By Phil Stewart and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he will begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan on May 1 to end America's longest war, rejecting calls for U.S. forces to stay to ensure a peaceful resolution to that country's internal conflict. In a White House speech, Biden set a goal of withdrawing all 2,500 U.S. troops … [Read more...] about ‘Time to end the forever war’: Biden to start U.S. Afghanistan pullout on May 1
Satire: Fillibuster, OK
By Laurie Baron Fil-li-bus-ter, to prevent DEM laws from being passed. You can troll, any gun control, who minds flags flying at half-mast? Fil-li-bus-ter, must voting rights be guaranteed? Let the states excise the franchise and simply follow Georgia’s lead. Mitch wants us to cause gridlock. And Manchin sides with our bloc. And when we cheer, That we can … [Read more...] about Satire: Fillibuster, OK
U.S. calls for pause to J&J COVID-19 vaccine over rare blood clots
By Reuters staff (Reuters) - U.S. federal health agencies on Tuesday recommended pausing the use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine after six recipients developed a rare disorder involving blood clots, in a fresh setback to global efforts to tackle the pandemic. The move comes a week after European regulators said they had found a possible link between AstraZeneca's … [Read more...] about U.S. calls for pause to J&J COVID-19 vaccine over rare blood clots
For Republicans, defending the Donald is a fool’s errand | Mulshine
What do you call a person who insists that Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party? These days, that’s a position more likely to be pushed by Democratic leaders who’d like to keep Trump as the face of the party . As for the conservative Republicans of my acquaintance, most are of the opinion that Donald Trump lost all credibility when he sold out Republican values in … [Read more...] about For Republicans, defending the Donald is a fool’s errand | Mulshine
U.S. to base additional troops in Germany in reversal of Trump policy
BERLIN (Reuters) - The United States will ramp up its forces in Germany amid the latest tensions with Russia over Ukraine, abandoning former President Donald Trump's plans to withdraw around 12,000 of the 36,000 troops from the fellow NATO country. "I briefed the minister on our intention to permanently stage an approximately 500 additional U.S. personnel in the Wiesbaden area … [Read more...] about U.S. to base additional troops in Germany in reversal of Trump policy
Northern Ireland, born of strife 100 years ago, again erupts in political violence
Northern Irish protesters on April 7, 2021, burn the Peace Gate in Belfast, built in the 1990s to separate the city’s warring Protestant and Catholic communities. Charles McQuillan/Getty Images James Waller, Keene State College Sectarian rioting has returned to the streets of Northern Ireland, just weeks shy of its 100th anniversary as a territory of … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland, born of strife 100 years ago, again erupts in political violence
Everything’s Political (Cartoon)
Biden walks tightrope with bipartisan talks on $2 trillion infrastructure bill
Washington (AFP) - President Joe Biden holds a rare meeting Monday with opposition Republican lawmakers, as well as Democratic allies, to push his more than $2 trillion infrastructure bill -- a daring bid to rebuild the United States and cement his place in history. The White House meeting between Biden and eight members of Congress is being stage managed to show that the new … [Read more...] about Biden walks tightrope with bipartisan talks on $2 trillion infrastructure bill
Entitled
By dint of money, celebrity or power, many individuals in America consider themselves entitled and able to have their way in everything they want. They see ordinary people as pawns to be used to further their own comfort and interests. That everyone is not created equal is apparent to even casual observers. Aside from sexual and racial variance, some people are tall, some … [Read more...] about Entitled
Thank You, Sir, May I Have Another? (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Going beyond “Thank you, Sir, may I have another,” and perhaps coincidentally, perhaps intentionally, perhaps obliviously, this morning the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) presented Trump with the inaugural Champion for Freedom Award. It comes less than 48 hours after Trump launched an obscenities-laden attack on their Senate Minority Leader, Mitch … [Read more...] about Thank You, Sir, May I Have Another? (UPDATED)
Russian businessman Glushkov was strangled in 2018, British coroner rules
LONDON (Reuters) - Russian businessman Nikolai Glushkov, who was found dead in 2018, was strangled in his home in southwest London by an unidentified person, a British coroner has ruled, the BBC reported. Glushkov fled Russia after being accused of fraud during his time as deputy director of the Aeroflot airline, and was granted political asylum in the UK in 2010, the BBC … [Read more...] about Russian businessman Glushkov was strangled in 2018, British coroner rules
India prepares for Kumbh Mela, world’s largest religious gathering, amid COVID-19 fears
Hindu devotees attend evening prayers on the banks of the Ganges River during the religious Kumbh Mela festival in Haridwar, India. Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images Tulasi Srinivas, Emerson College Massive crowds are expected to gather at India’s northern city of Haridwar throughout April 2021 for the religious festival of Kumbh Mela, despite the … [Read more...] about India prepares for Kumbh Mela, world’s largest religious gathering, amid COVID-19 fears
Will Bunch: If GOP, Mitch McConnell really wants ‘woke’ corporations out of politics, here’s how
Some advice for any young readers out there still looking for their soulmate: Find a life partner who looks at you the way Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has looked at America’s CEOs, their three-martini lobbyists and their briefcases brimming with campaign cash. It’s the only green new deal the Kentuckian has ever cared about. Arriving in Washington as a Senate … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: If GOP, Mitch McConnell really wants ‘woke’ corporations out of politics, here’s how
Britain’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, dies aged 99
By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) -Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth who played a leading figure in the British royal family for almost seven decades, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace said on Friday. The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, had been by his wife's side throughout her 69-year reign, the longest in British history, during which time he … [Read more...] about Britain’s Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, dies aged 99
Embracing Taiwan
President Joe Biden is reasserting American power around the world. He believes and he has stated that democracy is the best form of government, and he is strengthening our relations with our democratic allies in Europe and Asia. His actions also show that he understands that dictatorships are the actual or potential enemies of the United States and democracy in general. In … [Read more...] about Embracing Taiwan
Will a Doughnut a Day Keep COVID Away?
My wife and I love those mouthwatering, “original glazed” Krispy Kreme doughnuts, especially when still warm, just rolling off the “assembly line,” which we can watch through a glass window at our Krispy Kreme store. When we lived relatively close to one it would become a ritual to stop by about once a week and pick up half-a-dozen or so of those delectable … [Read more...] about Will a Doughnut a Day Keep COVID Away?
Editorial: The All-Star Game moves, and businesses confront the perils of politics
The new Georgia voting law, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp last month, has divided Georgians and other Americans along partisan lines, with Republicans hailing it as a victory for “election integrity” and Democrats condemning it as “voter suppression.” But the fight has expanded beyond the usual political actors. Major corporations that declined to get involved in the legislative … [Read more...] about Editorial: The All-Star Game moves, and businesses confront the perils of politics
For autocrats like Vladimir Putin, ruthless repression is often a winning way to stay in power
Russian police officers beat people protesting the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Jan. 23, 2021 in Moscow. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) Shelley Inglis, University of Dayton Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, sick with a cough and fever, has been moved to the hospital ward of the remote penal colony where he is imprisoned. Navalny … [Read more...] about For autocrats like Vladimir Putin, ruthless repression is often a winning way to stay in power
Despite Biden claim, most migrant families not being expelled to Mexico
By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. border agents expelled roughly a third of migrant parents and children traveling together and caught crossing the southwestern border in March, according to U.S. government data, undercutting a claim by President Joe Biden that most families are being sent back to Mexico. About 17,000 of the nearly 53,000 parents and children caught at … [Read more...] about Despite Biden claim, most migrant families not being expelled to Mexico
SO NOW REPUBLICANS HATE COKE AND BASEBALL
Republicans and corporate America have been conjoined for so long that any breach in the bond is almost impossible to imagine. Yet we’re seeing one now, thanks to the GOP’s decision to give free rein to its authoritarian impulses. The way it has long worked is easy to explain. Corporate America shovels big bucks to the Republicans, who in turn ensure via legislation that … [Read more...] about SO NOW REPUBLICANS HATE COKE AND BASEBALL