biden’s approval and I thought, “What total and complete f-----g bullshit from a hypocrite.” It was also a lame cartoon. I actually don’t even … [Read more...] about AS BAD AS TRUMP’S BEST (Column, Cartoon and Video)
Movie Review: ‘No Time To Die’ Offers A Fitting Capstone To Daniel Craig’s Run As 007
Published by uInterview.comBond is back after a six-year hiatus – 18 months of which were due to COVID-19 delays. It was worth the wait. In a slick, modern nearly three-hour package, No Time Die will arrive in U.S. theaters on Oct. 8. It’s a fitting coda to Daniel Craig‘s iconic run as 007, as one of the top tier of actors to ever play the role in league with Sean Connery and … [Read more...] about Movie Review: ‘No Time To Die’ Offers A Fitting Capstone To Daniel Craig’s Run As 007
Taiwan president warns of ‘catastrophic’ consequences if it falls to China
Published by ReutersTAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan falling to China would trigger "catastrophic" consequences for peace in Asia, President Tsai Ing-wen wrote in a piece for Foreign Affairs published on Tuesday, and if threatened Taiwan will do whatever it takes to defend itself. Taiwan, which is claimed by China as its sovereign territory, has faced a massive stepping … [Read more...] about Taiwan president warns of ‘catastrophic’ consequences if it falls to China
Climate change threatens the Everglades, Florida’s gem
Published by AFPMiami (AFP) - Umberto Gimenez loves alligators. He gives them nicknames such as "Smile" and "Momma Gator" and laughs when he thinks of their antics. Gimenez, an airboat captain, has found his paradise in Florida's Everglades National Park, a natural gem in the southeastern US state at risk from climate change. "It's an amazing place and there's only one in the … [Read more...] about Climate change threatens the Everglades, Florida’s gem
Facebook, Instagram outage sparks brutal social media jokes
Facebook's six hour outage comedy's gain. One day after a whistleblower told CBS's 60 Minutes that Facebook is misleading the public on progress against hate speech, violence, misinformation, Facebook and Instagram crashed. Businesses were cut off from custers, Facebook employees were locked out of offices and Mark Zuckerberg lost $7 billion in net worth. But, oh, what a … [Read more...] about Facebook, Instagram outage sparks brutal social media jokes
Cruises are back, but they may not see prepandemic passenger numbers until 2023
Published by Miami HeraldMIAMI — The cruise industry may not return to prepandemic passenger numbers until 2023, according to an industry consultant speaking at Seatrade — the world’s largest business-to-business cruise conference which took place in Miami Beach last week. “It’s all very encouraging, but I don’t really see until next year that we’ll get significant increases … [Read more...] about Cruises are back, but they may not see prepandemic passenger numbers until 2023
Taiwan reports surge in Chinese aircraft in defence zone
Published by ReutersBy Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan reported the largest ever incursion by China's air force into its air defence zone on Monday at 52 aircraft, saying the Taiwanese air force had to scramble for the fourth straight day to warn off the intruders, as tensions spiralled. Chinese-claimed Taiwan has complained for a year or more of repeated … [Read more...] about Taiwan reports surge in Chinese aircraft in defence zone
A long-lost silent movie turned up in a storage closet and got its first screening in almost a century. Next stop: Turner Classic Movies
Published by Chicago TribuneCHICAGO — Last week at the Gene Siskel Film Center, before a near-capacity crowd, director Edward Sedgwick’s five-reel silent film “The First Degree” said hello again in first public appearance in 97 years. Cinephiles, it was a great night. After so much lockdown/laptop/living room viewing these past 19 months — and I’ve been getting out to see … [Read more...] about A long-lost silent movie turned up in a storage closet and got its first screening in almost a century. Next stop: Turner Classic Movies
Biden faces more setbacks in Afghanistan and Middle East
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has set in motion realignments in balances of power within the region and the neighborhood, which could drain American influence around the world. This realignment is being exacerbated by President Joe Biden’s tussle with China. The realignments have been accelerated by Biden’s apparent handover of Afghanistan to the Taliban, which is an … [Read more...] about Biden faces more setbacks in Afghanistan and Middle East
How CNN Business Ruined Christmas Prematurely
An October 2021 CNN Business article says that America has ruined Christmas. Apparently, CNN Business needs to have a chat with the Grinch. In her 03 October 2021 article How America ruined Christmas, CNN Business reporter Allison Morrow writes, "The supply chain nightmare that's been plaguing the global economy for over a year is about to snarl the holiday shopping … [Read more...] about How CNN Business Ruined Christmas Prematurely
Facebook whistleblower reveals identity, says firm chooses ‘profit over safety’
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The whistleblower who shared a trove of Facebook documents alleging the social media giant knew its products were fueling hate and harming children's mental health revealed her identity Sunday in a televised interview, and accused the company of choosing "profit over safety." Frances Haugen, a 37-year-old data scientist from Iowa, has worked … [Read more...] about Facebook whistleblower reveals identity, says firm chooses ‘profit over safety’
Fears of ‘election subversion’ as Trump flirts with 2024 White House bid
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The US presidential election of 2000 hinged on a few votes in Florida and was ultimately decided in the Supreme Court. The 2020 White House contest gave birth to the "Big Lie" and saw supporters of the losing candidate storm the US Capitol. Just wait and see what 2024 has in store. Donald Trump, the first president in US history to refuse to … [Read more...] about Fears of ‘election subversion’ as Trump flirts with 2024 White House bid
Merck’s Covid pill hailed after cutting hospitalizations by 50%
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Pharmaceutical company Merck said Friday it will seek authorization in the US of its oral drug molnupiravir for Covid-19 after it was shown to reduce the chance newly infected patients were hospitalized by 50 percent. A simple pill to treat the coronavirus has been sought since the start of the pandemic and Friday's announcement was hailed as … [Read more...] about Merck’s Covid pill hailed after cutting hospitalizations by 50%
Democrats under pressure to save Biden’s agenda
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - Democrats entered a second day of likely marathon negotiations Friday to resolve splits over the scope of President Joe Biden's domestic spending plans, knowing that failure could be crippling for the party. On Thursday, a game of political chicken between moderate Democrats and more leftwing members over two disputed spending bills ended in … [Read more...] about Democrats under pressure to save Biden’s agenda
The Supreme Court’s immense power may pose a danger to its legitimacy
The Supreme Court has no army to enforce its decisions; its authority rests solely on its legitimacy. Win McNamee/Getty Images Richard L. Pacelle, Jr., University of Tennessee The first Monday in October is the traditional day that the U.S. Supreme Court convenes for its new term. Analysts and soothsayers carefully read the signals and forecast the … [Read more...] about The Supreme Court’s immense power may pose a danger to its legitimacy