“Facilis descensus Averno” (The road to Hell is smooth), The Aeneid, Virgil, 19 BC It appears that the most potent and toxic purveyor of Republican politics is, and has been for over two decades, Fox News. Fox News proudly shows too much snout. But before Fox, there was Rush Limbaugh – a florid peddler of all things porcine. I always wondered whether Limbaugh’s addiction to … [Read more...] about SHOWING TOO MUCH SNOUT
Kevin McCarthy becomes social media punchline for his 9 hour speech
Wow. And I thought high school Algebra class seemed long. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy reminded me of that famous Chinese philospher Ahn Too Long. McCarthy gave a record-breaking 9 hour speech in opposition to the Biden administration's Build Back Better plan, which passed several hours later. He and his talkfest immediately became a punchline on Twitter. Expect … [Read more...] about Kevin McCarthy becomes social media punchline for his 9 hour speech
Q ANON SHAMAN
Biden’s $1.75 trillion social spending bill passes House despite McCarthy’s talkfest delay
Published by ReutersBy David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion bill to bolster the social safety net and fight climate change secured enough votes to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, after an overnight speech by the chamber's top Republican delayed the vote. Voting was continuing, but … [Read more...] about Biden’s $1.75 trillion social spending bill passes House despite McCarthy’s talkfest delay
Republican McCarthy delays vote on Biden agenda with nine-hour rant
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - House Democrats postponed to Friday a vote on US President Joe Biden's historic package of social welfare reforms as the leader of the minority Republicans' nine-hour speech drew mockery and frustrated their efforts. Kevin McCarthy was supposed to talk for one minute ahead of a Thursday evening vote in the lower chamber of Congress to advance … [Read more...] about Republican McCarthy delays vote on Biden agenda with nine-hour rant
NRA shooting from the lip (Cartoon)
Joe Exotic channels the spirit of America’s 19th-century tiger kings
Big cat showmen have long sought to distance themselves from allegations of animal abuse. Universal History Archive/Getty Images Madeline Steiner, University of South Carolina “I am never gonna financially recover from this,” grumbles Joe Exotic, the subject of Netflix’s “Tiger King” documentary series. Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph … [Read more...] about Joe Exotic channels the spirit of America’s 19th-century tiger kings
House could vote on ‘Build Back Better’ Thursday -Pelosi
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives could vote on President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion "Build Back Better" legislation on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, as long as some technical details from congressional committees are in hand. House members also were awaiting the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office's final assessment … [Read more...] about House could vote on ‘Build Back Better’ Thursday -Pelosi
U.S. House censures Republican Gosar for posting violent video
Published by ReutersBy Moira Warburton and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives censured one of its members for the first time in over a decade on Wednesday, rebuking a Republican over an anime video that depicted him killing progressive Democrat Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and swinging two swords at President Joe Biden. After the 223-207 largely … [Read more...] about U.S. House censures Republican Gosar for posting violent video
More kids in hospital, schools shut as smog smothers Delhi
Published by ReutersBy Sunil Kataria, Neha Arora and Mayank Bhardwaj NEW DELHI (Reuters) - More children are in hospital with breathing problems as pollution levels remain dangerously high in New Delhi, doctors warned on Wednesday, and the government shut five power stations and extended school closures to try to contain the crisis. The city of 20 million was the world's most … [Read more...] about More kids in hospital, schools shut as smog smothers Delhi
TikTok could count over 1.5 billion users in 2022
Published by RelaxnewsIs TikTok on the verge of dethroning Facebook and Instagram? The phenomenal ascent of the Chinese social network continues. According to a study, TikTok could host more than 1.5 billion users in 2022. The forecast testifies to the strength of this app which doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Instagram has Reels, Snapchat has Spotlight and … [Read more...] about TikTok could count over 1.5 billion users in 2022
Centrist America and Extremist Crazies
America’s citizenry is basically moderate and centrist. This has been confirmed over the years by various surveys that give independents, moderates, centrists a plurality no matter how they are labeled. When moderates and centrists in the two established parties that lean to the left or the right are included in the tally, centrists generally achieve a majority. Yet both … [Read more...] about Centrist America and Extremist Crazies
7-Foot Python Hitches A Ride On Florida Sailboat, Woman Discovers The Snake In The Shower
Published by OK MagazineA woman got a fright when she reportedly encountered a seven-foot-long snake on her boat. According to the Marco Island Police Department, the snake found a way onto a couple's sailboat near Indian Key, Fla., over the weekend. The stowaway was not discovered until it docked in Marco Island. "They were pulling into our dock and getting tied up, and the … [Read more...] about 7-Foot Python Hitches A Ride On Florida Sailboat, Woman Discovers The Snake In The Shower
Editorial: Fox viewers are misinformed about the pandemic. Advertisers should take note
Published by St. Louis Post-DispatchA new study has reached an obvious conclusion: People who rely primarily on Fox News for their information are more likely to believe dangerous falsehoods about the pandemic. The corporate sponsors who continue to enable this toxic network have it in their power to demand that it stop spreading this viral misinformation — and consumers have … [Read more...] about Editorial: Fox viewers are misinformed about the pandemic. Advertisers should take note
HIT STEVE BANNON ONE MORE TIME (Cartoon and Column)
Maybe America is correcting itself. Britney is free and Bannon is probably going to prison. Britney Spears is finally free from the conservatorship managed by her father that controlled her life and career. During this time, the conservatorship paid out millions to the people keeping it alive, including her father, mother, entertainment firms, assistants, and lawyers. … [Read more...] about HIT STEVE BANNON ONE MORE TIME (Cartoon and Column)
Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Kore
Efforts to reduce tensions between the Koreas, like the 2018 inter-Korean summit, are frequently the target of disinformation campaigns in South Korea. AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon K. Hazel Kwon, Arizona State University Disinformation, the practice of blending real and fake information with the goal of duping a government or influencing public opinion, … [Read more...] about Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Kore
Will Bunch: Rittenhouse and Arbery cases, Jan. 6 probe reveal stench of America’s broken justice system
Published by The Philadelphia InquirerYou've probably heard the old political maxim, most popular in the crime-ridden 1970s, that a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged. In the 2020s, it turns out that a criminal justice reformer is now a white dude who suddenly finds himself in jail after taking part in an insurrection to keep Donald Trump in the White House. … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: Rittenhouse and Arbery cases, Jan. 6 probe reveal stench of America’s broken justice system
Biden to tell Xi that China must play by the rules – senior U.S. official
Published by ReutersBy Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom and Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will tell Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a virtual meeting on Monday meant to reduce the chances of a superpower conflict that China must "play by the rules of the road" like a responsible nation, a senior U.S. administration official said. The video … [Read more...] about Biden to tell Xi that China must play by the rules – senior U.S. official
Former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke announces run for Texas governor
Published by Reuters(Reuters) - Former three-term U.S congressman and 2020 presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, a Democrat, announced on Monday that he is running for governor in Texas. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien; Editing by Doina Chiacu) … [Read more...] about Former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke announces run for Texas governor
The Weaponization of Migrants (UPDATE)
Update: Anne Applebaum at The Atlantic starts her fascinating reportage on the crisis at the Belarus border as follows: A small Kurdish boy is sitting on the ground in a damp Polish forest, a few miles from the eastern border with Belarus. The air is heavy with cold and fog. The boy is crying. Around the boy, sitting in a circle, are his parents, uncles, and … [Read more...] about The Weaponization of Migrants (UPDATE)