The first chartered flight carrying 221 Afghans (including family members and “scores of children and babies in arms” ) who served as interpreters and in other roles in support of the U.S. military in America’s Longest War, landed early Friday morning at Dulles International Airport after a more than 30-hour journey out of Kabul, Afghanistan. From Dulles they were driven … [Read more...] about Operation Allies Refuge Reaches U.S. Soil
Trump and McCarthy (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Trump and McCarthy (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Report: Notes Show Trump Asked Justice Dept. to Declare Election Results Corrupt
Trump reportedly wanted the Justice Department to declare the 2020 election results corrupt and added: "Leave the rest to me." With each passing day reports come out showing how the United States dodged a bullet when it came to Donald Trump, who will go down as one of the most authoritarian, dangerous and corrupt presidents in American history.The latest from the New York … [Read more...] about Report: Notes Show Trump Asked Justice Dept. to Declare Election Results Corrupt
COVID Tic-Tac-Toe
This is a great image by Daryl Cagle, Cagle Cartoons, deserving its own space. Daryl's narrative: ...notice that for vaccine to win will take two moves, but COVID could win in one move … and there is still the possibility of a tie. The potent new Delta Variant has created a tragedy in Red States where it combined with anti-vaxxers, COVID deniers, conspiracy … [Read more...] about COVID Tic-Tac-Toe
Senators reach deal on major points of bipartisan infrastructure bill
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate negotiators to a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill have reached agreement on the major components of the measure, Republican Senator Rob Portman told reporters on Wednesday. That could clear the way for the legislation to begin moving through the Senate following months of talks. Senate Majority Leader Chuck … [Read more...] about Senators reach deal on major points of bipartisan infrastructure bill
Party Over Country
Why does it seem impossible for politicians to understand that doing what is best for the country is more important than doing what is best for one’s political party? Truly patriotic Americans must know that sometimes one has to sacrifice one’s personal ambitions and aiding one’s political party if the necessary actions will injure America and its democratic system. While … [Read more...] about Party Over Country
I Told You So When No One Would Listen
A feast of crow for our national media. Shame. Shame. Not all press inspirations are angelic in nature. This is what I wrote on St. Patrick's Day, this year": ["Narrative News as (well-intentioned but dangerous) Propaganda"] Eight murders in Atlanta neatly fell into the (politically correct) narrative. Alas, it quickly appeared that a DIFFERENT narrative was in evidence, and … [Read more...] about I Told You So When No One Would Listen
‘Hugs and Kisses’ or ‘To Hell and Back’?
I am sure that most Americans who watched the first Congressional hearing by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection were once again appalled by the horrific videos they saw, but this time personally and chillingly corroborated by the harrowing testimony of the four courageous law enforcement officers who were sadly “starring” in those … [Read more...] about ‘Hugs and Kisses’ or ‘To Hell and Back’?
House January 6 committee hears of ‘medieval’ Capitol violence by pro-Trump rioters
Published by ReutersBy Richard Cowan and Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A congressional committee held its first hearing investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack on Tuesday with testimony by four police officers who struggled against a mob of then-President Donald Trump's supporters engaging in "medieval" violence and warnings from lawmakers against whitewashing the … [Read more...] about House January 6 committee hears of ‘medieval’ Capitol violence by pro-Trump rioters
‘Una Promesa Hecha Es una Promesa Cumplida’
While one form or another of “Holy Inquisition" ravaged Europe and the Iberian Peninsula for at least two centuries before and after the discovery of the New World, the year 1492 is often considered significant in the Spanish Inquisition as in that year – and in 1502 for Muslims – Catholic King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an ultimatum, El Decreto de la … [Read more...] about ‘Una Promesa Hecha Es una Promesa Cumplida’
Will Bunch: Merrick Garland’s elitist caution shows how Democrats could become a minority party
Published by The Philadelphia InquirerAttorney General Merrick Garland might be the ultimate example of the American Dream-era baby boomer at the core of today's Democratic Party — especially its elite leadership cadre. The grandchild of immigrants who came to America to flee antisemitism in Russia, Garland grew up in the booming 1960s middle-class suburbs of Chicago, won a … [Read more...] about Will Bunch: Merrick Garland’s elitist caution shows how Democrats could become a minority party
School cafeterias are in need of a hero.
Summary: School cafeterias may face a food shortage as students return to in-person learning. School cafeterias are in need of a hero. That may be the case if a story reported by The Daily Beast is correct. Only one person can come to the rescue of school cafeterias. Only one person can make enough food for all of the students returning to in-person … [Read more...] about School cafeterias are in need of a hero.
U.S. House Speaker Pelosi names Republican Kinzinger to Jan. 6 panel (includes Twitter reaction)
Published by ReutersBy Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday formally named Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger to serve on a select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Kinzinger, Pelosi said in a statement, "brings great patriotism to the … [Read more...] about U.S. House Speaker Pelosi names Republican Kinzinger to Jan. 6 panel (includes Twitter reaction)
FLINGING WITH KEVIN (Cartoon, Column and Video)
Kevin McCarthy says he wants to find all the facts of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol but he can’t trust a partisan committee of Democrats, so he’s going to create a partisan committee of Republicans. The first time the Democrats tried to create a committee to investigate what happened on January 6, they consulted with Republicans before they held a vote. … [Read more...] about FLINGING WITH KEVIN (Cartoon, Column and Video)
What would the ancient Greeks think of an Olympics with no fans?
In ancient Greece, the heart and soul of the festival was the experience shared by all who attended. AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama Vincent Farenga, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Because of a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases, the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2021 Olympics will unfold in a stadium absent the eyes, ears and voices … [Read more...] about What would the ancient Greeks think of an Olympics with no fans?
Trudy Rubin: Ben & Jerry’s boycott is not antisemitic, nor a rejection of Israel
Published by The Philadelphia InquirerThe most stunning thing about the Great Ice Cream War between Ben & Jerry’s and Israel is the explosive Israeli reaction. The ice cream maker, famous for social consciousness and iconic flavors like Chubby Hubby, announced Monday it was ending sales in “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” meaning Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East … [Read more...] about Trudy Rubin: Ben & Jerry’s boycott is not antisemitic, nor a rejection of Israel
As Americans navigate conflicting COVID-19 mask advice, ‘everyone is confused’
Published by ReutersBy Joseph Ax and Tim Reid PRINCETON, N.J./SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Reuters) - A COVID-19 surge ignited in parts of the United States by the highly contagious Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy has led to new mask mandates and deep confusion among some people about which guidance to follow. In Los Angeles County, leaders have reinstated an indoor mask mandate, … [Read more...] about As Americans navigate conflicting COVID-19 mask advice, ‘everyone is confused’
Olympics-Athletes parade in empty stadium as Tokyo Games open in shadow of pandemic
Published by ReutersBy Antoni Slodkowski, Elaine Lies and Kiyoshi Takenaka TOKYO (Reuters) - In an Olympic opening ceremony like none before, one tradition held firm on Friday as athletes from across the world paraded into an eerie, almost empty national stadium to represent their nations, for the first time their smiles hidden behind masks. Most countries were represented by … [Read more...] about Olympics-Athletes parade in empty stadium as Tokyo Games open in shadow of pandemic
Some Weekend Photography
It has been a while since we have seen some “weekend photography.” (Ron Beasley, we miss you!) There is a great on-line magazine -- Airman, "the official magazine of the U.S. Air Force" – with good readings, videos and photography. Right now, on its FaceBook page, Airman is featuring a contest asking readers to help them select the "Airman Top Shot" of the … [Read more...] about Some Weekend Photography
Mississippi calls on Supreme Court to overturn US right to abortion
Published by AFPWashington (AFP) - The state of Mississippi on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to overturn the right to abortion in the United States in a legal brief added to a case set to be heard later in the year. The case, involving a Mississippi law that bans most abortions in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy, will be heard during the court's next term which begins … [Read more...] about Mississippi calls on Supreme Court to overturn US right to abortion